Zhang Xi

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Zhang Xi (张翕)
Alias(es)	Xi'er; Young Master; Young Family Head; Family Head 417 572 648
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Zhang Family; Baishi Village; Qi Lu Academy; Zhang Family forces in the Ancient Luo Yi Battlefield
Occupation/Role	Eldest son of Zhang Mingshu; former Young Family Head; family administrator and diplomat; nominal Family Head 329 408 648
Status	Unknown; last seen after the Beast King transported him into an unknown void 676
First Appearance	Chapter 168

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Pre-cultivation — Unified Qi Technique	224	Began learning the Star Cult's introductory sorcerer method, but showed little progress and lower comprehension than Zhang Wushuang. 224
Yin Yang Harmony Cultivation Method	336	Received the method in a dream from the Great Willow Tree and successfully began cultivating it. 336
Scholar Realm	399	Reached the Scholar Realm after years of study and examinations, though his Scholar path remained unbalanced. 399 421
Peak Foundation Establishment Realm	495	Held peak Foundation Establishment cultivation, Scholar Realm attainment, and a fifth-tier Yin Spirit; his combat strength was comparable to a Core Formation cultivator. 495
Late Core Formation Realm	568	Entered the Second Heaven Secret Realm's Ancient Luo Yi Battlefield as a late Core Formation cultivator. 568
Early Spirit Transformation Realm	638	Returned from the Ancient Luo Yi Battlefield after roughly a decade at the early Spirit Transformation Realm, having surpassed Zhang Mingshu in realm. 638

Background / History

Birth and early education

Zhang Xi was born while Zhang Mingshu was commanding forces in the battle for Donghai Prefecture; his father could not return home for the birth and named him from the front lines. 168

His initial aptitude was considered mediocre. At four, he began trying the Unified Qi Technique and receiving the Qi Guiding Incantation, but his comprehension lagged far behind that of his elder sister, Zhang Wushuang. 224 Chong Li later supervised his daily breathing exercises, basic fistwork, writing, and habit of recording training insights. 252

An examination on Peach Blossom Island found his delicate body more suited to sorcery than martial arts, yet still only averagely talented. His weak physique made martial cultivation especially difficult. 241 243

Academy years and the Great Willow Tree's inheritance

Zhang Xi attended Qi Lu Academy under the guidance of Zuo Wuming. His academic results were ordinary, and Zhang Mingshu believed that even passing the Scholar examination would require Zuo Wuming's continued help. 329 330

During an inspection tour of the family's territories, Zhang Xi dreamed that the Great Willow Tree bestowed the Yin Yang Harmony Cultivation Method upon him. He successfully began cultivating it, later showing an affinity for the water-element Spiritual Energy in Stone Bridge Town's Water Spirit Rice. 336 337 The Cold Moon Jade further supported the method by complementing its Yin-attribute Spiritual Energy. 339

The method provided a path that ordinary aptitude had denied him, though it also affected his conduct and emotional impulses strongly enough to worry Zhang Mingshu. 408 413

Young Family Head

Zhang Xi gradually assumed public duties as the Zhang Family's Young Family Head. Zhang Mingshu brought him through family territories so he could study administration, trade, local conditions, and the burdens of governance firsthand. 329 338

He presided over the New Year's sacrifice when Zhang Mingshu was absent, assisted by Zuo Wuming. 396 He later handled Wenzhuang's grassroots governance and proved capable of managing local affairs while continuing the Yin Yang Harmony Cultivation Method. 408

His marriage to Liu Shiyuan formalized the Zhang and Liu families' alliance in a major Baishi Village celebration. 409 Over subsequent years, he married Meng Qiuyan, Wen Yuhan, Zhu Qimeng, and Fan Ruohua, expanding the Zhang Family's network of alliances. 437 558 659

