Qiu Qianhai

Biodata

Power Progression

Background / History

Qiu Qianhai’s family was caught in a generations-long conflict with the Qin Household. Qin Old Blind Man killed Qiu’s grandfather after wrongly suspecting him of possessing a missing finger bone from supernatural remains. Years later, Qin Long killed Qiu’s parents, while the Qin Household also destroyed Qiu’s second uncle’s family. 53 82

After losing his parents and refusing to accept his circumstances, Qiu sailed alone into Cloud-Rain Marsh. A storm knocked him unconscious and washed him ashore, where Ji Yuan saved his life. The rescue became the foundation of Qiu’s loyalty to Ji Yuan. 13

By relying on life-or-death ferocity, he established himself in Zengtou City despite having no parents or support. He became known as one of the city’s desperate outlaws and reached the Fourth Layer of Qi Refining while still young. 9 13

He returned from Maple Leaf Island bloodied but alive, having escaped the island’s indiscriminate slaughter through the speed of his Spirit Vessel. 9

Qiu eventually learned that the Qin Household was responsible for his family’s suffering. Seeking revenge alone after his uncle refused to support the vendetta, he infiltrated the Qin Household by offering himself to its Third Young Master, who was attracted to men. He later castrated the young master, giving the Qin Household a far stronger reason to pursue him than Lousy Liu’s death alone. 53 54

Personality

Qiu is blunt, fearless, and accustomed to treating danger as part of life. He favors decisive action over passive defense, urging Ji Yuan to eliminate Lousy Liu before Liu could recover and strike again. 14

Despite his outlaw reputation and cynical humor, Qiu is fiercely loyal. He refuses to sell Ji Yuan out to Lousy Liu, calling Ji Yuan his only friend and choosing to risk his life beside him instead. 13 14

He is also practical and experienced in the harsher side of cultivation life. After the battle on Crouching Tortoise Island, he disposes of corpses, erases evidence, and calmly manages the division of loot while helping Ji Yuan confront the reality of killing. 16 17

Qiu is deeply driven by inherited resentment toward the Qin Household and by a fierce refusal to be powerless. He can be emotionally restrained even when confronting betrayal, as shown when he killed Xiong Youfu after forcing him to admit that greed had led him to sell Qiu out. 53

Although reckless-seeming and fond of boasting, Qiu can listen to Ji Yuan’s judgment in life-or-death situations. During the Clearwave Pool pursuit, he accepted Ji Yuan’s preference to flee rather than fight stronger enemies head-on. 53 64

His personality was later distorted by Nightmare True Lord’s implanted memories and manipulation, which intensified his hatred and briefly turned him against Ji Yuan. Once he learned that Ji Yuan had survived, however, his old loyalty reasserted itself, and he acknowledged that his master had raised him as a future vessel. 397 401

Abilities & Skills

Qi Refining Cultivation

Qiu was a Fourth-Layer Qi Refining cultivator by the time he returned from Maple Leaf Island. 9 14

• Could confront the seasoned Fourth-Layer rogue cultivator Wu Laochuan while Ji Yuan fought Lousy Liu. 15
• Was considered capable enough that Lousy Liu intended to use him in an assassination plot. 13
• His cultivation and experience allowed him to gain a foothold in Zengtou City without family support. 9
• Reached the Sixth Layer of Qi Refining during his flight from the Qin Household and fought Old Dog Lin at Clearwave Pool. 52
• Later entered the Golden Core Realm through the arduous path imposed by Nightmare True Lord. 347 397

Marsh Survival and Spirit-Vessel Handling

Qiu is an experienced Cloud-Rain Marsh traveler who relies heavily on mobility and fast escape routes.

• Escaped the massacre at Maple Leaf Island using his fast Spirit Vessel. 9
• Transported Ji Yuan to Crouching Tortoise Island for the confrontation with Lousy Liu. 14
• Planned to travel between distant cultivation markets after leaving Zengtou City. 17
• Previously hid in the dangerous Blackwater Ward and later used his familiarity with Clearwave Pool to evade the Qin Household. 53 55
• Was capable of mining, hiding, and surviving for extended periods in Clearwave Pool. 55 82

Combat Techniques

Qiu is familiar with basic water-element techniques and uses them without hesitation in battle.

