Nangong Ye

Biodata

Power Progression

Background / History

Succession and Reputation

Nangong Ye entered Qixia True Person’s lineage through a senior brother, who accepted him on Qixia’s behalf. He had never personally met Qixia before their eventual reunion. He succeeded her as leader of Purple Emblem Mountain, a major Great Qian sect with more than six hundred years of history 5 208 536.

Already renowned in his early teens, Nangong Ye became celebrated for both Daoist cultivation and swordsmanship. His reputation as the Daoist Sect’s greatest beauty arose after he attended a Mid-Autumn Gathering in the capital wearing a Hezi Skirt and veil. Xie Jinhuan, then seven or eight, saw him during that visit and began calling him his dream wife 5 108 178 293.

Nangong Ye’s travels traditionally combined demon-slaying, rescuing people in distress, investigating the Witch Alliance, and seeking opportunities for immortality. Before departing, he would report to the Directorate of Celestial Observation 675.

Immortal-Burning Gu

Nangong Ye’s poisoning followed an expedition to Fire Phoenix Valley for Phoenix Feather Grass. He and Bu Yuehua had discovered the herb and entered the Vermilion Bird Mausoleum together, but their former life-and-death partnership deteriorated into a dispute over the herb and Bu Yuehua’s schemes. The resulting Immortal-Burning Gu left Nangong Ye unable to fight freely, threatening Purple Emblem Mountain’s standing 101 171 186.

While traveling incognito, he met Xie Jinhuan in a musical-instrument shop. Xie recognized the excessive yang energy in his body and offered icy qi as temporary relief. Nangong Ye recognized the young hero but concealed his own identity, choosing to investigate Xie’s character before trusting him 108 117.

Despite the poison, Nangong Ye intervened against the Nether God Sect. He attacked a peak First Grade operative, captured a ghost cultivator with his seven-sword formation, and investigated a suspected Blood Sacrifice Grand Formation near the Imperial Mausoleum. These exertions repeatedly aggravated his condition 121 135 147.

Treatment and Breakthrough

Xie Jinhuan’s treatment developed through several stages:

After the cure, Nangong Ye joined the Southern Border expedition. He prepared to defend Xie during a dangerous underground opportunity and later revealed his Transcendent Grade strength while preparing to fight a corpse witch. On returning, he handed the borrowed Yin-Yang Ruler back to Lu Wuzhen and reported the suspicious events in Fire Phoenix Valley 229 234 239.

Hidden Relationship and Soul-Tethering Curse

Repeated treatment drew Nangong Ye into a secret relationship with Xie Jinhuan. His position as Linghu Qingmo’s master made the attachment a source of guilt: Qingmo was already romantically involved with Xie. Nangong Ye tried to preserve an elder’s public distance while becoming increasingly attached in private 122 160 164 293.

In Northern Zhou, Nangong Ye studied witchcraft and established a sensory connection with Bu Yuehua through the Thousand Threads Soul-Tethering Curse. The connection transmitted sensations he could neither comfortably endure nor readily stop. Qixia urged him to face his true feelings, but his fear of exposure persisted 278 287 288.

When his identity was exposed, Nangong Ye considered fleeing. Xie found him, confessed his childhood admiration, and refused to end their relationship. Nangong Ye accepted its continuation while insisting that they maintain the appearance of elder and junior in public 293.

A later demonstration of the curse by Bu Qingya unexpectedly exchanged Nangong Ye’s and Linghu Qingmo’s bodies. Further involuntary exchanges caused embarrassing encounters, but Nangong Ye reassured his distressed disciple that he was not to blame 346 356 407.

Later Responsibilities and Marriage

Nangong Ye eventually admitted his feelings for Xie to Qingmo, who accepted them and offered to withdraw into seclusion. Nangong Ye refused that solution. He later proposed having Qixia formally accept Qingmo as her own disciple, explaining that his own entry into the lineage had also occurred through a proxy; Qingmo questioned the change because Nangong Ye had raised and taught him since childhood 466 536.

Aboard the boat, Nangong Ye told Xie that he thought he was pregnant. Qixia already knew of the possibility, advised him to avoid danger, and promised to address Qingmo’s status. Xie welcomed the news 552.

As Acting Chief Astronomer, Nangong Ye handled documents at the Directorate with Bu Yuehua and Ye Yunchi assisting. He also participated in experiments using the Eight Trigrams and Eight Directions Illumination Formation, which confirmed that spiritual charm responded to Xie’s cultivation activities 687.

Nangong Ye presided over Xie and Qingmo’s marriage rites. Later that night, Qingmo encouraged him and Xie to make their own Dao companion vows. They sealed a Marriage Contract, exchanged tokens, and bowed before Heaven and Earth with Qingmo presiding. Nangong Ye subsequently appeared in a bright-red wedding gown and phoenix hairpins 702 703 704.

Appearance

Nangong Ye is famed for a cold, jade-like beauty and the bearing of an aloof sword immortal 171 186.

• Build: Over six feet tall, with a tall, shapely figure 149 209.
• Face: Fair skin and sharply expressive phoenix eyes 125 159.
• Voice: Normally cool, ethereal, mature, and unhurried 101 149.
• Usual clothing: Black-and-white Daoist robes for official appearances; plain black or white dresses in private 178 186 188 476.
• Travel attire: Frequently wears a veiled hat and carries a sword or Sword Case 146 186.

Personality

Nangong Ye is reserved, proud, and intensely conscious of propriety. He habitually presents an impassive face, ignores public attention, and dislikes frivolous conduct. His discomfort with Xie Jinhuan’s teasing is sharpened by his standing as both a sect leader and Qingmo’s teacher 108 146 171 197.

