Ling Qingzhu

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Ling Qingzhu (绫清竹)
Alias(es)	Senior Sister Qingzhu; Palace Master
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace
Occupation/Role	Successor, later Palace Master of Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace
Status	Alive; later trapped by Ling Qingyi in her own body after a soul exchange
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Nirvana Realm	8	Successfully enters the Nirvana Realm after Chen Xuan leaves the palace.
Five Yuan Nirvana Realm	77	Her cultivation before Qin Xiuqing and the palace elders begin the Tai Shang-sensing ritual.
Samsara Stage	77	Senses Tai Shang with the elders' formation; Qin Xiuqing transfers her remaining Yuan and Essence Power before dying.
Half-step Reincarnation Realm	100	Her cultivation rises after abandoning Essence Power cultivation in favor of Supreme Induction power.
Reincarnation Realm	132	Completes a further breakthrough; her strength is stated to surpass Qin Xiuqing's.

Background / History

Ling Qingzhu was a direct disciple of Qin Xiuqing, Palace Lord of Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace. The palace arranged her marriage to Chen Xuan because he offered extraordinary benefits to her Taiqing Sutra cultivation. Their marriage remained unconsummated because her cultivation required her to preserve her virginity while sensing the power of Tai Shang. 1

After secretly traveling to the Great Yan Dynasty despite Chen Xuan's warnings, Ling Qingzhu returned evasive and guilty. When Chen Xuan sought to end their marriage, she falsely claimed that he had taken her virginity, turning Qin Xiuqing against him. She continued lying about the man involved, claiming that she had killed him herself. 2 4 38

Although Chen Xuan divorced her and left Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace, Ling Qingzhu refused to accept the separation as valid. She sent Ma Fengbin to find him, attempted to travel to the Great Yan Dynasty herself, and later pursued Chen Xuan there after learning that major sects sought his secret art. 9 38 64

Qin Xiuqing named Ling Qingzhu her successor before dying from injuries and a failed breakthrough. With the aid of the palace elders, Ling Qingzhu sensed Tai Shang and inherited Qin Xiuqing's power, becoming the new Palace Master. 77

After suffering vitality loss from Chen Xuan's sword, Ling Qingzhu abandoned Essence Power cultivation and concentrated on Supreme Induction power. This both countered the affliction and rapidly strengthened her. 94 100

Her determination to reclaim Chen Xuan became increasingly destructive. She led Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace against Dao Sect, captured Yun Yun, and later massacred the Gu Family while seeking Chen Xuan and an item he had left behind. She blamed others for the massacre and attempted to misdirect Chen Xuan toward Ying Huanhuan and Ying Xiaoxiao. 136 137 140 141

Chen Xuan eventually captured Ling Qingzhu, dissolved Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace, imprisoned her in a spatial barrier, and infected her with the Heart Devouring Gu. Zhao Guangjun later rescued her by digging a tunnel into her prison. 146 147 148 152

In the extra-story timeline, Ling Qingzhu is betrayed by her younger sister Ling Qingyi. Ling Qingyi uses a Soul Exchange Talisman to take Ling Qingzhu's body and identity, leaving the real Ling Qingzhu trapped in Ling Qingyi's body and later imprisoned beneath Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace. 161 162 163

Appearance

Ling Qingzhu is consistently described as an exceptionally beautiful woman whose aloof bearing and veiled appearance draw attention wherever she travels.

• Usually wears a plain or light-green dress and a thin facial veil. 64 65 136
• Travels barefoot upon a green lotus. 64
• Has snow-white skin, willow-like brows, clear eyes, and a slender, curving figure. 132 140
• Wields a green longsword and manifests azure lotus-shaped power in battle. 88 137

Personality

Ling Qingzhu presents herself as cold, proud, and distant, often relying on her status as Chen Xuan's wife and as Palace Master to command others. She is possessive of Chen Xuan despite their divorce, viewing rival women as threats and repeatedly trying to force or bargain for his return. 64 66 67 120

She is also deceptive and manipulative. She concealed the truth of her lost virginity, exploited Qin Xiuqing's trust, lied to Chen Xuan about Yun Yun and the Gu Family massacre, and used Yun Yun's location as leverage when Chen Xuan threatened her. 4 38 141 146

Her attachment to Chen Xuan coexists with genuine concern for his safety: she concealed his identity from Darkness Hall and other parties, and repeatedly sought information about him. 8 78 119 After Qin Xiuqing's death, grief and her responsibility to preserve the palace hardened her resolve. 77

Abilities & Skills

Taiqing Sutra and Tai Shang Perception

Ling Qingzhu's original cultivation is tied to the Taiqing Sutra and the requirement to sense Tai Shang.

• Successfully senses Tai Shang through an ancient palace formation supported by Qin Xiuqing and dozens of elders. 77
• Her successful perception is treated as a historic achievement for Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace. 77
• The palace was known as the “Supreme Palace” in ancient times; Ling Qingzhu considers herself connected to the Talisman Ancestor's inheritance through this achievement. 94

Supreme Induction Power

After Chen Xuan's sword begins consuming her vitality through Essence Power circulation, Ling Qingzhu changes cultivation paths.

