Xu Zhen

Biodata

Power Progression

• After more than thirty years at the sect, her cultivation is still described as low despite her extraordinary talent. She remains a potential Great Emperor, not an attained one 22 33.

Background / History

Life in Weixi Town

Xu Zhen was the daughter of Weixi Town’s constable captain. When her father was conscripted, he entrusted the fifteen-year-old to Chen Xia and left money for her living expenses. She continued living in her own home, while Chen Xia lived across the street 2 3.

Already able to cook and wash clothes, Xu Zhen nevertheless needed help with purchases and other daily matters. Chen Xia handled her shopping with his own salary and taught her mathematics and physics. His explanation of gravitational acceleration sparked her interest in physics 3.

Bandit Attack and Martial Training

The town’s blacksmith betrayed Weixi Town to a bandit group in exchange for a share of the loot and possession of Xu Zhen. When he arrived at night claiming to have been sent by Chen Xia, she followed Chen Xia’s warning and refused to open the door. She tried to escape through the tunnel connecting their houses but could not find the hatch key before the bandits broke in 3 4.

Chen Xia arrived and killed the attackers, including their leader Yang Li and the blacksmith. Xu Zhen, astonished by his strength, later asked him to teach her self-defense. She wanted to become a hero like him rather than pursue the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting 5.

As she grew older, she rejected the matchmakers’ proposals and increasingly accompanied Chen Xia on patrols and fishing trips. News eventually reached town that her father had died years earlier on the battlefield, leaving no remains. Chen Xia stayed beside her as she grieved and assured her that he cared about her 5.

Recruitment and Parting

The Fuyao Immortal Sect discovered Xu Zhen through the Heavenly Secret Token. Its mysterious female representative declared that her exceptional fortune made her a target for evil cultivators and insisted that she join. At Chen Xia’s challenge, the woman swore a life Great Dao oath not to harm her; Xu Zhen could sense the oath’s validity 6.

Xu Zhen asked the sect to accept Chen Xia too, partly to protect him from possible immortal-sect retaliation. The sect refused because he was a person without fortune. Its representative also warned that remaining near him could affect Xu Zhen’s fortune until she attained her Great Dao 6.

She chose cultivation to protect Chen Xia and gain enough lifespan to remain with him, rather than out of devotion to the Great Dao itself. During their three-day farewell, she confessed her love and asked him to promise they would spend more time together in the future. He agreed. On the third day, a radiant light carried her away before she could give a final goodbye 6.

Seclusion in the Upper Realm

More than thirty years after joining the sect, Xu Zhen had become distrustful of elders who approached her for personal gain. Her Holy Maiden status allowed her to ignore their overtures and concentrate on cultivation. She heard Elder Wang Wu’s message about the Sacred Assembly of Ten Thousand Sects, scheduled for one thousand years later, but chose not to acknowledge him 22.

Still longing for Weixi Town and Chen Xia, she asked Little Wu what realm would let her travel freely. Little Wu ultimately suggested that becoming a Great Emperor would be safest, leaving her dissatisfied with the answer 22.

Appearance

• Eyes: Repeatedly described as bright, dewy, or limpid 3 6.
• Brows: Willow-leaf-shaped 22.
• Voice: Clear and sweet, initially carrying a bashful hesitation 3.
• Expressions: Frequently blushes around Chen Xia, particularly when embarrassed or expressing affection 3 6.

Personality

Xu Zhen is initially shy, polite, and easily embarrassed. She mistakenly interprets Chen Xia’s offer to move in as a romantic advance and respectfully turns him down. As their familiarity grows, she becomes more playful and openly affectionate 3 5.

Her desire for strength is closely tied to independence and love. She asks for self-defense skills because Chen Xia cannot always remain beside her, then later admits that she also trained because she felt unworthy of him. His unchanging youth makes her fear growing old while he remains young 5 6.

Life in the Fuyao Immortal Sect makes her more discerning about others’ motives without erasing her attachment to home. She recognizes the self-interest behind the elders’ flattery and uses her position to keep them at a distance 22.

Abilities & Skills

Great Emperor Fortune

The Heavenly Secret Token places Xu Zhen in the middle of its upper three fortune grades, shown by a deep multicolored hue 6.

• Indicates Great Emperor aptitude, not an already attained cultivation realm 6 33.
• Makes her valuable enough for the Fuyao Immortal Sect to recruit her as its Holy Maiden 6.
• Does not eliminate the need for prolonged cultivation: the sect representative estimates ten thousand to several tens of thousands of years merely to build her foundation 6.

Military Boxing

Chen Xia teaches her a set of Military Boxing exercises as basic physical training 5.

• She practices every morning 5.
• She later considers herself untalented at martial arts; no combat victories or advanced techniques are documented 6.

Domestic Skills and Education

• Can cook and wash clothes from adolescence; later prepares steamed fish for Chen Xia 3 5.
• Receives informal instruction in mathematics and physics from Chen Xia 3.

Relationships

• Chen Xia — Caretaker, teacher, protector, and the man she loves. She calls him “Brother Chen” and later “Brother Xia.” They promise to spend more time together after she begins cultivation; he later includes visiting her among his reasons to ascend 3 5 6 31.
• Her father, the constable captain — Entrusts her to Chen Xia before leaving for war. His death is reported only years after it occurs 2 5.
• Mysterious Fuyao Immortal Sect woman — Recruits her, explains her fortune, and swears not to harm her, but refuses to accept Chen Xia 6.
• Little Wu — The speaking door of her cultivation cave, whom she asks for advice about leaving the sect freely 22.
• Wang Wu — A sect elder whose message and ingratiating behavior she deliberately ignores 22.

Notable Quotes

“Brother Xia, please teach me. I want some skills to defend myself, too. You won't necessarily always be by my side.” 5

“I like you, Brother Xia. I really, really like you!” 6

“But this chance to cultivate immortality has given me an opportunity. I want to stay with you longer in the future, Brother Xia.” 6