Zhou Muyun

Biodata

Power Progression

Background / History

Zhou Muyun was born into poverty in Yunlin County’s Outer City and lived with his mother, Xu Rou, and younger sister, Zhou Tong. After resigning from work, he used money provided by his uncle Zhou Yanming to pay Greenwood Martial Hall’s eight-tael tuition; Constable Gu Zheng brought him to the hall and vouched for him. 2 3

Initially hindered by his Ding Middle physique, Zhou Muyun relied on relentless practice and the hidden Heaven Rewards Diligence Destiny Pattern. The system settled Diligence Points daily and turned sustained effort into guaranteed advancement, allowing him to overcome the limitations that other disciples considered decisive. 3 4

The threats facing his family forced him into lethal action. After Savage Ox Gang enforcer Zhang Hu extorted him and threatened Zhou Tong, Zhou Muyun ambushed and killed him; he later slew the gang’s injured leader, Wu Biao, after deducing his hiding place. These killings established Zhou Muyun’s belief that strength and careful preparation were necessary for survival. 5 6 12 13

His progress earned support from the Leng Household, whose sponsorship supplied medicine and led to his victory over Long Qian in a life-or-death arranged bout. His subsequent rise culminated in winning Greenwood Martial Hall’s tournament and later the Cloud Forest Tournament, securing a Sect Token. 23 27 48 63

Zhou Muyun left Yunlin County for Skycloud Prefecture and entered Heavy Earth Gate, where he was assigned to the neglected Bedrock Court under Yue Qingshan. Despite initially being treated as a laborer and underestimated by other courts, he became Bedrock Court’s early Pill Embrace champion and gained Yue Qingshan’s direct instruction. 67 70 90 92

His defeat of Yan Chi at a five-sect martial contest established him as a leading young martial artist and strengthened Heavy Earth Gate’s position in the emerging alliance against the All-Beings Demon Gate. After subsequently entering the True Astral Realm, he was appointed acting Bedrock Court Master while Yue Qingshan entered seclusion. 142 143 146 168 171 172

Appearance

Zhou Muyun grew rapidly through martial training, reaching roughly 1.85–1.87 meters tall within several months. His body became broad-shouldered, heavily muscled, and later marked by battle scars. 12 21 40

• Solid, wall-like build resulting from stance training and body tempering. 12
• Long hair that streams behind him while fighting. 27
• Seven-Colored Glazed Body can give his skin or fists a bronze sheen during combat. 22 27
• Carries visible scars after surviving the Leng Household convoy ambush. 40
• Returned from his victory over Yan Chi with both hands bandaged and bloodied. 145

Personality

Zhou Muyun is disciplined, pragmatic, and intensely patient. When weak, he endures humiliation rather than seek an unwinnable confrontation; when he gains the advantage, he acts decisively to eliminate threats that may return later. Li Buhui’s public humiliation, Zhang Hu’s extortion, and the dangers surrounding his family all reinforce his conviction that strength must be built before dignity can be defended. 4 5 6

He is cautious about attention and political entanglement. Despite growing fame, he rejects Soaring Cloud Pavilion’s offer to publicize his exploits and prefers quiet cultivation, believing prominence invites danger. After reaching the True Astral Realm, he likewise declines visitors bearing gifts and invitations, and refuses recruitment into the Great Xia Guard while keeping it in mind as a possible future alternative. 50 80 175

His ruthlessness coexists with loyalty and gratitude. He protects supporters such as the Leng and Lu households, accepts personal risk for Lu Yiyun, and later returns to Yunlin County to support old acquaintances, Li Qingliang, and Mo Qi. His commitment to Miao Yue’er becomes explicit, and he stands against a stronger foe to protect her after she is injured. 79 101 134 146 155 156

Abilities & Skills

Heaven Rewards Diligence

Zhou Muyun’s Destiny Pattern converts training into guaranteed progress and settles Diligence Points daily. It can record and advance martial arts, body-tempering arts, cultivation methods, and personal aptitudes. 3 4 18

• Raises proficiency through repeated practice rather than chance insight. 3 18
• Allows Diligence Points to improve foundational traits such as physique, constitution, and bone aptitude. 4 40 51
• Improving his constitution doubled his per-session proficiency gains from one point to two. 40
• Cannot remove the dangers of overextension, resource shortages, combat injuries, or true-qi backlash. It does, however, guide and stabilize his later breakthrough to the True Astral Realm. 40 134 168

Willow Stake

A foundational stance modeled after a willow enduring wind and rain without being uprooted. Li Qingliang taught it as the basis of Zhou Muyun’s martial path. 3

