Xiao Lin

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Xiao Lin (萧林)
Alias(es)	Lin Xiao; Elder Lin; Supreme Elder Lin
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Xiao Household; Jia Nan Academy; Myriad Formation Spirit Palace
Occupation/Role	Former Xiao Household Clan Chief; former Jia Ma Empire general; Jia Nan Academy Supreme Elder; Spirit Array Master; founder and Palace Master of the Myriad Formation Spirit Palace
Status	Alive
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Da Dou Shi → Dou Ling	1	After joining the Jia Ma Empire army as a Da Dou Shi, he spent five years rising from a common soldier to a general commanding 30,000 men and broke through to Dou Ling.
Four-Star Battle Spirit; initial Heavenly Realm Soul Power	3	Awakening Past-Life Wisdom grants him initial Heavenly Realm Soul Power; this lets him contend with initial- or mid-stage Dou Zongs without defeat.
Peak Nine-Star Dou Ling	5	Reaches the peak after five years developing the Star Codex, leaving him ready to break through to Dou Wang.
Four-Star Dou Emperor	6	Reaches Four-Star Dou Emperor within a year of creating the Earth Rank mid-level Star Codex.
Concealed Six-Star Dou Emperor; apparent One-Star Dou Wang	41	After another year, his hidden cultivation rises from Four-Star to Six-Star Dou Emperor, while the strength he publicly displays reaches One-Star Dou Wang.
Concealed Seven-Star Dou Emperor	41	Advances another star during the following year.
Eight-Star Dou Emperor; Heavenly Realm Soul Power	63	Reveals his true strength while killing Ying Changkong.
Peak Nine-Star Dou Emperor; Second-Level Spirit Array Master	65	Creates the Spirit-Gathering Formation after a year of cultivation and formation study.
Dou Zong; Third-Level Spirit Array Master	66 67	Breaks through to Dou Zong with the Spirit-Gathering Formation’s aid; after a further year of study, raises his Spirit Array Mastery to Level Three.
Two-Star Dou Zong	86	Breaks through while arranging Spirit-Gathering Formations in the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower.
Three-Star Dou Zong	88	Advances after two months of cultivation in the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower.
Seven-Star Dou Zong	127	Reaches Seven-Star Dou Zong after two years of intermittent cultivation in the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower.
Eight-Star Dou Zong; Fourth-Rank Spirit Array Master	130	Advances one star over the following two years while focusing on formation derivation and establishes four Trial Grounds formations for Jia Nan Academy.
Nine-Star Dou Zong	153	Breaks through at the Heavenly Water Cold Pool before withdrawing unnoticed from the conflict between the Heavenly Serpent Imperial Family and Heavenly Serpent Mansion.
One-Star Dou Venerable	171	Devours part of Fallen Heart Flame’s origin and spends three months cultivating beneath the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower.
Mid-Heavenly Realm Soul Power; Five-Rank Spirit Array Master	172 177 178	His soul power advances after his Dou Venerable breakthrough; he is also confirmed as a Five-Rank Spirit Array Master.
Two-Star Dou Venerable	206	Breaks through while preparing for the Sect Tournament of the Four Great Empires.
Three-Star Dou Venerable	229	Enters emergency seclusion after Xiao Zhan’s marriage stirs memories of Wen Lingyun.
Four-Star Dou Venerable	241	Breaks through after recovering from and digesting the gains of his battle with Mang Tianchi.
Nine-Star Dou Venerable	251	Absorbs decades of Astral Power accumulated by Starfall Pavilion’s Stellar Fragment for nearly three months, rising five stars in a single breakthrough.
One-Turn Dou Venerable; High-Tier Earth Rank Star Codex	299	Completes his first Dou Qi compression after a year cultivating in the Lei Clan’s Thunder Realm, during which he upgrades the Star Codex from Mid-Tier to High-Tier Earth Rank.
Third Dou Qi compression	300	Completes his third compression after nearly two and a half years in the Thunder Realm. The chapter calls the resulting stage “Three-Star Dou Venerable”; this follows his earlier Nine-Star Dou Venerable breakthrough and refers to his progress through the post-nine-star compressions.
Five-Turn Dou Venerable	339 349	His hidden cultivation reaches Five-Turn Dou Venerable, though progress has slowed; in the Jia Ma Empire, he publicly displays Seven-Star Dou Wang strength.
Peak Five-Turn Dou Venerable	362	After nearly two years spent mostly cultivating in the Realm of Formations, he reaches the peak of the fifth turn but cannot break through to the sixth.
Nine-Transformation Peak Dou Venerable	399	Completes the post-nine-star compressions. The Three Thousand Burning Flame continues increasing his Dou Qi reserves, but further reserves alone cannot overcome the bottleneck to Half-Saint or Dou Sheng.
Mid-Level Heaven Rank Nine Heavens Star Record	421 422	Evolves his self-created Star Codex into a Heaven Rank cultivation method during the Heavenly Dog Devours the Moon and endures its Black Demon Lightning tribulation.
Late-Stage One-Star Dou Sheng	422	Uses the remaining energy gained from Black Demon Lightning to break through directly from Nine-Transformation Dou Venerable to Dou Sheng, advancing beyond the initial threshold after three days of seclusion.
Late Heavenly Realm Soul Power	423	His soul advances alongside his Dou Sheng breakthrough, greatly increasing his combat strength and capacity to use Spirit Array techniques.
Acquisition of two intermediate Heaven Rank earth-attribute Dou Techniques	444 445	Receives Earth Sword, which he renames Cliffside Sword, and the gravity-controlling domain technique Infinite Purgatory from Ji Li, expanding his techniques suitable for Dou Sheng combat.
Development of two Heaven Rank star-attribute Dou Techniques	466	Spends nearly six months in the void deriving and testing two additional techniques suited to his astral cultivation.
Late-Stage Two-Star Dou Sheng; Earth Tier Low-Rank Spirit Array Master	557	After nearly a year at the Xiao Household, advances two minor stages. Condensing Spirit Seals tempers his Dou Qi and soul power, while the Three Thousand Burning Flame aids his absorption of Astral Power. Can now deploy the Minor Zhoutian Star-Dipper Formation.
Middle-Stage Three-Star Dou Sheng	586	Directly absorbs a stalk of nine-leaf heavenly star grass in the Realm of Formations over nearly two months, advancing two minor stages from late-stage Two-Star Dou Sheng.

Background / History

Xiao Lin served in the Jia Ma Empire’s army after reaching the Da Dou Shi realm. Over five years, he rose from an ordinary soldier to a general commanding 30,000 troops, becoming a Dou Ling in the process. He later fought in the war against the Cloud Empire while his wife, Wen Lingyun, was pregnant with their child. 1

Wen Lingyun died after a difficult birth before Xiao Lin could return from the front. Her death awakened Xiao Lin’s memories of a previous life on Blue Star and gave him Heavenly Realm Soul Power. Devastated by guilt, he kept vigil beside her coffin for days until Xiao Dongcheng brought him their newborn son, Xiao Zhan, and reminded him of his responsibilities to the living. 2 3

After recalling that he was a minor background figure from Battle Through the Heavens, Xiao Lin realized that Xiao Yan would be his future grandson. Knowing that his original fate was to die from grave injuries before the main story began, he resolved to survive until the finale, initially intending to rely on Xiao Yan’s eventual rise as the Flame Emperor. 3 5

He concealed his rapid advancement to avoid exposing his secrets or drawing the Hun Clan’s attention. Although he publicly revealed enough strength to establish the Xiao Household as a Dou Wang family, his true cultivation remained far higher. 7 27

Following the Secret Realm expedition, Xiao Lin killed Ying Changkong, took the latter’s resources for the Xiao Household, and began studying formations under Formation Old Man, becoming the remnant soul’s disciple and inheritor of the Myriad Formation Spirit Palace. 49 63 65

Xiao Lin later travelled under the identity “Lin Xiao,” entering the Black-Corner Region and joining Jia Nan Academy as an elder. His formation expertise earned him access to the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower, where he cultivated, strengthened the academy’s formations, and eventually became its Supreme Elder. 73 78 82 238

After reaching Dou Venerable, he returned to the Jia Ma Empire, disclosed part of his true strength to Xiao Dongcheng, and formally succeeded him as Xiao Household Clan Chief. He reorganized the household, established a protected Scripture Pavilion, expanded its elder structure, and restrained reckless expansion in favor of stable development. 178 186 193 194

