Zhang Chen

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Zhang Chen (张辰) 1
Alias(es)	Brother Chen; Soul Devourer; “Boss Zhao” / Zhao You Shi while operating under an 1834 cover identity; White Devourer; Swallow Heaven Ghoul Lord 297 702 1134 1743
Species/Race	Human Jailer; vessel for a unique ghost and later wielder of a True Ghost form 850 1051
Gender	Male 1
Affiliation	The Jailers; formerly associated with Huaxia Country’s Jailer organization 27 1130
Occupation/Role	Jailer Captain; former middle- and high-school student 1 1130
Status	Alive 1765
First Appearance	Chapter 1: The Drowned Baby

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Main Soul compatibility: 30% → 35%	9	Absorbing two ghosts raises his compatibility with the Gluttonous Ghost Main Soul and grants Telekinesis. 9
Jailer Pawn	27	Receives the character 卒 on his chest for eliminating Yang Zi, earning his first Jailer merit. 27
Telekinesis evolution	60	Reaches 100% Telekinesis proficiency; the evolution destroys trees across nearly a mile-wide area and greatly enhances his senses. 60
Ghost Devourer — Initial Stage	74	Defeats and absorbs the Blood Demon; his Main Soul evolves and unlocks Flesh and Blood. 74
Level 3 Jailer	107	Dies during Liu Nuo’s surgery, then is rebuilt by the Ghost Devourer with enhanced physical ability and limb regeneration. 107
Black-mark ghostification	329	After absorbing Kuang Zhiren, gains limited ghostification through a black ? mark on his left wrist. 329
First Form: White Devourer	702	Draws on Kou Dan’s consciousness to enter a tooth-based ghoul form and face the Eye Snatcher. 702
Apostle-level combatant	1119	Displays power beyond Yu Ming’s expectations, bisects him, consumes his clones, and is identified as having reached Apostle level. 1119
Jailer Captain	1130	Accepts the responsibilities of a Jailer Captain after the human world crisis. 1130
Eighth Apostle	1275	Completes the Soul Devour technique and rises from Tenth to Eighth Apostle, surpassing the Blood Ancestor’s former rank. 1275
Complete Ghost Devouring cultivation	1480	Merges his human, Jailer, and ghostly aspects, returns to human form, and unlocks the full potential of his True Ghost form. 1480
Final Release: Swallow Heaven Ghoul Lord	1743	Fuses the True Ghost Body with the Ghoul Path, gaining the Ghoul Stomach World and a major increase in devouring power. 1743

Background / History

Zhang Chen begins as a fourteen-year-old student in Jinxi County: fair-skinned, nearly 1.75 meters tall, and known among classmates as “Brother Chen.” His ordinary life ends after a black bead is implanted where his heart should be, leaving him with an unnatural hunger for ghosts and the foundations of his Main Soul. 1 3

After devouring hostile spirits connected to Wen Juan and Wen Jing, Zhang Chen discovers that killing ghosts can improve his compatibility with the Gluttonous Ghost and grant supernatural abilities. He initially embraces this change with excitement, treating his growth like a game, while remaining unaware of the dangers drawing closer to him. 9

Master Pu Hu later explains that Zhang Chen is a Jailer: a deceased individual empowered by the Underworld to maintain balance in the human world and eliminate anomalous spirits. Zhang Chen receives a Cosmic Bag and Ghost Crystal, learns of the Human World, Underworld, and Zero Realm, and earns his first merit as a Jailer Pawn. 27

While still attending school, Zhang Chen steadily develops his body and abilities. Liu Nuo’s attempt to remove his full-body modification causes his death, but his Ghost Devourer reconstructs him into a Level 3 Jailer with drastically greater regeneration and physical strength. 107

His later journeys expose the scale of the conflict between realms. He gains the White Devourer form against the Eye Snatcher, learns that he is the seventy-fourth reincarnation in a long sequence of lives, and discovers that he was created as a container for a unique ghost sealed within Heavenly Prison Rock. 702 850

Zhang Chen ultimately completes the Ghost Devouring cultivation, unifying his human, Jailer, and ghostly selves. His growth elevates him to the Eighth Apostle and culminates in the Final Release, Swallow Heaven Ghoul Lord. 1275 1480 1743

Appearance

Zhang Chen’s appearance changes sharply as his body, confidence, and supernatural nature develop.

