Xu Xiong

Biodata

Power Progression

Background / History

Childhood and Family Legacy

Xu Xiong’s father was Wu Changgeng’s senior brother. Both studied artifact refining under the same master, but his father was the more accomplished of the two and had the potential to become a second-tier artifact-refining grandmaster. Bandit Cultivators killed him during a trip outside the sect to gather materials 42.

Xu Xiong witnessed the killing when he was a little over ten years old. Nearly twenty years later, the experience still left him deeply reluctant to leave the sect. Wu Changgeng subsequently taught him artifact refining and treated him like his own son, but Xu Xiong felt that his poor results disappointed both his master and his late father 42 47.

Meeting Lu Li

Xu Xiong first crossed paths with Lu Li at the General Affairs Hall, where he claimed safe patrol and hundred-arts missions before Lu Li could take them. A duty disciple described him as talented but lazy, explaining that he preferred jobs that allowed him to remain inside the sect 32.

They became acquainted at Wu Changgeng’s workshop. Xu Xiong invited Lu Li, who had come to clear furnace slag, to watch him refine first-tier intermediate-grade magic armor. Despite repeatedly reciting the procedure, Xu Xiong ruined twelve batches over two hours by forgetting steps and mistiming the materials 39.

Before the thirteenth attempt, Lu Li began giving precise instructions for furnace heat, material additions, and forging. Xu Xiong followed his directions, then completed the difficult inscription work himself. The resulting armor qualified as first-tier intermediate-grade; Wu Changgeng privately judged that stronger inscription strokes might have raised it to advanced-grade 40 41.

Xu Xiong paid Lu Li ten Spirit Stones and requested his help with future attempts. They exchanged communication imprints and began attending Wu Changgeng’s private lessons together every half month. Over the following year, Xu Xiong’s refining improved, while Lu Li earned payment and practical experience by assisting him 42 44.

Departure for Tempering

Upon reaching the Qi Refining Ninth Layer, Xu Xiong was ordered to confront his fear of the outside world. Wu Changgeng instructed him to return only when he felt ready to attempt Foundation Establishment 47.

Xu Xiong visited Lu Li to say goodbye before leaving that same day. Lu Li gave him three Spirit Fire Grenades for protection, which he gratefully accepted alongside the defensive supplies already prepared by Wu Changgeng. After promising to repay Lu Li if he returned alive and reached Foundation Establishment, Xu Xiong departed on his flying sword 47.

Appearance

Xu Xiong’s intimidating build contrasts sharply with his friendly manner and cautious habits 39.

• Height: More than two meters tall 40.
• Build: Broad shoulders, a thick waist, and a powerful physique 41.
• Features: Rugged and fierce-looking; Lu Li initially thought he resembled someone who robbed and killed others 39.

Personality

Xu Xiong favors safety and low-profile work. Although another disciple attributes this to laziness, his reluctance to leave the sect is rooted in witnessing his father’s murder. His imposing appearance does not reflect an aggressive temperament 32 39 47.

He is friendly, sincere, and generous toward Lu Li. He insists on paying for useful assistance rather than taking advantage of their relationship, and readily follows Lu Li’s instructions once they prove effective. His repeated attempts at artifact refining also show persistence despite frequent mistakes 39 40 42.

Around Wu Changgeng, Xu Xiong becomes timid and ashamed, lowering his head and speaking quietly. He fears another scolding and openly admits feeling that he has failed to live up to his father’s and master’s expectations 41 42.

Abilities & Skills

Cultivation and Sword Flight

• Possesses excellent cultivation aptitude, according to the General Affairs Hall duty disciple 32.
• Reaches the Qi Refining Ninth Layer and can travel by flying sword 47.
• His unresolved fear weakens his Dao heart and threatens his prospects of Foundation Establishment, even with a Foundation Establishment Pill 47.

Artifact Refining

• Uses fire seals to heat a forge and spiritual power to form a forging hammer 39 40.
• Practices the Billowing Waves Method, including a sequence of nine heavy strokes followed by one light stroke 39 40.
• Can engrave Artifact Inscriptions with a diamond carving stylus, including Cloud Piercing and Swiftness 39 40.
• Produces first-tier intermediate-grade armor with Lu Li’s guidance; his weaker inscription strokes limit its final quality 40 41.
• Initially struggles with remembering the sequence, controlling heat, and timing material additions, but improves during a year of instruction and assisted practice 39 44.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Storage Bag — Holds refining materials, tools, and later the Spirit Fire Grenades 39 47.
• Diamond carving stylus — Used to engrave inscriptions into newly forged armor 40.
• Identity Jade Slip — Exchanges spiritual-power imprints with Lu Li’s slip, enabling voice communication 42.
• Flying sword — Used when departing the sect for tempering 47.
• Three Spirit Fire Grenades — Farewell gifts from Lu Li. Activated with spiritual power a few breaths before use; capable of gravely injuring or killing an unsuspecting Late Qi Refining cultivator 47.
• Defensive supplies — Additional protective items prepared by Wu Changgeng before his departure; their types are unspecified 47.
• Former bronze forging furnace — An old, half-person-high furnace he replaced as his skills improved. He passed it to Lu Li for a token price in gratitude for a year of assistance 44.

Relationships

• Lu Li — Junior sect brother, refining assistant, and close friend. Their compatible temperaments make them among the few outer-sect friends who can confide in one another 42 47.
• Wu Changgeng — Teacher and father figure. Gives him private instruction and ultimately sends him outside the sect rather than allowing fear to halt his cultivation 44 47.
• Father — An unnamed, gifted artifact refiner whose death shaped Xu Xiong’s fear of leaving the sect. Xu Xiong remains troubled by his inability to match his father’s accomplishments 42 47.