Dongfang Hui

Biodata

Power Progression

Background / History

Family and Trial Entry

Dongfang Hui comes from the Dongfang Family of Purple Cloud Ridge. Her lineage maintains a shop in the market town, which she visits occasionally. She has known Lin Qian since childhood, although she declines his invitation to share a cabin during the journey to Mist Valley 32 33 41.

She formally meets Xu Qingtong at the Combat Arena before the Mist Valley Trial. The two become acquainted while waiting for the other participants, then travel to the valley aboard Yuan Hong’s magical boat. The month-long trial requires participants to collect medicinal herbs 32 33.

Lin Qian’s Betrayal

During the trial, Dongfang Hui witnesses Lin Qian’s treachery against Qin Xinghan and An Chengbao. After killing them and taking their belongings, he attempts to force her into a sexual relationship to keep her from revealing his crimes. Poisoned with Power-Dissolving Powder, she escapes but is pursued to a pool 41 43.

Cornered, she tries to stab herself with a golden hairpin rather than submit. Lin Qian disarms her and prevents her from jumping into the water. Xu Qingtong intervenes, suffering a sword wound through his chest while protecting her. His divine-sense attack eventually leaves Lin Qian vulnerable, allowing Xiao Qi to kill him 41 42.

Dongfang Hui gives Xu Qingtong an elixir, removes the sword at his request, and bandages his wound. Following his instructions, she clears away evidence of the fight and supports him on the journey back to the Mountain Cave 42 43.

Recovery and Sect Admission

Unable to find an antidote, Dongfang Hui remains under Xu Qingtong’s protection while the poison wears off. They pool their collected herbs with those found among Lin Qian’s possessions and assemble two complete trial assignments. With their tasks finished, they remain in the cave to recover and cultivate, growing closer during their stay 44 45 46 47.

Dongfang Hui initially favors Biluozong because of her interest in formations. Her family, however, insists on Gloomwind Valley. When Xu Qingtong also chooses Gloomwind Valley, she happily agrees to join the same sect. After recovering her magic power, she spends the remaining trial period cultivating beside him 47.

Before leaving, they prepare a story about fleeing three Howling Wind Wolves, distress their clothing, and expend spiritual power with spells to make their appearance convincing. They teleport out using their Jade Tokens, but no one questions them as anticipated 48 49.

At the trial’s conclusion, Dongfang Jin recognizes her as a descendant of his family. She kneels to acknowledge him as her patriarch and accepts his invitation to join Gloomwind Valley. Before entering the sect, she asks to bid farewell to her parents. Although she wants to accompany Xu Qingtong on his own departure, she cannot bring herself to ask and instead returns to the market with Guo Tianyu 49 50.

After saying farewell to her parents, she rejoins Xu Qingtong and Guo Tianyu, still bearing tear tracks from the separation. On entering the sect, she submits her trial herbs, and Sect Master Fang Tianqi informs her that Dongfang Jin has already arranged to take her under his instruction. She subsequently becomes his formal disciple 52 53 61.

Courtship in Gloomwind Valley

Nearly half a year after their separation, Gong Chu brings Dongfang Hui to visit Xu Qingtong at Swallowtail Peak. She objects to his distant form of address and asks him to call her Senior Sister or Hui'er, making her affection unmistakable. She tells him that Dongfang Jin treats her well and offers to ask for Xu Qingtong to be brought to Gloomwind Valley if he is unhappy at Swallowtail Peak. Before leaving, she gives him her Sound Transmission Talisman and kisses his forehead; he gives her Essence-Nourishing Pills and resolves to protect her 61.

Their relationship becomes openly affectionate. Dongfang Hui installs a five-element Spirit-Gathering Formation in his cave abode, and the two embrace. She leaves with a bottle of Purple Sun Pills. Xu Qingtong later remains reluctant to replace the formation even when he finds it less effective than another formation he has used 69 70 107.

During Xu Qingtong’s three years in Thousand Cloud Mountain, Dongfang Hui repeatedly visits Swallowtail Peak seeking news of him. On his return, she finds Du Siwen treating his sword wound and jealously takes over bandaging him. They reconcile after he apologizes for leaving without telling her. She reports that she has reached the seventh layer of Qi Refining 92.

