Zhelu

Zhelu is the many-eyed abbot of the Emptiness Dao, whose authority and strength shape the Buddhist lands’ campaigns against rival powers.

Biography

A Thousand-Eyed Abbot

As Emptiness Dao’s Maha, Zhelu watches over distant events through his thousand eyes and commands the Merciful Ones beneath him. During the struggle over Metallic Essence, he takes advantage of the fighting to seize a share, but Zipei ambushes him on the way out. With the formation and other Mahas closing off escape, Zhelu has to surrender the treasure rather than force a losing battle. (Chapters 767 and 890)

Northern Pressure and a Costly Retreat

Zhelu later suppresses the hidden Huixu Demon Subduing Grand Formation from within, helping hold Daoist Masters at bay while Daisi serves as the Emptiness Dao’s visible opponent. When Ling Mei’s forces press the northern Buddhists, Zhelu remains after the Buddhist land disperses to limit losses among the Merciful Ones, then withdraws into the great void. In a later clash, he is badly wounded: more than seventy percent of the eyes across his body are shattered. (Chapters 1344, 1352 and 1428)

Directing the Southern Campaign

After the northern conflict, Zhelu convenes the Mahas and urges them to move south. When Minghui volunteers the Lotus Temple as the vanguard, Zhelu lets him choose its personnel. Minghui selects Daisi, and Zhelu’s silent glance is enough to make Daisi comply. His warning that failure to suppress the White Qilin would answer to Dayang Mountain shows that his leadership must serve a wider campaign as well as hold together rival Buddhist interests. (Chapters 1691–1692)

Appearance and personality

Zhelu’s face is covered in restless black eyes, and his immense golden body bears hundreds of arms with an eye in each palm. He speaks with measured authority and remains composed even when facing a stronger sword immortal. (Chapters 1352 and 1691)

Abilities and cultivation

Zhelu is a Maha whose strength is comparable to the late Purple Mansion stage; by Chapter 1691, he has reached the threshold of the sixth incarnation. His many eyes let him observe from afar, while his great body and multiple arms produce overwhelming force in battle. He can also personally suppress the Huixu Demon Subduing Grand Formation from the great void, with a spirit artifact serving as its core support. Ling Mei’s attacks can injure him despite those advantages, eventually shattering most of his eyes. (Chapters 767, 1337, 1344, 1428 and 1691)

Relationships

• Daisi: A fellow Maha whom Zhelu promoted and can direct as a junior within the Emptiness Dao. (Chapter 1346)
• Minghui: A Lotus Temple Maha whose choice to lead the southern vanguard forces Zhelu to balance cooperation with his own authority. (Chapter 1692)
• Ling Mei: A powerful sword immortal who confronts Zhelu and leaves him badly wounded. (Chapters 1352 and 1428)

Items

Daisi uses a dark-gold demon-subduing lotus called the Three Retributions World Entering Lotus and associated with Zhelu, though its ownership remains uncertain. (Chapter 1338)