Zhu Xi

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Zhu Xi (朱喜)
Gender	Male
Origin	Fulong County 5
Affiliation	Sun Moon Sword Sect; Labor Peak 2
Occupation/Role	Labor Disciple; medicine garden worker 2 18
First Appearance	Chapter 2

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Quasi-Martialist	2	Begins cultivating the Spirit Grade Top-tier Eight Directions Body Refining Technique and estimates that he can reach the 1,000-kilogram threshold for Qi Martial First Level within seven days. 2
Near Qi Martial Second Level	9	After one month in the sect, his cultivation has improved to the point that he is not far from Qi Martial Second Level. 9

Background / History

Arrival at Labor Peak

Zhu Xi entered the Sun Moon Sword Sect alongside Yang Chen. Assigned to Room 133, directly next to Yang Chen's residence, he suggested that the two keep in contact. 2

He immediately devoted himself to the Eight Directions Body Refining Technique, becoming so absorbed in cultivation that Yang Chen had to remind him to eat. After less than a shichen of practice, Zhu Xi reported that his strength had already increased by several points. 2

Zhu Xi and Yang Chen recognized their shared Fulong County background and agreed to support one another within the sect. 5

Medicine Garden Assignment

Zhu Xi was initially assigned to Herb Garden No. 23. 5 By the time of his later difficulties, he was working in a medicine garden and nearly lost the position after Zhou Tao accused him of framing him. Zhu Xi retained the assignment only by paying Supervisor Zheng eight Spirit Crystals and swearing an oath of innocence. 18

He warned Yang Chen that Zhou Tao might use his elder brother's influence to secure Yang Chen's easier spirit-field assignment after losing his own place in the medicine garden. 18

By Chapter 30, Zhu Xi, Wu Menglan, and Ji Ran were all assigned to Medicine Garden No. 16. 30

Conflicts with Other Disciples

Zhu Xi accepted a spar against a disciple of the previous cohort at Blood Martial First Level. He initially held the advantage, but his opponent continued attacking after being defeated and injured him. 57

Later, Lei Xiong assaulted Zhu Xi alongside Meng Shijun and Xue Cang while provoking their cohort. 63

When rumors spread that Yang Chen would fight Lei Xiong in a life-and-death duel, Zhu Xi tried to contact Yang Chen out of concern, but Yang Chen did not receive the message while focusing on Sword Intent cultivation. 70 71

Appearance

After his first month at the sect, Zhu Xi had grown thinner and taller, with Yang Chen comparing his build to a bamboo pole. 9

• Often appears worn out from prolonged cultivation. 5
• His physical changes reflect his rapid early training. 9

Personality

Zhu Xi is intensely devoted to cultivation, repeatedly becoming so immersed in training that he forgets meals or pushes himself to exhaustion. 2 5 8 He is ambitious about his progress and initially confident about his prospects on the cultivation rankings, though Yang Chen encourages him to temper his expectations. 11

He values his friendship with Yang Chen and their shared hometown connection, warning him about potential danger and trying to reach him when the rumored duel with Lei Xiong emerges. 18 70 71 His enthusiasm also extends beyond cultivation: he develops feelings for Wu Menglan and spends heavily on a meal to impress her and Ji Ran. 29

In combat, Zhu Xi can be confident and capable, but his spar with the black-clothed youth shows that he can underestimate an opponent's ruthlessness. 57

Abilities & Skills

Eight Directions Body Refining Technique

Zhu Xi cultivates the Spirit Grade Top-tier Eight Directions Body Refining Technique, which rapidly improves physical strength during the Qi Martial Realm. 2

• Gained measurable strength after less than a shichen of initial cultivation. 2
• Relied on intensive training to approach Qi Martial Second Level within his first month. 9
• His excessive training sometimes leaves him visibly fatigued. 5

Martial Arts Combat

Zhu Xi is willing to represent his cohort in formal sparring matches. 57

• Initially gained the upper hand against a Blood Martial First Level opponent. 57
• Was injured when that opponent refused to concede and continued the attack. 57

Equipment / Items

• Sound Transmission Bamboo — Purchased from Wang Feng for one Spirit Crystal, allowing communication with Yang Chen. 5
• Eight Directions Body Refining Technique — Spirit Grade Top-tier cultivation method issued upon joining the sect. 2

Relationships

• Yang Chen — Neighbor, fellow Fulong County native, and close friend. They support one another in the sect, though Yang Chen temporarily resented Zhu Xi for the troubles surrounding Zhou Han before letting go of that grievance. 2 5 57
• Wu Menglan — Senior sister for whom Zhu Xi has romantic feelings; he treated her and Ji Ran to an expensive meal in hopes of deepening their relationship. 29
• Ji Ran — Fellow Medicine Garden No. 16 disciple and companion of Wu Menglan. Zhu Xi escorted Wu Menglan back after a drinking gathering, leaving Yang Chen to care for the heavily intoxicated Ji Ran. 30
• Meng Shijun — Cohort peer who advised Zhu Xi before his spar and defended him after his opponent's dishonorable attack. 57
• Zhou Tao — Conflict arose when Zhou Tao accused Zhu Xi of framing him in the medicine garden; Zhu Xi paid eight Spirit Crystals to keep his assignment. 18
• Lei Xiong — Previous-cohort disciple who beat Zhu Xi while challenging prominent members of his cohort. 63
• Wang Feng — Senior brother from whom Zhu Xi purchased a Sound Transmission Bamboo. 5