Ji Juechen

Biodata

Power Progression

Appearance

• Introduced as a young man wearing ordinary clothes and carrying an iron sword in his arms 4.
• Keeps his swords wrapped in old cloth; when leaving for Spirit City, his luggage consists of two wrapped iron swords 13.
• His old swords are visibly worn but meticulously maintained, with spotless blades and grips polished by repeated use 14.
• Has recurring wounds on his hands from gripping his sword tightly, prompting Du Wenhe to give him wrist guards 13.

Personality

Ji Juechen is quiet, direct, and intensely devoted to swordsmanship. Hearing that Shen Zhaolin is a powerful four-ring Soul Ancestor makes him want to challenge the man immediately, despite the late hour. His fixation extends beyond formal practice: he traces sword movements while eating and interprets Xu Sheng’s demonstration of lifting a wagon as an opportunity to improve a thrust 4 6.

His interest lies more in understanding combat than collecting victories. When discussing a Soul Fighting Arena match, he describes the opponent’s Martial Soul and an interesting sword exchange before mentioning that he won. He also meditates with exceptional patience, remaining still for long periods 6 41.

Despite his eagerness to spar, he respects practical responsibilities. He stops an unfinished match with Meng Xingzhou because the team has an assignment the next day. In dangerous situations, he prioritizes protecting others, holding his position against Dong Chang despite injuries and insisting that Du Wenhe be evacuated first 9 10 29.

Abilities & Skills

Swordsmanship

Ji Juechen relies on precision, timing, and control rather than elaborate techniques. Yue Guan takes an interest in him after he redirects a falling twig without damaging nearby leaves or adding an unnecessary strike 14.

• Repeated-point strikes: Lands successive attacks on the same cut in a hardwood target and the same spot on Shen Zhaolin’s wooden staff, splitting the former and cracking the latter 4.
• Weak-point targeting: Attacks gaps in Dong Chang’s scales, Luo Xiao’s exposed armpit and ribs, and the moving joints of armored beasts 9 21 33 44.
• Deflection: Redirects attacks rather than always meeting them head-on, including a Golden Feather Falcon’s beak and a Man Faced Demon Spider’s leg 5 31.
• Controlled thrusts: Demonstrates a Soul Power-enhanced thrust that stops precisely before a wooden rack 27.
• Adaptation: Studies unfamiliar attacks between matches and develops counters, including a defense against Xu Sheng’s new aerial approach 6 13.

Sword Martial Soul and Soul Skills

His Sword Martial Soul channels power into the physical sword he carries. Both of his documented Soul Skills enhance Soul Power rather than producing flashy attacks 4 14.

• Can activate both rings together to concentrate greater power into his blade 21 27 34.
• His skill does not eliminate differences in cultivation: Shen Zhaolin stops his attack through superior Soul Power, while Dong Chang injures him and nearly breaks his iron sword 4 10.
• Heavy armor can resist his blade, requiring him to exploit an opening joint rather than cut directly through the surface 33 34.

Interception and Team Combat

Ji Juechen frequently blocks enemy movement while his companions rescue civilians or prepare follow-up attacks 9 21 31.

• Route denial: Places his sword where an opponent intends to step or land, halting Yue Zheng’s advance and disrupting Luo Xiao’s escape 19 20 21.
• Defensive coverage: Holds narrow passages alongside Lu Song’s shield and guards injured people during evacuation 10 31.
• Coordinated attacks: Exploits openings created by vines, shield maneuvers, chain restraints, and flanking attacks 21 33 34.
• Guard duty: Keeps restrained Chu Heng under observation, moving his sword whenever the prisoner moves 46.

Equipment

• Iron swords — His original weapons. One is nearly broken by Dong Chang; by the Spirit City assessment, he carries two old swords, one with a repaired edge and another chipped near the tip 10 14.
• Refined-steel longsword — Obtained with Yue Guan’s permission after the elder evaluates his swordsmanship. It survives the fight against Luo Xiao without chipping 14 21 23.
• Wrist guards — Given by Du Wenhe to protect the recurring wounds caused by his tight grip 13.
• Wooden practice weapons — Uses sticks to test defensive adjustments and participate in team exercises 6 7.

