Shen Xiu

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Shen Xiu (沈修)
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Golden Rainbow Martial Arts School (formerly); later associated with the Kan Department and other cultivation factions 9 249
Occupation/Role	Martial cultivator; former Formal Disciple of the Golden Rainbow Martial Arts School 9
Alias(es)	“Bloody Hand Butcher” 51
First Appearance	Chapter 3

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
One Transformation	3	Gains the Heaven Rewards Diligence talent, allowing learned skills to be quantified and improved through sustained practice without regression or bottlenecks.
Dragon Subduing Tiger Taming Art, second stage	4	Reaches the technique’s second stage through daily training.
First Realm, Body Tempering peak / late stage	17	Reaches the peak of Body Tempering and begins advanced Muscle Tendon Training under Duan Hongfei.
Second Realm, Muscle Tendon Training	18	Enters the Second Realm after Duan Hongfei helps him sense his muscles, tendons, and internal energy.
Dragon Subduing Tiger Taming Art, fifth level	32	Brings the technique to Perfection/Great Accomplishment; his saber technique reaches the third realm.
Third Realm, Bone Marrow Cleansing	39	Breaks through while cultivating beside the Lishui River.
Fifth Realm	153	States his cultivation is at the Fifth Realm while purchasing Mysterious Grade Blood Qi Pills.
Realm of Refining Apertures	131	Briefly surges to this realm after defeating Wang Xuefeng, greatly sharpening his senses.
Ninth Realm	249	Demonstrates True Essence strong enough for Cui Rongxuan to suspect he has entered the Ninth Realm.
Mid-stage Eighth Realm	235	Advances after exchanging Nether Ancient Divine Hall members’ heads for Merit.
Eleventh Realm	327	Gains more refined Primordial Spirit control; his soul power condenses and physique continues evolving.
Peak Half-step Divine Ability realm	705	Consolidates his strength after absorbing Xue Qing’s power.
Divine Ability realm	706	Battles Xue Zhan as a Divine Ability realm expert.
Qi Transformation stage (potentially)	727	His displayed strength is assessed as potentially reaching this stage.
Eight-star Martial Master	733	Breaks through after killing a fourth-tier demonic beast and gaining experience points.
Innate realm	778	Easily defeats a Blood Wolf Sect leader at the mid-stage Martial Spirit Realm.
Half-step Immortal Lord realm	802	Refines the Myriad Law Sacred Lotus and gains power nearly comparable to a true Immortal Lord.
Earth Immortal realm	837	Battles a Heavenly Immortal realm member of the Demon Race.
Sixth Level Spirit Spring Realm	844	Slays a Purple Sun Sect elder and destroys his regenerating body.
Late-stage Immortal Venerable	876	Reveals this breakthrough while confronting the Immortal Martial Academy.
Peak ninth layer, Heavenly Immortal realm	928	Reaches this level after fusing with six Ice Peaks.
Middle Heavenly Spirit Realm	1028	Breaks through during his battle with the white-robed old man.
Early Earthly Rank Martial Artist	1041	Arrives in Qingyang City and defeats stronger Earthly Rank opponents.
Heavenly Immortal-level physique	1050	Refines a lightning bead, raising his physical strength to the Heavenly Immortal level.
Seventh level, Core Formation Realm	1088	Breaks through after receiving a fortuitous opportunity, though he is subsequently weakened by Bone-Eroding Powder.
Mid-stage Mystic Spirit Realm	1117	Absorbs the energy of three blue beads for half a month; his Soul Power reaches the late Mystic Spirit stage.
Saint King-level strength	1121	His power is assessed as having risen to the Saint King realm during the Shen Family conflict.
Mid-stage Dou Zong-level combat power	1123	Defeats the Shen Family Head with a single punch, shocking the clan’s disciples.
Eighth Layer of Body Refinement	1217	After two years of cultivation and absorbing magic cores, his physical strength reaches eight thousand jin and approaches the Tenth Layer of Body Refinement.
Fifth level, Saint Venerable Realm	1239	His cultivation surges after merging with the Thunder Origin, allowing him to traverse the Myriad Spirit Abyss with ease.

