Shen Ziming

Biodata

Name	Shen Ziming (申子明)
Alias(es)	Xu Ziwen, an identity used while posing as a polite gravekeeper at Desolate Graves 24 38 47
Species/Race	Half-Celestial; his body was afflicted with Celestial Being Cells 149 181
Gender	Male
Affiliation	YiHe Sect; disciple of Sect Master Sun Yihe 145 190
Occupation/Role	Former wanted criminal; YiHe Sect representative and overseer of Force Sect activity in Fuhai Province 38 145
Status	Alive; remains at the YiHe Sect and intends to grow strong enough to fight the Celestials alongside Chen Sheng 278
First Appearance	Chapter 24, as Xu Ziwen; revealed as Shen Ziming in Chapter 38 24 38

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Qi Knot Stone obtained	177	Receives a Qi Knot Stone to eliminate the Celestial Being Cells responsible for his hereditary illness.
Celestial Being Cell state	181	Recorded attributes: Strength 8, Agility 8, Constitution 7; Celestial Being Cell 0.3%; Authority of Flesh and Blood 1% and Light 0.5%.
Post-treatment / Zhu Yan Military Disaster Lv0	209	His panel no longer lists Celestial Being Cells or Authority. His physical condition improves to Strength 11, Agility 12, Constitution 10, and he possesses the Zhu Yan Military Disaster skill.
Breathing Technique, second level	278	After less than a month of training, he has raised one Breathing Technique to its second level, though he remains far weaker than top-tier martial artists.

Background

Family Illness

Shen Ziming was born to a university-history-professor mother and a rural-schoolteacher father. His mother suffered from a hereditary illness that required constant medication and died when he was twelve; his father spent years seeking treatment for Shen Ziming before dying in an accident when Shen was eighteen. 149

The illness eventually manifested in Shen Ziming as recurrent fevers, weakness, and unconsciousness. Before the Tide Rising Era, he was so frail that he could barely leave his rented apartment. He later learned that the disease came from Celestial Being Cells in his body, which strengthened their host while progressively destroying the body's normal cellular structure. 149 181

Desolate Graves and Chen Sheng

Under the name Xu Ziwen, Shen lived near Chen Sheng and cultivated the image of a considerate gravekeeper, regularly tending Desolate Graves and bringing Chen fruit. In reality, he also excavated graves and hid money and other resources there. 24 31 47 53

When his wanted-criminal identity was exposed, he warned Chen Sheng to flee rather than involve himself. Shen escaped pursuit by leaping from Chen's third-floor balcony, attempted to lure the Pig-face Man toward a river, and was badly injured during the chase. 38

Shen later killed the Pig-face Man and advised Chen on avoiding suspicion during the police investigation. Chen was disturbed by Shen's apparent indifference toward killing and initially severed their connection. 40

While imprisoned and expecting not to survive, Shen sent Chen a Breathing Technique, a letter, and directions to the matching Body Forging Art. He also left gold and cash buried at Desolate Graves, treating these actions as repayment for Chen's earlier help. 52 53

YiHe Sect and the Sealed Land

After returning in markedly improved health, Shen revealed that he had become Sun Yihe's disciple. As a disciple of a Martial Arts Association committee member, he confronted Zhao Zhenfeng over the Force Sect's seizure of spiritual-medicine resources and declared that he would monitor the sect's activities in Fuhai Province. 144 145

Shen gave Chen a top-tier Spirit Seed despite its intended use as protection for Shen's own expedition. He explained that he needed Qi Knot Stones from the Sealed Land to remove the remaining Celestial Being Cells and cure his family's illness. 146 148 149

He accompanied Chen into the Sealed Land, using his ability to sense Celestials to guide their exploration. Although physically vulnerable, he remained with Chen through Venerable Elder's pursuit, Chen's Thunder Breathing breakthrough, and their escape. 162 167 174 185

Recovery and Resolve

After receiving a Qi Knot Stone, Shen's condition improved substantially. By the time Chen later examined him, the Celestial Being Cell and Authority entries had vanished from his panel. 177 209

Sun Yihe's death and Shen's own weakness during rescue operations hardened his resolve. He chose to continue cultivating so that he could fight beside Chen rather than remain dependent on stronger allies when the Celestials awaken. 278

Appearance

Shen Ziming generally presents himself as a refined, scholarly young man. When confronting the Force Sect, he wore a white shirt, suit trousers, and gold-rimmed glasses. 40 145

