Lu Zhaojin

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Lu Zhaojin (卢昭瑾)
Alias(es)	Sword Demon; God of Slaughter; “Demonic Cultivator” (rumored) 36 51 170
Gender	Male
Occupation/Role	Transmigrator; martial artist; sword cultivator
Root Bone	Lower Grade → Medium → Upper Grade 1 15 165
Status	Alive 332
First Appearance	Chapter 1: “System”

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Ninth Rank, Early Stage	1	Initial recorded realm after awakening; the system identifies his lower-grade root bone and basic Brute Ox Stance and Gale Sword Art.
Ninth Rank, Mid Stage	1	Perfected the Brute Ox Stance with EXP, breaking his cultivation bottleneck. 1
Ninth Rank, Late Stage	5	Confirmed while fighting the Eighth-Rank Mu Kui. 5
Eighth Rank, Early Stage	6	Reached after bringing the Flowing Water Art to its introductory level and gaining Internal Energy. 6
Eighth Rank, Mid Stage	12	Used EXP gained from killing Li Yue to advance the Flowing Water Art and open further meridians. 12
Eighth Rank, Late Stage	15	Only two meridians remained before his eventual Seventh-Rank breakthrough. 15
Seventh Rank	28	His Seventh-Rank cultivation is exposed during the struggle over Cold Edge in Luoxia City. 28
Seventh Rank, Mid Stage	30	Opponents recognize that he has surpassed the initial Seventh Rank and possesses Sword Intent. 30
Seventh Rank, Late Stage	37	Upgraded the Jade Purity Heart Method; began refining True Qi into Gang Yuan. 37
Sixth Rank, Early Stage	50	Character panel records perfected Flowing Water Art and Jade Purity Heart Method alongside his early Sixth-Rank realm. 50
Sixth Rank, Mid Stage	64	Recorded after his conflict with the True Martial Division and Zhou Rong. 64
Fifth Rank, Mid Stage	78	Reached this level after major advances in the Greenwood Undying Art and Thirteen Swords of Life-Taking. 73 78
Fourth Rank, Early Stage	96	Recorded after the secret-realm campaign and the acquisition of Dragon Yuan. 96
Fourth Rank, Late Stage	97	Advanced through the Bright Jade Divine Skill, though its overbearing True Essence created internal conflict. 97 103
Third Rank	125	The Third-Rank stage is documented after his cultivation in the ancient building. 125
Third Rank, Late Stage	165	Recorded after his grasslands campaign and repeated EXP-funded upgrades. 165
Second Rank, Early Stage	211	Reached after raising the Supreme Pure Yang Cultivation Technique to Minor Accomplishment and countering Elder Xuanxiao’s residual Sword Intent with Sword Twenty-Three. 211
Second Rank, Mid Stage	226	Recorded after the destruction of the Tuoba Clan’s forces in Jade City. 226
First Rank, Core Realm	249	Perfected the Supreme Pure Yang Cultivation Technique and acquired the Pure Yang Physique. 249
First Rank, Early Stage	332	His realm remains constrained at the early First Rank due to the lack of a continuation for the Supreme Pure Yang Cultivation Technique. 332

Background

Lu Zhaojin is a transmigrator who awakened in the body of a sixteen-year-old youth left fatally wounded after the Sihai Escort Agency massacre. The original Lu Zhaojin was the son of Chief Escort Lu Jinlin and had been regarded as untalented, having remained at the Ninth Rank despite years of training. 1 6 62

After killing two pursuing hounds, he activated the Slay Foes for EXP System, which converts kills into EXP that can improve techniques. He used the system to perfect the Brute Ox Stance and immediately broke through to the Ninth Rank Mid Stage. 1

Initially sickened by his first human kill, Lu Zhaojin forced himself to adapt because the Zhang and Zhao families remained threats to him and Lu Jinlin. He fled to Mount Qi, improved his swordsmanship, and began pursuing those connected to the destruction of the escort agency. 2

His retaliation escalated from local family conflicts to open defiance of the True Martial Division, major sects, and powerful clans. His relentless accumulation of EXP, frequent beheadings, and rapid rise through the ranks earned him the names “Sword Demon” and “God of Slaughter,” while Jianghu rumors falsely claimed that he cultivated a technique that devoured other people’s power. 51 115 170

Lu Zhaojin eventually learned that Lu Jinlin had been imprisoned by the Dingshan Sect. He annihilated the sect’s principal defenders, found his father alive in its dungeon, and freed him with the Autumn Equinox Sword. 53 54

Appearance

Lu Zhaojin is a handsome, clean-cut young man with a stern presence. He usually wears a neat black martial outfit and carries himself with an unnerving sharpness that becomes especially pronounced when he draws his sword. 8 153 164

