Reign

In 1174, Gao Guanyinlong (高觀音隆) removed Gao Shouchang (高壽昌), the Duke of Zhong (中國公), from power and replaced him with Gao Zhenming (高貞明; Gao Shouchang's nephew). In November, Aji (阿機; Gao Mingqing's grandson) rebelled and ousted Gao Zhenming, restoring Gao Shouchang back to his grand chancellor position. Gao Zhenming then occupied Heqing (鶴慶) and proclaimed himself the Duke of Ming (明國公). (In 1190, Gao Zhenming died and was given the posthumous name Emperor Yidi Weitian Congming Ren 義地威天聰明仁帝) Two years later (1176), Gao Guanyinlong's son, Gao Guanyinmiao, rebelled in Baiya (白崖), made himself grand chancellor, and deposed Gao Shouchang. Soon after, Gao Guanyinmiao died, and the position of grand chancellor was succeeded by his younger brother, Gao Guanyinzheng.

Duan initiated several construction projects in Dali. Being a devout Buddhist like his predecessors, he repaired 16 Buddhist temples in 1190. In 1195, he ordered the building of defensive infrastructure at crucial entry points into Dali. Five years later, he died and was succeeded by his son, Duan Zhilian (段智廉).

Era names

Duan Zhixing had five era names in the twenty-eight years of his reign.

• Lizhen (利貞; 1172–1175)

• Shengde (盛德; 1176–1180)

• Jiahui (嘉會; 1181–1184)

• Yuanheng (元亨; 1185–1196?)

• Anding (安定; 1197–1200)

In fiction

Duan Zhixing is fictionalised as a character in the wuxia novels The Legend of the Condor Heroes and The Return of the Condor Heroes by Jin Yong. 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. His nickname is "Southern Emperor" (南帝 nán dì|labels=no) and his signature skill is the Yiyang Finger (一陽指 yīyáng zhǐ|labels=no), which allows him to project streams of energy from his fingers. He also learnt the First Heaven Skill (先天功 xiāntiāngōng|labels=no), an inner energy skill, from Wang Chongyang in exchange for teaching the latter the Yiyang Finger. He is the descendant of Duan Yu, a protagonist in Demi-God and Semi-Devils.

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|labels=no). He makes his first appearance when the protagonist Guo Jing and his love interest Huang Rong seek help from him after Huang Rong is critically wounded, and he uses his skills to heal Huang Rong of her internal injuries. 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 makes brief appearances in the second novel. By then, Dali has been conquered by the Mongol Empire, which is also at war with the Song Empire. 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|labels=no) to reflect his new status.