Upon reaching the Central Plains, Xiao Lin used the identity Lin Xiao to avenge Yang Xiyue’s destroyed family. He destroyed the Qi Household of Baiting City, then later forced Yellow Springs Venerable to announce Yellow Springs Pavilion’s closure after attacking the pavilion. 243 245 258

Xiao Lin subsequently entered Heavenly Star City through Xu Mo’s introduction and accepted Starfall Pavilion’s request for a Formation Grandmaster. While working on the Starfall Formation, he discovered that the sect’s environment and Stellar Fragment held immense Astral Power compatible with the Star Codex; absorbing the fragment’s accumulated reserves elevated him from Four-Star to Nine-Star Dou Venerable. 247 251

After returning to the Jia Ma Empire, Xiao Lin established a commercial partnership between the Xiao Household and the Snake-People Tribe, then secretly returned to the Central Plains to attend the Space Trading Assembly. 274 276

At the assembly, Xiao Lin exchanged Formation Disks for a soul Dou Technique and the tendon of a Dou Saint-level tiger-type magical beast, completing his collection of principal weapon-forging materials. After parting from Ji Li, he sought an Artifact Refiner capable of meeting his requirements. He ultimately commissioned Lei Xiu of the Lei Clan and cultivated in its Thunder Realm while the weapon was being forged. 286 287 294 295 299

Xiao Lin later helped establish the Myriad Formation Spirit Palace with Ji Li and eight Formation Grandmasters. He had wanted to found a formation-focused sect for some time but previously lacked the personnel. Its Realm of Formations includes an ancient wutong forest centered on the tree named Cangwu. 328

After returning to the Xiao Household, Xiao Lin renewed his relationship with his grandsons, including the newly born Xiao Yan, and resumed spending time with his family. He subsequently agreed with Nalan Jie to betroth Xiao Yan to Nalan Yanran. 330 332 334 337

During this period, Xiao Lin destroyed the Chek Family of Gulan City after discovering its abuse of ordinary people and a pit containing ten thousand corpses. He killed Chek Aoyan with one strike while displaying Seven-Star Dou Wang strength. The imperial family’s investigation confirmed the atrocities, and his victory raised his public ranking to fifth among the Jia Ma Empire’s Top Ten Strongest. 344 345

When Yan Penghong challenged him to a Life-and-Death Duel, Xiao Lin defeated him with one strike and discovered that Soul Hall’s Protector Wu had aided and controlled him. Concerned that Soul Hall was becoming active near the Xiao Household, Xiao Lin returned home pretending to be gravely injured. He later retired as clan chief, leaving Xiao Zhan to lead the household; the family subsequently decided to move from the imperial capital to Wutan City. 350 351 352 356 357

During the following years, Xiao Lin spent much of his time cultivating in the Realm of Formations. Finding himself stalled at peak Five-Turn Dou Venerable, he sought another means of advancing before the events he remembered from his previous life. He approached the Pill Region’s five great families for access to the Three Thousand Burning Flame. After four families refused him, he renewed an old connection with Ye Yun of the Ye Family; the Ye Family ultimately gave him its chance to approach the flame. He later subdued it. 362 365 366 373 383

Xiao Lin also became acquainted with Yao Lao, whose soul had been hidden in a ring belonging to Yang Xiyue. He encouraged Yao Lao to teach Xiao Yan, specifically asking him to address the boy’s emotional distance from his family as well as develop his cultivation. After Yao Lao accepted, Xiao Lin left the choice of teaching methods to him. 227 391 396 399

Before arranging this discipleship, Xiao Lin nourished Yao Lao’s remnant soul with Dou Qi, hastening his awakening. He also offered to help rebuild Yao Lao’s body and invited his family back to the imperial-capital ancestral residence so Yao Lao could evaluate Xiao Yan personally. 386 388

Having reached Nine-Transformation Peak Dou Venerable, Xiao Lin set out to evolve his astral cultivation method rather than replace it. He developed the mid-level Heaven Rank Nine Heavens Star Record from the Star Codex, endured the ensuing Black Demon Lightning tribulation, and used the energy he had gained to advance directly to late-stage One-Star Dou Sheng. 399 421 422

After observing Xiao Yi Xian in Green Mountain Town and advising her about the Woeful Poison Body, Xiao Lin gave her a unilateral engagement contract with Xiao Yan. The document imposed no obligation on her and could remain unsigned. He then returned to Wutan City, where he recognized that Xiao Yan had finally overcome his sense of alienation from his family and the world. 430 433 435

Following Xiao Li’s coming-of-age ceremony, Xiao Lin took him away to train in the Central Plains. He first detoured toward Stone Desert City to seek a girl with the potential to become a Dou Sheng, concerned that his interference with the original events might have changed her fate. Xiao Li, Xue Lan, and Qing Lin subsequently entered the Myriad Formation Spirit Palace as disciples. 436 444 445

At the palace, Ji Li recognized Xiao Lin’s Dou Sheng cultivation and supplied him with two intermediate Heaven Rank earth-attribute Dou Techniques. Xiao Lin then disclosed his true name and youthful appearance to Ji Li and the Eight Elders. His trusted companions agreed to preserve the secret, while he continued serving publicly as Palace Master under the name Lin Xiao. 444 446 448

After nearly six months deriving and testing two Heaven Rank star-attribute Dou Techniques in the void, Xiao Lin resumed visiting acquaintances and enjoying leisure. He visited the Misty Cloud Sect to play chess with Yun Shan and teased Nalan Yanran about her rivalry with Xiao Yan. 466

Xiao Lin later crossed Mist Valley to retrieve Xiao Ding from Sound Valley. He introduced himself to Valley Master Yan Suxin as Lin Xiao, Palace Master of the Myriad Formation Spirit Palace, and accepted her hospitality while investigating the reasons for Xiao Ding’s detention. Yan Suxin subsequently travelled with his group toward the palace and regarded him favorably as a powerful enemy of the Soul Hall. 482 497

After returning to the Xiao Household, Xiao Lin received Ji Li, who brought Xiao Li home as his guide. He invited Ji Li to stay temporarily and supported Baili Qing’s plan to take Qing Lin to the Heavenly Serpent Empire for practical experience. 524 526

During nearly a year at the household, Xiao Lin advanced to late-stage Two-Star Dou Sheng and became an Earth Tier Low-Rank Spirit Array Master. His apparent idleness concealed progress through Spirit Seal practice and the Three Thousand Burning Flame’s assistance. A secret nighttime visit from Yun Shan revealed that both had lost track of Protector Wu for two or three months, undermining their earlier deception intended to keep him from reporting the household’s affairs to the Soul Hall. 557

After hearing Yun Shan’s account of Yun Yun’s disappearance, Xiao Lin deduced that Xiao Yan had rescued her in the Snake-People Tribe Holy City. He reassured Yun Shan, suspected Protector Wu Ying of being her attacker, and proposed capturing rather than killing the protector to delay a Soul Hall investigation. He and Yun Shan subsequently observed Xiao Yan and Yun Yun secretly for a month. 558 563

With the Protector Wu matter brought to a close, Xiao Lin intended to remain until Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran’s marriage contest. Zuo He’s report of a major conflict with the Heavenly Nether Sect forced him to return to the Central Plains instead, as Ji Li was away seeking his Dou Sheng breakthrough and the palace otherwise lacked a counter to the sect’s Half-Saint. 571 574

Xiao Lin later absorbed nine-leaf heavenly star grass directly during nearly two months of seclusion in the Realm of Formations, reaching middle-stage Three-Star Dou Sheng. He maintained the appearance of being gravely injured in the Central Plains and returned to the Xiao Household under the pretext of recuperating. There, he learned that Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran’s contest had ended in a draw. 586

Before Xiao Yan departed for further study at Jia Nan Academy, Xiao Lin supplied him with a recommendation letter. Xiao Yan, Xun’er, and Nalan Yanran subsequently left the imperial capital together. After the younger family members returned to Wutan City, Xiao Lin remained at the ancestral residence, anticipating Xiao Yan’s next Heavenly Flame acquisition and further growth. 603 604

Appearance

Xiao Lin is introduced as a handsome youth, though his cultivation preserves his natural appearance around his late twenties. Nearing forty, he deliberately alters his appearance to seem older when returning to the Jia Ma Empire. 1 73 175

