Nantian Yijian

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Nantian Yijian (南天一剑)
Alias(es)	“Little beggar”; claims the identity of a young master of the Nantian Sect; later abandons the name Nantian Yijian after being crippled in the reflective account of Chapter 1 1
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Fengtian Prefecture; Jun Wudi’s final disciple; Hunter Horse Squad 16 20
Occupation/Role	Cultivator; zither-and-sword user
Status	Active; Lu Chen intends to reunite with him and the others 50
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Qi Gathering Realm, 5th level	13	Introduces himself as a fifth-level Qi Gathering cultivator after Lu Chen rescues him from an Earth-Shaking Tiger.
Qi Gathering Realm, 6th level	15	Advances while training beside Lu Chen; reaches the introductory stage of Sword Control Technique and can control one sword from the Qiankun Thirty-Six Sword Qin.
Qi Gathering Realm, 8th level	30	Advances while gathering treasures in the Secret Realm with Jun Wudi; his Spiritual Energy begins to liquefy.

Background / History

Chapter 1 presents Nantian Yijian as a former beggar who adopted the name “Nantian Yijian” and passed himself off as a young master of the Nantian Sect. He entered the Jianghu with Lu Chen and Young Master Jun, hoping to become a sage and create an era where all races could coexist. His ambition ended in disaster: his arms were severed, his flying sword broke, and he was thrown from Kite Cliff, surviving only after wild dogs dragged him for miles. Thereafter, he no longer used the name Nantian Yijian. 1

In the same chapter’s dream of a second chance, he resolves to take up his thirty-six broken flying swords and open a path of cultivation for ordinary people, even if he must “deceive the world and steal fame.” 1

In the present storyline, Nantian Yijian is an orphan from the border between the Nantian and Jianghai Regions. He entered a local sect at age nine and spent five years reaching the fifth level of the Qi Gathering Realm. After finding a storage bag containing cultivation resources and an ancient zither in a Secret Realm, he was falsely accused by a sect elder of stealing sect treasures and forced to flee into the Demonic Beast Forest. 13

Lu Chen saves him from an Earth-Shaking Tiger and returns the zither after restoring its spiritual power. Moved by Lu Chen’s insistence that what belongs to him should remain his, Nantian Yijian pledges himself to Lu Chen as his “boss” and begins cultivating alongside him. 13

Appearance

Nantian Yijian is a boy of approximately fourteen or fifteen when Lu Chen meets him in the Demonic Beast Forest. 13

• Often dresses in a plain white robe while playing his zither. 18
• Carries the rusty ancient Qiankun Thirty-Six Sword Qin. 13
• Uses the appearance and bearing of a “young master,” despite his impoverished origins. 1

Personality

Nantian Yijian is talkative, excitable, and intensely curious. Shortly after joining Lu Chen, he continually asks about Lu Chen’s realm, training, and techniques, to the point that Lu Chen gives him a Sword Control Technique largely to stop the questions. 14 15

His years as an unsupported orphan leave him deeply grateful for kindness. Lu Chen’s protection and refusal to take his treasure give him his first sense of being cared for, making his loyalty immediate and sincere. He risks his life to follow Lu Chen into battle against hostile cultivators and vows to help rescue Blind Lu. 13 14

He is also vain and spectacularly lacking in self-awareness regarding his zither playing. He considers his harsh, disruptive performances artistic masterpieces even after being cursed at, expelled from camp, and beaten by fellow cultivators. 16 18

Abilities & Skills

Sword Control Technique

Lu Chen teaches Nantian Yijian a Sword Control Technique designed for use with a guqin. Nantian Yijian develops it into his own style, the Nantian Thirty-Six Swords. 15

• Can combine the technique with the Qiankun Thirty-Six Sword Qin. 15
• Reaches the introductory stage while traveling with Lu Chen. 15
• Can initially control only one flying sword. 15

Zither Technique

Nantian Yijian plays the Qiankun Thirty-Six Sword Qin with extreme confidence but very poor musical skill. 16 18