His restraint does not diminish his commitment to protecting others. He respects Xie’s tireless pursuit of criminals and demons, and, despite his poisoned condition, attempts to intercept a Transcendent Grade attacker at the risk of his own life 126 181 197.

He is deeply protective of Qingmo. Nangong Ye worries about the disciple’s romantic life, refuses to blame him for involuntary possession incidents, and later considers how to preserve his position within Xie’s household 160 184 356 407 638.

Behind his detached public manner, Nangong Ye is affectionate, jealous, and easily embarrassed. He treasures Xie’s portraits and gifts, longs for a proper Dao companion ceremony, and repeatedly clashes with Bu Yuehua over their shared relationship with Xie 171 188 270 703.

Abilities & Skills

Swordsmanship and Flying Swords

His swordsmanship is described as unrivaled in Dan Prefecture 5.

• Controls seven treasured swords simultaneously through his Sword Case 135.
• Combines flying swords with lightning for long-range precision attacks 135 305.
• Continues teaching Qingmo through practical sparring and emphasizes daily sword practice 692.

Immortal-Slaying Formation

A seven-sword formation capable of restraining a ghost cultivator’s exposed spirit 135.

• The swords surround the target and generate a blue-white Thunder Pool roughly twenty feet across.
• Prevents the trapped ghost from escaping into another body.
• Can draw the captive spirit back into the Sword Case with the returning swords 135.

Thunder Magic

Nangong Ye uses Supreme Yang Thunder and lightning-infused sword techniques 121 180.

• Attacks concealed enemies with powerful thunderbolts 121.
• Moves through enemy positions trailing lightning while striking with his sword 180.
• Can combine Thunder Magic with the Zhenglun Sword’s doubling effect when preparing the Immortal-Slaying Formation 234.

Movement and Defensive Daoist Arts

His Daoist techniques provide strong mobility and allow him to engage opponents at range 305.

• Levitation and object manipulation: Available even before his full Transcendent Grade breakthrough 108.
• Ten-Thousand-Mile Divine Movement Spell: A highly mobile spell that makes him difficult for less mobile opponents to pin down 305.
• Invisible barrier: Stops Bu Yuehua’s thrown knife without physical contact 186.

Witchcraft and Soul Connections

Nangong Ye studies the Thousand Threads Soul-Tethering Curse and develops a sensory link with Bu Yuehua 278 287 288.

• The connection can transmit unwanted sensations.
• He initially does not know how to undo the curse 288.
• Later curse incidents link him with Qingmo through body exchanges and possession 346 356 513.

Other Skills and Limitations

• Music: Enjoys instrumental music and plays leaf-flute signals to announce his presence discreetly 158 184 187.
• Investigation: Identifies clues in blood and expensive clothing fragments after attacking a Nether God Sect operative 121.
• Poison-related weakness: Before his cure, exertion spread the Yang Poison through his organs and could leave him unable to muster qi 158 181.
• Environmental restriction: The Black Flood Dragon’s control of Accumulated-Water Lake suppresses his spellcasting, forcing him to rely on Bu Yuehua’s protection while maneuvering 457.
• Medical knowledge: Admits little expertise in poisons or medicine 441.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Sword Case and seven treasured swords — Launches his flying swords, supports the Immortal-Slaying Formation, and contains a captured ghost cultivator 135.
• Secret treasure inherited from Qixia — Gives him confidence against Fanyun Temple’s abbot under normal circumstances; its exact nature is not specified 101.
• Zhenglun Sword, borrowed — Taken from Xie during the Southern Border crisis to strengthen his anti-ghost formation 234.
• Yin-Yang Ruler, borrowed — Carried during the Fire Phoenix Valley expedition and subsequently returned to Lu Wuzhen 229 239.
• Thousand-Li Telescope — An adjustable instrument used to observe a valley during an investigation 149.
• Pouch and portraits from Xie — Accepts the pouch despite conflicted feelings and mounts both portraits rather than discarding either 171 188.
• Nine Stars Aligned — A personal Dharma Artifact worn beneath his robes during a late-night gathering 513.

Relationships

• Xie Jinhuan — Initially his healer and his disciple’s partner; later his secret lover and formally sworn Dao companion. Their relationship begins under concealed identities and survives Nangong Ye’s exposure 108 293 703.
• Linghu Qingmo — Direct disciple and intended inheritor of his mantle. Nangong Ye raised and taught Qingmo from childhood; their bond endures the body-exchange incidents and Nangong Ye’s relationship with Xie 216 356 536 703.
• Qixia True Person — Master and predecessor as sect leader. Provides cultivation guidance, encourages him to acknowledge his feelings, and supports him after learning of his possible pregnancy 5 287 288 552.
• Bu Yuehua — Former life-and-death companion turned bitter rival. Their disputes involve Phoenix Feather Grass, poisoning, concealed identities, and Xie; they nevertheless negotiate and cooperate when necessary 171 186 197 234.
• Zhang Guan — Senior brother and Purple Emblem Mountain’s superintendent. Usually manages the sect’s internal affairs and assists Nangong Ye on investigations 146.
• Lu Wuzhen — Senior Daoist associate who lends the Yin-Yang Ruler, discusses the suspicious Fire Phoenix Valley expedition with him, and convenes sect-leader meetings 239 630.
• Lin Zisu — Supplies crucial poison treatments. Later gives Nangong Ye a Death-Seeking Pill that prevents his Divine Soul from leaving his body 171 466.
• Ye Hongshang — Addressed as Senior Aunt Ye through Qixia’s lineage. Alternately teases, pressures, and helps him; her intervention leads him to the private ceremony with Xie 638 703.
• Ye Yunchi — Fellow sect leader and later assistant at the Directorate. Initially misreads a possession incident involving Nangong Ye’s body, then gradually learns the extent of his relationship with Xie 445 668 687.