Zhou Shan

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Zhou Shan (周山)
Alias(es)	Gu Santong 61
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Iron Shirt Sect (former); Black Armored Army (former); Eight Extremes Heavenly Sect; Dayan Sacred Land 6 48 96 121
Occupation/Role	Martial artist; former Black Armored Army Commander; Demon Slaying Squad leader; Dayan Sacred Land Holy Son 36 103 121
Status	Alive; Quasi-Emperor 134
First Appearance	Chapter 2 2

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Eagle Claw Iron Shirt — 1 year cultivation	2	Nine Breaths Assimilation raises his cultivation to one year in a single day.
Eagle Claw Iron Shirt — 10 years cultivation	4	Uses his apparent Innate Divine Strength as an explanation for his abnormal growth.
Eagle Claw Iron Shirt — Perfection / 60 years cultivation	6	Unlocks Bronze Skin Iron Bones and Pierce Stone Through Metal.
Superclass Martial Artist — 72 years cultivation	16	Golden Bell Shield reaches 72 years; gains Toxin Resistance, Shock Reversal, and Internal Force Bodyguard.
Aperture-Opening Realm — first aperture	27	Reaches perfect Accumulation Realm and opens his first qi aperture.
Peak Aperture-Opening Realm — 208 years cultivation	36	Completes 208 years in the Golden Bell Shield and gains Spit Qi Like Arrows.
Innate Realm Grandmaster	48	Refines Internal Force into Innate True Qi; Nine Breaths Assimilation begins absorbing Spiritual Qi directly.
Late Innate Realm — 454 years cultivation	56	Second transformation of Profound Fire Three Transformations doubles his True Qi intensity and supports Qi Condensation into Armor.
Golden Bell Shield — Perfection / 500 years cultivation	65	Achieves poison immunity, Triple Shockwave, Qi Condensation Armor, and an Impervious Body.
First Blood Transmutation Grandmaster — 502 years cultivation	66	Completes his first Marrow Cleansing Blood Change; Indestructible Vajra Skill gains Body Becomes Vajra.
Third Blood Transmutation — 1,000 years cultivation	77	Uses two Blood Flame Fruits to complete his third Marrow Cleansing Blood Change and gain Fiery Rage.
Fourth Blood Transmutation — 1,255 years cultivation	81	Strengthens his Rage trait and spiritual power.
Sixth Blood Transmutation	85 86	Masters Saber Intent and reaches the sixth Blood Transmutation stage.
Seventh Blood Transmutation — 2,003 years cultivation	89	Gains Vajra Intent and enters the realm of Legendary Figures.
Ninth Blood Transmutation — 2,503 years cultivation	94	Completes all nine Marrow Cleansings and Blood Changes; gains Flame Intent and Lightning Intent.
Earth Origin Realm	95	Refines Profound Yin Black Fiend Qi, True Qi, and mental power into True Essence Mana.
Earth Origin Realm — Perfection / 300 years mana	97	Perfects Darkness True Intent and becomes nearly invincible within the Earth Origin Realm.
Heaven Origin Realm — Perfection	101	Perfects two True Intents and slays two Heaven Origin Realm Demon Warriors.
Core Origin Realm	103	Condenses yin and yang mana into an Origin Pill; True Intents transform into Domains.
Four-turn Core Origin Realm	105	After five years of seclusion, surpasses the Great Li Dynasty's Martial Kings.
Five-turn Core Origin Realm	109	Refines the Nine Spirit Yuan Pill and commands ten major Domains.
Nine-turn Core Origin Realm	112	Reaches Core Origin perfection after a year of cultivation at Dayan Sacred Land.
Nascent Soul Realm	114	Awakens a strengthened state of Nine Breaths Assimilation and develops incorporeality through Upright Shadowless.
Nascent Soul Second Layer — Body Manifestation Realm	124	Awakens the Heavenly Overlord Body, All-Encompassing Will, and Extract Primordial Yang.
Nascent Soul Fifth Layer — Heavenly Human Realm	125	Breaks through three layers within half a year after defeating one hundred demon prodigies.
Nascent Soul Eighth Layer	130	Absorbs Space Crystals, creates a Cave Heaven resurrection anchor, and triggers a Great Emperor Inheritance.
Nascent Soul Ninth Layer — Creation Realm	132	Consumes a Creation Sacred Medicine and begins cultivating the Myriad Dao Sword Body.
World Realm / Saint Realm	134	Uses Sacred Medicines and Weaving Creation to transform his Power of Law into Sacred Dao Law.
Peak Saint King Realm	134	Advances through the World Realm after mastering the complete Thirty-Six Heavenly Spirits Arts.
Quasi-Emperor	134	His Qi Luck Token becomes an Emperor Dao Qi Luck Law and merges into his body.

