In the novels, Duan Zhixing was the ruler of Dali and one of the Five Greats, the five most powerful martial artists in the jianghu (martial artists' community) of his time, alongside Wang Chongyang, Huang Yaoshi, Ouyang Feng and Hong Qigong.

By the time of the events of the first novel, Duan Zhixing has abdicated and become a Buddhist monk under the name "Reverend Yideng" (一燈大師; Yīdēng Dàshī).

Towards the end of the novel, he shows up again to help Guo Jing and Huang Rong deal with a minor villain, Qiu Qianren, whom he saves from death and accepts as an apprentice.

Yideng appears in Passionless Valley to help the protagonists Yang Guo and Xiaolongnü deal with the villains Gongsun Zhi and Qiu Qianchi, and briefly participates in the Battle of Xiangyang against the Mongols.

At the end of the novel, he retains his position as one of the Five Greats in the jianghu but his nickname changes to "Southern Monk" (南僧; nán sēng) to reflect his new status.