• Gold-rimmed glasses. 40 145
• Often appears calm and smiling even in threatening situations. 38 145
• Can transform into an orange cat, a form he uses while traveling with Chen. 162 190
• His complexion and vitality improve considerably after treatment with Qi Knot Stones. 144 209

Personality

Shen is composed, observant, and difficult to read. Even when Chen discovers his true identity or when Zhao Zhenfeng openly threatens him, Shen remains outwardly calm and responds with measured words rather than panic. 38 145

He holds an elitist but individualistic view of strength: powerful people can act beyond ordinary limits, but must personally decide what is right, what is wrong, and who deserves punishment. His willingness to kill the Pig-face Man reflects this mindset. 40

Despite his secrecy, Shen is deeply loyal once he considers someone a friend. He repays Chen's assistance with resources, guidance, political protection, and repeated personal risk. His decision to give Chen a top-tier Spirit Seed—despite needing protection for the Sealed Land himself—shows the depth of that gratitude. 52 148 187

His usual reserve gives way to a livelier, occasionally playful side around Chen, particularly after returning to Quanjin City. 157

Abilities & Skills

Celestial Being Cell Abilities

Before his treatment, Shen's Celestial Being Cells allowed him to actively control qi through innate, program-like abilities. 162 181

• Invisibility — Can conceal himself from ordinary people and martial artists below the Entering Realm. 163
• Limitation: Entering Realm martial artists can see qi; to them, his invisibility makes him conspicuous rather than hidden. 163
• Light manifestation — Can make his qi emit light, illuminating dark environments. 167 174
• Transformation — Can take the form of an orange cat. 162 190
• Cost: Celestial Being Cells gradually consume normal cells, and greater power accelerates the danger to his health. 181

Celestial Perception

Shen can sense Celestials and use that perception to locate paths and explore Sealed Lands more efficiently than ordinary entrants. 162 163

• Guided Chen through the lake entrance to the Sealed Land. 167
• Identified the strategic advantage their Celestial perception gave them over Zhao Zhenfeng. 162 163

Zhu Yan Military Disaster

After his recovery, Shen possesses Zhu Yan Military Disaster Lv0. Its specific functions have not been described. 209

Practical Knowledge

• Understands the value and use of Spirit Seeds and helped Chen expand his Spirit Herb Field. 147
• Is familiar with clearing land, digging graves, and hoeing fields. 147
• Provides practical advice on avoiding police scrutiny and managing the aftermath of violent incidents. 40 157

Equipment / Items

• Gold-rimmed glasses — Part of his scholarly disguise and usual appearance. 40 145
• Top-tier Spirit Seed — An apprentice gift from Sun Yihe, capable of supplying a medium-sized sect for a year; Shen gave it to Chen Sheng. 148
• Qi Knot Stone — Kept in a small wooden box after receiving it to treat his Celestial Being Cells. 177
• Breathing Technique package and letter — Sent to Chen while Shen was imprisoned, along with directions to the corresponding Body Forging Art. 52

Relationships

• Chen Sheng — Friend, beneficiary of Shen's concealed resources, and eventual Sealed Land companion. Shen repeatedly repays Chen for saving him; both resolve to become stronger and fight the Celestials together. 38 148 187 278
• Sun Yihe — Master and YiHe Sect Master. Shen invokes Sun's name when confronting threats and is deeply affected by his death. 145 180 278
• Zhang Yu — His Sixth Brother in the YiHe Sect. Zhang Yu is protective of Shen and worries about Shen entering the Sealed Land alone. 148 190
• Zhou Li — Old acquaintance who knew Shen before Chen met him; Shen introduced Chen to Zhou and the Eagle Body Sect's cultivation resources. 60 144
• Zhao Zhenfeng — Force Sect adversary. Shen challenges Zhao's conduct in Fuhai Province and keeps watch over the Force Sect as part of committee oversight. 145
• Venerable Elder — Hostile Celestial-affiliated figure who suppresses Shen's powers and seals him in the ground when Shen attempts to intervene for Chen. 180 181

Notable Quotes

“Standing above all living things isn't an illusion. It's a fact.”
— Shen Ziming 40

“What can be done, and what cannot. Who deserves to die, and who doesn't.”
— Shen Ziming 40

“I'm the same as you. Get stronger. Then join you in beating the Celestials to death.”
— Shen Ziming 278

Trivia

• Shen enjoys iced cola despite it making him cough. 148
• Chen's Eye of Truth initially could not display Shen's attributes, a discrepancy later connected to Shen's Celestial Being Cells. 144 167
• Shen's invisibility allowed him to sit openly beside a busy road while pedestrians failed to notice him. 148