Jiang Xiaoyu

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Jiang Xiaoyu (姜小雨)
Alias(es)	Xiaoyu; Gu Chang'an's World Source 314
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Jiang Xuan's household; later travels with Gu Chang'an 257 275
Occupation/Role	Swordswoman; escort; World Source of the Boundary Guardian Gu Chang'an 275 314
Status	Alive
First Appearance	Chapter 257

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Sword Intent “entered the room”	259	During a spar with Gu Chang'an, her precise, vital-point-oriented swordsmanship is recognized as having formed its own Sword Intent, with signs of approaching a Sword Heart. 259
Sword Intent foundation	260	Ten days of daily blade-and-sword practice sharpen her Wooden Sword techniques into genuine killing intent; Gu Chang'an judges that a Sword Heart may be attainable if she persists. 260
Third stance of her inherited sword art	292	States that she has mastered the third stance taught by Jiang Xuan, then fights alongside Gu Chang'an against demonic-corrupted forces. 292
Primordial Sword Qi manifested	295	Channels Spirit Energy to manifest the Primordial Sword Qi taught by Jiang Xuan, strengthening her aura while defending the injured Gu Chang'an. 295
Ice-blue spiritual light awakened	313	Upon awakening in the Abyss, ignites ice-blue spiritual light in her palm; surrounding Abyssal power automatically retreats. 313
World Source revealed	314	Identifies herself as Gu Chang'an's World Source—the source sustaining his recovery and power. 314

Background / History

Jiang Xiaoyu is Jiang Xuan's granddaughter and lives with him in an isolated bamboo house. When Jiang Xuan brings the critically injured Gu Chang'an there after the Black Wind Mountain incident, she immediately assists in caring for him, learning that he endangered himself by taking the Blood Burst Pill. Moved by Jiang Xuan's account of Gu Chang'an confronting the Rift's Demonic Hand for the Dao in his heart, she vows to help care for him. 257

As Gu Chang'an recovers, Xiaoyu reveals that she is far more than an ordinary young woman. Armed with a Wooden Sword and trained by Jiang Xuan since childhood, she challenges him to a spar. Her focused Sword Intent and precise swordplay earn Gu Chang'an's respect, though he declines to formally teach her because her sword path has already formed independently. 259

She trains with Gu Chang'an daily in the bamboo grove, rapidly developing her Sword Intent and a close combat rhythm with his saber techniques. After learning that the seal at Black Wind Mountain may fully collapse within three years, Xiaoyu resolves to remain at Gu Chang'an's side despite the danger ahead. 260 262

Xiaoyu accompanies Gu Chang'an on an escort mission through demon-infested territory. They fight bandits, demonic creatures, cultists, and blood formations as a coordinated pair. When Gu Chang'an is repeatedly incapacitated by the backlash of his own techniques, she carries him through Black Wind Mountain, tends his injuries, and continues to shield him from pursuers. 277 281 283 284

After Jiang Xuan's apparent death, Xiaoyu protects the unconscious Gu Chang'an from demonized black-armored attackers. The pair later falls into an abyss and reaches Shelter Rock. There, her awakening reveals her true nature: she is Gu Chang'an's World Source, while he is a Boundary Guardian. 295 313 314

Appearance

Jiang Xiaoyu is a young woman of about seventeen or eighteen, with a clear and elegant presence. She is initially seen in a plain green dress, while later appearances show her in simple clothing or martial attire suited to sword practice and travel. 257 259 264

• Delicate features and eyes described as clear as spring water. 257
• Snow-white skin and autumn-water eyes. 264
• Slender build and light, graceful movement. 264 266
• Often carries a Wooden Sword during training. 259
• Her awakened eyes bear an unusual Abyssal light. 313

Personality

Xiaoyu is compassionate and devoted. Her first response to Gu Chang'an's injuries is alarm and concern, and she diligently helps nurse him despite barely knowing him. Jiang Xuan's explanation of Gu Chang'an's resolve inspires both admiration and a personal commitment to remain by his side. 257 262

She is initially somewhat sheltered, relying confidently on Jiang Xuan's protection, but she is not cowardly. During ambushes and escalating demonic threats, she stays composed, trusts Gu Chang'an's judgment, and confronts enemies directly when necessary. 265 266 283

Her affection for Gu Chang'an is open in her thoughts and actions. She admires his martial demeanor, seeks to improve through sparring with him, and repeatedly prioritizes his survival over her own safety. 259 270 284 295

Abilities & Skills

Swordsmanship

Xiaoyu is an accomplished swordswoman trained by Jiang Xuan. Her style is agile, precise, and directed toward an opponent's vital points rather than flashy displays. 259 270