• Develops balance, endurance, rooted posture, and bodily control. 3 32
• Its progression is tied to the martial realms taught at Greenwood Martial Hall. 3
• Zhou Muyun became a role model for poorer Greenwood disciples through his unwavering stake practice. 32

Flurry Fist

A flexible fist art taught by Li Qingliang and initially guided by Mo Qi. It emphasizes feints, redirection, hidden force, and fluid transitions. 5 6 20

• Windblown Catkin Dance — evasive footwork that blends feints with genuine movement. 20 27
• Dry-Clothes Touch — redirects an opponent’s force by finding and guiding weak points. 20 47
• Myriad Catkins Obscure the Sky — creates layered afterimages and conceals the true line of attack. 27 43
• Reached Complete level before the Cloud Forest Tournament. 63

Seven-Treasure Glazed Body

Originally called the Seven-Colored Glazed Body, this body-tempering art progresses through bronze, iron, silver, gold, and glazed stages. It hardens Zhou Muyun’s body, strengthens his blood and qi, and supplies immense physical power. 14

• Copper Skin — grants metal-like skin and lets him withstand saber strikes with minimal injury. 26
• Iron Bone — lets him trap a weapon against his body and endure otherwise crippling attacks. 39
• Silver Blood — provides roughly 1,000 jin of strength and resistance to common weapons. 40
• Golden Body — raises his strength to roughly 2,000 jin. 51
• Its Heart Like Glazed Glass helps protect him against ordinary soul-bewitching arts, though a sufficiently powerful practitioner can still briefly influence him. 155
• Requires substantial medicinal resources and does not prevent injuries from sufficiently powerful opponents. 21 39

Staffsmanship and Martial Intent

Zhou Muyun learned the Demon Ape World-Quelling Staff after entering Heavy Earth Gate. His style relies on extreme physical strength, broad defensive sweeps, and overwhelming force. 75

• Uses the Coiling Dragon Staff and later acquires the heavier Xuanyang Staff. 81 131
• Defeated Earth Origin Court’s Li Fengyuan despite Li’s superior formal staff training. 90
• Comprehended the Demon Ape World-Quelling Staff intent during a life-or-death duel with Sun Xiuyan. 97
• Demonstrated perfected staff technique against Meng Qinglan’s Eight Listening Rain Forms. 123
• His Staff Intent and techniques including Frenzied Ape Shatters Stars, War Ape Sweeping Outlaws, and Spirit Ape Offers Fruit allowed him to counter Yan Chi’s saber arts. He defeated Yan Chi with Eight-Armed Savage Ape, channeling all five streams of true qi through the Xuanyang Staff. 141 142

Multiple True Qi

Zhou Muyun cultivates several incomplete elemental methods, seeking to unite the five great sects’ inheritances within one body. 120 131

• Thick Earth True Qi — his first true qi, condensed through the Thick Earth Life-Nourishing Art. 85
• Jadecloud True Qi — healing-oriented true qi from the Jadecloud Longevity Art. 101
• Vast Sea True Qi — his third true qi, condensed after secluded cultivation. 120
• Blazing Heaven True Qi — one of the five elemental streams he gathers. 134
• Kui Metal True Qi — obtained from the Kui Gold Indestructible Formula. 134
• The lost Five Elements General Outline is required to permanently fuse the elemental true qi; without it, their conflict causes potentially fatal backlash. 120 134
• A Spirit-Fusion Pill temporarily harmonizes the five distinct streams according to the Five Elements cycle, improving their circulation and reserves. Zhou Muyun can channel their combined power into Thick Earth True Qi but still needs the Five Elements General Outline for true fusion. 147

True Astral Cultivation

After opening all twelve primary meridians, Zhou Muyun breaks through the Heaven-Earth Bridge and refines his true qi into Thick Earth Astral Qi. Unlike true qi, Astral Qi can remain condensed outside his body without continuous support from his dantian. 168

Movement and Concealment Arts

• Myriad Forms Vanishing Track Formula — a difficult movement art chosen to address the limitations of his otherwise powerful staff combat. At the Circulation stage, it greatly improves his speed, evasion, and agility. 147 148
• Shadow-Hiding Dust-Assimilation Art — a Qin Household secret art recovered during the Qinghe Town operation. It conceals true-qi fluctuations and is valuable to Zhou Muyun because his multiple true qi make him conspicuous; he later uses it to conceal his aura before the sect’s leaders. 120 130 146
• Return to Origin Breath-Hiding Technique — an art whose higher cultivation can conceal aura, body temperature, heartbeat, and physical presence. Zhou Muyun reaches its first layer soon after obtaining it. 175