• Uses Astral Dou Qi to reshape his face into that of an unrelated middle-aged man while travelling. 73
• Wears black, head-to-toe clothing and alters his voice when concealing his identity during the Sect Tournament. 218
• Can conceal his cultivation so thoroughly that, unless facing a mid-level Dou Venerable or stronger, observers perceive only the level he chooses to display. 7
• Publicly presents himself as a Six-Star Dou Wang while secretly departing the Jia Ma Empire for the Space Trading Assembly. 276
• Later displays an apparent Seven-Star Dou Wang cultivation despite having reached Five-Turn Dou Venerable. 332 349
• Disguises himself as a blue-robed elder dressed like a beggar while observing Xiao Yi Xian in Green Mountain Town. 427 428
• At Nine-Transformation Dou Venerable, can shift his appearance between a man of about twenty and a white-haired elder through a casual circulation of Dou Qi. He avoids appearing too young before his family because this could expose his concealed strength. 405
• Abandons his beggar-like bearing before leaving Xiao Yi Xian, revealing the presence of an impressive master before vanishing. 433
• Reveals his true appearance to Ji Li and the Eight Elders as a handsome young man who looks approximately twenty-seven or twenty-eight, replacing the elderly Lin Xiao persona familiar to them. 446
• His identity disclosure changes his facial features completely, rather than merely making his elderly disguise appear younger. 446

Personality

Xiao Lin is cautious, strategic, and intensely focused on survival. His concealment of his true cultivation is driven by fear that his abnormal growth will attract the Hun Clan or endanger the Xiao Household. 7 27

He is also a cultivation fanatic. Even the mental fatigue caused by the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower only makes him rest briefly before returning to cultivate; he considers raising troublesome children more painful than eighty-one consecutive days of tower cultivation. 88

Despite his pragmatism, Xiao Lin is deeply devoted to his family. Wen Lingyun’s death remains his greatest emotional wound, and he never seeks another partner because he feels there is no room in his heart for anyone else. He devotes substantial effort to Xiao Zhan’s upbringing, protects Yang Xiyue as his daughter-in-law, and prioritizes the Xiao Household’s long-term stability over expansion. 3 229 232 234

His schemes can be ruthless when directed at enemies. Su Qian considers Xiao Lin’s plan to weaken the Black-Corner Region so villainous that he is relieved Xiao Lin is an ally rather than an enemy. 97

Although he does not claim to be a moral hero, Xiao Lin draws a firm boundary against extreme cruelty. Discovering the Chek Family’s corpse pit causes him to abandon his intention of prolonging the confrontation and immediately destroy the family. He later explains that the innocent deaths, rather than the fighting itself, were what distressed him. 344 345

Xiao Lin dislikes owing favors even when he possesses powerful backing, preferring to resolve problems through his own strength whenever possible. After gaining Mang Tianchi’s Lei Clan token, he treats it as a last-resort safeguard rather than something to use casually. 243

As a grandfather, he dotes on and teases his grandsons. He deliberately parcels out cultivation advice to keep Xiao Yan interested while refusing to let him begin training before age four. His affection does not prevent him from making difficult decisions for the family: he accepts Xiao Yan’s betrothal partly in the hope that it will help the boy feel more connected to his present life. 334 337 339 345

The discovery of Soul Hall activity makes Xiao Lin reconsider how much time he has spent at home with Xiao Yan instead of preparing for threats. He then feigns a grave injury, despite the distress it causes Xiao Zhan, intending to draw attention away from himself and push his son to become less dependent on him. 351 352

Xiao Lin later pursues Dou Sheng cultivation with renewed urgency, judging ordinary cultivation too slow to prepare him for the Hun Clan. He chooses the difficult task of improving his own astral method over switching to an unrelated one. After reaching Dou Sheng, he tests his new abilities methodically and recognizes that his Dou Techniques must improve to match his realm. 362 399 423 424

His concern for Xiao Yan’s character also leads him to cooperate with Yao Lao’s harsh training plan. When visiting Wutan City, Xiao Lin conceals what he knows about Xiao Yan’s cultivation losses, even as the boy asks him for help. 396 404 405

Xiao Lin combines affectionate matchmaking with respect for personal choice. He praises Xiao Yan extravagantly to Xiao Yi Xian and privately considers her a future granddaughter-in-law, but makes the engagement document optional and binding on neither her wishes nor her future decisions. 430 433

He values independent growth among his descendants. He declines to claim credit for Xiao Zhan and Yang Xiyue’s achievements in Wutan City, encourages Xiao Yan to accept responsibility for the household, and expects Xiao Ding and Xiao Li to earn their positions without relying on their relationship to him. 405 436 445

His caution eventually gives way to greater honesty with trusted friends. Worried that continued concealment could damage relationships forged through shared danger, he apologizes to Ji Li and the Eight Elders and reveals his identity, while still withholding it from ordinary disciples and outsiders. 445 446 448

Despite his cultivation-driven habits, Xiao Lin also enjoys leisure and informal companionship. He visits Yun Shan for chess and occasionally offers cultivation guidance, while Ji Li and the palace elders tease him for leaving much of the sect’s work to others. 446 466 467 524

He acknowledges that his knowledge of the original story can lead to mistaken assumptions. Protector Wu Ying’s attack on Yun Yun makes him admit that he had underestimated the protector’s willingness to target people beyond the Xiao Household and Misty Cloud Sect. He recognizes that the world is real and no longer follows the original plot reliably. 558

His curiosity about his grandson’s relationships remains playful and intrusive: after realizing Xiao Yan and Yun Yun have become close despite their altered circumstances, he invites Yun Shan to watch their interactions and secretly observes them with him. 558 563

Xiao Lin also makes pragmatic sacrifices for immediate progress. Rather than attempt to hire an exceptionally rare ninth-grade alchemist and obtain the additional ingredients needed to refine nine-leaf heavenly star grass, he consumes the herb directly to strengthen himself. 586

Abilities & Skills

Heavenly Realm Soul Power

Xiao Lin’s awakened soul is his defining advantage. It grants extraordinary perception, suppression, concealment, and offensive power far beyond his apparent Dou Qi cultivation. 3 62

• Can conceal his cultivation and prevent most opponents from discerning his true realm. 7
• Can block an area from external perception and silently restrain weaker opponents. 62 63
• Used soul power to kill four ambushing Dou Lings and drive hidden observers from the Black-Corner Region. 74
• Can overpower low-star Dou Emperors such as Ying Changkong with overwhelming ease. 62 63
• Leaves a Mid-Heavenly Realm soul attack within Xiao Zhan as a life-saving measure. 222
• His soul power reaches Mid-Heavenly Realm after advancing to Dou Venerable. 172 178
• Can use Mid-Heavenly Realm Soul Power to reinforce his Astral Dou Qi, temporarily raising its intensity to a level Mang Tianchi compares to that of an Eight-Star Dou Venerable. 240
• Obtains the soul Dou Technique Three Transformations of the Returning Soul at the Space Trading Assembly, intending to improve his practical application of soul techniques. 294
• Begins cultivating the Three Transformations of the Returning Soul after parting from Ji Li. 294 295
• Retains awareness of events throughout the Xiao Household while feigning unconsciousness. 353
• Reaches the late Heavenly Realm after his Dou Sheng breakthrough. He estimates that his soul power alone, without a physical body, could fight an opponent in the final Dou Venerable transformations or perhaps an initial Half-Saint. 423
• Combined with late-stage One-Star Dou Sheng cultivation, his late Heavenly Realm soul enables him to contend evenly with a Two-Star Dou Sheng whose soul realm is lower. He believes Spirit Array techniques could allow him to kill such an opponent. 423
• Places Heavenly Realm soul-strike safeguards on Xiao Yan, Xiao Zhan, Yang Xiyue, Xiao Ding, and Xiao Li. These are equivalent to Xiao Lin delivering a blow from afar, rather than a remnant soul possessing the protected person. 464
• Senses Xiao Ding immediately upon entering Sound Valley. Yan Suxin, despite possessing peak Spirit Realm Soul Power and a soul cultivation method, cannot discern his cultivation. 482
• Condensing Spirit Seals continues to temper his soul power alongside his Dou Qi during his advancement to Earth Tier Low-Rank Spirit Array Master. 557

Astral Dou Qi

Xiao Lin cultivates Astral Dou Qi through the Star Codex, an Earth Rank mid-level cultivation method he created. He later upgrades the method to High-Tier Earth Rank and ultimately evolves it into the mid-level Heaven Rank Nine Heavens Star Record. 6 299 421 422

His original Dou Qi attribute is earth. Switching to the Star Codex transforms the Dou Qi he cultivates into Astral Dou Qi, while he continues using earth-attribute techniques, particularly to maintain his public facade. 5 67

