Cao Chengli
Cao Chengli is an Azure bandit leader hired to attack Dan Xiaotian's party. After Zhang Xuan subdues him through the sentient book persona, he becomes an unruly but useful household attendant. (Chapters 1,930–1,945)
Biography
From hired blade to household guardian
Cao leads assassins against the Dan Clan remnants, but supernatural-looking counterattacks break his confidence and leave him vulnerable to Zhang Xuan's disguised instruction. He exposes the plot against Dan Xiaotian, then remains with the household and is repeatedly disciplined for lustful behavior and poor manners. Before leaving, Zhang Xuan gives him techniques and pills and charges him with protecting Dan Xiaotian and Bai Ruanqing. When Sun Qiang later reaches the Sword Pavilion, the two compete for the title of butler; their equal Ancient Sage 4-dan cultivation produces a draw, and Zhang Xuan assigns Cao to care for the disciples instead. (Chapters 1,930–2,006 and 2,079–2,080)
Appearance and personality
Cao is a saber-carrying, feisty man whose bravado collapses quickly before phenomena he cannot explain. He is loyal after submission but boastful, lecherous, argumentative, and in constant need of correction. (Chapters 1,930–1,970, 2,005, and 2,080)
Abilities and cultivation
He is an experienced bandit and reaches Ancient Sage 4-dan by his latest appearance. He can lead killers and fight Sun Qiang evenly, but he is neither a strategic equal to Zhang Xuan nor trusted as the household's primary butler. (Chapters 1,930–1,939 and 2,080)
Relationships
- Zhang Xuan: The master who subdues, trains, and assigns him to guard the disciples. (Chapters 1,930–2,005)
- Sun Qiang: His rival for the butler position; their comic fight ends without a victor. (Chapters 2,079–2,080)
- Dan Xiaotian and Bai Ruanqing: The younger cultivators placed under his protection. (Chapters 2,005–2,006)
Items
No scoped items are associated with Cao Chengli.