Background / History

Zhou Shan begins as a mine laborer after a bandit attack leaves only him and his roommate Huang Yun alive from their group. He awakens the Nine Breaths Assimilation talent, conceals its extraordinary cultivation speed, and publicly attributes his strength to Innate Divine Strength. 2 4

After defeating Zhang Hu and his followers, Zhou Shan rises within the Iron Shirt Sect, becoming captain of one of its three small teams. He later joins the Black Armored Army as a Centurion after displaying thirty years of cultivation power, then becomes a Captain and eventually Commander. 4 6 7 26 36

His service to the Black Armored Army ends after he kills Meng Yan of the Guiyuan Sect’s Law Enforcement Hall and Black Armored Guard Captain Liu Jianshan. Zhou Shan withdraws to the Wushan Mountains, breaks through to the Innate Realm, and pursues cultivation independently. 48

Appearance

Zhou Shan’s rapid body cultivation makes him noticeably more robust even during his time as a miner. His physique later supports transformations that greatly increase his size and physical presence. 2 75 81

• Bulging muscles in his hands, arms, shoulders, and back after beginning cultivation. 2
• Thickened skin and a sturdier build from Eagle Claw Iron Shirt. 2
• Can alter his height and weight through the Giant Vajra transformation. 75
• Can expand to nearly four meters tall while activating Body Transforms into Vajra. 81

Personality

Zhou Shan is pragmatic and survival-oriented. He initially states that he does not seek wealth or fame, only enough strength to protect himself in a dangerous world. 4

He is highly independent, preferring solitude over servants or retainers, and repeatedly chooses secluded cultivation to avoid political entanglements and strengthen himself. 48 54 96

As Commander in Luyang County, Zhou Shan acts decisively against criminals, gangs, and powerful families involved in serious crimes, gaining the common people’s respect. His mercy toward enemies is limited; those who threaten him are treated as enemies to be killed. 36 87

Abilities & Skills

Nine Breaths Assimilation

Zhou Shan’s core talent continuously absorbs ambient energy and converts it into cultivation.

• Raises his cultivation by approximately one year per day during his early martial path. 2 49
• Evolves after his Innate Realm breakthrough, allowing him to absorb Spiritual Qi and convert it directly into Innate True Qi. 48 49
• Allows simultaneous absorption of Spiritual Qi and Earth Fiend Qi, enabling unusually rapid mana and Intent growth. 97
• At the Nascent Soul Realm, can increase his cultivation within a single breath; its effectiveness rises with his realm. 114

Body Cultivation and Indestructible Vajra Skill

Zhou Shan’s defensive cultivation develops from Eagle Claw Iron Shirt and Golden Bell Shield into the Indestructible Vajra Skill.

• Bronze Skin Iron Bones — reinforces his body and supports bare-handed weapon breaking. 6 14
• Leakless / Impervious Body — removes conventional weak points; martial artists below the Innate Realm cannot harm him even when he does not circulate True Qi. 49
• Qi Condensation Armor — forms True Qi armor capable of resisting opponents below the Marrow Cleansing level. 56
• Body Transforms into Vajra — turns his body golden and drastically increases his physique, strength, and size. 66 81
• Giant Spirit and Rage — gained through repeated Marrow Cleansing Blood Changes, further enhancing his physical power. 77 81
• Vajra, Flame, and Lightning Intents — acquired through later Blood Transmutation breakthroughs. 89 94

Saber Arts

Zhou Shan specializes in saber combat and develops both physical and spiritual offense through the Overlord Saber Art.