Campaigns and secret-realm expedition

As the Zhang Family expanded around Yuanshan Town and the Five Lotus Mountain Range, Zhang Xi worked with Zhang Yu and Zhao Wuji to plan a shift from defensive consolidation to proactive campaigns against surrounding hostile families. 438 He negotiated cooperation with Qunwa Island and the Zhuge Family, seeking naval support against Evil Dragon Island and diversions against the Xu and Liang families. 439

He led teams against Netherworld Cult forces in East Sea County, destroyed a cult stronghold and magic treasure, integrated local Ghost Cultivators, and prepared to enter the local secret realm with intelligence supplied by Hengyue Tianfeng and Daizong. 482

In the forty-second year of the Sacred Reign, Zhou Buding designated Zhang Xi to lead a team into the Second Heaven Secret Realm: Ancient Luo Yi Battlefield. 562 The expedition cut off normal contact for years, though Zhang Mingshu's Fate Book continued to indicate that Zhang Xi was alive. 572 637

Return and later position

Zhang Xi returned from the Ancient Luo Yi Battlefield after approximately a decade, accompanied by an entourage and members of his family. The experience made him better understand Zhang Mingshu's burdens as both father and family head. 638

After Zhao Siqi's decline, Zhang Xi became the nominal Family Head, while Zhang Yanhua took responsibility for much of the family's daily authority with Liu Shiyuan's support. 648 Zhang Xi later decided to establish New Sea Academy at the foot of Qushan Mountain. 650

He was subsequently teleported by the Beast King into an unknown void, where the overwhelming presence of Old Immortal Dongfang left him unable to move or speak freely. 676

Appearance

Zhang Xi was described as physically delicate in childhood, despite being considered suitable for the sorcerer path. 241 As a young leader, he presented a more refined image than his brothers, wearing a blue robe with a folding fan at his waist. 438

• Delicate physique in youth. 241
• Usually composed and restrained in formal settings. 330 334
• Blue-robed appearance and folding fan during discussions over the Five Lotus Mountain Range campaign. 438
• Wielded a spiritually luminous folding fan during Ghost Spirit patrols. 457

Personality

Zhang Xi grew up prematurely aware of his position as the eldest son and the expectations attached to it. Academic weakness and comparison with Zuo Wuming and Zhang Wushuang caused him insecurity, but he continued studying and accepted Zuo Wuming's guidance rather than abandoning his duties. 329 330

Around Meng Qiuyan, he briefly shed his formal, overly mature manner and behaved like an ordinary child. 332 He remained considerate in politically charged situations, notably when choosing Liu Shiyuan as a study companion despite worrying about hurting the other candidates' feelings. 334

As an adult, Zhang Xi is characterized as diplomatic, calculated, and patient. He prefers negotiation, administration, and measured deployment over Zhao Wuji's direct aggression or Zhang Yu's battlefield decisiveness. 438 439 His teams in the Ancient Luo Yi Battlefield avoided unnecessary battles and prioritized survival over military merit. 640

Abilities & Skills

Yin Yang Harmony Cultivation Method

A rare cultivation method received through a dream associated with the Great Willow Tree. It enabled Zhang Xi to cultivate despite his initially poor aptitude. 336 408

• Its Yin-attribute Spiritual Energy resonated with the Cold Moon Jade. 339
• Improved his cultivation efficiency enough for him to progress from poor early aptitude to Core Formation and later Spirit Transformation. 408 568 638
• Can operate in response to powerful emotional attraction, creating a risk that Zhang Xi's feelings may interfere with judgment. 413
• Its ancient origin and full function remain unclear. 408

Integrated multi-system cultivation

Before fully establishing himself as a cultivator, Zhang Xi practiced multiple paths: martial arts, scholarship, and sorcery. These foundations were ultimately transformed into cultivator Magic Power. 578

• Reached the Bronze Skin Iron Bones Realm in martial arts before his later cultivation path absorbed that foundation. 578
• Reached the Scholar Realm, although his Scholar cultivation remained unbalanced and risked stagnation. 399 421
• Reached the Spirit Awakening Realm as a sorcerer before those powers were integrated into his cultivator path. 578
• At peak Foundation Establishment, could contend with Core Formation-level opponents in actual combat. 495

