Nangong Lan

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Nangong Lan (南宫澜)
Alias(es)	True Lord Cangming
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Bliss Palace
Occupation/Role	Fifth Realm Great Grandmaster; investigator of supernatural calamities
Status	Active; last seen attending a meeting in an interlayer space 116
First Appearance	Chapter 96

Background / History

Nangong Lan arrived at Red Sleeve Pavilion before Su Qingyang during the outbreak connected to the Little Underworld. Dressed in red, she identified the pavilion’s mutated victims as sacrificial offerings prepared for an unknown existence. After Su recognized her connection to Bliss Palace, she admitted that she had originally planned to conceal her identity behind a fabricated hidden-Lineage background. 96

She judged that the Little Underworld was an artificial fragment of the world and that stopping its ritual required entering it directly. Though she initially attempted to leave Han Jiangyue behind as a delaying force—and later tried to avoid entering herself—she ultimately accompanied Su into the realm. 97

Within the Little Underworld, Nangong Lan crossed the River of Oblivion with Su, used her sword domain against Vengeful Spirits, and guided him through parts of the Underworld based on previous experience. She revealed that she had faced disasters there as far back as eight hundred years earlier. 98 100 105

When the Little Underworld’s true nature was exposed, she fought beside Su against the Bodhisattva and the Ghost Faces. Su’s overwhelming sword strike left her convinced that he could neither be fought nor made an enemy. 104 105

After escaping Red Mountain, Nangong Lan admitted that she had initially intended to assassinate Su Qingyang, though she maintained that eliminating the Little Underworld’s scourge had been her main objective. She warned him that powerful cultivators suffer the Malice of Heaven and Earth, which steadily drains their vitality, and attempted to recruit him into Bliss Palace. 106 107

During Wu Baiqing’s attack, Nangong Lan used her Martial Domain to force him into the path of Su’s punch, resulting in his death. She then fled, leaving Su a voice transmission claiming that the Four Unknowns were immortals. 108

She later attended a gathering in an interlayer space with members of other factions. There, she clashed with a bald representative of the Hall of Immortality over Wu Baiqing’s death and rejected optimism about seeking refuge in other worlds. 116

Appearance

Nangong Lan is a striking woman who commonly wears red robes and carries herself with languid confidence. Her beauty, bright eyes, and pale jade-like hands are repeatedly emphasized, often contrasting with the menace of her cultivation. 96 97 105

• Usually appears in flowing red garments. 96 116
• Wields a golden longsword. 97 105
• Can project an overwhelming life aura; ordinary mortals would mutate merely from witnessing it without restraint. 107
• Her appearance remains youthful despite her centuries of experience. 105 107

Personality

Nangong Lan is playful, provocative, and habitually evasive. She repeatedly tests Su Qingyang through flirtation, self-pity, and half-truths, including an attempt to seduce him before entering the Little Underworld. 97 98 106

Behind that frivolity, she is observant and pragmatic. She recognizes dangers that cannot be solved through brute force alone, understands the dangers posed by the Malice of Heaven and Earth, and is willing to retreat when the odds are unfavorable. 99 106

She is also proud and quick-tempered when challenged. Her dispute with the Hall of Immortality representative nearly escalates into a clash of domains, and she makes clear that her calm demeanor should not be mistaken for weakness. 116

Abilities & Skills

Fifth Realm Great Grandmaster

Nangong Lan is a Fifth Realm Great Grandmaster, placing her above ordinary Martial Dao Grandmasters. She normally suppresses her cultivation while moving through the Human World due to the Malice of Heaven and Earth. 102 106

• Possesses vitality far exceeding that of ordinary humans. 106
• Can alter an ordinary mortal’s life form with a single thought. 107
• Has survived and investigated supernatural disasters for centuries. 105

Martial Domain

Nangong Lan can unfold a vast Martial Domain shaped by sword qi, pink peach blossoms, and a paradise-like landscape. Within it, she gains control over the battlefield. 102

• Suppresses opponents’ True Qi and blood qi. 102
• Severs enemies from the Power of Heaven and Earth, weakening their techniques. 102
• Forms powerful golden sword light capable of shredding Vengeful Spirits. 98
• Can use her domain to forcefully manipulate an opponent’s position, as when she pushed Wu Baiqing toward Su Qingyang’s attack. 108