• Eagle Claw Iron Shirt — his earliest martial art; its claws can pierce stone and metal and once shattered Yi Shaofeng’s sword. 6 14
• Overlord Saber Art — requires nurturing saber qi, gathering saber momentum, and eventually condensing Saber Intent. 64 67
• Weapon Forging Secret Art — forges True Qi into a saber within his body, allowing him to establish the second level of Overlord Saber Art, Gathering Saber Momentum. 68
• Saber Intent — attacks opponents on the spiritual level and can damage or destroy their consciousness. 85 87
• Great Sun Burning Heaven Saber — combines Saber Intent with Flame Intent into a destructive dual-Intent saber art. 89

Blood Origin Skill and Secret Techniques

Zhou Shan supplements his body cultivation with techniques that enhance his True Qi and blood essence.

• Profound Fire Three Transformations — increases True Qi intensity; he completes all three transformations with Profound Fire Pills. 54 67
• Blood Origin Skill — creates a Blood Crystal to store surplus qi and blood, enabling blood-burning bursts of power. 73
• Blood Burning — trades stored qi and blood for a temporary increase in strength. 65 73
• Giant Vajra — allows him to alter his height, weight, and appearance for disguise. 75

Domains, Laws, and Mana Cultivation

After entering the Earth Origin Realm, Zhou Shan cultivates True Essence Mana, Domains, and Laws.

• Black Heaven True Scripture — grants Darkness and Heavenly Fire power, which later develop into Domains. 103
• Thousand-Hand Vajra True Scripture — grants Heavenly Water and Great Earth Domains. 105
• Ten major Domains — includes Darkness, Skyfire, Earth, Water, Skywind, Heavenly Thunder, Gold, Blade Dao, Slaughter, and Blood. 109
• Eighteen completed Laws — includes Darkness, Fire, Water, Earth, Wind, Lightning, Metal, Blade, Slaughter, Blood, Illusion, Sword, Wood, Soil, Spirit, Devouring, Ice, and Star Laws. 117
• Sacred Dao Law — his Laws transform into Sacred Dao Law after reaching the World Realm. 134

Innate Divine Abilities

Zhou Shan gains and eventually completes the Thirty-Six Heavenly Spirits Arts.

• Upright Shadowless — grants incorporeality and concealment that can deceive higher-realm cultivators. 113 114
• Dragon Subduing Tiger Taming — supports his overwhelming physical strength and lets him subdue the Nine-Headed Golden Lion. 117 118
• All-Encompassing Will — enables Heaven and Earth Manifestation, drawing on the power of heaven and earth for higher-level combat strength. 124 125
• Extract Primordial Yang — acquired upon reaching Nascent Soul Second Layer. 124
• Shift Stars and Change Constellations — conceals his heavenly secrets and counters attempts to deduce his location. 126
• Turn Stone into Gold — alters matter and neutralizes incoming attacks. 132
• Return Heaven Reverse Sun — permits perception of past causes and effects. 130
• Weaving Creation — greatly accelerates his transition from Nascent Soul to the World Realm. 134

Heavenly Overlord Body

Zhou Shan awakens the second-generation Heavenly Overlord Body after refining Overlord Blood Grass.

