Fu Zhizhou

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Fu Zhizhou (傅志舟)
Alias(es)	Heavenly Corpse Fiend; Kou Sizhou
Species/Race	Human cultivator; later possesses a half-demon, corpse-path body
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Righteous Society; formerly an offering elder of the Moonrest Zhao Family
Occupation/Role	Former Military Affairs Assistant; hired blade/blade-catcher; combat cultivator
First Appearance	Chapter 36

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
First-Class Martial Scholar	38	Placed second in the Martial Arts Examination.
Qi Sensing Realm	61	Sensed qi while cultivating the Five-Element Spirit-Nurturing Body; inner qi was born in his meridians.
Qi Refinement, Sixth Layer	99	Reached the sixth layer, but an unstable foundation and pill toxins caused his attempt at the seventh-layer bottleneck to fail.
Qi Refinement, Seventh Layer	110	Broke through after taking a Qi-Expelling Pill and resolving his mental burden over repeated failure.
Foundation Establishment	132	Succeeded using a Foundation Condensation Pill and the Demon Soul Foundation Method rather than waiting for a Foundation Establishment Pill.
Foundation Establishment, Middle Stage	198	Cultivated both body and Dharma after entering the Moonrest Zhao Family.
Golden Core Realm	450	Operated under the identity of the Heavenly Corpse Fiend and possessed Golden Core-level corpse-path methods.
Nascent Soul Realm	553, 559	Formed a Nascent Soul on Cloudsun Island; the Soul-Devouring Wood strengthened his soul enough to overcome the spirit-awakening barrier.
Nascent Soul, Middle Stage	626	Advanced after continuing to cultivate and absorb demonic qi.
Quasi-Spirit Transformation	801, 811	Approached Spirit Transformation after absorbing Pingchen's demonic qi; entered Demon-Sealing Cave seeking further transformation.

Background

Fu Zhizhou was born into a military family in Xiao Yi Prefecture. By eighteen, he had passed the Provincial Martial Arts Examination and become a Martial Graduate, giving him superior status, family connections, and martial prospects compared with his future sworn brothers. He later remained in Qing Feng Prefecture as an eighth-rank Military Affairs Assistant, choosing the leisurely post so he could pursue immortality rather than worldly advancement. 45 60

He first encountered Wei Tu while both men refused Prefect He's demand that Martial Masters infiltrate Wu Yun Tower. Fu judged the operation too dangerous, dismissed its rewards, and noted that Prefect He had only one year left in office. He then proposed gathering more refusers and forming a sworn brotherhood after leaving the yamen. 36

Fu, Wei Tu, Wei Fei, and Kou Liang subsequently swore themselves into the Righteous Society. Fu retained the best examination ranking among the four and used his family connections to help secure military appointments for the others. 38 60 71

Appearance

Fu Zhizhou is a rugged man whose bearing reflects his origins as a martial official and his later life as a battle-hardened rogue cultivator. When facing his Nascent Soul tribulation, he appeared in fitted black clothing and carried a talisman-covered bright silver spear. 559

• Often carries a bright silver spear, retaining a mortal martial artist's weapon and fighting style even as a high-level cultivator. 110 451 559
• Has used a bamboo hat, black veil, and the identity of the Heavenly Corpse Fiend to conceal his true identity. 450 451
• Later develops a half-demon body after absorbing Pingchen's demonic qi. 759

Personality

Fu Zhizhou is ambitious, proud, and unusually willing to risk his life for advancement. He abandoned the security of office, family, and ordinary cultivation in favor of becoming a blade-catcher, believing dangerous work was his fastest route toward Foundation Establishment. 83 84 126

His pursuit of immortality initially made him severe toward family obligations. He severed his mortal ties and withheld resources from his children, convinced that descendants had to walk their own paths. This decision later became a source of regret, especially after his failed breakthrough and prolonged estrangement from the Righteous Society. 86 89 110

Despite this severity, Fu consistently demonstrates loyalty when lives are at stake. He promised to care for Wei Tu's family if Wei Tu failed to return from the besieged Prefectural City, risked himself to protect Wei Tu in later conflicts, and ultimately endangered his life to rescue his son Fu Lin. 78 450 451

He is also calculating and meticulous. As a Nascent Soul cultivator, he successfully baited the Earth Spider Matriarch into exposing Sect Master Gu's trail, handled covert relocation work for Wei Tu, and developed survival methods suited to years spent in demonic territory. 565 661

Abilities & Skills

Martial Arts and Spiritual-Martial Unity

Fu was a leading Martial Arts Examination contender before entering the Immortal Way. His fistwork, footwork, and stance training had already reached great mastery before he sensed qi. 36 58

After becoming a cultivator, he fused mundane martial methods with spiritual power, achieving spiritual-martial unity within roughly a decade.

