Jiang Jiu

Biodata

Feature	Detail
Name	Jiang Jiu (often called "Xiao Jiu" by Xiao Wu and others) 1 2 29
Martial Soul	Soft Bone Rabbit (Beast Spirit) 1 2 35
Innate Soul Power	Level 7 1
Soul Power Levels	Level 8 at start of Nuoding Academy; Level 10 by Chapter 18; Level 13 by end of first grade; Level 30 at time of Shrek Academy introduction; Level 32 after three months of Yu Xiaogang's special training 1 18 25 35 57
Soul Master Rank	Power Attack-type Battle Spirit Master at Level 30; Soul Elder after obtaining his third spirit ring 35 52 54
First Spirit Ring	~300-year Black-Striped Ghost Leopard – grants Waist Bow skill (augments waist strength and flexibility) 20 21
Second Spirit Ring	Fox-type soul beast – grants Charm, a control skill that briefly dazes the target and supports mental-power training 29 30 48
Third Spirit Ring	Thousand-year Lightning Rabbit – grants Teleportation, enabling rapid repositioning and access to optimal Soft Technique attack angles 51 52 55
Age	~6 years old at start of Nuoding Academy; around 12–13 by Shrek Academy entry (inferred from timeline) 1 35 49
Physical Appearance	Rabbit ears and red eyes appear when Martial Soul is activated; normal human appearance otherwise 2. Xiao Wu suggests he grow his hair long 4. He grows noticeably taller after absorbing his first spirit ring 21.
Personality & Traits	Mature, focused, strategic, hardworking, considerate; open to learning and takes cultivation seriously 1 18 19 25. He is cautious about soul-ring absorption limits and understands when to stop training or forging before exhaustion compromises his progress 29 30 63.
Abilities (non–spirit ring)

• Mastered Soft Technique grappling and ukemi under Xiao Wu 2 4 13
• Runs long distances daily; exceptional endurance 8 29 30
• Skilled in forging, including Thousand Refinement attempts with Tungsten Steel 1 7 15 60 63
• Can direct soul power at will without Martial Soul avatar (learned from Xiao Wu) 4
• Uses a soul-power protective film over his hands and, later, across his body to reduce abrasion and keep dirt and oil from adhering to him 60 |
  | Teacher / Mentor | Xiao Wu (teaches Soft Technique, meridians, soul power control) 2 4 13; also receives guidance from Yu Xiaogang and the Nuoding Dean during soul hunts 19 20. Yu Xiaogang later directs his intensive Shrek physical-training program 54 57. |
  | Affiliations | Nuoding Academy (Work-Study Student, Dorm Seven) → Shrek Academy 1 35 |
  | Close Relationships | Xiao Wu (mutually attracted, share a home and bed, train together, soul power resonance) 1 15 24 53; Tang San (sworn brother, friend, and former roommate) 1 25 26 27; Wang Sheng (dorm mate, envy and admiration) 18; Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing (Shrek teammates who take interest in his training and abilities) 40 48 63 |
  | Goals & Ambitions | Become a god; join the Shrek Seven Devils; use Tang San's path to achieve longevity and eternal vision 1; prioritizes mental power development, strategic soul ring choices, and the balanced development of soul power, physique, and mental power 29 30 |
  | Notable Quotes / Observations |
• "He would do whatever it took to blend into the Shrek Seven Devils" 1
• "The optimal soul ring ratio, excluding the ninth black ring, was more than enough" (shows caution about ring absorption limits) 30
• Nuoding Dean: "He will surely achieve great things in the future" 19
• Xiao Wu calls him a "male rabbit" and hopes for a future together 24 |

Physical Description

Jiang Jiu and Xiao Wu present a striking visual contrast. Jiang Jiu possesses naturally fair, bright skin and a build that is more wiry than bulky; his upper body resists gaining mass despite considerable strength, while his lower body—particularly his legs—is powerfully developed, a trait he attributes to the influence of his Soft Bone Rabbit martial soul 3 40 21. Xiao Wu, meanwhile, has matured into a tall, slender young woman with an "explosive" figure, defined by killer long legs and a curvy silhouette that becomes more pronounced over time 32 33. Her posture remains upright and graceful even in high heels 33. Together, their appearances evolve from childhood leanings toward a more refined and attractive young adulthood, with Jiang Jiu's composed temperament balancing Xiao Wu's lively energy.

