Chu Zhiyuan

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Chu Zhiyuan (楚致渊)
Alias(es)	Fourth Heir Apparent; Heir Apparent Yuan; Ninth Prince / Chu Liezhao (reincarnated identity); Imperial Son-in-Law
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Prince Qing's Estate; Great Jing imperial clan; Jade Scenery Dynasty (as Chu Liezhao); Heavenly Sword Sect
Occupation/Role	Heir of Prince Qing; Left Assistant Minister; founder and trainer of the Imperial Guard's Seventh Battalion
Status	Active 1262
First Appearance	Chapter 2

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Perfected Houtian Realm	3	His cultivation is tested by Chu Qingfeng at Bright Martial Hall.
Xiantian Realm; Jade Lock Golden Pass Technique	20	Enters Xiantian and masters the difficult Jade Lock Golden Pass Technique.
Eighth Layer of the Jade Tower	49	Breaks through seven layers in a single night after discovering the Dragon Pearl's cultivation effect.
Twelfth Layer of the Jade Tower	112	Reaches the twelfth layer while remaining in the Xiantian Realm.
Dragon Transformation Technique, Fourth Layer — Bone Marrow Refinement	116	Begins refining his bone marrow; exchanges a Fifth Grade Merit token for a Dragon Blood Pearl to assist the process.
Grandmaster Realm	134	His breakthrough stuns Prince Qing's Estate and Bright Martial Hall.
Bronze Tower, Second Layer	136	His gang qi becomes purer, denser, and stronger.
Fearless Realm	286	Demonstrates the Fearless Sect's Mind Method and Fearless Realm while concealing its influence through the Dragon Transformation Technique.
Dragon Transformation Technique, Sixth Layer — Muscle Refining	289	Gains the ability to process previously unusable Heaven-Connecting Grass.
Glazed Blade, Second Realm	317	Breaks through his cultivation limit and begins the second realm of the Glazed Saber Scripture.
Scale Refining	385	Achieves initial success; his skin toughens and disperses incoming force.
Spirit Transformation Realm Perfection	410	Refines his Blade Intent through the plain saber and the Flying Heaven Sect's saber.
Grandmaster Perfection	443	Reaches Grandmaster Perfection, then experiments with the Startling Thunder Sword and Meridian Washing Art.
Grandmaster Realm (subsequent breakthrough)	448	After three days of training with the Kunlun Visualization Diagram and sword forging, enters a Grandmaster realm marked by a celestial phenomenon.
Divine Realm Skill	604	Cultivates a divine ability that creates Incarnations and gathers faith power.
Qi Transformation, Fourth Turn	621	In Chu Liezhao's body, reaches the fourth turn through the Immeasurable Light Sutra.
Great Brightness Fist, Spirit Entry	638	Rapidly comprehends the Spirit Entry level of the Great Brightness Fist.
Intent Transformation Realm	663 664	Comprehends Intent Transformation within Heavenly Will Pavilion; the pavilion's jade token shatters afterward.
Great Brightness Fist, Spirit Manifestation Perfection	770	Reaches the limit of Spirit Manifestation; Void Entry remains inaccessible at his cultivation level.
Human Yuan Art, complete	1060 1061	Completes the Human Yuan Art and gains a golden-dragon-enhanced Heavenly Dragon Divine Palm.
Heavenly Sword Secret Scripture, First Turn of Qi Transformation	1083	Reaches the first turn within two hours by using the scripture's shortcut.
Heavenly Sword Secret Scripture, Fifth Turn	1092	Uses mental sword visualization to accelerate True Essence circulation roughly tenfold.
Venerable Realm	1104	Reaches the Venerable realm after rapidly advancing through the Heavenly Sword Secret Scripture.
Heavenly Yuan Art, complete	1120	Completes the art, substantially improving Super Sensation's clarity and penetration.
Earthly Yuan Art, mastered	1228	Can visualize and manipulate earth through his Yongquan Acupoint, including teleporting others with him.
Perfection — understanding of Merit	1262	Reaches Perfection through insight into Merit as a force connecting worlds and governing breakthroughs.