• Combines spear techniques, body movement, and Immortal Way methods in close combat. 90 451
• His life-and-death experience as a hired blade made him exceptionally dangerous against cultivators of the same realm. 83 90
• His spear attacks can shift abruptly between thrusting, smashing, corpse techniques, and close-range pressure. 451
• His combat talent exceeds Wei Tu's in direct fighting, though Wei Tu surpasses him in talisman arts and long-term cultivation stability. 90 116

Corpse-Path Cultivation

Fu became associated with the demonic Golden Core cultivator Cang Lan and later inherited corpse-path methods under the identity of the Heavenly Corpse Fiend. Cang Lan's remaining soul was discovered within Fu's sea of consciousness; Wei Tu sealed it and gave Fu a method to absorb it. 450

• Cultivates the Three Corpses Secret Art. 450 451
• Can manifest the Heavenly Corpse, Earth Corpse, and Human Corpse to fight or intercept attacks. 559
• Uses corpse puppets and corpse-refining methods to restrain enemies, suppress their aura, and evade pursuit. 451 454
• His corpse-path cultivation can be specifically countered by artifacts such as a Corpse-Suppressing Nail. 451
• His corpse body and spear techniques allow him to contend with stronger opponents despite a gap in cultivation. 451

Demonic Qi and Half-Demon Body

Wei Tu arranged for Fu to receive Pingchen's pure demonic qi, giving him a path beyond the limitations of his low-grade spiritual root. 626 639

• Absorbing Pingchen's demonic qi greatly enhanced his physical strength and survivability. 639 759
• His half-demon body can rival a Spirit Transformation Dharma body, allowing him to fight an injured Spirit Transformation cultivator. 759
• The demonic transformation carries risks, including heaven-and-earth rejection and a demonic infant within him. 639 811
• He entered Demon-Sealing Cave alone to confront the consequences and opportunities connected to his demonic transformation. 805 811

Survival and Escape

Fu is a specialist in surviving hostile territory, developed through his years as a hired blade and later as a demonic cultivator.

• Considered his escape ability among the foremost at the Golden Core Realm. 450 454
• Uses corpse substitutes, concealment, puppets, and spatial tools to create escape routes. 451 454
• Retains composure under ambushes and adapts quickly when planned escape methods fail. 451
• Can operate under alternate identities, including Kou Sizhou, to infiltrate rival alliances. 681 685

Strategy and Intelligence Work

Fu is capable of long-term planning rather than relying solely on direct combat.

• Drew out the Earth Spider Matriarch by arranging a false trail connected to Sect Master Gu. 565
• Investigated overseas developments and managed covert relocation measures for Wei Tu's allied cultivators. 661
• Joined the Three Creek Alliance under an alias and obtained intelligence concerning the Sunsetglow Secret Realm. 685

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Bright silver spear — His signature weapon, used with spiritual-martial unity and corpse-path techniques. 110 451 559
• Three Corpses — Heavenly Corpse, Earth Corpse, and Human Corpse refined through the Three Corpses Secret Art. 559
• Soul-Devouring Wood — Strengthened his soul before Nascent Soul formation, helping him pass the spirit-awakening barrier. 553 559
• Golden Orchid Register — The surviving record of the Righteous Society's sworn brotherhood, kept by Fu for centuries. 486
• Premium Earth Spike Talismans — Given by Wei Tu when Fu left to become a blade-catcher. 84

