Chu Zeming

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Chu Zeming (褚泽明)
Alias(es)	Eldest Senior Brother; former outer-sect servant; rogue cultivator
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Formerly the Nine-Clear Haoran Sect; later travels independently with his companions 43 47
Occupation/Role	Cultivator; former Eldest Senior Brother and instructor of the Nine-Clear Haoran Sect
Status	Alive 49
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Early Golden Core	2	Inherits the original Chu Zeming’s cultivation; the original body reached Golden Core at age twenty-three and was considered the strongest of the sect’s younger generation.
Heart-Movement Stage	5	Comprehends the Autumn Water Sword Intent during an emotional epiphany while practicing with the Luminous Glaze Sword.
Middle Golden Core	15	Breaks through after circulating spiritual energy for thirty-six cycles; refuses to consume the Azure-Blue Pearl for this minor advancement.
Peak Golden Core	20	Advances immediately after defeating Dai Shanghu; survives a powerful lightning tribulation during seclusion.
Nascent Soul Realm (Early Stage)	32	Uses remaining Divine Wood inheritance energy, Scarlet Scale Fruits, and the Azure-Blue Pearl to cross the Golden Core barrier.
Nascent Soul Realm (Middle Stage)	49	Consumes eighteen Purple Nether Spirit Fruits inside the Immortal Residence, enduring bodily damage and gathering tribulation clouds.

Background

Chu Zeming was formerly a wealthy stock trader who died from overwork. He transmigrated into the body of a same-named character in the cultivation romance novel Master Above, I Below, inheriting the memories, status, and Golden Core cultivation of the sect’s Eldest Senior Brother 2.

The original Chu Zeming was fated to become a major villain: his obsession with Yue Lian would drive him into demonic cultivation and ruin his future. Knowing that outcome, the transmigrated Chu resolves to avoid Yue Lian, pursue the Great Dao, and rewrite the story’s predetermined route 2 5.

His first obstacle is adapting to the world itself. Despite his modern education, he initially cannot read the local script; he pressures the scholarly Xuan Mo into teaching him history and cultivation manuals, then gradually becomes capable of studying independently 3 4.

Appearance

Chu Zeming is a tall, striking young man with black hair, sharp features, and an aggressively beautiful presence. His inherited body is notably athletic, with “supermodel” proportions and eight-pack abs 2.

• Usually wears white robes early in the story, but changes to black after a disturbing dream involving Yue Lian 5.
• Has long, straight legs and a slender yet powerful build 2.
• His black robes and cold expression later become influential enough that other sect disciples imitate the style 15.
• Carries himself with a conspicuous, aloof bearing that makes him stand out in crowds 2.

Personality

Chu is proud, hot-tempered, blunt, and intensely defensive of his self-image as a straight man. His immediate, unwanted attraction to Yue Lian repeatedly causes embarrassment, anger, and denial; he interprets it as the novel world forcing him toward the original villain’s fate 2 3 5.

He is also practical and highly self-reliant. Rather than trust the original novel’s plot completely, he studies, cultivates, hoards opportunities, and changes events whenever possible. Once he realizes the reality of the cultivation world differs from the book, he becomes even more determined to rely on his own strength 9 15.

Although his training methods are severe and often frightening, Chu takes responsibility for his juniors. He protects Xuan Mo from Ling Tian, trains weaker disciples personally, leads rescue efforts, and repeatedly urges his followers to become strong enough not to depend on him forever 8 20 40 42.

Abilities & Skills

Cultivation and Dao Heart

Chu possesses exceptional cultivation talent, rapid advancement, and a stubbornly resolute Dao heart.

• Endures the Forbidden Pavilion’s inheritance trial despite pressure intended for Nascent Soul cultivators, crawling forward while bleeding from all seven orifices 28.
• Receives twelve lingering wills from the Divine Wood Realm, which heal and refine his body while granting a sealed inheritance that requires future tribulation to unlock fully 29.
• Can withstand Ling Yunzi’s cultivation pressure without kneeling after reaching the Nascent Soul Realm 33.
• Deliberately avoids relying on the Immortal Residence in battle when he believes direct combat will better temper his strength 47.

Autumn Water Sword Intent

Chu comprehends the Autumn Water Sword Intent through an epiphany during sword practice.

• Combines water-like spiritual ripples with sudden, razor-sharp killing intent 5.
• Develops the intent into twelve sword shadows during his duel with Fu Hongchen 41.
• Uses his sword intent to clear swarms of Man-Faced Owls and challenge a Transformation Stage Owl King 39.

Luminous Glaze Sword

The Luminous Glaze Sword, also called the Liuguang Sword, is Chu’s natal sword and primary weapon.

• Emits powerful Sword Qi and responds visibly to Chu’s emotional state 3.
• Is reforged with an ancient broken sword from the Extreme Sea Secret Realm, becoming more powerful, law-infused, and capable of forming a sword spirit 15.
• Cuts through Dai Shanghu’s natal horsetail whisk and secures Chu’s tournament victory with a single decisive strike 20.
• Serves as both a lethal weapon and an intimidation tool against enemies such as Lu Benxiong and the Rising Sun Sect 24 47.