• Hair: Jiang Jiu has thick, silky golden hair that Xiao Wu enjoys styling. She typically arranges it into an updo with a small cowlick at the crown and bangs hanging on either side of his cheeks, a look that reveals a gentle yet firm, regal temperament 4 33. His hair can also be untied into a scorpion braid like Xiao Wu's for training and combat 4. Xiao Wu has long, flowing black hair which she usually wears in a signature scorpion braid secured with a pink cloth strip; when loose, it cascades like a waterfall, accentuating her curves 4 33.
• Physique: Jiang Jiu is lean and deceptively strong; his arms are fair and show graceful muscle lines, and his legs are exceptionally powerful, allowing him to compete on equal footing with Xiao Wu in strength and Soft Technique sparring 40 21 28. He experiences a growth spurt after obtaining his first soul ring 21. By Shrek Academy, his physical conditioning remains far ahead of the other students despite Yu Xiaogang's intensive group training and medicinal baths 57. Xiao Wu has a slender yet curvaceous build, with her figure described as "explosive" and her legs being a standout feature 32 33. She is tall enough that standard clothing sizes often no longer fit her 33.
• Attire: Jiang Jiu initially wore a patchwork robe made of scrap fabric, but early on switches to dark gray clothes for training 3. Xiao Wu favors pink clothing, though as she grows taller and her body matures, she begins buying new outfits in other colors, including white 33. She is style-conscious and enjoys shopping, selecting items like high heels, stockings, and lingerie, and she often has Jiang Jiu help her choose 33 15. Their clothing choices reflect a shift from practicality to greater attention to aesthetics and fit as they age.

Background

Jiang Jiu was a transmigrator who reincarnated into the Douluo Continent with a Soft-Bone Rabbit martial soul and an innate soul power of level seven 1. From the moment he awakened, his overriding ambition was to become a god, a goal he believed could only be achieved by aligning himself with the protagonist of the original world — Tang San — and securing a place among the future Shrek Seven Devils 1 25. To that end, he spent three months prior to enrolling at Nuoding Academy making meticulous preparations, including acquiring a small forging hammer and a Patchwork Robe, and refining his grasp of spirit possession and soul power cultivation 1. Upon entering Nuoding Academy, he deliberately chose Dorm Seven to be near Tang San and Xiao Wu, understanding the importance of first impressions in a competitive environment where a "show of force" was tradition for newcomers 1. Jiang Jiu’s early strategy blended practical skill-building with social maneuvering: he began working at the Nuoding Blacksmith Shop not only to earn money and develop his forging abilities, but also to find Tang San and explore the possibility of producing high-quality materials that could strengthen their bond 7. He adopted a rigorous daily routine — morning jogs, afternoon cleaning duties at the academy, and nighttime cultivation — with the long-term intention of building the cardiovascular and muscular foundation necessary for a soul master, eventually incorporating squats, deadlifts, and bench presses into his strength training 6 21 25. Recognizing that Xiao Wu’s presence provided an optimal cultivation environment, he agreed to share a bed with her, thereby accelerating his soul power growth 3 18. By his own assessment, his cultivation speed of two levels every six months had already surpassed his initial expectations, and he began to contemplate whether he could secure a spot among the Shrek Seven Devils on his own merits, even considering the formation of a "Nuoding clique" within that group to solidify his position 25. He sold off his original homestead and entrusted his living quarters to the village blacksmith who had taught him, cutting all ties to his past in order to focus entirely on his path toward godhood 25. Throughout this period, he maintained a clear, result-oriented mindset, using every connection — whether through Xiao Wu’s background or the goodwill of the Nuoding Dean — to hunt suitable soul beasts and accumulate the resources necessary for his ascent 18 19.