Background / History

Shen Xiu began as a miscellaneous disciple at the Golden Rainbow Martial Arts School with poor aptitude. After his first transformation, he gained Heaven Rewards Diligence, a talent that quantifies learning and ensures that persistent effort produces permanent progress. This allows him to overcome poor comprehension and cultivation bottlenecks through practice alone 3.

He learned the Dragon Subduing Tiger Taming Art from Instructor Duan Hongfei and trained with exceptional persistence. His rapid improvement earned Duan’s attention, later leading to Shen Xiu’s promotion to Formal Disciple status, a private residence, a disciple token, and access to further martial arts instruction 3 9.

Duan became Shen Xiu’s principal early mentor, correcting the finer details of his technique, guiding him through Muscle Tendon Training, and entrusting him with a valuable saber technique. Shen Xiu continued to regard Duan highly even after his own cultivation surpassed that of the Golden Rainbow Martial Arts School’s ordinary disciples 9 18 73.

After becoming entangled in the Chen Family jade-pendant conflict and surviving attacks connected to the Azure Dragon Gang, Shen Xiu concentrated on cultivation. His rise continued through Taixi City, Shanglin City, and beyond, where he accumulated techniques, weapons, resources, and a feared reputation through repeated battles against gangs, sects, demons, and hostile cultivators 17 38 51 117.

During his travels, Shen Xiu encounters increasingly powerful mystical cultivators and sect geniuses. At Qingshan Tavern, he witnesses Liu Yuexue’s distant sword control and uses the Twin Pupils Heavenly Eye to identify her as a Violet Palace Realm cultivator, further motivating his pursuit of greater strength 155 156.

His later progress is repeatedly tied to inheritances, rare treasures, and the absorption of powerful energies. He absorbs Xue Qing’s power, merges with the Thunder Origin, and later receives the Thunder Emperor’s understanding of the Saint Emperor Realm, which he must gradually make his own 705 1239 1260.

Appearance

Shen Xiu’s appearance changes notably as his cultivation advances. After a year away from the Golden Rainbow Martial Arts School, Wang Si initially fails to recognize him; he has grown taller, slimmer, and more handsome, resembling a young master more than a martial cultivator 139.

• Initially described training shirtless in the Golden Rainbow Martial Arts School’s Formal Disciple courtyard 17.
• Possesses increasingly resilient skin and a heavily tempered physique 73 776.
• Can manifest pale-blue scales and enlarge into a colossal nine-zhang form through the Nine Revolutions Dragon Elephant Technique 725.
• His skin is at times described as covered by fine, faintly blue scale armor 702.
• Can transform into a hundred-zhang giant while fighting a flood dragon 335.
• His enlarged forms later reach a thousand zhang, resembling a golden mountain that blocks out the sky 1023.
• During his departure from the Heavenly Dao Sect, he is described in flowing white robes with long golden hair tied by a purple ribbon 1263.

Personality

Shen Xiu is defined early by discipline, patience, and a willingness to rely on prolonged effort rather than talent. He practices relentlessly, tracks measurable progress, and persists even when techniques initially yield little result 3 32 132.

He is practical and resourceful. As a young disciple, he earns money by instructing Jian Shuhao, accepts External Affairs Hall missions, sells weapons for funds, and invests heavily in cultivation resources 4 18 38.

His loyalty is selective but genuine. He risks himself to return to the Golden Rainbow Martial Arts School because he cannot ignore the danger facing Duan Hongfei, and later answers Duan’s request for help against the Wind Thunder Martial Arts School 42 139.

As his strength grows, Shen Xiu becomes increasingly ruthless toward enemies. He pursues hostile factions, eliminates fleeing opponents, and frequently refuses to show mercy to those who threaten him or his allies 257 271 846 1025. He nevertheless shows moments of compassion, including feeding a stray cat and helping those whose potential he recognizes 39 693.