Tactical Deception

Chu often defeats stronger opponents through opportunism, manipulation, and unconventional methods.

• Persuades Chang Wei to stage a tournament loss by offering advice on pursuing Yue Lian 18.
• Defeats Nascent Soul cultivator Fu Hongchen by crushing Fu’s Teleportation Jade Token rather than attempting to overpower him directly 24.
• Uses Xiao Hei’s poison to incapacitate the Man-Faced Owl King, then captures the demon for use as a guide 39.
• Turns his Nascent Soul tribulation against Ji Liangyi, poisoning him and using his body as a shield from lightning 49.

Spirit Mirror Platform

After entering the Spirit Mirror Platform’s higher levels, Chu forms a connection with its mysterious Mirror Spirit.

• Gains access to nine doors within his consciousness after the translucent white figure calls him “Master” and merges into the platform 44.
• Uses the platform to imprison a demonic cultivator’s invading divine sense during an attempted body seizure 46.
• Can summon the Mirror Spirit and use it to transport objects, including the Purple Nether Spirit Fruit Tree, into the Immortal Residence 49.

Equipment, Weapons, and Companions

• Luminous Glaze Sword — Chu’s reforged natal sword, strengthened with an ancient broken blade and showing signs of a sword spirit 15 20.
• Immortal Residence — An ancient defensive dwelling treasure obtained in the Divine Wood Realm. It initially rejects him, but forms a contract after Chu threatens to throw it into a dung pit 29 30.
• Azure-Blue Pearl — A precious treasure from the Extreme Sea Secret Realm that Chu ultimately uses during his Nascent Soul breakthrough 15 32.
• Xiao Hei — Chu’s life-bound, multi-headed snake-like spirit companion. It protects him in the Spirit Mirror Platform, influences powerful beasts, and carries poison capable of incapacitating stronger foes 24 42 49.
• Teleportation Jade Token — Used for emergency exits from secret realms; Chu notably weaponizes Fu Hongchen’s token against him 24.

Relationships

• Yue Lian — Junior brother, persistent admirer, traveling companion, and the source of Chu’s most intense internal conflict. Chu initially tries to avoid him, but eventually accepts Yue Lian’s help and offers a limited brotherly friendship 2 43 46.
• Xuan Mo — Former junior disciple and Chu’s first practical subordinate. Initially forced to teach Chu how to read, Xuan Mo becomes fiercely loyal and follows him after he leaves the sect 3 34 47.
• Ling Tian — Former rival who is beaten for bullying Xuan Mo, then gradually becomes one of Chu’s trainees and companions 8 47.
• Chang Wei — Tournament opponent turned friend. Chu advises him on courting Yue Lian, helps him join the Nine-Clear Haoran Sect, and later travels with him on missions 18 35 36.
• Ling Yunzi — Chu’s master in name and former sect leader. Ling Yunzi neglects Chu, favors Yue Lian, repeatedly pressures or punishes him unfairly, and ultimately drives him from the sect 4 33 43.
• Qin Elder — A consistent defender of Chu who challenges Ling Yunzi’s treatment of him and recognizes Chu as vital to the sect’s future 33 42 43.
• Fu Hongchen — Nascent Soul rival from the Kongtong Sect. Their hostility begins in the Divine Wood Realm and culminates in Chu defeating and humiliating him during the inter-sect challenge 23 41 42.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Transmigration and Sect Adaptation

After taking over the original Chu Zeming’s body, Chu attempts to escape the villain’s destiny by studying cultivation, improving his literacy, and avoiding Yue Lian. His plans fail immediately when their first meeting triggers mutual love at first sight 2 3.

Secret Realm Expeditions and Tournament

Chu enters the Extreme Sea Secret Realm to seize the ancient broken sword that the original plot would have him give to Yue Lian. He escapes a terrifying black-lotus-marked figure, obtains the sword, and later reforges the Luminous Glaze Sword with it 14 15.

During the Joint Grand Tournament and Divine Wood Realm competition, Chu advances rapidly, defeats stronger opponents through strategy, earns the Divine Tree’s sealed inheritance, acquires the Immortal Residence, and ultimately wins first place in the tournament 18 24 29 32.

Break with the Nine-Clear Haoran Sect

Ling Yunzi attempts to force Chu to apologize to Lu Benxiong and later demotes him after Chu publicly condemns his neglect, favoritism, and abuse of authority. After surviving the Spirit Mirror Platform’s sixth level, Chu rejects the narrative of being expelled and leaves the sect by choice 33 42 43.

His departure causes twenty to thirty disciples to leave the sect as well, demonstrating that their loyalty rests with him rather than Ling Yunzi 43.

Independent Cultivation

As an independent cultivator, Chu travels toward the Northern Wasteland with Yue Lian, later joined by Xuan Mo and Ling Tian. He uses the Spirit Mirror Platform to defeat a demonic body-snatcher, claims secret-realm resources, and protects his companions against the Rising Sun Sect and Ji Household 44 46 47 49.

Notable Quotes

“What do you like about me? I will change it.” 40