Xu Qingtong subsequently makes protective armor and offensive hairpin Spirit Artifacts for her from a demon snake’s remains. Delighted by the gifts, she embraces him and kisses his bluish birthmark. He also gives her five bottles of Purple Sun Pills 93.

Marriage Dispute and Autumn Sword-Tournament

Dongfang Hui later reveals that Chai Long has persuaded Dongfang Jin to agree to their marriage despite her refusal. She tries to stop Xu Qingtong from confronting the ancestor because she fears for his safety, but ultimately affirms her commitment to growing old with him and accompanies him to Dongfang Jin’s residence. There, Xu Qingtong asks to marry her, while Dongfang Jin insists that her marriage is his decision 95.

Dongfang Hui competes in the Autumn Sword-Tournament, initially expressing hope of reaching the top five so long as she does not face Xu Qingtong. She defeats a Purple Sun Peak disciple, benefiting from her superior magical equipment, but is later knocked from the arena by Zhao Rufeng. Xu Qingtong is angered by her defeat, although Du Siwen restrains him and argues that Dongfang Hui must experience setbacks rather than remain entirely under his protection 102 104 105.

Sect Mission and Separation

Before Xu Qingtong leaves on sect business, Dongfang Hui admits that her unease about Du Siwen comes from fear of losing him rather than disbelief in his love. Dongfang Jin permits her to accompany him to deliver an invitation to Azure Sea Gate and gives her a low-grade Spirit Artifact flying sword. He also hopes that travel will help her advance beyond the eighth layer of Qi Refining 112.

During their journey, she recalls the twenty-odd days in Mist Valley as the time when Xu Qingtong gave her warmth and hope and won her heart. When a middle-stage Foundation Establishment pursuer threatens them, she initially refuses to abandon him. Only after he insists that she flee and seek reinforcements does she turn toward Gloomwind Valley, declaring that she will not live on alone if he dies 113 115.

Xu Qingtong subsequently learns that Old Dong, later identified as Dong Yunxiao, has taken her to Central Province. The danger of reaching Central Province prevents him from immediately following, and her whereabouts remain a concern long afterward 120 224 646.

Jade Sound Pavilion and the Heart-Severing Treasure Canon

In Central Province, Dongfang Hui becomes a disciple of Jade Sound Pavilion under Fairy Yuqi. Nearly fifty years pass before Xu Qingtong receives news of her through Shen Haotian, who reports that she visited while Xu Qingtong was away. She returns the Spirit Artifacts he made for her and leaves a jade slip explaining that she has cultivated the Heart-Severing Treasure Canon and is ending their relationship 317 318 439.

The apparent cause of their estrangement is Du Siwen’s use of Dongfang Hui’s identity while posing as Xu Qingtong’s betrothed Dao companion. Dongfang Hui later admits that this was a pretext arranged by her master to make her sever her love. She obeyed her master, but succeeded only in cutting away the outward expression of her feelings, not their roots 259 438 646.

In the Wuji Sect Secret Realm, Dongfang Hui pursues the wounded Du Siwen. Xu Qingtong intervenes, and Dongfang Hui attacks him when he refuses to move aside. Her flying sword nearly shatters his Black Tortoise Shield; after using essence blood to strengthen it, she breaks through his formation and pierces his chest when he does not dodge. He stops Du Siwen from retaliating and says that he accepted the strike willingly to repay Dongfang Hui’s affection. Shaken by his words and the feelings she has tried to suppress, Dongfang Hui recalls her sword and leaves in tears, questioning why her master forced her to sever her emotions 397.

She subsequently follows Xu Qingtong and Du Siwen despite their objections. At Red Rock Canyon, she refuses Xu Qingtong’s offer to cooperate against the demon beasts. Watching the pair defeat their opponents without her help, she realizes that Xu Qingtong had deliberately allowed her earlier sword strike to wound him 410 411.

Duel with Du Siwen

Dongfang Hui later fights Du Siwen while the latter is dressed in bridal attire. She again invokes the supposed misunderstanding over Du Siwen’s use of her name, while Du Siwen challenges her lack of trust in Xu Qingtong. Their duel initially remains unresolved for nearly an hour, despite damage to Dongfang Hui’s Life-Bound Treasure 438.

