Duan Jian

Biodata

Power Progression

Background / History

Imprisonment by the Silver Wing Family

Duan Jian was born to parents whose relationship the Silver Wing Family condemned. Duan Longfei later identified him as Duan Yun’s son and acknowledged that pressure from the Silver Wing Family had forced him to suppress the matter. Sikong Yi treated Duan Jian as a slave sharing his parents’ punishment and deliberately kept him alive to torment him 46 217 220.

By the time Nie Li encountered him, Duan Jian had endured years of imprisonment and torture. He was chained behind a pillar, covered in old and fresh wounds, with his bloodline suppressed. Despite this treatment, Sikong Hongyue admitted that he had never yielded 45 46.

Rescue and Oath to Nie Li

Nie Li obtained custody of Duan Jian by claiming he needed a sturdy prisoner to test medicine intended for Sikong Yi. In private, he offered to break Duan Jian’s Bloodline Seal and help him take revenge in exchange for lifelong loyalty. Initially suspicious, Duan Jian accepted and swallowed a Top-grade Healing Pill without hesitation 46 47.

After the awakening, Duan Jian knelt and pledged his life to Nie Li. Following his new master’s instructions, he folded away his wings, replaced his chains, and concealed his restored strength. His convincing appearance as an exhausted medicine-testing subject kept Sikong Yi from recognizing the deception 49 51.

Escape from the Stronghold

Duan Jian accompanied Nie Li on a supposed herb-gathering expedition under the watch of five Gold Rank guards. Once the guards had exhausted themselves fighting Red Ghosts, he attacked on Nie Li’s command. He incapacitated four despite suffering several saber wounds; Shen Fei’s Shadow Mantis killed the remaining guard 53 54.

Using cloud clay to disguise his recognizable face, Duan Jian guided Nie Li and Shen Fei through a town administered by the Divine Flame Family. He explained the local families’ rivalries, trade arrangements, and dependence on enslaved commoners 55 56.

Before the group’s final departure, Duan Jian and Nie Li infiltrated the Silver Wing Family’s workshop, killed the inscription masters maintaining its restrictions, and opened the slave dungeon. The resulting escape and fires diverted the guards while they rejoined their companions 74.

Protecting Ye Zong

At the victory banquet in Glory City, Duan Jian concealed his strength during Shen Fei’s staged probe, releasing only a carefully timed Gold Rank fluctuation. He subsequently helped block Shen Hong’s routes toward the injured Ye Zong 107 108.

When Shen Fei attacked Shen Hong, Duan Jian intercepted the Sacred Family’s Third Elder. He ignored the elder’s offer to recruit him and continued fighting, preventing him from intervening against Shen Fei 113.

Revenge and Release from Hatred

After reaching Black Gold Rank Five-Star, Duan Jian received Nie Li’s approval to confront Sikong Yi. Nie Li, Shen Fei, and Xiao Ning’er accompanied him to the Black Prison World but left the confrontation to him 212 213.

Duan Jian fought recklessly, trading severe wounds for attacks against Sikong Yi’s vital points. Although his bloodline allowed him to pressure a much higher-ranked opponent, he exhausted his Soul Force and overdrew his Soul Sea. Nie Li warned that failure to overcome his inner demon could end his cultivation 216 217.

Surviving Sikong Yi’s attacks, Duan Jian broke through to Legendary Early Stage, caught the fleeing patriarch, and defeated him. When Sikong Hongyue shielded her father, Nie Li urged Duan Jian to release his hatred. Duan Jian spared them both, abandoned his obsession with vengeance, and returned to kneel before his master 219 220 221.

Training and the Nine-Layered Deathlands

Back in Glory City, Duan Jian sparred with Shen Fei and Xiao Ning’er for four hours without using Spiritual Power or a Demon Spirit. His controlled movements and exceptional toughness helped push their physical training while leaving him almost unfazed 223 224.

He later departed with Nie Li’s group toward the Nine-Layered Deathlands. During the journey, he fought Lü Qiansha alongside Du Ze and Lu Piao, then pursued the fleeing opponent until a protective shield stopped his saber. Mingyu ultimately broke the shield and killed Lü Qiansha 230 233 236 237.

At the group’s camp, Duan Jian shared a tent with Lu Piao and Du Ze while preparations continued for the disciple selection trials 239.

Appearance

• Build: Lean and muscular, with a naturally lean face 55 211.
• Wings: Pure black, feathered wings that he usually folds beneath a gray or black cloak 45 188 239.
• Scars: Numerous overlapping whip marks and blade wounds, including more than a dozen old scars across his back 45 211.
• Bloodline markings: Full activation produces dark red patterns extending from the back of his neck to his waist 211.
• Eyes: A dark red light flashes in his eyes after bloodline activation and cultivation breakthroughs 212.
• Clothing: Commonly wears plain gray cloth clothes and a cloak rather than elaborate attire 216 223.

