Xia Spirit in the Desert: The Passing-Down and Contemporary Expression of Wuxia Spirit in Blades of the Guardians: Wind Rises in the Desert

Abstract

This article takes Blades of the Guardians: Wind Rises in the Desert (Biaoren, 2026) as its subject, exploring the contemporary passing-down of the tradition of Chinese martial arts cinema, the logic of epochal reconstruction of martial arts core values, and the cinematic presentation strategies of martial arts aesthetic styles. Grounded in the narrative paradigms and aesthetic heritage of classic martial arts cinema, it systematically analyzes the film’s innovative approach between inheriting traditional martial arts genes and meeting contemporary aesthetic demands from the dual perspectives of narrative motivation and the core spirit of xia. It further elaborates on its creative pursuit of “authentic combat and real-scene shooting” and the majestic artistic conception shaped by the natural desert landscapes.