Nangong Heyao

Biodata

Power Progression

Appearance

• Build and bearing: Upright and imposing, repeatedly compared to an unsheathed sword or an unshakable mountain 28 32.
• Hair: Long enough to be lifted by the heat waves during his battle with Lan Lengqing 35.
• Clothing: Wears blue robes against Lan Lengqing and white clothing at the tournament’s award ceremony 35 38.
• Weapons: Carries a longsword on his back in his early tournament appearance; later fights with a heavy greatsword 32 37.

Personality

Nangong Heyao combines confidence in his strength with a strong sense of responsibility toward his fellow disciples. Although initially interested in testing Qin Yu, he insists that internal rivalry must come second to Cloud-Leveling Hall’s interests. He openly praises Qin Yu’s achievements and recognizes that the younger disciple may eventually surpass him 28.

His sociability does not displace his discipline. He organizes an impromptu wine gathering, invites the initially nervous Yang Zheng to join, and encourages the group to become companions capable of fighting shoulder to shoulder. He ends the gathering by reminding everyone not to neglect cultivation for pleasure 28.

He values practical judgment over reckless pride. Despite urging the sect to stand firm against its rivals, he advises Yang Zheng and Zhao Xinyu to concede rather than face Liu Hongzhuang’s lethal techniques. Against Lan Lengqing, he acknowledges her ability and disperses lingering flames around her to prevent a backlash after defeating her 33 34 35.

His independence ultimately determines his choice of sect. Grateful for Qin Yu’s support, he nevertheless refuses to depend on him and chooses Juntian Hall as a separate path suited to his own pursuit of the Dao 38.

Abilities & Skills

Mountain-Suppressing Swordsmanship

His sword intent emphasizes weight, stability, and overwhelming force, allowing him to break opposing attacks through direct clashes 32 37.

• Mountain-Suppressing Single Sword: Delivers descending, mountainlike sword force. He uses it before Zhou Lie can release his strongest attack, shattering the saber force, breaking the weapon, and throwing Zhou Lie into the arena barrier 32.
• Mountain Crushing the Summit: Produces heavy golden sword light that breaks through beguiling sound waves and sealing frost while supporting Qin Yu’s defense 37.
• Mount Heng Sword Art — Mountain Shatters Heaven: Unleashes a massive golden sword shadow against Liu Hongzhuang and Yue Linmeng 37.
• Balanced Force Break: Sends golden Sword Qi sweeping toward an opponent. It wounds Yue Linmeng and later supports a joint attack with Qin Yu that breaks her ice wall 37.

Heaven-Soaring Sword Art

Against Lan Lengqing, he demonstrates fine control of sword breath alongside techniques that redirect pressure and counter restrictive attacks 35.

• Heaven-Soaring Sword Breath / Formless Edge: A silk-fine thread of sword breath cuts an opening through Lan Lengqing’s net of blue light 35.
• A Single Thread Descends from Heaven: Condenses immense weight into a slender line of descending sword light 35.
• Long Wind Calms the Sea: Redirects the gravitational pressure of Lan Lengqing’s inverted blue bell, causing it to land behind him 35.
• Sever the Clouds and Reveal the Sun: Unleashed after Lan Lengqing traps him in a blue-flame domain that restricts Spiritual Qi circulation 35.
• A Single Thought Opens the Heavens: A stroke described as having no light, shadow, or ringing sound; used against Lan Lengqing’s dual-phase Azure Palace attack near the end of their match 35.

Footwork and Close-Quarters Control

He supplements sword techniques with precise positioning and short bursts of bodily force 35.

• Uses diagonal steps to evade cold blue-flame projectiles 35.
• Breaks Lan Lengqing’s finger blades with the spine of his sword rather than its edge 35.
• Uses his shoulders, elbows, knees, and shifting center of gravity to disrupt her balance at close range 35.
• Employs Three Purities Steps while preparing his response to Azure Palace 35.

