Chen Fan

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Chen Fan (陈凡)
Alias(es)	“Great Devil King” 47
Gender	Male
Age	Fifteen when he fled the mountains after the Golden Wheel Temple catastrophe; sixteen by his first descent from Swordcry Mountain 2 16
Affiliation	Golden Wheel Temple (formerly); Swordcry Mountain; Soaring Heavens Palace 6 48 49
Occupation/Role	Cultivator; poison refiner; inner-court disciple and disciple of Yun Zhongjun 13 48 49
Status	Alive
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Internal Qi — Second Realm	4	Examiners discover that his Internal Qi has reached the second realm despite his use of an apparently ordinary technique. 4
Internal Qi — Peak Second Realm	5	Wu Xu confirms that his Internal Qi is at the peak of the second level. 5
External Force — First Realm	5	Passes the entrance assessment by barely reaching the first level through a crude, Internal-Qi-enhanced sword strike. 5
Internal Qi — Third Realm	13	Breaks through after repeatedly consuming refined venom and purging it with the Golden Wheel Scripture. 13
Internal Qi — Second Realm	22	Regresses from the third realm after sacrificing blood essence and primordial qi to heal Ye Yun. 22
External Force — Third-Realm Output	24	The reforged Soul Reaper Sword and its embedded Wind-Veined Jade allow his sword techniques to approach third-level External Force despite weakened Internal Qi. 24
Soaring — Cloud-Rising / Soaring Cloud Formula	35, 48, 49	Learns an advanced aerial movement method directly from Yun Zhongjun; it is later identified as the first three chapters of the restricted Soaring Cloud Formula. 35 48 49
Internal Qi — Peak Second Realm	39	An unstable surge toward the third realm forces him to bleed out excess energy, leaving him stabilized at the peak of the second realm. 39

Background

Chen Fan survived the destruction of Golden Wheel Temple with severe amnesia. Before leaving the site, he took the temple’s supplies and basic manuals, a mysterious poison record and wooden box, and a damaged sword dropped by a black-clad attacker. He changed out of monk’s robes to conceal his connection to the temple. 1

His body retained knowledge that his mind had lost. The Golden Wheel Scripture felt instinctively familiar, rapidly restoring his vitality and clearing the lingering effects of poison. Later, his memories returned enough for him to recall a bleak childhood of rigorous training under an elderly monk at Golden Wheel Temple; the monk disappeared shortly before the temple’s calamity. 2 3 6

Seeking safety, instruction, and time to study poisoncraft, Chen Fan entered Swordcry Mountain as an outer-court disciple. His unusual Internal Qi drew immediate notice, but his lack of formal swordsmanship and severe imbalance between Internal Qi and External Force prevented direct admission to the inner court. 4 5 6

Appearance

Chen Fan is a youthful, ordinarily appearing cultivator whose unremarkable exterior routinely causes others to underestimate him. He was fifteen when he first examined his reflection after escaping the temple. 2 29

• Bears a frightening scar on his wrist, noticed by Qin Ziyan after his cultivation regression. 24
• Initially carried a battered, short-bladed sword taken from a black-clad attacker. 1
• Later wields the reforged Soul Reaper Sword. 24

Personality

Chen Fan is cautious, secretive, and highly pragmatic. He hides the Golden Wheel Scripture, destroys evidence that could expose his past, conceals the true nature of his poisoncraft, and frequently invents explanations to survive sect scrutiny. 3 11 26 39

He is also inventive and willing to accept calculated risks. He tests poisons on himself, experiments with combining sword arts, and turns his abnormal reactions to venom into a cultivation method. His curiosity can override his caution, particularly when rare herbs, hidden caves, or forbidden knowledge are involved. 8 13 14

Despite his self-preserving instincts, Chen Fan repeatedly chooses to protect others. He saves Qin Ziyan from venom, sacrifices cultivation to restore Ye Yun, and intervenes when Ye Wan is endangered. 10 19 22

Abilities & Skills

Golden Wheel Scripture

Chen Fan’s primary Internal Qi method is exceptionally compatible with his body. It circulates more smoothly and provides greater recovery, purification, and vitality than the sect’s comparable low-tier methods. 2 6 14

• Clears poison-related discomfort and restores physical vigor through circulation. 2 3
• Surpasses the Qi Condensation Art, Blood-Coagulation Technique, and Rejuvenation Formula in his personal tests. 6 14 15
• Was destroyed in physical form to prevent others from tracing or stealing it; Chen Fan retains its teachings. 15
• Cannot simply overcome a saturated dantian; attempts to combine it with the Qi Condensation Art slowed his circulation. 8

