Lei Zhaoye

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Lei Zhaoye (雷照野)
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Four Swords Sect; Nine Songs Sword Court 29 30
Occupation/Role	Sword cultivator and member of the Four Swords Sect’s younger generation
Status	Alive 43
First Appearance	Chapter 10

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Qi Refinement First Realm, sixth layer	11	Assessed alongside Cai Yuelin as below Liu Yunshen and Gong Liefeng, who had reached the eighth layer.
Qi Refinement First Realm, eighth tier	31	Advanced while cultivating within the Four Swords Harmonious Light Formation.
Qi Refinement First Realm, ninth tier	31	Immediately rose another tier after continuing to absorb the formation’s concentrated astral qi.

Background / History

Lei Zhaoye met Liu Yunshen while escorting a merchant caravan into the Han Kingdom’s Heavenly Capital. The two quickly became close, joining Gong Liefeng, Cao Langao, and Cai Yuelin in a tightly bonded group. 10

When Cao Langao was abducted, Lei took charge of planning her rescue. He proposed using a Gold-Transmuting Talisman and having Liu disguise himself as Cao to lure out their enemies. Though aware that the opposing demonic cultivators were stronger, he refused to abandon her. 11 12

During the rescue operation, Lei fought beside Gu Jingchuan and Liu Yunshen. He wielded his seven-foot sword to hold off Qin Leopard’s forces, later returning to reinforce Gu Jingchuan’s group after Liu judged them to be in danger. 13 14

Lei continued fighting alongside the Four Swords Sect disciples against the demonic sect. After Gong Liefeng’s death, he protected Cai Yuelin from Yan Chen’s bone-sword assault, coordinated the group’s use of Human Puppet Talismans, and selected vulnerable enemies for their surprise attack. 20 21

His experience with the Qin army hardened his view of the sect’s purpose. Seeing villagers suffer while demonic cultivators received protection, he declared that a sect without moral purpose was not worth founding. 23

After returning to the Four Swords Sect, Lei worried over its decline and his father Lei Zhouyue’s overly trusting nature. He helped Zhao Dingjiang and Hu Lieshan find instruction within the Nine Songs Sword Court and vowed with them to avenge Hu Family Village. 28 29 30

During the defense of Zhao Family Village, Lei joined the other disciples in forming a sword formation that shielded more than a hundred villagers from enemy Sword Qi. 37

When Ying Xiao threatened the Four Swords Sect over its earth-vein spiritual energy, Lei attempted to strike him and was repelled by Ying Xiao’s palm force. 42

Following the crisis, Lei confessed his feelings to Zhu Dancheng. She reciprocated, and Lei later asked his father to arrange a marriage proposal. 43

Personality

Lei is practical, vigilant, and tactically minded. He evaluates enemy strength before acting, favors deception and coordinated attacks over reckless charges, and remains alert even when his companions are focused on battle. 11 21

He is also fiercely principled. The suffering of common people and the Four Swords Sect’s decline deeply affect him, and he openly rejects survival or sect-building without righteousness. 23 29

Despite his seriousness, Lei is close to his companions and easily drawn into their teasing. He is particularly sensitive about his father’s social awkwardness and his own feelings for Zhu Dancheng. 29 43

Abilities & Skills

Swordsmanship

Lei fights with a seven-foot sword and specializes in direct, forceful Sword Qi.

• Summons his weapon through a small gateway formed between his hands. 13
• Shattered Qin Leopard’s blade qi with a gale-like sword strike. 13
• Fought six demonic sect disciples alone without falling at a disadvantage. 14
• Held his own against Yan Chen, whose bone-sword techniques required considerable caution. 20
• His Nine Songs Sword Court lineage emphasizes broad, advancing sword forms that “advance without retreat.” 30

Tactical Planning

Lei frequently serves as one of the group’s planners and battlefield coordinators.

• Proposed disguising Liu Yunshen as Cao Langao to locate and rescue the real Cao Langao. 11
• Used a Gold-Transmuting Talisman as part of the rescue plan. 11
• Directed the group’s Human Puppet Talismans to conceal their true auras and draw out demonic sect attackers. 21
• Identified weaker targets, Cao Lie and Zhao Tanlang, as the best targets for a surprise attack rather than engaging Cao Huan and Yan Chen first. 21

Four Swords Sect Formations

Lei is capable of fighting in the sect’s cooperative sword formations.

• Participated in the Four Swords Harmonious Light Formation, which enabled his rapid cultivation breakthrough. 31
• Joined the larger sword formation protecting Zhao Family Village from incoming Sword Qi. 37
• Combined Sword Qi with Ouyang Qingcang, Gong Liefeng, Cai Yuelin, and Cao Langao while pursuing Yan Chen. 22

Equipment / Items

• Seven-foot sword — Lei’s primary weapon; used for long-reaching Sword Qi attacks. 13 14
• Gold-Transmuting Talisman — Carried during the plan to rescue Cao Langao. 11
• Human Puppet Talismans — Received from Gu Jingchuan’s group; create controllable puppets that conceal their users’ auras within a ten-li range. 21

Relationships

• Liu Yunshen — Close friend and frequent battlefield partner. Lei supports Liu’s decisions, plans operations with him, and urges caution when Liu seeks to protect civilians. 10 14 24 36
• Lei Zhouyue — His father and the Sect Master of the Nine Songs Sword Court. Lei respects his martial skill but criticizes his excessive generosity and lack of worldly awareness. 19 29
• Cao Langao — Fellow Four Swords Sect disciple. Lei helped orchestrate her rescue and later fought beside her in formations. 11 22
• Gong Liefeng — Fellow disciple and close companion. Lei coordinated with him throughout the rescue and demonic-sect conflicts. 10 21 22
• Cai Yuelin — Fellow disciple and frequent sparring partner. Lei regularly scolds him for his teasing but works closely with him in battle. 10 11 20 21
• Zhao Dingjiang and Hu Lieshan — Allies from Hu Family Village. Lei vows with them to avenge the village and helps arrange their martial instruction. 28 30
• Gu Jingchuan — Temporary ally during Cao Langao’s rescue. The two fought together, and Lei formally acknowledged Gu’s aid after receiving Human Puppet Talismans. 13 21
• Zhu Dancheng — Mutual love interest. Lei confesses to her after she thanks him for saving her, and later seeks his father’s help in proposing marriage. 43

Notable Quotes

“If founding a sect means merely clinging to life in this world, then I say it would be better not to found one at all!” 23