Zhang Su

Biodata

Appearance

Zhang Su is consistently depicted as possessing a lean build, which belies his formidable martial prowess 18. Despite his unassuming physical appearance, he carries himself with a calm and composed demeanor, even when facing significant challenges or drawing considerable attention 16 48 67. This composure is evident whether he is confronting a group of bandits, undergoing a combat assessment, or exiting a cultivation retreat surrounded by powerful individuals 16 18 48 67. His quiet confidence and focus on cultivation are central to his character, often leading others to underestimate him initially 18 43 48. As his reputation grows within the Guiyuan Sect, his presence alone begins to command respect, with disciples and even elders acknowledging his status as a "Number One of the Outer Sect," a "Sect Prodigy," and eventually an Inner Sect Heavenly Pride 43 48 77 81 128 131.

He has been described as gentle in temperament and scholarly in appearance, often wearing a white robe and carrying a longsword; observers initially mistake him for a frail scholar rather than a martial artist 32. During the Three Sects Exchange Conference, he appears in green robes with a longsword at his waist. Though slender, he is broad-shouldered, sharp-featured, and carries an increasingly profound and composed aura 124.

After becoming a Haojin Upper Sect Personal Disciple, Zhang Su wears the sect's conspicuous purple robes and commonly carries the black-scabbarded Shadow-Sweeping Sword at his waist 177 188 190. By this point, his bearing has become sufficiently imposing that even Xiantian Grandmasters and Dao Realm cultivators recognize the pressure emanating from him 186 217. Following his advancement into the Dao and his evolution into a Lesser Saint Body, his mere presence radiates overwhelming physical and spiritual momentum, capable of suppressing Dao-Transforming Lords and Dao-Proving Venerables 217 261 268.

Personality and Traits

Zhang Su is characterized by a blend of quiet determination, exceptional talent, and a pragmatic approach to martial arts cultivation. Despite an unassuming appearance, he possesses an inner drive to constantly improve and push the boundaries of his abilities, often surprising those around him with his rapid progress and formidable skill 18 22 25 77. He is focused on his goals, unswayed by external pressures or distractions, and demonstrates a keen intellect in analyzing and optimizing his cultivation path 3 56 58. While generally calm and composed, he can be assertive when necessary, particularly when defending his interests or those connected to him 17 22. His journey is marked by a relentless pursuit of perfection and a willingness to challenge conventional wisdom in his quest for martial prowess 11 36.

Here are his key traits:

• Exceptional Talent and Learning Ability: Zhang Su possesses an extraordinary aptitude for martial arts, consistently mastering techniques at an astonishing pace. He can achieve "Great Success" in complex techniques like the Posuo Sword Technique in just an hour due to high compatibility 52. He has mastered ten martial arts in two days, with two reaching Great Success and the rest Minor Success 52. Within half a month, he cultivated thirteen martial arts to Great Success, earning him the moniker "Outer Sect Madman" 11. This rapid progress is often attributed to his unique ability to integrate techniques into his instincts and his high compatibility with various martial arts 58. He later perfected the Flying Knife Technique within several hours and could control four flying knives upon doing so 123. In the Upper Sect, he similarly brings the Boundless Divine Skill, Everlasting Life Art, and Primordial Unity Sword Art to the Initiation Realm in one hour after raising their compatibility to 100% 160. Later in the Heart Sage Sect, he rapidly masters elite techniques such as the Spirit-Commanding Sword Scripture, Ancient God's Hands, and divine thunder abilities using Compatibility Points and Heart Force 212 246 268.
• Determined and Goal-Oriented: Zhang Su exhibits unwavering determination in his pursuit of martial arts mastery. He is not easily deterred by challenges, such as the difficulty of breaking human limits in blood energy 36 43. His ultimate goal is to cultivate a "Peerless" martial art 11, and he remains focused on this objective, even when offered opportunities by Inner Sect factions 56. He actively seeks to accumulate "Compatibility Value" by practicing numerous martial arts to optimize his cultivation 58. When granted the Heavenly Pride Trial, he immediately sought methods to meet its stringent cultivation and combat requirements 107. He later chooses the more demanding Inner Dao path, resolving to perfect every aspect of himself rather than relying on external laws 214, and pushes his physical body to the Thirtieth Order to form a Lesser Saint Body 261.
• Pragmatic and Resourceful: He approaches cultivation with a practical mindset, prioritizing efficiency and effectiveness. He chooses martial arts based on their compatibility rates, even if they have differing styles, believing he can master them all 3. He uses his resources, such as contribution points and pills, for his own progress rather than sharing them with others who might exploit him 3. When faced with a bandit attack, he calmly assesses the situation and intervenes decisively to protect his family's interests 17 18. He later forcefully requisitions the imperial treasury's medicinal herbs when a breakthrough is essential to survival, treating resources as tools to be used decisively 172.
• Calm and Composed: Zhang Su maintains a serene demeanor even in high-pressure situations. During the Inner Sect Combat Power Assessment, he remains calm despite the difficulty and the attention on him 48. When confronting bandits or dealing with hostile family members, he displays a collected and confident presence 17 22. This composure allows him to think clearly and act decisively. Even when surrounded by eight Huajin experts, he remains calm and immediately identifies a target to break their encirclement 103. He later conceals his breakthrough to lure the assassin Qi Mo into exposing himself before eliminating him 174.
• Assertive and Protective: While generally quiet, Zhang Su is capable of assertiveness when his interests or those of his family are threatened. He intervenes when his brother's in-laws' shipment is targeted by bandits, revealing his connection to the Su Family and his status as a sect disciple 17. He also assertively warns Su Mulan by cutting a lock of her hair when she insults him, demonstrating his martial prowess and intolerance for disrespect 22. As Three Ridges Region's Governor, he protects the Hidden Market's rules and personally intervenes against a Dao Realm cultivator who harms its garrison 217 218. Later, as a powerful Heart Sage Sect True Lord, he stands firmly against major saint-level factions to shield his son and his companions 267.
• Unassuming Appearance, Formidable Skill: Despite often appearing lean and inexperienced, Zhang Su's martial skill is formidable and frequently surprises those who underestimate him 18 25. His reputation grows significantly as his true abilities become known, shifting perceptions from an ordinary disciple to a top-tier genius and later a Heavenly Pride 77 128 131. His subsequent progression to a Heart Sage Sect disciple with Eight-Star Entering-the-Dao combat power and a Lesser Saint Body confirms that his strength far exceeds conventional expectations 190 198 234 261.
• Independent and Self-Reliant: Zhang Su prefers to forge his own path rather than relying on others. He makes his own choices regarding cultivation techniques, even if they go against conventional advice 3. He is not swayed by attempts to recruit him into factions, preferring to focus on his personal development 56. He also takes responsibility for his own cultivation, learning from his predecessor's mistakes and choosing a more effective path 1. Even after accepting support from Haojin Upper Sect and Clear Sky Sacred Palace, he seeks resources, combat experience, and cultivation methods on his own initiative 181 184 190.
• Ambitious: He possesses a strong ambition to push his limits in martial arts, aiming to break the human limit of condensing one thousand strands of blood energy 43. He seeks guidance on advanced concepts like blood energy limits and Internal Force, indicating his desire to reach higher realms of cultivation 36. He later enters the Three Sects Heroes Gathering intending to compete for the Azure Wood Spirit Pill despite facing opponents at the peak Gangjin stage 123 130. He refuses a merely adequate Xiantian breakthrough, instead forging an Infinite Dao Body and repeatedly annihilating and reconstructing his Innate True Qi nine times 194 195, before eventually advancing to a Thirtieth-Order Lesser Saint Body and mastering Ancient God inheritances 261 268.
• Capable of Attracting Followers: As his position rises, Zhang Su begins establishing a personal faction at Pure Yang Peak, later recruiting loyal subordinates like Luo Feng, Shen Qingci, Lu Danxi, and Shi Buyi for his assignments in the Three Ridges Region 136 184 185.
• Strategic and Ruthless When Necessary: Zhang Su understands the value of concealment, preparation, and decisive violence. He keeps the Wuji Sword Scripture as a hidden trump card during the War Tower challenge 182. During the Great Freedom Sect crisis, he deliberately withholds his true cultivation until Qi Mo reveals himself, then kills Qi Mo, Red Skirt, and Shi Xin in quick succession 174. His ruthlessness is calculated rather than impulsive, and is consistently tied to protecting himself, his allies, or his authority.