• His eyes are described as bright and piercing after cultivation. 7
• Activating the Golden Body Technique gives his skin a faint bronze sheen. 7 36
• His Sword Intent can make observers feel as though he himself has become a drawn blade. 28
• His killing intent and composure frequently intimidate enemies before he attacks. 36 52

Personality

Lu Zhaojin is calculating, pragmatic, and intensely focused on growth. He evaluates opponents by both threat and EXP value, often refusing opportunities to spare powerful enemies because their deaths can fund his next advancement. 43 156 162

He is cold and decisive toward people who threaten him, his family, or his goals. He commonly kills enemies without negotiation, including pursuers, sect disciples, imperial guards, and clan elders. 49 63 207

Despite this ruthlessness, he is not wholly indifferent. He rescued Lu Jinlin from the Dingshan Sect, struggles to express his concern for his father, saved Xia Xu with Pure Yang True Essence, and intervened to protect Helian Ziyi from assassins. 54 160 303

Lu Zhaojin distrusts offers of power, wealth, and political patronage. He considers EXP and strength more valuable than titles, treasure, or influence. 38 160

Abilities & Skills

Slay Foes for EXP System

Lu Zhaojin’s system awards EXP for killing enemies and allows him to exchange that EXP for martial-skill proficiency. It also records techniques, stores items, and unlocks additional functions after his EXP surpasses key thresholds. 1 21

• Killing a Child of Destiny guarantees high-quality item drops. 21
• His killing of Zhao Jinzhi yielded the Xie Family Divine Sword, Sacred Spirit Sword Art, and one million bonus EXP. 75
• The system allowed him to bypass years of ordinary cultivation and rapidly perfect multiple high-level arts. 62 96

Sword Dao and Sword Intent

Lu Zhaojin specializes in overwhelming swordplay, combining extreme speed, Sword Qi, multiple Sword Intents, and high-level sword arts. His Sword Dao reached the Fourth Realm, where his comprehension surpassed ordinary technique-based swordsmanship. 21 269

• Gale Sword Art / Gale Sword Intent — Reached the Extreme Realm and manifested wind blades capable of cutting down stronger martial artists. 21
• Nine Heavens Thunder Sword Art / Lightning Sword Intent — Perfected the art and developed Thunder Sword Intent; later displayed it as lightning-fast killing power. 37 111
• Thirteen Swords of Life-Taking — Reached the Extreme Realm, comprehending the fourteenth sword and later the fifteenth sword associated with death and destruction. 68 78
• Destruction Sword Intent — Comprehended through a vision of a black swordsman wielding the fifteenth Life-Taking sword. 78
• Sacred Spirit Sword Art — Granted him absolute control over sword energy at the Perfected realm; he used its Sword Twenty-Three to erase Elder Xuanxiao’s residual Sword Intent. 97 211
• Tianhe Nine Swords — Reached Minor Accomplishment and granted the Heavenly River Sword Intent. 269
• Myriad Swords Returning to Origin — A supreme sword art earned as a special reward for killing a First-Rank martial artist; it is founded on sword principles and can command swords into an immense sword flow. 255 266
• Void-Annihilating Three Forms — A difficult sword manual that prioritizes intent over form; Lu Zhaojin acquired it from an old phantom within a transformed ink droplet. 275

Body Refinement and Durability

Lu Zhaojin possesses exceptional physical resilience, strengthened through the Brute Ox Stance, Golden Body Technique, Muscle-Tendon Strengthening Art, Dragon Yuan, and Golden Muscle Jade Bone Divine Technique. 36 91 215

• The Golden Body Technique hardens his muscles and skin to a bronze-like state, allowing him to withstand strikes from weapons and martial artists of comparable rank. 7 36
• The Brute Ox Stance reached the Extreme Realm, substantially increasing his foundation, senses, reaction speed, and physical strength. 3 36
• Absorbing the Dragon Yuan transformed his physique and enhanced his Bloodline Power. 79 91
• His physical body can withstand attacks that would destroy ordinary First-Rank martial artists. 313

Pure Yang Power

After cultivating the Supreme Pure Yang Cultivation Technique, Lu Zhaojin gained the Pure Yang Physique and developed powerful Pure Yang True Essence. 211 249

• He can form and control sword shadows made of golden Pure Yang flame. 215
• His Pure Yang True Essence can preserve another person’s life, as shown when he saved the mortally wounded Xia Xu. 303
• The Pure Yang Physique reacted to the material within the Sunrise Sword, suggesting it may be connected to a further transformation of his body. 303

