Xu Peinian

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Xu Peinian (许沛年)
Alias(es)	A-Nian; Netherworld; “Demon King”
Species/Race	Human; transmigrated from Blue Star
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Spirit Hall; Elder Hall; Spirit Hall Advanced Academy
Occupation/Role	Soul Master; Spirit Hall Academy student; disciple of Elder Hall worshippers
Status	Alive
First Appearance	Chapter 1
Martial Souls	Netherworld Blade; Qili Belt
Innate Soul Power	Level 10 — Innate Full Soul Power 1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Innate Full Soul Power, Level 10	1	Awakens the super-grade Netherworld Blade and the hidden second martial soul, the Qili Belt.
Qili Belt — First Soul Ring	2	Chooses Paddi the Lazy Goat; gains Dreamland Gravity and the Emperor Luck Constitution. The growth-type yellow ring begins at slightly over 100 years.
Netherworld Blade — First Soul Ring	11	Kills and absorbs a nearly 500-year Nether Demon Wolf soul ring. The absorption nearly fails until the Qili Belt’s luck passive redirects the wolf’s lingering resentment.
Soul Grandmaster, above Level 26	14	Enters Spirit Hall Advanced Academy as an eight-year-old assault-type Soul Grandmaster; wields a purple second blade ring and defeats students including Soul Elders.
Qili Belt — Second Soul Ring	15	Selects Pretty Goat, gaining Song of Purification and Descent of the Beauty Goddess.
Level 27	17	Advances by one level during his first month at Spirit Hall Academy.
Level 30	21	Reaches Level 30 after refining the Eight-Petal Orchid.
Qili Belt — Third Soul Ring	22	Selects Pleasant Goat, gaining Hurricane Blade and the Wisdom Bearer passive.
Soul Elder	23	Reported to have become a Soul Elder at age eight.
Soul Ancestor	23	Reaches Soul Ancestor at age eleven; soon defeats Yan, who is nearing Soul King.
Qili Belt — Fourth Soul Ring	25	Previously selects Western Region Blade Sheep, gaining Flying Flower Shattering Leaves and the berserk Prairie Flower passive.

Background

Xu Peinian was abandoned as an infant after transmigrating from Blue Star and was raised in Dihun Village by the late village chief, Old Tom. Although the village was impoverished, its residents fed and supported him after Old Tom’s death. His desire for power is rooted in protecting those who cared for him rather than pursuing status alone. 1 10

At age six, Xu awakened the black, saber-like Netherworld Blade during Dihun Village’s martial-soul ceremony. Its abyssal aura drew the attention of Spirit Hall examiner Bi Yuntao, who discovered that Xu possessed Innate Full Soul Power and attempted to recruit him. Xu initially refused, concealing the Qili Belt and its system-assisted soul-ring selection from everyone. 1

Xu briefly attended Notting Academy as Dihun Village’s sole work-study student. There, he entered Dorm Seven with Tang San and Xiao Wu, avoided conflict with them where possible, and publicly rejected Yu Xiaogang’s attempt to take him as a disciple. Yu Xiaogang’s hostility and Tang San’s challenge convinced Xu that quiet cultivation at Notting Academy was no longer viable. 2 3

Spirit Hall’s Sixth Worshipper, Qian Jun, soon recruited Xu as his disciple. Xu agreed only after Qian Jun promised protection and better living conditions for Dihun Village. Xu later disclosed his Twin Martial Souls to Elder Hall, became Qian Daoliu’s second disciple, and gained the support of the seven great priests. 5 8 9 13

Appearance

Xu is repeatedly described as unusually handsome, even when wearing tattered village clothes. As he trains and matures, his body becomes stronger and his presence increasingly sharp; by his later academy years, he resembles a young adult from his former life. 1 10 13 23

• Carries a black Netherworld Blade resembling a Tang-style saber, with a cold edge, simple patterns, and a ghostly face carved into its pommel. 1
• The Qili Belt appears as a dark-silver metal belt decorated with intertwined ram-horn and wolf-tail patterns. 1
• Often trains in black clothing and carries himself with controlled, blade-like poise. 16
• Uses a mask when operating anonymously in Suotuo Great Soul Arena. 32 33

Personality

Xu is cautious, calculating, and highly conscious of political danger. He hides abilities until disclosure will earn him protection or resources, as demonstrated by concealing the Qili Belt in Dihun Village and later revealing it before Elder Hall’s strongest figures. 1 8

His pragmatism can be ruthless. Rather than confront Tang San directly while vulnerable, he manipulates circumstances around Tang San’s soul-ring hunts and uses misinformation, agents, and superior backing to gain the advantage. 5 6 18

Despite this, Xu is loyal to people who treat him well. He asks Qian Jun to aid Dihun Village instead of seeking personal rewards, protects Zhu Zhuqing after rescuing her, and repeatedly relies on Elder Hall’s priests as both mentors and family. 5 10 12 13

Abilities & Skills

Netherworld Blade

The Netherworld Blade is Xu’s primary weapon martial soul, identified by his system as a “Super Martial Soul.” It follows an assault-oriented development path centered on power, shadow, death-aligned attributes, and precise blade techniques. 1 10

• Emits an abyssal, chilling aura and black mist when summoned. 1 4
• Is regarded by Qian Daoliu as a beneficial mutation that may surpass the Clear Sky Hammer in quality. 8
• Xu favors a power-attack route supplemented by agility and ghostlike movement. 10

Netherworld Demon Slash

Xu’s first Netherworld Blade soul skill, acquired from the Nether Demon Wolf.

