Chen Zui

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Chen Zui (陈最)
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Yonglu Mountain; Blade Peak
Occupation/Role	Inner disciple; blade cultivator
Status	Alive
First Appearance	Chapter 15
Spiritual Root	Earth-Metal Dual Spiritual Roots; the elements are highly compatible, with Earth supporting Metal 24
Master	A Spirit Transformation Venerable of Blade Peak 31

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Qi Refining Sixth Layer	15	Joins Wen Xu and Bian Chunchou for the Mountain Examination; only two other candidates share his cultivation level.
Qi Refining Seventh Layer	38	Has reached the same level as Wen Xu while focusing on blade practice.
Qi Refining Ninth Layer	43	Breaks through after relentless blade training; his master orders him to stop overtraining and consolidate his foundation.

Background / History

Chen Zui enters Yonglu Mountain’s Mountain Examination after other candidates avoid teaming with him, partly because of his wild beard, ragged clothing, and rough presentation. He voluntarily joins Wen Xu and Bian Chunchou when they need a third member, believing that leading two weaker teammates to victory will prove his own strength 15 26.

He comes from a poor and uncomplicated background. Unable to afford an inn before master selection, he sleeps outdoors and relies on a cleansing art rather than bathing; he also says he grew up eating Grain-Repelling Pills because his mother could not cook 26. His mother is a powerful cultivator who can catch his blade with one finger, though she sent him away to study at Yonglu Mountain rather than teach him herself 44.

Chen, Wen Xu, and Bian become the first team to finish Yonglu Mountain’s entrance trials. Chen escapes the Heart-Questioning Realm quickly after seeing an illusion of his mother, immediately recognizing that she could not truly be on Yonglu Mountain 23. His Earth-Metal Dual Spiritual Roots later secure his potential as a weapon cultivator, and he becomes the disciple of the Blade Peak Venerable he admires 24 33.

Appearance

Chen initially appears far older and harsher than his actual age due to his neglected grooming and weathered, heavily bearded appearance. After bathing and changing into Yonglu Mountain’s disciple uniform, he is revealed to be a striking, exceptionally muscular young man 15 26.

• Extremely tall, with a blade-trained physique 26
• Thick brows, large eyes, and valiant features 26
• Thick hair, brows, and beard that become unruly when neglected 15 43
• Usually carries a saber or blade 15 27
• Is actually eighteen years old, despite looking substantially older when unkempt 25 26

Personality

Chen is blunt, literal-minded, and intensely self-confident. He says what he thinks without softening it, openly calls Wen Xu and Bian Chunchou burdens, and sees difficult battles as opportunities to prove himself 15. His pride is rooted less in status than in a straightforward belief that strength should be demonstrated through open combat.

Despite his rough manner, he is protective and responsible. He returns to defend Wen Xu and Bian when the Wind Blades become dangerous, rejects Li Zishen’s request to commit murder, and chooses to confront a Red-Clad Vengeful Ghost alone so it cannot grow stronger by killing others 17 21.

Chen struggles with abstract cultivation theory and prefers direct practice to reflection. After Wen Xu asks whether he wants to imitate another person or pursue his own path, Chen resolves to cultivate only as himself and follow a personal blade path 40. His single-mindedness can make him socially inexperienced, but it also gives him unusual resolve.

Abilities & Skills

Blade Cultivation

Chen is a close-range blade cultivator with powerful instincts and relentless training habits. His fighting style emphasizes direct aggression, speed, and physical force.

• Creates a hurricane through physical strength while wielding his saber 18
• Follows Wen Xu’s tactical instructions effectively during combat, striking opponents’ weaknesses with sharp instinct 19
• Defeats and disarms Li Zishen after Wen Xu neutralizes the Wind-Treasure Gourd 20
• Reaches the brink of deeper blade comprehension through nonstop practice; the wind around his training area becomes orderly amid chaos 43
• Prefers tasks involving direct combat and finds excessive thought bothersome 44

Earth-Metal Dual Spiritual Roots

Chen’s Earth-Metal Dual Spiritual Roots are naturally harmonious, as Earth supports Metal. The combination is especially well suited to artifact refinement and weapon cultivation 24.

• Gives him strong potential in weapon-focused cultivation 24
• Leads Yonglu Mountain elders to consider Artifact Refining Peak as a possible placement before he instead joins Blade Peak 24 33
• Supports his rapid Qi Refining advancement through disciplined training 38 43

Physical Strength and Endurance

Chen possesses an unusually strong body, developed through years of blade practice and a simple upbringing.

