Zhou Li

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Zhou Li (周厉)
Alias(es)	Old Zhou 102
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Eagle Body Sect
Occupation/Role	Former Eagle Body Sect Master; owner of Yinghui Grocery Store; martial-arts mentor
Status	Alive 321
First Appearance	Chapter 60

Background / History

Zhou Li was raised in Zhou Family Village, where his family maintained the Eagle Body Sect's martial legacy. While he was away in Quanjin City handling sect affairs, every other villager—including his family—died under inexplicable circumstances: they appeared to have drowned despite no water being present and no abnormality in the river. Only Zhou Li and the village driver, who had also been away, survived. 81

He refused to abandon his investigation into the massacre despite Zhou Tairan's advice. Zhou Tairan later learned that Zhou Li, who had never had exceptional martial talent, had become seriously ill through the investigation. 102

By the time Chen Sheng found him, Zhou Li was running the rundown Yinghui Grocery Store and safeguarding the Eagle Body Sect's inheritance. Though physically frail, he had perfected the sect's Ancient Eagle Claw Hand and retained its body-forging methods. 60 61

Appearance

Zhou Li is a small, elderly man whose declining health makes him appear weak even by ordinary standards. He is frequently cold, coughing, exhausted, and later requires crutches to walk. 64 103 132

• Withered, thin hands shaped like eagle claws. 64
• Loose skin and a frail build that cause others to underestimate him. 96 98
• Clouded old eyes during periods of severe exhaustion. 103
• Often wears heavy padded clothing for warmth. 64 103

Personality

Zhou Li is sharp-tongued, irritable, and prone to bickering with Chen Sheng, but his complaints often conceal genuine concern. He is candid about his fear of death and his wish to survive long enough to see the world changed by Qi Sense Users and Celestials. 72 79

His strongest commitment is to preserving the Eagle Body Sect. Even as his health worsens and his disciple Xu Ying dies, Zhou Li remains focused on ensuring that the sect's inheritance will continue. 102 293

Zhou Li is wary of the effect power has on people. Having watched Qi Sense Users lose themselves after gaining strength, he directly challenges Chen Sheng's views on killing and morality. 72

Abilities & Skills

Ancient Eagle Claw Hand

Zhou Li's Ancient Eagle Claw Hand had reached the Perfected level by the time Chen Sheng met him. 60

• Identified Chen Sheng as a suitable recipient of the Eagle Body Sect's inheritance. 61
• Agreed to teach Chen Sheng the technique after witnessing his progress with Eagle's Breath. 70

Eagle Form Body Forging Art

Zhou Li possessed the Eagle Form Body Forging Art at Level 1, despite his poor physical condition. 60

• Preserves and passes down the Eagle Body Sect's body-forging and breathing-method inheritance. 69
• Directed Chen Sheng's water-based training beneath the waterfall near Zhou Family Village. 80 82

Spirit Medicine Preparation

Zhou Li is highly knowledgeable in preparing and using spirit herbs.

• Explains that spirit herbs enhance Vitality Soup and can induce a temporary bodily transformation period. 67
• Prepares Spirit Herb Soup for Chen Sheng throughout his cultivation and tournament preparations. 69 83
• Understands methods for producing spirit medicine, including cultivating plants and using Spirit Seeds. 72

Martial-Arts Knowledge

• Explains the dangers of the Martial Arts Tournament and warns Chen Sheng that an Entering Realm martial artist cannot be defeated by someone below that realm. 83
• Knows the historical connection between qi's tides and the development of martial-arts realms. 76
• Recognizes the destructive moral risks posed by rapid increases in power. 72

Equipment / Items

• Yinghui Grocery Store — His residence, shop, and the base from which he maintains Eagle Body Sect affairs. 60 64
• Spirit herbs and Iron Pot — Used to prepare Spirit Herb Soup. 67 83
• Crutches — Used while recovering enough strength to walk after prolonged illness and injury. 132
• Bamboo sticks and maltose pot — Store equipment used to make maltose candy. 61

Relationships

• Chen Sheng — Mentor, ally, and frequent sparring partner in conversation. Zhou Li provides Eagle Body Sect techniques, medicine, and moral guidance; Chen Sheng later becomes sect master and offers to find new disciples for the sect. 69 70 72 187 293
• Shen Ziming — Acquaintance connected to the Eagle Body Sect inheritance; Zhou Li reveals that he knows Shen Ziming after Chen Sheng begins training in Eagle's Breath. 60 69
• Xu Ying — Zhou Li's disciple and caretaker during his declining health. Xu Ying is later killed by Chen Sheng after attempting to steal Chen Sheng's body. 122 293
• Zhou Tairan — Longstanding acquaintance connected through Zhou Family Village. Zhou Tairan investigated the village massacre and later sends spirit herbs out of concern for Zhou Li's health. 102
• Shi Dazhuang — A polite Stone Fist Sect martial artist whose attempts at conversation repeatedly irritate Zhou Li during tournament registration. 95

Story Role / Major Arcs

• Eagle Body Sect inheritance — Chen Sheng locates Zhou Li through Shen Ziming's lead while seeking Eagle's Breath. Zhou Li ultimately accepts him and begins passing down the sect's methods. 60 69
• Waterfall training — Zhou Li takes Chen Sheng to Zhou Family Village and oversees his dangerous waterfall training, despite his own worsening health. 80 82
• Martial Arts Tournament — He registers Chen Sheng after the latter is late, bribes a staff member to secure the registration, and later handles logistics while Chen Sheng clears the advancement rounds. 95 99
• Eagle Body Sect succession — Chen Sheng becomes the sect's acting master, while Zhou Li gradually relinquishes leadership amid his illness. 70 95 187
• YiHe Sect period — Zhou Li remains close to Chen Sheng and Xu Ying at the YiHe Sect, continuing to worry about their cultivation and the Eagle Body Sect's future. 291 293 321

Notable Quotes

“I'm actually afraid of death.” 72

“I wanted even more to live to see the Eagle Body Sect grow stronger.” 72

“I want to see how a smug brat like you gets beaten so badly your ass falls off.” 82

Trivia

• When Chen Sheng first approached him for the Eagle Body Sect's inheritance, Zhou Li mistakenly prepared and sold him maltose candy for five yuan. 61
• Zhou Li initially claimed that a sleeping drug had not affected him, then admitted that he had merely been too scared to move. 76
• He often refers to Chen Sheng as a “brat” while still repeatedly helping him train, recover, and prepare for danger. 67 83 105