Relationships

• Wei Tu — Third sworn brother and Fu's longest-standing ally. They formed the Righteous Society after jointly refusing Prefect He, later became estranged, and reconciled when Wei Tu learned that the Heavenly Corpse Fiend was Fu. 36 450
• Kou Liang — Eldest sworn brother and Fu's friend from the same county. Their earlier connection helped form the original four-man alliance. 36 37
• Wei Fei — Second sworn brother. Their relationship was not especially close, but Fu later mourned him as one of the few brothers in his life. 454
• Kou Hongying — Kou Liang's daughter and later member of the Righteous Society. Fu initially opposed admitting her due to concerns over unequal obligations, but accepted her after Kou Liang's oath. 88 89
• Fu Lin — His son. Although Fu once severed his mortal ties, he later risked his life to rescue Fu Lin from the Acacia Sect. 89 450 451
• Helian Xiong — Former associate from Cinnabar Hill and fellow hired blade. Fu learned the Demon Soul Foundation Method from Helian's experience but later saw through Helian's lack of sincerity. 83 126 132
• Cang Lan — Demonic Golden Core cultivator whose soul became entangled with Fu's body. Fu ultimately rejects Cang Lan's identity and insists that he is Fu Zhizhou alone. 212 450 451
• Moonrest Zhao Family — Fu joined as an offering elder after rejecting the Shuyun Alliance, choosing the greater opportunities and risks offered by a Golden Core family. 133 137

Story Role / Major Arcs

Formation of the Righteous Society

Fu takes the lead in refusing Prefect He's Wu Yun Tower mission, recruits additional Martial Masters to reduce the danger of retaliation, and proposes that the four refusers become sworn brothers. He ranks second in the Martial Arts Examination and becomes the youngest member of the original brotherhood. 36 38

Pursuit of the Immortal Way

After acquiring the Five-Element Spirit-Nurturing Body, Fu chooses Immortal Way cultivation over official advancement. He reaches the Qi Sensing Realm at twenty-six, shares his discoveries with his brothers, and urges them not to abandon cultivation despite years of failure. 60 61 62

Blade-Catcher Years

Unable to rely on a specialized cultivation trade, Fu becomes a hired blade to earn resources through dangerous work. The repeated life-and-death battles allow him to achieve spiritual-martial unity, but his haste and reliance on pills leave lingering toxins and an unstable foundation. 83 84 90 100

Foundation Establishment and Zhao Family Service

Fu attempts Foundation Establishment early using the Demon Soul Foundation Method and a Foundation Condensation Pill. After succeeding, he rejects recruitment by the Shuyun Alliance and joins the Moonrest Zhao Family, where he later begins dual cultivation of body and Dharma. 126 132 133 137 157

Estrangement from the Righteous Society

As Fu's strength and circumstances change, his relationship with Wei Tu and the Righteous Society deteriorates. His actions at a later gathering deeply hurt the others, and he eventually operates alone under the Heavenly Corpse Fiend identity. 198 450

Reunion and Rescue of Fu Lin

Wei Tu discovers that the Heavenly Corpse Fiend is Fu Zhizhou and helps him address Cang Lan's lingering soul. The two reconcile, then work together to rescue Fu Lin from the Acacia Sect. Fu openly reveals his name during the battle, choosing to fight as himself rather than as Cang Lan. 450 451

Nascent Soul Advancement

With Soul-Devouring Wood strengthening his soul and the Three Corpses Secret Art protecting him against blood lightning, Fu successfully forms a Nascent Soul on Cloudsun Island. He credits Wei Tu's long-term support for making the breakthrough possible. 553 559

Demonic Transformation

Fu accepts Pingchen's demonic qi as a means to overcome his innate limitations. The power grants him a half-demon body and brings him near Spirit Transformation, but also burdens him with demonic influence and draws him toward Demon-Sealing Cave. 626 639 759 801 811

Notable Quotes

“That old fossil was devoured by me long ago. Ningyan, remember this, you old witch. The one you're fighting now isn't Old Fiend Cang Lan—it's me, the Heavenly Corpse Fiend, Fu Zhizhou!” 451

“Four hundred years of cultivation—Fu Zhizhou has no regrets on this path!” 451

“Thank you, Third Brother, for your support.” 559

Trivia

• Fu was the youngest of the original four sworn brothers and was known as the Fourth Brother. 36 37
• His name, “Zhizhou,” evokes drifting freely like a boat, but he later bitterly reflects that he has never lived so freely. 110
• He preserved the Righteous Society's Golden Orchid Register for more than four centuries. 486
• Though widely viewed as cold-hearted after severing his mortal ties, his actions to rescue Fu Lin reveal that he never wholly abandoned his family bonds. 450 451