Ji Li

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Ji Li (季梨)
Alias(es)	Little Martial Grand-Aunt
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Demon Sect; Back Mountain
Occupation/Role	Cultivator; disciple of Gu Xiaoman
Status	Alive
First Appearance	Chapter 2

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Martial artist	2	Escaped her family’s killers with the Wedding Dress Sword and a Demonic Art, but could not yet wield the sword’s true power.
Qi Devouring Art, first layer	15 19	Learns the Demon Sect’s introductory cultivation method and officially begins cultivating.
Qi Devouring Art, fourth layer	63	Reaches an estimated fourth layer by the time she leaves to avenge her parents.
First Realm, Great Perfection	299 300	Meets the minimum requirement for Moon in the Well and reaches six meters in the “Moonward Flight” test.
Second Realm	302 308	Meditates at Moon in the Well to break through; later confirms her advancement.

Background

Ji Li was born into a Martial Arts Family. Her father named her after her mother’s fondness for pears. Her parents acquired the immortal Magic Sword Wedding Dress and a cultivation technique, but were murdered after others learned of the treasures. Ji Li alone escaped, inheriting both the sword and the technique while being pursued by those seeking them. 2

The inherited technique is a Demonic Art requiring a Cauldron of the opposite sex. Though uncomfortable with its condition, Ji Li initially sees it as her only means of gaining enough strength to avenge her parents. At sixteen, she encounters Lu Xun and attempts to abduct him as her Cauldron, choosing him largely because of his appearance. 2

During their flight, Ji Li and Lu Xun evade pursuers, encounter the Mountain Ghost known as Clueless Blackie, and reach Lai Fu Inn. Lu Xun learns of her circumstances and directs her toward Murong Yan and the Demon Sect, giving Ji Li an opportunity to enter cultivation properly. 5 8 9 12

She joins the Demon Sect as an Outer Sect Disciple and volunteers to care for the injured Lu Xun at the Back Mountain Study. 19 After reaching sufficient strength, she descends to Yong’an County and successfully avenges her parents, returning with her enemies’ heads. 64

Two years later, Ji Li returns to her ancestral home for her parents’ death anniversary. Lu Xun visits her there; after paying respects at the tomb, she asks to follow him rather than remain apart. He permits her to return with him to the sect. 217 219 220

Appearance

Ji Li is initially a sixteen-year-old girl with a baby-faced, youthful appearance. By eighteen, she has matured noticeably while retaining an air of innocence. 7 217

• Bright eyes, fair skin, and black hair. 217
• Usually wears Demon Sect black robes or a black dress. 19 217
• Frequently wears a veil when traveling outside the sect. 7 69
• Keeps Lu Xun’s red jade hairpin, Red Makeup, close to her and later wears it as instructed. 240
• Her figure and appearance make her one of the most noticed female Outer Sect disciples. 240 256

Personality

Ji Li is kind-hearted despite the Demonic Art she inherits. Raised with the values of a righteous martial family, she instinctively protects those she considers weaker; she steps in front of Lu Xun when the Mountain Ghost threatens him. 5

She is earnest, emotionally transparent, and highly determined. Her family vendetta drives her to seek cultivation, while her affection for Lu Xun becomes another major source of motivation. She repeatedly resolves not to give up on either her cultivation or her feelings for him. 9 74 352

Ji Li is also notably naïve and forgetful, with a poor sense of direction. She habitually tosses the Wedding Dress Sword to choose a direction—then travels in the opposite direction indicated. 3 6 8

Abilities & Skills

Cultivation Aptitude

Ji Li possesses exceptional cultivation talent, with an aptitude of 8 and Comprehension of 8. Her progress attracts the attention of multiple Demon Sect Peak Lords. 15 240 249

• Cultivates the Qi Devouring Art, the Demon Sect’s introductory technique. 15 23
• Her cultivation speed nearly doubles under Gu Xiaoman’s instruction in the Bamboo Forest. 357
• Has a Fire-element physique and Fire-inclined Qi Sea. 221 357

Sword Dao

Ji Li is a talented sword cultivator who develops a Sword Heart and approaches comprehension of Sword Intent. 249

• Uses the Wedding Dress Sword in combat. 249 257
• Displays strong reaction speed and combat awareness after Lu Xun’s sparring-based training. 257
• Performs especially well in the Inner Sect Promotion Assessment, where her cultivation, Sword Dao, and combat skill are regarded as the strongest among the Outer Sect disciples. 352