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Xuanyang Staff — Golden, crow-and-flame engraved staff weighing roughly 5,000–6,000 jin; Zhou Muyun judges it a mid-to-high grade treasure weapon. 131
• Coiling Dragon Staff — Darksteel staff forged by Master Li Nan and purchased for 40,000 taels; weighs roughly 3,500 jin. 81 82
• Mid-grade treasure armor — Lent by Miao Yue’er; protected him from Sun Xiuyan’s concealed twin-blade strike and later from the Lean Ascetic’s claws. 97 128
• Soaring Cloud Token — Given by Zhou Min for discounted access to Soaring Cloud Pavilion’s information services. 80
• Shadow-Hiding Dust-Assimilation Art — Qin Household concealment manual submitted to Heavy Earth Gate and recovered as mission spoils. 130
• Spirit-Fusion Pill — Refined by Yue Qingshan from the Spirit-Fusion Flower Zhou Muyun won the right to select; temporarily stabilizes his five conflicting true-qi streams. 145 147
• Century Jade Marrow — Receives twenty drops as a sect reward after defeating Yan Chi; later uses Three-Century Jade Marrow while completing his Pill Embrace cultivation. 146 168
• Astral Essence Pills — Three high-quality pills presented by Jiang Qingyang as a gift alongside a recruitment offer Zhou Muyun declines. 175

Relationships

• Xu Rou — His mother. She encouraged his martial training from the beginning and worries consistently over his injuries and safety. 4 30 48
• Zhou Tong — His younger sister. Protecting her from gang threats drove his first killing; he later agreed to teach her swordsmanship. Her exceptional sword talent led to her disappearance from his life, and he later received no news of her. 5 6 48 51 100
• Gu Zheng — Neighboring constable who escorted Zhou Muyun to Greenwood Martial Hall and vouched for him. 2 3
• Li Qingliang — Greenwood Martial Hall master and Zhou Muyun’s first master. Though Li initially favored Bai Yu, he later recognizes his neglect of Zhou Muyun and supports his advancement. 3 20 48 63
• Mo Qi — Senior brother and first instructor in Flurry Fist. He supported Zhou Muyun when other disciples feared Li Buhui’s hostility. 5 6
• Leng Ni — Sponsor, ally, and fellow martial artist. Her medicinal support helped fund his body cultivation, while Zhou Muyun fought for the Leng Household in return. 23 26 28
• Yue Qingshan — Bedrock Court head and Zhou Muyun’s direct mentor. He tests Zhou’s character, provides resources, and teaches him martial intent. He later refines a Spirit-Fusion Pill for Zhou and backs his appointment as acting court master during his own seclusion. 67 71 92 147 171
• Miao Yue’er — Yue Qingshan’s granddaughter and Zhou Muyun’s senior sister. Their relationship develops through mutual protection, teasing, and trust; she lends him vital treasure armor during the Ten-Thousand-Mile Marsh expedition. They later confirm their romantic relationship, and Zhou declares that his heart belongs only to her. 82 97 101 135 146
• Yang Guo — Bedrock Court steward and reliable combat ally. He accepts Zhou Muyun’s tactical judgment and supports him during the Qin Household pursuit; later, he takes pride in Zhou’s True Astral breakthrough. 109 115 123 173
• Lu Yiyun — Lu Household member who recommended Zhou Muyun as the household’s new patron; Zhou later rescues him from Black Tiger Mountain. They remain friends as the household’s business expands under Zhou’s protection. 75 79 101 104 171
• Bai Yu — Former fellow disciple and rival. Bai Yu’s resentment grows after Zhou Muyun eclipses him by winning Greenwood Martial Hall’s tournament. 48 51
• Huang Qiu — Hidden Edge Court deacon who initially dismissed Zhou Muyun as a pill-fed mediocrity, then reevaluated him after Zhou slew Gao Han. 108 115
• Ouyang Changhe — Heavy Earth Gate’s sect master. He rewards Zhou Muyun’s contributions, praises his victory over Yan Chi, and publicly confirms his appointment as acting Bedrock Court Master. 130 146 172
• Yan Chi — Spiritflame Sect martial artist whom Zhou Muyun defeats despite being at a lower Pill Embrace stage. Their rivalry later gives way to cooperation against a Demonic Sect threat. 141 142 156
• Jiang Qingyang — Great Xia Guard commander who offers Zhou Muyun pills and a place in the imperial organization. Zhou accepts the gift but declines recruitment. 175

