Qilao

Qilao, known by the Dao title Sumian, is the head of Xuanmiao Temple. He favors stable relations with neighboring lineages and tries to protect his temple and its allies without being drawn into a broader war.

Biography

Old ties and a healing art

When Changxi brings Li Ximing to Xuanmiao Temple, Qilao welcomes his old acquaintance and recognizes the damage to Ding Weizeng’s dantian. Using Treasure Earth as a medium, he heals the injury through a technique that draws on the Bright Yang and Gen Mountain cultivators present. Qilao also explains his temple’s inheritance from the ancient Tongxuan Palace and describes himself as committed to maintaining peaceful relations. (Chapters 1065–1067)

A promise to protect Profound Peak Gate

Qilao accepts Changxi’s request to safeguard Profound Peak Gate and later explains that Xuanmiao has stationed cultivators around Lake Xian. He offers to mediate with Ye Hui and shelter injured disciples, while acknowledging that his temple cannot defend every part of the gate’s territory. When Ye Hui brings the fight to Xuanmiao’s mountain gate, Qilao intervenes to stop the confrontation and agrees to care for the wounded cultivators Li Ximing will send him. (Chapters 1086–1087 and 1103)

Settlement at Xuanmiao Temple

Tinglan lays out the settlement for Profound Peak Gate, assigning Zhugong the contested mountain while giving each faction a way to secure its interests. Qilao praises her scheme and welcomes an end to the quarrel that will spare him further entanglement. He remains at Xuanmiao Temple after the agreement. (Chapters 1131–1132)

Appearance and personality

Qilao appears as a middle-aged Daoist with a square face and unremarkable robes. Cordial and cautious, he values his reputation and the peace of his temple; he negotiates readily when doing so can prevent a direct clash. (Chapters 1065, 1087 and 1103)

Abilities and cultivation

Qilao cultivates the Treasure Earth Dao and has reached the early Purple Mansion Realm. His lineage’s divine ability uses Treasure Earth as a medium; he applies it to restore Ding Weizeng’s damaged dantian by drawing on the attributes of cultivators nearby. (Chapters 1064–1065)

Relationships

• Changxi: An old friend whose request leads Qilao to promise protection for Profound Peak Gate. (Chapters 1065 and 1086)
• Li Ximing: A fellow Purple Mansion cultivator with whom Qilao negotiates and coordinates healing. (Chapters 1065–1067)
• Tinglan: Works with Qilao to settle the dispute over Profound Peak’s lands. (Chapters 1131–1132)
• Ye Hui: A rival whose assault on Profound Peak Gate brings Qilao into the open to mediate. (Chapters 1103 and 1131)
• Zhugong: Takes the contested mountain under the settlement Qilao helps arrange. (Chapter 1132)

Items

At Xuanmiao Temple, Qilao uses an ancient bronze pill furnace and its ash in the healing ritual for Ding Weizeng. The cited events do not identify it as a personal possession. (Chapter 1065)