Xu Zhi

Biodata

Power Progression

Background / History

Xu Zhi was once an outstanding disciple of the Mysterious Truth Sect. He excelled in alchemy, the arts of the Yellow Emperor and Laozi, and swordsmanship. His compiled pharmacopoeia became widely popular in the kingdoms below the mountain. Daoist Gu Jun, one of the sect’s three great elders, selected him as a Personal Disciple and instructed him in the scriptures 3.

A demon-slaying expedition ended his promising career. His right-hand meridians were crippled, preventing him from wielding a sword with that hand. According to accounts repeated by other sect disciples, Xu Zhi lost his nerve and refused to advance, leading to several deaths, including that of Gu Jun’s only son. Gu Jun expelled him from his tutelage and smashed the alchemical furnace he had given him. Xu Zhi subsequently lost his mental balance, stopped advancing in Qi Refining, and neglected his alchemy 3.

Other Daoists mocked his downfall until Chen Heng’s former self appointed him as a musician in the Hall of Joyful Virtue. That protection discouraged further harassment. After Yan Zhen’s death, the sect confiscated the hall, and its musicians—including Xu Zhi—became ordinary Daoists again 3.

Appearance

Xu Zhi has handsome features and a graceful bearing, but a habitual trace of hesitation gives him a timid demeanor 3.

• Features: Ink-dark brows and star-bright eyes 3.
• Clothing: Blue Daoist robes during the journey to Lanliang City 11.
• Usual carried items: A zither at his first visit to Chen Heng; a sword on his back when descending the mountain 3 11.
• Lasting injury: Crippled right-hand meridians; his Mind Image fights with its left hand 3 18.

Personality

Xu Zhi is grateful and protective toward Chen Heng. Remembering the kindness that shielded him from ridicule, he becomes the first person to visit Chen Heng after his release from the water prison. He urgently tries to stop the Earth Abyss expedition and, when persuasion fails, gives him the two books he considers his only valuable possessions 2 3.

He openly describes himself as timid and cowardly. Rather than pursuing dangerous opportunities, he is content to remain alive, read, and refine medicine. Nevertheless, he accompanies Chen Heng into mortal-world danger and agrees to confront Mount Yang Daoist—with the explicit condition that they retreat if outmatched 11 13.

Xu Zhi shows little interest in worldly wealth. After Mount Yang Daoist’s defeat, he asks that poor disciples receive silver and initially insists on taking only one talisman artifact from the spoils. He accepts a larger share only after considerable persuasion 17 18.

Abilities & Skills

Little Scarlet Dragon Sword Manual

Xu Zhi has achieved major mastery of his family’s sword manual and comprehended Ten Steps, One Kill, which he calls the ultimate realm of mortal swordsmanship 3 6 18.

• The manual contains thirteen moves. Xu Zhi mastered them and developed further insights by incorporating the strengths of other schools 18.
• Whirling Wind Draws Fire, its third form, allows an exceptionally fast thrust; he uses it to strike Mount Yang Daoist’s chest 16.
• He identifies and attacks the less thoroughly tempered neck of Mount Yang Daoist, nearly cutting through half his throat 16 18.
• His Mind Image repeatedly defeats Chen Heng in sword duels before the fiftieth exchange, even after Chen Heng learns all thirteen moves 18.
• He teaches that understanding Ten Steps, One Kill makes controlling flying-sword talisman artifacts as natural as moving one’s own limbs 18.
• His damaged right hand and lack of a talisman weapon limit his effectiveness against exceptionally durable opponents 16.

Medicine and Alchemy

Xu Zhi is an accomplished alchemist and medical scholar. His Green Satchel Medicine Manual, recorded at major mastery, contains his own medical insights 3 6.

• Compiled a pharmacopoeia that circulated widely through the kingdoms below Little Sweet Mountain 3.
• Gives Chen Heng the original medical text alongside his inherited sword manual 3 6.
• Neglects his alchemical practice after his expulsion from Gu Jun’s tutelage 3.

