Xu Ziqing

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Xu Ziqing (徐子卿)
Alias(es)	Little Xu; Sword Attendant
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Dao Sect; later an Inner Sect true disciple 259 301
Occupation/Role	Body cultivator; wielder and Sword Attendant of the Dao Ancestor Sword
Status	Alive 398
First Appearance	Chapter 7 7

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Pseudo-Spirit Fetus	35	Identified through an Information Scan after becoming Chu Huai Xu's servant. 35
First Acupoint	62	Opens his first acupoint through the Sword Refining Art and Body Tempering training. 62
Six Acupoints Opened	94	Reaches six opened acupoints while cultivating in the Cold Pool secret realm. 94
Seventh Acupoint	100	Opens his seventh acupoint, approaching Nine Apertures Fully Opened. 100
Nine Apertures Fully Opened	114	Completes all nine apertures, greatly strengthening his physical body. 114
First Realm, First Heaven	115	Selects the Heaven Grade Ice Muscle Jade Bone Heart Method and reaches the First Heaven after intensive training. 115
Second Realm, Sixth Heaven	249	Returns from Hidden Spirit Mountain at the Second Realm's Sixth Heaven. 249
Heaven and Earth Cauldron awakened	248	Awakens a Body Refining Divine Ability and manifests a Fire God Body. 248
Third Realm	259	Breaks through to the Third Realm, enabling his group's application to enter the Inner Sect. 259
Third Realm, Sixth Heaven	337	Remains below Great Perfection despite consuming pills before the later Grand Competition rounds. 337
Third Realm Great Perfection	392	Achieves Great Perfection with the aid of Spirit Wine's medicinal power. 392
Fourth Realm, Third Level	393	A Spirit Pill drives him through a major breakthrough to the Fourth Realm's third level. 393
New realm breakthrough	398	Breaks through again and condenses a Sword Heart immediately after killing Yu Chi Huai De. 398

Background

Xu Ziqing was born into a martial-arts sword lineage. His parents trained him in swordsmanship from childhood, and his father called him the greatest Sword Dao prodigy in the Xu family's history. His family was later massacred, leaving him with an all-consuming but initially unfocused desire for revenge. 60 95

Believing a storyteller's claim that someone would receive him at Biyou Meadow on Wumeng Mountain, he attempted to enter the Dao Sect. No one came for him; after enduring rain through the night, he was left convinced that a mere Pseudo-Spirit Fetus had no right to expect such an opportunity. He nevertheless entered the Dao Sect as a menial worker in Liu Tianfeng's estate. 7 34

Chu Huai Xu recognized him as Xu Ziqing and requested him as a servant. After witnessing his aptitude for martial arts, Chu recommended him for Registered Disciple status, gave him the Sword Refining Art and cultivation notes, and brought him into the Cold Pool secret realm for Body Tempering. 34 56 57 61

Xu later learned that Jiang Zhi had originally sent someone to Wumeng Mountain to retrieve him. Li Chunsong mistakenly brought Chu Huai Xu to the Dao Sect instead, while Xu Ziqing found his own way into the sect. 126 130

Appearance

Xu Ziqing is a short, delicate-featured youth, described as barely under 1.7 meters tall. His appearance is frequently mistaken for that of a woman, a source of recurring embarrassment and anger for him. 33 35

• Rosy lips, white teeth, and fair, refined features. 33
• Has little conventionally masculine aura and is often scrutinized for his Adam's apple and chest. 35 114
• His demeanor changes sharply when he takes up a sword, becoming crisp, decisive, and distinctly sword-like. 97
• Carries a large reddish-brown Sword Case that is taller than he is when upright. 132

Personality

Xu Ziqing begins as proud yet insecure. Years of being mocked for his appearance, followed by his failed trip to Biyou Meadow and menial work in the Dao Sect, leave him timid and prone to lowering his head. Chu Huai Xu's instruction to “straighten your back” becomes an important source of confidence when he faces humiliation or doubt. 34 56 114

He is exceptionally persistent. He endures the severe pain of the Sword Refining Art, medicinal baths, aperture opening, and body-refining training because he refuses to disgrace his family or abandon his blood feud. 57 60 115

Despite his resentment toward his family's killer, Xu remains sincere, humble, and deeply grateful toward those who aid him. He regards Chu Huai Xu as both his salvation and the person he admires most, while Jiang Zhi considers his willingness to sacrifice himself for the world fitting for a savior. 95 163 297

Abilities & Skills

Swordsmanship

Xu Ziqing was trained in sword arts from childhood and can memorize martial manuals after a single reading. He learns forms rapidly, modifies techniques after understanding them, and displays a natural affinity for the sword. 37 57 97

• Learned the complete outward form of Six Severances in one attempt, even before possessing Spiritual Power. 97
• Independently repaired and completed the incomplete Earth Grade Six Severances with Jiang Zhi's guidance. 165
• Reached Grand Perfection in Six Severances by the Third Realm Grand Competition period. 299
• Condenses a Sword Heart after avenging his family. 398

Sword Refining Art

Chu Huai Xu gives Xu Ziqing the Sword Refining Art as his foundation for cultivation. The method uses Spiritual Energy to temper the body and open acupoints, but subjects its practitioner to extreme pain. 57 58

• Forms the basis of his Nine Apertures Fully Opened physique. 114
• Gives him physical strength surpassing many ordinary First Realm Body Cultivators. 133
• Its influence deepens his sword-like connection to Chu Huai Xu and contributes to his instinctive reverence for his senior brother. 297

