Zhao Xiaopang

Biodata

Power Progression

Appearance

• Build: Chubby, with a round face; still described as plump when Long Tian returns after three years 3 68.
• Training changes: Regular running and dodging practice make him slimmer and more energetic during his early academy years 17.
• Event clothing: Wears a gray volunteer’s vest while assisting at Spirit City’s age-group tournament 26.

Personality

Zhao Xiaopang is outgoing and quick to treat strangers as friends. On meeting Long Tian, he immediately introduces himself, claps him on the shoulder, and helps him collect his dormitory key before taking him to breakfast. His enthusiasm is conspicuous at competitions, where he cheers until his voice becomes hoarse and celebrates Long Tian’s victories with little restraint 3 11 26 28.

Despite ordinary cultivation talent, he trains diligently enough to earn Teaching Assistant Sun’s approval. Academic work is more difficult for him: he needs remedial lessons and faces a month of courtyard sweeping if he fails again. Long Tian offers to help him catch up 5 9.

His early fear of Chen Hao and stronger academy students does not prevent him from supporting his friends. After acquiring his first Soul Ring, he insists on accompanying Long Tian into danger, reasoning that his chopping block can at least block a blow for him 4 14 22.

Food is both a favorite subject and a recurring expression of his affection. He saves meat buns for Long Tian, supplies homemade provisions before journeys, and slips candy into his hand during the tournament 4 6 18 26.

Abilities & Skills

Chopping Block Defense

His First Soul Skill allows him to hold his chopping block upright as a shield against an ordinary blow 22.

• Soul Ring source: An old yellow ox; the ring is classified as Hundred-Year 22.
• Demonstrated durability: Withstands a palm strike using ten percent of Long Tian’s strength without moving 22.
• Limit: Shatters when Long Tian adds another twenty percent of his strength 22.

Evasion and Physical Training

Long Tian trains his aim while Zhao Xiaopang practices dodging, giving both a way to improve together 17.

• Running and evasion drills improve Zhao Xiaopang’s physique 17.
• By the end of summer, he can last another five or six breaths against Long Tian’s Light Bullets, though he still cannot avoid being hit 18.
• His endurance remains below that of Long Tian and Chen Hao; their later walk to Spirit City requires extra time, and Long Tian supports him for part of the journey 23.

Information Gathering and Diversions

Zhao Xiaopang contributes to investigations through observation, gathering information, and providing cover.

• Learns about Chen Hao’s private coaching at the Spirit Hall Branch 11.
• Investigates Zhang Yueming’s Mysterious Light Mirror and warns Long Tian that it can reflect ranged Soul Skills and reveal Shadow Stealth 28.
• Suggests using Zhao Min’s interest in historical Martial Soul records to gain legitimate access to the old archives 30.
• Prepares to pose as a lost freshman to distract anyone approaching during the mirror theft 32.
• Covers for Long Tian and Chen Hao while they enter the underground passages 36.

Background / History

Class C and Friendship with Long Tian

Zhao Xiaopang is already a Class C student when Long Tian enrolls at Bluestone Town Junior Soul Master Academy. He guides the newcomer through the dormitory arrangements and explains that Long Tian’s assigned roommate, Liu Quan, usually stays with his family in town 3.

Long Tian helps him understand meditation, and the two begin training together. In the monthly assessment, Zhao Xiaopang loses to a Class B student wielding a wooden-stick Martial Soul, despite charging forward with his iron wok after the audience laughs at it. He later becomes one of Long Tian’s loudest supporters after Long Tian defeats Chen Hao 4 5 6.

He also enters the annual academy tournament, losing in the first round to Class A’s vine-wielding girl. He remains beside the arena to cheer Long Tian through the quarterfinals 11.

Training and the First Spirit City Visit

Zhao Xiaopang accompanies Mr. Wang’s student group to Spirit City for the exchange gathering. While Long Tian competes, he watches from the stands and cheers with a flag 13 14.

After the New Year, he brings back old cultivation books borrowed from his older male cousin. Long Tian copies a meridian diagram from one of them and places it beside his bed. When Long Tian explains his need to grow strong enough to help his father, Zhao Xiaopang earnestly offers to train with him—even as a practice target 17.

Spirit City and the Soul Fusion Investigation

After delivering Shen Mo’s message about a meeting south of the city, Zhao Xiaopang insists on traveling with Long Tian. Chen Hao joins them, and the three journey to Spirit City 22 23.

Once Long Tian reveals the continuing Soul Fusion experiments, Zhao Xiaopang and Chen Hao join his investigation. To help the group remain in the city, Zhao Xiaopang volunteers at the age-group tournament, bringing contestants water and cleaning the platform rather than entering as a competitor 24 25.

Zhao Min subsequently arranges his admission to Spirit City Junior Academy’s preparatory class. He helps plan the theft of the bronze mirror, is present when it reveals imprisoned experimental subjects, and later passes on a warning that Number Seventeen may soon be transferred 30 32 37.

Remaining in Bluestone Town

When Long Tian returns after three years away, Zhao Xiaopang is overwhelmed with relief and anger that his friend sent no news. He reveals that he feared Long Tian was dead and had stopped Chen Hao from leaving to search for him 68.

During the reunion, Chen Hao announces that both of them will remain at the academy: Chen Hao will take over classes, while Zhao Xiaopang will sweep the courtyard and run the dining hall 69.

The Inspection Team’s Alias List

A later patrol finds Zhao Xiaopang’s backup academy identity among incomplete records connected to Shrek Academy. Mr. Wang had registered the identity during Zhao Xiaopang’s Class C years, and it had appeared only once on an official roster. Its discovery prompts Long Tian to return and warn the academy 158.

Zhao Xiaopang shows Long Tian Mr. Wang’s registration list, on which cancellation documents for his alias are marked as prepared but not yet submitted. He then supplies Long Tian and Yu Jin with food and promises to watch over matters with Mr. Wang 159.

Long Tian subsequently steals the inspection team’s north route list and confirms the alias is included. Tang San states that he will replace the relevant Wu District registration materials and confirms that Zhao Xiaopang’s alias has been crossed off the list 162.

Relationships

• Long Tian — Close friend and training partner. Zhao Xiaopang calls him his brother, accompanies his investigations, and repeatedly provides food and practical support 6 17 22 32 159.
• Chen Hao — Initially fears him as a bully; later travels and investigates alongside him. Both ultimately remain at Bluestone Town’s academy to support Mr. Wang 4 23 24 69.
• Mr. Wang — Academy teacher who creates Zhao Xiaopang’s backup registration identity. Zhao Xiaopang later stays to help maintain the academy and assists him during the inspection threat 69 158 159.
• Teaching Assistant Sun — Early instructor who appreciates his diligence but also supervises his remedial academic work 4 5 9.
• Zhao Min — Arranges his admission to Spirit City Junior Academy’s preparatory class despite his Martial Soul’s weak foundation 30.

Notable Quotes

“Then I'll train with you. I can't beat you, but I can be your target.” 17

“Besides, my chopping block can block a hit for you. I'm a full-fledged Soul Master now, at least.” 22

Trivia

• Martial Soul inconsistency: His Martial Soul appears as an Iron Wok in the early monthly assessment, but later chapters identify it as a Chopping Block or Vegetable Stump. No explanation for the change is provided 5 20 30.
• Awakening inconsistency: He senses and manifests Soul Power early on, but later passages say he has not yet awakened his Soul Power or Martial Soul before describing another awakening 4 5 17 19 20.