Zhao Manyan

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Zhao Manyan (赵满延)
Alias(es)	Turtle Shell Mage
Gender	Male
Affiliation	National Prefecture Team; Zhao Family
Occupation/Role	Mage; National Prefecture Team substitute/member
First Appearance	Chapter 46

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Turtle Shell Mage	190	Receives the recognition of Baxia’s rune-covered wooden fish vessel, gaining the role of a Turtle Shell Mage.
Resolve to pursue Super Level	426	Following Zhao Yougan’s attempt on his life, he states that becoming a Super Level Mage would have changed the outcome.

Background / History

Zhao Manyan first approaches Tang Miao at the academy after one of his companions is struck by Tang Miao’s Lightning. Rather than seek revenge, he judges that offending Tang Miao would be foolish: Tang Miao is the top student of the Lightning Academy, has ties to the Tang family of the Judgment Society, and is someone Zhao Manyan’s father wishes to recruit. 46

He becomes one of Tang Miao’s recurring companions, traveling with him to Imperial Capital Academy and Dunhuang. Their friendship is built on mutual teasing, arguments, and occasional physical fights, but they repeatedly reconcile afterward. 74 75 126

Zhao Manyan enters the National Prefecture Team through his family’s influence. Other members criticize him for relying on wealth and connections, while he is conscious that his status as a substitute and defensive mage leaves him underestimated beside stronger combatants. 167 204 224

In Japan, Tang Miao leads him to a hidden temple and gives him a Totem-related wooden fish vessel. The vessel recognizes Zhao Manyan, making him a Turtle Shell Mage and connecting him to the Totem Beast Baxia. 189 190

After the National Prefecture Team’s victory, Zhao Manyan becomes increasingly troubled by his father’s illness and family expectations. In Venice, Zhao Yougan targets him; Baxia rescues Zhao Manyan, who subsequently learns that Tang Miao had anticipated the threat. The experience ends his complacency and gives him a new goal: becoming stronger. 394 426

Appearance

Zhao Manyan is a notably handsome, flamboyant young man whose appearance is frequently associated with a wealthy young master.

• Slightly permed, curly, shoulder-length hair at his introduction. 46
• Later described with carefully kept golden hair. 167
• Has a “prince-like” face and a warm, friendly smile. 46
• Often dresses conspicuously, including arriving in Venice wearing swim trunks and sunglasses. 333

Personality

Zhao Manyan is sociable, image-conscious, and opportunistic. He readily befriends people with strength or influence, but is less interested in those without either. 74 He is talkative and gossipy, particularly regarding the backgrounds and romantic lives of his teammates. 189

He enjoys wealth, nightlife, attractive women, and showing off, frequently using his money and appearance to pursue them. Yet beneath the playboy persona, he is deeply affected by being undervalued within his own family, especially by his older brother Zhao Yougan. 224 333

Although cowardly or hesitant when confronting overwhelming threats, Zhao Manyan does not abandon his companions. His survival of Zhao Yougan’s assassination attempt makes him confront his own weakness and resolve to improve. 394 426

Abilities & Skills

Defensive Magic

Zhao Manyan specializes in defense and is known as a “Turtle Shell Mage.”

• Uses defensive magic to protect himself and remain on the battlefield. 224
• His ordinary elemental defenses can be bypassed by certain destructive magic with penetrating properties. 370
• His defensive role leaves him feeling overshadowed beside offensive mages. 224

Magic Tools and Artifacts

As the son of Huaxia’s richest man, Zhao Manyan possesses an exceptional supply of Magic Tools and Magic Artifacts. 372

• Magic Tool defenses withstand attacks that bypass his normal defensive magic. 372
• Can continuously produce additional tools in combat, earning recognition that his wealth itself is a form of strength. 372
• Is described as equipped with Magic Tools and artifacts “from head to toe.” 333

Baxia’s Vessel

Zhao Manyan is recognized by a rune-covered wooden fish vessel connected to the Totem Beast Baxia. 190

• Becomes a Turtle Shell Mage after receiving the vessel’s recognition. 190
• Baxia is able to sense when Zhao Manyan is threatened and rush to rescue him. 426
• Baxia saves him after Zhao Yougan’s attempt on his life in Venice. 394 426

Insect Therapy

Zhao Manyan demonstrates knowledge of insect therapy while traveling through the Qinling Mountains.

