Wu Zhou

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Wu Zhou
Type	Human cultivation nation and imperial dynasty
Ruling Family	Zhu Clan / Old Zhu Family
Capital	Capital City
Administrative Divisions	Twelve Prefectures and Eighty-four Commanderies 3 599
Major Institutions	Huangji Sect; Xuan Yin Division
Status	Recognized Human Race royal lineage with a seat in the Human Sacred Land 356 481
First Appearance	Chapter 1

History

Foundation and early rule

The Huangji Sect existed before Wu Zhou and helped the Zhu Clan stabilize its rule during the nation’s founding. In return, it became the official authority over immortal cultivation sects within Wu Zhou; sect disciples had to register, and a change in sect leadership required its approval. 3

Wu Zhou’s legitimacy extends beyond its own borders. The Zhu royal family is registered with the Human Sacred Land, pays regular tribute, and is recognized as a legitimate Human Race royal house. 356 481

Expansion over Qinggan

Wu Zhou defeated the declining Qinggan Dynasty through successive wars, taking territory and reparations. Much of its eastern territory—including Dongqi Commandery and Dongyang County—had belonged to Qinggan roughly eight centuries earlier. 49

Qinggan eventually collapsed under pressure from Wu Zhou and other neighboring states. Its surviving royal descendants continued attempts at restoration, maintaining a lasting hostility toward Wu Zhou. 49

Imperial power and the Huangji Sect

The original partnership between the Zhu Clan and Huangji Sect deteriorated as the imperial family expanded. With many Zhu descendants occupying provincial and commandery offices, the Huangji Sect’s interference in internal administration increasingly conflicted with imperial interests. 3

The long-running struggle between the Imperial Family and Huangji Sect weakened Wu Zhou’s national strength and reduced its ability to control major domestic cultivation powers. 112 489

Later resurgence

After the Qinggan rebellion was suppressed, Wu Zhou concluded its conflict with Qi Yan, defeated the Huangji Sect in Yuezhou, and brought the Heavenly Sword Sect under its influence. These successes significantly strengthened the Imperial Family’s prestige and Emperor Zhu Qiyou’s authority. 531

Geography

Location	Significance
Capital City	Political center of Wu Zhou and location of the Imperial Family’s Secret Realm. Its prosperity rivals that of three prefectures, and it is supported by eight spiritual veins and one Dragon Vein. 599
Yuezhou	Eastern border prefecture with abundant spiritual energy from the Buzhou Mountain Range. Its proximity to Mighty Chu and frequent movement of demon cultivators make it a major conflict zone. 229
Nine Bamboo Mountain	A mountain region north of Langyu County in Ningzhou, known for its Spirit Bamboo and nine peaks. 1
Eastern King’s County	A wealthy but heavily taxed region whose prolonged focus on wealth weakened its local cultivation strength. 210
Black Eagle Mountain Range	A strategically located mountain range west of Eastern King’s County, historically plagued by bandits due to its control of a major trade route. 210

Government and institutions

Imperial Family

The Zhu Clan rules Wu Zhou through the central government. More than half of its provincial and commandery governors are Zhu descendants or imperial relatives, and the central government controls local appointments and dismissals. 3

The Capital City is the core of the Old Zhu Family’s authority and bears eight centuries of national destiny. Its fortifications conceal the Golden Dragon of Destiny even from high-level cultivators. 599

Huangji Sect

The Huangji Sect is Wu Zhou’s largest immortal cultivation sect and is widely regarded as a pillar of the state; a common saying holds that “if Huangji stands, Wu Zhou shall not fall.” 3

Its authority is extensive:

• Oversees the registration and formal succession of immortal cultivation sects. 3
• Maintains Chief Stewards, Stewards, Grand Commanders, Commanders, and a dedicated enforcement branch for criminal cultivators. 175
• Handles functions ranging from local dispute mediation and judicial matters to domestic enforcement and external operations. 175
• Conducts covert activities abroad, including espionage, assassination, subversion, and regime change. 59

Despite its nominal role as an imperial supporter, the Huangji Sect became a competing center of power and repeatedly clashed with the Imperial Family. 3 608

Xuan Yin Division

The Xuan Yin Division, also called the Black-Clad Yamen, is Wu Zhou’s military intelligence agency. It reports directly to the Emperor and is responsible for intelligence gathering, arrests, and interrogations. 59

Its operations include:

• Domestic apprehension, interrogation, and sentencing of targets considered threats to the state. 59
• Covert intelligence and espionage operations in neighboring countries. 59
• Assassination, subversion, and regime-change activities beyond Wu Zhou’s borders. 59
• Infiltration of the Huangji Sect itself. 59

Its methods are feared throughout Wu Zhou, including among members of the royal family. 59

Cultivation world

Wu Zhou treats immortal cultivation as a regulated part of state administration rather than an independent sphere. All Immortal Gate disciples must register under Huangji Sect oversight, and unapproved sect-leader successions are considered illegitimate. 3

This centralized model gives Wu Zhou substantial influence over local cultivation forces, but its internal conflict between the imperial court and Huangji Sect has limited its ability to command first-rate independent powers such as the Iron Sword Alliance, Cloud Pavilion, and Great Good Temple. 489

Foreign relations

• Qinggan — Wu Zhou defeated and absorbed Qinggan territory, but Qinggan royal remnants continued pursuing restoration and remain deeply hostile toward Wu Zhou. 49
• Mighty Chu — A powerful eastern neighbor with deeper foundations and a history of threatening Wu Zhou, including attempts to annex Yuezhou during regional conflict. 651
• Qi Yan — Western neighboring power whose royal family has intermarried with Wu Zhou’s, though the relationship is described as superficial. Qi Yan and Qinggan later aligned against Wu Zhou’s territory. 286 475
• Xuanlong — A northern military power focused on its border war against the Demon Race. Its support for Wu Zhou serves primarily to restrain Mighty Chu rather than as a purely benevolent alliance. 500 651
• Human Sacred Land — Recognizes the Zhu Family as legitimate royalty; Wu Zhou maintains a seat there and sends regular tribute. 356 481

Trivia

• Wu Zhou’s Capital City is structured around the Four Symbols, with four gates facing the cardinal directions. 599
• The country’s internal political condition is often characterized by the entanglement of the Xuan Yin Division and Huangji Sect, alongside persistent infighting within the Zhu Clan. 538
• Wu Zhou’s lack of high-level cultivators compared with rival powers is attributed in part to the prolonged conflict between the Imperial Family and Huangji Sect. 489 608