Zhou Xiaoxian

Biodata

Power Progression

Background / History

Village upbringing and family secrets

Zhou Xiaoxian spent fourteen years in Zhou Family Village before studying in Lieyang City. Although her father concealed their family background, she noticed that his teachings exceeded the Holy Academy’s textbooks and that he secretly burned offerings at an abandoned grave each year. She also deduced that her mother had been a cultivator 1 31.

Following Zhou Feng to the graveyard, she found him unconscious beside the newly awakened Xia Yi. Frightened but determined to protect her father, she attacked Xia Yi with her sword. His claim that he had climbed out of his coffin to demand overdue offerings terrified her into dropping the weapon. She nevertheless burned the offerings before carrying her father down the mountain 1.

Demonization incidents

On the way home, Xiaoxian rescued Zhou Quan from his charging ox, knocking it over with a kick. Xia Yi subsequently killed the animal and identified its condition as demonization. She initially doubted him because demons belonged to history and textbooks in her experience, but another transformed ox forced her to reconsider 2 3.

Her childhood companion Zhou Lizhu then underwent a far more dangerous transformation. Xiaoxian rushed to find him and tried to pursue him even after Xia Yi warned that he had survived wounds no ordinary human could endure. Xia Yi stopped her by pretending to injure his back, prompting her to return and help him 6 8.

After discussing Lizhu’s condition with her father, she accepted that outside intervention was necessary before he harmed someone. Rather than report him directly to the authorities, she later asked Song Ziyu to inform his father, the Xiyuan Marquis, while emphasizing that Lizhu was a boy she had grown up with rather than a member of the Demon Race 9 12.

Becoming Xia Yi’s disciple

Xia Yi accepted Xiaoxian as his disciple through arrangements with Zhou Feng. Her father then sent her back to Lieyang City under his protection, privately asking him to safeguard her from people seeking the Xia family’s legacy. Xiaoxian initially knew him as an eccentric senior and powerful teacher, not as the ancestor whose identity he had revealed to her father 9 10 11.

In Lieyang City, Xia Yi used medicinal cuisine and his Saint Soul mastery to help her condense the Tianxuan Star. He also undertook to plan her use of Soul Apertures rather than leave her cultivation dependent on whatever techniques she happened to encounter 15 16.

The danger surrounding her heritage was real: in a sequence later undone by Shi Lai’s reload, Deputy Dean Luo Ti admitted targeting her over the Xia family’s legacy 23 24.

Sun Xin and the selection contest

Xiaoxian began questioning Sun Xin’s influence after learning about harmful “inferior rat” Saint Souls. Sun Xin had encouraged her to earn more through tutoring and suggested sharply increasing her fees; her unnatural reaction to the subject made Xiaoxian suspect deliberate manipulation. Xia Yi urged her to examine the relationship herself and treat her mistakes as part of growing up 29 31.

During the academy selection, Xiaoxian defeated Lü Ying and faced Sun Xin for first place among the female students. Sun Xin’s bell Saint Soul temporarily deprived her of hearing, but Xiaoxian adapted and ended the exchange with her sword before Sun Xin’s chest. She subsequently received divine bestowal with the other selected women 35 36.

Afterward, she set her sights on the intermediate class’s Four Great Talented Women and the advanced class’s Eight Beauties, practicing early the next morning rather than resting before the ceremony 36.

Conflict with Feng Shuhu

Xiaoxian heard Chen Guang’s account of how Feng Shuhu had ruined his cultivation and witnessed Xia Yi help him awaken a new six-star Saint Soul. During the ensuing confrontation with Feng Shuhu’s forces, Shi Lai moved the group to safety. Xia Yi later found Xiaoxian caring for the recovering Chen Guang while Lü Ying guarded their refuge 38 40 44.

Appearance

• Build: Small and slender; weighs eighty jin when first introduced 1 2.
• Eyes: Large and dark. After her Two-Star breakthrough, they are described as seeming to hold stars 16.
• Usual weapon: A longsword carried diagonally at her side while traveling 11.

Personality

Xiaoxian is compassionate and protective, often acting before considering her own safety. She confronts the apparent monster who frightened her father, intervenes to save Zhou Quan, and pursues the transformed Zhou Lizhu despite Xia Yi’s warnings. Her concern also extends to Xia Yi when she believes he has hurt himself 1 2 8.

