Rice Bucket

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Rice Bucket (饭桶)
Alias(es)	Fan Tong; Black Tiger
Species/Race	Heavenly Demon Tiger; originally a mixed-blood Black Fiend Tiger 310 829
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Li Qing; formerly associated with the Lingyun Sect 830
Occupation/Role	Li Qing's contracted demonic-beast companion and later disciple 771
Status	Alive; Integration-stage Great Demon 1156
First Appearance	Chapter 86

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Fierce Tiger	86	Accompanied Li Qing during his cultivation in the Eternal Night World.
Mid First-tier Demonic Beast	184	Advanced through sustained use of Beast Raising Pills and Beast Feeding Pills; his strength, speed, and size increased greatly.
Near Late First-tier	252	Consumed a Red Crystal, endured a violent metamorphosis, rejected scales and wings, and gained heterochromatic eyes.
Peak Late First-tier	270	Absorbed Moonlight Essence under the red moon, reaching the threshold of the Second-tier.
Second-tier Demonic Beast	310	Condensed a Demon Core, developed a Demon Spirit, and awakened an innate eye-based divine ability.
Mid Second-tier Demonic Beast	411	Hunted and consumed the Red Crystals of three Second-tier Exotic Beasts in the Eternal Night World.
Late Second-tier Demonic Beast	450	Broke through after returning from prolonged hunting in the Eternal Night World; fur became dark red and black.
Third-tier Demonic Beast	529	Survived a dangerous seven-day transformation using a Third-tier Red Crystal; gained greater intelligence, claws, roar, and flight.
Third-tier Mid-stage	624	Could communicate in human speech immediately upon reaching this stage, unusually early for a Demonic Beast.
Heavenly Demon Tiger inheritance	638	Passed the Heavenly Demon Tiger Ancestor's trial and received purple tiger bones, an ancestral demonic pattern, and a transformed physique.
Humanoid Transformation / Demon King	772	Survived an exceptionally powerful Heavenly Tribulation with Li Qing's assistance, attaining humanoid transformation.
Integration-stage Great Demon	1156	Recovered his Demon Spirit at the Heavenly Demon Life Spring and overcame his Integration tribulation.

History

Rice Bucket was Li Qing's tiger companion during his early cultivation in the Eternal Night World. While Li Qing trained in the Black Wind Mountain Range, Rice Bucket had already become a Fierce Tiger, though he appeared uncomfortable and homesick in that world 86. Over the following years, he grew into an oversized mount and hunting partner capable of carrying prey weighing hundreds of pounds without losing speed 126.

Li Qing raised Rice Bucket with Beast Raising Pills, Beast Feeding Pills, spirit-rich environments, and later the flesh and blood of powerful beasts. By the time he became a First-tier Demonic Beast, Rice Bucket's claws could damage low-grade magical artifacts, while his ferocious aura alone could terrify ordinary mortals 184.

His growth became closely tied to Red Crystals from the Eternal Night World. The first crystal caused a brutal metamorphosis: Rice Bucket expelled impurities, briefly developed scales and wings, then violently rejected those mutations. The process improved his aptitude and gave him one red and one black eye 252 253. Later exposure to Red Moon Secret Power repeatedly strengthened him, but also risked driving him into madness 528 529.

At Beast King Mountain, Rice Bucket triggered the inheritance of the extinct Heavenly Demon Tiger clan despite his originally inferior bloodline. He refused the Heavenly Demon Tiger Ancestor's demand that he sever his master-recognizing Spirit Contract with Li Qing, choosing loyalty over an easier path to the inheritance 635. The Ancestor ultimately allowed him to enter the tomb mansion, where he received Demonic Script knowledge, Heavenly Demon Tiger bones, and an ancestral purple pattern 635 638.

Appearance

Rice Bucket's tiger form has changed drastically as his cultivation and bloodline developed. His size has varied greatly—from larger than an ordinary Fierce Tiger to a giant mount nearly as tall as city walls—while his body has become increasingly compact and powerful 126 479 529.

• Originally possessed the yellow-and-black stripes of a normal tiger before later mutations altered his coloration. 270
• Developed heterochromatic eyes: one red and one black. 252
• His fur progressed through dark red, black, and eventually a black body tinged with eerie purple. 270 528 638
• Bears a purple ancestral demonic pattern across his back, identifying his Heavenly Demon Tiger inheritance. 638
• Possesses purple Heavenly Demon Tiger bones embedded within his body. 772
• Has sharp, iron-like claws capable of confronting ordinary Magic Treasures after reaching the Third-tier. 529

Personality

Rice Bucket is usually lazy and fond of resting, but becomes intensely animated when fighting or hunting. His inherent wildness makes him eager to challenge powerful opponents, particularly after experiencing the Eternal Night World's combat-filled environment 230 627.

He is stubborn to the point of risking his life for advancement. During his attempt to reach the Third-tier, he refused Li Qing's effort to interrupt the transformation even as Red Moon Secret Power pushed him toward madness 528. He likewise refused to yield under the pressure of Beast King Mountain and later endured the Humanoid Transformation Tribulation without bowing to the heavenly lightning 633 772.

His defining trait is loyalty to Li Qing. He refused to break their Spirit Contract for the Heavenly Demon Tiger inheritance and resisted Kun Yuan's attempt to forcibly plant a new master-servant contract 635 829. After gaining the ability to speak, he continued to address Li Qing as “Brother.” 624

Abilities & Skills

Physical Combat

Rice Bucket's primary strength is his extraordinary physical body. His speed, raw power, claws, fangs, and tiger might make him a close-range combatant capable of overwhelming enemies through direct force.

