Jing Yan

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Jing Yan (景岩)
Gender	Male
Species/Race	Human; later transformed into a fish-scaled person by a curse 821 863
Affiliation	Scenery Studio, later referred to as Jing Yan Studio; Fang Yue's group; apprentice of the Blood Hunter 59 362
Occupation/Role	Studio boss, director, photographer, video editor, and hunter apprentice 59 362 401
Status	Alive 969
First Appearance	Chapter 59

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Houtian Realm	656	Finally reached the Houtian Realm, allowing him to receive better food and rations in reality. 656
Postnatal First-class	702	His previously stalled Postnatal Third-rate cultivation advanced to Postnatal First-class during the journey. 702
Xiantian Realm	937	Identified as a Xiantian Realm Martial Artist while assisting Fang Yue's search for Qing Chen. 937

Background

Jing Yan built his livelihood around filming Blue Sea gameplay. As the head of Scenery Studio, he edited Fang Yue's footage with elaborate effects and prominent player-ID displays, then used the resulting popularity to establish the studio's reputation. The studio later hired Players from other regions and produced its Character Chronicle series, with its Fang Yue interviews remaining its most successful content. 59 61 362

Although his primary focus was media work, Jing Yan became the Blood Hunter's apprentice and was tasked with hunting and caring for Blood Eagles. The Blood Hunter later offered to test Jing Yan's skills and promised him a Blood Eagle if he passed. 141 362

After the Blood Hunter died protecting a Giant Head Blood Hound puppy, Lin Ling entrusted the puppy to Jing Yan as the only surviving hunter in the group. Jing Yan raised it as both a companion and his hoped-for path to greater strength until it was killed during the later crisis. 401 586 587

Appearance

Jing Yan was initially an unremarkable young man who could easily blend into crowds. Following his exposure to the Red-eyed Strange Fish and the Cold River's mist, his appearance became increasingly inhuman. 145 796 821

• His cheeks developed external, fish-gill-like organs after the Red-eyed Strange Fish incident. 802 806
• Fish scales later spread across his face, creating a reddish-blue, granular texture. 821
• In reality, the transformation left him looking monstrous enough that guards avoided looking directly at him. 831
• His cursed body allows him to breathe underwater in the Cold River for roughly half an hour. 863

Personality

Jing Yan is ambitious, attention-conscious, and intensely devoted to media production. Even when Ancient Moon Village faced destruction, he prioritized obtaining dramatic footage, believing disaster scenes would make ideal material for a blockbuster video. 384

He is often cowardly, opportunistic, and prone to avoiding responsibility. During the Qingluan Tower incident, he and Tian Dan Zhi Yuan Wu initially lied to investigators, and Jing Yan tried to shift blame away from himself. 443 He also regrets having neglected cultivation while focusing on his studio, especially after imprisonment and the death of Little Blood Hound left him nearly powerless. 587

Despite this, Jing Yan is perceptive and loyal. He repeatedly investigates threats surrounding Fang Yue, takes risks to find Qing Chen, and continues pursuing ways to save his companions even when he believes himself too weak to fight directly. 474 475 938 941

Abilities & Skills

Photography and Video Production

Jing Yan is an experienced photographer, editor, and director whose work turned Scenery Studio into a recognized name among Players. 59 61 362

• Directs staged shots, lighting, framing, and close-ups during gameplay footage. 362 384
• Produced the widely viewed video The Precarious Ancient Moon Village. 384
• Uses controversy and forum arguments to increase the visibility of his videos. 401
• Treats combat zones and disasters as filming opportunities, sometimes to the frustration of allies. 384

Investigation and Deduction

Jing Yan notices patterns that other characters overlook and can turn logistical information into actionable leads. 474 475

• Noticed that resurging Anomalies appeared to be converging on Fang Yue after he left Qingsi County. 474
• Used material transport records to deduce that an organization was secretly producing Condensing Light Bracelets in Qingsi County. 475
• Inferred a pattern in Qing Chen's appearances and proposed waiting near Yuan Su Tea House to attempt a rescue. 937 938
• Analyzed political details alongside Qing Chen, including the possible motives behind the Seventh Prince's interest in Lord Han or Captain Wu. 749

Hunting and Martial Cultivation

Jing Yan trained under the Blood Hunter, though he initially relied more on luck and evasion than combat ability. 362 405

• Performs hunting duties and was considered capable enough to inherit responsibility for Little Blood Hound. 362 401
• Advanced through the Houtian and later Xiantian realms, partly out of necessity while imprisoned. 656 937
• Remains physically inferior to dedicated martial artists such as Fang Yue and Qing Chen. 518

Fish-Scaled Curse

Jing Yan survived infection by the Red-eyed Strange Fish, but the treatment left lasting physical changes. 796 797 806

