Ying Zhou

Biodata

Power Progression

Ying Zhou’s principal path is bloodline tempering, with Internal Cultivation serving a secondary role. His combat strength therefore exceeds what his numbered cultivation level alone suggests 1105.

Background / History

Childhood and the Orphanage

Ying Zhou initially enjoyed a happy childhood with both parents. Everything changed on his seventh birthday: his father, Qin Wujun, returned bloodstained without his mother and confined him in a basement. What Qin called preparation for future imprisonment consisted of coercive interrogation, beatings, starvation, murder planning, and forced killing of animals 619.

Ying Zhou eventually escaped and encountered a member of the Mohist Knight Guard. Qin Wujun was imprisoned for child abuse and murder after Ying Zhou’s mother’s dismembered remains were discovered in a lake. Threats against anyone who adopted his son prevented Ying Zhou from finding another family 9 619.

Qin later claimed that he had arranged the orphanage placement himself. He chose Minggui Orphanage because its small number of residents seemed unlikely to disrupt the life he had planned for Ying Zhou 620 654.

Si Ming’s Intervention and Music

By his first appearance, Ying Zhou was hostile, isolated, and accustomed to fighting. When Si Ming intervened as students chased him, Ying Zhou angrily rejected the help. A teacher’s subsequent victim-blaming reinforced his belief that adults protected the powerful and despised children like him 9 19.

Si Ming later found him mutilating a kitten’s corpse and defeated him. Ying Zhou admitted that he wanted to change but feared that sharing his father’s blood doomed him to become the same kind of person. Si Ming challenged that fatalism, arguing that his ancestry extended beyond his father and that he could choose which ancestors to honor through his conduct 20 22.

At Si Ming’s suggestion, Ying Zhou tried rock music. Drumming gave him both an outlet and the unfamiliar pleasure of measurable achievement; Si Ming soon saw him smiling while absorbed in practice 22 24.

Becoming Murong Wu’s Elder Brother

Ying Zhou initially resented Murong Wu’s sheltered upbringing. He envied the affection Murong Wu had received from his father and sister, interpreting the younger boy’s timidity as weakness 218.

Murong Wu nevertheless admired Ying Zhou’s toughness and asked him to teach him how to be manly. Unaccustomed to admiration, Ying Zhou accepted the role, beginning with lessons in swearing and later encouraging aggressive behavior. Murong Qing repeatedly intervened to keep him from corrupting her brother 218 219 240 250.

Their bond gradually became genuine. When Qin Wujun returned, protecting Murong Wu gave Ying Zhou the resolve to resist rather than surrender to his childhood terror. He subsequently called Murong Wu his friend, then hastily tried to disguise the admission by calling him an “underling” 621 624.

Confrontations with Qin Wujun

Qin Wujun’s reappearance initially reduced Ying Zhou to trembling helplessness. By fighting back with the Brahma Sea Asura Art, however, Ying Zhou discovered that his father was neither invincible nor beyond resistance. Si Ming recognized his successful punch as a breakthrough against his psychological barrier and arranged further training at the Mohist Knight Guard base 620 621 624.

During the island demon tide, Qin abducted Murong Wu and lured Ying Zhou into another confrontation. He used an illusion array and the Conquest Demon Saber’s slaughtering intent to force his son toward a bloodline-driven loss of control 919 920.

The confrontation ended with Qin mortally wounded. Against his father’s insistence that shared blood would eventually make them alike, Ying Zhou declared that he possessed something Qin did not: a family formed through trust, guidance, and responsibility rather than blood 921 922 923.

Performer and Martial Combat Star

Ying Zhou became a young idol, though he continued to struggle with ordinary friendship. He wanted to perform as a lead singer rather than a backup dancer; when Si Ming threw him onto a concert stage, he reluctantly improvised a martial display with Murong Qing 522 535.

Xiong Aixin later recruited him into the Tange Martial Arts Hall Alliance. His strength increased dramatically after accompanying Si Ming to the Northern Continent, turning him from a regular competitor into the team’s ace. His fierce saber style and formerly frequent crimson eyes earned him the nickname Ghost-Eyed Mad Blade 1018.

He continued recording music, releasing a solo album through Auntie Liu’s company. His combined musical and martial popularity became comparable to that of a major second-tier star. He subsequently entered Linked Mountains University and became a key undefeated contributor to its Martial Dao League team 1018 1105.

Warfare and Later Journeys

During the human–demon war, Ying Zhou fought alongside Si Ming and Si Huaruo in a campaign that killed twelve Demon Generals. He personally finished a golden scorpion Demon General after his companions stunned and froze it 931.

Later battles exposed the limits of raw aggression. Against the Black Armor General, he could sustain himself only by using special moves to compensate for inferior strength and stamina. Guidance from Xia Guanxue and Si Ming eventually helped him reconcile his killing intent with a calm mind 1116 1119 1124 1126 1127.