Shen Xiu remains fiercely independent before major factions. He rejects Elder Li’s invitation to join the Myriad Sword Sect and repeatedly states that he has no interest in submitting to a sect merely for its protection or status 990.

Despite his ruthlessness, he is capable of restraint when he sees no need for further killing. After defeating two Core Formation Realm opponents, he allows their fleeing disciples to escape rather than pursue them 1226. He also shows gratitude toward allies, such as when he gives Liu Qingyan a Storage Bag of precious spiritual herbs after returning from the Myriad Spirit Abyss 1239.

Abilities & Skills

Heaven Rewards Diligence

A talent gained after Shen Xiu’s first transformation.

• Quantifies the proficiency of everything he learns and practices 3.
• Converts effort directly into progress.
• Prevents regression, forgetting, and cultivation bottlenecks 3.
• Allows Shen Xiu to learn techniques regardless of poor initial aptitude, provided he continues training 3.
• Neutralizes the harmful side effects associated with the Art of Nurturing Swords and his black sword, allowing him to continue sword nurturing safely 179.

Dragon Subduing Tiger Taming Art

The foundational body-training art taught at the Golden Rainbow Martial Arts School.

• Contains thirteen stances focused on strengthening the body 3.
• Progresses from basic proficiency to the fifth level/Perfection under Shen Xiu’s practice 4 32.
• Generates internal energy after being cultivated to a sufficiently high level 18.
• Is a simplified Odd Grade derivation of Prison Suppressing Dragon Elephant Strength 73 74.

Prison Suppressing Dragon Elephant Strength

An advanced body-refining technique connected to the Yuanyang Gang.

• Originates from the ultimate skill of a former Yuanyang Gang leader 73.
• Shen Xiu begins cultivating it after arriving in Shanglin City 106.
• Strengthens his internal organs after he condenses True Qi 106.
• Its progression creates manifestations such as the Primal Elephant phantom 143.

Swordsmanship and Saber Arts

Shen Xiu develops a broad arsenal of blade techniques.

• Receives a high-grade saber technique from Duan Hongfei after becoming a Formal Disciple 9.
• Reaches the third realm in saber practice after perfecting the Dragon Subduing Tiger Taming Art 32.
• Uses the Great Thousand Thunder Sword Art against Li Tianhua 479.
• Achieves Sword Qi Manifestation and performs the Six Yang Sword Art’s “Six Yang World-Shining Slash” 732.
• Uses dense Sword Qi capable of piercing multiple Martial Venerable-level Blood Race experts 704.
• Wields golden Sword Aura, Purple-Gold Sword Light, lightning greatswords, and other sword-based attacks 837 844 1028.
• Masters the Blood Demon Nine Forms and develops sword intent approaching the fourth tier during his battle with Xue Ji 702.
• Uses the Nine Forms of Heavenly Sword to defeat a second-level Martial Emperor and the Dragon Tiger Shakes Mountain technique against multiple pursuers 748.
• Comprehends the Three Thousand Sword Daos while cultivating the Nine Dragon Divine Sword Art 808.
• Uses the Crimson Flame Sword to display formidable fire-attributed swordsmanship against Liu Yuan 990.
• His sword technique is linked to the Chaos Body Refining Technique, which is said to permit combat against a ninth-rank Battle Emperor after reaching its third level 1065.

Soul and Primordial Spirit Techniques

Shen Xiu’s spiritual power develops alongside his physical cultivation.

• Uses Soul Power to scan surroundings during combat 371.
• Possesses the Twin Pupils Heavenly Eye, which reveals names and cultivation realms 155.
• Briefly reaches the Realm of Refining Apertures, enhancing his senses 131.
• Gains increasingly refined control of his Primordial Spirit at the Eleventh Realm 327.
• Uses a Soul Sword against Purple Sun Sect disciples 846.
• Possesses a fourth-grade Primordial Spirit art, granting far greater offensive power than opponents limited to lower-grade Primordial Spirit arts 736.
• Uses puppets to overcome a peak Eight Tribulations demonic cultivator 904.
• Can divide his Nascent Soul into three and employ a powerful immortal art in battle 1136.
• Continues advancing toward becoming a Five-Pattern Spirit Array Master as his Soul Imprint loosens 1031.

