Xu Yang

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Xu Yang (许阳)
Alias(es)	A Yang — familiar name used by childhood friends and relatives 30 32 47
Gender	Male
Age	Over eighteen; began martial training shortly before turning eighteen 41
Residence	White Stone Ward, outside Qingyuan County’s city walls 9 41
Affiliation	Mighty Far Hall, Inner Court; Liu Family attendant; formerly sponsored by the Huang Family 28 30 35
Occupation/Role	Martial artist and household attendant; formerly a miner at the Zhang Family Mine 1 35
Cultivation	Minor accomplishment of Qi Gathering 41 49
Status	Alive; preparing to fight Hong Feng on the Qiu Family’s behalf 50
Remaining Lifespan	61 years, as displayed by his panel 41 49
First Appearance	Chapter 1: “Martial Dao” 1

Power Progression

“Beginner,” “initiation,” “minor mastery,” and “minor accomplishment” appear as differing labels in the supplied technique displays; their proficiency values identify the corresponding milestones 11 12 28 29 41 49.

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Comprehension 21; innate aptitude 22; no cultivation	1	After six months with the panel, raises comprehension and aptitude from their original values of 2 and 3. Mining is already Level 3.
C-Grade Lower aptitude	4	Passes the Huang Family’s bone examination and qualifies for sponsored martial training.
Innate constitution 27	10	Prioritizes constitution with panel points; remains within his estimated C-Grade Lower range.
Turtle-Snake Great Stance — Initiation/Beginner	11 12	Achieves the milestone after about six days, slightly more than a day behind Lu Ren. The next proficiency requirement rises to 100.
Bone Root 30 — C-Grade Upper	15	Spends 30 points on bone root; subsequent stance practice becomes more effective.
Mountain-Shaking Bear Fist — Beginner	16	Reaches the level one day after Lu Ren. After half a month of training, can lift a 150-jin stone weight with one hand.
Bone Root 34	19	Invests all 43 available points after killing Li Hu and his two companions.
Mountain-Shaking Bear Fist — Beginner, 94/150	22	Spends 31 points to raise proficiency from 63 to 94 before attacking the gang branch.
Bone Root 39	26	Continued training and point investment bring him close to Grade B.
Bone Root 40 — Grade B	27	Both foundational techniques stand one point below their breakthrough thresholds; deliberately delays advancement to temper his body.
Turtle-Snake Great Stance — Minor mastery, 1/300	28	Reaches the milestone through practice before attempting Qi Gathering, improving his blood-energy foundation.
Mountain-Shaking Bear Fist — Minor mastery, 1/500	28	Uses the panel to complete the technique milestone and initiate his planned breakthrough.
Qi Gathering Initiation	29 30	Breaks through after two months of training. Enters the Inner Court; displayed remaining lifespan increases from 57 to 60 years.
Comprehension 24; Bone Root 43	31	Allocates points to long-term cultivation attributes rather than technique proficiency.
Comprehension 30	36	Improved comprehension considerably accelerates his cultivation-method progress.
Comprehension 34, then 37	39	Invests the reward for obtaining Vajra Skill, followed by additional accumulated points.
Vajra Skill — Entry/Initiation	39	Develops a trace of vajra true qi; his flesh becomes harder and his palm strikes ring like iron.
Explosive Bear Force	40	Comprehends the Mountain-Shaking Bear Fist’s explosive strength technique through practice.
Qi Gathering — Minor accomplishment	41	Advances nearly four months after entering Qi Gathering. Comprehension reaches 45, bone root 48, and remaining lifespan 61 years.
Mountain-Shaking Bear Fist — Minor accomplishment, 242/500; Wind-Thunder Force	50	Spends all 57 reserved points, raising proficiency from 185 to 242. Unlocks Wind-Thunder Force and deepens Explosive Bear Force without changing cultivation realm.

Background / History

Mining and entry into martial training

Xu Yang transmigrated with the Martial Dao Longevity panel. During his first six months, he improved his poor starting attributes and mining skill, allowing him to earn more than other laborers. He concealed those earnings to avoid attracting thieves while supporting his younger sister, Xu Qing, without help from their father 1.