• His performances cause listeners distress and drive cultivators to physically stop him. 16 18
• His music agitates nearby Demonic Beasts, creating danger for Lu Chen and Young Master Jun during a hunt. 18
• His disruptive playing later gains a reputation as a “demonic musical art.” 17

Combat Resolve

Though weaker than Lu Chen, Nantian Yijian does not abandon him in danger. 14

• Charges hostile cultivators alongside Lu Chen despite believing he may die. 14
• Uses his magical artifact against one of the attacking cultivators. 14
• Helps Lu Chen after the battle with the Sky-Swallowing Python. 19

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Qiankun Thirty-Six Sword Qin — Ancient zither Magic Treasure originally made by Feng Tiancheng for the Palace Front Ceremony Official. It releases small flying swords after being activated with the Lingguan Art. 13
• Nantian Thirty-Six Swords — Nantian Yijian’s name for his Sword Control Technique used with the sword qin; he can initially wield one sword. 15
• Heavenly Net — Magical treasure given to him by Lu Chen after their battle with hostile cultivators. 14
• Weapons and equipment from defeated cultivators — Given to him by Lu Chen as spoils of war. 14

Relationships

• Lu Chen — Savior, sworn brother, and self-proclaimed “boss.” Nantian Yijian follows him after Lu Chen restores and returns his zither; he vows to cultivate and help rescue Lu Chen’s grandfather. 13 14
• Jun Laoye / Young Master Jun — Sworn brother and fellow Hunter Horse Squad member. Their bond begins through Lu Chen’s rescue of Jun Laoye and continues within Fengtian Prefecture. 14 20
• Jun Wudi — Master; accepts Nantian Yijian and Lu Chen as his final disciples. 16
• Nantian Wan’er — Shares the Nantian surname but is not personally known to her when Lu Chen asks about him. 24

Story Role / Major Arcs

Demonic Beast Forest

Nantian Yijian is introduced while lost and fleeing pursuit in the Demonic Beast Forest. After Lu Chen saves him, he offers the Qiankun Thirty-Six Sword Qin in repayment, receives it back, and chooses to follow Lu Chen permanently. 13

Rescue of Jun Laoye

He follows Lu Chen into a fight against the cultivators surrounding Jun Laoye and his servant, sustaining injuries in the process. Lu Chen later gives him the enemies’ equipment and a Heavenly Net. 14

Training and Fengtian Prefecture

While accompanying Lu Chen, Nantian Yijian advances to the sixth level of the Qi Gathering Realm and begins learning Sword Control Technique. Jun Wudi subsequently accepts him as a final disciple alongside Lu Chen. 15 16

Zither Incidents and the Hunter Horse Squad

Nantian Yijian’s terrible zither playing turns him into a nuisance among Fengtian Prefecture’s cultivators, leading to his beating and the birth of his feared “demonic musical art.” He later engineers a sworn-brotherhood pact with Lu Chen and Young Master Jun, founding the Hunter Horse Squad. 17 18 20

Secret Realm Treasure Hunt

He enters the Secret Realm with the Fengtian Prefecture group, helps observe the opening of its passage, and later gathers treasures with Jun Wudi. By the time Lu Chen and Nantian Wan’er undergo heavenly tribulation, Nantian Yijian has reached the eighth level of the Qi Gathering Realm. 21 30

Notable Quotes

“From today onwards, you are my boss, and I will follow you!” 13

“If I’m going to die, I’ll die! Better to die early and reincarnate.” 14

“This is a masterpiece by a young master, peerless and unique. You just don’t get it.” 18

Trivia

• His name, Nantian Yijian, literally emphasizes “one sword,” fitting his initial ability to control only one flying sword. 15
• Feng Tiancheng connects the Qiankun Thirty-Six Sword Qin to the feared Palace Front Ceremony Official, who could leave “a sea of corpses” after playing it. 13
• He is described as friendly and boisterous enough to quickly become brothers with Jun family disciples. 17