Dongfang Hui then employs Severing Love, manifesting a Giant Sword Phantom that strikes her own head before she renews her assault. Du Siwen counters with Nine Nether Earthfire and her Long Halberd, overcomes Dongfang Hui’s Three Talents Sword Formation, shatters her shield, and defeats her. Rather than kill her, Du Siwen turns her halberd’s blade and strikes her with its flat 439.

After being spared, Dongfang Hui launches a sneak attack at Du Siwen’s back. Xu Qingtong blocks it and declares that all ties between them are severed. Dongfang Hui’s aura begins rising in a breakthrough, prompting Fairy Yuqi to intervene; the confrontation then draws in the leaders of Jade Sound Pavilion and Juxian Academy 439.

Huijing Pavilion and the Overseas Ruins

Tormented by the Heart-Severing Treasure Canon and her unresolved attachment, Dongfang Hui eventually flees overseas. She discovers ancient ruins but becomes trapped within them for decades before unraveling a formation and escaping. By the time she returns, Jade Sound Pavilion no longer exists. She founds Huijing Pavilion and adopts the name Huiqing; Du Siwen observes that the pavilion’s name incorporates characters from Dongfang Hui’s and Xu Qingtong’s names 646.

When Xu Qingtong recognizes her, she initially denies her identity. In private, she explains the circumstances of her separation from him, describes Dong Yunxiao’s transfer of her to Central Province as a transaction, and admits that she would exchange her cultivation for the familial affection and love she lost. She also acknowledges that Du Siwen did nothing wrong by using her name and asks Xu Qingtong to apologize on her behalf 646.

Dongfang Hui shows Xu Qingtong immortal jade obtained from the ruins and invites him to investigate them with her. She takes him by flying boat to Purple Rosy Clouds Island, where they combine his attacks with her formation expertise to enter Tranquil Heart Hall 646 647 648.

The pair become trapped in the hall for more than five years. Dongfang Hui supplies immortal jade and talisman-crafting materials, receives Xu Qingtong’s insights into the mysterious Body Tempering Technique, and eventually senses immortal essence. Her study of the hall’s formation enables her to make a Formation Disc that opens a gap, allowing her to escape; Xu Qingtong follows using his own methods 651 652 653 654.

Continuing through the complex, they fail to open Ink Fragrance Pavilion but successfully breach the weaker formation around Qingtong Courtyard. Inside, they find a child’s skeleton and other relics. Dongfang Hui accepts finished immortal talismans while leaving unfamiliar alchemy and artifact-refining materials to Xu Qingtong 655 656.

Return to the Island and Sacrifice

Dongfang Hui returns to Central Province with a message for Du Siwen, then accompanies her back out of concern for Xu Qingtong’s safety. Later, she follows the couple to Purple Rosy Clouds Island, claiming that she wishes to practice immortal arts and study formations. She opens the villa’s formation and takes a room at Ink Bamboo Studio 658 660 664.

Still unable to settle her feelings, she asks Xu Qingtong to teach her the One Qi Primordial Unity Art after learning from Du Siwen that he created it. He provides the method with a warning that it remains newly developed. Dongfang Hui also helps test his defenses and sets up a five-element Spirit-Gathering Formation for his attempt to reach Spirit Transformation, remembering his cultivation requirements from centuries earlier 664 665 667 668.

During his tribulation, Dongfang Hui shields him from tribulation lightning and nearly dies. Her Nascent Soul is shattered, her cultivation regresses, and her sea of consciousness is destroyed. When she awakens under Du Siwen’s care, she cannot remember her own name or Xu Qingtong’s, but still recognizes him as her junior brother and future husband 672 674 675 679 693.

Xu Qingtong remains at the Immortal Lord’s Villa to care for her and searches for a way to repair her injuries. His examination finds her sea of consciousness almost entirely blank, with only their engagement and senior–junior disciple relationship remaining. Her previously learned cultivation techniques and formation knowledge have also vanished, so he begins teaching her again 674 675.

Reconciliation and Becoming Dao Companions

Distressed by the gaps in her memory, Dongfang Hui asks Du Siwen to explain her past. Learning that she severed her bond with Xu Qingtong and later wounded him leaves her deeply shaken. She initially wishes to leave for Central Province, but Du Siwen stops her because her injuries and reduced cultivation make the journey dangerous 677 678 679.

