Zhong Shan

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Zhong Shan (鍾山)
Alias(es)	Master Zhong; Eastern Marquis; Duke of the East; Sacred King; Heavenly Emperor
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Great Zheng Dynasty / Great Zheng Imperial Dynasty / Great Zheng Sacred Court / Great Zheng Heavenly Court
Occupation/Role	Founder and ruler of Great Zheng; military strategist; cultivator
First Appearance	2

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Innate Realm, Third Stage	19	Defeated an Innate Fourth Stage opponent with the Heavenly Devil Body Tempering Great Technique and Heaven Splitting Strike.
Golden Core Stage, First Level	165	Activated the third level of the Heavenly Devil Body Refinement Great Art, multiplying his strength fourfold.
Golden Core Stage, Third Level	183	Reached this stage after six months of cultivation.
Golden Core Stage, Sixth Level	265	Entered the Great Luo Heavenly Dynasty’s Imperial Examination at this level.
Golden Core Stage, Seventh Level	288	Refined the possessed Wisdom Light Arhat and broke through while using the Thunder Hell Pure Yang Skill.
Golden Core Stage, Ninth Level	337	Used Qi Luck to cleanse karmic obstacles and advance during the Military Battle of Eternal Life Hall.
Golden Core Stage, Tenth Level	368	Faced Marquis Qitian while armed with several Ninth Grade magical treasures.
Nascent Soul Stage, First Level	369 370	Broke through with Princess Qian You’s assistance; began practicing the Lightning Foundation Great Art.
Nascent Soul Stage, Second Level	385	Advanced amid his lightning-filled battle with Liu Dao.
Body Integration Realm, Tenth Level	483	Rose three levels after the Eight Extremes Heavenly Tail refined powerful treasures.
Emperor Realm, Second Level	650	Advanced through a breakthrough in mental state; his Shadow Body followed the Main Body’s advancement.
Emperor Realm, Fifth Level	672	Absorbed energy from two immortal-level magical treasures and advanced three consecutive levels.
Emperor Realm, Sixth Level	680	Advanced after refining the Soul Falling Bell, magical treasure gloves, and a Three-legged Golden Crow.
Tian Ji Realm, Fourth Level	763	His cultivation surged as the Eight Extremes Heavenly Tail released stored energy from the Immortal Slaughtering Sword.
Tian Ji Realm, Ninth Level	802	A white fruit enabled a further breakthrough; his Qi Number increased his cultivation speed to four hundred times normal.
Heavenly Immortal Realm, Eighth Level	900 901	After Luo Xingchen reduced him to the Golden Core Stage with Reverse Flow Time, he used Ascend to restore his cultivation.
Red Phoenix Heavenly Scripture, Tenth Level	1211	Gained the ability to see Qi Numbers and observe Yuanshi Tianzun’s declining fortune.
Ancestor Immortal, Sixth Heaven	1355	Refined vast quantities of Qi Luck and Qi Number through the Eight Extremes Heavenly Tail.

Background / History

Zhong Shan began as the widely respected “Master Zhong,” a self-made legendary figure of the Great Kun Kingdom with eight foster sons. Despite initially poor innate talent, he entered cultivation after obtaining a Restriction Breaking Pill and trained at the Kaiyang Sect. His early cultivation relied on the Great Yang Divine Skill, a great saber, and relentless physical training. 2 15 615

He distinguished himself as an Innate Third Stage cultivator by killing stronger opponents and later survived repeated dangers alongside Tian Ling'er, Bei Qing Si, Zhao Suo Xiang, and others. During this period, he gained the Heavenly Devil Body Tempering Great Technique, the Red Phoenix Heavenly Scripture, and a mysterious Demon Wolf. 19 31 50 64

Before founding Great Zheng, Zhong Shan was a leading figure in the business world. After Kui Er was killed by the Sky Splitting Crown Prince, he became despondent, changed his name, and joined the border army. His aptitude for warfare quickly eclipsed that of the disguised Crown Prince Su Lian Xian. 99