Background / History

Chu Zhiyuan is the heir of Prince Qing, Chu Minghou, and Bai Ningshuang's son. His father cannot cultivate martial arts but is an accomplished master of calligraphy and painting; Chu Zhiyuan respects him deeply. His grandmother is Consort Rou, whose position in the palace suffered during Prince Qing's Estate's long period under seal. 2 3

On his first visit to Bright Martial Hall, Chu Qingfeng identifies him as a Perfected Houtian cultivator. Chu Zhiyuan receives Qingfeng's guidance on avoiding pill-based shortcuts, choosing instead to build a foundation capable of reaching Grandmaster. 3 4 His exceptional constitution and Super Sensation soon distinguish him from the other imperial heirs. 88

After reaching Xiantian, he joins the Ministry of Rites despite relatives considering the position a waste of his talent. He earns merit through campaigns against Demonic Humans, pursues advanced martial inheritances, and steadily turns Prince Qing's Estate into a more influential force. 20 33 102

Following his Grandmaster breakthrough, Chu Zhiyuan becomes increasingly involved in military organization, anti–Evil Sect operations, and court politics. He establishes the Seventh Battalion of the Imperial Guard and trains it in the Phoenix Seeks Phoenix Formation. 317

Chu Zhiyuan later uses the Heavenly Marriage Reincarnation Method to enter the body of the Jade Scenery Dynasty's Prince Chu Liezhao. He retains his own memories while inheriting parts of Liezhao's emotions and must alter his behavior carefully enough to avoid suspicion. 617 624 662

After ascending, he joins the Heavenly Sword Sect. There, he earns recognition through his Demon Subduing Saber Art, unprecedented sword comprehension, and a visualization-based method for cultivating the Heavenly Sword Secret Scripture. 1081 1106

Appearance

Chu Zhiyuan is repeatedly described as a tall, slender, strikingly handsome young man with an imposing yet refined bearing. His composure and gentle manner often contrast with the danger he presents in combat. 251 505 864

• His body refinement leaves his skin jade-like and conceals the robust aura expected of a martial cultivator. 333
• His appearance can be altered through disguise and transformation techniques when secrecy is required. 761 1149
• Following a major transformation, his skin becomes ivory-white and lustrous, while his pupils develop multiple irises. 766

Personality

Chu Zhiyuan is outwardly calm, courteous, and difficult to provoke. He remains composed before powerful cultivators, political pressure, and personal insults, often dismissing accusations of cowardice rather than letting others dictate his actions. 3 195

He is observant and calculating, preferring preparation, intelligence gathering, and decisive action over reckless confrontation. His Super Sensation gives him an unusual advantage, but he recognizes that human motives cannot always be fully read. 237 550 866

His benevolence is genuine but practical. He grieves for casualties, supports the families of guards who died for him, and seeks a clear conscience for cultivation; at the same time, he is willing to use fear, political leverage, body seizure, and calculated alliances to protect his interests and eliminate threats. 214 596 622 604 844

Abilities & Skills

Super Sensation and Insight

Chu Zhiyuan's defining ability is an extraordinary sensory perception that allows him to observe cultivation, emotions, traces, concealed identities, and environmental irregularities.

• Perceives an opponent's cultivation and Internal Energy flow at a glance. 99 154
• Tracks subtle traces such as hairs, footprints, scents, and hidden presences. 550
• Identifies Demon Race cultivators and Evil Sect activity with exceptional precision. 659 836
• Its Insight cannot penetrate Spirit Sealing Boxes and is partially obstructed by certain hidden areas and powers. 530 1271
• He limits its range when necessary to avoid exposing its abnormality to others. 923

Dragon Transformation Technique

A body-refining inheritance that strengthens Chu Zhiyuan's meridians, flesh, bone marrow, muscles, scales, and mental resilience.

• Allows him to withstand the power transferred through the Five Spirits Formation. 218
• Refines foreign or corruptive influences out of his body, including the Fearless Realm's spiritual contamination. 288 342
• Strengthens his mind and spirit at higher levels through the will of a Divine Dragon. 342
• Its later layers grant resistance to force and permit the use of Heaven-Connecting Grass. 289 385

Sword, Saber, and Blade Intent

Chu Zhiyuan is proficient in both sword and saber techniques and can integrate insights from disparate inheritances into a personal style.