After entering Shrek Academy, Jiang Jiu continued to distinguish himself through the combination of his advanced physical foundation, practical knowledge of soul beasts, and disciplined cultivation. He joined the expedition into the Star Dou Forest to seek a suitable thousand-year third ring, accurately identifying soul beast species and cultivation levels despite lacking comparable field-hunting experience 48. With assistance from Flender and the Peerless Dragon and Snake, he ultimately absorbed a thousand-year Lightning Rabbit spirit ring and became a Soul Elder 51 52. During Yu Xiaogang's subsequent three-month special training, Jiang Jiu carried loads reaching forty-five kilograms, used medicinal baths efficiently by meditating within them, and advanced to level 32 while retaining his substantial lead in overall physical fitness 57. He also began advancing from ordinary Iron Essence toward rare-metal forging, purchasing and working a thousand-pound piece of Tungsten Steel in pursuit of Thousand Refinement 60 62 63.

Abilities

Martial Soul

Jiang Jiu's martial soul is the Soft Bone Rabbit, a beast spirit that he shares identically with Xiao Wu. He was born with innate soul power of level seven, which placed him above average but below Xiao Wu's innate full soul power 1. The martial soul exerts a subtle influence on physical talent, complementing natural athletic ability and promoting growth in leg strength and lower body power; his arm circumference remained a weak point, but his lower body developed exceptionally well 8 40. The shared martial soul creates a "mimicry cultivation environment" when Jiang Jiu is near Xiao Wu, making his soul power more active and accelerating cultivation – a phenomenon that initially attracted both of them to each other's auras 1. This compatibility also means that Jiang Jiu's body adapts quickly to training that suits the Soft Bone Rabbit lineage, such as Xiao Wu's Soft Technique.

• Innate soul power level seven, awakening at Nuoding Academy with a Soft Bone Rabbit spirit 1.
• Identical martial soul to Xiao Wu, enabling mutual cultivation benefit through aura proximity and shared techniques 1 2.
• Martial soul influence promotes leg strength and lower body mass, while upper body development lags; leg strength is described as "astonishing" 40.
• Physical growth spurt after obtaining first soul ring, attributed partly to martial soul influence 21.
• His Beast Spirit physique and years of deliberate conditioning allow him to contest Xiao Wu directly in speed, strength, stamina, and close combat despite her superior soul power 54 55 57.

Soft Technique

Soft Technique is a close-combat grappling style taught by Xiao Wu, centered on throws, joint locks, and using an opponent's own momentum against them. The technique is highly compatible with the human body and was designed primarily against humanoid opponents; it relies on superior positioning and core strength rather than brute force. Jiang Jiu began learning the Soft Technique from Xiao Wu in exchange for sharing a blanket, and the training progressed from basic falling drills to full sparring 2 3. Xiao Wu's teaching method involved repeatedly throwing Jiang Jiu while controlling the rhythm to prevent injury, gradually building his instinctive reactions and body awareness 3. Over time, Jiang Jiu integrated the technique into daily life – using Soft Technique to snatch clothes or contest chopsticks during meals – and by the time he obtained his first soul ring, he could spar with Xiao Wu on equal footing 21.

• First lesson focused on learning to fall correctly; Xiao Wu executed shoulder throws, leg takedowns, waist grabs, and bridge throws in controlled sequences 3.
• Soft Technique uses joint lock and center-of-gravity manipulation; Xiao Wu's expertise allowed her to adjust joint axes and minimize injury risk while maximizing athletic performance 24.
• Jiang Jiu trained with daily Soft Technique practice integrated into his routine, including "dance-style yoga" and crawling-to-handstand drills for core coordination 9 17.
• By the time of his first soul ring absorption, Jiang Jiu could compete with Xiao Wu in Soft Technique sparring, demonstrating near-parity in grappling skill 21.
• His greater raw strength and stamina eventually allow him to defeat Xiao Wu more often than he loses, because the two possess comparable mastery of the same techniques 54.
• He can execute high-impact-looking throws while controlling the landing and absorbing the force himself, allowing him to defeat Zhu Zhuqing in training without injuring her 55.
• The technique is notably less effective against non-humanoid spirit beasts, as it assumes humanoid anatomy 3.

