Zhu Ying

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Zhu Ying (朱英)
Alias(es)	“Brother Zhu” / “Senior Brother Zhu” (while presenting as a male student); Sister Zhu; Dragon Maiden
Species/Race	Dragon; seventh daughter of the East Sea Dragon King 28
Gender	Female; initially attended Egret Academy in male attire 26 58
Affiliation	East Sea Dragon Palace; Five-Terrace Sect; Poyang Lake Water God Manor; Celestial Court 38 256 340
Occupation/Role	Water Goddess of the Jing River; Water God of Poyang Lake; Jade Maiden of Fragrance Hall; Grand Celestial Venerable 123 256 340
Status	Active; Wang Chong’s Dao companion and wife; mother of Wang Liang 38 249 274
First Appearance	Chapter 4

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
One heavenly cycle	26	Her documented baseline after revealing herself as a dragon maiden; she could only manage limited cloud-and-mist flight.
Two cycles of dharma power	40	Converted her cultivation to the Yin-Yang Five-Element Seven-Absolutes Sword Classic, completing the Cloud-Flying and Thunder-Rushing Cycles.
Three cycles of dharma power	40	Re-cultivated the Dragon-Subduing Cycle after changing sword formulas.
Five-cycle output (temporary)	92	The Azure Wave Formation borrowed the mana of several hundred aquatic soldiers and raised her power from two cycles to five.
Kundali Poison Dragon King, one heavenly cycle	214	Emerged from more than a year of seclusion having cultivated one of the Six Gods Formula’s divine methods.
Fire Dragon Sword Technique, thirteen layers; Kundali Poison Dragon King, nearly fifteen cycles	282	Had cultivated the Fire Dragon Sword Technique to its completion threshold, but relied primarily on the water- and dragon-suited Kundali Poison Dragon King Method.

Background

Zhu Ying is the East Sea Dragon King’s seventh daughter. Unlike most dragon maidens, she loved literature from childhood and admired human scholars. After hearing a newly ascended literary master compose poetry in the Heavenly Court, she secretly left the Dragon Palace to study at Egret Academy and broaden her understanding of the human world. 28

At the academy, Zhu Ying lived and studied as a refined young man. Fourteen years old and two years older than Wang Chong, she initially kept others at a distance, but became Wang Chong’s roommate and rapidly formed a close bond with him through their shared love of learning. Her broad knowledge, sophistication, and practical advice greatly impressed him. 4 5

She was already Master Xiao Nan’s disciple during her time at Egret Academy. Zhu Ying taught Wang Chong the Primordial Sword Formula, Heaven-Mixing Talismans, sword forms, and qi-refinement fundamentals, regretting that she had not introduced him to Daoist arts early enough for Xiao Nan to take him as a formal disciple sooner. 9 13 17

Zhu Ying revealed that she was female after returning from the East Sea. She later told Wang Chong that her family was entirely dragons and that she had run away specifically to pursue human learning. 12 26 28 Because the Five-Terrace Sect did not normally accept non-humans, she entered its ancestral register as Wang Chong’s Dao companion, a status that allowed her to join the sect alongside him. 28 38

Her relationship with Wang Chong progressed from classmates and teacher-student partners to Dao companions. The East Sea Dragon King formally approved their marriage, and they married before returning to the Jing River. 246 249 Their son, Wang Liang, was later taken by Zhang True Lord Ancestor for instruction. 274

Appearance

Zhu Ying first appears as a graceful, jade-like youth in scholar’s robes. While living as a male student, she is noted for her elegant bearing, loose but immaculate hair, gentle expression, and striking beauty. 7 9

• Initially appeared as a fourteen-year-old male scholar and was commonly addressed as “Brother Zhu.” 4
• Often wore men’s clothing even after revealing her gender, retaining the appearance of a graceful young gentleman. 58
• In women’s clothing, she is described as a beautiful young woman with lively eyes, a dignified bearing, and a charming smile. 123
• Wore pure-white armor and wielded a white-frosted Three-Point Double-Edged Blade while leading Jing River forces. 142

Personality

Zhu Ying is refined, intellectually curious, and deeply devoted to literature. She values scholarship enough to abandon the comforts of the Dragon Palace for Egret Academy, and her attraction to Wang Chong begins with admiration for his learning, literary talent, and extraordinary Daoist aptitude. 28

She is considerate and protective toward those she loves. She quietly arranged for Wang Chong’s household to receive word of his disappearance, shared Dragon Palace techniques with him, and repeatedly worried about his safety during their travels and conflicts. 39 42 46

Despite her gentle manner, Zhu Ying is decisive and spirited. She argued with her family to remain at the academy, confronted officials who failed to receive her at Poyang Lake, and personally led troops to rescue Wang Chong’s family from danger. 16 142 257 She is less interested in amassing treasures or competing for status than in remaining with Wang Chong and protecting their family. 295

Abilities & Skills

Dragon Heritage

Zhu Ying is an East Sea dragon maiden with innate affinity for aquatic environments and sea-clan command.