Power Progression

• Initial Cultivation (Blood Qi Realm):

  • Zhang Su begins his cultivation journey by selecting the 'Taotie Blood Nourishing Technique' due to its 91% compatibility. He quickly cultivates his first Blood Qi, entering the Blood Qi Realm within ten breaths 2.
  • Within one month, he reaches the 9th layer of the Blood Qi Realm, completing his cultivation of the Taotie Blood Nourishing Technique 7.
  • He perfects the Heaven-Swallowing Blood-Nurturing Technique, which accelerates his blood qi cultivation rate from 2 wisps/day to 8 wisps/day 12.
  • He aims to condense one thousand strands of blood energy, surpassing the human limit 43.

• Foundation Building and Peerless Techniques:

  • Zhang Su discovers that his Triple Wave Sword Technique reaches perfection, granting him two compatibility points 9.
  • He learns about the importance of cultivating a peerless technique for a solid foundation and identifies the Heaven-Swallowing Blood-Nurturing Technique as having the highest initial compatibility (25%) among peerless techniques. He plans to increase its compatibility by perfecting six more martial arts 9.
  • He exchanges for thirteen martial arts techniques, cultivating each to great success within half a month to gain compatibility points. He challenges other Outer Sect disciples, using a different martial art each time, and perfects his thirteenth martial art by defeating Lu Tianxing 11.
  • After a month of dedicated practice, he perfects seven martial arts and gains 10 compatibility points, deciding to focus on a peerless cultivation technique 56.

• Internal Force and Limit Breaking:

  • Zhang Su achieves a second breakthrough, cultivating 1000 strands of blood energy and birthing Internal Force, surpassing previous accomplishments 46.
  • He is recognized as a 'Second-Time Limit Breaker,' a prerequisite for practicing the Pure Yang Nine-Union Divine Art 56.

• Pure Yang Nine-Union Divine Art:

  • Zhang Su accepts Zhao Qianfeng as his master and is introduced to the "Pure Yang Nine-Union Divine Art," a supreme secret transmission of the Guiyuan Sect. He receives manuals for its initial stages: the "Three Yang Divine Arts" (Lieyang, Chiyang, Jiyang) 57.
  • He practices the Lieyang Divine Art, reaching the entry level quickly due to his 100% compatibility. He plans to accumulate more Compatibility Value by practicing 20 ordinary martial arts with over 90% compatibility 58.
  • He spends a month in closed-door cultivation, perfecting 14 martial arts and bringing 10 more to the Great Success stage. He uses 16 Compatibility Value points to increase the compatibility of Chiyang Divine Art and Jiyang Divine Art to 100% 59.

• Fire Melting Cave and Anjin:

  • Zhang Su achieves a "Three-Star Disciple" rating in a single day by defeating ten Two-Star Puppets, securing priority access to the Fire Melting Cave 59 63.
  • He enters the Fire Melting Cave, cultivating deep within and attracting an unprecedented amount of geothermal heat, which causes a significant disturbance 65.
  • After a month in the Fire Melting Cave, Zhang Su emerges, having successfully reached the 'Small Three-Union' realm. In this stage, he merges his three Internal Forces into one, unleashing Anjin, and reaches the middle stage of Mingjin 66.