Ice Muscle Jade Bone Heart Method

Xu Ziqing chooses the Heaven Grade Ice Muscle Jade Bone Heart Method from the Scripture Pavilion after passing all four selection barriers in one attempt. 115

• Develops his body-refining path after he reaches the First Realm. 115
• Causes an internal, organ-deep ache distinct from the pain of the Sword Refining Art. 115
• Gives him a slight physical advantage over Chu Huai Xu when comparing their bodies at the same realm. 133

Heaven and Earth Cauldron

Xu Ziqing awakens the Body Refining Divine Ability Heaven and Earth Cauldron after reaching the third level of the Sword Nurturing Technique. 248

• Draws surrounding Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy into a vortex around him. 248
• Manifests a Fire God Body, crimson flames, and a flame mark on his brow. 248
• Greatly enhances his physical strength and increases the number of times his body can withstand using the Dao Ancestor Sword. 248
• Functions as a shared body-tempering furnace that can benefit nearby cultivators. 250
• Generates intense heat, requiring him to cultivate outside Chu Huai Xu's room. 250

Sword Nurturing Technique

Zhao Shuqi guides Xu Ziqing in the Sword Nurturing Technique after he obtains the Dao Ancestor Sword. 125

• Allows him to channel Spiritual Power toward the Bronze Sword through the linked restrictions on his palm and the sword. 130
• Reaches the third level, unlocking another layer of the sword's restriction. 247
• The sword consumes much of the Spiritual Energy that enters his Spiritual Embryo Treasury, leaving him uneasy that he exists merely to feed it. 132

Equipment

• Dao Ancestor Sword / Bronze Sword — The sealed, malevolent sword of Hidden Spirit Mountain that chooses Xu Ziqing as its Sword Attendant. Its power grows as its restrictions loosen with his breakthroughs. 94 122
  • Can overwhelm same-realm opponents, but its right-handed use allows the Sword Spirit to seize influence over Xu Ziqing's body. 94 120 340
  • Emits black and bluish-black energy, devours Spiritual Power, and inflicts severe damage on Xu Ziqing's arms and body. 150 167 340
  • Its power is restrained by a Dao Ancestor restriction divided between the blade and Xu Ziqing's right palm. 120
• Panlong Wood Sword Case — A reddish-brown Mid-grade Spirit Artifact used to conceal the Bronze Sword's aura and obstruct detection. 132
• Xuantian Fetal Breath Pill — Given to him by Chu Huai Xu; improves his Spiritual Embryo and cultivation speed. 96 126
• Flight Talisman — Used to rapidly close the distance against Yu Chi Huai De. 396

Relationships

• Chu Huai Xu — Former master, senior brother, cultivation guide, and chosen family. Chu secures his Registered Disciple status, gives him cultivation methods and resources, and supports his pursuit of revenge. Xu Ziqing views him with profound gratitude and admiration. 56 57 255 297
• Jiang Zhi — Dao Sect Junior Uncle Ancestor and mentor. He reveals that he originally sought Xu Ziqing, trains him to control the Bronze Sword, and guides his Sword Nurturing Technique. 130 247
• Han Shuangjiang — Fellow Dao Sect disciple and member of Xu Ziqing's household. She worries for him during dangerous battles and supports his revenge alongside Chu Huai Xu. 150 255 396
• Zhao Shuqi — Fifth Elder who guides Xu Ziqing in the Sword Nurturing Technique and praises his extraordinary comprehension. 125
• Shen Man — Identified as Xu Ziqing's future First Master. 126
• Yu Chi Huai De — Spring Autumn Mountain cultivator responsible for the massacre of the Xu family; Xu Ziqing kills him in a single sword strike. 247 398
• Xu family — His deceased parents, grandmother, and younger sister. Their murder drives his cultivation and revenge. 95 118 391

Story Role / Major Arcs

Entry into the Dao Sect

After failing to be received at Biyou Meadow, Xu Ziqing enters the Dao Sect as a menial worker. Chu Huai Xu recognizes his potential, takes him into the Bamboo House, and sets him on the cultivation path. 34 56 57

Aperture Opening and Body Refinement

Xu endures the Sword Refining Art, Cold Pool Body Tempering, and the Ice Muscle Jade Bone Heart Method to open all nine apertures and enter the First Realm. His progress is slower than the other World Protagonists, but his absorption of medicinal resources is exceptionally efficient. 61 94 115

Hidden Spirit Mountain

While seeking a spirit sword, Xu is rejected by every ordinary sword on Hidden Spirit Mountain and is drawn instead to the Bronze Sword at the summit. The sword exploits his grief and hunger for power, but the inscription on the Junzi Tablet helps him resist its influence long enough to take it. He becomes the true Sword Attendant named in the Dao Ancestor's Admonition. 117 120 126

East Continent Grand Competition

Xu fights as a Body Cultivator and advances using his physical strength, Sword Case, Six Severances, and eventually the Bronze Sword. He reaches the championship battle against Chu Huai Xu, but his left-hand Six Severances is countered and his attempt to use the Bronze Sword's full power is sealed to protect the spectators. 133 150 165

Later Grand Competition

Xu faces Qin Xuanxiao while wielding the Dao Ancestor Sword. He pushes both his body and the Evil Sword to their limits, but loses after exhausting his physical strength and the sword's power. 340 342

Revenge at Spring Autumn Mountain

After learning that Yu Chi Huai De murdered his family, Xu struggles to keep his hatred from becoming an inner demon. He ultimately confronts Yu Chi Huai De at Spring Autumn Mountain, kills him with one sword strike, breaks through, and condenses his Sword Heart. 255 396 398