Cao Jiancheng

Biodata

Power Progression

Background / History

Family Origins and Decline

Cao Jiancheng left Tianbei City and settled in Liangmin County to pursue Liu Xiuxiu, whom he married. Their eldest son, Cao Fengyun, later obtained level 4 equipment, making the Cao family wealthy enough to attract admiration throughout their residential complex. After Fengyun died, the family’s fortunes declined sharply 2 15.

By the opening of the story, Jiancheng had lost an arm and was helping support his wife, younger son Cao Fengqi, widowed daughter-in-law Liu Chunying, and grandchildren Dabao and Xiaobao. An encroaching black fog forced Liangmin County’s population to migrate toward Tianbei Base City. Jiancheng hoped that relatives already living there could help the family once they arrived 1 2.

His parents died young, and his elder brother Cao Jianjun took good care of him and their siblings. Jiancheng remained close to his brothers and sisters despite living away from them. He also remembered Jianjun’s wife fondly for preparing generous meals for Fengyun and Fengqi during their childhood visits 153.

Supporting the Household

Despite dwindling reserves, Jiancheng bought Bone Spirit Paste for Fengqi’s fractured arm. He also intended to search the Lost Land for supplies, although Chunying warned that he had only one remaining chance to enter it 1.

He supplemented the household’s food by working overnight for Spirit Forger Wang. The work left his face reddened and his remaining arm covered in burn blisters, while paying only two taels of meat and providing a meal. After Fengqi returned with a large harvest of Rotten Crow wings, Jiancheng agreed to stop taking the job 10.

The Family’s Recovery

As Fengqi’s expeditions became increasingly successful, Jiancheng helped manage the resulting supplies. He accompanied his son to market, explained local trading houses, and helped exchange equipment for three hundred jin of cured meat and three hundred jin of rice. He also helped expand the family shelter from 42 to 100 square meters 7 17 24 25.

The discovery of four warrior technique manuals gave Jiancheng a longer-term ambition: establishing the Caos as a great house. He regarded techniques as an enduring inheritance that could strengthen successive generations, unlike equipment that might be lost or treasures consumed after use. He warned the family to keep the manuals secret because even Transcendents might covet them 31 32.

Defending the Family

During a Calamity Rat attack on the migration party, Jiancheng instructed Liu Xiuxiu and Liu Chunying to protect the children, then joined the frontline fighters with Fengqi’s borrowed Mystic Cold Saber 35.

He later defended Fengqi against the Wu family’s accusations and supported him after he shot Wang Dahai. Although worried about retaliation from Wang Long, Jiancheng refused to abandon his son. When Wang Long demanded that Fengqi cripple his own arm, Jiancheng raised his saber and prepared to fight alongside him 44 45 47.

After Fengqi defeated Wang Long and secured the Cao family’s recognition as a great family, Jiancheng collected the spoils. Fengqi gave him Wang Long’s level 4 saber, armor, and arcane necklace, keeping only the level 5 Thousand-Refined Metal for himself 48 49.

When Fengqi subsequently revealed that he had become a Spirit Forger, Jiancheng questioned him excitedly about his profession. The continuing torrential rain soon forced him back to practical concerns: he instructed Chunying to light Moon Spirit Marrow and went with Xiuxiu to repair their shelter 54.

During the ensuing famine, Jiancheng welcomed their neighbors Chen Feng, Zhang Fenfen, and Chen Xiaohua into the shelter. He insisted that Chen Feng accept valuable level 4 Mystic Devouring Beast meat, keeping the metal offered in exchange. By contrast, he refused the Song couple’s request to borrow food 60 61.

As the conflict with Spirit Forger Wang’s family escalated, Xiao Youya offered protection and helped the Cao family and their companions settle near the Xiao family. Jiancheng continued to warn Fengqi to prioritize his safety when joining activities outside the Lost Land 76 79.