His childhood friends, Zhang Daniu and He Laosan, abandoned their shared martial ambitions and discouraged his plans. His father, Xu Lao’er, likewise refused assistance, instead demanding that Xu Yang contribute toward Yang Jun’s training. Xu Yang rejected the demand and left with Xu Qing 1 3.

Their maternal uncle, Zhou Shunchang, secured him an opportunity to enter the Huang Family’s recruitment examination. His C-Grade Lower aptitude earned him sponsorship at Mighty Far Hall, where Lin Cheng taught him the Turtle-Snake Great Stance and later the Mountain-Shaking Bear Fist 3 4 6 13.

Family separation and gang violence

Xu Yang kept his training secret because the Three Harmonies Gang might kill him before he became strong enough to resist it. After Xu Lao’er and Zhang Cuiting took the siblings’ laying hen to feed Yang Jun, Xu Yang reclaimed it, defeated Yang Jun, and publicly severed family ties. The announcement also prevented his father from legally selling Xu Qing to Li Hu 9 14 15.

Li Hu continued extorting him and used violence against He Shicai’s household as a warning. Xu Yang concealed his strength until he could act privately, then killed Li Hu, Li Liang, and Li Jian and hid their bodies in the mountains. His first killings caused shock and revulsion, but he methodically removed evidence and resumed training 17 19.

When the gang’s replacement collectors continued threatening the household, Xu Yang attacked its local branch. He ambushed Qian Ming and two guards, used Muscle-Softening Powder against the sleeping members, and killed everyone at the hall. He left “Four Rivers” written in blood to implicate a rival gang and concealed the stolen money 20 22 23.

The attempted frame-up did not provoke gang warfare. It nevertheless bought him time, and the proceeds paid for improved nutrition and training. He declined repeated exotic-beast hunts led by Xue Fangsheng; surviving participants later confirmed that Xue had used them as bait and attempted to kill them 24 26.

Qi Gathering and independence

Qiu Yongqiang began funding Xu Yang with three taels per month without requiring household service. Meanwhile, the Huang Family concentrated its resources on Lu Ren and announced that it would not employ the other recruits even if they became martial artists 20 28.

Xu Yang prepared both foundational techniques before gathering qi, breaking through three days after Lu Ren. When Luo Dehu publicly belittled the achievement, Xu Yang struck him; Lu Ren intervened, and their palm exchange showed nearly equal strength before Sun Tao stopped them 28 29.

Afterward, Xu Yang repaid his uncle, enrolled Xu Qing with Old Scholar Li, and maintained the break with his father. Li Sanhe publicly offered compensation for the gang’s threats, but Xu Yang avoided personally punishing the captive presented to him, suspecting that the gesture tested his intentions 31 32.

Liu Family service and Vajra Skill

Xu Yang became a Liu Family attendant alongside Wu Yongfeng, working mornings at the estate and training afterward. He remained wary of the unexplained disappearance of earlier attendants and intended to leave if the position proved dangerous. He also rejected proposed marriage alliances rather than surrender his independence for cultivation resources 35 36.

While returning home, he encountered a gravely wounded expert who attacked his throat. Xu Yang killed him and recovered silver and a hidden Vajra Skill manual. The next day, a wanted portrait identified the dead man as Jade Butterfly. Xu Yang concealed the death rather than claim the 200-tael bounty, fearing dangerous connections and questions about the manual’s ownership 37 38 39.

His subsequent cultivation combined the stance, fist technique, and Vajra Skill. After reaching minor accomplishment of Qi Gathering, he kept the advancement largely private. A later ambush by Bao Gang reinforced his decision to reserve panel points for emergency technique improvements 41 42 44 45.

Repaying the Qiu Family

Despite his disputes with the Huang Family, Xu Yang agreed to guide White Stone Ward youths to its recruitment examination. He confirmed that the same sponsorship opportunity had enabled his own entry into martial training 47.