Soul Skills

Jiang Jiu's first soul ring, absorbed from a three-hundred-year-old Black-Striped Ghost Leopard, granted the soul skill Waist Bow, an augmentation-type skill that enhances waist strength and physical flexibility 20 21. His second soul ring, obtained from a fox-type soul beast, granted the Charm skill, a control-type ability that inflicts a brief daze on the target 29 30 48. Jiang Jiu valued Charm not only for its combat utility but also for its mental attributes; he deliberately chose it to temper his mental power, aiming to eventually replicate the skill using only his own willpower without relying on a soul ring 29 30. He practices daily by receiving Xiao Wu's Charm and analyzing its application of mental power. His third ring came from a thousand-year Lightning Rabbit and granted Teleportation, a mobility skill that can reposition him into advantageous ranges for Soft Technique combat 51 52 55.

• Waist Bow (first soul ring): Percentage-based augmentation of waist strength and flexibility; considered "a decent choice" by Xiao Wu, with the note that high base stats make the skill effect exceptionally good 20.
• Charm (second soul ring): Control skill that causes brief confusion in enemies; Jiang Jiu and Xiao Wu can use that window to deliver a finishing combo, though their raw physical strength already enables crushing opponents of the same rank 29 30.
• Teleportation (third soul ring): A movement skill obtained from a thousand-year Lightning Rabbit. It permits rapid positional adjustment and can be used to escape unfavorable contact or seize the optimal range for grappling 51 52 55.
• Jiang Jiu actively trains his mental power by being on the receiving end of Xiao Wu's Charm daily, studying how to apply mental power independently of soul ring skills 29 30.
• The Charm skill supports his close-combat playstyle by providing setup opportunities for Soft Technique throws and joint locks.
• Though he possesses Charm and Teleportation, Jiang Jiu frequently relies on physical strength, soul power reinforcement, and Soft Technique alone against opponents he can overpower without expending soul skills 48 55.

Blacksmithing

Blacksmithing serves Jiang Jiu both as a source of income and as a method of soul power cultivation. He started forging at a blacksmith shop in Nuoding after arriving, and his technique evolved through practice. He discovered a soul power circulation method for forging that allowed him to exert greater force with less soul power – akin to improving neural recruitment in muscles 15. This method involves channeling soul power through five major meridians and converging into the palms and fingers, then spreading into minor vessels. The Chaotic Cloak Hammer Technique, which uses the strength of the entire body in one strike, is mentioned as a potential peak application 15. Tang San later offered to teach Jiang Jiu hidden weapon crafting, but Jiang Jiu declined due to his already packed schedule 28.

• Soul power circulation method for forging is more efficient than crude gathering; it uses three modes, with the third mode creating explosive force 15.
• Blacksmithing consumes soul power and thus doubles as cultivation; meditation sessions complement the physical work 7 28.
• Jiang Jiu's work at the forge earned him money to support himself and Xiao Wu, and he also tempered Iron Essence, which Tang San coveted for hidden weapon crafting 28.
• He plans to forge a new barbell for heavier weight training, integrating blacksmithing with his physical conditioning 28.
• After coming to Shrek Academy, he began forging Tungsten Steel, a rare metal far more durable than Iron Essence, with the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer causing his house to shake under the force of his strikes 60 62.
• Jiang Jiu's first attempt at Thousand Refinement reduced a Tungsten Steel piece by approximately ten percent. The work gave him an unusual sense of connection to the metal while imposing substantial mental fatigue 63.
• He uses a soul-power film originally devised by Xiao Wu to protect his palms while forging. Through long practice, he can extend this film over his body, where it also prevents oil and dust from clinging to him 60.

Physical Conditioning and Core Strength

Beyond martial soul abilities and soul skills, Jiang Jiu dedicates significant effort to physical training. His regimen includes early-morning long-distance jogging, uphill sprints, strength training with a barbell, and specialized core exercises. This conditioning forms the foundation for his combat effectiveness, as his agile dodging and close-combat prowess rely on exceptional cardiovascular endurance, leg strength, and balance. Xiao Wu guides many of these exercises, using her knowledge of joint mechanics to ensure safe and efficient movement patterns.

