Zhou Wangyue

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Zhou Wangyue (周望岳)
Alias(es)	Principal Zhou
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Tianhai University; Great Xia Council
Occupation/Role	President of Tianhai University; Tier 6 Grandmaster; spiritual-energy scholar and researcher; formal Great Xia Councilor, ranked third in sequence 82 202
Status	Active 325
First Appearance	Chapter 82

Background / History

Zhou Wangyue is a foremost Great Xia martial artist and the president of Tianhai University. Beyond his standing as a Sixth Rank Grandmaster, he is one of the few experts accomplished in both martial arts and academia: an authority on spiritual-energy research who has published over one hundred papers and trained numerous students. At Tianhai University, he is regarded as a living legend. 82

He possesses one of the three Source Spirit Crystal fragments recovered by Great Xia after the meteorite impact. His dark-red crystal increases his combat-technique cultivation speed tenfold, and he credits it with aiding his progress over three decades. He also holds Archive Zero clearance and has spent years studying the crystals’ origin and implications. 166 168

Zhou first takes a direct interest in Song Chen after learning that hostile forces have targeted him at Tianhaidong Fortress. He covertly watches over Song while allowing him to face danger, even admitting that he used him as bait to draw out infiltrators. After witnessing Song defeat four stronger opponents through illusion and blade intent, Zhou accepts him as his only disciple. 97 100 107

As Song’s teacher, Zhou combines strict judgment with material and institutional support. He gives Song the S-class Heavenly Balance Blade for his apprenticeship, arranges covert protection during the Yunbo Island assignment, and consistently permits Song to choose his own path rather than directing his life. 101 107 173

Appearance

Zhou Wangyue is an elderly, lean man around sixty years old, with neatly combed graying hair. He commonly wears formal, understated clothing and maintains an upright posture. 82 194

• Dark-blue Zhongshan suit during Tianhai University’s entrance ceremony. 82
• Dark-gray long gown and black overcoat when receiving Song Chen in Shangjing. 194
• Often stands with his hands clasped behind his back. 97 194
• Carries himself “as straight as a pine tree.” 194

Personality

Zhou is calm, restrained, and decisive. He seldom wastes words, whether handling university affairs, commanding military operations, or confronting powerful Exotic Beasts. His composure extends to extraordinary circumstances; while others react to Song Chen’s rapid growth with alarm, Zhou ultimately chooses to respect his disciple’s privacy. 202 230

His mentorship is demanding rather than overprotective. He deliberately allows Song to confront real threats, believing a weapon must be sharpened through adversity, but quietly ensures that support is available if needed. 100 107

He values Song’s independence. Rather than choosing Song’s future for him, Zhou provides the authority, resources, and protection needed for his disciple to choose it himself. 173

Abilities & Skills

Tier 6 Grandmaster Martial Arts

Zhou is a mid-stage Sixth Rank Grandmaster with 420,000 vitality and blood, placing him among Great Xia’s twelve formal councilors. 202 257

• Crossed from a fortress wall to Song Chen’s position too quickly for the eye to follow. 100
• Can stand in midair without a flight device, aerial martial art, or supernatural ability. 117
• Reached Yunbo Island from Tianhai City in time to save Song Chen from the Giant Whale Beast Emperor. 117
• Defeated the Giant Whale Beast Emperor alongside Matvey. 208
• Crushed the Earth Dragon King’s spine with two palm strikes, allowing Song to deliver the finishing blow. 170

Spiritual Perception and Suppression

Zhou’s mental power can cover dozens of kilometers and detect combat developments from afar. 97

• Monitored Song Chen’s fortress operation remotely through spiritual power. 97
• Pinned a black-cloaked Fourth Rank infiltrator and a Fourth Rank Sea Beast to the ground simultaneously. 100
• Uses Grandmaster-level psionic perception to examine energy structures and track the circulation of Blue Light Spots within the Dark River’s Source Spirit Crystal field. 167

Spiritual-Energy Research

As a scholar of spiritual energy, Zhou is one of Great Xia’s most knowledgeable authorities on Source Spirit Crystals and their connection to the meteorite impact. 82 166

