Tao Xing

Tao Xing is the wealthy master of Endless City and a renowned specialist in raising mo embryos. Rescue by Zuo Mo draws him into the journey to Great Peace City, where his local knowledge, materials, and battalion become practical support for a much more dangerous companion than he initially expects.

Biography

Rescue and the mo-embryo bargain

Tao Xing first appears trapped behind a dwindling battalion during an attack by green yaksha. He asks Zuo Mo for aid without panic, offering a heavy reward, and then accepts Zuo Mo's extraordinary demand for a collection of rare mo embryos because survival is worth more than property. Guard Camp destroys the attackers, binding Tao's group to Zuo Mo for the road ahead. The bargain begins as costly necessity, but Tao honors it even after seeing how dangerous Zuo Mo's other negotiations can become; the promised embryos eventually arrive and are processed by Zuo Mo's subordinates. (Chapters 561–564, 576, 592–598)

Guide and patron in Great Peace City

Having lived in Great Peace City, Tao Xing becomes Zuo Mo's guide to its history, factions, challenge customs, experts, and Mo Skill Steles. He rents a compound large enough for the combined forces and repeatedly warns Zuo Mo away from opponents whose political backing exceeds their visible strength. Those warnings rarely control Zuo Mo, but they give him the information needed to choose challenges and understand invitations. Tao's attitude shifts from open-minded equality to frightened respect after witnessing Shifting Star Sand and increasingly audacious bargains. (Chapters 568–584, 601)

Tao also finances the rescue of a mo imprisoned by Xuan Kong Temple's jinzhi, offering to sell his remaining embryo stock because he views the captive as a humiliated elder of the mo. When the Ming Bandits arrive, fear overwhelms his composure, yet he immediately places Tang Fei's battalion under Zuo Mo's command because survival requires a stronger battlefield leader. His last direct scene leaves him alive during that crisis; a later reference says Tang Fei followed Zuo Mo at Tao Xing's suggestion. (Chapters 592–596, 627, 657)

Appearance and personality

Tao Xing is an older, wizened man in loose black robes. His alert eyes and scholarly bearing distinguish him from the armored fighters protecting him. Even under attack he initially speaks without panic, although Great Peace City's most dangerous figures and Zuo Mo's risk-taking can leave him pale, trembling, or physically weak with fright. (Chapters 561–562, 569, 578, 584, 627)

He is mannerly, open-minded, knowledgeable, and generous when a matter engages his sense of obligation. Tao tolerates Zuo Mo's blunt bargaining, honors expensive promises, and offers substantial resources to save a stranger. He is also cautious rather than martial, quickly recognizing threats and preferring to pay, advise, or delegate command instead of fighting personally. (Chapters 562, 568–584, 592–598, 627)

Abilities and cultivation

Tao Xing is a true mo-embryo grandmaster whose reputation earned him Endless City from the master of Dark Abyss Jie. He can raise rare embryos across multiple attributes and has the wealth and supply network to transport them between distant territories. The source does not show his breeding process directly, assign grades to his personal cultivation, or demonstrate that he uses the embryos himself. (Chapters 562, 569, 598)

His other sustained capability is local and political knowledge. Tao explains prestigious mo families, Great Peace City's history, combat rankings, notable experts, and the significance of invitations. This expertise has limits: he lacks personal access to figures such as Princess Xia, cannot predict Zuo Mo's choices, and relies on Tang Fei's battalion and stronger individual combatants for protection. (Chapters 568–584, 601, 627)

Relationships

Zuo Mo

Tao Xing and Zuo Mo begin as parties to an emergency transaction. Tao gradually becomes guide, landlord, supplier, and reluctant witness to Zuo Mo's negotiations. Fear does not erase loyalty: he delivers the embryos, funds materials, shares intelligence, and turns over military command during the Ming Bandit threat. Zuo Mo in turn rescues him and protects the group, although his demands repeatedly terrify Tao. (Chapters 561–598, 601, 627)

Tang Fei

Tang Fei commands Tao Xing's guards and is deeply protective of him, initially resenting Zuo Mo's opportunistic price. Tao trusts her military judgment but can override it, accepting the bargain for his life and ordering her to obey Zuo Mo during the Ming Bandit attack. His later recommendation that she follow Zuo Mo enables her entry into Mo Cloud Sea's command structure. (Chapters 562–564, 627, 657)

Miao Jun and the imprisoned mo

Miao Jun's indignation over the prisoner moved by Xuan Kong Temple aligns with Tao Xing's sense of collective mo honor. Tao offers the wealth while Zuo Mo supplies the technical rescue, and Miao Jun later teaches Tang Fei. The connection is cooperative and cause-based; the text does not establish a prior close friendship between Tao and Miao Jun. (Chapters 592–598, 657)

Items

Tao Xing's notable assets are mo embryos raised through his profession, not a named personal weapon. The embryos promised to Zuo Mo are transferred rather than retained: the Day mo embryo goes to Shu Long, the Nether Shadow mo embryo to A Wen, and the remaining stock is available for other recipients or sale. Their later custody should not be assigned back to Tao. (Chapters 562–564, 592–598)