NovelPantheon

Chen Taojing

Mid-stage Foundation EstablishmentBoundless OceanXiao Family guest cultivator

Chen Taojing is a Foundation Establishment guest of the Xiao Family who cultivates Boundless Ocean. His endurance makes him an effective ally in the attack on Yu Yufeng and ultimately enables the sacrificial defense through which Xiao Ruyu escapes a devil assault. (Chapters 255, 260, 382, 390)

Biography

An enduring defender in Xiao service

After the destruction of Lake Market, Taojing enters Xiao service. He joins Xiao Chuchou, Li Tongya, and Nanshan Weng in an ambush of Yu Yufeng, where his comparatively weaker position makes him the late-stage enemy’s preferred target. Taojing sustains the group’s attack through deep mana reserves and water defenses, cutting off a jade finger when an opening appears. The combined force defeats Yufeng, and Taojing accepts his share of the spoils before tactfully leaving Chuchou and Tongya to their private business. (Chapters 255, 258, 260–261)

When devils overwhelm Cloud Crowned Peak, Taojing places his endurance at the service of Xiao Ruyu’s escape. He has prepared pills and chooses to remain behind, explaining that Boundless Ocean is suited to holding off many opponents. Four enemies keep him trapped despite his ability to defend himself, and after half a day he dies from exhaustion. His final lament that the Great Ling Dao lineage is no more gives the sacrifice a significance beyond a hired guard’s duty. Later accounts describe the disaster as a calculated attack against him, while Fuxuan recalls having unsuccessfully pleaded for his protection; his loyalty cannot compensate for the stronger powers unwilling to preserve him. (Chapters 382, 386, 390, 393, 1382)

Appearance and personality

Taojing is tactful with his allies and protective toward the Xiao young master. His willingness to remain behind is deliberate, grounded in an assessment of his defensive strengths and the others’ need to escape. His final lament expresses attachment to a threatened Dao lineage. (Chapters 261, 382, 390)

Abilities and cultivation

Boundless Ocean endurance

Taojing’s Boundless Ocean Foundation is associated with River One Qi. In the battle against Yufeng, his clear, dense water forms two dragons that counter suppression and protect him, though the enemy still forces heavy mana expenditure. The same foundation permits him to hold against several devils for half a day. Its endurance is considerable but finite: being able to defend himself does not let him escape, and the extended battle exhausts him fatally. (Chapters 255, 260, 382, 388–390)

Relationships

  • Xiao Chuchou and Li Tongya: Allies against Yu Yufeng.
  • Xiao Ruyu: Young master whose escape Taojing protects.
  • Fuxuan: Later recalls pleading unsuccessfully for Taojing’s protection. (Chapters 258–261, 382, 1382)

Items

Taojing uses a sword against Yufeng and helps collect the formation flags afterward. He prepares pills before the Cloud Crowned Peak defense, but those supplies cannot prevent eventual exhaustion. (Chapters 260–261, 382, 390)