Du Siwen proposes that Dongfang Hui also become Xu Qingtong’s Dao companion. Dongfang Hui initially objects that she cannot repay kindness by stealing Du Siwen’s beloved, but Du Siwen explains that she is not surrendering her own relationship and wishes the two women to treat one another as equals 679.

A ceremony on the island establishes Dongfang Hui and Xu Qingtong as Dao companions, with a public Dual Cultivation ceremony to follow after their return to Central Province. Dongfang Hui receives an Immortal Sword, thanks Du Siwen for making their reunion possible, and listens as Xu Qingtong recounts how they first met and fell in love. She asks him to take her back to Gloomwind Valley 680.

Rebuilding Cultivation and Restoring Her Nascent Soul

Dongfang Hui rebuilds her cultivation through the One Qi Primordial Unity Art, reaching Golden Core within ten years. She also relearns Peering into the Immortal Sect and quickly senses immortal essence again. Eventually, however, she encounters a bottleneck at the Golden Core Late Stage: her lost memories have left her without the understanding of heaven and earth needed to form a Nascent Soul 681 683.

Xu Qingtong and Du Siwen therefore return with her to Central Province. She is welcomed into the family at Gloomwind Valley within the Tianhua Sect, and she later forgives Dong Yunxiao, telling him that his well-intentioned mistake ultimately brought her back to Xu Qingtong’s side 683 684 687.

Xu Qingtong then accompanies her on travels to temper her state of mind. They visit Bingzhou, the former Azure Sea Gate, Gloomwind Valley, Gong Chu, and the cave associated with their shared Mist Valley memories. His explanations of the past and discussions of conscience, the original heart, and the Dao help her develop new insights. Their return to Mist Valley also brings Xu Qingtong renewed understanding of his own enduring feelings 688 689 690 691.

To deepen her experience of human nature, Dongfang Hui takes over Azure Wind Hall in Wei City. Her initial inexperience costs more than twenty thousand spirit stones, and Xu Qingtong teaches her to inspect goods, recognize deception, and judge people beyond their outward appearance. Over six months, she becomes accustomed to business, the shop’s performance improves, and her state of mind approaches perfection 692 693.

When she senses an approaching breakthrough, Xu Qingtong arranges for Shopkeeper Feng to resume management and takes her back to the Tianhua Sect. With treasures, elixirs, and numerous Immortal Talismans prepared for her, she survives another Nascent Soul Heavenly Tribulation and forms a gray chaos nascent soul. She then spends nearly a month stabilizing her cultivation 693.

The Tianhua Sect holds a Nascent Soul Formation ceremony in her honor. Afterward, Dongfang Hui returns to Huijing Pavilion, relinquishes her position as Pavilion Master, and renames it Biyun Pavilion 694.

Appearance

Dongfang Hui has delicate features and an elegant, dignified bearing 32 45.

• Build: Tall and slender, with an oval face 32.
• Initial attire: A pale-purple gown, with her hair arranged in two buns 32.
• Later attire: A pale-yellow gown, with dark hair piled up; her brows are compared to willow leaves and her cheeks to peach blossoms 45.
• Features during her sect years: Described with a melon-seed face, willow-leaf eyebrows, almond-shaped eyes, two shallow dimples, and small canine teeth visible when she smiles 61 112.
• Travel attire: On the Azure Sea Gate mission, wears a pale-blue square-collared long tunic, white trousers, black boots, and a broad white silk sash, with her long black hair loose behind her 112.
• Later appearances: Wears pale-blue or purple dresses, often with her hair piled high. When meeting Xu Qingtong before their overseas expedition, she conceals her face beneath a cloak 387 410 438 647.

Personality

Dongfang Hui is soft-spoken and courteous, introducing herself with a curtsy and politely refusing Lin Qian’s invitation aboard the boat. She is also easily embarrassed by Xu Qingtong’s attention and their increasingly intimate moments, though she becomes comfortable enough to joke and tease him 32 33 43 44 47.

She condemns Lin Qian’s murder of fellow rogue cultivators and specifically challenges his killing of the innocent An Chengbao. Despite knowing she cannot defeat Lin Qian, she resists his coercion rather than accept his demands 41.

The betrayal leaves her shaken and initially unsure how to respond to danger. She comes to rely on Xu Qingtong’s judgment, but also cares for his injuries, cleans their shelter, and reminds him not to let attraction undermine his cultivation resolve 42 43 45.