• Describes himself as capable of knocking down Wen Xu and Bian Chunchou with one punch 15
• Continues training his blade without stopping for extended periods 43
• Is warned by his master that excessive cultivation can be harmful, even after reaching the Ninth Layer of Qi Refining 43
• His friends jokingly compare his body to something harder than iron 43

Heart-Questioning Realm Resistance

Chen breaks free from the Heart-Questioning Realm faster than Wen Xu and Bian Chunchou.

• Recognizes the illusion of his mother as impossible because she could not be present on Yonglu Mountain 23
• His simple, direct thinking prevents him from becoming trapped in the illusion for long 23

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Saber — Chen’s primary weapon and the focus of his cultivation 15 33
• Wind-Treasure Gourd — Seized from Li Zishen during the Mountain Examination; Wen Xu later lends it to Chen for use against the Red-Clad Vengeful Ghost 20 22
• Communication Talisman — Learns to use one after Bian Chunchou teaches him 43
• Conduct guide for cultivators — Receives a booklet from Wen Xu on handling uncertain situations outside the sect and resolves to memorize it 45

Relationships

• Wen Xu — Teammate and close friend. Chen initially regards Wen Xu as a weak burden, but later trusts his judgment in battle and accepts his guidance on cultivation and conduct 15 19 40 45.
• Bian Chunchou — Teammate and close friend. Bian frequently teases, feeds, cleans up after, and teaches Chen practical matters such as communication talismans; Chen accepts the help without resentment 26 43.
• Blade Peak Venerable — Master. Chen admires this Spirit Transformation cultivator and becomes his disciple after entering Yonglu Mountain 31 33.
• Chen Zui’s mother — Powerful mother whom Chen deeply admires. She can catch his blade with one finger and remains his standard for strength 44 45.
• Li Zishen — Mountain Examination opponent. Chen fights Li’s team directly, cuts down the hand holding the Wind-Treasure Gourd, and defeats him 18 20.
• Red-Clad Vengeful Ghost — Threat Chen chooses to confront alone after learning that its strength rises with every person it kills 21 22.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Mountain Examination

Chen forms a three-person team with Wen Xu and Bian Chunchou after they risk elimination for lacking a third member. He acts as the group’s primary close-range fighter, though his attempts to overpower the artifact Calm the Storm initially worsen the Wind Blades threatening his teammates 15 17.

During the conflict with Li Zishen’s group, Chen refuses to retreat despite being outnumbered. He capitalizes on Wen Xu’s use of the folding fan to disarm Li Zishen and claim the Wind-Treasure Gourd 18 20. The trio subsequently divides its roles efficiently: Chen fights, Wen Xu provides ranged support, and Bian negotiates artifact trades 21.

Entrance and Master Selection

After passing the Heart-Questioning Realm with Wen Xu and Bian, Chen’s compatible Earth-Metal Dual Spiritual Roots are revealed. He becomes an inner disciple and joins Blade Peak under the Venerable he had hoped to follow 23 24 33.

Blade Path and Rapid Advancement

Chen initially cannot understand the principles in his cultivation method. Wen Xu’s advice leads him to abandon imitation and commit to cultivating as himself through his own blade path 40. His relentless practice brings him from the Seventh to the Ninth Layer of Qi Refining, though he must later temper his body and mentality rather than continue advancing recklessly 38 43 44.

Sect Missions

Chen joins Wen Xu and Bian on missions around Langyuan City to gain practical experience. He favors combat-oriented tasks but gradually adopts Wen Xu’s cautious approach to uncertain situations, accepting that good intentions alone do not justify rushing into danger 44 45.

Notable Quotes

“If I can bring you two along, obtain an artifact, and reach the endpoint, wouldn't that prove that I'm stronger than everyone else?”
— Chen Zui on joining Wen Xu and Bian Chunchou’s team 15

“Why should I become someone else? I'll only be myself. I only want to walk my own path of the blade.”
— Chen Zui 40

Trivia

• His name is explained as “Zui as in ‘the best.’” 15
• Although he is the youngest of Wen Xu, Bian Chunchou, and himself, his neglected appearance initially makes him seem far older 25 26.
• He does not understand how to use a communication talisman until Bian teaches him 43.
• He is so direct that he initially believes a cleansing art is an adequate substitute for bathing 26.