• Abandons Essence Power cultivation to halt the vitality drain. 94
• Uses Supreme Induction power, which progresses faster for her and is described as stronger than cultivating both powers together. 94
• Her unfamiliar power produces no detectable Essence Power fluctuations and alarms Ying Xuanzi. 101 137
• Uses her understanding of Supreme Induction power as leverage when proposing cooperation with the Heavenly King Palace. 156

Swordsmanship

Ling Qingzhu fights with a green longsword and powerful azure manifestations.

• Creates an Azure Lotus attack to oppose the Ten Thousand Souls Banner's Yin Qi. 88
• Confronts Ying Huanhuan using her sword and peculiar cultivation power. 137
• Uses sword attacks during the destruction of the Gu Family. 140

Leadership

As Palace Master, Ling Qingzhu commands the Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace's personnel and resources.

• Succeeds Qin Xiuqing as Palace Master. 77
• Represents the palace at the Hundred Dynasties War. 100
• Mobilizes more than a thousand palace members against Dao Sect. 136
• Temporarily delegates palace affairs to the Grand Elder while pursuing Chen Xuan. 140

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Green longsword — her principal weapon in later battles. 137
• Azure Lotus — a condensed azure technique used against Yin Qi. 88
• Green lotus platform — used for travel and cultivation. 64 161
• Spatial teleportation formation — personally constructs one in Taiqing Hall to travel to the Chaotic Demon Sea. 140

Relationships

• Chen Xuan — husband by the palace-arranged marriage; Chen Xuan divorces her, but Ling Qingzhu refuses to recognize the divorce and repeatedly attempts to reclaim him. Their relationship becomes openly hostile. 1 4 64 67
• Qin Xiuqing — master and predecessor as Palace Lord. Qin Xiuqing transfers her power to Ling Qingzhu and dies after naming her successor. 77
• Ling Qingyi — younger sister; betrays Ling Qingzhu, uses a Soul Exchange Talisman to seize her body, and imprisons her. 161 162 163
• Yun Yun — Chen Xuan's companion and Ling Qingzhu's rival; Ling Qingzhu captures and imprisons her. 136 137
• Xuan Su — Chen Xuan's companion; Ling Qingzhu offers her resources to leave Chen Xuan, then attacks her during their confrontation. 66
• Ying Huanhuan and Ying Xiaoxiao — Dao Sect disciples whom Ling Qingzhu falsely implicates in Yun Yun's disappearance and the Gu Family tragedy. 141
• Zhao Guangjun — a devoted palace member who returns from seclusion, finds Ling Qingzhu imprisoned, and rescues her. 148 152
• Heavenly King Palace — negotiates cooperation with Ling Qingzhu after her rescue; she demands that Chen Xuan be captured, crippled, and delivered to her. 156

Story Role / Major Arcs

Marriage Breakdown

Ling Qingzhu's secret trip to the Great Yan Dynasty and subsequent lies shatter her marriage with Chen Xuan. Her false accusation against him drives the initial conflict with Qin Xiuqing and Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace. 1 2 4 5

Pursuit of Chen Xuan

After Chen Xuan leaves the palace, Ling Qingzhu monitors his growth, dispatches Ma Fengbin, seeks permission to travel after him, and eventually goes to the Great Yan Dynasty herself to locate and reclaim him. 8 9 38 64

Succession of Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace

Qin Xiuqing's death elevates Ling Qingzhu to Palace Master. The inheritance ritual grants her Tai Shang perception, Qin Xiuqing's power, and the obligation to preserve the palace's lineage. 77

Conflict with Dao Sect

Ling Qingzhu demands that Dao Sect surrender Yun Yun, attacks the sect when Ying Xuanzi refuses, and captures Yun Yun after defeating Dao Sect's defenders. 136 137

Gu Family Massacre

While seeking Chen Xuan in the Chaotic Demon Sea, Ling Qingzhu destroys the Gu Family, kills its members, and later attempts to frame a blue-haired woman and the Ying sisters for her actions. 140 141

Captivity and Rescue

Chen Xuan imprisons Ling Qingzhu and infects her with the Heart Devouring Gu. Zhao Guangjun eventually frees her from the spatial barrier, after which she seeks cooperation with the Otherworldly Demons against Chen Xuan. 146 147 148 152 156

Soul Exchange Betrayal

The extra story reveals Ling Qingyi's long-term impersonation plot. Ling Qingyi swaps souls with Ling Qingzhu, assumes her identity, and confines the real Ling Qingzhu beneath the palace. 161 162 163

Trivia

• Ling Qingzhu insists that Chen Xuan's divorce is unilateral because she never agreed to it. 9 64
• Her attempt to cultivate Supreme Induction power begins as a desperate response to Chen Xuan's sword-induced vitality drain. 94
• Qin Xiuqing's final instructions included preserving Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace and, if possible, avenging her against Chen Xuan. 77