• Continued Cultivation (Mingjin Late Stage):

  • Following his battle with Wei Yunzhou, Zhang Su continues his cultivation, reaching the late stage of Mingjin. He notes that his progress, despite using Yuanyang Powder, has become slow 81.

• Great Three-Union and Anjin:

  • Through further cultivation in the Fire Melting Cave, Zhang Su perfects the three peerless divine arts and completes the Great Three-Union, breaking into the early Anjin stage and forming the Great Three-Yang Force 99 101.
  • At the Anjin stage, he displays combat power comparable to top Huajin experts, killing He Feng and Sikong Shuang before subsequently defeating eight Huajin experts in one night 101 103.

• Huajin and Divine Intent:

  • Zhang Su comprehends Divine Intent through observing Chen Mo's swordsmanship and applies it to the Wind-Thunder Sword Technique, allowing the technique to attain extraordinary speed and spirituality 95 96.
  • He advances to the Huajin stage and develops the stronger Yin-Yang Combined Force, which enables him to withstand three Danjin-powered strikes from Baodan expert Ouyang Yin without injury 109 113.
  • He perfects the Sword Cultivation Technique after raising its compatibility to 100%, further developing his sword-based Martial Dao True Intent 115.
  • While still at the Huajin stage, he kills Baodan expert Ouyang Yin, an unprecedented feat that establishes his reputation throughout the martial world 120 122.

• Baodan and Danjin:

  • After two hundred days of seclusion, Zhang Su achieves Baodan and ascends to the Danjin stage, discovering that his Danjin can erupt with a terrifying hundredfold power 121.
  • He completes the Pure Yang Nine-Union Divine Art, cultivating the Pure Yang Force, which encompasses Yin and Yang and unifies the art's nine divine arts 121 123.
  • He receives the final Three Extremes Divine Arts and perfects the Flying Knife Technique in several hours to improve his control over Internal Force and cultivate the Outer Extreme Divine Art 123.
  • With Danjin cultivation, he defeats peak Gangjin expert Chu Hanjiang in two strikes, completing the Heavenly Pride Trial's combat requirement 128.
  • He defeats peak Gangjin expert Zhou Dingshan and wins the Three Sects Heroes Gathering by unleashing the Explosive Sword Style, a decisive strike that drains his Internal Force 130 131.

• Gangjin, Houtian Realm, and Supreme Internal Force:

  • Zhang Su enters the Gangjin stage after three months of seclusion, continuing to cultivate the Three Extremes Divine Arts of the Pure Yang Nine-Union Divine Art 133 135.
  • He cultivates the Great Five Elements Divine Art in Five Elements Valley, develops Primordial Unity Gangjin, and eventually brings the Great Five Elements Divine Art to perfection 145 147 155.
  • By achieving the unity of internal and external force and combining his perfected Gangjin methods, Zhang Su enters the Houtian Internal Force Realm with Taiji Primordial Unity Internal Force, a form of Supreme Internal Force 155 157.
  • His Supreme Internal Force gives him a reliable path toward Xiantian combat power and establishes him as the Chief Disciple of Primordial Unity Peak 157 160.

• Boundless Divine Skill, Physical Cultivation, and Xiantian Combat Power:

  • Zhang Su raises the compatibility of the Boundless Divine Skill, Everlasting Life Art, and Primordial Unity Sword Art to 100%, then brings all three to the Initiation Realm in one hour 160.
  • The Boundless Divine Skill's successive refinements multiply his internal force, while the Everlasting Life Art steadily tempers his body and grants enhanced healing 160 162.
  • He reaches the Third Refinement of the Boundless Divine Skill after consuming much of the imperial treasury's medicinal reserves, advances to the Circulatory Realm, and gains sustainable Xiantian combat power 172.
  • This breakthrough allows him to kill Qi Mo, Red Skirt, and Shi Xin, all enemies with Xiantian-level combat power, and qualify for promotion to Upper Sect Personal Disciple 174 176 177.
  • Following further seclusion, he reaches the Fifth Refinement of the Boundless Divine Skill, Seventh-Tier Physical Body, and completes the first three forms of the Primordial Unity Sword Art, giving him three forms of Xiantian combat power 181.

• War Tower Advancement and Infinite Dao Body:

  • Zhang Su defeats one hundred One-Star Puppets with the Heaven and Earth Returning Origin Sword, rising to second place among Haojin Upper Sect's Personal Disciples 182 183.
  • He subsequently defeats twenty-eight Two-Star Puppets, surpassing Lu Zhaixing and becoming Haojin Upper Sect's First Personal Disciple despite lacking an Innate Dao Body 190 191.
  • After cultivating his body to the Tenth Body Stage, he opens the Bridge of Heaven and Earth, endures nine annihilations and rebirths of Innate True Qi, and breaks into the Xiantian Realm 194.
  • His self-condensed Postnatal Dao Body proves to be the growth-type Infinite Dao Body, which strengthens his body, Innate True Qi, Martial Sense, spirit, and Martial Dao True Intent over time 194 195.
  • He devours multiple Martial Dao True Intents, rapidly advancing his Infinite True Intent and preparing for the Heart Sage Sect recruitment assessment 195.