Story Role / Major Arcs

Greenwood Martial Hall

• Enters Greenwood Martial Hall with eight taels of tuition and begins learning Willow Stake under Li Qingliang. 2 3
• Uses his Destiny Pattern to progress despite being judged Ding Middle in physique. 4 5
• Kills Zhang Hu and Wu Biao to remove threats from the Savage Ox Gang. 6 13
• Becomes a personal disciple after demonstrating Organ Refinement cultivation and Copper Skin against Li Buhui. 22

Leng Household Sponsorship

• Accepts Leng Ni’s sponsorship and medicinal support in exchange for proving his value. 23 26
• Defeats Long Qian in a life-and-death bout, securing the Leng Household’s medicinal-herb interests and gaining public recognition. 27 28
• Helps repel a convoy ambush, killing Azure Tide Sword Qian Jian through a feigned opening and Iron Bone counterattack. 39 40

Yunlin County Tournaments and Departure

• Wins Greenwood Martial Hall’s tournament against Zhang Chong and receives Blood Spirit Grass, medicinal ingredients, Foundation-Stabilizing Pills, and additional rewards. 48
• Wins the Cloud Forest Tournament to obtain a Sect Token, then departs Yunlin County for Skycloud Prefecture. 63
• Leaves his Yunlin residence to Liu Yuying and Huzi before joining a merchant caravan. 63

Bedrock Court

• Passes Heavy Earth Gate’s entrance examination but is assigned to last-ranked Bedrock Court rather than Earth Origin Court. 67
• Endures Yue Qingshan’s land-reclamation trial, earning valuable Qi-Replenishing Pills and the court head’s attention. 70 71
• Learns the Demon Ape World-Quelling Staff, reaches Peak Blood Exchange, and begins attempting Pill Embrace. 75
• Wins first place in the early Pill Embrace division of the Three-Courtyard Tournament, ending Bedrock Court’s long drought of recognition. 90 91

Demonic Sect and Qin Household Conflict

• Joins operations against the All-Beings Demon Gate, accumulating contribution points and gaining combat experience. 109 115
• Acquires multiple true-qi methods while investigating their potential Five Elements origin. 100 120
• Helps hunt the Qin Household, defeats Meng Qinglan, and uses himself as bait for Qin Yungui. 122 123 124
• Breaks through to Late Pill Embrace during battle, eliminates the Fat and Lean Ascetics, Yin Chuyun, and Meng Qinglan, then conceals the evidence. 128
• Claims the Qin Household vault, acquiring the Xuanyang Staff and incomplete methods of the five great sects. 131
• Suffers severe internal backlash after cultivating five conflicting types of true qi and begins searching the Earth Vein Armory for a solution. 134

Five-Sect Contest and Five Elements

• Learns that a Spirit-Fusion Flower may suppress his true-qi conflict and enters a five-sect martial contest to obtain one. Despite being at Late Pill Embrace, he defeats Heroes Ranking leader Yan Chi, helping Heavy Earth Gate resist the Spiritflame Sect’s bid for influence over the proposed alliance. 135 141 142 143
• Selects the Spirit-Fusion Flower as his prize. Yue Qingshan refines it into a pill that temporarily harmonizes Zhou Muyun’s five true-qi streams, leaving him determined to find the lost Five Elements General Outline for permanent fusion. 145 147
• Receives Century Jade Marrow and fourth-floor Earth Vein Armory access from Ouyang Changhe, then chooses the Myriad Forms Vanishing Track Formula to improve his movement. 146 147 148
• Protects the injured Miao Yue’er during a confrontation with the Six Desires Lineage, with other young martial artists joining him against a True Astral foe. 155 156

True Astral Realm and Court Mastership

• Completes all twelve primary meridians and enters the True Astral Realm, refining his true qi into Thick Earth Astral Qi. 168
• Is named acting Bedrock Court Master during Yue Qingshan’s seclusion. He demonstrates his new strength by stopping Lu Household attendant Liu He’s broadsword with two fingers, then takes the court master’s seat at a sect assembly. 171 172
• Declines Jiang Qingyang’s invitation to join the Great Xia Guard, avoids visitors drawn by his breakthrough, and studies concealment arts and fragments of peerless martial techniques in the Earth Vein Armory. 175

Notable Quotes

“Heaven rewards diligence. Study hard, train hard, and never slack off!” 20

“If you want to fight, then fight!” 83