Movement and Perception

Lu Zhaojin is highly perceptive and can detect hidden observers, hostile auras, and concealed opponents. He also possesses advanced movement techniques and the ability to fly. 40 51 111

• He memorized the Falling Leaves Following the Wind Movement Technique after one reading and could use it immediately. 40
• His movement in battle can resemble teleportation, allowing him to close distance or evade attacks before opponents can react. 115 122
• At the Fourth Rank, he gained aerial mobility and used flight to intervene in the Luoshui City valley battle. 111

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Cold Edge Sword — A famous sword won at the Brocade Merchant Guild auction; its chilling aura can be integrated into his Sword Qi. 28 31
• Autumn Equinox Sword — One of the Twenty-Four Solar Terms Famous Swords; used to free Lu Jinlin and the other Dingshan Sect prisoners. 54
• Purple Firmament Sword — A sentient sword that chose Lu Zhaojin as its master. 197
• Clear Wind Sword — Obtained through his exchange with the Tianhe Sword Sect. 197 216
• Dragon Suppressing Seal — Used to weaken Ao Lei before Lu Zhaojin beheaded the dragon. 68 79
• Mysterious Sky Dragon Slaying Sword Manual — Stored in his system inventory; the system states that the world lacks the traits needed to cultivate it safely. 45
• Dragon Yuan — Acquired by killing Ao Lei; transformed his body and reinforced his Bloodline Power. 79 91

Relationships

• Lu Jinlin — His father and the chief escort of the Sihai Escort Agency. Lu Zhaojin risked open conflict with the Dingshan Sect to rescue him from imprisonment. 51 53 54
• Zhao Nuanyu — A young woman Lu Zhaojin saved; her father sent him the Flowing Water Art and Golden Body Technique in repayment. 6
• Zhao Jinzhi — Zhao Family prodigy and longtime enemy. Their rivalry culminated in Lu Zhaojin killing Zhao Jinzhi in the secret realm. 11 75
• Lu Wenxiu — Gave Lu Zhaojin the Falling Leaves Following the Wind Movement Technique and sought his aid against the Xu Family. 40
• Helian Ziyi — A Fine Rain Tower figure who repeatedly attempted to recruit him. Lu Zhaojin later agreed to help her clan in exchange for access to the Sword Stele and Peerless Treasure Sword. 100 160
• Elder Mei Shan — Tianhe Sword Sect elder and temporary ally during the Ice Valley expedition. Lu Zhaojin promised to help him secure the Sword Stele and later informed Liu Changhe of Mei Shan’s death. 249 254 293
• Liu Changhe — Tianhe Sword Sect chief disciple who regards Lu Zhaojin as a friend despite Jianghu rumors about him. 191
• Xia Xu — A descendant of sword-forger Xia Ye. Lu Zhaojin saved his life and agreed to help avenge his family; Xia Xu promised to guide him to Sword Forging Manor and forge him a famous sword. 303

Story Role / Major Arcs

• Sihai Escort Agency massacre — Awakens as a transmigrator, activates the system, and begins escaping the Zhang Family’s pursuit. 1 2
• Mount Qi retaliation — Cultivates rapidly, clashes with Zhao Jinzhi and other contenders for the Blood Ginseng Grass, and begins building his reputation. 11 12
• Luoxia City campaign — Wins Cold Edge, kills Chen Jingchun and Elder Liang, and becomes associated with the Dragon Ranking. 28 36 47
• Dingshan Sect rescue — Slaughters Qi Yanqiu, Zhang Yue, Chen Yanrui, and Elder Yueshan before recovering Lu Jinlin from the sect dungeon. 53 54
• Secret realm — Kills Zhao Jinzhi, acquires the Sacred Spirit Sword Art and Xie Family Divine Sword, comprehends Destruction Sword Intent, and slays the dragon Ao Lei. 75 78 79
• Conflict with major forces — Defies the True Martial Division, destroys the Wu Family and White Cloud Villa’s remaining resistance, and becomes a feared Jianghu figure. 63 122
• Grasslands campaign — Becomes involved with Helian Ziyi’s clan, kills Xianyu Xiong and other powerful opponents, and seeks the Sword Stele. 156 163
• Tianhe Sword Sect and Ice Valley — Gains the Purple Firmament Sword, cooperates with Elder Mei Shan, reaches the First Rank, and becomes central to the struggle surrounding the Sword Stele and King of Hell. 197 249 254
• Sword Forging Manor alliance — Saves Xia Xu and pursues the Sunrise Sword’s connection to his Pure Yang Physique. 303

Notable Quotes

“You can't buy foresight with a thousand pieces of gold. Besides, you couldn't have killed me in Luoxia City.” 53

“EXP was the most appealing thing to Lu Zhaojin.” 160