• At the Second-tier, his physical body could contend with Foundation Establishment cultivators. 310
• His speed is highly effective across forests and rugged terrain, allowing Li Qing to use him as a mount in combat and travel. 201
• He easily crushed Third-tier Exotic Beast corpses during the battle against the Lord of the Ancient Castle. 693
• After reaching the Third-tier, his claws became hard and sharp enough to clash with ordinary Magic Treasures. 529
• He can fly after his Third-tier advancement. 529

Heterochromatic Tiger Eyes

Rice Bucket's red-and-black eyes emerged from his first Red Crystal metamorphosis. At the Second-tier, they developed into an innate divine ability.

• Fires two beam-like rays from his eyes at range. 310
• The attack pierced deep holes through the stone floor of Li Qing's cave mansion even while Rice Bucket restrained its power. 310
• The eyes are linked to his Red Crystal-driven mutation and distinguish him from ordinary Black Fiend Tigers. 252 310

Heavenly Demon Earth Shattering Stomp

After receiving the Heavenly Demon Tiger inheritance, Rice Bucket mastered a natural divine ability of the ancient clan.

• Releases a dark-purple aura before striking. 693
• Tramples and pulverizes surrounding enemies with a powerful stomp. 693
• Its power allowed him to crush groups of Third-tier Exotic Beast corpses during the Ancient Castle battle. 693

Red Moon Adaptation

Rice Bucket can absorb Red Crystals and Red Moon Secret Power to accelerate his evolution, a process that repeatedly pushed him beyond the limits of his original bloodline.

• Red Crystals enabled his advances through the Second-tier and Third-tier. 411 529
• He can resist Red Moon Secret Power better than ordinary beasts, but it can still destabilize his mind and cause berserk behavior. 269 528
• During his Third-tier transformation, a Blood Lotus seed absorbed residual Red Moon Secret Power and restored his sanity. 529
• This method carries severe risks of mutation, physical damage, and loss of consciousness. 252 528

Demonic Communication and Contract Bond

Rice Bucket shares a blood pact and soul contract with Li Qing, allowing close coordination between them.

• Li Qing can sense Rice Bucket's growth and condition through their contract. 310 772
• Li Qing can direct him through their mental connection while riding him. 313
• Rice Bucket spoke human language upon reaching the Third-tier mid-stage, earlier than is typical for Demonic Beasts. 624
• His contract was undetectable while he was imprisoned in the Lianyun Beast Fighting Arena, suggesting outside interference or suppression. 994

Relationships

• Li Qing — Contracted companion, master, and later sworn “Brother.” Rice Bucket refused to sever their Spirit Contract even to receive the Heavenly Demon Tiger inheritance, and Li Qing repeatedly risked resources and danger to support his advancements. 635 772
• Heavenly Demon Tiger Ancestor — Ancestral tester and inheritance-giver. Initially disdained Rice Bucket's mixed bloodline and contract with Li Qing, but ultimately granted him the clan's inheritance. 635 638
• Kun Yuan — Spirit Transformation cultivator who subdued Rice Bucket and compelled him to follow in exchange for retrieving Golden Fire Patterns needed to aid Li Qing. 829 830
• Bai Xing — White Lion and fellow inheritor participant. The two fought fiercely after emerging from the Life Tempering Spirit Pool. 622
• Lin Jing — Li Qing's disciple, who excitedly rode Rice Bucket and recognized him as the powerful beast that had once frightened her. 479

Story Role / Major Arcs

Eternal Night World companion

Rice Bucket accompanies Li Qing through the Eternal Night World, serving as a mount, hunting partner, and combat support. He helps Li Qing defeat Liu Tianbao during an ambush and later fights Oddities alongside him 201 230.

Red Crystal transformations

After consuming Red Crystals, Rice Bucket begins a series of dangerous transformations that raise his aptitude and strength. He survives the first metamorphosis, progresses through the Second-tier, and eventually reaches the Third-tier after nearly losing his mind to Red Moon Secret Power 252 310 529.

Myriad Beast Secret Realm

Rice Bucket battles other Demonic Beasts in the Myriad Beast Secret Realm, secures a Myriad Beast Spirit Fruit, and receives the Heavenly Demon Tiger inheritance at Beast King Mountain. The inheritance gives him the foundation needed for his future humanoid transformation 627 633 638.

Humanoid Transformation and separation

Rice Bucket survives a devastating Humanoid Transformation Tribulation and becomes a Demon King with Li Qing's intervention. He later obtains fifteen Golden Fire Patterns from the West Heaven Pavilion to help Li Qing, but is forced to leave the Lingyun Sect under Kun Yuan's control 772 830.

Beast Fighting Arena and reunion

At some point after his separation from Li Qing, Rice Bucket is captured and forced to fight in the Lianyun Beast Fighting Arena. Despite injuries and heavy Fiendish Energy, he defeats a Sea Wolf and devours its Demon Core 994. Li Qing later frees him from the arena dungeon, though Rice Bucket is initially feral and unable to recognize him properly 996.

Integration advancement

Rice Bucket eventually recovers his consciousness at the Heavenly Demon Life Spring and successfully passes his Integration tribulation. His eyes regain clarity after the ordeal, marking his recovery from the lingering effects of prior trauma and Fiendish Energy 1156.

Notable Quotes

“Big Brother, no need. I can hold on!” 633

“Brother, ever since I entered the Secret Realm, I've been sensing a faint call.” 624