• Morning running routine started early in his time at Nuoding, later expanded to include warm-up exercises taught by Xiao Wu 6 8.
• Hill runs scheduled during recovery phases stimulate different muscle groups; cardiovascular training centered on track for arena matches 17.
• Crawling-to-handstand technique instructed by Xiao Wu to develop coordination, balance, and core strength; Jiang Jiu initially struggled but eventually succeeded 17.
• Barbell squats for lower body strength training; Xiao Wu helped adjust his center of gravity and joint alignment to prevent injury 24.
• Demonstrated exceptional evasiveness against Liu Long (level nine soul master with a long staff), dodging all attacks without being touched; later recognized for his agile footwork and speed 11.
• Under Yu Xiaogang's Shrek training, Jiang Jiu carried loads of up to forty-five kilograms while running and used medicinal baths to recover and cultivate simultaneously 57.
• His physical foundation remains the strongest among the Shrek students after the first phase of special training, with Xiao Wu second and Dai Mubai and Tang San behind them 57.
• He can handle a thousand-pound piece of Tungsten Steel one-handed without significant strain, demonstrating strength far exceeding that of an ordinary auxiliary-type Soul Master 60.

Power Progression

Level	Soul Rings	Notes
8	None	Starting level at the beginning of the story. Innate soul power of 7, cultivated to level 8 after three months of preparation and integration into Nuoding Academy. 1
10	1st: ~300-year Black-Striped Ghost Leopard (Waist Bow skill)	Reached after half a year of cultivation. First soul ring absorbed with the help of the Nuoding Dean, Yu Xiaogang, Xiao Wu, and Tang San. Waist Bow is an augmentation-type skill that enhances waist strength and physical flexibility. 18 21
13	1st: Waist Bow	By the end of the first school year, Jiang Jiu had steadily risen to level 13, maintaining a cultivation speed of roughly two levels every six months. No new soul ring was acquired during this period. 25
30	1st: Waist Bow; 2nd: Charm; 3rd: Teleportation	At the Shrek Academy team-building introduction, Jiang Jiu declared himself a level 30 Power Attack-type Battle Spirit Master. His second ring grants Charm, while his third ring from a thousand-year Lightning Rabbit grants Teleportation. 35 48 52 55
32	1st: Waist Bow; 2nd: Charm; 3rd: Teleportation	After three months of Yu Xiaogang's intensive physical training and medicinal-bath regimen, Jiang Jiu advanced naturally to level 32. He remained the Shrek students' physical-fitness leader despite the others' rapid improvement. 57

Relationships

Xiao Wu

Jiang Jiu and Xiao Wu’s relationship begins with an immediate, mutual attraction rooted in their identical Soft Bone Rabbit martial souls. When they first meet at Dorm Seven, Xiao Wu is drawn to the “human aura” on Jiang Jiu, finding it uniquely rich and perfectly matched to her needs, while Jiang Jiu feels an inexplicable pull that makes his soul power more active—a phenomenon he recognizes as a “mimicry cultivation environment” 1. This initial spark quickly evolves into a formal student-teacher arrangement after Xiao Wu defeats Tang San and then sparring with Jiang Jiu, impressing him with her soft-style techniques. She proposes to teach him Soft Technique, and he accepts, leading to her moving into the dorm to give private lessons 2 3. Their bond deepens through daily life: Xiao Wu integrates herself into Jiang Jiu’s routine, helping at the blacksmith shop, cleaning the garden, and even learning a unique forging method she dubs “Chaotic Wind” by adapting Tang San’s hammer technique to her legs 16. At dinner, she consistently transfers all the meat from her bowl into his, insisting he eat more, while Jiang Jiu supplements her diet with high-quality protein 16. Their living arrangement becomes a source of comfort—they share a bed, and Xiao Wu feels genuine happiness at Jiang Jiu’s breakthrough to level ten 18.

