Zhao Manyan

Biodata

Power Progression

Background

Zhao Manyan comes from the wealthy Zhao Clan and is a young master of the Zhao Group. His upbringing gives him both extensive access to magical equipment and a practical understanding of trade, resources, and investment 175 230 300.

His older brother, Zhao Youqian, dedicates himself to the family business, while Manyan initially spends freely and pursues women. Their father nevertheless favors Manyan for the position of family head. Manyan does not want the responsibility and considers the business his brother’s rightful domain, but this fails to prevent a violent inheritance dispute 338 405.

Appearance

• Blond hair is his most frequently noted identifying feature 58 201 403.
• Has a handsome face and polished manners, which help him win over both business contacts and romantic interests 175 294.
• His skin is normally fair with a healthy, rosy tone; its deathly bluish-white discoloration makes his soul-theft condition immediately alarming 192.

Personality

Zhao Manyan is sociable, flirtatious, and quick to treat acquaintances like old friends. He readily joins in teasing and gossip, including openly commenting on Zhou Sining and Mu Nujiao holding hands. His pursuit of women is persistent enough that Mo Fan meets three of his girlfriends within a month of starting school 58 85.

His romantic confidence can undermine his judgment. While pursuing Oni, he overlooks her connection to the Red Ornament Guild and rescues her from the very battle pet his teammates have sent against the bandits. Once the misunderstanding is explained, he quickly moves past his embarrassment 292 294 295.

Despite his frivolity, he repeatedly supports his friends when they are vulnerable. He mobilizes family contacts to find treatment for Zhou Sining, follows Mo Fan into Gobi Valley rather than abandon him, and warns Mu Nujiao to flee when assassins target him 109 274 403.

He has little interest in family authority. Even after Zhao Youqian tries to kill him, Manyan insists that he wants spending money and freedom rather than control of the clan. He chooses to spare his brother and work toward reconciliation 405 406.

Abilities & Skills

Light Magic

His Light Element provides both illumination and large-area protection 94 102 349.

• Radiant Light: Illuminates concealed enemies during field training 94.
• Light Blessing: Forms a golden defensive dome. He uses it to protect Mu Ningxue during Lu Nian’s attack 102.
• Light Falls Ten Thousand Zhang: Creates a hemispherical barrier capable of enclosing an entire tournament lineup 349.
• Holy Shield’s Protection: A defensive spell he attempts during the assassination ambush; poison disrupts his final Star Track before it forms 403.

Water Magic

His Water Element supports underwater movement and layered defense 236 400.

• Propels himself aside with a current to evade an Eight-Limbed Claw Demon’s tentacle 236.
• Senses how Zhou Sining’s gravity field forces surrounding seawater downward 236.
• Uses Water Barrier: Grand Cycle as one layer of the fortress defenses against Egypt 400.

Earth Magic

He uses Earth magic to construct fortified positions for his teammates 400.

• Raises an Earth Fortress roughly twenty to thirty meters high, lifting China’s lineup above the ground 400.
• Surrounds the fortress with Earth Walls and adds Earth Ring among its defensive layers 400.

Layered Defense

Zhao Manyan specializes in stacking spells, equipment, and vessel enhancements rather than relying on a single barrier 284 300 400.

• Instantly places three protective layers around Mo Fan during the Ancient Castle defense 284.
• Takes over protection against the Ruined Ancient City’s lightning storms after Mu Nujiao exhausts herself 280 282.
• Withstands repeated attacks from five Giant Strength Sea Monsters while his teammates counterattack, although his barriers repeatedly break 244.
• Holds his defensive sphere against the British team’s combined soul-grade fire and lightning assault long enough for China to respond 349 350.

Limitations:

• Cannot complete a Star Map instantly through One Thought Star Chart, leaving him unable to intercept a sudden underwater attack in time 236.
• Zhou Sining’s enhanced Gangsha Flame penetrates his magic, equipment, and Wooden Fish defenses 300.
• Fast-acting poison can paralyze him and disrupt his spell construction before a shield forms 403.

Business and Negotiation

His merchant-family background makes him useful beyond combat 175 230 337.

• Recognizes Feiniao City’s underdeveloped port as a major investment opportunity, citing its inland river access and maritime shipping capacity 175.
• Directs the undocumented National Team toward private business contacts rather than government officials who might check their identities 175.
• Charms Lin Junxian’s secretary into bringing the team directly to the businessman 175.
• Arranges the sale of the Dark Sword Master’s spoils for four hundred million and introduces his friends to the Zhao Clan’s auction connections 337.

Equipment / Items

• Wooden Fish vessel / Totem Token — Identified by Zhou Sining as Baxia’s Totem Token. By the battle against Britain, Zhao Manyan uses it to double the strength of his defensive magic. It also supplies the Wooden Fish Mark used in his fortress defenses 192 349 400.
• Indestructible Vajra Shield — Given to him by Zhou Sining as compensation after the Gangsha Flame incident. Can withstand a first-tier Super Level spell and reflect part of the damage; its market value exceeds one hundred million 300 305.
• Wing Magic Tool — Unfolds into golden metallic wings. He uses it to carry Oni away from Zhou Sining’s Tiger King 294.
• Speed-enhancing equipment — Stacks several pieces to escape the pursuing Commander Level Tiger King 294.
• Unidentified protective treasure worn at his neck — Releases golden light during the assassination attempt, temporarily keeping poison away from his heart and mind 403.
• Extensive magical equipment collection — Owns equipment by the dozens through his family’s wealth 300.