Her loyalty can make her too willing to excuse people she trusts. She initially defends Feng Mo’s mistreatment of others as a necessary attempt to tarnish his reputation. Xia Yi’s insistence that harming an innocent person cannot be excused by one’s circumstances makes her recognize that her defense was inappropriate 14 21.

She is notably frugal and admits that she has cared about money since childhood. She prefers walking to paying a carriage fare and remains uncomfortable with Xia Yi’s expensive meals. However, she refuses Sun Xin’s suggestion to increase her tutoring fees simply because she has advanced, reasoning that she would still be teaching the same children from the same families 11 29 31.

Despite her inexperience, she is observant and academically capable: she uncovers inconsistencies in her father’s explanations, answers Xia Yi’s cultivation calculations quickly, and eventually questions Sun Xin’s behavior. Her determination becomes more pronounced as she begins pursuing higher academy honors 1 21 31 36.

Abilities & Skills

Sword Scripture

A two-star Saint Soul forming the basis of her swordsmanship 35.

• Reaches level 24 before fighting Sun Xin, surpassing Sun Xin’s level-21 mastery 35.
• Uses a slender blade’s agility against Lü Ying’s greatsword, combining sword attacks with a kick 35.
• Advances to level 25 while adjusting to a soundless environment 35.
• Continues accuracy training under Xia Yi, who assigns her to practice on his courtyard scallions 36.

Chisel the Wall to Steal Light

A three-star, study-aiding Saint Soul directly transmitted by Xia Yi through his six-star Sowing mastery. She uses it to condense her Tianxuan Star 12 15 16.

• Improves comprehension and learning ability, accelerating her Sword Scripture development 35.
• Helps her adapt when Sun Xin removes her hearing, allowing her to comprehend soundless swordsmanship 35.

Not Inferior to Men

A two-star Saint Soul that she imprinted while still a One-Star cultivator 35.

• Compensates for the physical-strength disadvantage described for female cultivators 35.
• Activates it fully from the outset of her duel with Sun Xin 35.

Physical Ability and Cultivation Knowledge

• Carries her unconscious, 120-jin father without noticeably slowing her escape 1.
• Knocks an ox over with a kick and moves quickly enough to rescue Zhou Quan from its charge 2.
• Knows contemporary history, academy procedures, and basic cultivation theory, frequently explaining unfamiliar modern customs to Xia Yi 4 11 12 21 24.
• Tutors children for income 31.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Longsword — Her regular weapon. She drops her original sword at Xia Yi’s grave, after which he retrieves it; its tip later breaks during an ox-demon encounter 1 3 4.
• Holy Academy identification card — Secures respectful passage through Lieyang City’s gate for herself and Xia Yi 12.
• Books — Includes history and miscellaneous reading that Xia Yi consults to understand the changed world 9 10.

Relationships

• Zhou Feng — Father and village chief. Protective of her prospects and wary of her attachment to Lizhu; entrusts her safety to Xia Yi 1 11.
• Xia Lan — Deceased mother and Xia Yi’s relative. Xiaoxian independently deduces that she was a cultivator 1 9.
• Xia Yi — Ancestor, master, and protector. Guides her cultivation, corrects her judgment, and offers reassurance after painful discoveries about people she trusted 1 10 16 21 31.
• Zhou Lizhu — Childhood companion whom she calls “Brother Lizhu.” She remains deeply concerned for him after his transformation; he asks Xia Yi to arrange their marriage, but no engagement is established 7 8 12.
• Shi Lai — Village acquaintance whom she helps with the ox’s burial and offers to recommend to the Holy Academy. His rapid comprehension of swordsmanship astonishes her 6 21.
• Song Ziyu — Eldest Senior Brother and intermediary to the Xiyuan Marquis. Welcomes her warmly; Ruo Jun observes that he is fond of her 12 15.
• Feng Mo — Second Senior Brother, initially trusted for helping her in class. Shi Lai’s injury forces her to reconsider the excuses she makes for his conduct 14 21.
• Sun Xin — Close senior sister and rival. Xiaoxian suspects her of encouraging a dangerous fixation on money; Xia Yi later identifies jealousy as a factor in Sun Xin’s behavior 31 35 36.
• Lü Ying — Fellow student and selection opponent. Xiaoxian consoles her after defeating her; Lü Ying later helps protect the group during Chen Guang’s recovery 35 44.
• Chen Guang — Fellow disciple of Xia Yi. Xiaoxian learns about his damaged cultivation and later tends him while he recovers 29 40 44.