Following the collapse of the Great Kun Kingdom, Zhong Shan defended Xuan City, defeated rival families through traps and ambushes, and was accepted as ruler by the surviving soldiers. He formally established the Great Zheng Dynasty, appointed Zhong Tian and Zhong Zheng as Crown Princes, and began organizing a new court around the Eternal Life Hall. 101 103 104

Appearance

Zhong Shan is an eight-foot-tall man with a large, powerful build. He is not noted for exceptional conventional beauty, but carries the calm, depth, and mature masculine presence of a seasoned ruler. 411 997

• Usually carries a large saber in battle.
• Projects a composed, oppressive bearing even when facing stronger foes.
• Can become physically larger and more ferocious while using the Heavenly Devil Body Tempering Great Technique. 380
• Is capable of transforming into a colossal True Dragon by borrowing the power of the North Continent. 1395 1400

Personality

Zhong Shan is patient, calculating, and exceptionally difficult to intimidate. He evaluates opponents for weaknesses, often preferring psychological pressure, political maneuvering, or layered traps over direct confrontation. His ability to remain calm under immediate danger is repeatedly emphasized, from saving Tian Ling'er during a landslide to forcing hostile cultivators to retreat through threats alone. 36 236

He is ruthless toward enemies and betrayal. Zhong Shan kills decisively when he believes mercy would endanger his people, but he is not needlessly cruel; he allowed Liu Dao to meet the Great Empress before their deaths and arranged their burial afterward. 58 71 385

Despite his ambition, Zhong Shan places great value on loyalty, courage, and capability. He rewards loyal officials, promotes former enemies who prove useful, and respects people such as Zhao Suo Xiang for their integrity rather than their cultivation alone. 805 971 1241

His confidence can become overt arrogance. Zhong Shan refuses to submit merely for the sake of gaining a powerful master, provokes enemies into revealing their trump cards, and openly challenges Sages when he believes Great Zheng’s interests demand it. 561 880 1133

Abilities & Skills

Heavenly Devil Body Tempering Great Technique

A body-refinement art that drastically increases Zhong Shan’s physical strength and combat power.

• Reached the second layer during a life-or-death battle. 50
• At the third layer, multiplied his strength fourfold. 165
• Reached the fifth layer during his duel with Liu Dao, granting sixfold strength and dramatically enlarging his physique. 380
• Enabled him to crack one of Yu the Great’s Nine Cauldrons while fighting Sage Cheng Hou. 1395
• Causes severe strain after use at lower stages. 50

Lightning Techniques

Zhong Shan’s cultivation is strongly aligned with lightning and pure yang energy.

• Practices the Great Yang Divine Skill. 15
• Uses the Thunder Hell Pure Yang Skill to summon widespread lightning and temper both his body and saber. 288
• Learned the Lightning Foundation Great Art after reaching the Nascent Soul Stage. 370
• Uses Sky Lightning Transformation to create thunderclouds wherever his vision reaches. 561
• Broke the Golden Light Arhat’s battle array with Lightning Dragon Illusion World. 375
• The Eye of Heavenly Punishment can absorb and neutralize hostile lightning attacks. 940

Main Body, Hidden Body, and Shadow Body

Zhong Shan possesses more than one body, granting him unusual survivability and tactical reach.

• His Main Body cultivates in the Yang Realm, while the Hidden Body operates separately in Xuan City and later the Netherworld. 94 650
• The Shadow Body can ignore formation restraints, enter the ground, and hide within another person’s shadow. 630
• Shadow Clones can mimic opponents, ambush from shadows, and overwhelm enemies in large numbers. 504 1562
• His Shadow Body bypassed Gu Zheng Yi’s vast feng shui array with little difficulty. 1570
• Ascend rapidly restores lost cultivation by drawing in energy from the surroundings. 900 901

Eight Extremes Heavenly Tail

Zhong Shan’s Root Divine Sense and one of his primary sources of power.

