Zhong Ming

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Zhong Ming (钟鸣)
Alias(es)	Clear River Prefecture City's Number One 143
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Dragon Stream Peak, Seven Mysteries Sect; later joins Princess Qingyue's faction 27 119
Occupation/Role	Sword cultivator; former leader of the Sword Testing Platform 33
Spiritual Root	Third-grade Spiritual Root; raised to second rank after receiving Three Lights Divine Water 10 96
Status	Active; refining Killing Intent while approaching the Golden Core barriers 174
First Appearance	Chapter 2 2

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Dragon Stream – Sword Drawing Technique, initial advancement	8	Rapid practice advances his sword-drawing technique and teaches him a faster, sharper draw. 8
Dragon Stream – Sword Drawing Technique, Realm 3: Mastery	22	Gains Quick Reflexes and Water Flow. 22
Early Qi Condensation	23	Opens his Qi Sea Acupoint; can empower his senses and sword draw with magical power, including Sword Qi. 23
Dragon Creek Swordplay, Stage 2: Proficient	29	Gains Stream Sword Convergence, allowing him to redirect and deflect attacks with creek-like sword momentum. 29
Leaping Wave Dragon Creek Steps, Stage 2: Proficient	31	Gains Water Walking and Body Like a Stream, improving mobility and evasive movement. 31
Dragon Flood Dragon Dao Rhyme activated	43	Awakens the Dao Rhyme during his duel with Xie Yuzhu, manifesting wind, rain, and the Vortex Dragon sword intent. 43
Spirit Stream Finger · Stream Interception, Realm 3	54	Gains Mirror Still Water · Ripple, a thirty-three-meter sensory domain. 54
Dao Rhyme of Water Flow	57	Integrates stacked Water Flow with the Clear Sound Spring Stone, gaining control over surrounding water and using it to cleanse bodily impurities. 57
Dragon Creek Breathing Technique, Stage 3: Mastery	66, 101	Unlocks Qi Circulating Through the Heavens and meets the cultivation-method requirement for late Qi Condensation. 66 101
Dragon Stream – Sword Drawing Technique, Stage 4	69	Advances to Sword Seed Nurturing; a silver tree and Sword Seed form in his sea of consciousness. 69
Mid Qi Condensation	69	Attaches his consciousness to the Sword Seed and gains a higher state for cultivating his other arts. 69 72
Torchlight Heart-Eye, Stage 3	122	Its power is revealed as a nearly undetectable swordsmanship attack. 122 126
Dao Seed: Morning Star / Candle-Shining Dragon	130	His Dao Seed reaches fifty percent development. 130
Eighty-five star apertures	131	Opens forty-nine new apertures after previously opening thirty-six through Starry Heaven Lord. 131
Foundation Establishment	160	Advances amid a heavenly tribulation; Xi Yue abandons her intended duel and submits to him. 160
Killing Intent refined	174	Refines ten bottles of Divine-Extinction Baleful Qi into Killing Intent without visible strain. 174

Background

Zhong Ming began as a poor commoner disciple with a Third-grade Spiritual Root and little access to cultivation resources. He refused Lu Mingfeng and Xia He's proposal that he become Jiang Yue's follower, choosing instead to pursue advancement through his own efforts. 4

While studying the Mountain Stream Diagram, Zhong Ming endured severe spiritual strain but perceived the Flood Dragon True Intent within it. This comprehension, combined with the Dragon Flood Dragon Dao Rhyme, became the foundation of his unusually rapid progress. 2 11

He developed a cultivation routine built around reading cultivation insights, drinking, and sword practice. Other disciples attempted to imitate the routine, but Zhong Ming warned that drinking was unsuitable for those below Level 2 of the Dragon Creek Breathing Technique. 19

Appearance

Zhong Ming is frequently described as outwardly ordinary because the Sword Seed gathers and conceals his leaking aura. 70 85 161

• Refined, scholarly demeanor gained through reading, tempered by a sharp sword cultivator's presence. 66
• A perfected physique after Water Flow cleansed impurities, chronic ailments, and discordant conditions from his body. 57 66
• Possesses golden flesh and jade bones after the Torchlight Heart-Eye refines his body with solar power. 131
• Can enhance his bearing with the Solar Divine Wheel, appearing like the “Son of the Sun.” 141

Personality

Zhong Ming is intensely diligent and treats cultivation as his overriding priority. Even after gaining status, resources, and allies, he repeatedly withdraws from attention to practice in solitude. 10 28 72

He initially avoids trouble, followers, and political entanglements, but values strength more than peace. When forced to choose, he believes sufficient strength allows him to cut down any trouble that comes for him. 4 21