• Knows the Water Arrow Technique. 16
• Already knew the Fireball Technique and Cloud-Rain Technique when the group acquired their jade slips. 17
• Used a water arrow to destroy Wu Laochuan’s corpse after the battle. 16
• Wields paired curved or crescent blades and used them to cooperate with Ji Yuan during the fights against Old Dog Lin, Xiong Youfu, Hu Da, and other Qin Household cultivators. 52 53 64
• Retained combat strength above his nominal Golden Core Middle Stage after returning from the Rakshasa Sea Core Area, allowing him to make even Golden Core Peak cultivators wary of fighting him alone. 400

Cold Iron Sand Detection and Mining

Qiu possessed a polished, blue-glowing finger bone inherited through his family. The bone reacted to nearby Cold Iron Sand, shining more brightly as it approached deposits. 56 82

• Located Cold Iron Sand deposits beneath Clearwave Pool with exceptional accuracy. 56
• Guided Ji Yuan to several pounds of Cold Iron Sand in a single day, allowing Ji Yuan to upgrade the Fish Pond. 56
• Understood Clearwave Pool’s mining practices, including Earth Dragon Turnovers and dangerous underwater dead caverns. 55
• The finger bone was later revealed to be linked to supernatural remains sought by Qin Old Blind Man and was reclaimed by the skeletal entity that became Qiu’s master. 82 83

Demonic Cultivation Art

Qiu practices an unnamed demonic art that burns his lifespan in exchange for accelerated cultivation. 71

• The art generated abnormal blood qi and a powerful heartbeat during his attempted breakthrough. 71
• It enabled his rapid rise but contributed to an unstable breakthrough and concerned Ji Yuan. 71 72
• Qiu rejects the idea that a cultivation method is inherently righteous or demonic, arguing that morality depends on its user. 71

Inheritance and Possession

Qiu became the disciple of the skeletal Nightmare True Lord after his confrontation with Qin Old Blind Man. 83 347

• Was designated a “peerless genius” cultivated through three generations in a Dragon-Nurturing Land. 82 83
• Was transported to the Land of the Abyss, or Abyss Island, where he accepted the skeletal entity as his master in exchange for the strength to seek revenge. 83
• Endured implanted memories, enforced restrictions, and repeated possession by his master, who intended to use Qiu’s body as a vessel. 394 401 414
• Could temporarily wield power far beyond his own cultivation when Nightmare True Lord took control of his body. 347 394
• His body was ultimately used as a temporary vessel by Yin Rou, the revived Yin Ghost Sect Master, for travel to the Central Continent. 414

Criminal Countermeasures

Qiu possesses practical knowledge useful for avoiding pursuit after lethal conflicts.

• Uses Corpse-Melting Water to dissolve bodies and erase evidence. 16
• Directed Ji Yuan to Lame Li of Room Xu-9 to purchase Corpse-Melting Water. 16 21
• Assumed responsibility for Lousy Liu’s death to divert the Qin Household’s attention from Ji Yuan. 17
• Quickly understood and cooperated with Ji Yuan’s staged “capture” at Clearwave Pool, allowing them to deceive witnesses and escape the Qin Household’s pursuit. 52

Equipment / Items

• Spirit Vessel — A fast vessel used to escape Maple Leaf Island and travel through Cloud-Rain Marsh. 9 14
• Paired curved blades — Qiu’s primary weapons during his conflicts at Clearwave Pool. 52 64
• Bamboo-rod artifact — Taken from Wu Laochuan during the division of spoils. 17
• Thunderstrike Talisman — Chosen from Wu Laochuan’s possessions. 17
• Water Shadow Talisman — Already possessed one before the division of spoils. 17
• Corpse-Melting Water — Used to dispose of Lousy Liu and Wu Laochuan’s bodies. 16
• Mid-grade fishing boat — Received from Old Dog Lin’s spoils during the division of loot at Clearwave Pool. 54
• Cold Iron Spike — Offensive artifact received in exchange for allowing Ji Yuan to take the Cold Iron Sand. 54
• Cold Iron Sand-sensing finger bone — Formerly held by Qiu; detected nearby Cold Iron Sand through blue light. It was connected to the supernatural remains pursued by Qin Old Blind Man and was later taken by the skeletal entity. 56 82 83