Poison-Adapted Constitution

Chen Fan possesses an abnormal constitution that allows him to survive poisons that should incapacitate or kill ordinary cultivators. Controlled exposure to venom can stimulate his Golden Wheel Scripture and advance his cultivation. 13 31 37

• Resisted the Spirit-Drunken Incense, a poison said to leave most victims dead, permanently unconscious, or mentally damaged. 37
• Used blood essence and Golden Wheel Scripture instruction to help Ye Yun recover from the Spirit-Mystifying Incense. 22
• Strong poisons can nourish his body and aid cultivation, though weaker poisons eventually became no more effective than ordinary meditation. 29 31
• Blood loss permanently lowers his cultivation; after learning this, he recognizes bleeding as a critical weakness. 39

Poisoncraft and Medical Knowledge

Chen Fan studies the Poisoncraft Manual / Poison Arts Treasure Record, learning toxic materials, antidotes, delivery methods, and poison-based treatment. 3 6

• Refines liquid venoms, poison pills, and concealed toxic tools. 13 29 40
• Used “fighting poison with poison” to stabilize Qin Ziyan after serpent venom threatened her heart. 10
• Identifies and gathers poisonous and medicinal plants for experimentation. 8
• Has mastered nearly one hundred poisons, though his practical results depend on material quality and heat control during refinement. 15 29

Swordsmanship and External Force

Chen Fan began with almost no formal sword training, but adapted quickly by drawing on his previous staff-training foundation, strong Internal Qi, and repeated practice. 5 8

• Learned the opening forms of the Azure Mountain Sword Art under Ye Wan. 7
• Studied the twenty-four-form Clear Wind Art, which emphasizes speed, precise wrist control, changing angles, and concealed killing intent. 8
• Successfully fused Azure Mountain Sword Art and Clear Wind Art into a faster, stronger, more balanced personal sword style. 8 15
• Uses the Soul Reaper Sword to compensate for the gap left by his weakened Internal Qi. 24
• Initially lacked experience and relied on crude, brute-force strikes when pressured. 5 9

Soaring Art

Chen Fan instinctively touched upon lightness techniques while navigating the back mountain, then later learned a far more advanced aerial method from Yun Zhongjun. 8 35

• Uses light footwork to move quietly, evade enemies, and reinforce swordsmanship. 8 15
• Can step through the air while channeling Internal Qi into his legs and feet. 35
• Learned the first three chapters of the restricted Soaring Cloud Formula, one of Swordcry Mountain’s Three Sword-Cry Arts. 49
• His Soaring Art allows him to keep pace with Ye Wan while expending surprisingly little Internal Qi. 41

Spirit Serpents

Chen Fan raises two venomous spirit snakes hatched from the Three-Green Flower Python’s eggs: Eastern Evil and Western Poison. 15

• Both snakes are intelligent, poison-hungry, and deeply attached to him. 15 16
• Western Poison / Little West can shrink and move at extreme speed. 23 31
• Eastern Evil / Little East can transform into a hardened serpent staff whose body rivals Soul Reaper in durability; its snake head can still bite while in weapon form. 23 31
• Their venom is lethal to ordinary cultivators below the third realm. 31

Equipment

• Soul Reaper Sword — Chen Fan’s reforged sword, strengthened with metal and Wind-Veined Jade; it is sharper, thicker, more durable, and amplifies his External Force. 24
• Fire Spirit Sword scabbard — A powerful scabbard given by Liu Wushuang after she damaged Chen Fan’s original one. 30 31
• God-Sealing Needles — Concealed needles that restrict an opponent’s spiritual sense and Internal Qi; Chen Fan used one to paralyze the giant serpent. 3 9
• Venomheart Darts — Poison-bearing concealed weapons suited to ranged attacks and assassination. 3 19
• Poisoned dagger — A close-range weapon intended for repeatedly applying toxins. 3
• Poison Arts Treasure Record — His core reference for poison refinement, antidotes, toxic materials, and unconventional treatments. 3 6