• Can reshape his appearance for covert travel. 73
• Strongly suppresses Poison Dou Qi, enabling him to dominate Xie Biyan while using only Two-Star Dou Zong power. 220 221
• Has a known “Ten Thousand Arts Immunity” trait, though Xiao Lin believes its full potential remains undeveloped. 240
• Supports star-based Dou Techniques such as Seven-Star Void Step, Starlight Heaven-Suppressing Seal, and Star-Devouring Wall. 67
• Absorbs and refines Astral Power with exceptional efficiency through the Star Codex, allowing him to consume decades of Stellar Fragment accumulation and advance five Dou Venerable stars. 251
• Develops a markedly heavier and denser quality after his battle with Mang Tianchi, enabling his physical strikes to overwhelm opponents with greater quantities of Dou Qi. 292
• The upgraded Star Codex improves his absorption of external energy and the circulation of Dou Qi within his body. 299
• During his confrontation with the Three Thousand Burning Flame, its purplish-black fire treats him as compatible with itself, fails to harm him, and replenishes his exhausted Dou Qi within seconds. 379
• Forms a mutually reinforcing connection with the Three Thousand Burning Flame, an embodiment of Astral Power: his growth strengthens its source, while the flame steadily increases his Dou Qi reserves. 399
• Develops the Nine Heavens Star Record during the Heavenly Dog Devours the Moon, completing its evolution to mid-level Heaven Rank after enduring nine bolts of Black Demon Lightning. 421 422
• The Three Thousand Burning Flame continues aiding his cultivation even when he is not deliberately cultivating, allowing him to travel without entirely interrupting his progress. 457
• Directly absorbs the immense Astral Power contained in nine-leaf heavenly star grass, using it to advance from late-stage Two-Star to middle-stage Three-Star Dou Sheng. 586

Spirit Array Mastery

Xiao Lin inherited formation knowledge from Formation Old Man of the Myriad Formation Spirit Palace. He can derive formations from the Nine Fundamental Formations, create formation disks, and seize control of existing arrays. 49 65 156

• Created the Spirit-Gathering Formation to improve cultivation efficiency. 65
• Established more than a hundred small Spirit-Gathering Formations in the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower. 86
• Developed the Void Locking Spirit Formation, a Third-Level Spirit Formation useful even at his level. 127 157
• Seized the Heavenly Serpent Imperial Family’s palace formation after studying it for half an hour, then used it against the palace guards. 156
• Obtained and learned the Fourth-Level Spirit-Transforming Feather Serpent Formation. 157
• Reached Five-Rank Spirit Array Mastery by the time he became a Dou Venerable. 173 177
• Established the Red Dust Heart-Refining Formation, Ironstone Formation, Arrow Rain Formation, and Maze Formation in Jia Nan Academy’s Trial Grounds after reaching Fourth-Rank mastery. 130
• Demonstrates sufficient formation skill to satisfy Starfall Pavilion’s search for a Formation Grandmaster and assists with its Starfall Formation. 247 251
• Can craft fourth- and fifth-tier Formation Disks reliably when supplied with adequate materials. 275
• His fifth-tier Formation Disks prove valuable at the Space Trading Assembly, where they secure a soul Dou Technique and a rare forging material. Ji Li warns him that trading too many could expose his ability to make them. 286 287
• Places restrictions on the passage to the Realm of Formations and senses when one is triggered. 328
• After reaching Dou Sheng and the late Heavenly Realm soul level, judges that Spirit Array techniques could let him defeat opponents stronger than those he could face through Dou Qi and soul power alone. 423
• Creates combination-type formation plates: Yang Xiyue’s Third-Tier Fire Sea Formation can merge with Xiao Zhan’s Thunder-Summoning Formation to form the Fourth-Tier Heavenly Thunder and Earthly Fire Formation. 230
• Generally reserves spirit arrays as his final concealed means, after Dou Qi and soul power prove insufficient. Their unfamiliarity to contemporary Dou Qi Continent cultivators makes them particularly effective surprise weapons. 377
• Reaches Earth Tier Low-Rank Spirit Array Master during nearly a year at the Xiao Household. Spirit Seal condensation strengthens both his Dou Qi and soul power and is the principal contributor to his advancement to late-stage Two-Star Dou Sheng. 557
• Can deploy the Minor Zhoutian Star-Dipper Formation. At late-stage Two-Star Dou Sheng, he believes this formation gives him the ability to kill a Three-Star Dou Sheng; this is his assessment rather than a recorded victory. 557
• Believes the Minor Zhoutian Star-Dipper Formation could exert greater power in an environment with higher-quality energy than the Dou Qi Continent provides. 557

Spatial Manipulation

His time travelling with Zi Yan significantly improved his understanding of spatial power, allowing him to advance through the Dou Zong realm without bottlenecks. 91 127

• Can travel through spatial passages with little discomfort. 93
• After reaching Dou Venerable, can open spatial passages directly. 172
• Successfully constructs a Spatial Wormhole, though his first version is crude and potentially unsafe for cultivators below Dou Venerable. 175
• His early attempt to construct a Spatial Wormhole beneath the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower had to stop because it threatened the Fire-Sealing Formation. 172
• Uses spatial passages to travel covertly between the Jia Ma Empire and the Central Plains. 235 276
• As a Dou Sheng, can effortlessly wield the energy of heaven and earth for offense or defense and use Space Lock to restrict an opponent. He also opens a small independent space amid spatial turbulence during a test, then destroys it. 422 423
• His casual strikes at Dou Sheng rival Earth Rank Dou Techniques, a level of force that previously required his use of spatial techniques as a Dou Venerable. 423

Combat Techniques

• God-Slaying Finger — Defeats Five-Star Dou Wang Yan Bohong with a single counterattack. 43
• Rock-Shattering Arm — Earth-element technique enhanced to roughly mid-level Profound Rank power; breaks Yan Penghong’s Flying Swallow Slash. 212
• Rock-Splitting Palm — Profound Rank technique mastered before his Past-Life Wisdom awakened; defeats the Soul Hall-enhanced Yan Penghong in a single strike despite Xiao Lin using only modest power. 350
• Earth Dragon Roll — Earth-element technique used in battles against Yan Penghong and Kuang Feiyu. 67 124 212
• Mountain-Breaking Seal and Vast Earth Rock Barrier — Earth-element Dou Techniques created during his post-Dou Zong seclusion. 67
• Seven-Star Void Step — Movement technique that can reach any visible location within seven steps; at Three-Star Dou Zong, Xiao Lin can only use five steps. 67 124
• Starlight Heaven-Suppressing Seal — Star-based offensive technique used to counter Gao Tian’s Great Light Sword Wheel. 67 292
• Stellar Hand Seal — Star-based technique used against Gao Tian’s Great Compassion Time Palm. 292
• Star-Devouring Wall / Star-Devouring Jade — Defensive star-based technique capable of absorbing weakened lightning attacks. 67 240
• Zhuiyue Blade and Zhuri Bow combat — Trains with Lei Clan scimitar and bow specialists to use his weapon’s close- and long-range forms. He becomes comfortable with both, though he has not mastered them or completed the Dou Techniques he envisions for them. 303
• Star River Annihilation — The one Heaven Rank Dou Technique he knows upon reaching Dou Sheng. He subsequently seeks additional Heaven Rank techniques because his Earth Rank techniques no longer provide a substantial advantage against Dou Sheng opponents. 424
• Cliffside Sword — Intermediate Heaven Rank earth-attribute Dou Technique obtained through Ji Li. Originally named Earth Sword, it draws on the earth’s power to summon enormous stone swords; Xiao Lin renames it because he dislikes its original name. 444
• Infinite Purgatory — Intermediate Heaven Rank earth-attribute domain technique obtained through Ji Li. It permits manipulation of gravity within an area, providing a means of controlling the battlefield rather than merely attacking or defending directly. 444 445
• Two additional Heaven Rank star-attribute Dou Techniques — Derives and tests these techniques during nearly six months alone in the void. Their names are not specified in the available account of this period. 466