Becoming a Transcendent

Fengqi eventually brought home three Transcendent Sequence Runes for Jiancheng, Xiuxiu, and Chunying. Jiancheng immediately rose in shock at the sight of the runes, and the family celebrated their entry into the Transcendent ranks. He was so excited that he could not sleep that night and continued grinning the next morning 113.

Despite his new status, Jiancheng declined to deliberately die in the Lost Land to restore his missing arm. He explained that he had lived without it for more than a year and had become accustomed to it; he preferred to preserve his remaining life for a future expedition 113.

Before the confrontation with Wang Tieshan’s family, Jiancheng emerged in full level 5 armor and displayed green Transcendent ruin fire on his saber. He declared that the Caos would show Liangmin County’s Transcendents their strength rather than allow their treasures to be seized. He also informed Wang Qixiao and the others of the coming conflict, and praised their willingness to fight alongside the Cao family without hesitation 122.

Return to Tianbei Base City

As the migration party approached Tianbei Base City, Jiancheng and the family celebrated their imminent arrival. Fengqi gave him cigars before the convoy resumed its journey 148.

The family visited the official Transcendent Arsenal to find Cao Jianjun, who had become a deputy director at its research institute. The brothers reunited tearfully, and Jiancheng told him of Fengyun’s death while reassuring him that the surviving family was now doing well 153.

At the subsequent family meal, Jiancheng brought out level 6 wine and wore a storage ring, both gifts from Fengqi. When his younger brother Cao Jianwen doubted his claims of prosperity because of his missing arm, Jiancheng revealed that he, Xiuxiu, Fengqi, and Chunying were all Transcendents. He proudly explained that Fengqi had obtained their Sequence Runes 155.

Jiancheng encouraged Fengqi to help Jianjun with the arsenal’s work. Later, after Fengqi deciphered the Wind, Fire, Thunder and Lightning Energy Disc, Jiancheng again emphasized that his elder brother valued family ties and would have helped them even if they had remained poor. He urged Fengqi to continue assisting him whenever possible 157 174.

The Family’s Rising Status

Jiancheng continued handling practical family matters after the move to Tianbei. Fengqi entrusted him with three items to trade for souls, and he later relayed news that the city would migrate to the Fifth Land of Shelter in twenty days, with its exchange gathering scheduled for ten days later 213 280.

Learning from Jianjun that Fengqi had become an honorary major general left Jiancheng shocked and delighted for an extended period. He even prepared to pay respects to the ancestors with his siblings. This achievement made later visits from senior Spark Guild members seem less surprising to him 240.

At the city’s exchange gathering, Jiancheng explained Fengqi’s lieutenant-general rank to the astonished Spark Guild leadership as the result of helping his elder uncle at the authorities’ arsenal. He subsequently attended Fengqi’s award ceremony with the family and appeared in its television coverage alongside Tianbei’s three generals 300 305 307.

Jiancheng nevertheless remained concerned about Fengqi’s conflicts. When Xu Fenghua came to discuss trouble involving the Capital, he asked what had happened and, after her reassurance, told Fengqi to listen to her because she was more knowledgeable 360.

When generals from the Capital visited the Cao shelter, Jiancheng helped serve them tea and insisted on treating them properly as guests. He witnessed their announcement that Fengqi would be promoted to general. Afterward, he again warned his son against unnecessary conflicts and joined the family’s celebratory drinking 388 389.

Following the family’s relocation to the Land of Dawn, Jiancheng remained in close contact with Jianjun. He reported that his brother’s household was doing well under the authorities’ care and had chosen not to burden Fengqi by moving in with them. Fengqi offered to build Jiancheng a flying Transcendent vehicle so that visiting his siblings and inviting Jianjun over would be easy 402.

Appearance

• Missing arm: Has only one remaining arm; the circumstances of its loss are not given 2 31. By the time he becomes a Transcendent, he has lived with the injury for more than a year and deliberately preserves his remaining Lost Land life rather than spending it to restore the limb 113.
• Weathered face: Described as weathered, with thick brows 10 32.
• Work-related injuries: Returns from Spirit Forger Wang’s overnight work exhausted, with a flushed face and burn blisters on his arm 10.