• Possesses formed Sword Intent and potential to develop a Sword Heart. 259 260
• Uses nimble footwork and unconventional angles to evade and counter stronger saber attacks. 259
• Can coordinate seamlessly with Gu Chang'an in close combat and protect assigned flanks during escort operations. 275 277
• Her sword energy can destroy demonic enemies and counter blood-based attacks. 279 283
• She is vulnerable to overwhelmingly powerful demonized opponents; her short sword is shattered during the battle with the black-armored figures. 295

Primordial Sword Qi

Xiaoyu can manifest the Primordial Sword Qi taught by Jiang Xuan, producing a phantom image behind her and sharply increasing her sword aura. 295

• Enhances her offensive output while fighting the demonized black-armored figures. 295
• Her Spirit Energy can become unstable after prolonged combat and after using it to sustain Gu Chang'an. 295

World Source

Xiaoyu is Gu Chang'an's World Source, a unique existence linked directly to his status as a Boundary Guardian. 314

• As long as she lives, Gu Chang'an can continuously recover his strength. 314
• If she dies, Gu Chang'an will fall into eternal slumber. 314
• Her connection explains why she can stop Gu Chang'an's uncontrolled awakening with a command. 313 314
• Her ice-blue spiritual light causes Abyssal power to retreat automatically. 313 314
• She and Gu Chang'an are being hunted by someone from the Abyss. 314

Alchemy

Xiaoyu practices alchemy, leaving behind a recognizable medicinal scent that Jiang Xuan uses while tracking her and Gu Chang'an through Black Wind Mountain. 291

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Wooden Sword — her primary training weapon during sparring with Gu Chang'an; despite its material, it withstands exchanges with his saber. 259 260
• Short sword — used after Jiang Xuan's death while defending Gu Chang'an from black-armored enemies; shattered in combat. 295
• Bamboo basket — used while gathering bamboo shoots around the bamboo house. 270

Relationships

• Jiang Xuan — her grandfather, martial instructor, and protector. His teachings form the basis of her sword art and Primordial Sword Qi; he risks himself searching for her after Black Wind Mountain's collapse. 257 259 286 291
• Gu Chang'an — companion, sparring partner, and the Boundary Guardian whose World Source she is. Xiaoyu nurses him, travels with him, fights beside him, and repeatedly risks her life to protect him. 257 260 277 295 314
• Su Ji — ally at Shelter Rock. Su Ji protects Xiaoyu and Gu Chang'an while they are unconscious, then learns Xiaoyu's true connection to Gu Chang'an after her awakening. 313 314
• Su Yu — Shelter Rock ally who witnesses Xiaoyu's awakening and learns of her role as Gu Chang'an's World Source. 314

Story Role / Major Arcs

Recovery at the Bamboo House

Xiaoyu is introduced when Jiang Xuan brings the unconscious Gu Chang'an to their home. She assists with his recovery, becomes fascinated by his resolve, and begins to develop affection for him. 257

Bamboo Grove Training

She challenges Gu Chang'an to spar, demonstrates her established Sword Intent, and trains with him for ten days. Their regular practice builds mutual respect, combat coordination, and Xiaoyu's foundation toward a Sword Heart. 259 260

Escort Mission and Blood Formation

Xiaoyu joins Gu Chang'an on an escort mission and fights beside him against bandits, demonic remnants, cultists, and a blood formation tied to the Demon Suppressing Stele. She repeatedly supports him when his dangerous techniques leave him weakened. 275 277 279 281

Black Wind Mountain Collapse

After the seal breaks, Xiaoyu carries the severely wounded Gu Chang'an across the mountain, faces Blood Gate remnants and Du Huo, and defends him against black-armored pursuers following Jiang Xuan's death. 283 284 285 295

Abyss Awakening

At Shelter Rock, Xiaoyu awakens with ice-blue spiritual light capable of repelling the Abyss. She reveals that Gu Chang'an is a Boundary Guardian and that she is his World Source, making her survival essential to his continued awakening and recovery. 313 314

Notable Quotes

“No matter what happens, I will stay by his side.” 262

“If you want to touch him, you'll have to get past my sword first.” 295

“I am his... source of power.” 314

Trivia

• Jiang Xiaoyu's admiration for Gu Chang'an begins while she helps nurse him after his battle at the Rift. 257
• Gu Chang'an initially refuses to teach her because he believes her Sword Intent already follows its own path. 259
• Jiang Xuan teasingly recognizes that Xiaoyu's dedication to training is connected to Gu Chang'an. 260 261