• Releases powerful blade energy capable of severely wounding much stronger enemies. 12 36
• Can compress gathered Soul Power to greatly increase the force of a single strike. 34
• Defeats Dai Mubai in one slash during the confrontation outside Suotuo City. 36

Cold Nether Maelstrom

Xu’s purple-ring second blade skill, an area-of-effect blade-energy technique. 14

• Produces dense, crescent-shaped waves of black blade energy. 14
• Repeated strikes against the same target stack in power. 14
• Countered Yu Tianheng’s Thunderbolt barrage during their Soul Arena duel. 34

Netherworld Three Forms

A blade-art inheritance that appeared in Xu’s mind after obtaining his first Netherworld Blade soul ring. 13

• Netherworld Soul-Luring — The first form; combines silent attacks, soul-binding nether energy, and ghostlike footwork. 13 34
• Senluo Soul-Slaying — The second form; a direct, concentrated killing slash that annihilates body and soul. Xu combines it with Netherworld Demon Slash’s compression to create his strongest currently revealed attack. 34
• Xu has not fully comprehended the third form. 13

Qili Belt

Xu’s hidden second martial soul is a growth-type tool spirit whose rings do not conflict with the Netherworld Blade’s rings. Every ten Soul Power levels, the system grants him a three-choice ring selection. 1 2

• Its soul rings automatically adjust to the greatest age Xu can endure. 2
• Their age rises as Xu becomes stronger; Xu states they may eventually reach hundred-thousand-year quality. 9
• Whale Rubber consumption visibly increased the first ring’s age by roughly one to two hundred years. 10

Dreamland Gravity

The first Qili Belt skill, granted by Paddi the Lazy Goat. 2

• Induces drowsiness in same-level enemies within range.
• Reduces affected opponents’ speed and attention by 50%.
• Its control weakens against opponents stronger than Xu. 2
• Was used to slow Tang San and the Shrek members during the Suotuo confrontation. 36

Emperor Luck Constitution

The passive ability of Xu’s first Qili Belt ring.

• Seeks fortune and avoids misfortune, allowing danger to turn into safety. 2
• Redirected the Nether Demon Wolf’s lingering resentment during soul-ring absorption, saving Xu from serious injury. 11
• Can evolve into Child of Destiny after the ring surpasses one hundred thousand years, improving the fortune of Xu’s faction while suppressing enemies’ luck. 2

Song of Purification

The second Qili Belt skill, granted by Pretty Goat. 15

• Removes negative effects and offers healing.
• Can affect multiple allies, with targets and recovery improving as the ring ages. 2
• Restores Xu to peak condition before his fight against the Shrek group. 36

Hurricane Blade

The third Qili Belt skill, granted by Pleasant Goat. 22

• Creates hurricane-force wind attacks.
• Increases Xu’s speed and permits aerial movement. 22
• Allows Xu to ride the wind and land safely during the Holy Soul Village expedition. 29

Flying Flower Shattering Leaves

The fourth Qili Belt skill, granted by Western Region Blade Sheep. 25

• Converts Soul Power into blade-like attacks that cut down enemies ahead of Xu.
• Its power rises severalfold when used with a blade-type martial soul. 25

Prairie Flower

The passive ability of Xu’s fourth Qili Belt ring.

• Activates when the illusory Cangxiao Flower above Xu falls.
• Overdraws Soul Power for combat strength beyond his normal limits. 25

Cultivation Methods and Enhancements

• Mysterious Heaven Skill — An internal cultivation method that allowed six-year-old Xu to endure a soul ring above the usual age limit. 2
• Whale Rubber — Strengthened his body and increased his sustainable soul-ring age limit under Qian Daoliu’s supervision. 9 10
• Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum — Strengthened his body and meridians. 21
• Eight-Petal Orchid — Purified his foundation and raised his Soul Power directly to Level 30. 21

Equipment & Resources

• Netherworld Blade — Primary weapon martial soul. 1
• Qili Belt — Second martial soul and vessel for system-selected growth-type soul rings. 1 2
• Blue Silver Emperor Right Leg Soul Bone — Recovered from Tang Hao’s hidden cave behind the Holy Soul Village waterfall. 29
• Ah Yin’s Blue Silver Emperor form — Taken from Tang Hao’s hideout with its sustaining soil preserved on Xu’s order. 29
• Elder Hall treasury access — Granted by Qian Daoliu after accepting Xu as a second disciple. 9
• Spirit Hall intelligence network — Xu receives reports from subordinates and can dispatch agents to observe or intervene in external affairs. 18 21 30