Personality

Jiancheng is protective and willing to endure hardship for his household. He buys medicine for Fengqi despite the family’s limited resources and repeatedly emphasizes that surviving an expedition matters more than bringing back supplies. His warnings also reflect practical concerns: dying in the Lost Land would mean losing valuable weapons and equipment 1 2 10.

His caution coexists with strong family pride. Fengqi’s successes turn his uncertainty about the future into enthusiasm for the Cao family’s prospects. After seeing the warrior manuals, he begins imagining trained grandchildren and urges Fengqi to marry several wives so the family can flourish 22 31 32.

He is generous toward friendly neighbors but confrontational when his family is threatened. He shares broth during the migration, challenges criticism of Fengqi’s rejection of Wu Qianqian, and warns Chunying against clinging to relatives who disregarded her in difficult times 16 17 39.

His generosity remains selective during the famine: he insists that Chen Feng accept high-quality beast meat but refuses to lend food to the hostile Song couple 61.

Even becoming a Transcendent does not erase the habits formed through hardship. Rather than expend a Lost Land life to restore his arm, he saves it for a genuinely dangerous adventure 113.

Jiancheng places considerable value on gratitude and family loyalty. He tells Fengqi to honor the relatives who willingly stand beside them in danger and repeatedly reminds him to repay Jianjun’s kindness. He remains close to his siblings even after his own household becomes far more prosperous 122 174 402.

Despite his pride in Fengqi, he recognizes that his own elevated social position largely comes from his son’s achievements. When elders praise him enthusiastically, he feels embarrassed rather than treating their attention as proof of his own accomplishments 252.

Abilities & Skills

Combat Experience

• Remains a capable fighter despite having one arm. Fengqi initially judges that, without the Arcane Musket, he cannot defeat his father 12.
• Uses a saber and joins Team 55’s frontline defense against Calamity Rats 2 35.
• Prepares to fight Wang Long when Fengqi is threatened 47.
• Later prepares to confront Wang Tieshan’s family while equipped with level 5 armor and a saber empowered by Transcendent ruin fire 122.

Survival and Trading Knowledge

• Explores the Lost Land and recognizes the dangers of treasure-rich Desolate Towns 2 15.
• Explains how the Hu and Zhou families accumulated wealth and how food functions as trading currency 17.
• Understands that constitution- and mental-strength-enhancing resources are quickly purchased by wealthy and Transcendent families 18.
• Advises Fengqi to supplement the Arcane Necklace with a shield and to balance ranged weapons with a strong melee weapon 19 34.
• Helps repair the family shelter during the torrential rain 54.
• Is entrusted with trading three of Fengqi’s items for souls after the family reaches Tianbei Base City 213.

Warrior Technique Knowledge

• Explains the importance of technique manuals to a great house’s lasting foundation 31.
• Recommends improving physique alongside movement, saber, or archery training 32.
• Estimates that reaching rank three normally requires two or three years and can increase combat power by at least thirty percent 32.
• Receives access to Fengqi’s four manuals, but no personal technique rank or mastery is documented 31.

Transcendent Power

• Becomes a Transcendent through a Sequence Rune obtained by Fengqi; his specific profession is not identified in the available account 113.
• Can manifest eerie green Transcendent ruin fire over his saber 122.
• No personal constitution, spiritual-power total, or later Sequence advancement is documented 113 122.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Black iron saber — His original weapon; initially one of only two weapons owned by the household 2.
• Level 2 armor — Worn before Fengqi purchases better protection for the family; leaves vulnerable areas such as the head and neck exposed 36.
• Level 3 clothing — Receives two sets during the family’s visit to Worldweaver’s Clothing Store 38.
• Mystic Cold Saber — Borrows Fengqi’s level 4 saber during the migration-party battle. Its chill enters wounded targets and causes stiffness 34 35.
• Wang Long’s equipment — Receives a level 4 saber, suit of armor, and arcane necklace after Fengqi’s victory 49.
• Transcendent Sequence Rune — Receives one of the three runes Fengqi supplies to the family and uses it to become a Transcendent 113.
• Level 5 armor — Wears a full suit before the confrontation with Wang Tieshan’s family 122.
• Saber used with ruin fire — Manifests a saber in his hand and coats it with green Transcendent ruin fire; its name and level are not specified 122.
• Storage ring — A gift from Fengqi, worn when visiting Jianjun’s household 155.
• Level 6 wine — Brings Carved Fragrance Clear Flower Wine, supplied by Fengqi, to share with his elder brother 153 155.
• Cigars — Receives cigars from Fengqi shortly before the convoy reaches Tianbei Base City 148.