Combat Judgment and Limitations

• Recognizes that Liu Hongzhuang’s blood-burning phoenix technique is beyond Yang Zheng and Zhao Xinyu’s ability to withstand 33.
• Coordinates with Qin Yu before their two-on-two match, taking responsibility for suppressing Yue Linmeng 36.
• Is not immune to mental interference: Liu Hongzhuang’s Demonic Eye Illusion Realm — Soul-Devouring Array weakens his sword momentum 37.
• Suffers grave injuries when combined soul-disrupting and frost attacks breach his defenses; a later blood-lotus assault leaves him unable to continue fighting 37 38.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Mystic Firmament: Named sword kept in a sword case and used against Lan Lengqing. He releases several Heaven-Soaring techniques while drawing it only partially from its sheath 35.
• Heavy greatsword: Wielded during the deciding match against Liu Hongzhuang and Yue Linmeng, producing golden sword radiance 37.
• Purple-gold token: Receives one among the rewards bestowed on Cloud-Leveling Hall’s four prominent tournament disciples 38.

History

Meeting Qin Yu

Already established as Cloud-Leveling Hall’s foremost outer disciple, Nangong Heyao visits Qin Yu with Zhao Xinyu and two other disciples. He praises Qin Yu’s rise from a low-grade Spirit Root, his victory over Luo Chuan, and his gains in the Shadow Woods. Their initially competitive exchange becomes a discussion of sect unity and ends in a courtyard wine gathering with Yang Zheng and the others 28.

Afterward, he explains to Zhao Xinyu that Qin Yu’s rapid accomplishments despite his modest starting point make him particularly promising. As the tournament approaches, he encourages Qin Yu to prepare seriously 28 29.

Inter-Sect Martial Tournament

At White Frost Ancient City, Nangong Heyao refuses to be intimidated by the five super sects or drawn into arguments with mocking rivals. He tells his companions to answer contempt through their performance in the arena 30.

Before the Pure Fragrance Garden matches, he supports the plan for Yang Zheng and Zhao Xinyu to concede if drawn against Liu Hongzhuang. When Yang Zheng receives that matchup, Nangong Heyao firmly urges him to surrender immediately rather than risk being killed 33 34.

Following his own victory over Lan Lengqing and Qin Yu’s defeat of Luo Yilin, the two sects enter a deciding two-on-two match. Nangong Heyao and Qin Yu initially withstand their opponents’ combined attacks, but mental interference and frost blades leave them badly injured. Nangong Heyao continues attacking until blood-lotus projectiles shatter his defenses and incapacitate him 35 36 37.

When Yue Linmeng launches a final attack at the unconscious Qin Yu, Nangong Heyao tries to stop her but lacks the strength to intervene. Qin Yu’s gray light activates automatically, destroys the attack, and leaves the two Cloud-Leveling Hall disciples as the arena’s survivors. The final results name Nangong Heyao and Qin Yu first-place representatives of the tournament champion, Cloud-Leveling Hall 38.

Departure for Juntian Hall

After the tournament, Nangong Heyao thanks Qin Yu for what he has learned from his battle experience, careful thinking, and decisiveness. Rather than accompany him to White Cloud Sect, he chooses Juntian Hall, describing its sharp edges and slaughter as potentially better suited to his Dao path 38.

He departs aboard Juntian Hall’s vessel while Qin Yu, Yang Zheng, and Zhao Xinyu leave for White Cloud Sect. Before separating, he pledges never to disgrace Cloud-Leveling Hall and proposes that the four reunite for drinks after reaching the summit of their respective paths 38.

Relationships

• Qin Yu — Fellow disciple, drinking companion, and tournament partner. Nangong Heyao first recognizes his potential as a junior, then comes to admire his judgment and experience, addressing him as “Senior Brother Qin” during their farewell 28 36 38.
• Yang Zheng — Junior disciple whom he encourages not to underestimate himself. He celebrates Yang Zheng’s breakthrough victory and later helps persuade him to concede his dangerous match against Liu Hongzhuang 28 32 34 35.
• Zhao Xinyu — Fellow outer disciple and companion. He praises her swordsmanship, discusses Qin Yu’s potential with her, and includes her in the protective strategy against Liu Hongzhuang 28 32 33.
• Lan Lengqing — Tournament opponent whose strength he acknowledges after defeating her; he also prevents her lingering flames from causing a backlash 35.
• Liu Hongzhuang and Yue Linmeng — Hostile tournament opponents whose combined mental and frost attacks gravely wound him 37 38.

Notable Quotes

“What Cloud-Leveling Hall needs in the future isn't just one genius, but a group of brothers and sisters who can fight shoulder to shoulder!” 28

“The sword's might is like a mountain. It brooks no provocation.” 32

“When each of us stands at the summit, let us reunite, drink our fill together, and laugh freely beneath the heavens!” 38