Zhang Xiaohua

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Zhang Xiaohua (張小花)
Alias(es)	Ren Xiaoyao; Pan An
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Misty Sect; Incense-Passing Cult (former Protector disciple); Big Dipper Sect
Occupation/Role	Cultivator; alchemist; former Duty Disciple of the Pill-Forging Hall; sect leader
First Appearance	7

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
True Qi cultivation	166	Practices daily by drawing True Qi into his lower dantian; his progress is slow but steady.
Qi Cultivation, Layer Three	281	Breaks through after absorbing vital energy from two Qi Stones; spiritual sense expands and he begins manipulating a small sword.
Late Qi Cultivation, Layer Nine	902	Has cultivated roughly half of the Carefree Heart Sutra; can proficiently use Riding the Wind despite his realm.

Background / History

Zhang Xiaohua began as a village youth and entered the Jianghu through Huanxi Mountain Villa. His early exposure to skilled martial artists inspired his interest in Lightness Skill, while his work and studies at the villa gave him access to books and mentors such as Ou Yan and He Tianshu 7 118 147.

He saved Ou Yan, establishing a lasting bond with her and earning recognition within the Misty Sect. He later trained in internal cultivation, the Misty Steps, and the Big Dipper Divine Fist, becoming a surprise standout during the Misty Sect Martial Arts Tournament 166 176 193 790.

A chance discovery of the Carefree Heart Sutra in the Misty Sect library redirected him from conventional martial arts to the Immortal Path. He subsequently developed spiritual sense, evasion arts, sword control, alchemy, and other supernatural techniques 408 789 916.

While concealing his identity as Ren Xiaoyao, he joined the Incense-Passing Cult as an alchemy disciple. His actions repeatedly aided the Misty Hall, including restoring injured former Misty Sect experts, refining pills for its disciples, and treating Ou Yan's affliction 719 789.

After the Misty Sect's return, Zhang Xiaohua covertly supported his brother Zhang Xiaohu's leadership, eliminating threats from the Azure Flame Token and the Righteous Path Alliance when necessary 1043 1056 1077. He later established the Big Dipper Sect and publicly acknowledged his former status within the Incense-Passing Cult 1161.

Appearance

Zhang Xiaohua is described as tall and thin. His ordinary, youthful appearance often leads others to underestimate his martial ability; he later gains the capacity to alter his body and facial features through the Shape-Shifting Art 531 896.

• Often travels with the Four Unlike, Huanhuan 406 803.
• Uses disguises and masks to avoid revealing his identity 406 531.
• Can assume the handsome appearance of Pan An through Shape-Shifting Art 896 902.
• Returns to Huanxi Mountain Villa with a bald head and altered features after an unexplained incident 1166.

Personality

Zhang Xiaohua is diligent, curious, and unusually focused on learning. He eagerly studies books, cultivation methods, martial arts, alchemy, formations, and restrictions; he also tends to approach unfamiliar subjects with practical experimentation 118 281 408.

He dislikes the strong oppressing the weak and repeatedly intervenes to protect others, from rescuing captives at West Cui Mountain to defending innocent people targeted by the Azure Flame Token 246 1043. He is generally humble about fame, preferring to act anonymously, though he can be proud of his growing abilities 406 907.

His emotions can override his restraint. Ou Yan's illness leaves him frustrated and nearly drives him to kill Song Zhiyong, while Meng Zixia's rejection leads him to force his way up Yi Xiang Peak 757 842. He later recognizes that pride around weaker people may conflict with the Dao heart expected of an Immortal Path cultivator 907.

Abilities & Skills

Immortal Path Cultivation

Zhang Xiaohua cultivates the Carefree Heart Sutra, following a path distinct from ordinary martial arts.

• Possesses spiritual sense capable of surveying areas, detecting hidden restrictions, and observing opponents 281 362 408.
• Uses True Qi for combat, healing, acupoint work, and operating magic tools 166 406 789.
• His spiritual sense improves sharply after breakthroughs and Primordial Qi phenomena 281 1045.