• At fourteen, he is nearly 1.75 meters tall, fair-skinned, slightly overweight, and wears oval rimless glasses with a messy hairstyle. 1
• Over six months, he grows to 1.8 meters, loses weight, adopts a fluffy short hairstyle, and begins wearing shirts, jeans, and casual shoes. 10
• Following his reconstruction, he stands 1.85 meters tall with fair skin and a strong physique. 107
• Origin Power development removes his need for glasses. 81
• In full True Ghost form, his hair turns white, his spiritual body becomes partially transparent, and his internal Soul Network, spine, ribs, and dark internal fluid can become visible. 1385 1470
• His First Form, White Devourer, removes most facial organs except for a large mouth; it creates a heavy white tail, elongated tooth-like nails, and a white butcher’s saber from his right wrist. 702
• His Final Release retains a mostly human silhouette, but extends his white hair and partially ghoulifies his limbs beneath the Blood Ghost Robe. 1743

Personality

Zhang Chen begins as an insecure boy who views Wang Yizhi as an “untouchable goddess,” but his experiences turn him into a disciplined and increasingly self-assured protector. He improves his studies, helps at his family’s mahjong parlor, trains relentlessly, and takes responsibility for dangers others cannot perceive. 10 374

He is deeply protective of those he considers family. His concern for Wang Yizhi motivates many of his earliest confrontations with the supernatural, while he later treats Chong Ying as family and actively secures her future under Old Master Wu. 14 227 535

Despite his capacity for ruthless violence against hostile entities, Zhang Chen repeatedly shows compassion: he frees Li Qing during his 1834 mission, saves possessed Zhao Pei, and refuses to treat allies as disposable tools. 297 298 His growth does not erase his doubts about what he is; instead, he chooses to define himself by his present life rather than his origins or reincarnations. 850 1476

Abilities & Skills

Ghost Devouring

Zhang Chen’s Main Soul allows him to consume ghosts, flesh-and-blood entities, souls, and certain supernatural materials, converting them into satiety, power, or new abilities.

• Devouring ghost remnants increases Main Soul saturation and can provide skills. 23
• Absorbing the Blood Demon evolves his Main Soul into the Ghost Devourer and unlocks Flesh and Blood. 74
• He later completes the Soul Devour technique by absorbing the essence of True Ghost Qi. 1275
• The Body Devouring Heart Sutra expands this power beyond flesh, teaching him to devour will, determination, and essence through its Devour Heart chapter. 983 1106
• Absorption is not universally effective: the Courage Test butcher provides no benefit, Andariel resists his Ghost Devourer due to her unique nature, and the Eye Snatcher’s head cannot be swallowed because of the difference in fundamental tier. 199 229 702

Telekinesis and Origin Power

Zhang Chen’s first acquired skill is Telekinesis, initially capable only of moving small objects slowly and unstably. 9

• His early Telekinesis can levitate objects, manipulate water, and operate at range. 9 25
• Nail Growth grants him half-meter claws capable of cutting deep marks into concrete. 19
• After evolution, Telekinesis develops into Origin Power, improving his sensory perception and giving him far greater precision and force. 60 76
• Origin Power can extract oxygen to fuel a fireball for up to three seconds. 76
• Developed Origin Power abilities include Mind Control, which he uses to obtain information while disguised in 1834. 182 297

Flesh and Blood Body

His Flesh and Blood ability makes Zhang Chen exceptionally difficult to kill.

• The Ghost Devourer rebuilds his entire body after his death during Liu Nuo’s procedure. 107
• He can regenerate severed limbs and reconstruct damaged tissue. 107 199
• Absorbing the Flesh and Blood Ghost grants control over the circulation of blood throughout his body and over seven semi-sentient drops of vital blood. 213
• His Blood Demon body can alter its form and use outside substances as transformation models. 297
• Vital blood remains a tactical resource; he replenishes it through absorption and tracks its remaining amount during combat. 141 213

Bone Armor and Claws

Zhang Chen strengthens his skeleton and weapons through Bone Armor.

• Nail Growth increases arm strength by 350%, raises nail hardness by 1000%, and allows him to control nail length. 19
• Devouring a bone-skinned opponent grants Bone Strengthening, which he fuses with Nail Growth to create Bone Armor. 163
• Bone Armor reinforces his body and produces ossified claws for offense and defense. 182 199

Spatial Movement

Zhang Chen develops spatial abilities that support both movement and ambush tactics.

• He learns to use Space Transfer without physical contact, powered by Origin Power. 134
• He uses Space Transfer to injure Ning Ye after being critically struck. 176
• In higher forms, his movements can trigger spatial changes with almost no delay inside his combat range. 1121

Ghostification and Release Forms

Ghostification merges Zhang Chen’s physical body with the white-haired ghostly body within his soul.