Relationships

• Ji Yuan — His rescuer, only friend, and sworn brother-in-arms. Qiu exposes Lousy Liu’s assassination plot, fights beside Ji Yuan, and accepts blame for Lousy Liu’s death to protect him. Ji Yuan later rescues him from Old Dog Lin and Qin Old Blind Man, while Qiu’s determination to avenge Ji Yuan’s apparent death sustains him through years in the Abyss. After their reunion, the two resume fighting together despite the manipulation and possession separating them. 13 14 17 52 83 397 400 401
• Lame Li — His uncle and a secretive alchemist who sells Corpse-Melting Water. Lame Li becomes visibly alarmed when Ji Yuan reports Qiu’s disappearance, but had earlier refused to join Qiu’s revenge against the Qin Household. 21 50 53
• Lousy Liu — Attempted to hire Qiu to lure Ji Yuan into an ambush. Qiu ultimately helps Ji Yuan kill him. 13 15 16
• Wu Laochuan — Opponent during the Crouching Tortoise Island battle; Qiu confronted him while Ji Yuan fought Lousy Liu. 15 16
• Xiong Youfu — Former close friend whose life Qiu had once saved. Xiong sold Qiu’s location to the Qin Household for profit, and Qiu beheaded him after extracting his confession. 52 53
• Qin Household — The family responsible for the deaths of Qiu’s grandfather, parents, and second uncle’s family. It pursued Qiu for Lousy Liu’s death, the castration of its Third Young Master, and the missing finger bone sought by Qin Old Blind Man. 17 18 53 54 82
• Qin Old Blind Man / Qin Shu — Patriarch whose obsession with the missing finger bone drove him to murder Qiu’s grandfather and hunt Qiu personally. His assault ultimately triggered Qiu’s encounter with Nightmare True Lord. 82 83
• Nightmare True Lord — The skeletal master who brought Qiu to the Abyss, trained him, implanted false memories, and repeatedly treated his body as a vessel. Qiu recognizes both his debt to and exploitation by this master. 83 347 394 401
• Yin Rou — The revived Yin Ghost Sect Master who used Qiu’s body as a temporary vessel to return to the Central Continent. He later summoned Qiu and retained authority over his circumstances there. 414 425
• Mu Xueyao — Ji Yuan’s companion, whom Qiu met during their Rakshasa City reunion. Qiu teased Ji Yuan about their relationship and gave Mu Xueyao the spoils from his first kill as a greeting gift. 400

Story Role / Major Arcs

Maple Leaf Island

Qiu survives the violent struggle around the Foundation Immortal Abode on Maple Leaf Island. His return provides Ji Yuan with firsthand warning that opportunity-seeking cultivators have descended into indiscriminate murder. 9

Lousy Liu’s Ambush

Lousy Liu approaches Qiu with an offer to betray Ji Yuan. Qiu agrees outwardly after demanding more payment, then immediately warns Ji Yuan and proposes that they kill Lousy Liu together. 13

At Crouching Tortoise Island, Qiu and Ji Yuan uncover that Lousy Liu expected their cooperation and had arranged Wu Laochuan as reinforcements. Qiu takes responsibility for Wu while Ji Yuan battles Lousy Liu. 14 15

Departure from Zengtou City

After Lousy Liu and Wu Laochuan are killed, Qiu takes public responsibility for Lousy Liu’s death and leaves Zengtou City before the Qin Household can retaliate against Ji Yuan. 17

Before departing, he names their meeting place Autumn Rain Island and promises to leave a seashell outside Ji Yuan’s home if he ever returns. The two vow to destroy the Qin Household once they reach Late Qi Refining and later join the Water Dragon Sect together. 17

Disappearance

Months later, Qiu’s promised seashell appears outside Ji Yuan’s residence. Ji Yuan reaches Autumn Rain Island but finds only fresh combat marks, including furrows in the shore and scorched reeds. Qiu is absent, and his whereabouts remain unknown. 50

Lu Wan’s letter later reveals that Qiu is hiding near Clear Ripple Pool while Qin Wei and other Qin Household cultivators hunt him. Ji Yuan chooses to investigate despite suspecting the information could be a trap. 51

Clearwave Pool Pursuit

Ji Yuan finds Qiu fighting Old Dog Lin at Clearwave Pool and saves him through a surprise attack. The two deceive nearby witnesses by staging Qiu’s capture, then flee the area together. 52

When Xiong Youfu arrives claiming concern for Qiu, Qiu confronts him over the suspected betrayal. Xiong admits he sold Qiu out for Spirit Stones, and Qiu kills him after declaring that the debt for saving Xiong’s life has been repaid. 53