Physique and Transformation

Shen Xiu possesses unusually strong physical defenses and transformation abilities.

• Masters Bronze Skin and Iron Bones, enabling him to contend with opponents at the Tenth Realm 249.
• Is described as possessing the Indestructible Vajra Body during his battle with Yan Qi 266.
• Can become a hundred-zhang golden giant 693.
• Uses the Nine Revolutions Dragon Elephant Technique to transform into a nine-zhang scaled giant 725.
• Refines a lightning bead to achieve Heavenly Immortal-level physical strength 1050.
• Raises the Indestructible Vajra Divine Skill to the Fourth Layer, gaining a rebounding force that can return an attacker’s power 143.
• Can expand into a hundred-zhang giant to contend physically with a flood dragon 335.
• Uses the Nine Yin Nine Yang Art and Dragon Scale Armor to strengthen his physical defenses against Shen Qingfeng’s Soul Devouring Blades 966.
• Can take a thousand-zhang giant form, possessing an aura dangerous enough to threaten an opponent’s soul 1023.
• Transforms into a giant several hundred zhang tall and releases corrosive black mist during his confrontation with Qin Hong 1096.
• By the Eighth Layer of Body Refinement, his body has a strength of eight thousand jin and ordinary weapons cannot injure him 1217.

Myriad Transformation Divine Art

A divine ability used against demonic beasts.

• Used alongside his powerful physique to defeat Giant Snakes and a Golden Eagle 697.
• Supports combat against multiple powerful creatures.

Lightning-Attribute Martial Soul

A rare innate Martial Soul.

• Takes the form of a Lightning Dragon 887.
• Is strengthened through the blood of Spirit Beasts 887.
• Is particularly valuable to Shen Xiu, though he notes it is less suited to close-quarters combat 887.
• His Emperor-level bloodline awakens against Lei Zhen; after defeating him, Shen Xiu absorbs Lei Zhen’s divine spark and merges with a Lightning crystal core to strengthen his Soul Power 1047.
• Merges with the Thunder Origin, advancing to the fifth level of the Saint Venerable Realm 1239.
• Receives the Thunder Emperor’s understanding of the Saint Emperor Realm and works to transform that inherited knowledge into his own comprehension 1260.
• Uses Thunderbolt Power capable of awakening a residual consciousness of the Evil Clan beyond the domain 1277.

Blood Demon and Bloodline Techniques

Shen Xiu employs several techniques centered on blood energy and slaughter.

• Uses the Blood Demon Nine Forms, including Slaughter Nine Forms and Life-Taking Nine Forms, to form an enormous blood-red sword capable of splitting space 702.
• Uses Blood God Slash and the Blood God Art during his conflict with Xue Ji and Xue Qing 702 704.
• Can draw upon his bloodline power to reinforce his body and circulate pure blood energy through the Blood God Art 704.
• Possesses Blood Poison Eye, a personal Spirit Skill designed to attack spirit-beast bodies 734.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Hundred-Refined Saber — gifted by Jian Shuhao’s father as an apology following the jade-pendant incident 18.
• Black sword — nurtured with Shen Xiu’s vital blood through a sword-nurturing technique 138.
• Blood sword — formerly wielded by Wang Xuefeng; Shen Xiu establishes a connection to it through blood nurturing 132.
• Black Long Saber — used in combat against a Heavenly Immortal realm Demon Race opponent 837.
• Azure Nether Sword — a Spirit Artifact later shattered by Shen Tianyi 735.
• Spirit Artifact-grade flying swords — Shen Xiu reveals five of them against Li Yue’er 746.
• Soul Sword — used to eliminate Purple Sun Sect disciples 846.
• Chaos Bead — identified as a sacred artifact in Shen Xiu’s possession 876.
• Dragon Phoenix Pearl — its energy helps Shen Xiu survive severe injuries 764.
• Lightning bead — refined to elevate his physical strength to the Heavenly Immortal level 1050.
• Ghost Slaying Scythe — a powerful weapon Shen Xiu uses against Li Chen; it is regarded as nearly invincible below the Martial Saint Realm 430.
• Blood Demon Dagger — used to endure Xue Ji’s Blood Demon Slash 702.
• Seven Star Demonic Spear — a Spirit Artifact used to severely injure Shen Wuya 770.
• Vajra Shield — summoned to block and reflect an attack from one of the Three Emperors of the Northern Region 1038.
• High-grade Spirit Artifact armor — armor that markedly raises Shen Xiu’s strength when activated 1052.
• Thunder pearl — manifests above Shen Xiu’s forehead after he restores his energy and activates his runes 1054.
• Soul-Slaying Spear — a spear regarded by Xiao Yan as Shen Xiu’s possession and a coveted treasure 1134.

