How could a disciple handpicked by the legendary Wang Lin himself turn into his most bitter enemy? In the sprawling cultivation epic Renegade Immortal (仙逆), the story of Hu Pao (虎咆) stands as a stark lesson in broken trust and the corrosive nature of power. He was not a lackluster student; his talent was immense, recognized and nurtured by the formidable Wang Lin. Yet, this very gift became a pathway to ruin. His journey from promising disciple to vengeful traitor is not a simple tale of good versus evil. It is a complex unraveling, fueled by a deep-seated resentment that festered over years. This is an exploration of how ambition, when twisted by perceived slights and external manipulation, can dismantle even the most sacred of bonds and lead a prodigy to his doom.
The Reluctant Disciple
Hu Pao's origins were humble, hailing from a small tribe where his awakening of two-star demonic power made him its greatest warrior. His world was shattered when he was captured by the powerful Soul Refining tribe and its leader, Ouyang Hua (欧阳华). Forced to drink the Li Yao Tang (离妖汤), a potent concoction, he was assimilated into the tribe against his will. His homeland was absorbed, and his allegiance was born not of loyalty, but of coercion. This initial subjugation planted a seed of bitterness that would never fully disappear. Unlike Shi San (十三), who was raised within the tribe and viewed Wang Lin with pure gratitude, Hu Pao always saw his position as a temporary necessity, a means of survival in a merciless world.
When Wang Lin took notice of his raw talent and began teaching him the arts of soul refinement, Hu Pao's progress was meteoric. He mastered techniques in months that would take others years, swiftly approaching the Core Formation stage. Wang Lin saw his potential, even declaring that if Hu Pao could achieve Divine Transformation within a century, he would surpass other prodigies like Hong Die (红蝶). However, Wang Lin was a cautious master, shaped by the brutal realities of the cultivation realm. He deliberately withheld higher-level techniques, choosing to test Hu Pao's character and loyalty over time.
To the increasingly ambitious Hu Pao, this prudent mentorship felt like intentional suppression. He watched as Shi San received what he perceived as greater trust and resources, and his heart festered with envy. The master-disciple bond, which should have been his foundation, felt like a chain. The promise of rapid advancement and personal power became far more compelling than any sense of duty or gratitude. He believed his talent earned him the right to more, and every withheld secret was logged as a personal insult.
A Breaking Point
The final fracture in Hu Pao's crumbling loyalty occurred during a tense assignment at the ancient Guyao City (古妖城) garrison. After the mysterious disappearance of Ma Zi (麻子) and Yao Xixue (姚惜雪), Hu Pao and Shi San were left in a precarious position. They clashed over what to do next; Shi San advocated for patiently awaiting Wang Lin's return, while Hu Pao desperately wanted to retreat to the relative safety of the Soul Refining tribe. In attempting to leave, they both broke military protocol. The transgression was minor, but it provided a perfect opportunity for their superior, Sima Yan (司马炎), who harbored a grudge, to exact revenge.
Sima Yan had them stripped of their cultivation bases and thrown into a lightless prison, where they endured relentless torment. Facing identical suffering, their responses revealed their true natures. Shi San endured without blaming his master, his faith unshaken. Hu Pao, however, spiraled into paranoia and rage. He convinced himself that all his suffering was Wang Lin's fault. If his master had not vanished, none of this would have happened. He began to believe he was nothing more than a disposable pawn in Wang Lin's grand schemes, abandoned without a second thought.
In the depths of that dark cell, Hu Pao's last shred of allegiance evaporated, replaced by a burning oath for vengeance. He swore that if he ever regained his freedom or power, he would make Wang Lin pay. This vow made him the perfect target for a sinister force. A Sanmo (散魔), a rogue demon under the command of the Ancient Demon, orchestrated his rescue. This was no act of mercy; it was a calculated move. The Sanmo planned to exploit Hu Pao's mastery of soul refinement, using him to gather souls from an ancient battlefield before ultimately turning him into a puppet.
The Path to Ruin
Upon his return, Wang Lin learned of the events and stormed the Mo Li Hai (莫历海) residence to rescue the steadfast Shi San. This act solidified Shi San's loyalty, and he was rewarded with deeper, more powerful teachings. Hu Pao, meanwhile, walked willingly into the Sanmo's trap. He was consumed by his new mission, using his skills to amass a terrifying army of over one hundred million souls from the ancient battleground. This immense power inflated his ego, convincing him he had finally surpassed Ma Zi and could single-handedly destroy the very tribe that had taken him in.
When he finally confronted Wang Lin, Hu Pao was brimming with arrogant contempt. He taunted his former master, boasting that a man like Ma Zi could never even conceive of such a vast collection of souls. Wang Lin could only shake his head in disappointment at the monstrous figure his disciple had become. In a devastating display of power, Wang Lin not only neutralized Hu Pao's entire spectral army but refined the one hundred million souls into a single, immense entity, a feat that left Hu Pao utterly stunned and defeated.
His rebellion ended not with a grand battle, but with a swift and final judgment delivered by Ma Zi. In his dying moments, the truth dawned on Hu Pao. The master he had accused of holding back had, in fact, possessed techniques and power far beyond his comprehension. Wang Lin had always kept a final, decisive skill in reserve. Hu Pao's tragic end was the direct result of his own choices—a thirst for power that blinded him to genuine opportunity and a resentment that turned him into a weapon for his master's true enemies.
