Liu Yunshen

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Liu Yunshen (柳云深)
Alias(es)	Xi Bai (courtesy name)
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Four Swords Sect (guest elder); disciple of the Black-Robed Daoist
Occupation/Role	Qi cultivator; swordsman; protector of common people
Status	Alive 50
First Appearance	Chapter 2: Jade Jujube's Virtue

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Qi Refinement, First Realm — initial entry	2	Reaches the acquired realm of qi refinement after practicing the boxing art taught by the Black-Robed Daoist.
Qi Refinement, First Realm — Second Stage / Yellow Sprout Breaking Darkness	4, 7	Advances while recovering from Chang Yi's Sword Qi; the progress is later attributed in part to surviving and dissolving the Six Desires Demon Poison.
Qi Refinement, First Realm — Third Stage, Earth Vein Rooting	14, 16	Breaks through amid battle; his meridians begin resembling rivers, and he learns to draw earth qi from vegetation.
Life Realm	26	Under Brother Huang's guidance, comprehends the Life Realm, greatly amplifying his sword intent and Sword Qi despite remaining in the First Qi Refining Realm.
Qi Refinement, First Realm — Fourth Stage, Rain-Nourished Branching	36, 37	His dantian power reaches the fourth tier; he becomes substantially stronger and can wield greater Seven-Star Sword Technique power.
Qi Refinement, First Realm — Fifth Stage, Wind-Swayed Tempering	44	Breaks through using the Sleep Skill as his Yellow Sprout develops into a towering tree within his dantian.
Yellow Sprout Giant Tree — further growth	47	The Yellow Sprout rises another stage, doubling its apparent power and strengthening his Sword Intent and Meteoric Iron Sword Seal.

Background / History

Liu Yunshen was raised in Hu Family Village and received the courtesy name Xi Bai from his mother before her death. Later reports state that Zhou officials drove his mother to die. He grew up alongside Zhao Dagou and Hu Two, whom he regarded as brothers. 2 26

After Zhu Xun defeated him and severed the tendons in all four limbs, Liu Yunshen awoke imprisoned in water. The Black-Robed Daoist rescued him with jade-green ointment, recognized his talent and character, and offered him cultivation. Liu initially refused because he wished to return to his village companions, but ultimately accepted the Daoist as his master after entering Qi Refinement. 2

Upon returning home, Liu found Hu Family Village burned and believed Zhao Dagou and Hu Two had died. Learning that Blacksmith Tan's daughter had been taken to Zhu Xun, he infiltrated Yucheng County and killed Li Houde, Li Zhong, and Li Yi for their crimes. Chang Yi's Sword Qi nearly killed him afterward, forcing him to rely on Tan Cuicui, Zhang Er, and Blacksmith Tan for escape and recovery. 3 4

He left Great Zhou after becoming wanted by the authorities. Along the way, he met Cao Langao and the young cultivators connected to the Four Swords Sect, forming close bonds with Gong Liefeng, Cai Yuelin, and Lei Zhaoye. His journey ultimately led him to the declining Four Swords Sect, whose masters recognized both his talent and his commitment to righteousness. 6 9 10 29

Appearance

Liu Yunshen is a handsome young man with thick brows and distinctive double pupils. His appearance is striking enough that he repeatedly uses disguises or masks to avoid recognition. 3 5 6

• Double pupils — enable unusually sharp perception, including seeing in darkness and observing subtle movements or qi. 5 25
• Handsome features — noted by allies, enemies, and strangers alike. 2 10 46
• Scarred disguise — cuts his own face to resemble a wanted man's old scar before leaving Yucheng. 5 6
• Tall build — can convincingly disguise himself as Cao Langao only from a distance due to his height. 12

Personality

Liu Yunshen is guided by a powerful instinct to protect those harmed through no fault of their own. He considers suffering caused by his actions to be his responsibility, whether the victim is a stranger, a friend, or an entire village. 2 16 23

He is intensely principled, refusing recruitment by demonic cultivators and rejecting demands that the Four Swords Sect murder innocents for political gain. His commitment to righteousness often drives him into battles he cannot safely win. 20 23 33

Despite his resolve, Liu is not unshakably certain of his path. Ying Hua's warning that “one sword cannot save all under heaven” leaves him doubting whether individual heroism can change a corrupt world. Brother Huang's criticism and training help him regain his conviction without abandoning his compassion. 24 25 26