Ghost Spirit affinity

Zhang Xi possesses unusual resistance and utility against Ghost Spirits through the Holy Grail Fragment and his Yin Spirit, Wen Jingye. 437 457

• Ghost Spirit abilities did not affect him during the Huai Ren County infiltration. 457
• The Holy Grail Fragment tore apart and absorbed approaching Ghost Spirits, converting them into its own power. 457
• Wen Jingye is a fifth-tier Yin Spirit and former Wen Family Head whose recovered memories and administrative experience assist Zhang Xi in family affairs. 437 495
• The fragment's phantom form may conceal unknown dangers; Zhang Mingshu warned against attacking it directly. 435

Leadership and diplomacy

Zhang Xi specializes in administration, alliance-building, and organizing forces.

• Managed Wenzhuang's grassroots affairs. 408
• Negotiated with Qunwa Island and the Zhuge Family over maritime cooperation and operations against the Xu and Liang families. 439
• Directed teams against Netherworld Cult positions in East Sea County and coordinated with Hengyue Tianfeng and Daizong. 482
• Established plans for New Sea Academy. 650

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Cold Moon Jade — A jade worn during cultivation; its chill harmonized with the Yin Yang Harmony Cultivation Method. 339
• Holy Grail Fragment — Grants powerful effects against Ghost Spirits, including absorption and conversion of their power. 457
• Magic Staff — Used alongside Liu Shiyuan and Zhang Wushuang during a battle against a powerful Ghost Spirit. 435
• Spiritually luminous folding fan — Carried during Ghost Spirit patrols in Huai Ren County. 457

Relationships

• Zhang Mingshu — Father and principal guide. Zhang Mingshu pushed Zhang Xi toward education, cultivation, governance, and family leadership, while Zhang Xi later came to understand the weight of his father's responsibilities. 329 638
• Zhao Siqi — Mother. Her departure for cultivation left Chong Li overseeing Zhang Xi's early training; her later condition helped prompt Zhang Xi's transition into nominal Family Headship. 252 648
• Zuo Wuming — Adopted elder brother, Academy mentor, and trusted adviser. Zuo Wuming repeatedly helped Zhang Xi with studies and jointly led the New Year's sacrifice with him. 330 396
• Chong Li — Teacher and aunt figure who trained Zhang Xi in basic cultivation, martial practice, and writing. 252
• Liu Shiyuan — First wife and principal wife. Originally selected by Zhang Xi as his study companion, she became a central administrator and supported Zhang Yanhua's exercise of family authority. 334 409 648
• Meng Qiuyan — Childhood companion and second wife. Her innocence allowed Zhang Xi to behave less formally and reconnect with ordinary childhood. 332 437
• Wen Yuhan — Academy acquaintance who later became Zhang Xi's wife; her declining Wen Family relocated with her. 338 437
• Zhu Qimeng — Wife from the Stone Bridge Zhu Family, strengthening the Zhang–Zhu alliance. 337 437
• Fan Ruohua — Wife whose presence caused the Yin Yang Harmony Cultivation Method to react on its own; she later bore Zhang Xi a son, Zhang Yantang. 413 558
• Madam Yin — Concubine from the Yin Family of Moyun Ridge; mother of Zhang Yanlei. 640
• Madam Ding — Concubine from the declining Ding Family; mother of Zhang Fangmi. 640
• Zhang Yu — Younger brother and strategic partner. Zhang Xi, Zhang Yu, and Zhao Wuji jointly planned campaigns against surrounding hostile families. 438
• Zhao Wuji — Foster brother and military counterpart. Zhao Wuji supplied direct combat strength while Zhang Xi focused on diplomacy and planning. 438 439
• Wen Jingye — Fifth-tier Yin Spirit and former Wen Family Head whose memories and administrative knowledge aid Zhang Xi. 437 495
• Zhang Yanhua — Eldest son and later Young Family Head who assumed practical authority when Zhang Xi became nominal Family Head. 532 648