• Can transform her body into mist to travel swiftly. 16
• Possesses exceptional underwater mobility; Wang Chong states that no demon race surpasses dragons in waterborne skill. 83
• Is naturally unafraid of serpents and insects, as dragons are their natural nemesis. 26
• Her dragon nature limits her compatibility with advanced fire-element cultivation methods. 282

Water-Cleaving Technique

A Dragon Palace secret art from the Myriad Demons Formula that creates a water-free sphere for underwater travel. 42

• Allows free movement and breathing beneath the sea. 42
• Requires activating twelve bodily acupoints. 42
• Enabled Zhu Ying and Wang Chong to infiltrate the East Sea Dragon Palace and evade stronger aquatic pursuers. 42 83

Sword Arts

Zhu Ying is trained in several Five-Terrace Sect sword traditions and was Wang Chong’s earliest instructor in the Primordial Sword Formula.

• Taught the Heaven-Mixing Talismans, the Primordial Sword Formula, and the Sixty-Four Yin-Yang Sword Styles. 13 17
• Converted her cultivation to the Yin-Yang Five-Element Seven-Absolutes Sword Classic, greatly improving her sword control. 40
• Could control a wooden sword freely after attaining two cycles of dharma power. 40
• Later cultivated the Fire Dragon Sword Technique to thirteen layers, though its fire affinity conflicted with her dragon nature. 282

Kundali Poison Dragon King Method

One of the Six Gods Formula’s divine methods, selected for its connection to her dragon bloodline. 214

• Manifests a ferocious Dragon King image around her body. 214
• She chose to focus on this single divine formula rather than divide her effort across all six gods. 229
• Eventually became her principal cultivation method, reaching nearly fifteen heavenly cycles. 282

Formations and Military Command

Zhu Ying is an accomplished commander of water-palace forces.

• Personally trained the troops of the Azure Dragon Raging-Sea Formation and controlled it more skillfully than Wang Chong. 147
• Uses the Azure Wave Formation to borrow her aquatic soldiers’ mana, temporarily raising her power by several heavenly cycles. 92
• Led several thousand Jing River soldiers to rescue Wang Chong’s family while deliberately withholding her magic to avoid worsening their karmic consequences. 142
• Reorganized the Poyang Lake Water God Manor after taking office, demoting hostile officials and incorporating cooperative forces. 258
• Taught the Four Seas Formation to allied immortals and assigned them Water Manor troops. 260

Escape and Cloud Techniques

Zhu Ying uses both inherited dragon arts and Five-Terrace escape methods.

• Uses the Soaring-Cloud Technique for long-distance travel. 40
• Refined the Eight-Wind Returning-Fire Cloud Technique to minor success alongside Wang Chong. 173
• Uses her Rahu Banner for rapid flight and mutual summoning through the Minor Heaven-and-Earth Shifting Technique. 54 157

Equipment

• Rahu Banner — One half of a linked pair awarded to Zhu Ying and Wang Chong; produces rosy escape-light and supports the Eight-Wind Returning-Fire Cloud Technique. 54 64
• Crimson Rainbow Sword — A flying sword refined alongside Wang Chong’s Crimson Lightning Sword. 46
• Paired flying swords — A spare pair from the Dragon Palace that can combine their power; Zhu Ying gave them to Wang Chong because she had other swords and a whisk. 83
• Whisk — A Celestial Court treasure retained by Zhu Ying. 83
• Heaven-Opening Pearl — A pearl she accepted from Daoist Shen in exchange for a requested future delivery. 45
• Three-Point Double-Edged Blade — A standard celestial-general weapon with a frosted white edge. 142

Divine Offices

Office	Chapter	Notes
Water Goddess of the Jing River	123	Received visiting cultivators at the Jing River Water Manor and identified herself as its water goddess.
Water God of Poyang Lake	256	Promoted from the Jing River to govern Poyang Lake, the greatest lake under heaven.
Jade Maiden of Fragrance Hall	256	Granted this additional office at Wang Chong’s Northern Heaven Demon-Subduing Marshal Manor.
Grand Celestial Venerable	340	Her rule over the restored Celestial Court faced no opposition from the immortals.

Relationships

• Wang Chong — Former academy roommate, student, Dao companion, and husband. Zhu Ying taught him his first Daoist arts; their bond became the central relationship of her life. 4 13 38 249
• Xiao Nan — Master. Zhu Ying was his disciple before Wang Chong discovered the relationship, and Xiao Nan’s teachings formed the basis of her orthodox sword cultivation. 9 14
• East Sea Dragon King — Father. His wish for Zhu Ying to enter Xiao Nan’s sect influenced her pursuit of formal Five-Terrace affiliation. 28
• Zhu Xiong — Second elder brother. He attempted to bring Zhu Ying home and resented Wang Chong’s closeness to her, though he later greeted the couple at the East Sea. 16 26 279
• Bai Zhiwei — Close friend. The two became intimate during their journey to Boundless Mountain, with Bai Zhiwei’s outspoken nature balancing Zhu Ying’s quieter disposition. 157
• Li Yuanqi — Adopted younger sister. They became close after their initial clash and traveled together when Zhu Ying assumed the Poyang Lake post. 256 257
• Wang Liang — Son with Wang Chong; later taken to Mount Lu by Zhang True Lord Ancestor for personal instruction. 274
• Wang Chong’s parents — Parents-in-law who received her warmly and treated her with courtesy when she visited the Wang residence. 130