• Refines powerful treasures and transfers part of their energy to Zhong Shan. 483
• Devoured the Immortal Decapitation Sword and the Purple-Gold Dragon-Patterned Staff. 708 749
• Blocked the Slaying Immortal Flying Knife and Immortal Trapping Sword, though Zhong Shan’s Nightmare Saber was destroyed in the process. 693
• Can grow to enormous size, shatter space with its tails, and act independently in battle. 749
• Refined Qi Luck and Qi Number to help Zhong Shan reach Ancestor Immortal Sixth Heaven. 1355

Dynasty and Qi Luck Manipulation

As Great Zheng’s ruler, Zhong Shan can draw on the strength of his people, territory, Qi Luck, Merit, and Qi Number.

• Founded Great Zheng through the Investiture of the Gods and the Square Heaven Jade Seal, producing a celestial phenomenon that affirmed his mandate. 103
• Receives accelerated cultivation from official positions and Great Zheng’s Qi Luck. 369 802
• Can call upon his subjects to raise their right hands and lend him power. 693 1554
• Borrowed the power of the Great Zheng World to battle opponents vastly beyond his personal realm. 957
• His return restores Great Zheng’s Qi Luck and Merit, strengthening the morale of officials, civilians, and soldiers. 969

Divine Powers and Supreme Techniques

• Opening Heaven Palm — Defeated Great Immortal Sima Zongheng with a single palm strike. 862
• Heavenly Laws Million Waves / Three Million Waves — High-level attacks that draw on Great Zheng’s collective power. 1554
• Rupture — Inflicts major Qi Number loss on targets such as Yuanshi Tianzun. 1211
• Reincarnation Tunnel — Used by Zhong Shan and his clones to seal Ancient Immortals. 1061 1065
• Undying Sword — Repelled the Heavenly Demon Young Master and created a world that expelled Heavenly Demons back to their realm. 1064
• Emperor Painting — Absorbed attacks within the Purple Firmament Sect Master’s World. 940

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Great Saber / Nightmare Saber — Zhong Shan’s primary early weapon; Nightmare was destroyed while blocking powerful immortal weapons. 13 693
• Wind Chasing Boots — Gifted by Tian Ling'er to help him traverse the Kaiyang Sect. 15
• Square Heaven Jade Seal — Great Immortal Artifact and imperial seal used to suppress Sima Zongheng. 103 862
• Investiture of the Gods — Used to establish Great Zheng’s court and confer offices. 103 104
• Eight Ox Ballista / Eight Oxen Crossbow — Heavy ranged weapon used in prepared ambushes against powerful enemies. 58 101
• Wind God Bow and Arrows — Ninth Grade magical treasures formerly wielded by Zhong Shan before being returned to Princess Qian You. 368 369
• Holy Sword — Ninth Grade magical treasure formerly carried for defense against Marquis Qitian. 368
• Purple Cotton Kasaya — Ninth Grade protective treasure later handed to Heavenly Old publicly. 368 369
• Black Jade Talisman — Activated upon his Nascent Soul breakthrough and sealed an entire hall. 369
• Eternal Life Saber — A saber refined by Zhong Shan and wielded at full power against the Red Emperor. 1541