• Identified the Dark River fragments as pieces of a shattered Source Spirit Crystal. 166
• Determined that the fragments form a self-sustaining energy field and cannot be safely relocated with existing human technology. 168
• Knows that the crystals do not originate from Blue Star or any known dimension, and that their arrival was not accidental. 166

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Dark Night — Zhou’s pitch-black S-rank combat blade. 117 169
• Heavenly Balance Blade — An S-class blade from Zhou’s personal collection, given to Song Chen as an apprenticeship gift. 101
• Dark-red Source Spirit Crystal — Accelerates Zhou’s combat-technique cultivation speed tenfold. 166
• Encrypted communicator — Used to coordinate discreet protection and military contacts. 107

Relationships

• Song Chen — His only disciple. Zhou tests Song through real danger, provides protection and resources from the shadows, and respects Song’s autonomy as he surpasses ordinary expectations. 100 107 173
• Li Qingcang — Fellow Great Xia leader who works with Zhou and Song on matters involving the Psionic Vortex and humanity’s future. 312 325
• Qi Shanhe — Fellow formal councilor and Great Xia’s foremost military figure; they serve together during the Arctic expedition. 202
• Liu Fu — Director of the Tianhai City Defense Command Intelligence Division. Zhou orders him to shadow Song Chen’s Yunbo Island mission without revealing the protection. 107
• Shen Tie — Zhou contacts him to discreetly support Song Chen on Cloud Wave Island Base. 107
• Li Xiuying and Song Zhengye — Song Chen’s parents. Zhou dines with them at their home and is treated as a respected guest. 173

Major Arcs

Tianhaidong Fortress and Apprenticeship

Zhou arrives alone at Tianhaidong Fortress after reports that Song Chen is being observed by hostile forces. He uses his spiritual power to monitor the area, permits the assassins to act in order to expose them, then intervenes once Song has defeated the attackers. 97 100

After openly acknowledging that he used Song as bait, Zhou praises Song’s ability to defeat four stronger foes and takes him as his disciple. He later gives him the Heavenly Balance Blade. 100 101

Yunbo Island Campaign

Zhou arranges hidden support for Song’s Yunbo Island deployment after learning that traitors have placed Song fifth on an assassination list. He orders Liu Fu and Shen Tie to protect Song without making the arrangement obvious. 107

When the Giant Whale Beast Emperor attacks Yunbo Island, Zhou arrives from Tianhai City and rescues Song from the beast’s suction. 117

Dark River Discovery

Zhou joins Song in investigating the ruins beneath Evergreen City, identifies the shattered Source Spirit Crystal fragments, and explains the significance of the Dark River field. 166 168

He supports Song’s decision to turn the Dark River over to Great Xia, guarantees that Song will be fairly rewarded, and helps secure Song’s Honorary Councilor status and Dark River revenue share. 168 169

Zhou then assists Song against the Earth Dragon King, crippling the peak Fifth Order Beast King before Song kills it. 170

Arctic Expedition and Counteroffensive

As one of Great Xia’s leading councilors, Zhou joins the Arctic expedition alongside Qi Shanhe, Qin Zhen, Gu Qianzhi, Song Chen, and other elite martial artists. 202

Throughout the conflict, he remains in contact with Song, directing retreats when necessary and warning him when the Sky Wolf King moves personally to kill him. 214 222

After Song returns from the Arctic and European operations with dramatically increased vitality, Zhou questions the cause but accepts Song’s request not to reveal his secrets. 230

Psionic Vortex Preparations

After Song reaches the Star Core Rank, Zhou supports his decision to investigate the Psionic Vortex in the Pacific Ocean—a site inaccessible to ordinary martial artists for fifty years. 311 312

He later helps organize the delegation selected to accompany Song’s departure toward the universe, including researchers, linguists, physicists, diplomats, and strategic advisers. 325

Notable Quotes

“He doesn't need protection, but he needs someone behind him.” 107

“What a Tier 6 Grandmaster could provide was not a direction, but the qualification to walk in any direction without being stopped.” 173

“You're right. I was overthinking it. I won't ask anymore. Let's go.” 230