Lightness, Evasion, and Flight

Zhang Xiaohua has exceptional aptitude for movement techniques.

• Uses the Misty Steps in martial combat and against powerful beasts 193 668.
• Employs Ethereal Steps to evade sword attacks 695.
• Can use Earth Evasion to enter sealed or guarded locations from underground 408.
• Performs Riding the Wind at a level unusual for his cultivation realm 902.
• Later uses flight and concealment techniques for rapid travel and covert interventions 1033 1043.

Sword Control

Zhang Xiaohua controls Chasing Dreams with spiritual sense.

• Initially holds a small sword suspended briefly in mid-air 281.
• Uses it as a flying sword against Deputy Hall Master Xu 695.
• Can split or create multiple identical sword manifestations to overwhelm spiritual defenses 919.
• Fully comprehends true Sword Control Technique by the time he leaves Yi Xiang Peak 916.

Martial Arts

Though an Immortal Path cultivator, Zhang Xiaohua remains an accomplished martial artist.

• Big Dipper Divine Fist — his signature fist art; paired with Misty Steps to defeat opponents beyond ordinary expectations 326.
• Misty Steps — refined footwork that allows rapid evasions and unpredictable variations 193 668.
• Nameless sword techniques — used with a heavy sword during his assault on Yi Xiang Peak 854.
• Staff techniques — defeats Chen Yang in competition with a Blunt Copper Rod, earning the Breaking Saber Force manual 1021.
• Possesses immense physical strength, enough to overpower trained martial artists and contend with formidable beasts 531 668.

Alchemy and Medicine

Zhang Xiaohua refines and distributes pills for healing and cultivation.

• Refines a Spirit-Awakening Pill in an effort to save Ou Yan 757.
• Produces Marrow-Moistening and Bone-Solidifying Pills for Zhang Xiaohu to treat Misty Sect disciples 789.
• Uses Jade Return Pills and Bone Condensing Pills to heal Zhang Xiaohu and Changge after their encounter with the Blood Wolf King 675.
• Uses the Soul-Suppressing Pill on a captive Righteous Path Alliance disciple 1077.

Shape-Shifting Art

A body-altering technique obtained from Mo Qingshan of the Green Wood Palace.

• Alters his bones, height, facial features, and overall appearance 896.
• Uses the Pan An identity to conceal his movements 897 902.
• Can transform into duplicates resembling Zhang Xiaohu 1055.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Chasing Dreams — small sword used as a flying sword through spiritual sense 281 695.
• Dragon Binding Ring — magic tool used to subdue powerful opponents 695 919.
• Heavy sword — used during his assault on Yi Xiang Peak 843 847.
• Blunt Copper Rod — weapon used in the Martial Arts Gathering staff competition 1021.
• Four Unlike, Huanhuan — his loyal mount; Zhang Xiaohua refuses to sell it despite being offered pills 406 803.
• Eight Trigrams Purple Gold Furnace — acquired during the Incense-Passing Cult arc 5426.
• Small mirror / True Qi-infused mirror — a useful magic tool that repeatedly saves him 803 932.
• Qi Stones — used in his breakthrough to the third layer of Qi Cultivation 281.