• The black ? mark lets him ghostify his left arm for roughly 27–28 seconds or half his body for roughly 15 seconds; each use requires about three hours to recharge. 329
• After the ghost called Void acknowledges him, the ghost’s body merges with part of Zhang Chen’s consciousness, allowing liquid ghostly energy to enhance his speed, strength, reflexes, and Main Soul output. 1051
• First Form: White Devourer grants a tooth-based body, devouring tail, extended claws, and a butcher’s saber. 702
• Final Release: Swallow Heaven Ghoul Lord merges his True Ghost Body and Ghoul Path, granting the Ghoul Stomach World and markedly stronger devouring abilities. 1743

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Cosmic Bag — Underworld-issued storage item received from Pu Hu; carries supplies, tools, and supernatural items. 27
• Soul Stone — Functions as Zhang Chen’s core and occupies the left side of his chest after his reconstruction. 107
• Tooth Cutter — Weapon used to sever Ling King’s arm and absorb the True Ghost armor within it. 1360
• Saber of Severing Teeth — Long tooth-based saber used against Ghost Mound. 1667
• Blood Ghost Robe — Soul-bound black robe that can manifest over his body and withstand Chong Ying’s golden poison. 1512
• Blood Spirit — A Blood Beetle-derived companion housed within his body that can assist with blood manipulation and carries Blood Realm information. 29 199 224

Relationships

• Wang Yizhi — Childhood friend, long-term partner, and later wife. Zhang Chen’s determination to protect and rescue her drives much of his growth. 7 951 1143 1395
• Chong Ying — Close companion whom Zhang Chen asks to treat him as family. He acts as her protector and helps arrange her apprenticeship under Old Master Wu. 227 535
• Master Pu Hu — Zhang Chen’s first major Jailer mentor; explains the three realms, provides Underworld equipment, and entrusts Jinxi County’s future to him. 27 772
• Liu Nuo — Scientist and uneasy ally responsible for Zhang Chen’s lethal reconstruction procedure; later assists with his body, abilities, and research. 107 718
• Xiao Bai — Snake Demon friend and frequent combat partner. Their sparring develops into mutual respect, though Xiao Bai eventually leaves to cultivate under his master. 139 182
• Shen Hou — Master and mentor who guides Zhang Chen’s growth, advises him on Jailer Captain advancement, and continues to protect him despite serious injuries. 723 1119 1146
• Jia Xin — Longstanding friend whose strained brotherhood with Zhang Chen is later repaired through an honest conversation. 1259
• Gu Chen — Powerful ally and rival whose shared blood-related origins allow Zhang Chen to sense traces of his presence. 1247 1310
• Tomie — Ghostly companion residing within Zhang Chen. Her attachment to him develops into love, leading her to sacrifice herself to save him. 718 1098

Story Role / Major Arcs

• Early awakening — Zhang Chen’s heart is replaced by a black bead, awakening his hunger for ghosts and beginning his transformation from an ordinary student into a supernatural predator. 3 9
• Jailer initiation — Pu Hu reveals Zhang Chen’s role as a Jailer and introduces the conflict between the Human World, Underworld, and Zero Realm. 27
• School and Blood Demon conflicts — He balances school life, training, and relationships while evolving through battles against ghosts, the Blood Demon, and other anomalies. 74 87 107
• First Form and Japan crisis — Zhang Chen confronts the Eye Snatcher and unlocks White Devourer, marking his transition into a far more dangerous type of Jailer. 702 703
• Identity revelations — He learns of his seventy-three prior reincarnations, his role as a container for a unique ghost, and the larger design behind his existence. 850
• Apostle ascension — His power reaches Apostle level during the battle with Yu Ming; he later becomes the Eighth Apostle after mastering Soul Devour. 1119 1275
• Break with the Jailers — Shen Hou identifies Zhang Chen as an enemy of the Jailers, forcing him to act independently while preserving his resolve not to harm Huaxia Country’s citizens. 1247
• Final conflicts and homecoming — After reaching Final Release and surviving the Zero Realm’s final upheavals, Zhang Chen returns through the Jailer Realm to resume contact with the human world. 1743 1765

Notable Quotes

“I will save you!”
— Zhang Chen, to Wang Yizhi 951

“However, the past is the past. In this life, I am unique.”
— Zhang Chen 1476

Trivia

• Zhang Chen uses fluent high-school English to convince Qing-era bailiffs that he is a foreign merchant while traveling through 1834. 297
• Before becoming a Jailer, he wore glasses, had poor academic performance, and was considered an ordinary “nobody” by himself. 1 374
• He becomes an enthusiastic cook, frequently preparing noodles and other meals for Wang Yizhi, Chong Ying, and others. 10 25 500