When the Hong Family threatened the Qiu Family’s supply channels and Hong Feng injured Qiu Yongjian, Xu Yang volunteered to intervene. Before confronting Hong Feng, he spent his reserved points to obtain Wind-Thunder Force, seeking victory without an injury that might jeopardize the Martial Examination. He also learned that Qiu Yongqiang had continued supporting him personally after the family officially stopped its sponsorship 49 50.

Appearance

• Handsome features and fair skin: Years underground kept him out of the sun; presentable clothes initially made Luo Dehu mistake him for someone of comfortable standing 4.
• Laborer’s hands: His palms were rough, cracked, and marked by dark lines from mining 4.
• Growing muscular build: Martial training produced firm, lean muscles within half a month and a substantially taller, more robust frame within a month 16 21.
• Transformed bearing: After Qi Gathering, his sturdy physique and abundant blood energy made childhood acquaintance Li Yao fail to recognize him. Cui’er and the Liu Family’s Fifth Miss both considered him handsome 32 37.

Personality

Xu Yang values survival over appearances. He conceals money, cultivation progress, and dangerous techniques; refuses disadvantageous challenges; and accepts being called cowardly rather than undertake suspicious opportunities. His caution is active rather than passive: he prepares thoroughly, waits for favorable conditions, and keeps resources available for emergencies 1 16 22 39 42 45.

His strongest commitment is to Xu Qing. Protecting her drives his training, separation from their father, and attacks on the gang. He also invests in her education and accepts her wish to practice martial arts when she is older, without prejudice against female martial artists 3 15 31.

He distinguishes gratitude from submission. He repays Zhou Shunchang, remembers the Huang Family’s initial assistance, and risks confronting Hong Feng for the Qius, but rejects marriage arrangements and exploitative claims of kinship 30 31 36 50.

He is generous with useful advice but unforgiving toward deliberate mistreatment. He shares breakthrough guidance with Zhang Hong and Zhang Yong, recognizes Qian Jiaxing’s self-interested apology, and openly mocks Luo Dehu after his failed breakthrough. When he considers an opponent a continuing threat, he can kill decisively and conceal the aftermath 23 35 38.

Abilities & Skills

Martial Dao Longevity Panel

A panel that accompanied his transmigration, tracking attributes, cultivation, techniques, skills, lifespan, and available points 1.

• Point generation: Usually grants one point daily, with additional rewards for actions contributing to martial longevity, including training, acquiring techniques, breakthroughs, and eliminating lethal threats 4 9 19 31 39.
• Attribute improvement: Ten points improve comprehension or innate constitution by one; one point adds one day of lifespan 10.
• Technique improvement: One point adds one proficiency point and supplies corresponding insights 10 22 50.
• Instruction retention: Records Lin Cheng’s stance lesson and lets Xu Yang replay material he failed to memorize 6.
• Breakthrough planning: Visible proficiency allows him to prepare and choose when to attempt Qi Gathering 28.
• Limit: Improving technique proficiency does not automatically raise his cultivation realm; his Wind-Thunder Force upgrade increases combat strength without changing cultivation 22 50.

Turtle-Snake Great Stance

His foundational stillness practice for nourishing qi and blood and tempering the body 6 22.

• Strengthens the body, helps repair hidden injuries, and may prolong life 6.
• Builds blood energy for Qi Gathering; reaching minor mastery before the fist breakthrough improves preparation 28.
• Requires sufficient nutrition: inadequate food limits practice, while overtraining can damage the body 13 16.

Mountain-Shaking Bear Fist

A ferocious combat technique taught by Lin Cheng, developed through practice, sparring, and panel-assisted insights 13 19 50.

• Named applications: Uses Bear Pounce in combat and Spirit Bear Plucks the Osmanthus to defeat Zhang Hong in sparring 27 38.
• Explosive Bear Force: Produces a sharp surge of strength through blood energy, musculature, and true qi; initially leaves him aching and weak 40.
• Wind-Thunder Force: Conceals true qi within his flesh and releases it where he chooses, freeing it from the meridians’ usual constraints. It can penetrate an opponent’s protective true qi 49 50.
• Practical training: Regular sparring helps him understand force and true qi 19 33.

Vajra Skill

A body-protection cultivation method that converts ordinary true qi into purer, more forceful vajra true qi 38.

