Zhao Linchuan

Biodata

Physical Description

Zhao Linchuan is described as possessing a formidable and assertive presence, often demonstrating immense power and skill 33 12. His physical appearance is not explicitly detailed in terms of overall build or specific facial features, but his actions and the reactions of others suggest a commanding figure. He is capable of easily defeating powerful spirit beasts and displaying strength that shocks and awes those around him, including his companions 12 33 94. His composure in battle and his ability to control powerful soul skills further contribute to an impression of a strong and capable individual 38 94.

By the time he becomes president of Azure Dragon Academy, Zhao is still outwardly a young teenager, causing many students and teachers to initially question his authority before witnessing his strength and knowledge firsthand 141 150. His appearance can be misleading in battle; opponents and observers repeatedly underestimate him due to his age and apparent healing-type classification 37 141.

Specific physical traits mentioned include:

• Build: Not explicitly stated, but his physical prowess and ability to subdue powerful opponents suggest a strong and capable physique 12 38. During three months of intensive academy expansion and administration, he becomes noticeably thinner while remaining highly energetic 194.
• Typical Attire: No consistent attire is established, though he is seen scrubbing clothes in a stream 33. At home, he also wears loose clothing and slippers 198.
• Presence: His Wood Azure Dragon martial soul can manifest as an immense azure dragon phantom behind him, exerting powerful pressure on nearby dragon-type martial soul wielders 133 134.
• Supernatural Allure: After the formation of his Soul Core, his attraction to dragon women and those associated with life attributes intensifies. Bi Ji and Zi Ji are particularly affected by his Azure Dragon presence 210 211.

Powers and Abilities

Martial Souls

• Wood Azure Dragon: Zhao Linchuan's primary martial soul, a high-quality wood-attribute dragon-type spirit. It serves as the foundation for his powerful soul skills and cultivation techniques. Despite being initially dismissed as a trash spirit by Su Yuntao due to its plant-like nature, it proves to be exceptionally versatile and destructive. The Wood Azure Dragon enables dual-purpose skills and grants healing-type soul power properties. Its inherent vitality also gives Zhao extraordinary regenerative potential. 1 37 4 127
• Metal White Tiger: Zhao Linchuan's secondary martial soul, awakened alongside the Wood Azure Dragon. Zhao initially concealed it by keeping his left hand closed during his awakening, preventing Su Yuntao from recognizing him as a twin-martial-soul wielder 1. He later absorbs the Ancient Ginkgo Tree spirit’s blood-red Soul Ring into this martial soul, obtaining the Western Heaven Immortal Battle Spear. Its White Tiger Domain is subsequently used to establish Azure Dragon Academy’s Special Training Rooms 174 178 195. He openly confirms his twin martial souls to Qian Renxue after she notices that his absorption of another ring cannot be explained by his already-complete Azure Dragon configuration 178.
• Ultimate Attributes: After gaining his sixth soul ring, Zhao discovers that the attributes of his first five soul rings have transformed into ultimate attributes. Together with the sacred attribute associated with his head Spirit Bone and derivative attributes such as wind, lightning, and ice, he possesses more than ten usable attributes or attribute variations 145. Inside his internal Seed, seven ultimate attributes appear as distinct revolving streams of light: Azure Wood, White Metal, Yellow Earth, Blazing Sun, Blue Moon, Crimson Fire, and Black Water 209.
• Dragon and Serpent Matchup Advantage: His martial soul’s superior quality exerts pressure on lower-ranking dragon-type martial souls. Xiao Wu also identifies it as especially effective against serpent-type martial souls such as Dugu Bo’s Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor. Her claim that it is a hundred times stronger than the Seraphim is her own boast, rather than an established measurement. 133 134 160

