Li Sancai

Biodata

Power Progression

Background / History

Li Sancai was stationed in the outer spirit fields before Xu Changqing became a formal disciple. Already having cultivated the Evergreen Formula to its second layer, he was regarded as a capable senior brother with a detailed understanding of spirit-rice cultivation. When Xu sought help over his failing crop, Li identified insufficient nutrients, water, and spiritual energy, and advised three remedies: Water Spirit Root disciples' Minor Cloud-Rain Art, Earth Spirit Root disciples' soil loosening, or improving the Evergreen Formula. 2

As an assessment official, Li Sancai regularly patrolled the spirit fields and could accurately judge likely passers. During Xu's final outer-sect assessment, he avoided identifying Xu as a probable success in front of Zhang Er, then called Han Su to verify that Xu's field had legitimately received restored earth qi. 5 6 After Xu passed, Li advised him not to pursue Zhang Er's attempted exploitation, explaining that formal disciples' exploitation of outer disciples was an accepted sect practice backed by higher-ranking interests. 7

After his outer-field assignment ended, Li returned to the Spirit Field Core. He revealed that core disciple Li Lingbi was his cousin and sought Xu out to arrange a long-term supply agreement for Li Lingbi's attempt at forming an Earth-Grade Golden Core. 26 Xu agreed to provide at least 800 jin of Second-Grade Spirit Rice each quarter in exchange for spirit stones and potential future benefits from Li Lingbi's success. 27

Li Sancai handled Xu's first delivery personally, accepting 800 jin of Supreme-Grade Spirit Rice and offering four Mid-Grade Spirit Stones at a rate he described as fair despite not matching the market price. 32 He subsequently recognized the rice as Xu's contribution to Li Lingbi's birthday and brought Xu into the inner circle attending the Water-Control Pavilion banquet. 33 36

Following Li Lingbi's departure for the Central Region, Li Sancai returned Xu safely to the Spirit Field Core. His reasons for recruiting Xu remain unstated, causing Xu to become wary of both Li Sancai and Li Lingbi's intentions. 37 Li later employed Xu to harvest his Rainbow Orchids and explained the rarity and value of Mutated Spirit Plants. 40

Li Sancai became increasingly independent from the Li Family after the deaths of his parents in internal Lineage conflict. He refused to return and submit to the new clan leader for restored monthly resources, supporting himself instead through his Spirit Fields and later through his share of the Foundry Peak business. 54 142 Xu's delivery of an October Foundry Peak dividend worth 88 Mid-Grade Spirit Stones and 1,224 Low-Grade Spirit Stones demonstrated that Li's independent income far exceeded the support offered by his Lineage. 142

His defeat by his childhood companion Huo Wan at Foundry Peak became a major turning point. Afterward, Li trained persistently in the arenas, improved his Wood-Spirit Entanglement Art, and learned to compensate for unfavorable Spiritual Root matchups through movement, deception, seeds, and spirit artifacts. 79 188 191 230 He later defeated the Fire Spirit Root cultivator Zhao Ben in the Formal Disciple Grand Competition with a concealed Three-Pattern Greenwood Needle, despite suffering severe burns. 230

Li came to recognize that Xu's talent in spirit farming surpassed his own and deliberately redirected Li Lingbi's arrangement to assist a soul-afflicted prince of the Black Rust Dynasty toward Xu. His concealed aim was to strengthen the relationship between Xu and Li Lingbi, whom he believed could support one another better than Li himself could. 221 He also recommended Xu for a newly opened Spirit Field Core position after receiving the Wood Spirit Return Rings from him. 248

After initially declining, Li eventually followed Li Lingbi to the Central Region, where he underwent tempering in the Meat-Simmering Blood Pool. 519 575 Although the tempering transformed his physique, he later became trapped by Li Family pressure to serve the Lineage, enter a politically advantageous marriage, and prove his usefulness. 617 Xu Changqing personally traveled to the Central Region, secured Li Lingbi's consent, and brought Li back to the Dongting Immortal Sect. 618 619

Xu appointed Li Sancai as the new Spirit Fields Cultivator and Spirit Cultivation Envoy despite Zhang Su and Rong Yan competing for the role. 619 620 Though initially intimidated by their status and by the weight of the office, Li resolved to justify Xu's trust. 620 He subsequently oversaw Spirit Field affairs, joined the Azure Alliance's inspections and defensive preparations, and remained a conscientious manager of the fields. 758 853

