Zhang Chulan

Biodata

Background / History

Family and Upbringing

Zhang Chulan’s grandfather, Zhang Huaiyi, taught him the Golden Light Mantra and Yang Five Thunder, but told him nothing about the Outsider world or Qi-State Origin-Flow. After his grandfather died and his father disappeared, Chulan grew up alone 4 20.

His grandfather had lived under the alias Zhang Xilin after being accused of colluding with Quanxing. Chulan initially knew neither the reason for his family’s isolation nor why his grandfather had been hunted 20 26.

Arrival at Mount Longhu

Chulan attends the Luotian Grand Ceremony with Feng Baobao, Xu San, and Xu Si. There, he meets Wang Zhuo, who introduces himself as Liu Guanyi. Their first encounter leaves Chulan suspicious and bewildered: Wang Zhuo describes his guarded personality, abruptly claims he is impotent, and gives him a blue pill. Chulan protests that he is simply a virgin 2 4.

On meeting Zhang Zhiwei, Chulan is welcomed as a member of the Celestial Master lineage through his grandfather’s teachings. Being told to call Zhang Zhiwei “Grandmaster” brings out the loneliness and hurt he has carried since childhood 4.

His family connection also makes him a target. Feng XingTong explains that other practitioners want to test someone who knows the Golden Light Mantra and Thunder Method without formally belonging to a sect. When Feng publicly identifies him as the supposed heir to Qi-State Origin-Flow, nearby Outsiders immediately turn hostile 7 8.

Tournament and Outside Pressure

Chulan draws Yi White Tiger for the opening round and is relieved not to share Wang Zhuo’s arena. He subsequently advances beyond the first round, with Shan Shitong announced as his next opponent 9 15 17.

Before that match, Feng Baobao abducts Shan Shitong and prepares to bury him with his head above ground. Chulan becomes involved in the scheme, but unties Shan when Wang Zhuo arrives. After Shan challenges Wang Zhuo and Baobao and is beaten down, Chulan intervenes and asks him to hear him out 13 14.

Following a match, Wang Ai and Lu Ci pressure Chulan about Qi-State Origin-Flow. Wang Zhuo and Feng Baobao come looking for him, and Wang Zhuo confronts the elders. Chulan defuses the confrontation while stating that his grandfather never taught him the coveted art; Lü Gong’s Soul-Searching Technique confirms that he is telling the truth 19 20.

Lu Ci then reveals the accusation against Zhang Huaiyi. Chulan begins to question who was responsible for his grandfather’s death and concludes that the killer is his enemy. Privately, however, he remembers that his original wish was much simpler: to survive without being discovered 20 21.

Learning the Truth About Zhang Huaiyi

Chulan presses Zhang Zhiwei and Lu Jin for answers, kneeling and asking what his grandfather had done to deserve being hunted. Lu Jin reveals that Zhang Huaiyi and disciples from orthodox sects had sworn brotherhood with a Quanxing figure 25 26.

Tian Jinzhong explains that Zhang Huaiyi stayed away from Mount Longhu to avoid bringing disaster upon his fellow disciples, even though his master would have protected him. Overwhelmed, Chulan says that he does not blame his grandfather—he simply never understood what had happened. Tian assures him that the Celestial Master Mansion will always be his home, regardless of the tournament’s outcome 27 28.

Bonfire Gathering and Later Matches

At a bonfire gathering, Wang Ergou and Yun persuade a drunken Chulan to display his chastity mark. He illuminates its qi symbols with the Golden Light Mantra and joins the dancing without putting his trousers back on. The next morning, his embarrassment grows when the others claim to have recorded videos and begin calling him “Sky Lantern Bro” 32 33.

Chulan continues competing and is later called into the arena against Feng Baobao. The supplied account does not state the result of their match 41 44.

After hearing Wang Zhuo explain Five Refinements of Returning to the Hidden, Chulan recognizes how lethal the method would be for an ordinary practitioner. His particular concern is that Baobao might actually attempt it 49 50.

Personality

Chulan is cautious, observant, and willing to look foolish to avoid unnecessary enemies. He approaches unfamiliar people with ingratiating smiles, fishes for information through casual conversation, and readily sets aside dignity when securing a powerful ally would help him. His bows to the elders are both emotionally sincere and openly practical 4 5 22 23.