• Increases offensive power and bodily toughness; qi driven into an opponent is difficult to expel 38 39 44.
• Cultivates true qi more effectively than relying on the fist technique alone 40.
• At minor accomplishment of Qi Gathering, projects qi three feet and punches a fist-sized hole through a tree 41.
• Requires sustained grinding; improvements in bone root and comprehension have little effect on its proficiency growth 38 41.
• Xu Yang keeps it secret and avoids sparring with Lin Cheng for fear of discovery 41.

Mining and Tactical Preparation

• Mining Level 3: Panel-assisted proficiency enables higher earnings than many fellow miners 1.
• Ambush planning: Selects vulnerable moments, attacks guards first, uses incapacitating powder, and removes evidence 19 23.
• Threat assessment: Rejects suspicious hunts, conceals valuable discoveries, and considers the political consequences of accepting patronage 20 22 39.

Equipment / Items

• Vajra Skill manual — Blue-covered book recovered from Jade Butterfly’s hidden trouser compartment; subsequently concealed at home 38 39.
• Muscle-Softening Powder and antidote — Supplied by Qiu Wenjie. Inhalation incapacitates ordinary people within roughly a dozen breaths, but not Qi Gathering martial artists; used in the gang-hall massacre 22 23.
• Body-Strengthening Soup — Purchases additional servings to support conditioning and recovery 7 9.

Relationships

• Xu Qing — Younger sister whom he raised and supports; her safety is central to his decisions. Arranges her schooling and promises future martial training 20 31 32.
• Xu Lao’er — Biological father, estranged after repeated exploitation. Xu Yang publicly severs ties and later refuses him shelter 14 15 36.
• Zhang Cuiting and Yang Jun — His father’s wife and her son. Xu Yang defeats Yang Jun during the hen dispute and threatens him when Zhang Cuiting attempts to exploit reconciliation 2 14 32.
• Zhou Shunchang — Maternal uncle and early benefactor; obtains the recruitment opportunity and later mediates marriage proposals. Xu Yang repays his financial help 3 31 35 43.
• Lin Cheng — Martial teacher who supplies foundational instruction, combat training, and practical warnings about resources and factions 6 13 30.
• Sun Tao — Senior brother who guides his early training, introduces him to the Inner Court, and intervenes in conflicts with other disciples 6 15 29 30.
• Zhang Hong — Steady friend and frequent sparring partner; maintains their friendship despite shifting trainee alliances 16 19 27.
• Zhang Yong — Initially resentful after losing training resources to Xu Yang; later accepts his advice and joins his practice circle 13 14 35 36.
• Wu Yongfeng — Fellow Liu Family attendant and training companion; bonds with Xu Yang through their similarly poor reception in the Inner Court 33 35 36.
• Qiu Wenjie — Junior disciple and close friend; receives guidance, supplies powder, guards Xu Yang’s breakthrough, and seeks his help against Hong Feng 19 22 28 49.
• Qiu Yongqiang — Sponsor whom Xu Yang calls “Uncle Qiu.” Continues funding him personally after family sponsorship ends; Xu Yang acts to repay that kindness 20 50.
• Lu Ren — Former fellow recruit turned rival. Their disagreement over aptitude and resources becomes an open feud and physical confrontation 16 29 39.
• Qian Jiaxing — Once Xu Yang’s closest friend among the recruits; sides with Lu Ren, then unsuccessfully seeks reconciliation when his own prospects worsen 15 16 30 35.
• Huang Jin — Supportive Huang Family intermediary who recognizes Xu Yang’s potential but lacks authority over family policy; later regrets the failure to recruit him 13 30 43.
• Zhang Daniu and He Laosan — Childhood friends who discourage martial training; Xu Yang’s success overturns their expectations, and both later attend the community recruitment gathering 1 30 47.
• Li Yao — Childhood acquaintance and former object of his admiration; fails to recognize him after his physical transformation 31 32.
• Hong Feng — Opponent he prepares to confront for injuring Qiu Yongjian and threatening the Qiu Family’s property; the fight has not begun in the provided account 49 50.