Soul Skills

• First Soul Skill: Wood Azure Dragon Break: A versatile skill derived from Ah Yin’s soul ring. It can be used both offensively, unleashing a powerful dragon-shaped energy attack, and defensively or supportively by transforming into healing rain that restores injuries and vitality. The skill is described as a dual-purpose technique, making it highly adaptable in combat. 4 12
• Second Soul Skill: One Leaf Knows Autumn: This skill directly strips life force from plants, draining their vitality to weaken the environment or replenish himself. Zhao Linchuan notes that it is especially lethal against non-Title Douluo soul masters with little lifespan remaining, including high-level Soul Douluo who have failed to break through. He uses it to drain Tang Hao's vitality after poisoning him and to weaken the eighty-sixth-rank Fire Wolf Consecrator before killing him 12 73 122. Its originating ring is later upgraded from approximately three thousand years to the ten-thousand-year level 174.
• Third Soul Skill: Drawing a Circle as a Prison: A spatial control skill that creates a bounded area, restricting enemy movement within a defined perimeter. The exact mechanics are not elaborated, but it serves as the basis for his footwork technique “World at One’s Feet,” implying it involves compressing space or creating a zone of influence. 80
• Fourth Soul Skill: Sun Fall: A devastating offensive skill used against the Soul Saint Zhao Wuji. Zhao creates a miniature sun approximately three meters in diameter and drops it toward the ground. Its heat distorts the air for hundreds of meters, withers vegetation, and cracks earth and stone; Zhao Wuji judges that a direct impact could reduce everything within a hundred-meter radius to ash. Zhao Wuji activates his Vajra Bear Avatar but is nevertheless defeated 38. Zhao later upgrades this skill’s soul ring to the hundred-thousand-year level 174.
• Fifth Soul Skill: Heaven and Earth Loss of Color: A domain-type ability originating from a Moon-Chasing Silver Fox soul ring. Its overall effectiveness increases by fifty percent beneath a full moon. Zhao later upgrades its originating ring to the hundred-thousand-year level. 72 174
• Sixth Soul Skill: Heavenfire Incinerates the City: A large-scale destructive skill granted by Zhao’s two-hundred-thousand-year sixth soul ring. Zhao identifies it as an exceptionally high-damage area-of-effect technique 127. Against the Ancient Ginkgo Tree, he combines it with Five Virtues Empowerment and opens a sky rift more than a hundred zhang wide, filled with searing golden-red light 172.
• Sixth Soul Skill: Rebirth Through Fire: A passive resurrection ability granted by Zhao’s sixth soul ring. If Zhao dies, he can rapidly revive through fire and return to battle in perfect condition. Zhao considers it less essential to his survival than it would be for most soul masters because the Wood Azure Dragon already grants exceptional vitality and regenerative potential. 127
• Metal White Tiger Ring Ability: Western Heaven Immortal Battle Spear: After absorbing the Ancient Ginkgo Tree spirit’s ring, Zhao manifests a dark-silver spear approximately ten feet long. Its exceptionally sharp aura threatens to cut nearby flesh even without direct contact. He regards it as a weapon approaching divine quality and later uses it to stabilize projections of his White Tiger Domain. 174 178 195
• Healing-Type Soul Power: Zhao Linchuan’s soul power possesses inherent healing properties, which he reveals during his spar with Zhao Wuji 37. After the academy’s soul-hunting expedition, he rapidly closes Teacher Six’s severe wound and treats other injured students 138.
• Severed-Limb Restoration: Zhao states that he can regrow Sword Douluo’s lost arm, provided that a sufficiently high-age Spirit Bone corresponding to the missing limb is supplied as a special material. Ning Fengzhi leaves to procure it; the supplied account establishes the offer and requirements, rather than a completed treatment. 170

Domains

• Heaven and Earth Loss of Color: Zhao Linchuan's domain, originating from his fifth soul ring, which becomes fifty percent stronger beneath a full moon 72. It can strip an enemy of their five senses, making concealed poisoning especially effective 16. It was able to contend directly with Tang Hao's Divine Slaughter's Domain, preventing either side from suppressing the other. During their confrontation, it gradually increased the weight of Tang Hao's Clear Sky Hammer and impaired his body, creating the opening Zhao used to defeat him 14 16 72 73.
• All Things Return to Spring: A life-oriented domain through which Zhao rapidly rejuvenates and expands vegetation across Azure Dragon Academy’s back mountain. He uses it to transform the area into a lush primeval forest and a personal mimicry cultivation ground, greatly improving the environment’s vitality and cultivation value. The transformation takes approximately fifteen minutes and also rejuvenates the mountain’s wildlife. 145
• End War, Turn Weapons to Plow: Zhao’s White Tiger Domain prevents soul masters whose Soul Power levels are lower than his own from using Soul Ring or Spirit Bone skills. Its restriction makes it less useful against stronger opponents, including Titled Douluos. Zhao instead projects and stabilizes its effect through the Western Heaven Immortal Battle Spear in three Special Training Rooms, forcing students to rely on martial souls, physical ability, combat instincts, and self-created techniques. 195

