Chen Xin

Biodata

Background / History

Taking in Li Zhexian

Chen Xin encountered Li Zhexian in the mountains and discovered that a golden shield inside the child repelled his Soul Power. Although Li Zhexian insisted that being attacked would make him stronger, Chen Xin refused to hit him and warned that neither Soul Beasts nor Soul Masters could be treated as harmless training partners 2.

He carried Li Zhexian to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect on a flying sword feather, secured him a place to live, and arranged his Martial Soul Awakening. The next morning, he brought the child breakfast and accompanied him to the Awakening Hall, where Li Zhexian manifested the Azure Lotus Sword and tested with Innate Full Soul Power 2 3.

Six Years of Instruction

Chen Xin began teaching Li Zhexian basic thrusts, blocking, footwork, and grip control. When the child could not draw out his Soul Power, Chen Xin examined his meridians, confirmed that the shield obstructed its movement, and searched the sect’s library for an explanation. He prescribed daily sword practice and meditation rather than rushing cultivation 4 5.

As Li Zhexian remained at level ten for years, Chen Xin continued sparring with him and challenged disciples who mocked his stagnation. When elders questioned the resources spent on him, Chen Xin defended the original awakening result and offered to take responsibility for any genuine problem 5.

The Broken Engagement

During Li Zhexian’s arena match with Shi Potian, Chen Xin initially tried to stop him from receiving an attack. After Li Zhexian won, Chen Xin used Sword Qi to prevent Shi Potian from retaliating and ordered him to admit defeat. He subsequently cautioned Li Zhexian about the danger his sword strike had posed to spectators 7 8.

When Shi Potian later demanded that Li Zhexian leave the sect, Chen Xin rejected his claim to speak for its leadership and drove him away. Following Ning Rongrong’s decision to end the engagement, Chen Xin confronted Ning Fengzhi over his failure to intervene, pointing out that Li Zhexian, like Rongrong, was only twelve 9 10.

Protecting the Twin Martial Souls Secret

Chen Xin witnessed the appearance of Li Zhexian’s Drunken Immortal Wine Pot. While he examined the boy’s meridians, Li Zhexian’s Soul Power surged from rank thirteen to the peak of rank twenty, prompting Chen Xin to question his reckless experimentation 15.

When Li Zhexian attempted to push further despite coughing blood, Chen Xin first threatened to stop him by breaking his sword. He ultimately agreed to guard him for half an hour, using Sword Qi to bar access to the rear mountain and ordering witnesses not to discuss the incident 16.

Afterward, Chen Xin refused to permit a forced examination. He insisted that Li Zhexian could explain his secrets when he was ready—or remain silent—and declared him both his child and a disciple of the sect 17.

Li Zhexian’s Departure

As Spirit Hall began investigating Li Zhexian, Chen Xin intercepted a black-clad spy outside the sect. He deflected the man’s needles and recovered a scroll bearing Li Zhexian’s portrait, but the spy died before completing his explanation of who had sent him 20.

Before Li Zhexian departed, Chen Xin supplied dried meat, steamed buns, Silver Soul Coins, injury medicine, and a small flask of strong wine. He walked him to the mountain gate, warned him about strangers and dishonest opponents, and assured him that he had never considered him trash 21.

Chen Xin remained at the gate after Li Zhexian left. When Ning Rongrong asked why he had not stopped him, he explained that Li Zhexian had made his own decision and could not simply be tied up and kept in the sect 22.

Appearance

• White hair, described blowing behind him during his confrontation with Ning Fengzhi 10.
• A longsword at his waist, which he frequently touches or partially draws when issuing a warning 16 21.

Personality

Chen Xin is stern and practical, especially about training and survival. He corrects Li Zhexian’s stance and grip directly, refuses to indulge his requests for dangerous attacks, and repeatedly emphasizes that becoming a Soul Master is not an excuse to gamble with one’s life 2 4 5.

His affection is expressed through everyday care: bringing breakfast, leaving spirit fruits, checking injuries, and preparing travel supplies. He downplays these gestures, claiming that he merely collected Li Zhexian’s carefully packed provisions “on the way” 3 4 13 21.

Despite his protectiveness, Chen Xin respects Li Zhexian’s privacy and eventual decision to leave. He does not force an explanation of the boy’s unusual abilities and opposes others attempting to examine him without consent 13 17 22.

Abilities & Skills

Swordsmanship and Sword Qi

• Uses precise sword light to cut stone near a target without directly striking them 2 7 9.
• Projects Sword Qi over a distance, including a strand sent into Li Zhexian’s body from more than ten paces away 8.
• Establishes a Sword Qi barrier that prevents approaching disciples and sect leaders from reaching the rear mountain 16.
• Deflects three thrown needles with a sword sweep and blocks a fleeing spy with sword light 20.

Sword-Feather Flight

• Transforms a sword feather into a three-foot-long sword and rides it through the air while carrying Li Zhexian 2.
• Repels an attacking Black-Winged Bird during the journey to the sect 2.

Soul Power Examination and Protection

• Sends Soul Power through another person’s meridians to assess their condition and cultivation changes 2 4 13 15.
• Shields Ning Rongrong and nearby disciples with Soul Power during the manifestation of the Drunken Immortal Wine Pot 15.
• Cannot pass his probing Soul Power through Li Zhexian’s golden shield; it repeatedly repels his examinations 2 8 12.

Teaching

• Teaches thrusting, blocking, balance, wrist stability, and controlled striking through repeated wooden-sword drills 4 5.
• Teaches a breathing rhythm that Li Zhexian later uses to guide Soul Power through his dantian and palm during Soul Ring absorption 34.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Longsword and scabbard — Carried at his waist and used in combat and protective interventions 16 20 21.
• Wooden training swords — Used for demonstrations and repeated sparring with Li Zhexian 4 5.
• Sword tassel — Given to Li Zhexian after bringing him to the sect; later exchanged with Ning Rongrong as an engagement token 2 3.

Relationships

• Li Zhexian — His ward and swordsmanship student. Li Zhexian calls him “Uncle Jian”; Chen Xin explicitly calls him “my child” and supports him throughout six years of stalled cultivation 5 17 18.
• Ning Fengzhi — Sect master, who addresses him as “Uncle Jian.” Chen Xin challenges his handling of Li Zhexian’s treatment and the broken engagement 3 10.
• Ning Rongrong — Calls him “Grandpa Jian” and turns to him for answers after Li Zhexian leaves. Chen Xin protects her during the rear-mountain incident 16 22.
• Gu Rong — A fellow sect figure who exchanges familiar barbs with him and questions whether he protects Li Zhexian too closely 16 17.
• Shi Potian — A sect disciple Chen Xin repeatedly restrains for threatening or attempting to retaliate against Li Zhexian 7 9.

Notable Quotes

“The path of a Soul Master isn't about gambling with your life.” 2

“My child, and a disciple of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.” 17

“Anyone who wants to examine him by force can ask my sword first.” 17

“I've never thought of you as trash.” 21