While evading the pursuit, Qiu reveals the Qin Household’s murder of his family and his castration of its Third Young Master. He and Ji Yuan later divide their spoils fairly, hide beneath false identities, and observe the Qin Household’s public bounty on Qiu. 53 54

Cold Iron Sand Discovery

Qiu finds a mysterious finger bone that reacts to Cold Iron Sand and shares its secret with Ji Yuan. Working together, Qiu locates deposits while Ji Yuan excavates them, allowing the pair to gather several pounds of ore rapidly. 56

Qiu refuses payment for the help, maintaining that Ji Yuan’s repeated rescues outweigh the value of the Cold Iron Sand. The episode reinforces their reciprocal loyalty and trust. 56

Qin Old Blind Man’s Attack

After months in hiding, Qiu kills Deng Lang and Sun Dazhi before returning to Clearwave Pool to mine and cultivate. His growing unease proves justified when Qin Old Blind Man tracks him down personally. 82

Qiu hides the finger bone beneath his foot rather than surrender it to the Qin patriarch. Unable to overcome a Peak Qi Refining cultivator, he is incapacitated and nearly killed. 82

Ji Yuan arrives to protect him and repeatedly confronts Qin Old Blind Man despite their immense cultivation gap. Qiu witnesses Ji Yuan’s apparent death and collapses in grief. 83

Abyssal Inheritance

Following Qin Old Blind Man’s death at the hands of a gray-mist skeleton, Qiu is brought to the Land of the Abyss. The skeleton reveals that Qiu was cultivated over three generations as a potential genius and offers to teach him revenge. 83

Qiu accepts the entity as his master, embarking on a dangerous new cultivation path shaped by possession, implanted hatred, and the master’s intention to use his body as a vessel. 83 394 401

Contingency Letter

Before his disappearance, Qiu arranged for a seashell to be delivered to Ji Yuan if he failed to return after two years. The message led Ji Yuan to an iron box at Autumn Rain Island containing Qiu’s letter. 93

In the letter, Qiu warned Ji Yuan about a Second-Order movement technique guarded by a poisonous Second-Order toad, cautioned him against reckless revenge, and suggested that the finger bone might have granted Qiu an unusual opportunity rather than certain death. 93

Reunions and Identity Confusion

Qiu eventually returned to Cangluo Continent as a Golden Core cultivator and proudly announced his real name at the cross-continent teleportation formation. By then, the reputation of “Old Devil Qiu” had already spread, causing immediate pursuit and confusion over another cultivator with his exact name. 344 347

The confusion stemmed from Ji Yuan’s repeated use of Qiu Qianhai’s identity, while Qiu had used the name “Old Devil Ji” during his own time in the Abyss. Their names and reputations became entangled across Cangluo Continent and the Abyssal Continent. 190 220 324 397

Qiu and Ji Yuan finally reunite in Rakshasa City. Qiu is overwhelmed to discover that Ji Yuan survived, and the two return to their familiar banter before joining forces in the city-wide slaughter. 397 400

Farewell to the Central Continent

After entering the Rakshasa Sea Core Area, Qiu is caught between Bone Demon Old Devil, Ghost Envoy, and the Yin Ghost Sect’s revived master. His body is repeatedly restricted and treated as a vessel rather than his own. 414

Yin Rou ultimately occupies Qiu’s body and uses a rare long-distance teleportation token to travel to the Central Continent. Ji Yuan can only watch as Qiu, wearing an unfamiliar and indifferent expression, is taken away before they can speak. 414

Qiu later appears alive on the Central Continent, cultivating cautiously and hoping to reach the Nascent Soul Realm. He intends to become strong enough to bring Ji Yuan there so that the two brothers can continue pursuing the peak of the Human Realm together. 425

Use of Qiu Qianhai’s Name by Ji Yuan

After Qiu’s departure for the Central Continent, several later appearances of “Qiu Qianhai” are aliases used by Ji Yuan rather than appearances by Qiu himself. Ji Yuan adopted Qiu’s name while infiltrating hostile factions, disguising himself as a demonic cultivator, and operating in the Barbarian God Continent. 584 605

Notable Quotes

“I have very few friends. You’re my only one.” 14

“In Zengtou City, I can kill anyone—but not you.” 14

“When a gentleman must kill, he kills!” 14