Du Ze:

He is a fellow student in Nie Li’s fighter apprentice class at the Holy Orchid Institute. Hailing from the humble Du family, he faces financial challenges as a commoner. However, he compensates with his diligent work ethic and decent talent. He is only 14 and belongs to a human tribe. He has brown hair. According to personality, he is hardworking, determined, and honourable. His father’s name is Du Meng.

Appearance:

While his appearance isn’t detailed in the novel, the manhua depicts him with brown hair and eyes. Known for his straightforward, honourable, and overly serious demeanour, he often takes on the role of a responsible older brother, engaging in friendly arguments with Lu Piao over his lazy tendencies. Du Ze deeply admires and respects Nie Li, carrying a significant burden within his heart as his two sisters had to marry disabled individuals from the neighboring village to afford his education at the Holy Orchid Institute.

Backstory:

One of Nie Li’s closest friends, he tragically lost his life while defending Glory City during the demon beast attack. During the battle, Wei Nan, Zhu Xiangjun, and Zhang Ming served as his direct subordinates, fighting alongside him.

Du Ze

Despite the mismatch between his form and attribute, he dedicated himself to mastering the Sacred Flame cultivation technique. Through immense effort and perseverance, he achieved the rank of 1-star gold-class demon spiritualist and elevated his family’s status to that of aristocrats.

Powers:

Du Ze possesses a yellow soul realm, granting him a starting soul force of 52. Upon testing, it’s discovered that he possesses the Heavenly Thundercloud form with the lightning fire attribute, which enables his soul force to grow at a commendable rate due to the harmonious match between his form and attribute.

Du Ze’s cultivation continues to progress with the assistance of elixirs provided by Nie Li and the use of Purple Haze Grass. Despite facing challenges in surging his soul force, he diligently dedicates himself to cultivation.

After a month of focused training with Nie Li, Lu Piao, and others, Du Ze made significant progress, reaching a strength of 500 and attaining the 5-star bronze rank. His spiritual power also exceeded 500.

Following another month, Du Ze reunites with Nie Li at the City Lord’s mansion and receives an Abyss Tiger god-level growth rate demon spirit. At some point, he breaks through to the silver rank and successfully integrates the demon spirit into his soul realm, although the extent of his progress into the silver rank remains undisclosed.

During the expedition into the Ten Millennium Spatial Array, Nie Li discovers many Blood Crystals in the Silver Winged Family’s village. With the aid of these crystals, Du Ze manages to break through to the 1-star Gold rank.

Through his dedicated training and utilization of the Demon Spirit Devouring Technique, Du Ze achieves the remarkable feat of reaching the 5-star Gold rank.

Powers of Du Ze

In their journey to the Nether Realm, the group’s cultivation undergoes rapid advancement with the assistance of the Soul Array, propelling Du Ze to the 4-star Black Gold rank. Upon entering the Nine-Layered Deathlands, Du Ze consumes one of the Spiritual Origin Fruits, significantly elevating his cultivation close to the legend rank.

During his participation in the Lord of Nether’s Disciple Selection, Du Ze enters the Black Infernal Tower and absorbs the black flames, enhancing his body and soul. Additionally, when Nie Li’s soul realm undergoes a surge and breaks through into the Legend rank, Du Ze experiences a profound transformation, leaping directly to the 2-star Legend rank. Furthermore, he acquires the Celestial Qilin as a demon spirit, greatly augmenting his innate abilities.

Duan Jian Revenge Arc:

During Duan Jian’s Revenge Arc, Nie Li accompanies Duan Jian to the Abyss Prison Realm to fulfil his quest for vengeance. Upon his return to Glory City, Nie Li assembles everyone and announces their departure for the Nether Realm the following day.

As the group nears the entrance of the Nether Realm, they encounter Luqian Sha and Luqian Mo, two high-level legend rank demon beasts who have guarded Yu Yan in the Black Spring for the past 10,000 years. Nie Li and Yu Yan engage in a battle against Luqian Sha, while Duan Jian and Luo Ming confront Luqian Mo.

Du Ze, lacking the strength to participate directly in the fight, stands guard nearby. However, he contributes by providing Nie Li and Duan Jian with additional soul force through the Soul array.

Following the intense battle, everyone is astounded by the power of Nie Li’s Draconic Bombs. Yu Yan expresses her apologies for putting everyone in danger, and Nie Li searches the bodies of Luqian Sha and Luqian Mo. He then gifts Du Ze the legend-rank Silvermoon Long Sword that he discovers.

Du Ze of Manga Tales of Demons and Gods

Leaving for the Draconic Ruins Realm Arc

Before bidding farewell and returning to Glory City, Nie Li suggests that the group accompany him to the Endless Desert in search of the Desert Palace. While traversing the desert, both Nie Li and Ye Ziyun fall into contemplation. Suddenly, without explanation, Ye Ziyun slaps Nie Li.

Despite their doubts, the group persists in searching for the elusive Desert Palace, questioning its existence. Nie Li then enters a deep trance-like state, leading them to ancient ruins that have long been destroyed. Confused, Nie Li wanders among the ruins before falling unconscious.

The group eventually returns to Glory City, where Nie Li remains comatose for about a month. Throughout this time, Ye Ziyun or Xiao Ning’er remains constantly by his side, caring for him and attempting to aid in his recovery. When Nie Li finally regains consciousness, Du Ze rushes to his side, relieved to find him safe.