Her affection for Xu Qingtong is persistent and sometimes accompanied by jealousy and fear of abandonment. She resents distant forms of address, worries during his unexplained absences, and admits that she is afraid of losing him. Nevertheless, she refuses to accept Chai Long as her Dao companion and initially resists leaving Xu Qingtong alone against a stronger pursuer 61 92 95 112 115.

While cultivating the Heart-Severing Treasure Canon, she adopts a cold exterior and becomes capable of attacking both Du Siwen and Xu Qingtong. Her conduct reaches the point of a sneak attack after Du Siwen spares her life. These acts do not reflect a complete absence of feeling: stabbing Xu Qingtong nearly destabilizes her Dao Heart, and she later admits that her love survived beneath the surface 397 439 646.

After their reconciliation, she shows remorse for her former hostility and gratitude toward Du Siwen. Even while suffering amnesia, she refuses to knowingly displace Du Siwen from Xu Qingtong’s side. She also forgives Dong Yunxiao and undertakes difficult practical training to rebuild her judgment and cultivation 679 680 687 693.

Abilities & Skills

Cultivation and Spellcasting

• Initially practices an unnamed cultivation method at the fifth level of Qi Refining 32 47.
• Fires water arrows in rapid succession to expend spiritual power before leaving Mist Valley 48.
• Cannot gather magic power while affected by Power-Dissolving Powder; her ability returns once the poison clears 43 46 47.
• Later cultivates the Heart-Severing Treasure Canon, a method her master compels her to practice by severing romantic attachment. Her separation is incomplete, leaving her burdened by unresolved feelings 318 397 646.
• Obtains and later rebuilds her cultivation through Xu Qingtong’s One Qi Primordial Unity Art, ultimately forming a gray chaos nascent soul 665 674 681 693.
• Possesses the Nine Immortals Scripture before her memory loss, but earlier explicitly states that she has not comprehended it and cannot wield the immortal flying sword discovered in the ruins. Possession of the text does not establish mastery of its immortal arts 656 665.

Divine Sense

• Examines the jade slips Xu Qingtong lends her while her magic power remains suppressed 46.
• Uses divine sense to test his Turtle Breath Technique, detecting Xiao Qi but not Xu Qingtong at the cave entrance 47.
• Suffers destruction of her sea of consciousness while shielding Xu Qingtong from tribulation lightning. The resulting memory loss removes nearly all her former knowledge, including previously practiced techniques and formations 674 675.

Formations and Technique Study

• Has a particular interest in formations, which initially draws her toward Biluozong 47.
• Requests permission to copy Fisherman’s Song in Misty Waves, a text concerning formations, and the Turtle Breath Technique 46.
• Studies the Turtle Breath Technique but explicitly has not practiced it when Xu Qingtong demonstrates it; her mastery is not established 47.
• Sets up a five-element Spirit-Gathering Formation for Xu Qingtong during their early sect years and again before his Spirit Transformation tribulation 70 668.
• Develops considerable talent for analyzing ancient formations, escaping an overseas ruin after decades of study and later cooperating with Xu Qingtong to breach several protective formations 646 648 655.
• Crafts a Formation Disc after studying Tranquil Heart Hall’s formation and uses immortal essence to open a passage through it. She later opens the Immortal Lord’s Villa’s formation with a disc as well 653 654 664.
• Her skill has limits: she cannot identify a usable weakness in Ink Fragrance Pavilion’s formation despite Xu Qingtong’s repeated attacks 654 655.
• Loses her learned formation knowledge after her tribulation injury. Xu Qingtong supplies new formation texts to determine whether her underlying talent remains 675.

Swordsmanship and Combat

• Controls a flying sword with enough power to nearly shatter Xu Qingtong’s Black Tortoise Shield, whose defensive strength is close to that of an ordinary treasure 397.
• Uses essence blood to strengthen her flying sword when it is trapped by the Five Elements Divine Seals 397.
• Divides her flying sword into three and then nine swords to surround an opponent. Recombining nine swords into three increases their durability and attack power 438.
• Deploys a Three Talents Sword Formation for defense, although Du Siwen’s Nine Nether Earthfire progressively burns through it and damages the swords’ spirituality 439.
• Uses Severing Love, manifesting a Giant Sword Phantom that strikes her own head before she gains the advantage in her duel with Du Siwen. The technique causes her to spit blood 439.
• Her late-stage Nascent Soul sword attacks cannot penetrate Xu Qingtong’s True Qi Armor Talisman during their tests 654 667.