Spirit Bone Skills

• Wood Azure Dragon Absolute: A destructive Spirit Bone skill from the hundred-thousand-year Blue Silver Emperor right leg bone. Zhao Linchuan unleashes a massive energy dragon that tears through the landscape, causing a shockwave felt miles away. The skill demonstrates Title Douluo-level destructive force, capable of leveling a valley in a single strike 94. In the recorded demonstration, its Ring Fusion-enhanced use consumes nearly half his Soul Power; a separate cooldown is not specified 94.
• Vegetation Origin Return: A restorative Spirit Bone skill also from the Blue Silver Emperor right leg bone. It allows Zhao Linchuan to draw the essence of heaven and earth from surrounding flora, converting it into Soul Power to replenish his reserves. The skill automatically forces Blue Silver Grass to sprout nearby, creating a source of energy even in barren areas. While the restored amount depends on the age and vitality of the plants, the ability can be triggered repeatedly, granting near-infinite Soul Power as long as vegetation exists. The drawback is that newly sprouted plants store less energy, making restoration slower in the short term 94. After his six-ring Ring Fusion attack against the Ancient Ginkgo Tree, Zhao again uses it to replenish his depleted Soul Power 173.
• Spirit Bone Energy Projection: A supplementary ability from the same Spirit Bone, allowing Zhao Linchuan to condense Soul Power into a tangible Wood Azure Dragon construct. He can stand atop this energy beast and direct its flight, enabling rapid aerial movement and pursuit. The construct can also be used as a mount or for transportation, though its combat capabilities beyond flight are not highlighted. 94
• Myriad Wood Prison: A Spirit Bone skill that raises an enormous plant prison around a target before impaling them with Blue Silver Emperor Spears from multiple directions. Zhao uses it after weakening the Fire Wolf Consecrator with One Leaf Knows Autumn, killing the eighty-sixth-rank Soul Douluo. 122
• Five Virtues Empowerment: A skill of Zhao’s two-hundred-thousand-year head Spirit Bone. Used on himself, it increases all attributes by five hundred percent for two hours; used on allies, it increases all attributes by two hundred percent and can affect up to five people 127. During the battle with the Ancient Ginkgo Tree, five ancient characters of different colors revolve around him, and his empowered Soul Power aura reaches the level of a rank-ninety-eight Titled Douluo. This is a temporary combat enhancement, not his actual cultivation rank 172.
• Holy Origin Spirit Phoenix: Zhao can summon a powerful sacred phoenix manifestation comparable to a hundred-thousand-year soul beast. The summon possesses the holy attribute but does not possess Extreme Fire 127. It is capable of capturing or suppressing multiple high-level opponents. Its cry briefly stuns everyone present, including Qian Renxue and Ning Fengzhi, when Zhao uses it against Meng Shenji and Bai Baoshan 154. Against Dugu Bo, it releases golden-white divine breath that overcomes the Poison Douluo’s defenses; a trace of the breath also temporarily dispels part of Dugu Bo’s chronic poison 161.
• Enhanced Spiritual Power: Zhao’s newly acquired head Spirit Bone increases his spiritual power by more than five hundredfold, raising it into the Super Douluo realm. He initially struggles to control the sudden increase but recovers more than seventy percent control after adapting to it 126 127. By his battle with the Ancient Ginkgo Tree, his spiritual foundation is described as Ultimate Douluo-level, although a powerful six-ring Ring Fusion attack still consumes more than half of it 173.
• Spiritual Eye Beams: His enhanced spiritual power can emerge from his eyes as destructive azure-gold beams. Immediately after absorbing the phoenix’s ring and head Spirit Bone, an uncontrolled discharge destroys a line of forest trees; he subsequently restores sufficient control to prevent accidental firing. 127

Cultivation Techniques

• Azure Dragon Visualization Method: A comprehensive technique created by Zhao Linchuan through observation of his own Wood Azure Dragon martial soul. It integrates body cultivation and heart refinement, enhancing physical strength, spiritual perception, and Soul Power purity. The full version requires rigid conditions to practice, so he later simplifies it for his companions, sacrificing some potency for accessibility. 80
• World at One’s Feet: A footwork technique derived from his third soul skill “Drawing a Circle as a Prison.” It compresses space under the practitioner’s steps, allowing for extreme agility and long-distance movement. The original version demands acute spatial perception; Zhao simplifies it into the “Earth-Shrinking Step” for others, which relies on Soul Power rhythm to achieve faster, lighter movement—though only one-third as effective as the original. 80
• Mirror-Like Heart Art: A refined simplified cultivation art Zhao gives to Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing alongside Earth-Shrinking Step. It is derived from his own cultivation system but is made more accessible for his companions 81. He specifically encourages Ning Rongrong to master it after her Wisdom Skull fusion, explaining that stronger mental power improves a support soul master’s precision, range, and efficiency 111.
• Eight Extraordinary Meridians: Fusion with the Blue Silver Emperor Spirit Bone opens Zhao’s Eight Extraordinary Meridians and helps him reach level sixteen at six years old. 4
• Dragon-Compatible Cultivation Assistance: Zhao provides Liu Erlong with special cultivation assistance that benefits her because of her dragon-type martial soul. Zhu Zhuqing recognizes that this compatibility gives Liu Erlong an advantage unavailable to companions with other martial soul types. 146

Advanced Techniques

• Ring Fusion: A specialized skill Zhao Linchuan masters after learning insights from Ning Rongrong’s father. It enhances support-type abilities by merging the effects of multiple soul rings, allowing for more potent amplification or utility 93. It also has major offensive applications: his five-ring fusion unleashes the power of all five rings at once and grants Wood Azure Dragon Absolute Title Douluo-level destructive force 94. A later six-ring fusion consumes enormous amounts of both Soul Power and spiritual power, demonstrating that the technique remains costly even with his expanded reserves 173.
• Self-Created Soul Skills: Zhao advocates discovering techniques through deep understanding of one’s martial soul rather than treating soul-ring skills as a crutch. He develops more than ten self-created skills after gaining control over his expanded attributes. 146 150
• Thunder Dragon / Thunder Dragon Emerges from the Sea: A self-created lightning technique that gathers extensive azure lightning around Zhao and manifests overwhelming draconic power. He uses it while protecting Azure Dragon Academy students during a soul-hunting expedition. The lightning dragon captures four ten-thousand-year soul beasts, knocks a black panther toward Zhu Zhuyun, and then assists Liu Erlong against the Earth Cave Spider Emperor. 136
• Wings of Wind: A group enhancement skill that grants allies controllable wings formed from wind elements, allowing them to fly for a limited period. It is useful for both pursuit and retreat 146. Zhao later uses it to transport his companions toward Star Dou Forest, turning the flight into a competitive race 183.
• Fire’s Happiness: A group enhancement skill that increases a recipient’s attack, strength, speed, and fire-attribute Soul Power by one hundred percent for a limited period. It cannot be safely used on plant-type or ice-attribute soul masters, for whom the enhancement instead becomes harmful. 146
• Soul Ring Age Enhancement: Zhao discovers that the Apricot Pearl contains highly concentrated energy of the same nature as Soul Ring energy. By extracting and directing it into a ring, he can increase the ring’s cultivation age at an approximate cost of two years of stored energy for each year added. He upgrades his own second, fourth, and fifth rings before reserving further energy for his companions 174 175. He later upgrades the rings of Liu Erlong, Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, Zhu Zhuyun, and Qian Renxue 177 179.
• Spirit Bone Age Enhancement: Zhao initially considers whether the Apricot Pearl can also strengthen Spirit Bones. Liu Erlong’s ninety-thousand-year head Spirit Bone subsequently reaches the hundred-thousand-year level under his arrangements. 175 177
• Soul Ring Absorption Guidance: Zhao teaches that absorbing unusually old rings requires both adequate mental strength to survive soul tremors and sufficient physical endurance to withstand the energy. He rejects universal limit charts as unreliable and warns students against imitating Zhu Zhuyun’s ten-thousand-year fourth ring without the necessary preparation. 141 142
• Eastern Extremity Slaughtering Sword: A longsword that appears as a stream of emerald light before entering Zhao’s chest. He subsequently holds it within the inner space of his Seed, surrounded by the seven ultimate-attribute streams. Its full combat properties are not specified in the supplied account. 209

