Luo Xuan is one of the most visually striking Jie-tradition adepts in Investiture of the Gods. He calls himself the Immortal in Flame from Fire Dragon Island.
Nearly everything about him is surrounded by fire: his fishtail crown resembles a blaze, his great red robe looks like a cloud of flame, his face is purple-red, steel-like teeth protrude, and a third eye rises on his forehead. He rides the Red-Smoke Steed and carries a pair of Flying-Smoke Swords. When Jiang Ziya first sees him, the novel even remarks that he is red from head to foot.
Fire surrounds Luo Xuan’s appearance and actions, from his flame-like crown and scarlet robe to the Red-Smoke Steed and the treasures he uses to burn Xiqi.
The Immortal in Flame from Fire Dragon Island
Luo Xuan comes from Fire Dragon Island and belongs to the Jie tradition. He is not presented simply as a meditative Daoist. He rides into battle, wields paired swords, and fights directly in the charge.
When he confronts Xiqi, he rides the Red-Smoke Steed and meets Jiang Ziya with his two Flying-Smoke Swords. Nezha, Yang Jian, Huang Tianhua, Lei Zhenzi, Tuxingsun, and Weihu then surround him. Facing many opponents, Luo Xuan immediately reveals a three-headed, six-armed form.
Three Heads, Six Arms, and Six Weapons
In this form, his six hands divide a complete set of weapons and treasures:
- Heaven-Illuminating Seal
- Five-Dragon Wheel
- Ten-Thousand-Crow Pot
- Ten-Thousand-Li Cloud-Smoke
- two Flying-Smoke Swords
The configuration makes him a classic multi-weapon divine-warrior figure. His pressure comes from an entire fire arsenal rather than one object. The Five-Dragon Wheel can knock Huang Tianhua from the Jade Qilin, while Ten-Thousand-Li Cloud-Smoke can be fired into a city to start conflagrations.
Burning Xiqi
Luo Xuan’s most famous episode is the burning of Xiqi. At night he and Liu Huan enter by fire escape and use Ten-Thousand-Li Cloud-Smoke and other treasures to ignite the city. Palaces, the prime minister’s residence, and ordinary homes are swallowed by flame.
He becomes more than a champion fighting before the lines: he becomes a disaster for the whole city. Princess Longji finally arrives, takes the Five-Dragon Wheel and Ten-Thousand-Li Cloud-Smoke with the Four-Seas Bottle, and suppresses the flames with water. Luo Xuan loses his advantage, retreats, and is ultimately killed.
Fire Virtue Star Lord
At the investiture, Luo Xuan is appointed the orthodox deity of the Southern Three-Qi Fire Virtue Star Lord and commands the gods of the Fire Department.
His investiture continues the same association with fire: the Immortal in Flame who burns Xiqi becomes the Fire Virtue Star Lord and commands the Fire Department.
