Cai Shiwei

Biodata

Power Progression

Appearance

• Handsome, with eyes described as dark as ink 2.
• Frequently presents himself with a gentle smile and an approachable manner 2 18.

Personality

Cai cultivates the image of a generous senior brother who values solidarity among low-level disciples. He publicly credits his companions for his success, mourns those who died, and offers assistance to prospective followers. His apparently amicable visit to Li Ye helps discourage others from targeting Li Ye on his behalf 10 18.

His earlier conduct contrasts with that image. Cai and Tang Xiaohan encouraged Li Ye’s predecessor to undertake the most dangerous work while Cai received the largest share of the rewards. Li Ye consequently regards his later displays of generosity as calculated reputation-building rather than genuine loyalty 2 16 18.

He usually conceals displeasure when rejected. After Li Ye refuses him again at the banquet with Li Zongyin, a fierce glint briefly appears in his eyes before his friendly expression resumes 18.

History

Expedition Leader

Cai led a small group of Purple Profound Sect disciples that included Li Ye’s predecessor and Tang Xiaohan. The group offered its members some conveniences, but its expeditions repeatedly placed Li Ye in danger for comparatively little reward. After one encounter with Bandit Cultivators left Li Ye gravely injured, Cai escaped with fewer losses and obtained a high-grade Law Artifact from an ancient cultivator’s cave abode 2 8.

Li Ye subsequently refused further invitations. Cai nevertheless took his companions to explore the same cave abode, where the party was reportedly attacked by Devil Cultivators and nearly destroyed. Cai awakened a Spirit Body and escaped with Tang Xiaohan; both returned severely injured, and Tang remained unconscious initially 2 6 8.

Rise Within the Purple Profound Sect

The sect investigated Cai’s account thoroughly. Officials questioned him repeatedly, revived Tang Xiaohan with precious pills to obtain an independent account, and inspected the cave abode. The matching testimony, disciples’ remains, and traces of a Devil Cultivation Method persuaded the sect to accept his report 9.

His awakened physique was identified as a Blood Soul Spirit Body, and a Late-Stage Foundation Establishment elder accepted him as a disciple. Cai became one of the sect’s most celebrated young cultivators. During the subsequent campaign against Devil Cultivators in Huan Kingdom, he personally killed several Late-Stage Qi Refining opponents and earned praise from Foundation Establishment elders 9 11.

Cai also continued recruiting. He visited Li Ye in the spirit fields without openly objecting to his previous refusals, then accepted Li Zongyin into his circle after Li Ye introduced them at a banquet. Li Ye declined to rejoin him 10 16 18.

Attack on the Patriarch

After Cai reached Foundation Establishment, his master, Jiao Jinhan, became suspicious of his extraordinary advancement speed. Believing Cai might possess a physique superior to the Blood Soul Spirit Body, Jiao brought him to meet High Person Purple Profound 41.

Cai attacked while the Golden Core patriarch was examining his physique. He then fled as a streak of bloodlight, using a talisman to disable restrictions in the sect’s third-tier grand formation and escape its spatial blockade. The patriarch ordered the sect’s highest bounty on him, promising personal discipleship and substantial rewards to whoever killed him. The extent of the patriarch’s injuries remained uncertain 41 42.

The sect arrested and interrogated Cai’s associates. Its law enforcement elder concluded that the detained followers had been unwitting tools rather than informed participants. Li Ye was released after his testimony was verified and Ji Qing vouched for him, while Li Zongyin remained imprisoned 43 44.

Pursuit and Flying Feather Sect

Cai reappeared while injured. A group of Purple Profound Sect disciples attacked him after noticing his weakened presence, but he nearly annihilated them, killing Hu Zhiquan among others. Survivors reported that he drained his victims’ Essence Blood 46.

A larger search then found him recuperating in seclusion. Cai broke through the encirclement, seized more cultivators’ Essence Blood, and escaped. Unfamiliar cultivators subsequently ambushed the pursuers, killing two Purple Profound Sect Foundation Establishment elders and inflicting heavy losses on neighboring forces 46.

The Flying Feather Sect invaded Huan Kingdom that same day. Nearly two months later, Cai was identified as an elder of that sect and was exceptionally active in the war 46 47.

Abilities & Skills

Blood Soul Spirit Body

His awakened physique enhances both cultivation and combat strength 8 17.

• Enables him to fight his way out of the expedition’s reported Devil Cultivator encirclement 8.
• Allows him to kill several Late-Stage Qi Refining Devil Cultivators during the sect’s suppression campaign 11.
• Contributes to an advancement rate that Jiao Jinhan considers too extraordinary for its stated classification; a superior physique is suspected but not confirmed 41.

Essence Blood Draining

Cai can extract cultivators’ Essence Blood, although the technique’s name and exact relationship to his physique are not established 46.

• Survivors of the encounter that killed Hu Zhiquan report that the victims did not retain intact corpses 46.
• He takes additional Essence Blood while breaking through a later encirclement 46.

Bloodlight Escape

Cai escapes the patriarch’s retaliation as a rapidly moving streak of bloodlight 41.

• Evades successive attempts to block his flight 41.
• Escapes the sect’s grand formation only after a talisman opens a gap in its restrictions; the escape is not attributed to speed alone 41.

Recruitment and Manipulation

Cai uses flattery, promises of mutual support, and an accommodating public manner to attract followers 2 16 18.

• Works with Tang Xiaohan to persuade Li Ye’s predecessor to accept dangerous assignments 2.
• Wins Li Zongyin’s allegiance through a display of fellowship and an offer of assistance 18.
• Maintains outward cordiality toward Li Ye despite repeated refusals to join him 16 18.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• High-grade Law Artifact — Obtained from an ancient cultivator’s cave abode while escaping an earlier failed expedition; its name and properties are unspecified 8.
• Formation-breaking talisman — Disables restrictions in the Purple Profound Sect’s third-tier grand formation, allowing his escape. Li Ye speculates that it was either a third-tier Restriction-Breaking Talisman or a specially reinforced second-tier equivalent; its exact grade is unconfirmed 41 42.

Relationships

• Li Ye — Former group member and repeated recruitment target. Cai benefited from Li Ye’s predecessor taking dangerous assignments; Li Ye later distrusted him and repeatedly refused to rejoin his circle 2 16 18.
• Tang Xiaohan — Companion who helped him pressure Li Ye’s predecessor into taking risks. Cai rescued her during the reported Devil Cultivator attack, and her testimony helped substantiate his account 2 8 9.
• Jiao Jinhan — Master within the Purple Profound Sect. His concern over Cai’s unusually rapid advancement led to the audience with the patriarch 41.
• Li Zongyin — Follower introduced through Li Ye. He benefited from joining Cai’s circle but was arrested after Cai’s betrayal; investigators found that the followers knew nothing of the scheme 18 38 43.
• High Person Purple Profound — Former sect patriarch and assassination target. After surviving Cai’s attack, he placed the sect’s highest bounty on him 41 42.
• Hu Zhiquan — Purple Profound Sect disciple killed after joining an attack on the apparently weakened Cai 46.

Notable Quotes

“As low-level cultivators, we have no one to rely on in the sect. We should support one another and press onward through hardship. My other companions and I have always thought this way...” 18