During their first soul-hunting trip, Xiao Wu clings to Jiang Jiu’s arm, looking indifferent but clearly valuing his presence 19. The Nuoding Dean notes that Xiao Wu’s connection with Jiang Jiu is a bonus, as she is a passerby with innate full soul power who otherwise would not need academy help 19. Their training continues with friendly sparring: after Jiang Jiu absorbs his first soul ring, he is able to compete on equal footing with Xiao Wu in Soft Technique 21. She takes his cultivation pace as a benchmark for her own progress 18. When Jiang Jiu’s growth spurt leads to increased running distance and strength, Xiao Wu matches his stride and offers to help him stretch with professional skill 8 21. Her protectiveness extends beyond him—she threatens to punish Tang San for leaving Jiang Jiu alone with garden chores 8. The pair also demonstrate keen teamwork during soul hunts: Xiao Wu uses deductive reasoning to identify the likely soul beast for Jiang Jiu’s third ring by analyzing the territory’s boss 29.

Their emotional intimacy solidifies during a visit to Holy Soul Village. When Tang San, distraught over his father’s departure, proposes a brotherhood, both Jiang Jiu and Xiao Wu agree. Xiao Wu, though initially more concerned about her own deceased parents, participates in the ritual, and afterward jokes with Jiang Jiu about calling her “Sister Wu,” adding that he must “respect me like a teacher, but also dote on me like a little sister” 26 27. This dual role—teacher and younger-sister figure—becomes the defining note of their relationship. In later team gatherings, Xiao Wu proudly announces, “I’m Xiao Jiu’s master!”, and Ning Rongrong observes that their identical martial souls and close bond make them seem like relatives, though they are master and disciple 40. Zhu Zhuqing asks Xiao Wu to teach her Soft Technique because of the obvious success of her teaching 40. Their dynamic remains playful but deeply supportive; when Ning Rongrong envies their closeness, Xiao Wu’s affection for Jiang Jiu is evident in the way she feeds him and seeks his approval 40. Together, they create a partnership built on mutual growth, trust, and a shared path toward strength.

At Shrek Academy, their longstanding familiarity lets them fight at a level of mutual understanding that their classmates find intimidating. Jiang Jiu’s superior strength and endurance allow him to win their sparring matches more often, but Xiao Wu continually adapts and refuses to accept an easy defeat 54 55. She recognizes that Teleportation can compensate for her disadvantage in direct contests by placing her in optimal Soft Technique positions, while Jiang Jiu has access to the same tactical option through his third ring 55. When he returns from the Star Dou Forest after obtaining that ring, Xiao Wu runs from the academy gates and leaps into his arms, demonstrating the depth of her attachment 53. She also remains protective of his closeness with other girls, notably discouraging Ning Rongrong from touching his leg muscles 38.

Tang San

Jiang Jiu’s relationship with Tang San begins cautiously, as he is aware that Tang San is the protagonist of his original world and that building a good rapport is essential for his own ambitions. On his first day in Dorm Seven, Tang San challenges Jiang Jiu to a spar according to dorm tradition, but Jiang Jiu strategically avoids a direct confrontation with Tang San, knowing he cannot win, and instead lets himself be defeated by Xiao Wu’s techniques to keep his true strength ambiguous 1. Over time, the initial tension gives way to mutual respect. During blacksmithing sessions at the shop, the two engage in polite mutual flattery, with Jiang Jiu praising Tang San’s forging skills and Tang San returning the compliment 16. When they travel to the Soul Hunting Forest, Tang San takes the lead in explaining wilderness survival and soul beast knowledge to Jiang Jiu and Xiao Wu, demonstrating his expertise and willingness to share 19. Yu Xiaogang observes this interaction, assessing Jiang Jiu as a potential “fist and foot” for Tang San’s future control-type role 19.