• Heart Sage Sect and Qi Cultivation:

  • Zhang Su clears forty puppet waves in the Heart Sage Sect recruitment assessment, displaying Five-Star Peak combat power before conceding against Six-Star Puppets 198.
  • He perfects the Heart Force Canon in approximately forty-three days after raising its compatibility to 100%, recognizing Heart Force as a form of enhanced comprehension, analysis, and deduction 200.
  • He advances to the Qi Liquefaction Realm, raises his physical body to the Thirteenth Order, and defeats a Seven-Star Puppet to attain Seven-Star combat power 209.
  • After refining Fire Jiao Essence Blood, he reaches the Fourteenth Order of the Infinite Dao Body and cultivates the Spirit-Commanding Sword Scripture to Major Accomplishment in preparation for Xiao Tianyi 211.
  • He perfects the Spirit-Commanding Sword Scripture and develops Sword Qi Threading, using it to defeat Xiao Tianyi 212 213.
  • By consuming vast quantities of Red Dragon Fruits and Longevity Flowers, Zhang Su reaches the Qi Crystallization Realm with one hundred and eight Qi Crystal Grains, the theoretical maximum 214.
  • He later advances his physical body to the Seventeenth Tier and Black Tortoise Vajra Body to Major Accomplishment, granting him power beyond ordinary Nine-Star Xiantian combatants 217.

• Entering the Dao Preparations and Divine Abilities:

  • Zhang Su chooses the Inner Dao path, seeking to strengthen every component of himself rather than depending on an external law 214.
  • He develops his physical body to the nineteenth tier while seeking the means to Enter the Dao with the Body and advance the Heart Force Canon to its second layer 227.
  • He redeems the Heavenly Net, Thunder Flame True Fire, and Rainbow Transformation Art, cultivating all three divine abilities to Minor Accomplishment over a year 233.
  • By this point, his physical body has reached the twentieth tier, while his Great Dao Light has expanded to 99,800 meters in length and 98 meters in width 233.

• Entering the Dao, Peerless Dao Body, and Saint Body:

  • Zhang Su enters the Dao, achieving Eight-Star Entering-the-Dao combat power (comparable to a Two-Star Transforming the Dao True Lord) 234.
  • His Infinite Dao Body evolves into a Peerless Dao Body after dual cultivation with Lu Tingxue and the transfer of her Purifying Spirit Dao Body 245.
  • He masters the Ancient God’s Left and Right Hands, cultivating them with Ancient God’s Blood and Divine Blood 246 261.
  • Consuming Blood God Fruits in the Abyss Forbidden Zone, he breaks through to the Thirtieth-Order physical body, giving birth to a Growth-Type Lesser Saint Body, Perfect Will, and the World Devourer divine ability 261.
  • He refines twelve Origin Ancient God divine bloods, successfully condensing multiple Ancient God’s True Bodies and a phantom of the Chaos Ancient God 271.

Abilities and Techniques

Cultivation Arts

• Taotie Blood Nourishing Technique: This technique allowed Zhang Su to cultivate his first strand of Blood Qi, entering the Blood Qi Realm, in just ten breaths due to its 91% compatibility. It is a fundamental technique for building his cultivation base 2 9.
• Heaven-Swallowing Blood-Nurturing Technique: Identified as a peerless cultivation technique with 25% compatibility, the highest among peerless techniques available to Zhang Su. He chose to cultivate this technique to establish a solid foundation, planning to increase its compatibility by perfecting additional martial arts 9.
• Pure Yang Nine-Union Divine Art: This is a supreme secret transmission of the Guiyuan Sect, requiring a "Second-Time Limit Breaker" to practice. It consists of nine renowned peerless divine arts designed to help cultivators reach the Houtian Realm and lay a foundation for the Xiantian Realm. Zhang Su accepted this art as his primary cultivation path under Elder Zhao's guidance 56 57.
  • Three Yang Divine Arts (Lieyang, Chiyang, Jiyang): These are the initial stages of the Pure Yang Nine-Union Divine Art. Zhang Su began practicing the Lieyang Divine Art and reached the entry level quickly due to his 100% compatibility 57 58.
  • Small Three-Yang Force: This ability is derived from the Pure Yang Nine-Union Divine Art and contributed to Zhang Su's victory over Wei Yunzhou 80.
  • Great Three-Yang Force: After achieving Great Three-Union and perfecting the Three Yang Divine Arts, Zhang Su develops this more powerful force. It enhances both his explosive movement and combat strength 99 101.
  • Three Yin Divine Arts (Taiyin, Xuanyin, Jueyin): These divine arts form the later stages of the Pure Yang Nine-Union Divine Art. Zhang Su masters them by the time he reaches the late Huajin stage 107 120.
  • Yin-Yang Combined Force: Formed after Zhang Su advances to Huajin, this force is stronger than the Great Three-Yang Force and enables him to directly endure Danjin-powered attacks 113.
  • Pure Yang Force: The completed force of the Pure Yang Nine-Union Divine Art, encompassing Yin and Yang. After achieving Baodan, Zhang Su uses it to produce Danjin with a hundredfold explosive power 121.
  • Three Extremes Divine Arts (Outer Extreme, Inner Extreme, and Wuji): The final three arts must be cultivated in sequence and correspond to the Outer Gang, Inner Gang, and internal-external unity stages of Gangjin cultivation 123.
• Great Five Elements Divine Art: A Five Elements cultivation method Zhang Su cultivates in Five Elements Valley. By using its specialized cultivation rooms, he rapidly refines its Five Elements Internal Force and eventually brings the art to perfection 145 147.
• Taiji Primordial Unity Internal Force: Zhang Su's Supreme Internal Force, produced by completing his Gangjin fusion path and attaining unity of internal and external force. It possesses the mysteries of yin-yang and the five elements, and manifests as golden radiance on his sword 155 156 160.
• Boundless Divine Skill: A Primordial Unity Peak internal-force method with nine refinements. Each refinement substantially increases Zhang Su's internal-force reserves; reaching the Third Refinement allows him to break through to the Circulatory Realm and sustain Xiantian-level attacks 160 172 181.
• Everlasting Life Art: An external body-tempering art emphasizing recovery, healing, and poison resistance. Zhang Su raises it through the physical-body stages, gaining rapid recovery even at its early levels 160 162 181.
• Azure Emperor Longevity Art: A Xiantian Realm cultivation art Zhang Su raises to 100% compatibility and later perfects with Heart Force assistance. It enables him to efficiently absorb Heaven and Earth Essence Qi and advance his Xiantian cultivation 204 212.
• Black Tortoise Vajra Body: A powerful body-tempering technique Zhang Su cultivates with Treasured Medicine. It reaches Minor Accomplishment during his Qi Crystallization cultivation and Major Accomplishment after Haojin Upper Sect supplies its accumulated foundation 214 217.
• Heart Force Canon: A Heart Sage Sect inheritance that develops Heart Force, enhancing Zhang Su's comprehension, analysis, and deduction. Zhang Su raises it to Perfection in approximately forty-three days through 100% compatibility 200.
• Infinite Dao Body / Peerless Dao Body / Lesser Saint Body: Zhang Su's self-condensed, growth-type Postnatal Dao Body that continuously strengthens his attributes. After dual cultivation and consuming Blood Qilin and Blood God Fruits, it evolves into a Peerless Dao Body and ultimately a Growth-Type Lesser Saint Body at the Thirtieth-Order physical body 194 195 245 261.
• Heavenly Net: A divine ability cultivated by Zhang Su to Perfection, allowing him to restrain powerful opponents 233 252.
• Thunder Flame True Fire: A divine ability cultivated by Zhang Su to Consummation, granting him control over powerful thunder-flame force 233 246.
• Rainbow Transformation Art: A divine movement ability cultivated by Zhang Su to Minor Accomplishment 233.
• Ancient God’s Left and Right Hands: Supreme physical divine abilities derived from the Great Dao Stele Rubbings. Powered by Ancient God’s Blood and Divine Blood, they can unleash devastating palm strikes capable of crushing Seven-Star Lords 246 251 261.
• Sword Qi Storm: A high-tier sword dao divine ability raised to 100% compatibility and brought to Major Accomplishment 252.
• Myriad Things Spirit-Cleansing Divine Fire: A supreme flame cultivated to the Perfected Realm to survive the Fire Calamity 267.
• Yin-Yang Chaos Divine Thunder: A powerful lightning divine ability raised to 100% compatibility and perfected to complete the Heavenly Extremity Imperial Palace trials 268.