His public confidence is often mistaken for arrogance. In Clear River Prefecture City, he deliberately reinforces an image of an impulsive, overbearing genius, causing opponents to underestimate his planning and sword cultivator's resolve. 108 126

Despite his self-reliance, Zhong Ming repays genuine kindness. He aids Jiang Yue and Dong Hai in the Seven Peaks Grand Competition, honors Yi Yunya's support, and later gives his own purple-gold essence blood to the senior brothers who trained him. 53 79 151

Abilities & Skills

Heaven Rewards Diligence

Zhong Ming's defining talent converts persistent practice into rapid, lasting progress.

• Makes simple, repeatable sword movements especially effective for advancement. 8
• Allows him to rapidly refine techniques after receiving correct guidance or comprehending their true intent. 29
• Does not grant effortless power; Zhong Ming still requires time, practice, instruction, and resources. 36

Dragon Stream Sword Arts

His sword path centers on the explosive Dragon Stream – Sword Drawing Technique and the flowing, adaptive Dragon Creek Swordplay.

• Uses a concealed half-crouching stance to obscure the Long Sword and make his draw difficult to predict. 8
• Can charge a draw with magical power to produce Sword Qi and strike beyond ordinary physical limits. 23
• Stream Sword Convergence redirects enemy attacks and makes his sword momentum flexible and winding. 29
• Sword Seed Nurturing stores spiritual power, vitality, and mental strength for a single explosive sword draw. 69
• His Vortex Dragon manifestation uses the Dragon Flood Dragon Dao Rhyme to overwhelm opponents with wind, rain, and water-like sword force. 43
• Forms the sword heart Heaven Above and Earth Below, I Alone Reign through absolute confidence in his future and Sword Dao. 126

Intent Reading and Mirror-Like Perception

Zhong Ming can observe intent, combat rhythms, and flaws that ordinary sight cannot perceive.

• Intent Reading lets him study sword techniques, True Intent Diagrams, and combatants at the Sword Testing Platform. 18 33
• Repeated use burdens his mind and can leave him muddled or mentally exhausted. 18 53
• Mirror Still Water · Ripple perceives objects, living beings, wind, water, and underground insects within a thirty-three-meter radius. 54
• Mirror Like Water reads nearby life states, breathing rhythms, and weaknesses; the Clear Sound Spring Stone greatly improves its range and continuous feedback. 55

Torchlight Heart-Eye and Solar Power

The Torchlight Heart-Eye allows Zhong Ming to absorb and wield solar power.

• Produces Evil-Breaking Golden Light, which he uses alongside Purifying Flame against cultists and impurities. 99 146
• Enables Eyes Open, Day Arrives, allowing him to dispel darkness and become a temporary source of solar power himself. 131
• His full blazing-sun state lasts roughly seven to nine seconds when he bears the energy cost himself. 131
• Further evolution is limited by the durability of his physical body, motivating him to pursue body-tempering arts. 99

Starry Heaven Lord and Body Tempering

After restoring and cultivating the incomplete Heaven-grade Starry Heaven Lord, Zhong Ming develops a stellar body.

• Opens star apertures by washing them with solar and stellar power. 114 116
• Can draw on constellations, including the Azure Dragon's vitality and Vermilion Bird-associated flames. 111
• Opens eighty-five apertures and gains golden flesh, jade bones, improved defense, vitality, and lifespan. 131
• Survives having his heart shattered due to the resilience of his Devil Master Taisui physique. 147

Great Dream of a Thousand Autumns

A divine treasure that allows Zhong Ming to process and rehearse immense amounts of information within dreamscapes.

• Processes the Heavenly Stellar Cycle Sect's inheritance after entering the Starry Sky Courtyard. 109
• Lets him repeatedly replay and study Dao rhythms that would normally be difficult to express or retain. 154
• Supports his ability to safely rehearse dangerous cultivation steps before performing them in reality. 114

Divine Lord Manifestation

Zhong Ming can manifest a hundred-meter Divine Lord form.