Internal Seed and Soul Core

Following the phoenix sacrifice, Zhao senses a seed-like formation near his heart that draws in or accumulates energy. He suspects it may explain why his Soul Power rises less than expected despite absorbing a two-hundred-thousand-year ring 127. During the following winter, each new cultivation level requires an unusually large amount of energy, as though a bottomless pit is expanding in his chest 146.

The Seed later contains a small-world-like inner space with seven ultimate-attribute streams revolving around Zhao 209. By Chapter 210, his internal world is also identified as a Soul Core or Divine Core. Its land spans ninety thousand meters, continues to expand with his strength, and contains an ancient tree on which a five-colored phoenix rests. Zhao concludes that this immense core eliminates his concern about exhausting his Soul Power 210.

Power Progression

Relationships

• [Ning Rongrong]: Zhao Linchuan and Ning Rongrong develop from flirtation and mutual fascination into an open romantic relationship. Ning is initially shocked by Zhao’s level fifty-four cultivation and unprecedented ring configuration, then becomes increasingly devoted to him after witnessing his strength and receiving his support in cultivation 33 38. Zhao teaches her Ring Fusion and provides cultivation resources, including Spirit Bones and Immortal Herbs, while Ning supports his academy ambitions and remains proud of his achievements 93 105 107 111 157. Her father, Ning Fengzhi, recognizes her sincere feelings and considers the political implications of Zhao joining the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect 150. Zhao later upgrades her first three Soul Rings, helping her overcome her level-forty bottleneck and prepare for a powerful fourth ring 179 181.

• [Xiao Wu]: Xiao Wu’s relationship with Zhao Linchuan is the deepest and longest, founded on years of shared childhood from ages six to twelve 41. She treats him as an elder-brother figure while showing fierce loyalty, protectiveness, and jealousy toward anyone who might threaten her place beside him. She guards him during soul-ring absorption, supports him in dangerous encounters, and trusts his judgment even when facing Title Douluo-level threats 12 71. Over time, she becomes more mature and accepting of the group’s relationships, including choosing to give her own Spirit Bones to Zhu Zhuqing to strengthen her. Zhao supports her decision, reflecting their mutual trust 61 110. Xiao Wu explicitly expresses that she wants a romantic relationship rather than remaining only his sworn younger sister 60. Zhao later upgrades her rings, accompanies her to the Lake of Life for her fifth-ring condensation, and enters the Blue Silver Ancestral Land under her guidance 179 186. After giving her the Jade Rabbit Skull, he asks for her assistance with a long-term mental-control operation 190.

• [Zhu Zhuqing]: Zhu Zhuqing’s relationship with Zhao Linchuan begins as a transactional request for protection and power against the fate imposed on her by the Star Luo Empire’s Zhu family 47 48. Zhao offers her training, weapons, cultivation methods, and protection; in turn, Zhuqing becomes increasingly trusting, affectionate, and loyal 61 80 101. He supports her before battles, teaches her refined cultivation techniques, and assists her efforts to protect and eventually reunite with her sister Zhu Zhuyun 80 101 113. Their relationship later develops into a close partnership marked by mutual confidence and friendly competition, including their race in Chapter 116 96 116. Their romantic bond is openly demonstrated when Zhao agrees to let her sister join them 113. He subsequently upgrades Zhuqing’s early Soul Rings and helps her overcome her level-forty bottleneck 179 181.