Sword Techniques

• Basic Sword Technique: Zhang Su discovered early on that sword techniques had the highest compatibility with him compared to other martial arts, indicating his natural aptitude for swordsmanship 2.
• Nine Shadows Sword Technique: Zhang Su perfected this technique, enabling him to produce nine real sword shadows. He achieved this during a battle against Chu Dachuan, demonstrating his ability to advance his skills in combat 5. This was one of his first two perfected superior-grade sword techniques 9. At the Danjin stage, he elevates its practical power far beyond that of an ordinary Blood Qi Realm technique, using it to defeat Zhou Yue in one strike 126.
• Triple Wave Sword Technique: Zhang Su brought this superior-grade sword technique to perfection during a battle with Qin Wu, who also practiced the technique. This achievement increased his compatibility points and marked his second perfected superior-grade sword technique 8 9.
• Light Shadow Killing Sword: This is one of the perfected sword techniques Zhang Su possesses, often used in isolation before he learned to integrate his various martial arts 42.
• Posuo Sword Technique: Zhang Su achieved Great Success in this technique within an hour due to its 97% compatibility with his existing skills. This was part of his rapid mastery of multiple martial arts 52.
• Wind-Thunder Sword Technique: A top-tier sword technique that Zhang Su practiced. Even at the Great Success stage, it was considered formidable 56. Zhang Su later brings it to perfection following an epiphany during a rainy night and manifests Divine Intent through it, giving the technique unimaginable speed 74 96 99.
• Twelve-Story Killing Sword: Mastery of this sword technique was a key factor in Zhang Su's ability to defeat Wei Yunzhou with only three strikes 80. It compensates for his former lack of explosive power and is later used in combination with other sword principles against Zhou Dingshan 74 130.
• Wuji Sword Scripture: A supreme sword scripture Zhang Su studies as a potential means of increasing his combat ability against Dugu Jian. Its Extreme Sword Style is a single-strike trump card centered on absolute speed 102 105.
  • Extreme Sword Style: Zhang Su uses this style to pierce Dugu Jian's perfected Five Elements Reincarnation Sword Technique and kill him with one strike to the throat 105.
  • Explosive Sword Style: A life-or-death sword strike that exhausts all of Zhang Su's Internal Force. Its power reaches the level of a full-force Houtian Realm attack, allowing him to breach Zhou Dingshan's Four Elements Fusion Gangjin and kill him 121 130 131.
• Sword Cultivation Technique: A technique borrowed from Hidden Sword Villa after Zhang Su withstands Ouyang Yin's three attacks. He raises its compatibility to 100% and brings it to perfection, using it to nurture and refine his Martial Dao True Intent 113 115.
• Primordial Unity Sword Art: Primordial Unity Peak's strongest sword art. Its first two forms have different applications at the Postnatal level, while the third form, Heaven and Earth Returning Origin Sword, draws upon Heaven and Earth Essence Qi to exert Xiantian power 160 181 182.
  • Heaven and Earth Returning Origin Sword: The perfected third form of the Primordial Unity Sword Art. Zhang Su uses it to defeat up to one hundred One-Star Puppets and establish his place near the pinnacle of Haojin Upper Sect's Personal Disciples 181 182.
• Spirit-Commanding Sword Scripture: A top-tier Xiantian Realm sword art Zhang Su purchases for one million Essence Crystals, raises from 6% to 100% compatibility, and rapidly perfects using Heart Force 211 212.
  • Sword Qi Threading: A refined application of the perfected Spirit-Commanding Sword Scripture that turns sword qi into near-invisible threads. Zhang Su uses it to kill Xiao Tianyi and later slay a Dao Realm cultivator while preserving the latter's Storage Bag 212 213 218.