Powder and Ink

Powder and Ink is a defensive skill taught to Ji Li by Lu Xun. 257 258

• Creates a shield capable of defending against an opponent’s attacks. 257
• Its airflow can propel her sword, accelerating her counterattacks. 257
• Combined with her Soft Armor, it allows her to reach the Outer Sect Competition final without injury. 257

Lightness Skill

Ji Li inherited an ancestral lightness skill from her martial family. 3

• Can run swiftly while carrying another person. 2 3
• Possesses considerable physical strength and can carry heavy weapons. 2 5

Equipment

• Wedding Dress Sword — A Yellow-grade Magic Sword inherited from her parents. Its true power is inaccessible without cultivation; Murong Yan conceals its magical nature with an illusion. 2 8
• Calming the Waves — A Mid-Grade Purple Rank short sword acquired on Hidden Mountain. Though apparently Water-aligned, its Fire-and-Water Dragon Core proves compatible with Ji Li. 356
• Red Makeup — A red jade hairpin and Spirit Item given by Lu Xun for protection. 224 240
• Yellow Rank High-Grade Soft Armor — Protective armor given by Lu Xun before the Outer Sect Competition. 240 257

Relationships

• Lu Xun — Her first companion after fleeing her pursuers; initially targeted as a Cauldron, he becomes her protector, trainer, and the object of her persistent affection. He treats her like a younger sister and later allows her to accompany him back to the sect. 2 74 219 220
• Gu Xiaoman — Her master after Ji Li’s exceptional Inner Sect Promotion Assessment. Gu Xiaoman trains her in the Back Mountain’s Bamboo Forest. 352 353 354
• Shen Yan — Sect Master who rewards Ji Li for caring for Lu Xun and hopes to take her as a disciple due to her Fire affinity and potential; Gu Xiaoman ultimately accepts Ji Li first. 22 249 352 353
• Murong Yan — Helps bring Ji Li into the cultivation world, conceals the Wedding Dress Sword’s nature, and later guides her cultivation. 8 12 86
• Mao Nanbei — A Back Mountain senior whom Ji Li respectfully addresses as Martial Grand-Aunt. 19
• Ji Li’s parents — Former heads of her martial family; their murder over the Wedding Dress Sword and cultivation technique motivates Ji Li’s pursuit of strength and revenge. 2 219

Story Role / Major Arcs

Flight from the Martial World

Ji Li kidnaps Lu Xun while fleeing the people who murdered her parents and covet her inheritance. Their journey through the Dense Forest reveals both her martial ability and her inexperience outside her family’s protection. 2 3 4

Joining the Demon Sect

Following Lu Xun’s intervention and Murong Yan’s assistance, Ji Li enters the Demon Sect. She begins learning the Qi Devouring Art and later serves as Lu Xun’s caretaker while he recovers in the Back Mountain. 12 15 19

Revenge at Yong’an County

After gaining cultivation strength, Ji Li leaves the sect to settle her family’s blood debt. She succeeds without Lu Xun’s direct assistance. 63 64

Outer Sect Competition

Trained through daily sparring by Lu Xun and equipped with Powder and Ink and protective Soft Armor, Ji Li advances through the competition and defeats Xu Zhongcheng in the final. She is declared champion of the Demon Sect Outer Sect Competition. 249 257 258

Moon in the Well

Ji Li enters the Moon in the Well trials, performs strongly in its preliminary tests, breaks through to the Second Realm, and later clears the dungeon’s third level before entering secluded cultivation. 299 302 308 325

Back Mountain Disciple

Ji Li dominates the Inner Sect Promotion Assessment and is chosen by Gu Xiaoman as her disciple. She moves to the Back Mountain, receives access through its barrier, and begins formal training in the Bamboo Forest. 352 353 354

Hidden Mountain Ascent

Upon climbing Hidden Mountain, Ji Li obtains the Purple-tier short sword Calming the Waves. Her compatibility with its Fire-and-Water Dragon Core confirms an unusual match between her Fire affinity and the weapon. 355 356

Trivia

• Ji Li’s name was chosen because her mother loved pears. 2
• She is an intense admirer of attractive appearances; Lu Xun’s looks repeatedly raise her affection for him. 2 8
• She shares Lu Xun’s experience of losing both parents, which contributes to the importance he places on protecting her. 217
• Ji Li learned tea-making from her father and has talent for preparing tea. 447