• [Zhu Zhuyun]: Zhu Zhuyun, Zhu Zhuqing’s elder sister, initially encounters Zhao as an outsider forced to confront the scale of his power. After witnessing him kill the Fire Wolf Consecrator, she realizes that knowing his secrets leaves her unable to safely return to the Star Luo Empire 122. She later joins Zhao’s group, absorbs a ten-thousand-year fourth soul ring, and proves skilled in both combat and business management 137 141 146. Zhu Zhuyun becomes one of Zhao’s close companions and assists with his personal affairs, the academy’s development, and the profitable rebranding of his pills 133 146. Their business arrangement initially includes a promised Immortal Herb and a monthly payment of two thousand Gold Soul Coins 124. Her marketing and artificial scarcity increase his assets a hundredfold over one winter, while her personal relationship with him develops into an established romantic partnership 146 179 182. Her calculating approach sometimes conflicts with Zhao’s concern for others, as shown when she delays his intervention during the students’ soul hunt to increase Liu Erlong’s dependence on him 136.

• [Liu Erlong]: Liu Erlong is the former president of Blue Tyrant Academy. Her dragon-type martial soul reacts strongly to Zhao’s Wood Azure Dragon, and she gradually becomes convinced of his overwhelming power after seeing him protect students during a soul hunt 133 134 137. She formally steps down as active president and appoints Zhao as Blue Tyrant Academy’s new president, retaining the honorary presidency when it is renamed Azure Dragon Academy 141 146. Zhao also prompts her to reassess her past relationship with Yu Xiaogang and supports her renewed cultivation, which raises her to level eighty-five 142 143 146. Their relationship becomes romantic, and she joins his household as a trusted partner 144 182. Zhao later upgrades her rings and head Spirit Bone and gives her a powerful torso bone, helping her reach the peak of level eighty-eight and evolve her Fire Dragon into the Scarlet Sun Dragon Emperor with Extreme Fire. He comforts her when the transformation revives painful memories of her past 177. She assists with the small world’s security, supervision of the companions’ breakthroughs, and academy expansion planning 178 179 182.

• [Qian Renxue]: Zhao Linchuan and Qian Renxue begin as wary political acquaintances while she is disguised as Crown Prince Xue Qinghe. Her initial explanation presents her as a maidservant forced to impersonate the prince, concealing her true background; she later reveals that she is Qian Renxue, an Angel God Trial Candidate and the young mistress of Spirit Hall, and seeks Zhao’s assistance and future political cooperation 158 167. Zhao challenges the effectiveness of her long-term Heaven Dou infiltration scheme and ultimately assumes a leading role in their cooperation 168. Their relationship is marked by strategic negotiation, mutual interest, teasing, and Qian Renxue’s growing competitive concern over the women already close to Zhao 158 163 168. Zhao confirms his twin martial souls as a gesture of trust, receives the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud from her, upgrades her Soul Rings, and gives her the Holy Radiance Nine-Heart Lotus 178 179. He later offers a nine-hundred-and-ninety-thousand-year soul beast sacrifice as her seventh ring and explains the prospect of a second martial soul 199. By the Extreme North expedition, he calls her his wife, and she acquires the Heavenly Snow Woman as her second martial soul 203 204. Her affection remains possessive; unlike Bi Ji, she prefers private, one-on-one intimacy 211. Under Zhao’s influence, she eventually takes secret control of the Heaven Dou Empire 212.

• [Tang Hao]: Zhao Linchuan becomes Tang Hao’s adversary after taking items connected to Tang Hao and Tang San. When Tang Hao confronts him and demands submission, Zhao refuses. He withstands Tang Hao’s Divine Slaughter's Domain with Heaven and Earth Loss of Color, exploits the resulting weakening of Tang Hao's body, poisons him with Corpse-Rotting Bone-Melting Powder, and drains his remaining vitality with One Leaf Knows Autumn. Zhao then destroys Tang Hao’s body to prevent any return. 72 73

• [Dugu Bo]: Dugu Bo confronts Zhao after his granddaughter Dugu Yan is humiliated. Zhao lures the Poison Douluo away from populated areas, later returning apparently uninjured and claiming to have shattered Dugu Bo’s ninth soul skill and Martial Soul Avatar in a single move. Ning Fengzhi suspects an unidentified Title Douluo may have intervened, but Zhao’s account establishes Dugu Bo as a defeated adversary 159 163. The battle itself shows Zhao’s Holy Origin Spirit Phoenix overwhelming Dugu Bo’s defenses and temporarily alleviating some of his chronic poison 161. Dugu Bo later joins Azure Dragon Academy as honorary principal 178. Zhao rejects his offered indenture contract, provides the Eight Spider Lances as a means of treating Dugu Yan, and asks him to guard the herb garden and small-world entrance instead. Zhao describes them as family, earning Dugu Bo’s gratitude and loyalty 180 181. Their alliance later extends to Heaven Dou court manipulation, with Dugu Bo negotiating a ten-thousand-year fourth ring for Dugu Yan in exchange for political assistance 189 190.

• [Ning Fengzhi]: Ning Fengzhi is Ning Rongrong’s father and the source of Zhao’s knowledge of Ring Fusion through Ning’s teachings 93. Although initially wary of Zhao’s influence over Rongrong, he comes to recognize Zhao’s knowledge, resources, ambition, and potential political value. He considers the possibility of Zhao marrying into the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, while Zhao remains focused on his own broader ambitions 148 150 157. Zhao later agrees to treat Sword Douluo’s severed arm if Ning supplies a suitable high-age Spirit Bone. Ning’s account of the dangerous small world also helps motivate Zhao’s exploration 170.