• Treats Ling Fei after she is injured. 585
• His motives make Ling Fei wary of him. 585

Business and Resource Connections

Zhao Manyan has access to the Zhao Family’s international auction network and uses his connections to locate rare cultivation resources. 333 342

• Helps Tang Miao locate the speed-enhancing Wind Element soul seed, Nine Nether Soul Wind. 342
• Arranges or assists with resource inquiries at St. Mark’s World Auction Hall. 333

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Baxia’s wooden fish vessel — Totem-related artifact that recognizes him and establishes his Turtle Shell Mage role. 190
• Magic Tools and Magic Artifacts — Extensive personal defensive arsenal. 372
• Zhao Family expense cards — High-end hotel and club expenses can be charged through cards arranged by his father. 498

Relationships

• Tang Miao — Close friend, frequent sparring partner, and source of both ridicule and protection. Tang Miao gives him Baxia’s vessel and indirectly arranges Baxia’s rescue of him. 75 190 426
• Mo Fan — Friend and fellow National Prefecture Team member; the two banter, travel together, and complain that Tang Miao repeatedly outshines them. 333 334 480
• Zhao Yougan — Older brother. Their relationship is strained; Zhao Yougan dismisses Zhao Manyan as unimportant and later attempts to have him killed. 333 426
• Zhao Manyan’s father — A wealthy and influential figure whose illness weighs heavily on Zhao Manyan. 46 394
• Baxia — Totem Beast connected to Zhao Manyan through the vessel; rescues him when his life is threatened. 190 426
• Jiang Shaoxu — Teammate whose beauty and Mind Element magic Zhao Manyan admires from a cautious distance. 181
• Ling Fei — Female military officer whom Zhao Manyan pursues; she remains wary of his intentions, including when he treats her injury. 581 585
• Zhang Xiaohou — Acquaintance and companion with whom Zhao Manyan exchanges friendly banter during the Qinling expedition. 578 581

Story Role / Major Arcs

Early Academy and Dunhuang Travels

• Meets Tang Miao without escalating a conflict caused by his companion. 46
• Accompanies Tang Miao at Imperial Capital Academy and joins the Dunhuang expedition. 74 126

National Prefecture Team

• Obtains a place on the team through family influence and faces criticism for his wealth and limited combat reputation. 167
• Serves as a defensive combatant, relying heavily on Magic Tools when ordinary defense proves inadequate. 370 372
• Receives Baxia’s vessel in Japan and becomes a Turtle Shell Mage. 190

Venice and Zhao Family Conflict

• Reunites with Zhao Yougan at the St. Mark’s World Auction Hall and reveals how ignored he feels within his family. 333
• Wagers sixty million with Tang Miao over Tang Miao’s plan to establish a noble clan. 345
• Is targeted by Zhao Yougan in Venice and disappears amid Baxia’s appearance. 394
• Returns after Baxia’s rescue, learns the truth of his brother’s betrayal, and resolves to seek greater strength. 426

Qinling Mountains Expedition

• Joins Tang Miao, Mo Fan, Ling Ling, Yu Shishi, and others entering the Qinling Mountains. 578
• Participates in the mission to locate and rescue Jiang Shaoxu. 581 591
• Hesitates before confronting the Heavenly Crown Purple Fir Divine Tree, then agrees to aid the Purple Gold Army for a better chance against it. 589

Trivia

• Zhao Manyan considers himself a “heartthrob” and is especially sensitive about damage to his face. 75 224
• He is repeatedly jealous of Tang Miao’s success with powerful and beautiful women. 224 480 561
• Tang Miao and Mo Fan mock his claim that his magical ability makes him valuable to the Zhao Family. 333
• He describes his preferred lifestyle as drinking strong liquor and pursuing wild women. 581