Relationships

• Ye Wan — Initially his inner-court sword instructor and protector. After Chen Fan saves her from Flame Dragon Powder, they become romantic partners; he later sacrifices cultivation to save her younger sister and vows to protect Ye Wan regardless of his realm. 7 19 20 22
• Qin Ziyan — Began as a suspicious opponent after catching him observing her sword practice. Chen Fan saves her from serpent venom, and she becomes a fiercely loyal friend who protects his secrets and repeatedly aids him within the inner court. 9 10 26 28
• Yun Zhongjun — Palace Lord of Soaring Heavens Palace and Chen Fan’s former master. Though Yun Zhongjun’s memories are damaged by poison, he recognizes Chen Fan’s Soaring Cloud Formula and accepts their master-disciple bond. 37 48 49
• Liu Wushuang — Vice Sect Master of Swordcry Mountain and Yun Zhongjun’s martial sister. She alternates between testing, protecting, and interrogating Chen Fan, eventually asserting that he is the Poison Immortal’s successor. 30 39 49 50
• Murong Zhu — A straightforward outer-court friend who first invites Chen Fan to swordsmanship lessons, later spars with him, and ultimately enters Swordheart Hall partly because of his connection to Chen Fan. 6 15 45 48
• Ye Yun — Ye Wan’s younger sister. Chen Fan uses blood essence and introductory Golden Wheel Scripture techniques to restore her memories and health; she becomes attached to him as a teacher. 22
• Eastern Evil and Western Poison — His adopted spirit-serpent companions, hatched from eggs he took after killing their mother. 15
• The elderly monk of Golden Wheel Temple — Chen Fan’s childhood teacher, who strictly trained him before disappearing shortly before the temple’s destruction. 6

Story Role / Major Arcs

Golden Wheel Temple Survivor

Chen Fan escapes the ruined Golden Wheel Temple with amnesia, cultivation texts, poison tools, and a damaged sword. His immediate goal is survival, recovery of his memories, and concealment from the black-clad attackers tied to the temple’s destruction. 1 2 3

Swordcry Mountain Outer-Court Disciple

His unexpectedly high Internal Qi earns him entry into Swordcry Mountain, though his lack of External Force training places him in the outer court. There, he develops swordsmanship, studies poisoncraft, recovers memories of Golden Wheel Temple, and resolves to avenge its destruction. 4 5 6 7

Back Mountain and the Python Incident

While searching for poison materials, Chen Fan steals two mutant serpent eggs and becomes entangled with Qin Ziyan and the Three-Green Flower Python. He kills the serpent with strategy and a God-Sealing Needle, then risks exposure to save Qin Ziyan with an improvised poison treatment. 8 9 10 11

Poison-Fed Breakthrough and Serpent Raising

Chen Fan discovers that poison exposure can break his cultivation bottlenecks, reaches the third realm, and gains access to the inner-court Scripture Pavilion through Qin Ziyan. The python eggs hatch into Eastern Evil and Western Poison, whom he raises as spirit companions. 13 14 15

Trafficker Investigation and Ye Wan

During his first journey outside the sect, Chen Fan uncovers clues about a child-trafficking operation. He later intervenes when Ye Wan is attacked while pursuing the same conspiracy, beginning their intimate relationship and taking Ye Yun’s recovery as a personal responsibility. 16 19 20 22

Regression, Sect Intrigue, and Recovery

Saving Ye Yun costs Chen Fan an entire realm of cultivation. He returns to Swordcry Mountain determined to recover through his own efforts, reforges his sword as Soul Reaper, survives false espionage accusations, and gradually resumes poison-based cultivation. 22 24 30 31 39

Inner-Court Selection and Soaring Heavens Palace

Chen Fan wins the inner-court selection through evasion, endurance, and Soaring Art rather than direct force. All three inner-court palaces seek him, but Yun Zhongjun’s intervention places him in Soaring Heavens Palace as his disciple. 47 48

Sword Saint Legacy

Chen Fan learns that Yun Zhongjun and Liu Wushuang are disciples of the legendary Sword Saint, making Chen Fan the Sword Saint’s grand-disciple. He is drawn into the investigation of the Demon Spirit Cult, the Heaven and Earth Gate, and the possible return of the sealed Devil Master. 49

Notable Quotes

“Even if I remain a minor cultivator of the second realm forever, I will still protect you for the rest of my life!” 22

Trivia

• Chen Fan is notably bad at navigating mountains and repeatedly gets lost in the wilderness. 8 9
• He first leaves the mountain after sixteen years of life when traveling to Pingliang City for sword-forging materials. 16
• Liu Wushuang considers him the Poison Immortal’s successor, but Chen Fan insists that he does not know who the Poison Immortal is. 50