Relationships

• Duan Hongfei — Instructor and early mentor. He teaches Shen Xiu the Dragon Subduing Tiger Taming Art, guides his cultivation, and gives him a valuable saber technique 3 9 18.
• Jian Shuhao — Registered disciple whom Shen Xiu tutors in exchange for payment; Jian’s father later gives Shen Xiu a Hundred-Refined Saber as an apology 4 18.
• Wang Si — Former roommate and fellow disciple. They reunite after Shen Xiu’s year-long absence from the Golden Rainbow Martial Arts School 9 139.
• Yang Jinhong — School Master of the Golden Rainbow Martial Arts School; his attention toward Shen Xiu suggests interest in taking him as a Personal Disciple 39.
• Shopkeeper Chen — Ally in Feng’an Town; Shen Xiu tells him that he killed Wang Xuefeng, easing the threat to Yunji Pharmacy 131.
• Zhao Xiu — Companion and mentee-like ally whom Shen Xiu guides toward pure ice power in the Ice Peak 928.
• Zhao Xueqi — Friendly companion who follows Shen Xiu’s guidance during the Ice Peak expedition 928.
• Shen Zhan — Father with whom Shen Xiu discusses the bandit threat and the Shen family’s future 482.
• Shen Xin — A woman who once saved Shen Xiu’s life; Shen Xiu retains complicated feelings toward her and wishes for her future well-being 701.
• Xue Qing — Blood Race adversary whose power Shen Xiu absorbs after defeating him 704 705.
• Bai Shanyue — Qingxia Cave Heaven disciple pursued by Shen Xiu over past grievances and threats 256 257.
• Li Tianhua — Core disciple who attacks Shen Xiu over Shen Fei’s death; their battle leaves Shen Xiu injured and disarmed 479.
• Liu Yuexue — The “Little Sword God” of Qingxi Zhai. Shen Xiu observes her exceptional sword control at Qingshan Tavern; she later seeks to inspect his unusually nurtured black sword 155 156 179.
• Liu Piaoxue — An ally whose mistreatment by Luo Yong provokes Shen Xiu’s determination to kill Luo Yong 382.
• Xingyun — A young cultivator whose high comprehension and potential concern Shen Xiu; he seeks resources and strength in part to support her growth 593.
• Shen Hao — A companion and beneficiary of Shen Xiu’s aid. Shen Hao follows him, learns martial skills from him, and regards him as a lifesaving benefactor 601.
• Li Yue’er — Daughter of the Li Clan patriarch. She initially attempts to kill Shen Xiu but later receives his aid against a second-level Martial Emperor pursuer 746 748.
• Shen Ling’er — Shen Xiu’s younger sister and cultivation companion. He monitors her rapid improvement and shields her when Tianjizi approaches their village 808 809.
• Wen Yan — A black-clothed girl who travels with Shen Xiu through ruins and a teleportation passage, displaying trust in his decisions 904.
• Lin Yuechan — An acquaintance who shows concern for Shen Xiu when he is pursued after breaking through to the seventh Core Formation level 1088.
• Liu Qingyan — An ally with whom Shen Xiu develops a close bond. He gives her precious spiritual herbs in gratitude, and she waits outside Heavenly Secrets Hall during his cultivation 1239 1260 1263.
• Lin Ya’er — A disciple of the Eastern Region’s Heavenly Sun Academy who challenges Shen Xiu to a sparring match after their respective growth over three years 1172.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Golden Rainbow Martial Arts School

Shen Xiu begins as a miscellaneous disciple, receives Heaven Rewards Diligence, learns the Dragon Subduing Tiger Taming Art, and rises to Formal Disciple status. Duan Hongfei’s mentorship is central to this period 3 9.