His outward friendliness conceals suspicion and persistent calculation. He notices inconsistencies in Wang Zhuo’s appearance and behavior, objects internally to questions about another practitioner’s trump cards, and recognizes the coercion behind Wang Ai and Lu Ci’s polite manner 2 3 9 20.

He also has a shameless, combative sense of humor. He joins Wang Zhuo in beating Hidden Dragon and denying responsibility, retaliates against teasing with exaggerated threats, and frequently envies Wang Zhuo’s popularity with women. Beneath that behavior, discussions of his grandfather expose considerable grief and a longing for family 8 13 28 30.

Abilities & Skills

Golden Light Mantra

A Celestial Master lineage technique passed down by Zhang Huaiyi. Feng XingTong identifies Chulan as proficient in it despite his lack of formal sect membership 4 7.

• Produces visible golden light around his body 30.
• Can be circulated brightly enough to illuminate the qi symbols of his chastity mark 32.
• Chulan jokingly threatens to form a “Golden Light Mantra noose” during an argument 30.

Yang Five Thunder

Chulan learned Yang Five Thunder, also referred to more generally as the Thunder Method, from his grandfather 4 20.

• Its inheritance helps establish his connection to the Celestial Master Mansion 4.
• His proficiency contributes to other contestants’ interest in testing him 7.
• No detailed combat application by Chulan is shown in the supplied passages.

Chastity Mark

Chulan bears a restrictive spell whose visible design consists of flowing qi symbols. Wang Ergou describes restriction-type unusual arts as nearly lost, with few surviving textual records 30 32.

• The mark attracts the curiosity of Wang Ergou, Yun, and other young practitioners 30 32.
• Zhi Jinhua studies and copies its runes during the bonfire gathering 33.
• Its precise restrictions and origin are not explained in the supplied account.

Qi-State Origin-Flow: Reputation Versus Knowledge

Chulan is widely called the heir to Qi-State Origin-Flow, one of the Eight Extraordinary Skills, because of his grandfather. That reputation is not evidence that he can use it 4 8.

• Chulan explicitly states that Zhang Huaiyi neither taught him the art nor mentioned it 20.
• Lü Gong verifies the truth of that statement through the Soul-Searching Technique 20.
• His perceived connection to the art makes him a target for coercion and part of the planned bait for Quanxing at Mount Longhu 20 25.

Relationships

• Zhang Huaiyi / Zhang Xilin — Grandfather and teacher. Chulan remains devoted to him and seeks the truth behind his persecution and death 4 20 26 28.
• Unnamed father — Disappeared before Chulan’s adulthood, leaving him without his immediate family 4.
• Feng Baobao — Close companion whom he calls Sister Bao’er. He helps conceal her identity from the elders and worries that she might attempt Wang Zhuo’s dangerous cultivation method 23 50.
• Wang Zhuo / Liu Guanyi — Friend and self-described brother. Their relationship mixes relentless insults and pranks with genuine loyalty; Wang Zhuo’s intervention against the elders deeply moves Chulan 8 20 30 33.
• Xu San and Xu Si — Nadutong colleagues and escorts. They accompany him at Mount Longhu and help extract him from Wang Ai and Lu Ci’s questioning 2 20.
• Zhang Zhiwei — Grandmaster through Zhang Huaiyi’s lineage. He welcomes Chulan warmly, though Chulan becomes frustrated by the conditions placed on learning his family’s history 4 26.
• Tian Jinzhong — His grandfather’s close friend and an elder he addresses as Grandmaster. Tian comforts him and promises him a permanent home at the Celestial Master Mansion 22 28.
• Lu Jin — Elder who reveals part of Zhang Huaiyi’s history. He owes Chulan one favor, provided it violates neither heaven nor his conscience 23 26.
• Feng XingTong — Friendly informant who briefs him on tournament opponents at Feng Zhenghao’s instruction. His public disclosure of Chulan’s identity also draws unwanted attention 7 8.
• Zhang Lingyu — Fellow contestant whom Chulan addresses as Junior Martial Uncle. Lingyu repeatedly ignores him, provoking conspicuous anger and wounded pride 7 12.
• Wang Ai and Lu Ci — Elders who pressure him for information about Qi-State Origin-Flow. Chulan views their conduct as bullying disguised by respectable status 20 21.

Notable Quotes

“My grandfather never passed the Qi-State Origin-Flow on to me. He never even mentioned a word of it.” 20

“To live... to live without being discovered. That was all.” 21

“No, I don't blame him. I just never knew why...” 28