• [Dugu Yan]: Their initial relationship is antagonistic: Zhao slaps her after she attacks him during the academy confrontation, prompting Dugu Bo’s intervention 152 159. After she joins Azure Dragon Academy, Zhao treats her as a student under his protection and offers the Eight Spider Lances to contain and remove her inherited poison 180 181. Her condition improves, and he advises soul-pressure training to accelerate her recovery 189. He also promises to prepare her for the Soul Master Tournament and help her obtain a ten-thousand-year fourth Soul Ring 190. Dugu Bo encourages a closer personal relationship, but Dugu Yan resists his matchmaking 181.

• [Ye Lingling]: Ye Lingling seeks Zhao’s protection for herself and the Nine-Heart Begonia Clan after rejecting Yu Tianheng’s proposed marriage alliance. She accompanies Dugu Yan to Azure Dragon Academy, where Liu Erlong admits them during Zhao’s absence. Her decision is explicitly motivated by Zhao’s strength and her clan’s lack of a Titled Douluo guardian. 165 178

• [Ah Yin and the Blue Silver King]: Ah Yin’s ring and right leg Spirit Bone form part of Zhao’s earliest foundation 3 4. In the Blue Silver Ancestral Land, he bargains with the Blue Silver King for the clan’s collective sacrifice, swearing to revive Ah Yin after becoming a level-one-hundred god. Purple lightning acknowledges the oath. The clan’s energy raises his first ring to the hundred-thousand-year level, after which another blood-red ring identified as Ah Yin’s enters and merges with it 186.

• [Gu Yuena / Silver Dragon King]: The mysterious silver-haired woman subdues and detoxifies Zhao after he loses control of his power, spending seven days with him in the Peony Garden 27. The Silver Dragon King later considers him suitable as the father of her child and continues watching his progress 75 96. Their close personal relationship is sustained in later encounters 110. By the sea expedition and its aftermath, Gu Yuena openly accompanies Zhao and is established as one of his intimate partners 210 211.

• [Bi Ji]: Bi Ji initially appears in association with the Silver Dragon King’s observation of Zhao 96. She later becomes one of his intimate partners. She states that she and the dragon women do not resent his multiple relationships, provided that he remains healthy, and respects Qian Renxue’s decision to prefer private time with him 210 211.

• [Zi Ji]: Zi Ji is strongly affected by Zhao’s Azure Dragon presence and the enhanced appeal associated with his Soul Core. She joins him and Gu Yuena during the hotel stay, establishing a close personal relationship. 210 211

• [Bibi Dong]: Zhao develops a secret intimate relationship with Qian Renxue’s mother. He sends her a Demigod Core through Qian Renxue and addresses her familiarly as “Dong’er” 217 218. Bibi Dong insists that Qian Renxue must not discover their relationship, and Zhao agrees to keep Qian Renxue occupied while Bibi Dong composes herself 219.

• [Wu Siyu]: The deputy director of Azure Dragon Academy’s Academic Affairs Office earns Zhao’s trust through meticulous administrative work. She investigates Tai Long’s disappearance and the Strength Clan’s departure and carries out Zhao’s order to remove Tai Long from the academy registry. 189

• [Zhu Zhuqing, Ning Rongrong, Xiao Wu, and Zhu Zhuyun – Group Dynamics]: The women around Zhao Linchuan are initially competitive and jealous, particularly regarding Zhao’s attention, but gradually develop into a mutually supportive group. Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu initially unite against Zhu Zhuqing, while Zhuqing often acts as a calmer mediator 41 85. Their shared cultivation, exchanges of resources, and support during battles deepen their trust; Xiao Wu’s decision to give her Spirit Bones to Zhuqing is a notable example of this growth 93 110. Zhu Zhuyun’s later inclusion broadens the group, with the others eventually accepting her presence and cooperating in Zhao’s wider plans 133. Liu Erlong’s inclusion further develops their shared household, and Zhao deliberately accepts the women covering for one another rather than disrupting their cooperation 144. The original four companions readily accept his proposed future family commitment when he offers Soul Ring upgrades 179.