Swordsmanship

Nangong Lan is an accomplished swordswoman who employs a golden longsword alongside her Martial Domain. 97 102

• Used her sword and domain to defend against Vengeful Spirits on the River of Oblivion. 98
• Cleaved through the black mist surrounding the Little Underworld to open an escape route. 105
• Her sword qi manifests as blazing, heaven-filling flames. 102

Movement Technique

Nangong Lan possesses exceptional lightness kung fu and mobility. 102

• Moves with sudden bursts of speed, including appearing directly behind Wu Baiqing during combat. 108
• Escaped Red Mountain as a streak of sword light after Wu Baiqing’s death. 108

Knowledge of Forbidden Realms

Nangong Lan possesses unusually extensive knowledge of the Little Underworld, forbidden zones, and the consequences of cultivating beyond the Human World’s limits. 96 100 106 107

• Identified the Little Underworld as a false world or great dream constructed by a higher existence. 97 101
• Recognized the Ghost Faces as entities connected to the Underworld’s structure. 100 104
• Understands that high-level cultivators are targeted by the Malice of Heaven and Earth. 106
• Knows of the Four Unknowns and privately identifies them as immortals. 108

Equipment

• Golden longsword — Her primary weapon; used with her Martial Domain and sword qi. 97 102
• Heaven Sealing Array flags — Three cyan flags used by Wu Baiqing to isolate Red Mountain from the Human World; Su Qingyang claimed them after Wu’s death. 106 108

Relationships

• Su Qingyang — Initially a planned assassination target and later an uneasy ally in the Little Underworld. Nangong Lan attempted to recruit him into Bliss Palace, but his strength convinced her never to make him an enemy. 96 105 106 107
• Wu Baiqing — Fellow Bliss Palace associate who established the Heaven Sealing Array. Nangong Lan ultimately forced him into Su Qingyang’s attack, causing his death. 106 108
• Han Jiangyue — Left behind to contain the Red Sleeve Pavilion monsters while Nangong Lan and Su entered the Little Underworld. 97
• Ghost Faces — Ancient entities of the Little Underworld that recognized Nangong Lan from her earlier incursions; she had previously beaten them into submission. 100 104
• Bald Hall of Immortality representative — Hostile counterpart at the interlayer meeting; their dispute nearly became a direct domain clash over Wu Baiqing’s death. 116

Story Role / Major Arcs

Red Sleeve Pavilion and Little Underworld

Nangong Lan serves as Su Qingyang’s guide and unreliable partner during the Red Sleeve Pavilion crisis. She supplies crucial context on the sacrificial ritual and leads him toward the Little Underworld, while continually attempting to preserve her own safety. 96 97

River of Oblivion and Underworld

She accompanies Su through the River of Oblivion, Yellow Springs Road, and the Underworld city. Her experience helps establish that the realm is a constructed dream in which living beings are treated as sacrificial food. 98 100 101

Battle Against the Ghost Faces

Nangong Lan assists Su against the Bodhisattva and the Ghost Faces, but Su’s final attack demonstrates a level of strength that fundamentally changes her attitude toward him. 104 105

Red Mountain Betrayal

Outside the Little Underworld, Nangong Lan attempts to negotiate with Su while Wu Baiqing’s Heaven Sealing Array closes around them. Rather than defend Wu, she engineers his death and escapes after revealing the existence of immortals. 106 107 108

Interlayer Meeting

Nangong Lan resurfaces among powerful representatives discussing demon ghost invasions, Tian You, leaked artifacts, and potential travel to other worlds. She remains skeptical that another world would offer a better path than their own. 116

Notable Quotes

“Eight hundred years ago, this old lady had already dealt with far more disasters than you ever had.” 105

“The Four Unknowns... are immortals...” 108

Trivia

• Nangong Lan’s preferred method of dealing with Su Qingyang is often flirtation, but he consistently dismisses or turns her attempts against her. 97 98
• Despite being True Lord Cangming, she refers to Su Qingyang as “big boss” after witnessing his power. 106 108
• Her true cultivation is dangerous to display openly in the Human World because of the Malice of Heaven and Earth. 106