Yan Gaoyuan

Biodata

Background / History

Investigating Spiritual Energy Surges

Yan Gaoyuan first reports an increase in mutated-beast attacks and rising spiritual energy concentrations to a lieutenant general. Ordered to compile locations with readings above 5,000, he identifies eight sites, including Beiyu Canyon at 18,000. He confirms that the readings have been tested repeatedly, while noting that a spiritual river or spiritual mine could also explain them 27.

He subsequently leads a military expedition to investigate the mountains. Heavy rain and dense fog make surveying difficult, so he accepts the accompanying regiment commander's suggestion to shelter in a nearby village 31.

Discovering He Ling’er

On approaching the village, Yan Gaoyuan hears grieving villagers and rushes ahead using spiritual energy. The village chief explains that a Mutant Green Snake attacked his two granddaughters, killing one and leaving the other unconscious after she swallowed its gallbladder 32 34.

Examining the surviving girl, He Ling’er, Yan Gaoyuan recognizes an awakening and identifies her rare fire-elemental talent. After she wakes with apparent memory loss, he obtains her grandfather's permission to take her away, promising protection and medical treatment. He also warns the chief that the mountains are no longer suitable for human habitation 34 35.

Unknown to Yan Gaoyuan, Qing’er is controlling Ling’er’s body on Yu Ziyu’s instructions. By answering her questions, he reveals that a Spiritual Energy Monitoring Satellite detected the mountain fluctuations and prompted the expedition 35.

Mist Mountain Expedition

Before dawn, Yan Gaoyuan leads more than a dozen armed soldiers into the mountains. The persistent mist limits visibility to a few meters, and he initially considers it a possible environmental mutation caused by rising spiritual energy 37.

The group becomes trapped in a loop created by Yu Ziyu’s fog and Hallucination. Yan Gaoyuan confirms their circular route by finding a mark he previously left on a tree. After they escape the loop, Wind Wolves attack; he throws one soldier clear and kicks a wolf back before confronting an Entry-Level six mutated Honey Badger 38 39.

The expedition escapes badly injured, with six men lost. Yan Gaoyuan coughs up blood and insists that the survivors keep moving because the Honey Badger might pursue them. Yu Ziyu deliberately allows their retreat, intending their report to discourage further investigation while he develops in secret 39.

Report and Recruitment Aftermath

Several days later, Yan Gaoyuan reports the mountains’ persistent, mind-affecting fog to an elderly superior. He considers a mutation likely but does not rule out powerful mutated beasts. The superior designates the area a Yellow Warning Zone under priority surveillance, with instructions to upgrade it to a Red Danger Zone if unusual activity occurs 41.

Yan Gaoyuan also recommends Ling’er for a secret department and arranges her transfer to the Spiritual Energy Research Institute. He agrees to introduce her to his elderly superior, hoping she will earn the commander's regard. Her recruitment unknowingly gives Yu Ziyu an intelligence channel into human research and cultivation training through Qing’er 40 42 46.

Appearance

• Build: Young and somewhat thin; Yu Ziyu estimates his height at approximately 1.78 meters through the mist 27 32.
• Clothing: Military uniform; wears a raincoat during the mountain expedition 31 35.
• Bearing: Sits with his back rigidly straight and is described as conveying an air of integrity 34 41.

Personality

Yan Gaoyuan is disciplined without dismissing others’ experience. Although he outranks the regiment commander, he willingly follows the veteran's advice about sheltering from the weather rather than issuing uninformed orders 31 34.

He is more comfortable confronting mutated beasts than consoling bereaved civilians. Nevertheless, he treats the grieving village chief patiently and becomes openly protective of Ling’er, regarding her as a younger sister and promising to find the best doctor for her apparent memory loss 34 35.

His conduct under attack is protective and pragmatic: he moves a soldier out of danger, confronts the Honey Badger, and prioritizes continued retreat despite his own injuries. He later delivers his report while still coughing blood 38 39 41.

Abilities & Skills

Body Enhancement

Yan Gaoyuan’s awakened talent strengthens his body through spiritual energy. His confirmed classification is middle tier, a preliminary human category associated with spiritual energy peaks between 4,000 and 6,000 34 39.

• Explosive movement: Channels energy into his legs to launch himself toward the village, shaking the ground and throwing water several meters into the air 32.
• Enhanced close combat: Sends a giant Wind Wolf flying with a whip kick 38.
• Defensive reinforcement: Wraps his vital areas in spiritual energy before engaging the Honey Badger 39.
• Limits: Nearly dies fighting the middle-tier Honey Badger and remains injured days afterward 39 41.

Spiritual Perception

• Recognizes the spiritual energy surrounding Ling’er as an awakening and identifies its fire-elemental nature 34.
• Detects fluctuations from the approaching Honey Badger that are no weaker than his own 39.
• Senses the expedition members’ unease and feels watched within the mist; Yu Ziyu acknowledges his perceptiveness 38.

Reconnaissance and Threat Assessment

• Interprets spiritual energy readings while considering alternatives to mutated-beast activity, including spiritual rivers and mines 27.
• Uses marked trees to verify that the expedition is walking in circles 38.
• Recognizes that the persistent fog affects perception and incorporates that observation into his official report 38 41.
• Fails to identify Yu Ziyu as the source of the fog and coordinated beast attacks 39 41.

Equipment / Items

• Spiritual Energy Potion: Carries a test tube inside his uniform and takes it out when Ling’er begins waking. The potion can replenish a Transcendent’s spiritual energy and assist awakening, but is poisonous to ordinary humans; its administration to Ling’er is not shown 35.
• Maps and monitoring reports: Uses mapped spiritual energy concentrations to brief his superior and support reconnaissance planning 27 31.

Relationships

• He Ling’er — A recruit he regards as a younger sister. He promises her grandfather that he will protect her, arrange treatment for her apparent memory loss, and help her enter a specialized institution 35 40 46.
• He Qing’er — Unknown to him, she controls Ling’er’s body and uses his assistance to infiltrate human institutions on Yu Ziyu’s behalf 35 40.
• Regiment Commander — An older subordinate and expedition companion. Yan Gaoyuan respects his field experience and addresses him as an older brother despite holding superior authority 31 34.
• Village Chief — Ling’er’s grandfather, who entrusts her to Yan Gaoyuan after receiving his assurances of protection 35.
• Yu Ziyu — The hidden adversary behind the expedition’s ordeal. Yu Ziyu spares the survivors so their report will deter further investigation 38 39.
• Mutated Honey Badger — An opponent brainwashed by Yu Ziyu into treating the expedition as its enemy. Its battle with Yan Gaoyuan leaves both severely wounded 38 39 40.
• Elderly Superior — Receives his reconnaissance report, orders priority surveillance of the mountains, and expresses interest in meeting Ling’er 41 42.

Notable Quotes

“All right. You veterans have plenty of experience with this sort of thing, so I won't give any ill-informed orders.” 31

“Village chief, don't worry. I already think of Ling'er as my younger sister. I'll make sure she stays safe.” 35