Personality

Duan Jian is stoic, enduring, and sparing with words. He withstood years of torture without yielding and could suppress his reactions even when guards insulted his parents. Once he accepted Nie Li as his master, he followed instructions without hesitation—including putting his chains back on to maintain their deception 46 49 53.

His hatred of Sikong Yi initially drove him toward self-destructive combat. He willingly accepted broken bones and potentially fatal wounds to create openings, placing vengeance above his own survival. After defeating Sikong Yi, however, he chose to spare his enemies and let go of the obsession that had dominated him 217 220 221.

With his companions, he shows restraint rather than brutality. During sparring, he carefully controls his strength and encourages Xiao Ning’er that her own physical toughness can improve 223 224.

Abilities & Skills

Black Dragon Bloodline

His principal source of exceptional physical strength, durability, and regeneration 49 218 219.

• Allows his bodily strength to exceed what his cultivation rank would normally suggest 49 193.
• Repairs severe wounds, including frostbitten flesh and the chest injury inflicted by Sikong Yi 218 219.
• Accelerates Soul Force absorption once fully activated 212.
• Gradually begins suppressing his Thunderbird bloodline as his cultivation improves 230.
• Does not make him invulnerable: blades, extreme cold, and stronger opponents can still injure him 54 218 236.

Black Dragon Spiritual Power

Duan Jian manifests dark red Spiritual Power and Black Dragon flames in combat 216 219.

• Envelops his body in a protective, heat-producing aura capable of evaporating rain and resisting intense cold 216 217.
• Coats his saber and fists with flames to strengthen attacks 216 219 232.
• Can also condense a blade of dark spiritual power in his palm 113.
• Prolonged fighting against superior cultivation can exhaust his reserves despite his powerful body 217.

Close-Quarters Combat and Saber Fighting

An aggressive frontline fighter who combines broad-backed saber attacks with punches, elbows, knees, grabs, and body checks 54 223 236.

• Disarms and incapacitates armed opponents at close range, sometimes accepting injury to secure a counterattack 54.
• Uses precise positioning and controlled force when sparring without Spiritual Power 223 224.
• Coordinates frontal pressure with allies attacking from the sides and rear 233 236.
• Cannot penetrate Lü Qiansha’s protective shield, which was capable of withstanding an all-out Demi-God strike 237.

Wing-Assisted Speed

His black wings enhance rapid charges and pursuit 216 237.

• Wingbeats generate enough wind pressure to stagger or knock down nearby guards 216.
• After his Legendary breakthrough, catches the fleeing Sikong Yi almost immediately 219.
• Outpaces Lü Qiansha and repeatedly interrupts his attempts to escape 237.

Aura Concealment

Duan Jian can suppress his presence and present a misleading impression of weakness 49 107.

• Maintains the appearance of a broken prisoner after his initial awakening 49 53.
• Releases and withdraws a Gold Rank fluctuation with convincing timing during Shen Fei’s banquet probe 107.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Broad-backed saber — His primary weapon, used with Black Dragon flames in battles against Sikong Yi and Lü Qiansha 216 232.
• Cloak — Conceals most of his black wings and, when needed, his face 55 188.
• Iron chains — Former restraints that he voluntarily wore again to hide his recovery from the Silver Wing Family 49.
• Cloud clay disguise — Applied by Nie Li to alter his facial contours temporarily. The uneven molding required him to keep his hood low and avoid close scrutiny 55.

Relationships

• Nie Li — Rescuer and sworn master. Restores his bloodline, supports his revenge, and guides him toward relinquishing hatred 47 211 213 221.
• Duan Yun — Father, identified by Black Dragon Family head Duan Longfei 217 220.
• Duan Longfei — Head of his paternal family. Recognizes Duan Jian’s ancestry and hails him as a true legend of the Black Dragon Family 220.
• Sikong Yi — Former captor and principal enemy. Tortures and suppresses him for years before being defeated and spared 46 219 220.
• Sikong Hongyue — Participates in his persecution and later shields Sikong Yi from him; Duan Jian ultimately spares her as well 46 220.
• Shen Fei — Ally in escaping the Silver Wing Family and later a sparring partner 54 223 224.
• Xiao Ning’er — Companion who witnesses his revenge and trains against him alongside Shen Fei 213 219 223.
• Du Ze and Lu Piao — Fellow combatants against Lü Qiansha and tentmates at the Nine-Layered Deathlands camp 233 239.

Notable Quotes

“If you can truly help me avenge this great wrong, my life is yours. I, Duan Jian, will serve you loyally for the rest of my life, without a second allegiance.” 47

“When will vengeance ever end?” 221