He is loyal to his teachers and careful not to expose their secret arts. He also displays humility toward senior cultivators, even when his own sword intent earns their admiration. 17 29 32

Abilities & Skills

Qi Refinement and Yellow Sprout Cultivation

Liu cultivates through the Yellow Sprout system of the First Qi Refining Realm. His dantian later develops sun-and-moon aspects and the Five Qi of water, fire, earth, wood, and metal. 8 16 44

• Absorbs qi from vegetation and terrain after reaching Earth Vein Rooting. 16
• Uses Water Profound Qi to recover from severe wounds. 38
• Can draw on the sun within his dantian to increase the power of his sword formation. 17
• His Fifth Stage breakthrough develops the Yellow Sprout into a giant tree rooted deep within his dantian. 44

Swordsmanship and Sword Intent

Liu combines techniques taught by the Black-Robed Daoist, Brother Huang, and his own insights. His fighting style emphasizes adaptable sword intent rather than fixed forms. 17 26 32

• Wields Sword Qi far beyond what his formal realm would normally permit. 26 46
• Comprehends the Life Realm, allowing his Sword Qi to embody vigorous vitality and greatly increase in range. 26
• Uses the Blazing Sun Sword through the southern aspect of the Dipper Handle, overpowering Tu Chunqiu and Ming Jiuxiao's combined attacks. 48
• Can observe and partially reproduce unfamiliar techniques after witnessing them, including aspects of Jie Xiao's swordsmanship. 17 22

Seven-Star Sword Formation

The Black-Robed Daoist teaches Liu the completed footwork and formation associated with the Seven Stars. It can be performed alone or strengthened by allies occupying stellar positions. 17 48 49

• Activates stellar positions and combines cold, heat, spring, autumn, and Five Qi transformations. 17
• Requires intense concentration and can cause backlash if mishandled. 17
• Rapidly depletes dantian power; an early test consumes roughly thirty percent of his reserves. 17
• With allies and the Meteoric Iron Sword Seal, it can generate immense Sword Qi capable of challenging higher-realm opponents. 36 38 49

Demon-Transcending Method

Taught by the Black-Robed Daoist as a method for handling implanted demonic qi, this art enables Liu to purify and redirect corrupt energy. 8 9

• Uses Transmute Demonic Path into Divine Ability to refine demonic qi into usable power. 9
• Purifies Cao Zhan's demonic qi and resentment, contributing to Cao Zhan's defeat. 9
• Prevents demonic qi from overwhelming his true essence after injury. 8
• Liu deliberately conceals the art because he considers it too valuable and dangerous to reveal. 9

Sleep Cultivation

Liu learns a sleeping art from his master and later discovers broader applications for it. 2 47

• Cultivates while asleep, though emotional turmoil can cause dreams and illusions to interfere. 24
• Uses sleep cultivation while moving through the forest, dramatically enhancing his movement technique. 47
• Emits moonlight qi that nourishes nearby allies, helping several senior cultivators achieve breakthroughs. 47
• Gains insight into the Life Realm through the vitality of the Yellow Sprout Giant Tree during this state. 47

Exceptional Recovery

Liu repeatedly recovers from injuries at an abnormal speed, including wounds that should have been fatal. 5 9 15

• Regenerates damaged flesh after Chang Yi's Sword Qi and later demonic qi exposure. 4 5 9
• Survives Jie Xiao's Fire Lotus with severe burns while his wounds visibly heal. 15
• Uses Water Profound Qi and the Water Sword's mysteries to accelerate recovery during combat. 38 47
• Treats this ability as a secret and avoids revealing it unnecessarily. 9

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Benevolent Heart Ripples — treasured sword carried by Liu; it can release water-mystery qi and assists his recovery. 10 33 47
• Water Sword — sword given to him by Yang Qingchan in a dream that manifests in reality. 5
• Rusted iron sword — an unassuming broken sword used throughout his travels and training; it can absorb demonic qi and convert it into killing intent associated with refined metal. 15 17
• Black iron staff — Liu's early weapon; its outer layer burns away during the Fire Lotus attack, revealing the broken rusted sword beneath. 4 15
• Meteoric Iron Sword Seal — Four Swords Sect guest elder seal granting access to the sect's texts and secret sword-intent scrolls; it also increases his combat power. 33 36