• Enhances his physical strength and defense through unique purple Overlord Blood. 124
• Combines with All-Encompassing Will and Dragon Subduing Tiger Taming to produce combat power comparable to higher Nascent Soul layers. 125
• Is a transmissible physique, unlike his personal innate talents. 124

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Dragon Slaying Saber — used to unleash the Overlord Saber Art’s Unity Style and kill Blood Transmutation Grandmasters. 76
• Profound Iron Saber — acquired as a durable medium for nurturing saber qi. 65
• Outer-Domain Star Iron — rare material Zhou Shan brings to Heavenly Sword Manor for weapon forging. 65 67
• High-grade crimson saber — taken after killing Blazing Fire Sect expert Mo Feng. 87
• Black Nightmare Saber — used to kill a Corpse Demon. 98
• Flying Immortal Emperor Sword — chosen in the Flying Immortal Sword Tomb after passing the Flying Immortal Great Emperor’s assessment. 133
• Mustard Seed Bag — stores his possessions and Spirit Stones. 86 87
• Purple Cloud Eagle — his permanent flying mount from the Eight Extremes Heavenly Sect. 101
• Nine-Headed Golden Lion — demon race Holy Son subdued as Zhou Shan’s mount. 118 134

Relationships

• Huang Yun — Zhou Shan’s roommate and fellow miner; Huang Yun supports him early on and believes Zhou Shan’s strength comes from Innate Divine Strength. 2 4
• Zhang Hu — miner who attempts to extort Zhou Shan and Huang Yun; Zhou Shan defeats him and forces his group to mine for them. 2 4
• Chen Tianhu — Commander of the Black Armored Army who appoints Zhou Shan as a Centurion and assigns him an escort mission. 7
• Wang Ping — Black Armored Army captain who initially envies Zhou Shan but seeks a friendship with him. 6 7
• Fang Yuan — Black Armored Army General who offers Zhou Shan a task for a top-tier technique and previously grants him the Indestructible Vajra Skill. 12 66
• Yi Tianling — Manor Lord of Heavenly Sword Manor; teaches Zhou Shan the Weapon Forging Secret Art. 67 68
• He Yong — Centurion ordered by Zhou Shan to investigate Xu Haoyu’s whereabouts. 36
• Tie Muzhen — Great Yuan prodigy who later recognizes Zhou Shan as a Grand Elder of the Eight Extremes Heavenly Sect but does not connect him to the Zhou Shan he once knew. 85 105
• Nine-Headed Golden Lion / Shi Kuang — demon race Holy Son subdued as Zhou Shan’s mount; remains with him when he is expelled from the Land of Returning Ruins. 118 134

Story Role / Major Arcs

• Miner and Iron Shirt Sect disciple — Awakens Nine Breaths Assimilation, survives mine life, defeats Zhang Hu, and rises to captain within the Iron Shirt Sect. 2 4 6
• Black Armored Army officer — Joins as a Centurion, earns a Captain position, leads bandit suppression operations, and becomes Commander in Luyang County. 7 17 26 36
• Break with the Guiyuan Sect — Kills Meng Yan and Liu Jianshan, abandons the Black Armored Army, and enters seclusion to reach the Innate Realm. 48
• Gu Santong and Yun Province Grandmaster — Competes for Golden Fruits in disguise, kills Innate Realm Grandmasters, develops saber techniques, and destroys the Blood Fiend Sect and Nine Cauldrons Sect. 61 73 80
• Blood Transmutation powerhouse — Completes nine Blood Transmutations, acquires multiple Intents, and becomes one of the strongest martial artists of the Central Plains. 77 89 94
• Eight Extremes Heavenly Sect and Demon Slaying Squad — Joins the Eight Extremes Heavenly Sect, becomes a true disciple and Grand Elder, eliminates Demon Warriors, and leads operations against the Myriad Demon Sect. 96 101 103 105
• Heavenly Pride Battle and Dayan Sacred Land — Reveals his nine-star talent, is recruited by the Martial Dao Sacred Lands, and becomes Dayan Sacred Land’s Holy Son. 104 110 112
• Land of Returning Ruins — Defeats demon race prodigies, reaches first place on the Heavenly Pride Ranking, acquires a Great Emperor Inheritance, and advances from Nascent Soul to Quasi-Emperor. 121 126 130 134

Notable Quotes

“In this chaotic world, with constant warfare, I don't seek great wealth or success. Having the ability to protect myself is enough.” 4

“Towards enemies, I always have only one word: kill!” 87