Li Sancai eventually died without leaving descendants. His grave remained tended and supplied with offerings, and Li Lingbi later visited it with Xu Changqing. 1283

Appearance

Li Sancai is described as having a mature face. 2

• Wood Spirit Root cultivator. 35
• Wears formal-disciple attire when attending Li Lingbi's banquet. 35
• During a period of isolation, he allowed his hair to grow to his shoulders and wore a beard, appearing dispirited and unkempt. 511
• Following his Meat-Simmering Blood Pool tempering, he became noticeably taller and heavily muscular enough to stretch his clothes taut. 575

Personality

Li Sancai is knowledgeable, pragmatic, and attentive to reciprocal benefit. He helps Xu diagnose crop problems and later explains that “many things are mutual,” linking his assistance to Xu's demonstrated farming talent. 2 26

He is also cautious about sect politics. Rather than encouraging retaliation against Zhang Er, he warns Xu to endure, conceal dissatisfaction, and guard against the broader network that permits exploitation. 7 His conduct in business is comparatively fair: although Li Lingbi's team receives rice below market value, Li Sancai explicitly avoids taking undue advantage in their first transaction. 32

Beneath his reserved manner, Li is deeply affected by family loss and loneliness. He became alienated from the Li Family after his parents' deaths in Lineage infighting and preferred isolation to becoming entangled in further familial conflict. 54 142 511 Xu's invitations, especially during the New Year, visibly lifted his spirits and revealed how much he valued companionship. 202

Li Sancai is persistent and self-aware. Huo Wan's humiliation left him frustrated, but it also drove him to cultivate, train in arena combat, and seek practical ways to overcome his Wood Spirit Root's disadvantages. 79 177 188 He is willing to acknowledge his limitations and use external resources, tactics, and preparation rather than relying on pride alone. 230 231

He remains loyal to Xu Changqing and sensitive to Xu's growing status. He defended Xu's title as Grain Lord, supported his administrative authority, and diligently managed the Spirit Fields entrusted to him. 626 758 853

Abilities & Skills

Evergreen Formula

Li Sancai has cultivated the Evergreen Formula to at least the second layer, granting him considerably finer perception of spirit plants than Xu possessed at the time. 2

• Diagnoses specific deficiencies in Spirit Rice, including insufficient nutrients, water, and spiritual energy. 2
• Recognizes when a spirit field itself is likely responsible for poor yield. 2
• Uses his understanding of cultivation to recommend appropriate Water and Earth Spirit Root assistance. 2

Spirit Plant Cultivation

Li Sancai is an experienced spirit farmer who manages both Spirit Rice and Rainbow Orchids. 32

• Identified Four-Leaf Clover's high water requirement and advised Xu to dig a water channel beside the plants. 26
• Cultivates Rainbow Orchids for talisman ink; the plants are supplied exclusively to the Water-Control Pavilion. 32
• Knows that Rainbow Orchid cultivation requires at least Late Qi Refining and connections within the Water-Control Pavilion. 32
• Understands that Spirit Plants may mutate under certain conditions, though he has personally seen this only twice. 40
• Managed three mu of Grade-Two Spirit Fields after reaching Foundation Establishment Middle Stage. 256
• Oversaw watering, spirit-rain irrigation, Earth Qi sorting, and general Spirit Field maintenance as a Spirit Cultivation Envoy. 853

Wood-Spirit Entanglement Art

Li Sancai cultivates the Wood-Spirit Entanglement Art and uses prepared seeds to rapidly generate thorny vines. 79

• Uses a Wood Spirit Mark to scatter seeds and create vine-based attacks. 79 230
• Reached at least the second level of the technique. 191
• Employs vines for concealment and ambushes, including hiding his position behind a vine wall before attacking from below an opponent's feet. 191
• Combines his vines with hidden weapons and battlefield debris to misdirect stronger opponents. 230

Combat Tactics

Li Sancai developed considerable practical combat awareness through repeated arena duels at Foundry Peak. 177 188

• Understands the elemental disadvantages Wood Spirit Root cultivators face against Fire and Metal Spirit Root cultivators. 77 230
• Uses seeds to obstruct vision, conceal his true attack, and create favorable openings. 230
• Relies on movement, ambushes, and spirit artifacts when his direct combat strength is insufficient. 191 230
• Recognizes the danger of revealing too many techniques in a formal competition and prioritizes recovery and adaptation after victory. 231