Taixi City Conflicts

The Chen Family jade pendant brings Shen Xiu into conflict with the Azure Dragon Gang and related factions. He later gains notoriety after the destruction of the Crimson Fire Stronghold, though he dislikes the title “Bloody Hand Butcher” 17 51.

Shanglin City and Advanced Cultivation

Shen Xiu travels to Shanglin City to pursue Prison Suppressing Dragon Elephant Strength and more advanced cultivation opportunities. His demon-slaying accomplishments spread his reputation among local factions 73 106 117.

Return to the Golden Rainbow Martial Arts School

After Duan Hongfei requests help, Shen Xiu returns to confront the Wind Thunder Martial Arts School’s external expert, Zhao Xian. Zhao Xian is killed, and the Wind Thunder Martial Arts School is suppressed 139 142.

Qingxia Cave Heaven Revenge

Shen Xiu pursues Bai Shanyue and Qingxia Cave Heaven over earlier enmities. He ultimately defeats Yan Qi, plunders the sect, and annihilates its remaining elders and fleeing disciples 257 271.

Shen Family Conflicts

Across later arcs, Shen Xiu repeatedly becomes entangled in Shen Family power struggles. He fights family elders, rival descendants, patriarchs, and outside enemies while defending his own standing and family interests 401 725 783 1024.

The conflict later escalates into an open purge of the Shen Family’s senior figures. Shen Xiu defeats the Shen Family Head with a single strike and eliminates higher-ups who oppose his authority, leaving his subordinates to obey him out of fear 1118 1119 1123.

Sect and Academy Confrontations

Shen Xiu confronts numerous sects and cultivation organizations, including the Purple Sun Sect, Myriad Sword Sect, Immortal Martial Academy, Heavenly Sun Academy, and Demonic Sect forces. These conflicts consistently emphasize his refusal to submit to stronger factions 844 876 889 990 991.

At the Heavenly Sun Academy, he challenges the students of the Number Two Academy in pursuit of entry to the Number One Academy. His victory over Liang Shanyue and Liang Shanyue’s son further establishes his reputation as an uncompromising rising power 889.

Blood Race Conflict

At Ten Thousand Beasts Valley, Shen Xiu battles Xue Ji, kills her after mastering the Blood Demon Nine Forms, and advances to the Eight-Star Martial Saint realm. He then confronts Xue Qing and other Blood Race Martial Venerables, ultimately defeating Xue Qing and absorbing his power 702 703 704 705.

Myriad Spirit Abyss and Thunder Inheritance

Shen Xiu journeys through the Myriad Spirit Abyss after merging with the Thunder Origin and reaching the fifth Saint Venerable level. Afterward, he receives the Thunder Emperor’s Saint Emperor Realm understanding and begins a prolonged process of internalizing it 1239 1260.

Trivia

• Shen Xiu’s foundational Dragon Subduing Tiger Taming Art has thirteen stances 3.
• He once earned money by teaching martial arts to a registered disciple 4.
• He feeds monster-beast corpses to the Golden Cicada, whose satiety can be tracked numerically 18.
• He dislikes the “Bloody Hand Butcher” nickname despite others believing he approves of it 51.
• He is known to cultivate even in adverse weather, including heavy snow and rainstorms 32 132.
• He is particularly driven by observable progress; seeing numerical increases in the status panel reinforces his willingness to continue long periods of cultivation 4 138.
• Liu Yuexue’s warning sword strike at Qingshan Tavern moves so quickly that Shen Xiu can perceive it only as a blurry streak even with the Twin Pupils Heavenly Eye 156.