Relationships

• Mo Fan — Close friend and Pearl Academy companion. Their relationship combines constant mockery with battlefield cooperation, particularly Zhao Manyan shielding Mo Fan while he attacks 58 110 284.
• Zhou Sining — Friend first encountered through Mo Fan. Zhao Manyan seeks treatment for him after Lu Nian’s defeat and later receives the Indestructible Vajra Shield from him 85 109 300 305.
• Mu Nujiao — Classmate and National Team teammate. She helps manage the aftermath of his assassination attempt and entrusts him with keeping Burning Heaven’s nature secret 280 404.
• Zhao Youqian — Older brother. Resentment over their father’s succession plans leads Youqian to arrange Manyan’s assassination; Manyan spares him, and the brothers eventually reconcile 404 405 406.
• His father — Favors Manyan as the next family head, creating the central grievance behind Youqian’s betrayal 405 406.
• Chen Ying — Cousin who accompanies Mo Fan’s group on an expedition 129.
• Guan Yu — Antagonistic teammate who belittles his substitute status. Zhao Manyan responds with insults and demands for a fight 198 201.
• Oni — Romantic pursuit who turns out to be a Red Ornament Guild bandit. He unknowingly helps her escape before his teammates expose her identity 294 295.
• Burning Heaven — Initially mistakes him for Zhou Sining’s eccentric sworn younger brother. Burning Heaven later saves his life and heals his poisoning, revealing that he is not human 361 404.
• Baxia — Totem Beast associated with his Wooden Fish vessel. Zhou Sining suspects Baxia is following him and may have triggered the Twin Guardian Pavilion alarm 192 207.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Pearl Academy and Field Training

• Encourages Zhou Sining to transfer to Magic City and later suggests joining Pearl Academy 58 89.
• Illuminates hidden demon beasts during field training and shields Mu Ningxue when Lu Nian’s military mages attack 94 102.
• After Zhou Sining falls unconscious, contacts his family to locate an Advanced Healing Mage and supports moving him to a major hospital 109.

National Team Journey and Japan

• Secures access to Lin Junxian in Feiniao City, helping the team obtain backing for its Sea Monster operation 175.
• Works with Mo Fan to lure Redfin Demons while Mu Ningxue freezes the surrounding islands and sea 181.
• Falls unconscious with an unnaturally cold body after his soul is taken. Mo Fan suspects that giving Miyata Zhao Manyan’s name caused him to become the target; Nan Jue connects the danger to the Wooden Fish’s Artifact Spirit 192 193.
• Awakens after the incident with no serious bodily damage and learns that he nearly died 196.
• Is still treated as a National Team substitute during the Japan journey 198 201.

Great Barrier Reef

• Joins Zhou Sining and Jiang Yu on an underwater hunt that yields approximately forty-five usable Warrior Level Demon Cores 237.
• Scouts twelve Giant Strength Sea Monsters on the second expedition, then bears the brunt of their attacks after Jiang Shaoxu provokes them 244.

Ruined Ancient City and Ancient Castle

• Provides replacement defenses when Mu Nujiao reaches her limit against the lightning storms, then protects the group on its return through the barrier 280 282.
• Shields Mo Fan during the defense against the pursuing Monster Birds. After an hour, Zhou Sining and Mu Nujiao relieve him, Mo Fan, and Jiang Yu 284.

Red Ornament Guild

• Pursues Oni without realizing she belongs to the bandits his teammates are fighting 292 295.
• Carries her away from the Tiger King, then returns to warn his friends about the supposed hostile Commander Level beast 294.
• Nearly suffers fatal friendly fire when Zhou Sining’s Gangsha Flame bypasses his defenses. Receives the Indestructible Vajra Shield as compensation 300 305.

World Academy Competition

• Sells Mu Nujiao’s Dark Sword Master loot and arranges introductions to his older brother at St. Mark’s World Auction Hall 337.
• Serves as China’s designated defender against Britain, protecting the team from soul-grade attacks and covering Zhou Sining’s preparation for his decisive spell 349 350 352.
• Starts against Egypt and constructs a layered fortress while Zhou Sining destroys the advancing undead 400.

Assassination and Family Reconciliation

• Is ambushed near the waterfront by two professional assassins posing as a couple seeking a photograph. A venomous snake and Poison Needle disable him before he can establish a shield 403.
• Survives when Burning Heaven subdues the attackers and heals both his body and soul 404.
• Unmasks the hidden accomplice as Zhao Youqian and learns that the attack arose from their father’s decision to favor him as heir 404 405.
• Asks Zhou Sining to kill the assassins but leave Youqian to him. After treating his brother and talking privately, the two embrace and reconcile 405 406.

Notable Quotes

“It's called a business opportunity, dumbass.” 175

“I already told you I don't care! I can't do it, and I don't want to fight you for it! I just want money to spend and for all of you to leave me alone! Why won't you believe me? Why?!” 405