• Masters the Great Avalanche Sword Art and defeats imperial relatives with a single move. 8
• Activates the Qingying Sword Art, which unifies mind and sword and counters the Greater Violet Sun Technique's influence. 21
• Develops Blade Intent through the Glazed Saber Scripture, eventually attaining Spirit Transformation Perfection. 410
• Uses the Demon Subduing Saber Art to annihilate demonic creatures and Black Sparrow Demons. 1081 1083
• Learns and shares a sword-visualization method that greatly accelerates Heavenly Sword Secret Scripture cultivation. 1092 1106

Great Brightness Fist

A royal martial skill whose effectiveness depends on harmony of mind, cultivation, and martial comprehension.

• Its power can exceed cultivation-realm limitations when trained to a sufficiently high martial realm. 623 638
• Reaches Spirit Entry rapidly and later Spirit Manifestation Perfection. 638 770
• Can shatter martial intent and produce devastating destructive force. 720
• Chu Zhiyuan uses it to defeat the Yuan Zhen Dynasty's Fifth Prince after destroying his treasure armor. 697

Yuan Arts and Spiritual Abyss Techniques

Chu Zhiyuan possesses several rare arts tied to the earth, human body, heavens, and Spiritual Abyss.

• Earthly Yuan Art — Draws Primal Qi from the earth, supplies frigid energy to weapons, and later permits earth-based teleportation. 87 1228
• Human Yuan Art — Completes an internal system linked to his Spiritual Abyss power and enhances the Heavenly Dragon Divine Palm. 1060 1061
• Heavenly Yuan Art — Enhances Super Sensation and enables him to better contend with demonic creatures. 1120
• Spiritual Abyss Body Cleansing Record — Connects him with the earth, strengthens his body, manifests the Heavenly Illusion Pavilion, and helps him bypass barriers. 847 849

Incarnations, Body Seizure, and Reincarnation

Chu Zhiyuan can extend his existence through several dangerous methods.

• Creates an External Incarnation by using Body Seizure through his Blade Soul; the incarnation shares his mind and can assume his appearance. 596
• Cultivates the Divine Realm Skill, allowing him to create Incarnations and collect faith power. 604
• Reincarnates into Chu Liezhao through the Heavenly Marriage Reincarnation Method, retaining his memories while managing the host body's inherited emotions. 617 662
• Can exchange positions with a clone across great distance through a light portal. 1193

Formations, Strategy, and Instruction

Chu Zhiyuan is an effective organizer and teacher rather than solely an individual combatant.

• Forms the Five Spirits Formation with his guards, drawing on their combined strength. 218
• Selects ten Innate Perfection cultivators and trains the Imperial Guard's Seventh Battalion. 317
• Gives tailored cultivation guidance at the Martial Arts Hall and helps others approach or enter Grandmaster. 347 391 441
• Uses observation, intelligence, and formations to pursue Evil Sect forces and protect his allies. 208 273

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Qingying Sword and scabbard — Bears the “Qingying” inscription that unlocks the Qingying Sword Art. 21
• Flying Daggers — Refined and controlled with mental power; later used as Evil-Dispelling Flying Daggers. 345 554
• Bright Moon Blade — His treasured blade, gradually gaining faint sentience after being infused with his energy. 317
• Golden Sword — A repeatedly refined sword with growing sentience that can draw on power associated with popular support. 1175 1181 1190
• Ancient Sword — Recovered from within the Heavenly Illusion Pavilion and absorbed into his Yongquan Acupoints. 849
• Phoenix Pattern Jade Pendant — Used during meditation and cultivation. 189
• Heavenly Illusion Pavilion — A controllable pavilion capable of creating large-scale illusions and covering an area of thirty li. 847
• Dragon Soaring Bell — Protects his mind from powerful mental attacks. 1228

