Shao Heng

Biodata

Power Progression

Background / History

Becoming a Small Kitchen Regular

Shao Heng first visits Chen An’s kitchen while leading six disciples sent by Ning Fengzhi to try meals intended to benefit their cultivation. He discovers that the fried rice restores stamina and that the Sweet and Sour Pork Tenderloin eases soreness after practice. He quickly becomes a regular, offers to help carry things, and once heads to a meal without stopping to dry his hair after training 14.

After reaching level twenty, he prepares to leave for his second Soul Ring hunt. Fang Ming asks to give his dining place temporarily to his senior brother, Han Cheng. Shao Heng agrees only after consulting Chen An and insists that the place be returned when he comes back. He also secures Chen An’s promise to make Squirrel Mandarin Fish for his return 17. By then, Han Cheng has obtained a permanent place among the expanded group of diners and willingly returns Shao Heng’s original seat 19.

Training and Support Practice

Shao Heng leads formation drills around three wooden posts, teaching his companions to cover positions as others withdraw. Chen An supplies popcorn before one session, allowing the group to recover quickly enough to complete both rounds before lunch 30.

He also spars with Fang Ming to help Ning Rongrong learn when to apply her strength-boosting Soul Skill. By feinting, circling, and then committing to an actual push, he gives her opportunities to distinguish unnecessary early support from a well-timed intervention 31.

Choosing the Third Soul Ring

After reaching level thirty, Shao Heng asks to identify his weaknesses before selecting a Soul Beast. Gu Rong’s assessment exposes a problem: his forward charge is fast, but committing too far ahead leaves him slow to turn back and protect a companion. Shao Heng adjusts his positioning and decides that his next skill should help him cover those few return steps quickly 43.

He reviews records with his master and the elders, rejecting a Diamond Tiger because greater strength, offense, and defense would not address his immediate need. A Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent becomes the preferred choice, provided its age and condition fall within his safe absorption range. He explicitly refuses to treat Chen An’s seven-thousand-year third ring as a standard he must match 44.

During the hunt, Shao Heng declines a fast dark-brown snake after observing its poor turning response. The party later identifies a suitable Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent, assesses it at roughly fourteen hundred years old, and blocks its escape routes. Following the instructors’ signal, Shao Heng kills it with a short blade and absorbs its ring under guard 46 47.

Learning the New Skill’s Limits

Back at the sect, Shao Heng successfully uses his third ring to intercept a disciple approaching a protected post. A second trial establishes that the acceleration lasts only briefly and consumes substantial Soul Power. He resumes positioning drills rather than treating the skill as a substitute for ordinary footwork 47 48.

He later gives priority to Han Cheng and Zhao Hai’s cart escort when Chen An must schedule limited popcorn production, explaining that his own training can pause for rest whereas their carts cannot simply wait on a slope 49. During Xue Qinghe’s visit, he similarly explains that eating helps him recover but does not remove his need to rest and regulate his breathing 54.

Appearance

Shao Heng is a tall, broad young man, introduced with dust from morning practice still on his cuffs 14.

• Martial Soul possession: Changes the contours of his shoulders and back, spreads dark beast markings down his arms, and forms sharp claws at his fingertips 43.
• Visible Soul Rings: Initially displays two yellow rings; a purple third ring is added after the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent hunt 43 47.

Personality

Shao Heng is diligent and practical about cultivation. Although excited to obtain new rings, he stabilizes his Soul Power, listens to assessments, and chooses suitability over an impressive beast name or greater ring age. He accepts Gu Rong’s criticism without arguing and continues correcting his positioning after acquiring his third skill 43 44 48.

He enjoys Chen An’s cooking and trades frequent jokes with Fang Ming, especially over dining places and new dishes. His enthusiasm does not prevent consideration for others: he helps Uncle Zhou without demanding food, accurately reports the soup’s partial recovery effects, and accommodates the cart escorts’ more restrictive schedule 17 26 49.

Abilities & Skills

Black Panther Martial Soul

A beast Martial Soul that gives Shao Heng claws and considerable forward speed 43.

• Can rapidly close distance and pressure an opponent into retreating 43.
• His forward momentum initially makes checking his charge and doubling back difficult 43.
• Requires sound positioning to avoid exposing companions behind him 43 47.

Third Soul Skill: Short-Distance Acceleration

The purple ring obtained from the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent provides a brief burst of speed, demonstrated while turning back to defend a position 47.

• Application: Covers the short gap between Shao Heng and a flanking enemy before the enemy reaches a protected companion 43 47.
• Duration: Acceleration fades before he can continue around to the opposite side of the practice post 47.
• Cost: Repeated use noticeably drains Soul Power 47 52.
• Limitation: Does not replace awareness, positioning, rest, or breathing practice 47 54 56.

Formation and Sparring Practice

Shao Heng organizes drills that emphasize coordinated movement and covering exposed spaces 30.

• Repositions wooden posts and changes sides to vary formation exercises 30.
• Uses feints and changes of direction during support-timing practice 31.
• Adjusts his own pursuit and retreat routes following Gu Rong’s assessments 43.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Short blade — Used to deliver the killing strike to the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent 47.
• Wrist guards — Worn during his training routine 56.
• Soul Beast records and notes — Reviewed with his master and consulted during the third-ring journey 44 46.
• Waterskin and dry provisions — Prepared before departing for the hunt 45.

Relationships

• Chen An — Junior sect companion and cook whose meals support his recovery. Shao Heng helps around the kitchen, tests the restorative soup, and receives Chen An’s assistance during his third-ring hunt 14 26 47.
• Fang Ming — Junior sect brother, sparring partner, and frequent target of his teasing. Fang Ming celebrates his breakthroughs and temporarily arranges for Han Cheng to use his dining place 17 31 43.
• Gu Rong — Elder who assesses his combat weaknesses, helps evaluate his ring choice, and supervises testing of his third skill 43 44 47.
• Unnamed master — Accompanies his first two ring hunts and helps plan and conduct the third, emphasizing safe absorption limits 44 46 47.
• Ning Fengzhi — Sect master who confirms his level-twenty breakthrough and arranges resources and personnel for his hunts 17 44.
• Ning Rongrong — Participates in support practice with him and observes his defensive training and third-ring development 31 43 47.
• Han Cheng — Fellow disciple who temporarily occupies his meal place. Shao Heng later yields popcorn scheduling priority to Han Cheng’s cart-escort duties 19 49.

Notable Quotes

“Normally, I should hold my position properly myself, not count on my third soul skill for everything.” 43

“A new ring is one thing. I still have to eat.” 47