Zhou Hai

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Zhou Hai (周海)
Alias(es)	Young Gang Leader
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Three Rivers Gang; Tiger Subduing Martial Arts School; Demon Eradication Division
Occupation/Role	Young Gang Leader of the Three Rivers Gang; martial artist; Demon Eradication Division member
First Appearance	Chapter 5

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Tiger Subduing Fist — Initiation	14	Reaches initiation after Fang Chen's guidance and challenges Fang Chen to keep ahead of him. 14
Whirlwind Blade Technique — Initiation	15	Initiates the technique to pursue Fang Chen's pace. 15
Skin and Muscle Realm	57	Breaks through after losing his bet with Fang Chen to reach the realm first; gives Fang Chen a martial arts manual as promised. 57
Sinew and Bone Realm	122	Has become more composed and valiant following this breakthrough while serving in the Demon Eradication Division. 122
Viscera Realm	167	Successfully breaks through with pills gifted by Fang Chen. 167

Background / History

Zhou Hai entered the Tiger Subduing Martial Arts School on the same day as Fang Chen, publicly identifying himself as the Young Gang Leader of the Three Rivers Gang. His status and superior bone aptitude immediately earned him the attention of fellow disciples. 5

Initially, Zhou Hai was unsettled by Fang Chen's rapid progress in the Tiger Subduing Fist. He attributed Fang Chen's advancement to exceptional compatibility with the technique, sought advice from Wang Yanshan, and eventually asked Fang Chen for direct guidance. Fang Chen's corrections allowed him to identify and fix his mistakes, beginning their friendship and rivalry. 6 7

The two wagered on who would first reach the Skin and Muscle Realm: Zhou Hai would provide a valuable medicinal pill if he lost, while Fang Chen would work for him if he lost. Zhou Hai was confident that his aptitude, wealth, and access to tonics would secure his victory. 7 Fang Chen won the bet; Zhou Hai later fulfilled it after breaking through himself. 57

Zhou Hai supported Fang Chen beyond the wager. He had Fang Chen's family's gang entrance fees waived, sent additional gifts, and later sponsored Fang Chen with an elixir every two months alongside Qi and Blood Pills and Qi Supplementing Powder. 13 15 16

After Fang Chen's rise, Zhou Hai received a position in the Demon Eradication Division alongside Jiang Qiutong. He continued pursuing advancement through missions and battle merits, eventually reaching the Viscera Realm with Fang Chen's assistance. 87 156 167

Appearance

Zhou Hai is described as handsome and imposing, with the vigor of youth. 5

• Often carries ginseng and cultivation medicines. 7 9
• Later becomes more composed and valiant after reaching the Sinew and Bone Realm. 122

Personality

Zhou Hai is highly competitive and initially struggles with Fang Chen surpassing him despite Zhou Hai's superior aptitude and resources. Rather than withdrawing, he seeks Fang Chen's instruction, trains harder, and maintains their wager. 6 7 14

He is generous, pragmatic, and values worthwhile friendships. He sponsors Fang Chen's cultivation, protects Fang Chen's family from gang-related trouble, and recognizes Fang Chen's loyalty when Fang Chen volunteers for the dock conflict. 9 15 52

Zhou Hai also has an indulgent side, frequently visiting the Yihong Courtesan House and using “balance of work and rest” to justify it. Fang Chen regularly teases him over this habit. 7 9 41

Abilities & Skills

Tiger Subduing Fist

Zhou Hai trained in the Tiger Subduing Martial Arts School's foundational fist art and improved substantially after receiving Fang Chen's instruction.

• Reached initiation after being taught corrections to his posture, power generation, breathing, and transitions. 7 14
• Continued exchanging insights with Fang Chen after initiation. 16
• His early difficulty with the form stemmed from impatience and awkward movement connections. 6 7

Whirlwind Blade Technique

Zhou Hai initiated the Whirlwind Blade Technique in an effort to catch up with Fang Chen. 15

Cultivation and Resource Use

Zhou Hai's superior aptitude, access to ginseng, elixirs, and other supplements support his martial development.

• Takes an elixir every half month to nurture Blood Essence. 15
• Uses ginseng to restore energy. 7 9
• Seeks battle merits to obtain a Viscera Refining Pill, as ordinary wealth cannot purchase battle merits. 156
• Ultimately relies on Fang Chen's gifted pills to advance to the Viscera Realm. 167

Relationships

• Fang Chen — Fellow entrant to the Tiger Subduing Martial Arts School, friendly rival, sponsor, and trusted senior brother. Zhou Hai sought his guidance, funded his cultivation, and consistently placed extraordinary faith in him. 7 15 52 174
• Zhou Boyuan — Father and leader of the Three Rivers Gang. Zhou Hai is his son and the gang's Young Gang Leader. 55
• Jiang Qiutong — Fellow Demon Eradication Division member. They undertake missions together and discuss Fang Chen's achievements and their own cultivation ambitions. 122 156 167
• Tan Zongting — Senior figure connected to the Demon Eradication Division who observes Zhou Hai's progress and shares news of Fang Chen's advancement. 122
• Wang Yanshan — Senior disciple whose unclear Tiger Subduing Fist instruction prompts Zhou Hai to seek Fang Chen's help instead. 6 16

Story Role / Major Arcs

Tiger Subduing Martial Arts School

Zhou Hai enters the school as a privileged new disciple with superior aptitude, but Fang Chen's one-day initiation challenges his confidence. His decision to seek Fang Chen's guidance transforms their initial rivalry into a mutually beneficial friendship. 5 7

Sponsorship and the Skin and Muscle Realm Bet

He sponsors Fang Chen's training despite believing Fang Chen's mediocre aptitude will prevent him from progressing faster. Fang Chen wins their bet by reaching the Skin and Muscle Realm first, while Zhou Hai later honors his promise with a martial arts manual. 15 57

Three Rivers Gang Conflicts

Zhou Hai acts as Fang Chen's connection to the Three Rivers Gang. He explains the stakes of the conflict with the Green Robe Gang and is deeply moved when Fang Chen volunteers to fight for the docks in return for his support. 52

Demon Eradication Division

After receiving a place in the Demon Eradication Division, Zhou Hai undertakes missions with Jiang Qiutong and works toward the Viscera Realm through battle merits. Fang Chen's resources ultimately help him complete the breakthrough. 87 156 167

Fang Chen's Prefecture City Rise

Zhou Hai remains one of Fang Chen's most devoted supporters as the gap between them widens. He bets nearly half his savings on Fang Chen defeating Bai Jingxing and later profits heavily when Fang Chen wins in one move. 174 177 182

Trivia

• Zhou Hai once declared that he would abstain from lust in order to focus on training, though his visits to the Yihong Courtesan House remain a recurring subject of Fang Chen's teasing. 9 41
• He initially believed Fang Chen's aptitude was secretly top-tier after Fang Chen's rapid breakthrough, only for Fang Chen to be joking. 21
• His trust in Fang Chen is strong enough that he cannot clearly explain why he believes Fang Chen will win; he simply notes that Fang Chen has never tasted defeat. 175