Relationships

• Chu Minghou — Father and Prince Qing. Chu Zhiyuan respects his gentle, resilient father and supports his artistic cultivation. 3 97
• Bai Ningshuang — Mother. She is protective of him, worries about his marriage and well-being, and openly takes pride in his achievements. 21 134 184
• Chu Yi — Younger sister. He protects her interests, including rejecting an unsuitable marriage proposal on her behalf. 21 102
• Consort Rou — Paternal grandmother. Chu Zhiyuan seeks to treat her lingering illness and receives guidance from her regarding the throne and the Emperor's Sword. 275 277
• Chu Qingfeng — Senior relative and principal cultivation mentor. He tests Chu Zhiyuan, warns him against shortcuts, and continues advising him after his Grandmaster breakthrough. 3 4 134
• Xiao Ruoling — Wife and daughter of Duke An. Chu Zhiyuan initially refuses to rush their marriage, later develops an intimate partnership with her, and values her political and martial ability. 21 119 620
• Li Hongzhao — Rival, ally, and fellow prodigy. Their relationship develops from competition and mutual testing into strategic cooperation and shared cultivation insight. 132 588 1175 1262
• Zou Fang — Loyal attendant, confidant, and protector. He witnesses the creation of Chu Zhiyuan's External Incarnation and supports his covert operations. 596
• Huang Shirong — White Cloud Sword Palace Hall Master and trusted associate. They regularly exchange intelligence on sects, Evil Sect activity, and martial matters. 136 362
• Cheng Miaozhen — Great Zhen's Eighteenth Princess. They form a secret alliance to avoid an arranged marriage neither wants. 375 392
• Chu Liezhao — The Jade Scenery Dynasty prince whose body Chu Zhiyuan inhabits through reincarnation. 617 624
• Lu Wanshan — Heavenly Sword Sect Master. He recognizes Chu Zhiyuan's talent, gives him the Heavenly Sword Secret Scripture, and later validates his visualization method. 1081 1106
• Huang Zhengyang — Chief Administrator of the Evil Extermination Department. He becomes a valuable, though politically cautious, collaborator against Evil Venerable manifestations. 1163 1190 1194

Story Role / Major Arcs

Bright Martial Hall and Imperial Rise

Chu Zhiyuan emerges from Prince Qing's Estate as a gifted heir, enters Bright Martial Hall, rejects unstable cultivation shortcuts, and rapidly surpasses his imperial peers. His rise to Xiantian and the Ministry of Rites establishes him as both a martial prodigy and a growing political figure. 3 4 20

Merit, Rivalries, and Grandmaster Breakthrough

He earns merit against Demonic Humans, challenges powerful rivals such as Cheng Tianfeng, develops new martial inheritances, and reaches Grandmaster. His cultivation and public reputation make him a central figure in Great Jing's martial world. 33 97 134 149

Building Forces and Combating Evil Sects

Chu Zhiyuan recruits capable subordinates, trains martial cultivators and the Seventh Battalion, and repeatedly acts against the Jade Cauldron Sect, Fearless Sect, and other Evil Sect forces. His campaigns later extend beyond Great Jing, including the destruction of Evil Sect main altars in Great Meng. 55 286 317 588

Reincarnation into Chu Liezhao

Using the Heavenly Marriage Reincarnation Method, he assumes Chu Liezhao's body in the Jade Scenery Dynasty. He cultivates at Great Bright Peak, navigates suspicion from the imperial family, defeats rival princes, and gains access to the Jade Scenery Grotto-Heaven. 617 624 633 659

Ascension and the Heavenly Sword Sect

After ascending, Chu Zhiyuan becomes a Heavenly Sword Sect disciple. He rapidly advances through the Heavenly Sword Secret Scripture, contributes a visualization-based cultivation method, and gains influence through demon extermination and cooperation with the Evil Extermination Department. 1081 1083 1106 1163

Conflict with the Undying Evil Venerable

Chu Zhiyuan becomes a crucial opponent of the Undying Evil Venerable's statues and manifestations. He uses the Great Demon Subduing Seal, Demon Subduing Divine Tree, Golden Sword, and Heavenly Illusion Pavilion to destroy manifestations and refine their power into his own growing arsenal. 1190 1228 1247