An Zhisu

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	An Zhisu (安知素)
Alias(es)	Grass Cutting Sword Immortal 4 40
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Shushan Shangqing Sect; Green Snail Peak
Occupation/Role	Green Snail Peak’s senior disciple; Shushan Sword Immortal; Ling Yunpo’s mentor
Cultivation	Great Perfection of the Abode Transformation Stage; one step short of Golden Core 15
Status	Active
First Appearance	Chapter 3

Background / History

An Zhisu is a disciple of True Lord Qisha Su Jian of Green Snail Peak. After Su Jian suffered severe injuries and entered life-and-death seclusion, Green Snail Peak was left with only An Zhisu and later Ling Yunpo, leaving its lineage isolated and vulnerable to hostility from other Shushan peaks. 6 27 28

Her own progress was exceptional: she opened her Sea of Qi in seven days, a result she later considers only marginally better than Ling Yunpo’s ten-day completion of the three trials. 4 Through countless life-and-death sword duels, she accumulated a noticeable killing aura despite her otherwise gentle bearing. 3

When Ling Yunpo joined Green Snail Peak, An Zhisu became his instructor in the introductory scriptures, Shushan Sword Control Art, and her peak’s Qisha Sword Art. She consistently treats him as a younger brother and resolves to preserve Green Snail Peak’s lineage with him. 3 6 27 42

Appearance

An Zhisu has a pure, lovely appearance and a gentle, watery sisterly aura. This softness contrasts with the faint but intense Sha Qi between her brows, forged through repeated deadly sword duels. 3

• Carries the poised bearing of a Shushan Sword Immortal.
• Her gentle smile and manner often conceal a formidable killing intent. 3 7
• Was recognized by other disciples as the “Grass Cutting Sword Immortal.” 4 40

Personality

An Zhisu is affectionate, patient, and protective toward Ling Yunpo. She personally teaches him after their master’s seclusion, worries over his dangerous duel with Purple Cloud Peak, and rewards his growth with greater trust rather than trying to restrain him. 3 28 38 41

Beneath her mild demeanor, she is resolute and ruthless in battle. When Qingluo Peak’s resources were reduced, she confronted the responsible ministry herself; after being gravely wounded by an opponent’s secret technique, she still killed that opponent. 15 Her commitment to Green Snail Peak is unwavering, and she regards carrying on Su Jian’s legacy as her and Ling Yunpo’s shared responsibility. 27 42

Abilities & Skills

Abode Transformation Cultivation

An Zhisu has reached the Great Perfection of the Abode Transformation Stage, placing her just below the Golden Core realm. Her advancement is stalled because Su Jian’s seclusion leaves her without access to a Golden Core cultivation method. 14 15

• Was considered unmatched among cultivators of the same realm before her opponent used a secret technique to attain False Core-level strength. 15
• Can fight despite severe injury and depleted true essence. 14 15
• Her cultivation and daily sparring rapidly accelerate Ling Yunpo’s swordsmanship. 14

Qisha Sword Art

As Green Snail Peak’s senior disciple, An Zhisu teaches the Qisha Sword Art inherited from True Lord Qisha Su Jian. The art prioritizes lethal strikes against the opponent’s body and treats defense-breaking as its central strength. 6 7

• Opens engagements with a full-force Flying Sword attack to seize the initiative. 7
• Pressures opponents who choose to defend, using techniques designed to break their defenses. 7
• If an opponent counterattacks, relies on superior sword speed rather than retreating. 7
• Green Snail Peak’s Qisha Sword Art is described as the fastest among Shushan’s sword-control lineages. 7

Swordsmanship Instruction

An Zhisu is Ling Yunpo’s primary swordsmanship mentor, teaching him Shushan Sword Control Art and intensifying his training ahead of his duel against Lou Zhizheng. 6 28 29

• Teaches the two-handed Sword Control Technique of the Qisha lineage. 29
• Explains that Su Jian’s version allows two swords to follow different paths, enabling separate offense and defense. 29
• Entrusts Ling Yunpo with increasingly difficult weapons after recognizing his extraordinary talent. 38 39

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Frostfall / Shuangjiang Flying Sword — An Zhisu’s life-bound Flying Sword. 6
• Thunderstrike Sword (Lei Ji) — A Tenth-Order Metal Immortal Sword left by Su Jian. An Zhisu ultimately gives it to Ling Yunpo to attempt refinement. 38 42
• Qingping Sword — An unranked black Flying Sword summoned by Ling Yunpo from the Sword Pool; An Zhisu helps investigate its origin and later acknowledges it as an ancient Tenth-Order Immortal Sword. 5 6 28

Relationships

• Ling Yunpo — Her junior brother and student. An Zhisu teaches, protects, and trains him intensely; both pledge to sustain Green Snail Peak’s lineage. 3 27 29 42
• True Lord Qisha Su Jian — Her master and Green Snail Peak’s peak master. His prolonged life-and-death seclusion prevents him from guiding the peak or providing An Zhisu with a Golden Core method. 14 27 42
• Lou Zhizheng — A Purple Cloud Peak disciple who challenges Ling Yunpo after failing to recruit him. An Zhisu intervenes protectively and prepares Ling Yunpo for the duel. 27 28 41
• Elder Minghua / Purple Cloud Peak — Green Snail Peak’s antagonists, whose resentment originates from Su Jian’s past conflicts and whose disciples covet Ling Yunpo’s Qingping Sword. 28
• Lin Duanshan — A sparring partner brought into Ling Yunpo’s preparation. An Zhisu observes Ling Yunpo defeat him and politely thanks Lin for his guidance. 38

Story Role / Major Arcs

Ling Yunpo’s Entry into Green Snail Peak

An Zhisu receives Ling Yunpo after he joins Green Snail Peak, explains the three trials of cultivation, and teaches him the foundational scriptures in Su Jian’s absence. 3 She celebrates his successful entry into Qi Refining and brings him to the Sword Pool to obtain a Flying Sword. 4 5

Qingluo Peak Allowance Conflict

When Qingluo Peak’s monthly supply is downgraded from mid-grade to low-grade spirit stones, An Zhisu challenges the ministry responsible. She is gravely wounded by an opponent’s concealed False Core technique but kills them, while the underlying resource problem remains unresolved. 15

Defense of Green Snail Peak

After Ling Yunpo refuses Purple Cloud Peak’s recruitment offer, An Zhisu is moved by his loyalty and accepts his pledge that the two will support one another. 27 She teaches him all she can before his duel with Lou Zhizheng, despite fearing the consequences of facing a Marrow Cleansing opponent while still at Qi Refining. 28 29

After the Purple Cloud Peak Duel

An Zhisu watches anxiously as Ling Yunpo defeats Lou Zhizheng through Qingping Sword’s restriction and Jade Pivot Divine Thunder. 41 Afterward, she praises him, presents Su Jian’s Thunderstrike Sword to him, and privately vows before her master’s sealed chamber to protect Ling Yunpo and continue Green Snail Peak’s legacy. 38 42

Trivia

• An Zhisu’s nickname, “Grass Cutting Sword Immortal,” is widely known among Shushan disciples. 4 40
• Although she is near the Golden Core realm, her lack of a Golden Core cultivation method—not insufficient cultivation—prevents her breakthrough. 14
• She initially hesitates to reveal Thunderstrike Sword to Ling Yunpo because its sword spirit recognizes only Immortals as masters. 38