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Tou She Ancient God Jade — Xiao Household heirloom linked to a Dou Emperor; blocks all perception and is extremely difficult to detect. 193
• Formation disks — Xiao Lin crafts First-, Second-, and Third-Rank disks, improving his control over Dou Qi through the process. 222
• High-tier Formation Disks — Before the Space Trading Assembly, he produces seven fifth-tier disks and more than ten fourth-tier disks, retaining several to protect the Xiao Household. He later makes additional high-tier disks for the operation undertaken with Ji Li and the Formation Grandmasters. 275 309
• Spirit-Transforming Feather Serpent Formation diagram — Fourth-Level formation acquired after the Heavenly Serpent Empire operation. 157
• Mithril Essence — Rare material recovered from the Xiao Household’s Mithril Vein and intended for weapon forging. 222 223
• Ying Changkong’s Storage Ring — Given to Xiao Dongcheng to strengthen the Xiao Household after Ying Changkong’s death. 65
• Lei Clan token — Given by Mang Tianchi; may be used to seek assistance from the Lei Clan in the Central Plains. 242
• Weapon-forging materials — Collects Mithril Essence, a Stellar Fragment, Lightning-Struck Wood, and the tendon of a Dou Saint-level tiger-type magical beast, along with supplementary materials, for his custom weapon. 259 287 295
• Zhuiyue Blade / Zhuri Bow — Custom dual-form weapon forged by Lei Xiu. Its crescent-shaped blade form is suited to close combat, while its bow form permits ranged attacks. The weapon shows budding awareness, responds to Xiao Lin’s Astral Dou Qi, and recognizes him as its sole master after he imprints his soul upon it. 301 303
• Soul Envoy Token — Intercepts and suppresses Yan Penghong’s Soul Hall token after it absorbs Yan Penghong’s soul and attempts to escape. 351 352
• Three Thousand Burning Flame — Heavenly Flame Xiao Lin subdues after obtaining the Ye Family’s chance to approach it. Its astral nature allows it and Xiao Lin’s cultivation to strengthen each other. 373 383 399
• Myriad Beast Spirit Flame cultivation site — A Spirit-Gathering Formation Xiao Lin established around a Beast Flame in the Magical Beast Mountain Range to nurture it for Xiao Yan’s future use. 424
• Communication device from Ji Li — A device Xiao Lin compares to a mobile phone, used to keep informed about the Myriad Formation Spirit Palace while staying with the Xiao Household. 339
• Storage Ring gifted to Yang Xiyue — Wedding gift containing high-grade herbs, Monster Cores, Mithril, and a Third-Tier Fire Sea Formation plate that can combine with Xiao Zhan’s Thunder-Summoning Formation. 230
• Storage Ring gifted to Xiao Yan — Carries Yao Lao’s presence and becomes part of the concealed training arrangement. Its high rank and Xiao Yan’s limited ability to activate it make Xun’er and Ling Ying suspicious of Xiao Lin’s involvement. 397 412 435
• Unilateral engagement contract for Xiao Yi Xian — Document proposing a future relationship with Xiao Yan while giving Xiao Yi Xian complete freedom to accept it or leave it unsigned. She accepts possession of the document despite her embarrassment and uncertainty. 433
• Cliffside Sword and Infinite Purgatory technique records — Two intermediate Heaven Rank earth-attribute Dou Techniques collected for Xiao Lin and delivered by Ji Li. 444 445
• Nine-leaf heavenly star grass — Rare herb containing immense Astral Power. Xiao Lin consumes it directly rather than seeking ninth-grade pill refinement; it withers completely as he absorbs its energy and reaches middle-stage Three-Star Dou Sheng. 586
• Jia Nan Academy recommendation letter — Provides Xiao Yan with a letter before his departure to study at the academy. 603