Relationships

• Zhang Xiaohu — his second brother; Zhang Xiaohua consistently supports Xiaohu's cultivation, recovery, and leadership of the Misty Sect 675 789 1056.
• Ou Yan — benefactor and the person Zhang Xiaohua once saved; he later devotes himself to treating her illness 176 735 757.
• He Tianshu — early martial mentor who taught him after he arrived at Huanxi Mountain Villa 147 205.
• Nie Qianyu — companion from Hui Chun Valley; they share mutual but unspoken feelings, and he calls her “Little Fish” 362 503.
• Meng Zixia — love interest; Zhang Xiaohua storms Yi Xiang Peak to see her and prevent her betrothal to Xi Mujun 842 846 931.
• Zhang Ping'er — fellow Incense-Passing Cult disciple who develops unrequited feelings for him and tries to protect him during his assault on Yi Xiang Peak 842 843.
• Chen Chen — Misty Hall disciple and companion; she recognizes Ren Xiaoyao as Zhang Xiaohua and later travels alongside him in dangerous circumstances 675 719.
• Changge — Zhang Xiaohu's wife and a Misty Hall disciple; receives support through the pills Zhang Xiaohua refines 675 789.
• Huanhuan — his Four Unlike mount, valued over material offers 406 803.
• Xiaohei and Little Yellow — creatures toward whom Zhang Xiaohua shows fatherly affection; Xiaohei can frighten fierce beasts 675 1045.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Huanxi Mountain Villa and Misty Sect

• Studies at Huanxi Mountain Villa, impresses Ou Yan with his learning, and seeks broader knowledge 118.
• Receives the Carefree Heart Sutra and the first three layers of Misty Steps 150.
• Gains recognition through the Misty Sect Martial Arts Tournament, where he defeats a Great Forest Temple prodigy 193 790.

West Cui Mountain and Hui Chun Valley

• Infiltrates West Cui Mountain to rescue Li Yinfeng and her parents 246.
• Travels with Nie Qianyu and becomes involved with Hui Chun Valley and the Jade Standing Alliance 362 419.
• Leaves five Crimson Flame Pills for Hui Chun Valley 503.

Incense-Passing Cult

• Enters Tianmu Peak as Ren Xiaoyao and establishes himself by defeating Ma Xu and Brother Cheng 531.
• Becomes a central figure among Herb Department disciples preparing for You Lan Mu Lian 602.
• Saves fellow disciples during the expedition and returns to Tianmu Peak with their gratitude 690.
• Serves as Duty Disciple of the Pill-Forging Hall and channels pills to the Misty Hall 789.

Assault on Yi Xiang Peak

• Learns that Meng Zixia intends to move on and is engaged to Xi Mujun 842.
• Defeats Han Zhuoqi, Ruijin Hall disciples, and Martial Uncle Ming while forcing his way toward Mocu Palace 843 845 846.
• Faces Huben while injured and declares his determination to see Meng 853 854.
• Later receives a mission from Abbess Jingyi to deliver an invitation to Great Forest Temple, with Meng accompanying him 931.

Support of the Misty Sect

• Eliminates Jiang Yan, the Evil Tiger Gang, and Azure Flame Token operatives after discovering their abuses 1043.
• Covertly aids Zhang Xiaohu during the Misty Sect's conflict with the Righteous Path Alliance 1043 1056.
• Uses pills, cultivation guidance, intelligence gathering, and direct intervention to strengthen the restored sect 1074 1077.

Big Dipper Sect

• Establishes the Big Dipper Sect and reveals that he was formerly Ren Xiaoyao of the Incense-Passing Cult 1161.
• Returns to Huanxi Mountain Villa in a physically altered form, forcing family and disciples to confirm his identity 1166.

Notable Quotes

“I am but a carefree wanderer. Why would I care for such empty fame?” 406

“Mountains may crumble, the earth may merge, thunder may strike in winter, and snow may fall in summer, but I will never leave you!” 846

“If I don't see Meng and clarify this misunderstanding, how can my heart be at peace? If I never see Meng again, what is there to cherish in this world?” 843

“If you can solve it, I will definitely let you solve it yourself. If you cannot solve it, I will help you solve it.” 1056

Trivia

• Zhang Xiaohua gives Nie Qianyu the nickname “Little Fish,” after initially considering “Little Rabbit” because of her red eyes when crying 362.
• He is notably attached to Huanhuan and refuses to trade the Four Unlike even for pills 803.
• His first Immortal Path breakthrough allows him to suspend a sword in the air only briefly, foreshadowing his later mastery of flying-sword combat 281 919.
• He regards the Misty Sect library as the turning point that set him on the Immortal Path 408 790.