Body Tempering and Immortal Essence

• Learns the mysterious Body Tempering Technique that Xu Qingtong names Peering into the Immortal Sect, first sensing immortal essence after years of study in Tranquil Heart Hall 651 652 668.
• Can use immortal essence to power appropriate Formation Discs and immortal talismans 654 656.
• After losing her memories, receives the technique again and senses immortal essence in less than the time needed to drink a cup of tea 678 681.

Cultivation Knowledge

• Explains that a Spirit Beast Bag can hold living creatures, regretting that neither she nor Xu Qingtong has one available for Xiao Qi 48.
• Rebuilds her understanding of cultivation through Xu Qingtong’s instruction after her memory loss. Practical experience of human nature, rather than a shortage of magic power, becomes the key to overcoming her renewed Nascent Soul bottleneck 683 689 693.

Shop Management

• Temporarily runs Azure Wind Hall in Wei City as training in judgment and human nature 692 693.
• Initially struggles to evaluate transactions and detect dishonest customers, losing more than twenty thousand spirit stones. With guidance and six months of practice, she becomes accustomed to the work and improves the business 693.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Golden hairpin — Used in her attempted suicide while cornered by Lin Qian; knocked from her hand by his flying sword 41.
• Elixir pill — Administered to the unconscious Xu Qingtong after the battle 42.
• Trial Jade Token — Crushed to teleport out of Mist Valley 48.
• Trial medicinal herbs — Initially collects two kinds; later receives a complete assignment set after pooling resources with Xu Qingtong 44.
• Lin Qian’s Storage Bag and flying sword — Entrusted to her temporarily during the cleanup; the bag is subsequently searched for an antidote and trial herbs 42 44.
• Sound Transmission Talisman — Gives Xu Qingtong her talisman during her visit to Swallowtail Peak 61.
• Essence-Nourishing Pills and Purple Sun Pills — Receives cultivation pills from Xu Qingtong, including five bottles of Purple Sun Pills with his later Spirit Artifact gifts 61 70 93.
• Demon-snake armor and hairpin Spirit Artifacts — Made for her by Xu Qingtong from a second-tier demon snake’s hide and fangs. The hairpin’s piercing power easily penetrates his damaged Golden Light Shield during testing. She later returns the Spirit Artifacts he made for her when ending their relationship 93 318.
• Low-grade Spirit Artifact flying sword — Given by Dongfang Jin before the Azure Sea Gate mission; she refines it before departing 112.
• Life-Bound flying sword treasure — Can manifest divided swords and sword formations. Damage to it causes backlash during her duel with Du Siwen 438 439.
• High-grade Spirit Artifact shield — Used against Du Siwen, whose treasure-grade halberd shatters it 439.
• Flying boat — Uses her own boat to take Xu Qingtong to Purple Rosy Clouds Island 647.
• Formation Discs and Formation Flags — Used to analyze, open, and establish formations, including the villa’s defenses and a five-element Spirit-Gathering Formation 648 654 664 668.
• Immortal jade — Obtains it from the overseas ruins and gives some to Xu Qingtong. Before her memory loss, she possesses approximately five or six thousand pieces 646 651 665.
• Talisman-crafting materials — Gives Xu Qingtong materials found in the ruins, enabling his immortal talisman research 653 654.
• True Qi Armor Talismans — Receives two from Xu Qingtong for protection after helping him test their defenses 654.
• Finished immortal talismans — Takes these from the ruins because they require only a small amount of immortal essence, while declining an immortal flying sword she cannot then wield 656.
• Shi Xin’s identity token — Hands the token to Xu Qingtong before returning to Central Province 658.
• Immortal Sword — Receives it during the ceremony establishing her and Xu Qingtong as Dao companions 680.
• Nascent Soul tribulation preparations — Xu Qingtong supplies treasures, elixirs, and numerous Immortal Talismans for her second Nascent Soul Heavenly Tribulation 693.

