Zhang Zhen

Biodata

Appearance

Zhang Zhen is a steady-looking middle-aged man with a well-maintained physique. He is older than the other members of Ashen Echo and presents a composed, reassuring presence during meetings and crises. 21

• Middle-aged, 45 years old. 18
• Maintains a fit physique. 21
• Often carries cigarettes, which he shares with Bai Yi. 21 23

Personality

Zhang Zhen is experienced, cautious, and pragmatic. Before agreeing to recruit Bai Yi, he insists on verifying both Bai Yi's combat claims and character rather than acting on Wang Ziyi's enthusiasm alone. 8

As one of Ashen Echo's senior figures, he emphasizes sustainable cooperation over charity. He proposes that internal trades be priced at sixty percent of market value, arguing that unrestricted free support would create an unhealthy team dynamic. 25 He also treats teammates with patience and familial warmth, helping Bai Yi feel accepted after the latter's disturbing actions during the Rotting Corpse attack. 23

Abilities & Skills

All-Domain Perception

Zhang Zhen's active talent scans a wide area for resources, equipment, special items, creatures, and other useful targets. It made him exceptionally wealthy during the novice protection period and remains central to Ashen Echo's exploration strategy. 18 38

• Consumes 30 Sanity per activation. 38
• Scans a radius of Mental Power × 500 meters. 38
• Has a one-hour cooldown. 37 38
• Detects minerals, equipment, special items, creatures, and more. 18 38
• Produces a two-dimensional survey; Zhang Zhen cannot determine elevation from it. 39
• His maps distinguish living creatures, equipment/special items, and resources by color. 39
• Used to locate Wilderness Treasure Chests and create a detailed four-kilometer map around Wang Ziyi's shelter. 38 39
• Used during the black-fog period to confirm that no creatures were within five kilometers of his shelter, allowing him to locate and mine an iron ore factory. 30

Resource Management

Zhang Zhen uses the resources found through his talent to fund both himself and the team.

• Gathered valuable resources throughout the beginner protection period. 18
• Supplied resources for upgrading Wang Ziyi's shelter. 18
• Paid the cost of unlocking the team function and planned to establish shared team funds through trading. 18
• Provides basic resources, wilderness equipment, and special items, though the latter depend on luck. 24

Equipment / Items

• Map and pencil — Used to document the results of All-Domain Perception during treasure-chest exploration. 39
• Cigarettes — Keeps and shares them with Bai Yi. 21 23
• Blade — Carried in combat against the Bone-Cleft Whisperer. 40 41

Relationships

• Bai Yi — Recruits and welcomes Bai Yi into the group; serves as an intermediary during Bai Yi's first in-person meeting with the team. Zhang Zhen accepts Bai Yi as family and helps ease the others' fear of him. 18 21 23
• Wang Ziyi — Teammate whom he calls “Little Wang.” He recognizes her wish to contribute and supports her effort to recruit a combatant. 8 36
• Tang Zheng — Recruited Tang Zheng after observing him for several days and vouches for his loyalty, special-forces background, and combat ability. 18 24
• Xie Xu — Works alongside Xie Xu in organizing Ashen Echo's meetings and group operations; frequently reins in Xie Xu's teasing of Wang Ziyi. 24 36
• Wei Fen — Fights beside her during the battle with the Bone-Cleft Whisperer; the two jointly strike the killing blows after Xie Xu creates an opening. 40 41
• Li Zihua — Alternates between attacking and defending with Li Zihua during team combat. 40
• Ashen Echo — Acts as an elder, resource supplier, and organizer within the team. 18 24 25

Story Role / Major Arcs

Recruitment of Bai Yi

Zhang Zhen is already part of Wang Ziyi's group when Bai Yi first comes to their attention. He initially advises caution, asking for proof of Bai Yi's claims and warning that the team must evaluate his character as well as his combat value. 8 Once Bai Yi joins, Zhang Zhen welcomes him and explains the team's resource-oriented structure. 18

Formation of Ashen Echo

After the team's first gathering, Zhang Zhen helps formalize its survival strategy. He outlines his role as the provider of resources and wilderness finds, supports a division of specialized roles, and proposes the sixty-percent internal trade rate. 24 25 He participates in the group's decision to name itself Ashen Echo. 25

Treasure-Chest Expedition

Zhang Zhen scouts the surrounding area after the Wilderness Treasure Chests refresh, locating multiple chests and producing a map that guides the team’s route. 38 39 In combat, he joins the frontline against the Bone-Cleft Whisperer but is thrown back by its strength; he later returns to coordinate with Wei Fen in the finishing attack. 40 41

Pulse-Wheel Albatross Incident

During the team's escape from the Pulse-Wheel Albatross, Zhang Zhen becomes dazed under the pressure of the creature’s attacks until Wei Fen slaps him back to awareness. 44 He subsequently suffers comminuted fractures throughout his body from the aberrant demon’s pulse attack, and Bai Yi takes responsibility for getting him to safety. 45