Equipment

• Wish-Fulfilling Treasure Pouch: A seemingly small blue pouch purchased from a roadside stall for two silver coins. It is a rare soul tool capable of storing living things, with an interior that feels like a bottomless pit; it contained a large fresh ginseng when its contents were first explored. 7 8
• Storage Soul Tools: Two storage-type soul tools retrieved from the corpses of defeated human traffickers. They collectively held a fortune of 3,211 gold soul coins and an anonymous black card. 6
• Anonymous Black Card: A high-level deposit certificate found inside one of the storage soul tools. It can be redeemed at any bank on the continent and contained 30,000 gold soul coins. 6
• Dragon Whisker Needles: Concealed weapons Zhao Linchuan demonstrates to Zhu Zhuqing. They can penetrate most protective Soul Power barriers. 24
• Soul-Extinguishing Gun: A firearm-style soul tool Zhao teaches Zhu Zhuqing to use. Its strategic value later impresses Ning Fengzhi, who receives one from Ning Rongrong and studies its potential. 30 148
• Corpse-Rotting Bone-Melting Powder: A potent poison used by Zhao Linchuan against Tang Hao. It contributes to Tang Hao’s death and is subsequently used to destroy his body. 73
• Blood-Colored Swan Kiss: An Immortal Herb capable of amplifying toxins by hundreds, thousands, or even tens of thousands of times. Zhao identifies its combination with the sensory deprivation of Heaven and Earth Loss of Color as a means of threatening opponents far above his cultivation level. 16
• Wisdom Skull Spirit Bone: A powerful skull-type Spirit Bone gifted to Ning Rongrong. It is described as perfect for her auxiliary spirit master attributes and, along with the Defense Torso Bone, caused a powerful Soul Power fluctuation when presented 106 107. After fusion, it increases her mental power a hundredfold and grants Nine-Colored Aurora, a mental attack directed at an opponent’s consciousness 111.
• Defense Torso Bone Spirit Bone: A torso-type Spirit Bone given to Ning Rongrong alongside the Wisdom Skull. It is a ten-thousand-year-level Spirit Bone suited for an auxiliary spirit master. 106 107
• High-Quality Spirit Bones (Tang Hao's Gift): A set of six high-quality Spirit Bones obtained from Tang Hao. Zhao Linchuan considered distributing them among his companions, deciding to give some to Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong to improve their physiques and accelerate cultivation. 80
• Ten-Thousand-Year-Level Spirit Bones (Skull and Torso): A pair of Spirit Bones awarded to Ning Rongrong as a second reward. They caused a powerful Soul Power fluctuation and were immediately recognized as extremely valuable. 106
• Xiao Wu's Spirit Bones: Xiao Wu later transfers her two Spirit Bones to Zhuqing to improve Zhuqing’s strength; Zhao Linchuan approves of and supports her decision. 110
• Two-Hundred-Thousand-Year Head Spirit Bone: A powerful head Spirit Bone Zhao receives together with his sixth soul ring after a phoenix-type soul beast sacrifices itself to him. It elevates his spiritual power to the Super Douluo realm and grants sacred-attribute abilities 126 127 145. Its two recorded skills are Five Virtues Empowerment and Holy Origin Spirit Phoenix 127.
• Unidentified Right Arm Spirit Bone: Zhao retrieves a right-arm Spirit Bone from a battlefield after the confrontation involving the Earth Cave Spider Emperor and several ten-thousand-year soul beasts. Its eventual fusion target and abilities remain unknown. 137
• Nine-Petal Orchid Immortal Herb: An Immortal Herb awarded as the first-place prize in Shrek Academy's tournament. It can transform an auxiliary Spirit Master's Soul Power quality to that of a battle Spirit Master, but at the cost of slower cultivation. 106
• Spirit-Turning Immortal Orchid: An Immortal Herb given to Ning Rongrong as a reward for being the top performer after the team earned their Gold Fighting Spirit Badges. 105
• Aromatic Silk Beauty: An Immortal Herb identified by Tang San as the one used by Zhao Linchuan. Its effects and side effects were discussed among the group. 56
• Western Heaven Immortal Battle Spear: A dark-silver, approximately ten-foot spear manifested through his White Tiger Soul Ring. Zhao regards its sharpness as approaching divine-weapon quality. Beyond combat, it anchors the White Tiger Domain projections in the academy’s three Special Training Rooms. 174 195
• Apricot Pearl: An apricot-yellow bead obtained after the Ancient Ginkgo Tree battle. Its original classification is uncertain, but its concentrated Soul Ring-like energy allows Zhao to upgrade Soul Ring ages. After upgrading his own rings, approximately three-sevenths of the pearl has been consumed, and he reserves the remaining energy for his companions. 174 175
• Extreme Ice Right Arm Spirit Bone: An icy-blue bone retrieved from the ancient clock in Zenith Space. Zhao estimates its original age at no less than three hundred thousand years; its later recipient is not established in the supplied account. 176
• Extreme Fire Torso Spirit Bone: A gilded, heat-radiating torso bone retrieved from Zenith Space, estimated at no less than three hundred thousand years old. Zhao gives a torso Spirit Bone to Liu Erlong as part of the arrangements that raise her to the peak of level eighty-eight and evolve her martial soul. 176 177
• Jade-White Skull Spirit Bone: A skull surrounded by an indistinct, illusion-like glow, retrieved from Zenith Space and estimated at no less than three hundred thousand years old. Its eventual use is not specified. 176
• False Divine Core / Demigod Core: A purple crystal removed from the ancient clock’s center. Zhao identifies it as an artificially created demigod-level False Divine Core containing dense but chaotic energy 176. He later gives Qian Renxue a Demigod Core to pass to Bibi Dong 217.
• Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud: The Heaven Dou Empire’s national treasure, requested by Zhao during negotiations with Qian Renxue and delivered to him in a jade case after his return from the small world. Its abilities are not demonstrated in the supplied account. 168 178
• Holy Radiance Nine-Heart Lotus: An Immortal Herb containing nine lotus seeds, given to Qian Renxue in compensation for the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud. It raises her Soul Power by three levels and strengthens her Sacred Flame by approximately fifty percent. 179 181
• Eight Spider Lances External Soul Bone: A rare, growth-capable External Soul Bone Zhao provides to Dugu Yan. Its poison absorption and storage offer a means of removing her inherited toxins, while its devouring ability allows growth through feeding on high-level soul beasts. Dugu Yan’s recovery later confirms that it is successfully drawing poison from her body. 180 181 189
• Jade Rabbit Skull Spirit Bone: A head Spirit Bone Zhao gives Xiao Wu. After fusion, she gains long-term mental control, which she claims can affect targets below the rank-ninety-seven-plus Super Douluo threshold. Zhao asks her to use it for an operation lasting approximately a year. 190
• Eastern Extremity Slaughtering Sword: An emerald-light longsword that enters Zhao’s chest and is subsequently held within his internal Seed. 209