Relationships

• Xu Qingtong — Rescuer, close companion, and eventual Dao companion. Their shared danger develops into trust and mutual attraction, and she chooses to enter the same sect as him 41 43 45 46 47. Their courtship is interrupted by separation and her practice of the Heart-Severing Treasure Canon. She later wounds him and loses his trust, but eventually admits that her feelings were never truly severed. After she sacrifices herself to protect him from tribulation lightning, he cares for her, helps rebuild her cultivation, and renews their relationship with Du Siwen’s support 318 397 439 646 675 680 693.
• Dongfang Jin — Her family patriarch and ancestor by blood. He recognizes her lineage and welcomes her into Gloomwind Valley 49. He becomes her formal master and treats her well, but also agrees to marry her to Chai Long against her wishes. He later permits her to travel with Xu Qingtong and gives her a flying sword 61 95 112.
• Parents — She requests an opportunity to bid them farewell before entering the sect 49. Their parting leaves her visibly tearful 52.
• Lin Qian — Childhood acquaintance who becomes her persecutor during the trial, poisoning her and attempting to coerce her into a relationship 41 43.
• Xiao Qi / Xu Jingtong — Initially intimidates her while guarding the wounded Xu Qingtong. She later grows fond of the bird, which is instructed to obey her during Xu Qingtong’s seclusion 42 45 46. After her reconciliation with Xu Qingtong, Du Siwen introduces Xiao Qi to her as a member of their family 684.
• Qin Xinghan — Fellow trial participant whose persistent staring disgusts her; later killed by Lin Qian 32 41.
• An Chengbao — Fellow trial participant murdered by Lin Qian. She protests that he had done nothing to deserve his death 41 43.
• Guo Tianyu — Elder assigned to help her and Xu Qingtong settle their affairs before entering Gloomwind Valley 49 50.
• Gong Chu — Brings her to visit Xu Qingtong at Swallowtail Peak. She later blames his unreliability for Xu Qingtong’s prolonged disappearance in Thousand Cloud Mountain, and visits him with Xu Qingtong during their later travels 61 92 690.
• Chai Long — Senior brother who seeks to make her his Dao companion through Dongfang Jin’s approval despite her refusal. She remains committed to Xu Qingtong 95.
• Du Siwen — Initially a source of jealousy, later an opponent whom Dongfang Hui blames for her estrangement from Xu Qingtong. Their hostility culminates in violent confrontations, including a duel in which Du Siwen defeats but spares her 92 397 438 439. Dongfang Hui later admits that she used Du Siwen’s impersonation as a pretext and asks that an apology be conveyed to her. Du Siwen tends her after her tribulation injury, promises to treat her as a younger sister, and arranges her reunion with Xu Qingtong. They ultimately accept one another as family and as his Dao companions on equal terms 646 672 678 679 680.
• Fairy Yuqi — Her master at Jade Sound Pavilion. Forces her to sever her romantic attachment to cultivate the Heart-Severing Treasure Canon and intervenes when Dongfang Hui begins a breakthrough after Xu Qingtong rejects her 397 439 646.
• Dong Yunxiao / Old Dong — Takes her to Central Province. She later describes the arrangement as a transaction and resents its consequences, but after reuniting with Xu Qingtong she forgives him, recognizing that he acted with good intentions 120 646 687.
• Xiao Bai / Xu Yutong — Welcomes her back to Gloomwind Valley alongside Xiao Qi after Du Siwen explains that Dongfang Hui is now part of their family 684.
• Shopkeeper Feng — Resumes management of Azure Wind Hall when Dongfang Hui finishes her practical training and returns to the Tianhua Sect to attempt Nascent Soul Formation 693.

Notable Quotes

“How could a grown man let his resolve falter, become bewitched by beauty, and squander his bright future?” 45

“All right, then I'll join Gloomwind Valley too. That way, I can both follow my family's wishes and be in the same sect as you.” 47

“I'll hold your hand and grow old with you!” 95

“Master, why did you force me to sever my feelings!” 397

“I would rather give up all my cultivation in exchange for familial affection and love! But can I get them back?” 646

“But I severed only their surface, not their roots.” 646

“If Sister Siwen hadn't made this possible, we could only have been fated to meet, but not destined to be together!” 680

“Fortunately, this misfortune has brought me a blessing, and I've returned to Qingtong's side!” 687

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