Other Skills

• Rapid Martial Arts Mastery: Zhang Su possesses an exceptional talent for learning and perfecting martial arts. He can cultivate techniques to Great Success within half a month, and even perfect them during combat 5 11. He mastered ten martial arts in two days, with two reaching Great Success and the rest Minor Success 52. He also aimed to perfect eight martial arts from the Jiang Family Armory in a single day 28.
• High Compatibility: Zhang Su consistently finds martial arts with over 90% compatibility, with some even reaching 100% 10 11 42. This high compatibility allows for incredibly smooth and rapid cultivation 11. He can use Compatibility Points gained from perfecting techniques to force the compatibility of more advanced techniques to 100% 8 74 115.
• Integration of Martial Arts: Uniquely, Zhang Su can merge multiple perfected martial arts into one, transforming them into instinct. This ability allows his techniques to become second nature, a feat even natural-born geniuses like Lu Tianqing cannot achieve 42 56. Zhao Qianfeng identifies this as an essential prerequisite for the birth of Martial Sense 58.
• Divine Intent: By comprehending the spiritual quality in Chen Mo's swordsmanship, Zhang Su develops Divine Intent in his sword techniques. His Wind-Thunder Sword Technique's Divine Intent dramatically increases its speed, and he can combine Divine Intent from multiple sword techniques in battle 95 96 113.
• Martial Dao True Intent and Infinite True Intent: Zhang Su develops Martial Dao True Intent from several Divine Intents and the Sword Cultivation Technique. After entering Haojin Upper Sect, he refines it into Infinite True Intent, which can devour other Martial Dao True Intents and assimilate their strengths 115 160 181 195.
• Martial Dao Momentum: Zhang Su's accumulated martial will evolves from Infinite True Intent into Martial Dao Momentum, an ability possessed by fewer than ten cultivators in the Myriad Spirits Realm, allowing him to suppress Dao Realm cultivators and Dao-Transforming Lords 216 217 261.
• Heart Force: Zhang Su's perfected Heart Force Canon functions as enhanced computational power, substantially improving his ability to comprehend, analyze, deduce, and cultivate unfamiliar techniques 200.
• World Devourer: An innate physical divine ability awakened upon reaching the Thirtieth-Order physical body, allowing him to swallow and imprison enemies within an internal world 261.
• Combat Prowess: Zhang Su earned the title "Outer Sect Madman" by challenging and defeating Outer Sect disciples 11. His progression spans defeating half-step Huajin, Huajin, Baodan, Gangjin, Houtian, Xiantian, Entering the Dao (reaching Eight-Star combat power), and ultimately suppressing Dao-Proving Venerables with the Heavenly Extremity Imperial Palace 80 96 120 128 156 191 234 268.

Relationships

Notable Deeds and Achievements

• Achieved Perfection in Triple Wave Sword Technique (Early in his martial arts journey): Zhang Su challenged Qin Wu, an outer sect disciple who had reached the Great Success stage in the Triple Wave Sword Technique. During their battle, Zhang Su seized the opportunity to elevate his own Triple Wave Sword Technique to the Perfection stage, subsequently defeating Qin Wu. This demonstrated his strategic thinking in selecting opponents for martial arts advancement and his ability to improve during combat 8.

• Achieved Minor Accomplishment in Light Shadow Killing Sword (Prior to descending the mountain): Zhang Su entered the Cultivation Room and utilized seven of his eight compatibility points to increase the compatibility of the Light Shadow Killing Sword to 100%. Through dedicated practice, he reached Minor Accomplishment in this sword technique within two hours. This rapid progress highlighted his exceptional talent and the effectiveness of his compatibility system 15.

• Wiped out the Feitian Ridge Bandits (During his descent from the mountain): While traveling, Zhang Su encountered a caravan from the Zhenyuan Escort Agency being attacked by bandits led by He Xiongfei. Despite He Xiongfei's initial caution and attempts to test Zhang Su's strength, Zhang Su effortlessly killed three bandits with a single strike. He then used his superior movement technique and the Light Shadow Killing Sword to swiftly dispatch all remaining bandits without sustaining any injuries. This act not only saved the caravan but also demonstrated his formidable combat prowess and the concept of "slaughter" as a means to perfect his martial arts 18 25. The news of him single-handedly eliminating the notorious Feitian Ridge leader, He Xiongfei, and dozens of his men, shocked the entire city upon the escort agency's return 25.

• Defeated Jiang Cheng with a Single Strike (Upon returning to the Su Family): At a banquet hosted by the Su Family, Jiang Cheng, a martial arts genius from the Jiang Family, challenged Zhang Su to a duel. Zhang Su decisively defeated Jiang Cheng with a single strike, showcasing his exceptional skill and earning respect, albeit also envy, from those present. This victory led to Jiang Cheng admitting defeat and leaving the Su Family, and resulted in the Third Branch of the Su Family apologizing and paying compensation to the First Branch 23 24.

• Rose to the Top of the Outer Sect Disciples List (After returning to the Guiyuan Sect): Zhang Su's name disappeared from the "Top Ten Outer Sect Disciples" list, indicating his promotion to the Inner Sect. His ascent to the top spot was widely discussed among Outer Sect disciples, and news of his achievement spread throughout the Guiyuan Sect, significantly boosting his reputation. This success also benefited his family, with the Gu Family sending a congratulatory gift and the Su Family providing financial support for his training 43.