Movement and Flight

Li Sancai demonstrated an unnamed movement technique impressive enough to leave Xu Changqing astonished. 27

• Operates a Flying Paper Crane for travel to Water-Control Pavilion and between the Spirit Field Core and his residence. 34 37
• Acts as Xu's guide through the sect's surrounding regions, including Beast Spirit Valley, Foundry Peak, and Water-Control Pavilion. 34
• Used his movement technique to reposition behind Zhao Ben during their Formal Disciple Grand Competition match. 230

Body Tempering

Li Sancai underwent tempering in the Meat-Simmering Blood Pool of the Black Rust Dynasty with Li Lingbi's assistance. 575

• The tempering greatly altered his physique, making him taller and far more muscular. 575
• The process left him temporarily unable to undertake an assigned resource-transport mission while his body recovered. 575

Equipment / Items

• Communication Talisman — given to Xu Changqing after Li returned to the Spirit Field Core, allowing them to arrange deliveries and invitations. 26 32
• Flying Paper Crane — used to transport Xu to Li Lingbi's birthday banquet and back to the Spirit Field Core. 34 37
• Rainbow Orchid fields — two mu of spirit fields near his stone house; the orchids are harvested every two months and refined into talisman ink. 32
• Three-Pattern Greenwood Needle — a spiritual artifact secretly mixed among Li's seeds during his match against Zhao Ben; it repeatedly pierced Zhao's foot and forced his surrender. 230
• Wood Spirit Return Rings — three Wood-attributed spirit artifacts refined and gifted by Xu Changqing. They can create poisoned wooden spikes, form explosive ring combinations, produce a defensive shield, and convert absorbed damage into healing energy. 246 248
• Everlasting Spring Four-Color Box — a valuable storage treasure given to Li Sancai by Rong Yan after his appointment as Spirit Fields Cultivator. 620
• Storage bag from Li Lingbi — provided when Li Sancai left the Li Family and returned to the Dongting Immortal Sect. 619

Relationships

• Xu Changqing — Junior fellow spirit farmer whom Li advises, assists during the outer-sect assessment, recruits into Li Lingbi's team, and later hires to harvest Rainbow Orchids. 2 6 26 40 Their relationship develops into a close brotherly partnership: Xu shares Foundry Peak profits with Li, gives him the Wood Spirit Return Rings, rescues him from Li Family pressure, and appoints him Spirit Fields Cultivator. 142 248 617 620
• Li Lingbi — Cousin and core-disciple patron; Li Sancai gathers resources and recruits suppliers for Li Lingbi's planned Earth-Grade Golden Core attempt. 20 26 27 Li later follows Li Lingbi to the Central Region, receives access to the Meat-Simmering Blood Pool through him, and is ultimately released from the Li Family with Li Lingbi's approval. 519 575 618 619
• Zhang Er — Fellow assessment official whom Li openly dislikes; Li warns Xu not to escalate conflict with Zhang due to the sect's entrenched system of exploitation. 5 7
• Han Su — Earth Spirit Root disciple summoned by Li during Xu's assessment to confirm that Xu's field had received legitimate earth-qi restoration. 6
• Pei Mo — Fellow guest at Li Lingbi's birthday banquet; Li is wary of Pei's reputation for becoming violent while drunk. 35
• Huo Wan — Li's childhood friend and former companion. Her rise as the Alchemy Pavilion's foremost Fire Spirit Root disciple, together with her apparent relationship with Rong Yan, left Li insecure and emotionally affected. 78 She decisively defeated him at Foundry Peak using the Fire-Collecting Bell, prompting his later commitment to combat training. 79
• Rong Yan — Heir of the influential Rong Family and Huo Wan's apparent Dao companion. Li views Rong Yan's status, talent, and closeness to Huo Wan as evidence of the gap between them. 78 Rong later presented Li with the Everlasting Spring Four-Color Box following his appointment. 620
• Li Xianglin — Fire Spirit Root cousin who unsuccessfully urged Li to reconcile with the Li Family and accept its cultivation resources. 142
• Li Chun — Spirit Cultivation Envoy who worked with Li Sancai in arranging Xu's Spirit Field assignment. 221 Li later informed Xu that Li Chun's changed position created an opening in the Spirit Field Core. 248
• Zhang Su — Fellow spirit farmer and competitor for the Spirit Cultivation Envoy role. Zhang's attitude toward Li became notably warmer after learning of Li's close connection to Xu Changqing. 619 620
• Miao Huayu and Lin Xiaoman — Fellow Azure Alliance members who joined Li in inspecting Spirit Soil, spiritual-energy circulation, and defensive formations. 758