He continued traveling and fighting with Si Ming’s group, including visiting the Demon-Suppressing Pagoda, battling Cang Baiyi alongside Xia Guanxue, and entering Li State to investigate the Witch Gu Sect. During the later northern journey, the Gu-enhanced Silver Wolf King gravely wounded him in a single exchange 1178 1217 1225 1250.

Final Conflict and Legacy

Ying Zhou and Xia Guanxue eventually fought over betrayal and incompatible convictions. Both suffered devastating wounds; Xia Guanxue’s sword pierced Ying Zhou’s chest and tore through his internal organs, while Ying Zhou’s saber split open Xia Guanxue’s torso. Their final exchange left Ying Zhou searching for Xia Guanxue’s true body within spreading darkness 1279.

Ying Zhou survived to distinguish himself in the war between the righteous and demonic paths. After obtaining the Dark Sun Heavenly Venerable’s remaining power, he reunited with Xia Guanxue to slay the Devil Master. Despite fighting for the Mohist School throughout his life, he refused to formally join it 1281.

Appearance

• Hair: Long, dark hair; as a child, his bangs concealed his angry expression from his teacher. His later hairstyle is conspicuously unruly 19 619 1029.
• Build: Tall and slender, with long, slender fingers 619 917.
• Face and expression: Sharp, wild-looking eyes and a rugged face described as though carved by saber and axe 619 918.
• Bloodline activation: His eyes can turn crimson, with fine veins standing out on his forehead. These visible changes become less common as he grows strong enough to defeat opponents without activating his bloodline 1018 1029.

Personality

Ying Zhou’s early aggression is inseparable from abuse, social rejection, and fear of becoming his father. He distrusts authority, despises lectures, and treats vulnerability as something dangerous to display. Even hospitalization provokes vows of revenge rather than an admission of distress 19 67 219.

Proud and deeply concerned with saving face, he maintains a cold public image and often covers embarrassment with insults. His claim that friends weaken people contrasts with his attachment to the orphanage residents and his inability to dismiss Murong Wu’s trust 522 535 624.

His moral development does not make him gentle. He remains excited by violence against criminals, but increasingly risks himself to protect others—including former opponents. His rescue of Lü Mo during the demon tide and his rejection of Qin Wujun’s worldview mark a decisive departure from his earlier cruelty 854 918 923.

His understanding of strength also changes. What begins as admiration for intimidation and “wolf-like” ruthlessness develops into an elder brother’s obligation to protect, shoulder danger, and keep faith with others 619 621 913 1153.

Abilities & Skills

Asura Bloodline and Brahma Sea Asura Art

The Brahma Sea Asura Art, taught by Si Ming, allows Ying Zhou to refine his inherited Asura power rather than simply endure uncontrolled berserk episodes 621.

• Accelerated cultivation: His natural bloodline lets him bypass a preparatory step required by ordinary practitioners 621.
• Asura Divine Power: Supplies exceptional physical force and formidable unarmed attacks, even when he loses his saber 1127.
• Independent reserve of power: His bloodline remains usable when his True Qi is emptied, allowing him to break free and counterattack 942.
• Physical resilience: Can withstand shock waves bodily even when companions must defend with cultivation or retreat 1242.
• Limit: Spirit Transformation-level fighting power does not make him a true Spirit Transformation Grandmaster. His spiritual sense lacks the corresponding refinement and cannot withstand intense Sword Intent and fist-intent interference 1242.

Mental Cultivation

His Buddhist mental arts help him resist both inherited killing impulses and outside interference 909 920.

• Bodhi Heart Art: Clears agitation and intrusive thoughts stirred by the Conquest Demon Saber 909.
• Prajna Demon-Subduing Heart Method: Resists Qin Wujun’s illusion array and suppresses bloodline killing intent, though the saber’s influence initially overwhelms that resistance 920.
• Divine Intent Halts Slaughter: Lets him remain mentally calm while filled with killing intent, as though observing himself from outside 1127.
• Limit: Merely releasing his devilish intent is unsafe; his first attempt causes him to lose reason, forcing Si Ming to knock him unconscious 1126.

Five Demon Fists

Ying Zhou uses animal-inspired fist techniques and can switch between them during an exchange 21 44.

• Tiger, Ape, and Ox techniques: Include Fierce Tiger Descends the Mountain, Ape Leaps Across the Ravine, Ape Splits Three Mountains, and Ox Demon Charge 21 44.
• Vulture Demon Fist: A family inheritance whose only known version was passed down in his family 22.
• Vulture Demon Bone Shattering: A descending attack with a concealed kicking variation. Its airborne commitment makes a failed strike dangerous for the user 44.
• Snake Demon Zigzag Movement: Uses whip-like leg movements to counter a rapid kicking assault 854.
• Practical experience: Demonstrates trained instincts by evading an unexpected attack before turning to identify the attacker 20.

Saber Arts

His characteristic style is fierce, broad, and overpowering, but later training adds precise control and yielding defense 917 1029 1142.