The emotional turning point comes during a visit to Holy Soul Village. When Tang San finds that his father has left, he is visibly shaken. Jiang Jiu immediately offers comfort—though Xiao Wu’s blunt remark about missing parents nearly ruins the moment, Jiang Jiu covers her mouth and helps clean Tang San’s house, a gesture Tang San deeply appreciates 26. Tang San then proposes that they swear brotherhood and become each other’s family. Both Jiang Jiu and Xiao Wu accept, solidifying a genuine bond 26. After the ritual, Tang San looks at them with gratitude and openly calls Jiang Jiu “Brother Jiu” and Xiao Wu “Sister Xiao Wu” 27. This brotherhood carries through into their daily lives: Tang San now offers to teach Jiang Jiu hidden weapon crafting, though Jiang Jiu declines due to his packed schedule of cultivation, blacksmithing, and Soft Technique training 28. Despite the refusal, Tang San continues to respect Jiang Jiu’s choices and covets the high-quality Iron Essence Jiang Jiu forges for potential hidden weapons 28.

In group settings, their relationship is formal but warm. Tang San envies the easy intimacy between Jiang Jiu and Xiao Wu but is content to have them as sworn siblings 16. When Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, and the others meet the duo, Tang San is not directly involved in those conversations, but his foundational friendship with Jiang Jiu remains intact 40. Their dynamic is one of quiet camaraderie: they do not banter as freely as Jiang Jiu and Xiao Wu, but they share a mutual understanding of diligence and purpose. Jiang Jiu’s strategic mind and Tang San’s ingenuity complement each other, and the brotherhood they formed in Holy Soul Village becomes the bedrock of a lasting partnership that extends beyond mere academy ties.

Ning Rongrong

Ning Rongrong becomes interested in Jiang Jiu shortly after their introduction at Shrek Academy, initially reacting with shock to his level 30 cultivation and his unusually close relationship with Xiao Wu 35 40. She is impressed by his appearance, physical ability, and disciplined training, though she openly lacks the desire to subject herself to comparable effort 40. Her curiosity extends to his soul skills; during the Star Dou Forest expedition, she asks directly whether his second skill is Charm and learns that he often considers it unnecessary against ordinary opponents 48.

Ning Rongrong later becomes an important material supporter of Jiang Jiu’s forging ambitions. She offers to loan him money and uses her wealth to secure rare materials, including Tungsten Steel, allowing him to pursue Thousand Refinement rather than remain limited by Iron Essence 57 60 63. In return, Jiang Jiu agrees to train her, provided she follows his arrangements. Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing join the training as well 63. Although Ning Rongrong often jokes about Jiang Jiu’s overwhelming strength and fears being sent flying by one of his punches, she respects his skill and actively seeks to benefit from his training methods 63.

Zhu Zhuqing

Zhu Zhuqing first takes note of Jiang Jiu through Xiao Wu’s explanation of the Soft Technique and the physical training that made him so formidable 40. Recognizing Xiao Wu’s success in teaching Jiang Jiu, she directly asks Xiao Wu to train her in the style 40. During Shrek sparring exercises, Jiang Jiu defeats Zhu Zhuqing through a controlled Soft Technique throw; despite its dramatic appearance, he absorbs the impact so she rises unhurt 55.

Jiang Jiu also shows concern for Zhu Zhuqing’s tendency to overtrain. When she becomes exhausted during Yu Xiaogang’s regimen, he advises her on training and recovery while Ning Rongrong encourages her to use medicinal baths and rest 60. Zhu Zhuqing remains practical and reserved around him, particularly regarding clothing and training, but later joins Ning Rongrong's request to train under Jiang Jiu 62 63.