Story Role / Major Arcs

Outer Spirit Field Assessment

• Diagnoses Xu Changqing's crop failure and supplies the practical advice that enables Xu to address his field's depleted earth qi. 2
• Serves as an assessment official and helps establish that Xu's successful harvest was legitimate. 5 6
• Warns Xu of the political danger in confronting Zhang Er after the assessment. 7

Li Lingbi Resource Team

• Returns to the Spirit Field Core after his outer-field assignment and offers Xu entry into Li Lingbi's team. 26
• Negotiates Xu's quarterly obligation of 800 jin of Second-Grade Spirit Rice, leaving a Mid-Grade Spirit Stone as a nonrefundable deposit. 27
• Receives Xu's first 800-jin delivery and formally treats him as part of the team. 32 33
• Later directs a Black Rust Dynasty spirit-field arrangement toward Xu in order to strengthen Xu's ties with Li Lingbi. 221

Water-Control Pavilion Banquet

• Invites and guides Xu to Li Lingbi's birthday banquet at Water-Control Pavilion. 33 34
• Introduces Xu to Li Lingbi and explains that team members do not need to offer the same formal gifts as outside supporters. 35 36
• Expresses concern when Li Lingbi announces his journey to the demon-filled Central Region. 36

Rainbow Orchid Harvest

• Calls Xu to harvest his Rainbow Orchids and is highly impressed by Xu's Second-Grade Spirit Rice Wine. 40
• Explains the exceptional value of Mutated Spirit Plants: at least 1,000 sect points if submitted to the sect, or at least 100 Mid-Grade Spirit Stones when sold outside. 40

Foundry Peak Business and Arena Training

• Becomes Xu's business partner in the Foundry Peak venture and receives substantial dividends from it. 142 177
• Encourages Xu to learn combat awareness by observing Foundry Peak's arenas and explaining Five-Element advantages and restraints. 77
• Challenges Huo Wan in an attempt to prove himself, but is overwhelmingly defeated by her Fire-Collecting Bell. 78 79
• Trains relentlessly after the defeat, improving his resilience, tactics, and Wood-Spirit Entanglement Art. 177 188 191

Formal Disciple Grand Competition

• Enters the competition determined to prove that a Wood Spirit Root does not prevent one from becoming strong. 229
• Defeats the Fire Spirit Root cultivator Zhao Ben by using seeds, movement techniques, and the hidden Three-Pattern Greenwood Needle. 230
• Recognizes that the victory exposes his methods and leaves later opponents better prepared, so he focuses on recovery rather than celebration. 231
• Advances to the semifinals, prompting Xu to refine and present the Wood Spirit Return Rings for his protection. 245 248

Central Region and Li Family Estrangement

• Accompanies Li Lingbi to the Central Region after accepting that remaining only a spirit farmer would limit his horizons. 519
• Undergoes Meat-Simmering Blood Pool tempering, dramatically strengthening his physique. 575
• Becomes trapped under Li Family pressure to serve its interests and enter a politically motivated marriage arrangement. 617
• Accepts Xu Changqing's offer to leave the Li Family and return to the Dongting Immortal Sect. 618 619

Spirit Fields Cultivator

• Is appointed Spirit Fields Cultivator and Spirit Cultivation Envoy by Grain Lord Xu Changqing despite Zhang Su and Rong Yan's competing expectations. 619 620
• Overcomes his initial insecurity and resolves to fulfill Xu's trust in the new office. 620
• Participates in Azure Alliance inspections of Spirit Soil and spiritual-energy circulation and helps prepare protective formations. 758
• Continues to manage the Spirit Fields diligently, including irrigation, Earth Qi sorting, and spirit-plant supervision. 853

Notable Quotes

“Don't pursue the matter.” 7

“Formal disciples exploiting outer sect disciples is something the Immortal Sect tacitly permits. Even if you're dissatisfied with someone, you can only endure it, suppress it, and guard against them.” 7

“Many things are mutual.” 26

“Ever since I admitted defeat in my fight against Huo Wan, I understood one thing: when your own abilities are lacking, you have to borrow the strength of external things.” 230