• Mastered Ten Martial Arts in Two Days (Upon entering the Inner Sect): After being recommended to Bamboo Sword Peak, Zhang Su entered the Cultivation Room. He practiced the Posuo Sword Technique, achieving Great Success in just one hour due to its 97% compatibility with his existing skills. Over the next day, he mastered nine more martial arts, with two reaching Great Success and the rest achieving Minor Success. This extraordinary learning ability demonstrated his exceptional talent and the power of compatibility in his cultivation 52.

• Achieved a Three-Star Rating in One Day (To gain access to the Fire Melting Cave): Driven by a desire to accelerate his cultivation and secure a spot in the Fire Melting Cave, Zhang Su decided to strive for a "Three-Star Disciple" rating. He applied for and passed the Two-Star rating assessment by instantly defeating ten One-Star Puppets. Immediately afterward, he applied for the Three-Star rating, shocking the Inner Sect. He then proceeded to defeat ten Two-Star Puppets, achieving the Three-Star rating in a single day. This unprecedented feat demonstrated his extraordinary combat prowess, perception, and near-Martial Sense abilities, astonishing the Inner Sect elders and disciples alike. This achievement secured him a slot in the Fire Melting Cave 59 61 63 64.

• Killed the Blood Slaughter Thirteen Riders (Before challenging Wei Yunzhou): During a trip down the mountain, Zhang Su single-handedly killed the Blood Slaughter Thirteen Riders, a bounty target so dangerous that even many Anjin disciples hesitated to confront them. He kept their heads in his courtyard rather than immediately claiming the contribution points, in part to avoid alerting his enemies 74.

• Defeated Wei Yunzhou with Three Sword Strikes (On the Life and Death Arena): After a month of anticipation and rumors, Zhang Su faced Wei Yunzhou, a half-step Huajin realm disciple, in a duel on the Inner Sect Martial Arts Arena. Despite being in the Mingjin realm, Zhang Su defeated Wei Yunzhou with just three sword strikes. This victory was attributed to his mastery of the Twelve-Story Killing Sword and the Small Three-Yang Force, derived from the Pure Yang Nine-Union Divine Art. This triumph solidified his reputation as an exceptional talent, defying the norms of martial cultivation by defeating a higher-realm opponent, and earned him praise from many sect elders 77 80.

• Killed Jiang Taizhen and Comprehended Divine Intent (During the Hengshan County conflict): Zhang Su killed Jiang Taizhen, a Three-Pulse Convergence expert of the Five Elements Sect, using the Wind-Thunder Sword Technique after comprehending Divine Intent. The feat greatly heightened his standing in the conflict over Hengshan County and established the terrifying potential of his swordsmanship 95 96.

• Annihilated the Huajin Bounty Board Ambush (During the Hengshan County conflict): Zhang Su faced eight Huajin experts in a single night, including Lin Huan, ranked second on the Huajin Bounty Board. He killed all eight and collected their Identity Tokens, earning eight thousand merit points and becoming recognized as the Guiyuan Sect's foremost Huajin-level combatant 103.

• Killed Dugu Jian with the Extreme Sword Style (On Drum Tower Street): Zhang Su confronted Dugu Jian in the rain as both sects watched. Dugu Jian used his perfected Five Elements Reincarnation Sword Technique, but Zhang Su's Extreme Sword Style pierced through it and killed him with a single strike to the throat 105.

• Slew Baodan Expert Ouyang Yin While at Huajin (At Hidden Sword Villa): After first surviving three Danjin-powered punches from Ouyang Yin, Zhang Su later killed the long-renowned Baodan expert. This feat—slaying a Baodan martial artist while still at the Huajin stage—was regarded as unprecedented and spread throughout the martial world 113 120 122.

• Completed the Heavenly Pride Trial (During the Three Sects Heroes Gathering): Zhang Su defeated Chu Hanjiang, a peak Gangjin martial artist who had achieved unity of internal and external force, in two strikes while only at the Danjin stage. This completed the second assessment of the Heavenly Pride Trial and made Zhang Su the fourth Inner Sect Heavenly Pride in Guiyuan Sect history 128.

• Won the Three Sects Heroes Gathering (At the Three Sects Exchange Conference): Zhang Su reached the final against Zhou Dingshan, a peak Gangjin expert of the Five Elements Sect. After his perfected conventional sword techniques failed to penetrate Zhou Dingshan's Four Elements Fusion Gangjin, Zhang Su used the Explosive Sword Style. The strike tore through Zhou Dingshan's defenses and killed him, making Zhang Su the champion of the Three Sects Heroes Gathering 130 131.

• Publicly Ascended to the Heavenly Pride Seat (After the Three Sects Heroes Gathering): Following his championship victory, Guiyuan Sect Leader Meng Shouzhen publicly announced Zhang Su's status as a Guiyuan Sect Heavenly Pride and presented him with a Heavenly Pride Token. The announcement confirmed his transformation from an ordinary Inner Sect disciple into one of the sect's central future pillars 131.

• Begins Establishing a Pure Yang Peak Faction (After becoming a Heavenly Pride): Zhang Su begins building his own team at Pure Yang Peak. He accepts former Outer Sect rival Lu Tianqing, Huajin expert Han Guiyi, and others who are willing to join, expanding his influence within the Guiyuan Sect 136.

• Defeated Postnatal and Houtian Experts in Five Elements Valley (As an Upper Sect Registered Disciple): Zhang Su defeated Postnatal Realm expert Du Hong with one sword and then defeated Houtian martial artist Lei Xuan on the third level of Five Elements Valley. These victories established his exceptional strength among Haojin Upper Sect's Registered Disciples 146.