Equipment

• Homemade Barbell: A two-meter-long iron rod forged by Jiang Jiu with the help of Shi San, using over a dozen kilograms of pure Iron Essence saved from six months of blacksmithing work. The rod serves as the bar for strength training, with weight plates made from raw iron to keep costs down. Jiang Jiu also built a rack to hold the bar and plates, drawing on the experience of veteran blacksmiths at the shop 23 24.
• Small Forging Hammer: A core piece of equipment carried in Jiang Jiu's luggage when he first arrived at Nuoding Academy. It represents his preparation over the previous three months and his commitment to blacksmithing as both a trade and a path to self-improvement 1.
• Patchwork Robe: A garment stitched together from various fabric scraps, indicating a past of relying on charity. Though not used for training, it held emotional significance for Xiao Wu and was kept in Jiang Jiu's belongings as a reminder of his humble beginnings 1 3.
• Iron Essence: The refined metal that Jiang Jiu produced by repeatedly hammering and purifying pig iron. Over six months, he accumulated over a dozen kilograms of leftover Iron Essence from his orders, which he used to forge his barbell bar and also sold to Tang San at a discounted price. The material's eventual structural failure during experimental forging led Jiang Jiu to realize its limitations and seek out rare metals for further advancement 23 24 41.
• Tungsten Steel: A thousand-pound piece of rare metal acquired for Jiang Jiu's advanced forging work. He can manipulate it with one hand and uses the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer in his attempts to purify it through Thousand Refinement 60 62 63.
• Barbell Plates and Rack: The weight plates were forged from raw iron rather than refined Iron Essence to avoid excessive expense. The rack and other accessories needed to support the barbell were designed with input from experienced blacksmiths, allowing Jiang Jiu to create a safe and effective home gym setup 24.
• Cloth Strips for Braiding: Simple cloth strips used by Xiao Wu to tie Jiang Jiu's hair into a scorpion braid or an updo. While not combat equipment, these strips are part of their daily routine and a symbol of their close bond 4.

Trivia

• Jiang Jiu’s martial soul is the Soft Bone Rabbit, exactly the same as Xiao Wu’s, and his innate soul power is level 7 1.
• Xiao Wu’s first spirit ring came from a four-hundred-year-old Soft Bone Rabbit, which influenced Jiang Jiu’s age preference for his own first ring 19.
• Jiang Jiu’s legendary morning runs were so intense that the Nuoding Dean privately admitted he couldn’t outrun the boy 29 30.
• Jiang Jiu forged a two-meter iron rod from over a dozen kilograms of pure Iron Essence to use as a barbell for strength training 23.
• Xiao Wu is a hundred-thousand-year-old soul beast (Soft Bone Rabbit), a fact known to Jiang Jiu 17.
• Xiao Wu’s drawing skills are poor; when she tried to illustrate soul beasts for Jiang Jiu, she gave up and instead drew a portrait of him meditating, then blacked it out 24.
• Jiang Jiu considers blacksmithing a form of cultivation, especially when channeling soul power into the hammer 24.
• Xiao Wu repeatedly followed Jiang Jiu into the men’s bathhouse, once claiming she needed to teach him stretching techniques 8 13.
• Jiang Jiu’s physical growth is subtly influenced by his Soft Bone Rabbit martial soul, enhancing his running distance and strength beyond normal human limits 8 21.
• At the end of first grade, Jiang Jiu had reached soul power level 13, maintaining a steady pace of two levels every six months 25.
• Tang San openly showed his hidden weapons to Jiang Jiu after they became closer, while Jiang Jiu remained focused on tempering Iron Essence 28.
• The Nuoding Dean is a level 41 Tool Soul Ancestor and considered Jiang Jiu’s potential to far exceed his own 19.
• During the soul hunting trip, Yu Xiaogang assessed Jiang Jiu and Xiao Wu as potential team members for Tang San, planning him as a Control-type soul master 19.
• Xiao Wu was initially shocked when Jiang Jiu absorbed a hundred-year soul ring at level 10, but later used her own hundred-year ring to intimidate bullies 9.
• Jiang Jiu once thought that if Tang San were a girl, their friendship would have progressed much faster 26.
• When Ning Rongrong met Xiao Wu at Shrek Academy, she was stunned to learn Xiao Wu was level 34 and Jiang Jiu level 30 35.
• Jiang Jiu obtained his third soul ring from a thousand-year Lightning Rabbit and became a Soul Elder 51 52.
• Jiang Jiu's third soul skill is Teleportation, which complements his close-range Soft Technique by allowing instant repositioning 55.
• After three months of Shrek special training, Jiang Jiu reached level 32 while retaining the greatest physical fitness among the students 57.
• Jiang Jiu can apply a thin film of soul power over his hands and body; Xiao Wu originally developed the hand-protection technique after noticing the calluses caused by his forging 60.
• His first attempt at Thousand Refinement with Tungsten Steel reduced the metal's volume by around ten percent and caused noticeable mental fatigue 63.