Relationships

• Wen Lingyun — Late wife. Her death during childbirth awakens Xiao Lin’s past-life memories and remains his deepest regret. 2 3 229
• Xiao Zhan — Son and successor as Xiao Household Clan Chief. Xiao Lin personally guides his cultivation, gives him protective treasures, and appoints him young clan leader before leaving for the Central Plains. He later feigns injury partly to encourage Xiao Zhan to take greater responsibility. 27 222 235 352 356 Xiao Lin declines to settle permanently in Wutan City or claim credit for the branch’s success, respecting the independence Xiao Zhan and Yang Xiyue have built. 405
• Yang Xiyue — Daughter-in-law. Xiao Lin welcomes her into the family, gives her valuable protective resources, and commits to avenging the destruction of her family. 229 230 234
• Xiao Dongcheng — Former Xiao Household Clan Chief and father figure. He supports Xiao Lin after Wen Lingyun’s death, entrusts him with the Tou She Ancient God Jade, and eventually passes the clan leadership to him. 3 28 186 193
• Yun Shan — Misty Cloud Sect leader and political ally. Their relationship develops from mutual caution to cooperation, private deals, and Yun Shan’s protection of the Xiao Household during Xiao Lin’s absence. Yun Shan later deduces that Xiao Lin’s supposed grave injuries are feigned. 60 197 235 353 He also conceals Xiao Lin’s role in Xiao Yan’s cultivation losses after receiving a private hint. Xiao Lin later visits him for chess and provides cultivation guidance, though Yun Shan still does not realize he has reached Dou Sheng. 412 466 467 They later cooperate in a deception aimed at keeping Protector Wu from reporting to the Soul Hall, compare information when he disappears, and plan to capture him rather than provoke an investigation by killing him. Yun Shan trusts Xiao Lin’s assurance of Yun Yun’s safety, and the two secretly observe her with Xiao Yan for a month. 557 558 563
• Formation Old Man — Master. The remnant soul accepts Xiao Lin as a disciple and passes on the Myriad Formation Spirit Palace’s inheritance. 49
• Su Qian — Jia Nan Academy First Elder and collaborator. He recognizes Xiao Lin’s value as a Formation Master, entrusts Zi Yan to him, and works with him to weaken the Black-Corner Region. 82 91 97
• Zi Yan — Ward and ally. Xiao Lin cares for her while seeking to learn from her innate spatial abilities; she comes to regard him as a powerful backer. 91 96 238
• Mang Tianchi — Jia Nan Academy headmaster and mentor. He battles Xiao Lin to guide his growth, promotes him to Supreme Elder, and accompanies him toward the Central Plains. Later, as a Half-Saint, he advises Xiao Lin during his Thunder Realm cultivation and arranges instructors for his new weapon. 238 240 242 299 303
• Xu Mo — Starfall Pavilion disciple and son of Heavenly Star City’s lord. After verifying Xiao Lin’s formation abilities, Xu Mo escorts him to Starfall Pavilion and develops a cooperative relationship with him. 245 247
• Feng Xian — Starfall Pavilion elder who reassures the sect when Xiao Lin’s absorption of Astral Power transforms the Heavenly Star Mountain Range into a sea of starlight. 251
• Queen Medusa — Snake-People Tribe ruler and business ally. Xiao Lin successfully negotiates a partnership between her tribe and the Xiao Household. 274
• Ji Li — Mysterious Central Plains cultivator and ally met at the Space Trading Assembly. After jointly killing the Gao Brothers, the two become considerably closer. They promise to meet again in three years and later work together on the Myriad Formation Spirit Palace. Ji Li supports Xiao Lin’s search for a way past the Dou Venerable bottleneck and agrees to train Xiao Ding. 278 293 294 303 328 362 410 He supplies Xiao Lin with Cliffside Sword and Infinite Purgatory, learns of his Dou Sheng breakthrough, and accepts his eventual identity confession. Xiao Lin respects Ji Li’s decision to attempt a direct Dou Sheng breakthrough without assistance. 444 446 448 Ji Li later visits the Xiao Household with Xiao Li and teasingly reproaches Xiao Lin for leaving others to handle the palace’s work. 524 526 Ji Li’s absence while seeking a Dou Sheng breakthrough makes Xiao Lin’s return essential when the palace clashes with the Heavenly Nether Sect. 574
• Lei Xiu — Lei Clan Artifact Refiner who forges Xiao Lin’s dual-form weapon on Thunder Mountain. 300 301
• Nalan Jie — Lifelong friend and later sworn brother. Their households remain close, and they sign the childhood betrothal contract for Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran. 30 53 335 337
• Gu He — Xiao Zhan’s friend and a talented alchemist. Xiao Lin meets him when Xiao Zhan brings him to the household; Gu He later trains the family’s alchemists and tries to help during Xiao Lin’s supposed injury. 339 345 352
• Xiao Ding — Eldest grandson. Xiao Lin teases him over his solemn promise to protect his newborn younger brother and later enjoys seeing how much he has grown. He entrusts Xiao Ding’s training to Ji Li and observes his progress without revealing himself. 276 332 410 424 He later enters Sound Valley to bring Xiao Ding home, accepting Yan Suxin’s hospitality while investigating the situation. 482
• Xiao Li — Younger grandson and Xiao Zhan and Yang Xiyue’s second son. His birth brings great joy to the Xiao Household and leads Xiao Lin to speculate that Xiao Yan may be born within several years. Xiao Lin later takes him flying with Xiao Yan. 275 276 334 After his coming-of-age ceremony, Xiao Lin takes him toward the Central Plains and arranges his entry into the Myriad Formation Spirit Palace. Xiao Li learns that his grandfather founded the palace and has concealed immense strength, and agrees to keep the family connection secret. 436 444 445 Returning with Ji Li after more than three years, he greets Xiao Lin with increased respect and knows that the earlier grave injury was feigned. 524
• Xiao Yan — Youngest grandson. Knowledge of Xiao Yan’s future as the Flame Emperor initially motivates Xiao Lin’s goal of surviving until the story’s end. After Xiao Yan’s birth, Xiao Lin helps foster his interest in cultivation and agrees to his betrothal to Nalan Yanran. Concerned about Xiao Yan’s emotional distance from his family, he persuades Yao Lao to teach the boy and later cooperates with Yao Lao’s efforts to shape his character. 3 5 330 332 334 337 396 405 Xiao Lin later recognizes that Xiao Yan has fully accepted his family and identity on the Dou Qi Continent. He continues concealing his knowledge of Yao Lao when directly questioned, encourages Xiao Yan’s responsibility to the household, and places a Heavenly Realm soul-strike safeguard on him before his training journey. 435 436 464 He deduces that Xiao Yan rescued Yun Yun, takes a playful interest in their developing relationship, and later suspects—but does not confirm—that Xiao Yan deliberately held back to draw with Nalan Yanran. He also supplies a recommendation letter for Xiao Yan’s further studies at Jia Nan Academy. 558 563 586 603
• Nalan Yanran — Nalan Jie’s granddaughter and Xiao Yan’s betrothed. Xiao Lin meets her as an infant and signs the engagement contract with Nalan Jie. He later watches with amusement when the two children meet. 334 337 392 He teases her about keeping Xiao Yan “under her thumb,” partly to encourage her cultivation. Palace business prevents him from attending their later contest over who will marry into whose family; he learns afterward that it ended in a draw. 466 574 586
• Yao Lao / Yao Chen — Remnant soul Xiao Lin first detects in Yang Xiyue’s ring. Xiao Lin asks him to take Xiao Yan as a disciple and, after discussing the boy’s guarded character, agrees not to interfere with his teaching methods. 227 391 396 Xiao Lin hastens his awakening by nourishing his soul with Dou Qi and offers help rebuilding his body. Yao Lao is grateful but initially wary, unable to gauge Xiao Lin’s cultivation and unaware of his Central Plains identity. 386 388 The two maintain an unspoken agreement not to expose each other’s secrets before Xiao Yan; Yao Lao does not disclose Xiao Lin’s hidden circumstances to the boy. 463
• Xiao Xun’er / Gu Xun’er — Gu Clan girl in Xiao Zhan and Yang Xiyue’s care. Xiao Lin knows her identity but conceals that knowledge, welcomes her into the Xiao Household, and notices her hidden guardian Ling Ying. She is courteous to him despite privately resenting Xiao Yan’s engagement. 362 390 391 After Ling Ying investigates Xiao Yan’s cultivation losses, she suspects the Storage Ring given by Xiao Lin but withholds judgment and chooses continued observation. 412 Before her departure with Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran, Xiao Lin openly supports her and warns against Xiao Yan mistreating her, leaving her bashful and pleased. 604
• Ye Yun and Ye Zhong — Ye Yun is a Ye Family member Xiao Lin rescued before joining Jia Nan Academy. Their reunion helps Xiao Lin gain a hearing for his proposal concerning the Three Thousand Burning Flame; Ye Yun’s father, First Elder Ye Zhong, seeks friendly ties with him and the Myriad Formation Spirit Palace. 365 366
• Xiao Yi Xian — Young woman Xiao Lin observes while disguised as a poor elder in Green Mountain Town. Her sustained kindness and caution earn his respect. He advises her about the Woeful Poison Body and Netherworld Poison Flame while privately hoping she might become Xiao Yan’s partner. 427 428 430 She develops a sense of familial comfort around him, and he gives her an optional unilateral engagement contract before leaving. No completed engagement is established by her acceptance of the unsigned document. 430 433
• Yan Penghong — Yan Bohong’s brother and Xiao Lin’s enemy. Xiao Lin defeats him at the Sect Tournament and later in a Life-and-Death Duel; Yan Penghong dies when a Soul Hall restriction activates as he begins revealing who aided him. 212 213 350
• Protector Wu / Wu Ying and Soul Hall — Emerging threats to the Xiao Household. Xiao Lin learns that Protector Wu aided Yan Penghong and tampered with his soul, prompting renewed concern about Soul Hall’s presence in the Northwest Continent. 350 351 Xiao Lin and Yun Shan later attempt to keep him from reporting the household’s affairs, but lose track of him for two or three months. Suspecting him of attacking Yun Yun, Xiao Lin plans to capture and imprison him rather than kill him and attract a Soul Hall Venerable Elder’s investigation. 557 558 Protector Wu eventually realizes Xiao Lin’s apparent weakness was misleading; by Xiao Lin’s subsequent return to the household, the protector’s threat has been eliminated. 568 571
• Mu Chen — Fellow member of the Jia Ma Empire’s outstanding younger generation and an early military contemporary. Initially only a passing acquaintance, he later becomes one of the few close friends still able to visit Xiao Lin after his retirement. 6 7 357
• Yun Yun — Misty Cloud Sect leader and Xiao Zhan’s senior martial sister. She has respected Xiao Lin since youth and receives him warmly during his visits to Yun Shan. Although she sees him as a Dou Wang, she suspects a secret behind her teacher’s exceptional regard for him. 466 Xiao Lin later deduces that Xiao Yan rescued her and reassures Yun Shan that she is safe. He is surprised that she and Xiao Yan become close despite the changes he made to their circumstances, and secretly observes them with Yun Shan. Yun Shan later tells her what he can reveal about Xiao Lin and their deception. 558 563 571
• Zuo He and the Eight Elders — Trusted leaders of the Myriad Formation Spirit Palace. Zuo He learns that Xiao Ding and Xiao Li are Xiao Lin’s grandsons, while the elders recognize inconsistencies in his alias but wait for him to explain. Xiao Lin eventually reveals his true name and appearance, and they agree to keep the secret. 444 446 448 Zuo He later alerts Xiao Lin to the conflict with the Heavenly Nether Sect, forcing his return from the Northwest Continent. Before returning to the Xiao Household after his Three-Star Dou Sheng breakthrough, Xiao Lin leaves further instructions with him. 574 586
• Qing Lin — Gifted girl who enters the Myriad Formation Spirit Palace with Xiao Li and Xue Lan. Several elders personally guide the development of her Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils. Xiao Lin later supports her journey to the Heavenly Serpent Empire under Baili Qing’s protection, believing practical experience is necessary for her growth. 445 526
• Xue Lan — New disciple whom Xiao Lin helps settle into the Myriad Formation Spirit Palace alongside Xiao Li and Qing Lin. 444 445
• Baili Qing — Palace elder whose plan to take Qing Lin to the Heavenly Serpent Empire receives Xiao Lin’s approval. Xiao Lin trusts the One-Turn Dou Venerable to protect her and seek assistance if needed. 526
• Yan Suxin — Sound Valley leader. Xiao Lin meets her while seeking Xiao Ding’s return and suspects that her explanation for detaining him is incomplete. She cannot gauge his cultivation and treats him cautiously; later, knowing him as a Dou Sheng and an enemy of the Soul Hall, she develops a favorable impression of him. 482 497
• Heavenly Nether Sect — Hostile faction whose major conflict with the Myriad Formation Spirit Palace compels Xiao Lin to return to the Central Plains. Its Half-Saint presents a threat that Zuo He and the remaining palace leadership cannot counter while Ji Li is absent. 574

Story Role / Major Arcs

Awakening and the Xiao Household’s Rise

Following Wen Lingyun’s death, Xiao Lin awakens his past-life knowledge, learns his place in the future history of the Xiao Household, and begins concealing his true power while building the family into a recognized Dou Wang lineage. 2 3 27

Secret Realm Expedition

Xiao Lin enters the Secret Realm, becomes Formation Old Man’s disciple, kills Yan Bohong and Ying Changkong, and secures resources that greatly strengthen the Xiao Household. 43 49 63 65

Jia Nan Academy and the Black-Corner Region

Under the alias Lin Xiao, he enters the Black-Corner Region, becomes a Jia Nan Academy elder, establishes formations in the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower, mentors Zi Yan, and helps dismantle the Black Hell Alliance. 78 82 91 97 126