• Can breathe underwater in the Cold River for approximately half an hour. 863
• Developed gills and fish scales that make him visibly identifiable as cursed. 821 831
• Required Qing Chen's treatment with heated Cold River Giant Ship wood to remove the blood-red eyes proliferating through his body. 805 806
• His transformation was considered potentially irreversible, requiring further treatment in the Capital City. 830

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Camera equipment — Used for filming gameplay, interviews, and disaster footage. 59 384
• Little Blood Hound — Giant Head Blood Hound puppy entrusted to him after the Blood Hunter's death; later killed. 401 586
• Mist Black Robe — Temporarily borrowed from Fang Yue to conceal his fish-scaled appearance before entering the Capital City. 820 821

Relationships

• Fang Yue / “Brother Ye” — Employer, subject of Jing Yan's most successful footage, and trusted companion. Jing Yan called Fang Yue for help against the Horse Finger Anomaly; Fang Yue later bought him out of an auction for 100 Silver Stones. 81 863
• Blood Hunter — Master and mentor in hunting. Jing Yan was one of his apprentices and inherited responsibility for Little Blood Hound after his death. 141 362 401
• Qing Chen — Close friend and researcher whom Jing Yan trusts with his life. Qing Chen treated his Red-eyed Strange Fish infection, while Jing Yan later dedicated himself to locating and rescuing the missing Qing Chen. 797 805 938
• Tian Dan Zhi Yuan Wu — Fellow Player and frequent companion. Their relationship is marked by bickering, mutual embarrassment, and occasional cooperation under pressure. 439 443
• Lin Ling — Fellow survivor who protected Jing Yan from Red-eyed Strange Fish and was assigned to watch him when his curse worsened. 796 821
• Sister Ying — His stern guard during imprisonment under the United Association. She controls his food, living arrangements, and access to privileges. 531 831
• Ming — Temporarily sheltered Jing Yan at the Nian Mansion; their flirtatious interaction drew Fang Yue's suspicion. 901 902

Story Role / Major Arcs

Scenery Studio and Ancient Moon Village

Jing Yan records Fang Yue's rise as a professional Player, helping turn Fang Yue's exploits into high-profile content. He later expands his studio, recruits in-game staff, and returns to Ancient Moon Village to film Fang Yue's activities. 59 61 362

During the Headless Horse incident, Jing Yan remains at the scene despite his fear and contacts Fang Yue when the Guard Teams cannot handle the Anomaly. 81 82

Blood Hunter's Apprentice

Jing Yan promotes the Blood Hunter's inclusion in Fang Yue's escort team and seeks recognition for arranging it. He becomes increasingly interested in becoming a proper hunter after the Blood Hunter offers him a chance to earn a Blood Eagle. 145 362

Following the Blood Hunter's death, Jing Yan receives Little Blood Hound and becomes responsible for its care and future training. 401

Qingsi County Investigation

Jing Yan investigates the sudden resurgence of Anomalies and concludes that Fang Yue may be their target. His review of transport records leads to the discovery of an organization secretly producing Condensing Light Bracelets, convincing You Sisi to dispatch Qing Si personnel toward Mount Ningguang. 474 475

Imprisonment and Forced Cultivation

After his friend Huang Mao dies in reality in the same manner as his in-game death, Jing Yan attempts to report Tengli Group. The Network Association instead imprisons him under the authority of the United Association and permits him only to play the Game. 530 531 532

The prison's ration system forces Jing Yan to pursue martial advancement. Reaching the Houtian Realm improves his treatment and motivates him to seek further strength rather than remain dependent on others. 656

Red-eyed Strange Fish Curse

Jing Yan is nearly consumed by Red-eyed Strange Fish aboard the Cold River Giant Ship. Qing Chen saves him by using another fish to create a mimic heart, then later removes the proliferating blood-red eyes through painful treatment. 796 797 805 806

The ordeal leaves Jing Yan with gills and fish scales. He becomes terrified of his changing appearance and seeks medical help in the Capital City with Qing Chen. 821 839

Auction and Rescue

Jing Yan is captured and sold at the Black Bird Auction as a “fish-scaled person” valuable for his ability to explore the Cold River. Fang Yue immediately outbids the other buyers with 100 Silver Stones and rescues him. 863

Search for Qing Chen

After Qing Chen disappears, Jing Yan becomes one of the principal figures pursuing leads. He rides out with Fang Yue, studies Qing Chen's appearance pattern, and proposes a risky rescue attempt near Yuan Su Tea House. 910 937 938

When Fang Yue must leave the Capital City with Tail, Jing Yan commits to protecting Lin Ling and preventing Lord Han's death from being repeated. 941 944

Notable Quotes

“I am a heartless camera, I am a heartless camera.” 439

“How can I become stronger? How can I survive? How can I eat a full meal??” 587