Relationships

• Old Tom — Deceased adoptive father and former Dihun Village chief who raised Xu after he was abandoned. 1 10
• Dihun Village residents — Xu’s first community; he asks Qian Jun to protect and improve their living conditions. 5
• Qian Jun — First master, Spirit Hall’s Sixth Worshipper, and Xu’s principal early blade and combat mentor. 4 5 9
• Qian Daoliu — Second master and grandfather-like protector. He grants Xu resources, supervises his cultivation, and treats him as family. 9 10 13
• Jiang Mo — Elder Hall worshipper who initially tried to claim Xu as a disciple; later trains and protects him alongside Qian Jun. 8 9
• Golden Crocodile Douluo — A protective Elder Hall senior who escorts Xu on major expeditions and assists with rare resources. 20 21 26
• Hu Liena — Academy senior and persistent admirer who calls him “A-Nian.” Their closeness causes recurring political suspicion, jealousy, and conflict with rivals. 16 17 23
• Zhu Zhuqing — Xu rescues her in Star Dou Forest, helps her obtain her first soul ring, and later supports her training and independence. 12 24 33
• Tang San — Former Notting Academy dormmate and long-standing rival. Xu distrusts Tang San, repeatedly interferes with his opportunities, and later defeats him alongside the Shrek group. 2 5 18 36
• Yu Xiaogang — Attempted to recruit Xu as a disciple; Xu publicly rejected his qualifications, beginning their hostility. 3
• Dugu Bo — Submits to Xu and Spirit Hall after Xu offers a cure for the Jade Phosphor Snake Poison affecting him and Dugu Yan. 20 21
• Dugu Yan — Dugu Bo’s granddaughter, whom Xu arranges to study at Spirit Hall Academy. 24
• Dai Mubai — Opposes Xu after Zhu Zhuqing rejects their arranged engagement; Xu openly defends Zhuqing’s right to choose her own future. 35 36
• Yu Tianheng — Arena opponent whom Xu defeats with Senluo Soul-Slaying, severing his arm while deliberately sparing his life. 33 34

Story Role / Major Arcs

Notting Academy and Spirit Hall Recruitment

Xu’s awakening makes him a target for Spirit Hall and Yu Xiaogang alike. He rejects Bi Yuntao’s first offer, enters Notting Academy, clashes with Yu Xiaogang and Tang San, then accepts Qian Jun as master after securing aid for Dihun Village. 1 3 5

Manipulating Tang San’s Soul-Ring Hunts

Xu covertly interferes with Tang San and Yu Xiaogang’s searches for soul beasts, helping engineer Tang San’s acquisition of the Slug soul ring and later arranging circumstances around the Heaven-Devouring Demon Toad. He avoids direct confrontation with Tang Hao while exploiting Tang San’s reliance on Yu Xiaogang. 5 6 7 18 21

Elder Hall Ascension

After joining Spirit Hall, Xu reveals the Qili Belt to Qian Daoliu, Qian Jun, and Jiang Mo. His Twin Martial Souls, ring-growth potential, and Whale Rubber knowledge earn him exceptional resources, multiple mentors, and the backing of Elder Hall’s strongest members. 8 9 10

Star Dou Forest and Zhu Zhuqing’s Rescue

Xu acquires the Nether Demon Wolf ring for the Netherworld Blade, survives a dangerous absorption, and uses his new Netherworld Demon Slash to rescue Zhu Zhuqing from a Mountain-Splitting Kui Ox. He helps her gain Hell Stab before inviting her to find him in Spirit City. 11 12

Spirit Hall Academy Dominance

At Spirit Hall Academy, Xu defeats Soul Grandmasters and Soul Elders despite his age, rapidly earns the “Demon King” reputation, and becomes the academy’s strongest student. Over the following years, he advances from Soul Elder to Soul Ancestor and defeats Golden Generation member Yan. 14 15 23

Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well

Xu claims the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well through Dugu Bo’s surrender, cures Dugu Bo’s poison, and refines immortal herbs to strengthen his foundation and reach Level 30. He later chooses the Black Jade Divine Bamboo for Zhu Zhuqing’s cultivation. 20 21 27

Suotuo Great Soul Arena

After Zhu Zhuqing leaves Spirit Hall Academy to train independently, Xu secretly follows her progress to Suotuo City. Disguised as “Netherworld,” he suppresses his power to Level 30, defeats twenty arena opponents, and brutally defeats Yu Tianheng to avenge Zhuqing’s loss. 30 31 33 34

Conflict with Shrek Academy

Dai Mubai publicly claims Zhu Zhuqing as his designated fiancée, but she rejects him and chooses to stand beside Xu. Xu defeats Dai Mubai and the Shrek group, then calls upon a Level 96 Peak Douluo when Flender and Yu Xiaogang attempt to intervene. 35 36

Notable Quotes

“If you want to come, I’ll be waiting for you in Spirit City!” 12

“Zhuqing, don’t rush. Take it slowly. You’re still young.” 33

“You are the challenger.” 34