Heavenly Serpent Empire Operation

Xiao Lin exploits the war between the Heavenly Serpent Imperial Family and Heavenly Serpent Mansion, reaches Nine-Star Dou Zong, infiltrates the imperial palace, and takes control of its defensive formation. 153 156

Dou Venerable Breakthrough and Clan Succession

After resolving Fallen Heart Flame’s crisis, Xiao Lin becomes a Dou Venerable and a Five-Rank Spirit Array Master. He returns to the Xiao Household, succeeds Xiao Dongcheng as clan chief, and reforms the clan’s structure and development. 171 173 178 186 194

Sect Tournament

Xiao Lin conceals himself as a Four-Star Dou Wang, defeats three Falling Goose Empire Dou Wangs in succession, then appears disguised in the Dou Zong match and overwhelms Xie Biyan. His victories secure first place and significant border resources for the Jia Ma Empire and Xiao Household. 213 218 220 221

Journey Toward the Central Plains

After accepting Yang Xiyue as his daughter-in-law and pledging to avenge her family, Xiao Lin prepares the Xiao Household for his absence. He later returns to Jia Nan Academy, becomes a Supreme Elder, reaches Four-Star Dou Venerable, and departs toward the Central Plains with Mang Tianchi. 234 235 238 241 242

Baiting City Revenge and Starfall Pavilion

In the Central Plains, Xiao Lin destroys the Qi Household to avenge Yang Xiyue’s family, then reaches Heavenly Star City and gains entry to Starfall Pavilion through Xu Mo. His formation work there grants him access to the Stellar Fragment’s vast Astral Power reserves, allowing an unprecedented breakthrough to Nine-Star Dou Venerable. 243 245 247 251

Central Plains Reputation and the Space Trading Assembly

After forcing Yellow Springs Pavilion to close, Lin Xiao’s reputation spreads throughout the Central Plains. Xiao Lin later returns to the Jia Ma Empire, builds trade ties with the Snake-People Tribe, and secretly attends the Space Trading Assembly, where he befriends Ji Li and joins him in defeating the Gao Brothers. 258 274 276 293 294

Thunder Realm and the Dual-Form Weapon

Xiao Lin gathers rare forging materials and commissions Lei Xiu after other Artifact Refiners decline the task. While waiting in the Lei Clan’s Thunder Realm, he improves the Star Codex, begins the post-nine-star Dou Venerable compressions, and studies under Mang Tianchi. He claims the completed Zhuiyue Blade and Zhuri Bow, then practices both forms before leaving to fulfill his three-year promise to Ji Li. 287 295 299 300 301 303

Myriad Formation Spirit Palace

Xiao Lin realizes his longstanding plan to establish a sect devoted to formations with Ji Li and eight Formation Grandmasters. The group develops the Realm of Formations around its ancient wutong forest and the colossal tree Cangwu. 328

The palace later expands through recruitment, the Ye Family’s membership, and Lei Clan resources. Its leaders establish internal rankings and provide selected disciples access to the Realm of Formations and its Essence of Life, promoting both cultivation and formation study. Ji Li holds practical authority as Second Palace Master, while the Eight Elders manage daily affairs during Xiao Lin’s frequent absences. 448

The first Ranking Tournament produces a chief disciple, Tian Huangzi, and ten ranked disciples. Thirty selected disciples enter the Realm of Formations; Xiao Lin visits his grandsons before preparing to return to the Xiao Household. 457

Xiao Yan’s Childhood

Xiao Yan is born while Xiao Lin is away. On returning, Xiao Lin bonds with his three grandsons, encourages Xiao Yan’s interest in cultivation, and agrees with Nalan Jie to betroth Xiao Yan to Nalan Yanran. He hopes the arrangement will help Xiao Yan grow closer to his family and present life. 330 332 334 337 339

Destruction of the Chek Family

Xiao Lin destroys the Chek Family in Gulan City after discovering its cruelty and a pit containing ten thousand corpses. The Jia Ma Imperial House confirms the evidence and declines to punish him. Public support for his actions and his rapid victory place him fifth on the empire’s Top Ten Strongest list, strengthening the Xiao Household’s reputation. 344 345

Soul Hall Threat and Retirement

After defeating Yan Penghong in a Life-and-Death Duel, Xiao Lin discovers evidence of Protector Wu and Soul Hall’s activity near the Xiao Household. He stages a grave injury on his return to the imperial capital. Xiao Zhan subsequently succeeds him as patriarch, and the Xiao Household decides to relocate to Wutan City while Xiao Lin withdraws from most public dealings. 350 351 352 353 356 357

Three Thousand Burning Flame

Stalled at peak Five-Turn Dou Venerable and determined to reach at least Half-Saint before the original story’s events, Xiao Lin seeks access to the Pill Tower’s Three Thousand Burning Flame. Four Pill Region families turn down his proposal, but his reunion with former Jia Nan Academy student Ye Yun helps him approach the Ye Family. He obtains the family’s chance to reach the flame and eventually subdues it. 362 365 366 373 383

Yao Lao and the Xiao Household’s Next Generation

Xiao Lin welcomes Xun’er during a visit by the younger Xiao Household members to their ancestral residence and observes Xiao Yan’s first meeting with Nalan Yanran. After Yao Lao identifies Xiao Yan’s emotional distance from his family, Xiao Lin convinces him to teach the boy’s character as well as his cultivation. Xiao Lin later visits Wutan City during Xiao Yan’s unexplained cultivation losses, concealing his knowledge of Yao Lao’s training plan. He also entrusts Xiao Ding’s training to Ji Li. 391 392 396 404 405 410

Xiao Lin privately hints to Yun Shan that he is responsible for the circumstances behind Xiao Yan’s losses, prompting Yun Shan to conceal the truth. Xun’er and Ling Ying independently become suspicious of the ring Xiao Lin gave Xiao Yan but choose to observe rather than accuse him. 412

Nine Heavens Star Record and Dou Sheng Breakthrough

At Nine-Transformation Peak Dou Venerable, Xiao Lin decides that improving his astral cultivation method offers a better path forward than adopting another method. He evolves the Star Codex into the mid-level Heaven Rank Nine Heavens Star Record and turns the energy of its Black Demon Lightning tribulation toward his own breakthrough. He advances directly to late-stage One-Star Dou Sheng, gains late Heavenly Realm Soul Power, and begins seeking Dou Techniques worthy of his new realm. 399 421 422 423 424

His search subsequently yields two intermediate Heaven Rank earth-attribute techniques through Ji Li: Cliffside Sword and Infinite Purgatory. The latter’s gravity-controlling domain particularly suits his interest in techniques that provide strategic control over an opponent. 444 445

He also spends nearly six months alone in the void deriving and testing two Heaven Rank star-attribute Dou Techniques, further expanding the techniques compatible with his own cultivation. 466

Green Mountain Town and Xiao Yi Xian

Xiao Lin returns to the Magical Beast Mountain Range to check on a flame he has been nurturing for Xiao Yan, then travels to Green Mountain Town. Disguised as a destitute elder, he spends a month observing Xiao Yi Xian’s treatment of a stranger. Impressed by her kindness and prudence, he speaks with her about her Woeful Poison Body and the Netherworld Poison Flame while privately considering her a suitable match for Xiao Yan. 424 427 428 430

Before departing, Xiao Lin gives Xiao Yi Xian an optional unilateral engagement contract with Xiao Yan, emphasizing that she can leave it unsigned. He reveals his imposing bearing and vanishes, leaving her cautiously interested in meeting his grandson. 433

Xiao Li’s Departure and Xiao Yan’s Acceptance

Returning to Wutan City, Xiao Lin observes the genuine affection between Xiao Li and Xiao Yan and concludes that Xiao Yan’s former alienation from the world has disappeared. When Xiao Yan privately asks whether he knows about Yao Lao, Xiao Lin maintains convincing ignorance. He then encourages Xiao Yan to cultivate diligently and someday lead the household to greater heights. 435 436

After the coming-of-age ceremony, Xiao Lin leaves with Xiao Li, who has reached Eight-Star Dou Zhe. Rather than travelling directly to the palace, he detours toward Stone Desert City to seek an exceptionally promising girl whose fate may have been affected by his changes to the original story. Xiao Li, Xue Lan, and Qing Lin subsequently settle into the Myriad Formation Spirit Palace. 436 444 445