Relationships

• Tian Ling'er — Wife and Empress of Great Zheng; first aided Zhong Shan by giving him the Wind Chasing Boots, later trusted him with her life during a landslide and recovered memories of their past together. 15 36 454 480
• Princess Qian You / Gu Qian You — Political patron, ally, and Empress. Her support gave Zhong Shan access to the Great Luo Heavenly Dynasty, and their intimacy aided his Nascent Soul breakthrough. 169 369 1654
• Ying Lan — Trusted military commander and deeply loyal companion. Zhong Shan appointed her commander of Great Zheng’s Second Army Corps and fought desperately to save her from Han Jiguang. 104 518
• Tian Xingzi — Zhong Shan’s master and the former head of the Tian Family; accepted Zhong Shan as a disciple after his recovery. 94 104 717
• Emperor Xuan Sha — Wolf Clan Supreme and powerful ally. He contracted with Zhong Shan to make the Wolf Clan Great Zheng’s National Beast and repeatedly intervened on Zhong Shan’s behalf. 131 591 1157
• Zhong Tian — Foster son and Crown Prince of Great Zheng. Zhong Shan supports his Buddhist cultivation and gave him Sage Jieyin’s lifelong insights. 104 1290
• Zhong Zheng — Foster son and Crown Prince of Great Zheng; remained loyal to Zhong Shan during the crisis at Xuan City. 94 104
• Zhao Suo Xiang — Old friend and trusted fierce general. Zhong Shan respects his courage, loyalty, and martial spirit. 31 557 561
• Sword Pride — Rival and peer whose battles with Zhong Shan serve as mutual sharpening on the path toward Transcendence. Zhong Shan ultimately defeated him after a fourteen-day battle. 1650 1654
• Nian Youyou — Associate with an ambiguous romantic connection; Zhong Shan fulfilled his promise to create a square of roses for her. 300
• Kui Er — Zhong Shan’s lost lover. Her death at the hands of the Sky Splitting Crown Prince drove Zhong Shan into despair and remained a motive for revenge. 99 103

Story Role / Major Arcs

• Kaiyang Sect disciple — Cultivates from the Innate Realm, receives Tian Ling'er’s support, and earns recognition by defeating stronger disciples. 15 19
• Defense of the Zhong Manor — Returns to protect Xuan City, exposes traitors, and defeats the four great families through calculated ambushes. 53 58 94 101
• Founding Great Zheng — Establishes the Great Zheng Dynasty, appoints Crown Princes and commanders, and builds the Eternal Life Hall as the center of court. 103 104
• Service in the Great Luo Heavenly Dynasty — Becomes Number One Scholar, Eastern Marquis, and Eastern Grand Marshal, receiving authority to raise five million troops. 265 290
• Heavenfall Plan and imperial campaigns — Captures cities at extraordinary speed, participates in the destruction of two Emperor Dynasties, and becomes one of the Great Luo Heavenly Dynasty’s foremost military figures. 306 357
• Unification of Sky Wolf Island — Defeats Liu Dao, unifies Sky Wolf Island, and is acclaimed Emperor by the people. 380 385
• Rise of Great Zheng Imperial Dynasty — Builds the Wolf Cavalry, develops Great Zheng’s institutions, expands its territory, and cultivates through Qi Luck and powerful artifacts. 131 480 530
• Sacred Court expansion — Forms the Heaven Overturning Alliance, confronts the Tian Family, defeats Great Immortals, and forces major powers to recognize Great Zheng. 666 837 862
• Defiance of Sages — Battles Sage Ying Huo, gains the Aura of Defeating a Saint, and establishes Great Zheng as a force capable of deterring Sages and Ancestor Immortals. 1133 1157 1176
• Heavenly Emperor of Great Zheng — Kills Sage Cheng Hou, receives Heavenly Emperor enlightenment, and raises Great Zheng into a Heavenly Court. 1395 1405
• Final rivalry with Sword Pride — Fights Sword Pride across the Yang Realm for fourteen days, wins, and recognizes the potential of his innate talent to pursue eternal life. 1650 1654

Trivia

• Zhong Shan’s innate talent was initially described as extremely poor, while his Shadow Body possesses extraordinarily high innate talent. 615 650
• His early reputation in the Great Kun Kingdom was so great that even thousand-year-old families treated “Master Zhong” with respect. 2
• He has repeatedly turned former enemies or wary outsiders into allies, including military commanders, Wolf Clan figures, and powerful cultivators. 131 805 1284
• Zhong Shan’s name and accomplishments became so widely known that legends about him circulated throughout major cities of the Divine Continent. 479