Relationships

• Black-Robed Daoist — Liu's first master and rescuer; teaches him boxing, sleeping cultivation, dual-sword techniques, demonic-qi guidance, footwork, and the Seven-Star Sword Formation. 2 8 17
• Yang Qingchan / Yu Wan — Liu's junior sister in recurring dreams and his pledged beloved; she gives him the Water Sword, while both remain determined to reunite. 5 11 26
• Zhao Dagou / Zhao Dingjiang — childhood friend and sworn brother; Liu believed him dead after Hu Family Village burned, then reunites with him as a qi cultivator. 2 23 24
• Hu Two / Hu Lieshan — childhood friend and sworn brother; later becomes a qi cultivator and follows Liu's path. 2 23 24
• Tan Cuicui — Blacksmith Tan's daughter; helps Liu escape after Chang Yi wounds him and shelters him with her family. 4 5
• Blacksmith Tan — former sect disciple who treats Liu's near-fatal wound with inner force and offers him refuge. 4 5
• Cao Langao — Four Swords Sect cultivator who aids Liu against Cao Zhan; she develops affection for him and urges him to remain with her sect. 9 16 28
• Gong Liefeng, Cai Yuelin, and Lei Zhaoye — fellow young cultivators who become Liu's close companions and repeatedly support him in battle and travel. 10 16 35
• Brother Huang / Yellow River Swordsman — mentor who challenges Liu's resolve and guides him to comprehend the Life Realm. 25 26
• Ying Hua — general and adviser who challenges Liu's belief that a single sword can save the world, prompting a crisis of purpose and later renewed resolve. 24 26
• Jie Xiao — dangerous rival whose swordsmanship Liu studies; despite threatening Liu's life, he holds off Cao Huan so Liu can save Ouyang Qingcang. 14 22
• Four Swords Sect Masters — senior cultivators who respect Liu's character and sword intent, grant him the Meteoric Iron Sword Seal, and make him a guest elder. 29 32 33
• Zhu Xun — Liu's original tormentor and enemy; Liu eventually kills him while protecting Zhao Family Village. 2 37
• Daoist Chang Yi — Zhu Xun's master; nearly kills Liu several times before being stripped of cultivation and transformed into a demon. 4 37 38

Story Role / Major Arcs

• Yucheng and Hu Family Village — Survives Zhu Xun's torture, accepts the Black-Robed Daoist as master, discovers Hu Family Village destroyed, and takes vengeance on the Li brothers. 2 3
• Flight from Great Zhou — Escapes Chang Yi's pursuit with the Tan family’s aid, overcomes demonic poison, and begins traveling in search of his missing friends. 4 5 6
• Meeting the Four Swords Sect disciples — Defeats Cao Zhan, befriends Cao Langao and her companions, and begins moving toward the Four Swords Sect. 9 10
• Righteous campaigns — Fights demonic sect disciples, rejects Cao Huan's offer to join the demonic path, saves Ouyang Qingcang, and reunites with Zhao Dingjiang and Hu Lieshan. 15 20 22 23
• Four Swords Sect revival — Joins the sect's struggle against decline, refuses to betray his master’s arts, receives guest elder status, and resists demands to kill innocents for the sect's land. 29 32 33
• Revenge against Zhu Xun — Postpones vengeance until the right moment, then kills Zhu Xun during the massacre at Zhao Family Village and survives Chang Yi's pursuit. 36 37 38
• Defense of the sect and Deer Park conflict — Reaches the Fifth Stage, faces enemies outside the Zhou Enclosure Deer Park secret realm, battles the Myriad Swords Sect, and unleashes the Seven-Star Sword Formation with his allies. 44 47 48 49

Notable Quotes

“I still have unfinished business! Even if my body is broken and I dwell in filth, what is there to regret?!” 2

“People possess loyalty, filial piety, integrity, brotherhood, propriety, righteousness, honor, and shame. Your kind are nothing but beasts wearing human skin.” 20

“But wielding a sword to eliminate demons is the duty of a martial artist. If we see a snake and do not strike it, how are we any different from the wicked path?” 24

Trivia

• Liu Yunshen had not yet come of age when he first introduced himself to the Black-Robed Daoist. 2
• He can consume more than seven catties of steamed buns in one sitting after recovering from serious injury. 5
• Tan An interprets Liu's double pupils and unusual fate as signs that he may one day possess extraordinary nobility. 6
• He is educated in classical subjects and geography despite having little experience traveling beyond his home before entering Han Kingdom. 10 47