Major Activities

Exploration of the Ancient Small World

Zhao enters a small world concealed behind a mountain fissure after learning that Sword Douluo lost an arm escaping from it. He intends to recover its resources for Azure Dragon Academy and leaves Liu Erlong guarding the outside 170. During the confrontation with the Ancient Ginkgo Tree, he uses Five Virtues Empowerment, Heavenfire Incinerates the City, and a costly six-ring Ring Fusion attack. He defeats the tree spirit and later absorbs its ring into his White Tiger martial soul 172 173 174 178.

His investigation leads to the discovery of the Apricot Pearl’s enhancement properties and Zenith Space, an ancient warehouse above the world’s dome. Much of the stored equipment has decayed, but an enormous clock-like formation still regulates the world’s light and seasons 174 175. Zhao removes three exceptionally old Spirit Bones and a False Divine Core from its center. The remaining bones keep the mechanism operating slowly, but the world enters perpetual night and the uncontrolled growth of its spiritual herbs subsides 176.

After using the treasures to strengthen Liu Erlong, Zhao returns to the academy and arranges rotating protection for the entrance by Teacher Jing, Teacher Six, and Dugu Bo 177 178 181.

Azure Dragon Academy Leadership and Reform

Zhao’s accession follows both demonstrations of strength and practical service to the academy. He protects students during a soul hunt, treats the injured, and publicly explains the risks behind unusually old Soul Rings. His lectures challenge unquestioned cultivation charts and encourage self-created techniques founded on genuine understanding of martial souls 136 138 141 142 150.

When students from Shrek and Heaven Dou Royal Academy injure Azure Dragon Academy students, Zhao intervenes directly. He throws Dai Mubai aside, confronts Dugu Yan, and uses Holy Origin Spirit Phoenix to capture Meng Shenji and Bai Baoshan. He demands twenty million Gold Soul Coins in medical compensation from Heaven Dou Royal Academy 151 152 154.

Following a financial windfall, Zhao plans substantial expansion with Liu Erlong’s assistance 182. His later reforms include:

• A transparent credit system linking contributions to rewards, with dangerous assignments such as hunting fallen Soul Masters, assisting soul-beast hunts, and escorting caravans providing greater returns 194.
• A small Inner Court established in an independent academy area 194.
• Moral Education twice a week in the outer academies, with lesson plans personally reviewed by Zhao. The course emphasizes gratitude, responsibility, and distinguishing right from wrong 194.
• Three Special Training Rooms that suppress Soul Ring and Spirit Bone skills through his White Tiger Domain, encouraging genuine combat skill and self-created techniques 195.

Zhao personally handles administration, facility inspections, and expansion planning over several intensive months. His stated educational concern is not producing weak soul masters, but producing powerful enemies without proper values 194.

Heaven Dou Succession Strategy

Zhao considers Qian Renxue’s prolonged infiltration an inefficient use of her cultivation potential and takes the lead in their cooperation 168. He later asks Dugu Bo to exploit or expose compromising relationships involving Prince Xue Xing, Emperor Xue Ye’s favored consort, Prince Xue Beng, and Xue Xing’s wife 189. Dugu Bo agrees to facilitate a scandal involving the consort and Xue Xing after securing Zhao’s promise of a ten-thousand-year fourth ring for Dugu Yan 190.

Zhao also recruits Xiao Wu’s mental-control ability for a roughly year-long operation, though the intended target is not identified in the supplied passage 190. By the later account of Qian Renxue’s history, she has secretly taken control of the Heaven Dou Empire under Zhao’s influence 212.

Blue Silver Ancestral Land and Northern Expedition

After accompanying Xiao Wu through her fifth-ring advancement, Zhao negotiates with the Blue Silver King. His oath to revive Ah Yin after reaching godhood wins the clan’s cooperation and upgrades his first ring through their collective energy sacrifice 186.

He later promises Qian Renxue an exceptionally old seventh ring, a corresponding Spirit Bone, and an opening for an ultimate-attribute second martial soul 199. In the Extreme North, he encourages the Snow Empress to pursue survival through Qian Renxue’s route to the Angel God rather than remaining barred from godhood as a soul beast 203. While Qian Renxue receives sacrifices and gains the Heavenly Snow Woman martial soul, Zhao reaches level seventy and plans a joint deep-sea hunt for his own seventh ring 204.

His subsequent sea-side developments include the Eastern Extremity Slaughtering Sword and the internal small-world Soul Core. He leaves the sea with Qian Renxue and Gu Yuena, returning toward the continent as his circle expands to include Bi Ji and Zi Ji 209 210 211.

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