History

Recruitment and Early Training

Xu Sheng recruits Ji Juechen through a Golden Recruitment Token while establishing himself in Soto. Xu Sheng wants a capable teammate; Ji Juechen wants strong opponents against whom to test his sword. Shen Zhaolin admits him to Spirit Hall as reserve field personnel after seeing his abilities, arranging training and duty shifts equivalent to those of other two-ring Soul Masters 4.

Ji Juechen becomes Xu Sheng’s regular sparring partner, adapting to his wing-assisted movement and later testing his Soul Skills. During Xu Sheng’s first Soul Ring hunt, he deflects the Golden Feather Falcon’s attack away from Du Wenhe, creating the opening for Xu Sheng’s finishing strike. He subsequently serves as the opponent in the bell-guarding exercise that tests Xu Sheng, Lu Song, Ren Yu, and Mo Yifan’s teamwork 5 7.

Quarry Rescue

During the rescue of Tang Heng, a mother, and eight children, Ji Juechen and Du Wenhe occupy Dong Chang while the others evacuate the captives. Ji Juechen remains between Dong Chang and the escape route despite a bleeding hand 9.

When Du Wenhe becomes trapped beneath fallen debris, Ji Juechen defends him until the team can free him, then helps hold the passage during the withdrawal. He suffers a shoulder wound and damage to his sword. During recovery, he continues practicing with his less-proficient left hand 10 11.

Spirit City and the Blood Angels

Ji Juechen accompanies Xu Sheng to Spirit City and demonstrates his two Soul Skills and precise sword control before Yue Guan. He even accepts the possibility of testing swords with the elder, though Yue Guan declines to spar that day. The visit earns him a new sword 13 14.

He helps restore Red Pine Courtyard and continues training with its residents. During Jiang Shi’s Soul Ring hunt, he prevents Yue Zheng’s group from advancing. In the subsequent battle against Luo Xiao, he repeatedly obstructs the three-ring Soul Elder’s escape and pierces him beneath the ribs immediately before Xu Sheng delivers the killing attack 17 19 21.

Bluestone Gorge Rescue

During the joint assignment with Meng Xingzhou’s team, Xu Sheng carries Ji Juechen across the broken gorge after he eats Xu Lizhi’s lightness-granting Xiaolongbao. Ji Juechen immediately shields the injured Zhao Feng from a Man Faced Demon Spider, later holding it back alongside Wen Zhao while the evacuation continues 31.

In the later quarry battle, he targets the spider’s leg joints and severs an injured front leg as the team exposes its underside. Afterward, he evaluates Xu Sheng’s two decisive attacks, calling the second “very good” 33 34.

Return to Soto

Back in Soto, Ji Juechen practices during the day and competes at the Soul Fighting Arena in the evening 38 41.

When the joint hunting expedition turns dangerous, he helps protect the retreat from century-old Steel-Bristled Boars. He then fights Chu Heng alongside He Zheng and Xu Sheng, helping subdue the level-32 Soul Elder and remaining to guard him afterward 44 45 46.

Relationships

• Xu Sheng — Recruiter, team leader, roommate, and regular sparring partner. Xu Sheng looks after his injuries and equipment; Ji Juechen helps him test new techniques and provides unusually valued, concise feedback 4 10 23 34.
• Shen Zhaolin — Spirit Hall superior and early sparring opponent. Approves his admission and demonstrates the power gap between a Soul Grandmaster and a four-ring Soul Ancestor 4.
• Du Wenhe — Field-duty colleague and support partner. Coordinates with him against Dong Chang and later gives him wrist guards 9 10 13.
• Yue Guan — Elder who recognizes his focus and sword control, authorizes a replacement sword, and arranges contact with another sword user 14 27.
• Lu Song — Teammate whose shield complements his sword during defensive stands and coordinated training 7 10 11.
• Wen Zhao — Training and combat companion; helps him hold off the demon spider during the gorge evacuation 17 31.
• Meng Xingzhou — Recurring sparring partner. Their first documented bout ends unfinished to preserve their readiness for duty, and they continue exchanging blows during later courtyard visits 29 36.
• He Zheng — Frontline ally in the battle to stop and restrain Chu Heng 44 46.

Notable Quotes

“I can practice on the way.” 4

“Get Deacon Du out first! Lu Song and I will hold him off.” 10

“I might not win the next one.” 41