• Chan Sea Saber Technique: Its Buddhist character benefits greatly from the Heavenly Dragon World-Delivering Pagoda’s support, enabling him to sever chains and dispel curses and resentment 1189.
• Compassionate Body Precept Thunderclap: Creates a dense defense against incoming attacks 904.
• Wondrous Great Cloud of Compassionate Intent: Produces a sweeping, wave-like saber attack; he later understands its soft, defensive essence more deeply 909 1142.
• Universal Radiance Illuminates the World / Wisdom Sun Dispels All Darkness: Radiant saber moves used to break powerful attacks 904 1029.
• Burning Wood Saber Art: Generates enough heat to burn vulnerable spider silk. His proficiency is rudimentary, with heat sufficient to ignite paper rather than produce an overwhelming flame attack 918.
• Cloud Thunder Drums and Lightning Flashes: Merges wielder and saber into a direct, lightning-fast thrust 1123.
• Asura Tempers the Heart, Crosses the Brahma Sea: Uses rapidly trembling saber shadows to cancel incoming force, then gathers those shadows into a concentrated counterattack 1143.
• Other documented techniques: Asura Flame Blade, Heart-Severing Sword Technique, and Heart-Rending, Lung-Splitting Piercing Thunder 1126 1279.

Music and Performance

• Drumming: His first constructive outlet for aggression and a skill he continues practicing after becoming a martial combat star 24 1018.
• Recording: Releases a solo album while maintaining his competitive martial career 1018.
• Stage combat: Improvises a convincing performance with Murong Qing through their familiarity with one another’s training habits 535.
• Limit: Understanding drumming does not extend to understanding the zither; he fails to grasp the significance of music that others recognize 988.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Conquest Demon Saber — A long black, high-grade divine weapon associated with Qin Wujun. Its exceptional sharpness can sever lesser divine weapons and penetrate Qin’s metal-like body. Its “conquest” saber soul can also stir Ying Zhou’s bloodline instincts and threaten his self-control 904 905 909 921.
• Wooden saber — Used against Yun Haoran in competition; sufficient for Ying Zhou to maintain an apparently impenetrable barrier of saber Qi against hidden weapons 1020.
• Improvised broom — Used as a saber during his cemetery duel with Xia Guanxue, channeling force through its twigs while protecting the surrounding graves 1029.

Relationships

• Si Ming — Fellow orphanage resident, mentor, and trusted companion. Introduces him to drumming, teaches him the Brahma Sea Asura Art, and helps him confront both his father and his own killing intent 22 24 621 1127.
• Murong Wu — Initially an object of envy, later his cherished younger-brother figure. Murong Wu’s admiration gives Ying Zhou a sense of responsibility, and Ying Zhou repeatedly risks himself to protect him 218 219 621 1108.
• Murong Qing — Strict disciplinarian and martial instructor. Corrects his habits and treatment of Murong Wu; by the time Si Ming returns from a long absence, Ying Zhou readily accepts her encouragement to study 250 517 535.
• Yao Bilian — Nominal guardian and persistent teaser. Takes a turn caring for him in hospital, though her provocations frequently leave him angry or speechless 67 68.
• Qin Wujun — Abusive father and chief source of his childhood trauma. Attempts to control his life and force him to embrace a murderous interpretation of his bloodline 619 620 920.
• Xia Tingyu — Former girlfriend and Xia Guanxue’s younger sister. Their relationship becomes one source of tension between Ying Zhou and Xia Guanxue 894 1031.
• Xia Guanxue — Rival, sparring partner, and battlefield companion. Their relationship includes mutual criticism, protective cooperation, and an eventual violent rupture; they ultimately reunite to kill the Devil Master 1029 1108 1127 1279 1281.
• Lü Mo — Former opponent whom he rescues during the demon tide. Later sends him a letter from Germany, prompting Yao Bilian to tease him about a new sweetheart; a confirmed romance is not established 918 1031.
• Xiong Aixin — Schoolmate who recruits him into the Tange Martial Arts Hall Alliance by invoking her experience fighting alongside Si Ming 1018.

Notable Quotes

“I'm not alone. I've found partners willing to help me. I won't let you lock me up again!” 621

“I kill when I want to kill, and I save people when I want to save them. It's none of your business, and you have no right to interfere!” 920

“I'll never become someone like you, because you have no family, and I do.” 923

Trivia

• His Claw King nickname comes from mastering shopping-district claw machines after obtaining machines to study and practice on. His expertise makes him particularly admired by their female customers 619.
• The “Ghost-Eyed” portion of Ghost-Eyed Mad Blade refers specifically to the crimson eyes caused by bloodline activation, while “Mad Blade” describes his overbearing saber style 1018.
• His combination of music, arrogance, aloofness, and fierce martial ability prompts Si Ming to compare him to Iori Yagami 1018.
• During a Mid-Autumn drinking contest, both he and Xia Guanxue unknowingly consume Medicine King Valley wine containing stupefying incense and pass out 1152.