Black Cat

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Black Cat (黑猫)
Alias(es)	Li Taibai; Taibai
Species/Race	Black cat inhabited by the remnant soul of an Ancient Transcendent
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Kui
Occupation/Role	Spirit Cultivator; cultivation adviser and ancient-world informant
Status	Active
First Appearance	54

Background / History

The Black Cat was encountered in a northern-suburb tomb whose murals told of a Sword Immortal. It reacted fearfully to Jiang Ran's Nuo Opera Mask before revealing that it was Li Taibai, a surviving remnant soul inhabiting a cat's body. Jiang Ran initially showed little interest in its claimed identity, prompting it to offer the Mirage Dragon Jade Soul to keep his attention 54 55.

After Jiang Ran freed it from the tomb, the Black Cat chose to accompany him. It wanted to understand the modern era and offered its knowledge to help Jiang Ran grow stronger; the cityscape of Feng City left it astonished after its thousand-year absence 56.

It explained the distinction between Martial Cultivation and Spirit Cultivation, identifying itself as a former Spirit Cultivator who wielded swords through divine sense and merged poetry with the blade. Although it warned Jiang Ran that dual-cultivation rarely succeeds, it passed the Basic Visualization Manual to him without demanding payment 58.

The Black Cat helped Jiang Ran identify the Great Demon near his home as Tu Lou and recognized the Spirit Control Pact left by the Hairy People in the beast's eyes 62 63. After Jiang Ran defeated Bai Yi and the Hairy People, it sought a place in Kui; Jiang Ran accepted it on the condition that it remain useful to the organization 67.

It later swore an Oath of Silence that prohibits it from disclosing Jiang Ran's real-world identity, appearance, residence, or social connections. It subsequently followed Jiang Ran into reality, where it took the name Taibai and began adapting to modern life 70 71.

Appearance

In its usual form, the Black Cat is a small, pure-black feline with conspicuous deep-blue eyes. Its expressions, posture, and tail movements frequently convey its emotions.

• Pure black fur and deep-blue feline pupils 61 70
• Can change into a smaller yellow-and-white tabby with ordinary amber eyes when concealment is needed 74
• Often rides on Jiang Ran's shoulder, in his backpack, or in a vehicle basket 60 71 73

Personality

The Black Cat is theatrical, prideful, and prone to referring to itself as an old master or “this Humble One.” It expects the deference and resources once afforded to sages, and is visibly affronted when Jiang Ran treats it as an ordinary, underpowered companion 55 67.

Despite its boasting, it is pragmatic enough to retreat from danger, complain about being made to stand guard, and demand its share of Spirit Crystals. Its combat confidence is often undercut by its current weakness, particularly when it needs Jiang Ran to rescue it from Hairy People 66 67 70.

It is also curious and adaptable. Modern technology, city life, tablets, phones, and the safety of ordinary people in reality initially bewilder it, but it actively learns about the new era. It becomes angered by false reports vilifying Jiang Ran and increasingly supports Kui's interests 69 70 106.

Abilities & Skills

Spirit Cultivation Knowledge

The Black Cat was formerly a Spirit Cultivator, specializing in divine-sense sword control and the fusion of poetry and swordsmanship.

• Taught Jiang Ran the Basic Visualization Manual and its associated precautions 58
• Explains the differences between Martial Cultivation, Spirit Cultivation, and dual-cultivation 58
• Possesses knowledge of ancient cultivation talent ranks, including Earth Spirits, Heavenly Prodigies, and Dao Seeds 64
• Retains knowledge of the Ancestral People, their kingdoms, inherited abilities, and ancient history 63 75
• Its current strength is severely diminished because only a wisp of its remnant soul remains 61 67

Oath of Silence

The Black Cat can form a blood-and-soul binding oath.

• Swore never to reveal Jiang Ran's identity, appearance, residence, social connections, or other real-world information 70
• Breaking the oath would cause its remnant soul to disperse 70
• States that such contracts are abilities available to sufficiently advanced Spirit Cultivators rather than divine abilities 70

Detection and Identification

Its ancient experience allows it to recognize phenomena that modern Transcendents cannot easily identify.

• Detected the Spirit Control Pact in Tu Lou's pupils and identified it as a Hairy People technique that turns Exotic Beasts into puppets 63
• Recognized Bai Yi as a Hairy Person of the Imperial Clan and warned Jiang Ran about the clan's physical strength and ancestral-war-soul ability 66
• Identified the Cross-Legged Kingdom and described its reputation for formidable Spirit Cultivation 75

Disguise and Traversal

The Black Cat can alter its outward appearance and travel between the Abyssal Void and reality alongside a Void Walker.

• Changed from a black cat with blue eyes into a yellow-and-white tabby with amber eyes 74
• Uses illusion techniques, reducing the risk that it will expose Jiang Ran's identity 81
• Can follow Jiang Ran from the Abyssal Void into the real world 70

Relationships

• Jiang Ran — Companion, adviser, and member of Kui. The Black Cat teaches him Spirit Cultivation and ancient lore, while Jiang Ran provides protection and sets strict expectations for its usefulness 58 67 70.
• Wang Zhenguo — Fellow Kui member. The Black Cat addresses him with patronizing seniority and later assists with organizational communication 69 83.
• Ran Min — Ancient Transcendent known to the Black Cat from its earlier life; it directs Jiang Ran toward Ran Min's location and later receives Ran Min's orders to prepare Kui for an Alien Human attack 82 162.
• Hairy People — Enemy faction. The Black Cat knows their Spirit Control Pact, Imperial Clan traits, and Ancestral War Soul technique; it is pursued by their members during Jiang Ran's battle with Bai Yi 63 66.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Tomb of the Poet Immortal

The Black Cat is discovered in the Sword Immortal's tomb, reveals itself as Li Taibai's remnant soul, and leaves the tomb with Jiang Ran after surrendering the Mirage Dragon Jade Soul 54 55 56.

Dual-Cultivation Adviser

It provides Jiang Ran with the Basic Visualization Manual, warns him about the difficulty of cultivating both martial and spiritual paths, and observes his relentless resource gathering with disbelief 58 59.

Great Demon and Hairy People Conflict

The Black Cat helps investigate the danger near Jiang Ran's home, identifies Tu Lou and the Spirit Control Pact, and supplies intelligence during the conflict with Bai Yi's Hairy People 62 63 66.

Kui Membership and Modern Life

After joining Kui, it travels into reality under the name Taibai, learns to use modern devices, attends Jiang Ran's workplace, and disguises itself as a tabby when necessary 67 70 71 74.

Kui Defense Preparations

The Black Cat helps coordinate with Kui members, receives responsibility for learning about the modern world, and later follows Ran Min's orders to prepare for the approaching Alien Human army 83 106 162.

Notable Quotes

“You... you're a devil, aren't you?!” 64

“Then you're underestimating me, Li Taibai.” 67

“This old man may only have a wisp of remnant soul left, but how can ordinary cultivators compare to me?” 67

Trivia

• Jiang Ran names the Black Cat Taibai when introducing it to his students in reality 71.
• It was left frozen in despair while Jiang Ran allowed students to pet it and prevented it from escaping 71.
• The Black Cat is especially concerned with obtaining Spirit Crystals and complains that Jiang Ran has not properly funded its recovery 67 68.