Identity Disclosure to the Palace Leadership

Concerned about the effect of continued deception on his friendships, Xiao Lin gathers Ji Li and the Eight Elders to confess his true identity. The difference between his alias and his grandsons’ surname has already aroused their suspicions, but they allow him to explain voluntarily. He reveals his youthful appearance, apologizes, and gives his real name. 445 446

His companions forgive him and unanimously agree to keep the secret. Xiao Lin retains the public identity Lin Xiao, and the palace avoids a premature confrontation with the Hun Clan. Ordinary disciples, outsiders, and the Ye Family are not included in this private disclosure. 446 448

Xiao Yan’s Early Cultivation Journey

Because Xiao Lin helped awaken Yao Lao early, Xiao Yan reaches Dou Zhe and prepares to begin his adventure at a little over thirteen, earlier than the original story’s starting age of fifteen. Xiao Lin receives him at the imperial-capital ancestral residence when he returns to consult the Scripture Pavilion. 457 461

After spending several days together, Xiao Lin allows Xiao Yan to leave for independent training, reminding him to be careful and placing a Heavenly Realm soul-strike safeguard on him. This protection matches the contingencies he has prepared for Xiao Zhan, Yang Xiyue, Xiao Ding, and Xiao Li. 464

Sound Valley and Xiao Ding

Xiao Lin crosses Mist Valley and enters Sound Valley to bring Xiao Ding home. Introducing himself as Lin Xiao, Palace Master of the Myriad Formation Spirit Palace, he remains courteous while making his strength and status clear. Yan Suxin cannot gauge his cultivation and abandons any immediate attempt to detain him by force. 482

Although he suspects that Yan Suxin’s hospitality conceals Sound Valley’s concern about outsiders learning to cross Mist Valley, Xiao Lin accepts her invitation to see Xiao Ding and investigate. His grandson’s untriggered safeguard reassures him that Sound Valley has not inflicted the kind of danger that would activate it. Yan Suxin later accompanies his group toward the Myriad Formation Spirit Palace and regards him favorably as a Dou Sheng opposed to the Soul Hall. 482 497

Ji Li’s Visit and the Younger Generation’s Independence

While staying with the Xiao Household, Xiao Lin is surprised by Xiao Li’s return and discovers that Ji Li brought him as a guide. The visit reunites Xiao Li and Xiao Yan after more than three years, while Ji Li’s teasing highlights Xiao Lin’s habit of leaving palace responsibilities to his companions. 523 524

Xiao Lin invites Ji Li to stay temporarily and supports Qing Lin’s departure for the Heavenly Serpent Empire with Baili Qing. He regards experience outside the palace’s protection as necessary for her growth, trusting Baili Qing to safeguard her and call for help if needed. Xiao Li likewise intends to resume training despite his family’s reluctance to part with him. 526

Earth Tier Spirit Arrays and Protector Wu’s Disappearance

After nearly a year at the Xiao Household, Xiao Lin reaches late-stage Two-Star Dou Sheng and Earth Tier Low-Rank Spirit Array Mastery. His Spirit Seal practice strengthens both his Dou Qi and soul power, while the Three Thousand Burning Flame supplements his cultivation. The Minor Zhoutian Star-Dipper Formation gives him confidence that he could kill a Three-Star Dou Sheng, although he believes the continent’s energy quality limits its full potential. 557

Yun Shan visits him secretly at night to compare information about Protector Wu. Both had assumed the protector remained near the Xiao Household or Misty Cloud Sect, but neither has seen him for two or three months. They fear that their deception may have failed to prevent him from reporting to the Soul Hall. 557

Yun Yun’s Rescue and the Protector Wu Operation

Yun Shan’s account of Yun Yun’s disappearance leads Xiao Lin to deduce that Xiao Yan obtained the Green Lotus Core Flame and rescued her in the Snake-People Tribe Holy City. He reassures Yun Shan of her safety and suspects Protector Wu Ying of carrying out the attack. Xiao Lin admits that he had relied too heavily on the original storyline when assuming Wu Ying would confine his activities to the household and sect. 558

Rather than kill a Soul Hall Protector and invite investigation by a Venerable Elder, Xiao Lin proposes capturing and imprisoning Wu Ying when he returns. Meanwhile, his realization that Xiao Yan and Yun Yun have become close prompts him to invite Yun Shan to watch their interactions; they secretly observe the pair for a month. 558 563

Protector Wu eventually recognizes the implications of Xiao Lin’s concealed strength and earlier lack of reaction to his surveillance. By the time Xiao Lin returns to the household, the protector’s threat has been eliminated. Xiao Lin initially plans to remain until Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran’s marriage contest before returning to oversee the palace. 568 571

Heavenly Nether Sect Conflict and Three-Star Dou Sheng

Zuo He’s report of a major conflict between the Myriad Formation Spirit Palace and the Heavenly Nether Sect interrupts Xiao Lin’s plans. With Ji Li away seeking an opportunity to become a Dou Sheng, the palace’s strongest available leader is Zuo He at Five-Turn Dou Venerable, insufficient to oppose the Heavenly Nether Sect’s Half-Saint. Xiao Lin therefore leaves for the Central Plains rather than attend his grandson’s marriage contest. 574

Xiao Lin subsequently enters seclusion in the Realm of Formations to absorb nine-leaf heavenly star grass. Refining it into a pill would require an exceptionally rare ninth-grade alchemist, substantial expense, and ingredients he does not possess, so he consumes it directly. Nearly two months of absorption raise him from late-stage Two-Star to middle-stage Three-Star Dou Sheng. 586

After stabilizing his cultivation and leaving instructions with Zuo He, he returns to the Xiao Household under the pretext of recuperating while maintaining an appearance of grave injury in the Central Plains. He learns that Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran, both Three-Star Dou Lings, fought to a draw. Given Xiao Yan’s two Heavenly Flames and usual ability to overcome stronger opponents, Xiao Lin suspects deliberate restraint, but this remains his interpretation. 586

Recommendation for Jia Nan Academy

When Xiao Yan announces his intention to study at Jia Nan Academy to improve his cultivation, broaden his horizons, and advance his alchemy, Xiao Lin supplies him with a recommendation letter. Xun’er and Nalan Yanran are present during their discussion at the imperial-capital ancestral residence. 603

Seven days later, Xiao Yan, Xun’er, and Nalan Yanran depart together. Xiao Zhan, Yang Xiyue, and the other middle-generation household members then return to Wutan City. Left alone at the ancestral residence, Xiao Lin briefly feels unsettled by the sudden quiet but soon turns his attention to Xiao Yan’s future progress and anticipated third Heavenly Flame acquisition. 604

Trivia

• Xiao Lin chose the alias Lin Xiao by reversing his own surname and given name, copying the naming approach of his grandson, Xiao Yan. 78 330
• He initially considers “survive until the finale and rely on Xiao Yan” his safest route to the Greater World. 5
• He openly considers himself poor at naming things. 78
• Xiao Lin calls his protection of Zi Yan a long-term investment because of her Ancient Void Dragon lineage and connection to Zhukun. 91
• Although he publicly maintains the image of a Dou Wang for much of the story, he once defeats a Dou Zong while limiting himself to Two-Star Dou Zong strength. 175 221
• Xiao Zhan and Yang Xiyue had hoped their second child would be a daughter named Xiao Yan; their son was instead named Xiao Li, leading Xiao Lin to speculate that the future Xiao Yan might be born within several years. Xiao Yan is later born as their third son. 276 330
• Xiao Lin and Xiao Yan both have memories of previous lives, though Xiao Yan does not know this about his grandfather. 3 332
• Xiao Lin secretly records Xiao Yan acting cute with Image Projection Crystals, hoping to embarrass him when he is older. 345
• Even after reaching Dou Sheng, Xiao Lin keeps his breakthrough hidden from Xiao Ding while checking on the boy’s progress under Ji Li. 424
• He attributes his improved cultivation talent to the combined talents of his past and present lives, describing cultivation as though both selves were training simultaneously. 41
• He renames Earth Sword to Cliffside Sword because he dislikes the original name. 444
• After his identity confession, his companions jokingly beat him; as a Dou Sheng, he is unharmed by their punches and kicks. 448
• Xiao Lin recognizes Xiao Yan’s increasingly shameless manner as resembling his own. 461
• He briefly feels guilty that his changes to history may have prevented Xiao Yan and Yun Yun’s original romantic connection, only to discover that they have become close through different circumstances. 558
• His expectation that Xiao Yan would win the marriage contest is overturned by its draw; his suspicion that Xiao Yan held back is not presented as a confirmed explanation. 574 586

---