Land-Escaping Art

Xu Zhi has intermediate mastery of the Land-Escaping Art, which he has practiced for years 6 13.

• Claims that even seventh- or eighth-level Qi Refining cultivators would be unable to catch him 13.
• Offers to use it to carry Chen Heng to safety if their attack on Mount Yang Daoist fails 13.
• Uses its footwork to evade Mount Yang Daoist’s overwhelming physical attacks 16.

Talisman Arts

Xu Zhi knows several talisman methods, although his proficiency is uneven 6.

• Baleful-Falling Talisman — Beginner: Releases baleful energy that temporarily muddles Mount Yang Daoist’s mind. The opponent recovers before Xu Zhi can finish him 6 16.
• Crystal Flame Talisman — Beginner: Listed in his cultivation record; no application is shown in the supplied passages 6.
• Water-Splitting Talisman — Beginner: Listed in his cultivation record 6.
• Ghost-Seizing Talisman — Beginner: Listed in his cultivation record 6.
• Blood-Slaughter Talisman — Below beginner: Attempts to teach Chen Heng this blood-based method against weaker demons and ghosts, but loses considerable blood without succeeding. Chen Heng stops the lesson 6.

Cultivation and Daoist Knowledge

Xu Zhi cultivates the Three Qi Illumination of the Spirit Art, the Mysterious Truth Sect’s foundational method 6.

• Explains cultivation texts, meridian terminology, and the sect’s Qi Refining methods to Chen Heng during a discussion lasting until late at night 3.
• Describes life-and-death Embryonic Breathing as frightening the spirit into a primordial, womb-like state, while repeatedly warning Chen Heng against attempting it 3.
• His simulated Mind Image forms an embryonic-breath barrier that withstands more than ten lightning strikes before collapsing. Chen Heng is using a mid-grade artifact without the reserves to unleash its full power 19.
• Despite his swordsmanship, he underestimates Mount Yang Daoist in magical combat and is twice struck down during their fight 16.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Zither: Carries it on his back when visiting Chen Heng 3.
• Mortal iron sword: Initially cannot afford even a low-grade talisman artifact. His sword breaks while blocking Mount Yang Daoist’s punch; Xiao Yu later takes the broken weapon 15 16.
• Little Scarlet Dragon Sword Manual: Xu family inheritance, given to Chen Heng 3 6.
• Green Satchel Medicine Manual: His own medical work, also given to Chen Heng 3 6.
• Six-Yin Heavenly Ghost Banner: Low-grade talisman artifact received from Mount Yang Daoist’s spoils 18.
• Five-Color Pendant: Low-grade defensive talisman artifact received in the same division of loot 13 18.
• Talisman coins and miscellaneous spoils: Accepts these after he and Chen Heng repeatedly try to yield the larger share to each other 18.
• Alchemical furnace: Former gift from Gu Jun, destroyed by his master when Xu Zhi was expelled 3.

Relationships

• Chen Heng — Junior sect brother, friend, and beneficiary of his instruction. Their friendship begins with Chen Heng’s former self protecting Xu Zhi from ridicule; Xu Zhi reciprocates with books, cultivation guidance, an escort home, and combat assistance 3 11 13.
• Daoist Gu Jun — Former master. Once recognized Xu Zhi’s potential, but expelled and humiliated him after the expedition that killed his son. Xu Zhi still calls him a man devoted to the Dao, though speaking of him brings a bitter smile 3 11.
• Mount Yang Daoist — Enemy whom Xu Zhi helps ambush at Blazing Mountain. Xu Zhi inflicts severe neck wounds, but Chen Heng delivers the killing blow 15 16.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Notable Quotes

“You did me a kindness, junior brother. Am I supposed to just watch you go to your death?” 3

“If we really can’t beat him, I’ll take you and run. No forcing the fight!” 13