• Killed Jiang Tianze After Entering the Houtian Realm (During the Jingyuan Sect conflict): After forming Taiji Primordial Unity Internal Force and entering the Houtian Realm, Zhang Su faced Jingyuan Sect sword prodigy Jiang Tianze. Zhang Su's sword crossed the Postnatal Shackles and entered the Xiantian level, allowing him to kill Jiang Tianze 155 156.

• Became Primordial Unity Peak's Chief Disciple (In Haojin Upper Sect): Primordial Unity Peak's Peak Master appointed Zhang Su Chief Disciple over more senior Official Disciples due to his Supreme Internal Force and extraordinary potential. The appointment caused major unrest among the peak's disciples but confirmed the Peak Master's faith in Zhang Su 157 160.

• Slaughtered Three Great Freedom Sect Holy Figures (At Gan Capital): Zhang Su concealed his breakthrough to the Circulatory Realm, baited the hidden assassin Qi Mo into revealing himself, and then killed Qi Mo, Red Skirt, and Shi Xin in rapid succession. He earned at least 17,100 merit points from the three elite enemies and the remaining First-Class Believers 174 176.

• Promoted to Haojin Upper Sect Personal Disciple (One year after entering the Upper Sect): Zhang Su passed the Personal Disciple assessment after obtaining sustainable Xiantian combat power. His promotion from Registered Disciple to Personal Disciple in one year was regarded as an extraordinary achievement 172 177.

• Defeated One Hundred One-Star Puppets (At the War Tower): Zhang Su used the Heaven and Earth Returning Origin Sword to defeat one hundred One-Star Puppets in succession. The achievement placed him second on Haojin Upper Sect's War Tower rankings, behind only Lu Zhaixing 182 183.

• Became Haojin Upper Sect's First Personal Disciple (At the War Tower): Zhang Su defeated twenty-eight Two-Star Puppets, surpassing Lu Zhaixing's record of twenty and taking first place on the War Tower. He became the first known Haojin Upper Sect disciple without an Innate Dao Body to achieve Two-Star combat power in the Houtian Realm 190 191.

• Forged the Infinite Dao Body and Broke Through to Xiantian (After three years in Haojin Upper Sect): Zhang Su brought his physical body to the Tenth Stage, opened the Bridge of Heaven and Earth, and endured nine cycles in which his Innate True Qi was annihilated and reborn. He successfully entered the Xiantian Realm and discovered that his self-condensed Dao Body was the growth-type Infinite Dao Body 194 195.

• Cleared Forty Waves in the Heart Sage Sect Assessment (During special recruitment): Zhang Su defeated Two-Star through Five-Star puppet waves in the Heart Sage Sect's mass assessment, reaching the fortieth wave and demonstrating Five-Star Peak combat power. He withdrew before the Six-Star wave rather than expend himself beyond his limit 198.

• Defeated Xiao Tianyi with Sword Qi Threading (In the Myriad Spirits Realm–Great Freedom Realm duel): Zhang Su accepted a fifty-million-Essence-Crystal challenge against Great Freedom Realm's top disciple, Xiao Tianyi. After perfecting the Spirit-Commanding Sword Scripture, Zhang Su used Sword Qi Threading to kill Xiao Tianyi with a single decisive sword strike 211 212.

• Reached the Qi Crystallization Realm with 108 Qi Crystal Grains (At Heart Sage Sect): Through intensive resource consumption and cultivation, Zhang Su reached the peak of the Xiantian Realm with the theoretical maximum of one hundred and eight Qi Crystal Grains, an accomplishment described as exceedingly rare even within Heart Sage Sect 214.

• Suppressed and Killed a Dao Realm Cultivator (At Three Ridges City's Hidden Market): Zhang Su first overwhelmed a black-robed Dao Realm cultivator with Martial Dao Momentum, then killed him with Sword Qi Threading when he persisted in violating the Hidden Market's rules. The feat demonstrated Zhang Su's ability to contend with enemies beyond the Xiantian Realm 217 218.

• Cultivated Three Divine Abilities to Minor Accomplishment (Before heading to the Evil God Battlefield): Zhang Su spent a year cultivating the Heavenly Net, Thunder Flame True Fire, and Rainbow Transformation Art, bringing each divine ability to Minor Accomplishment while advancing his Great Dao Light and physical body 233.

• Achieved Eight-Star Entering-the-Dao Combat Power (At Heart Sage Sect War Tower): Zhang Su effortlessly defeated Six-Star and Seven-Star puppets and triumphed over the Eight-Star Entering-the-Dao puppet using divine abilities, sensation-raising his standing across the Myriad Spirits Realm 234.

• Became Clear Sky Holy Venerable's Disciple (After mastering the Ancient God's Hand): Zhang Su cultivated the Ancient God's Left Hand from the Great Dao Stele Rubbing, impressing Clear Sky Holy Venerable and becoming his thirteenth disciple 246.

• Defeated Zhou Yan and Seven-Kill Lord (In Grand Void Illusion Realm and Jade Pillar Domain): Zhang Su defeated the top-ranked Entering-the-Dao cultivator of the Star Sea Sacred Sect and subsequently used the Ancient God's Hand to annihilate Seven-Kill Lord, a Seven-Star Lord, with a single palm strike 247 251.

• Achieved a Thirtieth-Order Lesser Saint Body and Suppressed Nine Dao-Proving Venerables (At Abyss Forbidden Zone and Heavenly Extremity Imperial Palace): Zhang Su consumed Blood God Fruits to force a physical breakthrough to the Thirtieth Order, awakening the Lesser Saint Body and World Devourer divine ability. He then completed the Heavenly Extremity Imperial Palace trials, inherited the Heavenly Apex Great Emperor's legacy, and imprisoned nine Dao-Proving Venerables who attempted to seize his treasures 261 268.