• Its movements show no delay, demonstrating extraordinary divine-soul control. 148
• The manifestation magnifies his solar and sword-based power, including the blessing of “Greatness.” 145
• Placing this burden on his body causes immense pressure, pill toxicity, and potential lifespan damage. 148

Equipment / Treasures

• Clear Sound Spring Stone — Earth-grade high-quality treasure refined by Zhong Ming; restores mental strength and enhances Mirror Like Water. 53 55
• Dragon Creek Robe — Disperses Mingya's reflected eye-technique attacks and can alter light to conceal Zhong Ming's stellar apertures. 116 141
• Flying Sword — Forged for him by Xie Yuzhu; she also promises to fund its future upgrades after losing their duel. 42 53
• Solar Divine Wheel — Enhances his appearance and presence, creating a sun-like manifestation behind him. 141 145
• Youtan Flower Seed — Offered by Meng You as compensation following the Secret Vault conflict. 149

Relationships

• Dong Hai — Close friend and training partner; throws pebbles for Zhong Ming's sword-drawing practice and receives his protection in return. 5 10 79
• Jiang Yue — Early supporter and friend. Jiang Yue supplies meals and resources, while Zhong Ming later promises to intervene if Jiang Yue faces danger during the Seven Peaks Grand Competition. 11 79
• Xue Yao — Teammate who identifies Zhong Ming as Dragon Stream Peak's strongest disciple before most others recognize his potential. Her Ice Heart Curse improves his comprehension and mental recovery. 20 29
• Yi Yunya — Strategic ally and Golden Jade Tower supporter. She invests resources in him, arranges access to True Intent Diagrams, and manages many of his external affairs. 32 33 96
• Mo Shuying — Senior Disciple Sister and mentor figure who gives him cultivation insights and seeks to compensate for Dragon Stream Peak's earlier lack of support. 19 32
• Qi Hong — Sword Testing Platform senior who trains Zhong Ming through practical combat and considers him Dragon Stream Peak's hope for revival. 35 39
• Xie Yuzhu — Former sparring opponent. Zhong Ming defeats her despite her superior cultivation and artifacts; she later asks to learn swordsmanship from him. 43 44
• Ji Qingyue / Princess Qingyue — Political ally whose faction Zhong Ming joins. She provides resources and supports him amid the Clear River conflicts. 119 131
• Ji Qinglian — Ji Qingyue's sister; later supports Zhong Ming's formation project and cultivates ties with those close to him. 131 153
• Xi Yue — Originally expected to duel Zhong Ming, but kneels and submits after his Foundation Establishment breakthrough; later defects to his side. 160 161
• Prince of Qinghe — Patron who recognizes Zhong Ming's strategic value, provides major resources, and entrusts him with authority during the Immortal Martial City expedition. 143 151 152

Story Role / Major Arcs

Dragon Stream Peak Ascension

Zhong Ming rises from a poor Commoner Disciple to a Class A disciple after opening his Qi Sea Acupoint in seven days. His advancement overturns the assumptions that his Third-grade Spiritual Root and lack of family support would permanently limit him. 27 28

He becomes a focal point at Dragon Stream Peak through his alliance with Xue Yao, recruitment by Yi Yunya, and training under Qi Hong's group at the Sword Testing Platform. 20 33 39

Seven Peaks Grand Competition

Zhong Ming refuses alliances with the other peaks, intending to temper his sword heart through adversity and pursue “One Sword Breaks Ten Thousand Arts.” 76

He protects Dragon Stream Peak disciples, overawes Green Fragrance Mountain, and offers assistance to Dong Hai and Jiang Yue after proving his strength. 78 79 82

Clear River Prefecture City

After joining Princess Qingyue's faction, Zhong Ming defeats major-sect disciples, including Lin Kong and Di Yun, while his apparent arrogance causes opponents to underestimate him. 119 129 137

He kills Mingya with a single glance despite fighting above his cultivation realm, earning recognition as Clear River Prefecture City's Number One and forcing the six major sects to reconsider whether to recruit rather than eliminate him. 142 143

Starlit Moon Vault and the Cult Conflict

Zhong Ming defeats Cheng Lü, protects Princess Qingyue's group, and saves True Disciples from the six major sects during the cult crisis. 146

He withstands Fei Yi's heart-shattering attack, manifests a hundred-meter Divine Lord, defeats the Five Prisons Divine Child, and leaves Meng You's fate to Prince of Qinghe after accepting her surrender. 147 148 149

Immortal Martial City

Supported by Prince of Qinghe, Zhong Ming travels to Immortal Martial City, works with Luo Zhiwei to deduce the Year-Sequence Year-Ring Diagram, and advances to Foundation Establishment. 152 153 160

His performance becomes a decisive political factor in the struggle for deputy commander positions, attracting invitations from major factions and the Demon Suppressing Division. 168 172

Notable Quotes

“With strength, if trouble comes knocking, I can cut it down with a single sword.” 21

“You are already dead!” 143

“Sorry, I will not casually let my bloodline flow outside the family, much less abandon my own children.” 175