Relationships

• Liu Xiuxiu — Wife. Jiancheng moved from Tianbei City to Liangmin County to pursue her; they work together to sustain the household 2 7 10. Both become Transcendents through runes supplied by Fengqi 113.
• Cao Fengyun — Deceased eldest son. His achievements once made the family wealthy, and Jiancheng remembers that he also helped Chunying’s relatives 1 15.
• Cao Fengqi — Younger son. Jiancheng initially worries about his recklessness and attachment to Wu Qianqian, then increasingly trusts his judgment and supports his leadership of the household 1 10 22 45. Fengqi obtains Jiancheng’s Transcendent Sequence Rune and supplies him with improved equipment and valuables 113 122 155. Jiancheng takes great pride in his military honors but continues warning him against unnecessary danger and conflict 240 360 389.
• Liu Chunying — Widowed daughter-in-law. He supports her place in the household while urging her to recognize when ties to her own relatives should be cut 1 39. Xiuxiu tells Chunying that both she and Jiancheng would welcome a relationship between her and Fengqi if Fengqi agreed 49.
• Dabao and Xiaobao — Grandchildren. He buys treats for them, protects them during attacks, and hopes their improved nutrition and future technique training will give them an advantage in the Lost Land 1 32 35.
• Cao Jianjun — Elder brother, who cared for Jiancheng and their siblings after their parents died young. Their reunion in Tianbei is deeply emotional, and Jiancheng repeatedly encourages Fengqi to help him. They remain close after the family moves to the Land of Dawn 153 157 174 402.
• Cao Jianwen — Younger brother. Initially doubts Jiancheng’s assurances that his family is prospering because Jiancheng has lost both an arm and a son; Jiancheng responds by revealing that four members of his household are Transcendents 155.
• Cao Fengzhi — Nephew and Jianjun’s son, who helps welcome Jiancheng’s household during their reunion in Tianbei 155.
• Chen Feng and his family — Friendly neighbors whom Jiancheng welcomes and assists during the famine, insisting that they accept valuable Mystic Devouring Beast meat 60 61.
• Wang Qixiao and the twin fiancées’ family — In-laws and allies. Jiancheng appreciates their immediate willingness to fight beside the Caos and tells Fengqi to show them proper respect 122.
• Xiao Youya — Protector and ally of the household during its conflict with Spirit Forger Wang’s family. She helps the Caos and their companions settle near her family 76.
• Xu Fenghua — A trusted senior figure in Fengqi’s life. Jiancheng urges his son to heed her advice after she reassures him about Fengqi’s trouble with the Capital 360.
• Spirit Forger Wang — Former employer. Jiancheng accepts dangerous, poorly compensated night work at his relatively safe level 4 shelter before Fengqi persuades him to quit 10. Wang’s family later becomes an enemy of the Caos, and Jiancheng prepares to stand against Wang Tieshan alongside Fengqi 122.

Notable Quotes

“Put safety first in everything.” 10

“Fengqi, whatever you do next, we’ll support you.” 45

“Ah, it's been over a year. I'm used to it by now. When I need to go on an adventure, I can still use that life to take a risk.” 113

“Your uncle is a man who values his ties with people. If our family weren't doing well, he'd help us too.” 174

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