Chi Li

Biodata

Power Progression

Background

Chi Li introduced herself to Jiang Lu as the Divine Phoenix, alongside Cangchen of the Divine Dragon Clan, immediately after the two were reverse-contracted by Jiang Lu. In her weakened state, Jiang Lu initially dismissed the claim as the boast of an angry little bird and a clawed snake. 7

While observing Jiang Lu cultivate, Chi Li recognized the signs of the legendary Chaos Spirit Root before Cangchen did. She explained that it could refine all types of spiritual energy into unique source energy, and warned that Jiang Lu would face disaster if her constitution were exposed while she was still weak. 7

The contract restored a trace of Chi Li's spiritual power and gave her hope of one day returning to the Divine Realm. Although she initially worried that Jiang Lu might abandon her for being weak, she later committed herself to cultivating, protecting her master, and recovering her sealed strength. 8 50 81

Chi Li and Cangchen discovered that Jiang Lu possessed a spatial secret but chose not to confront her, hoping that trust would develop between them. When Jiang Lu later promised that she regarded her Spirit Beasts as family and would never exploit them for their bloodlines, the two were reassured. 16 48

Appearance

Chi Li commonly appears as a tiny bird small enough to hide in Jiang Lu's cloth pouch or perch on her shoulder. Her reduced form initially had yellow chest feathers and a fluffy, unimposing appearance despite her claimed divine lineage. 7 9

• A small bird with yellow chest feathers in her initial weakened form. 7
• Often concealed in a cloth pouch alongside Cangchen while traveling. 9 12
• Appears as a scarlet bird when openly accompanying Jiang Lu. 178
• After reaching third rank, grew a longer tail; her wing feathers hardened from soft down into more developed plumage. 84
• Can revert to the form she had when Jiang Lu first encountered her to help conceal their identities. 205

Personality

Chi Li is proud, theatrical, and highly sensitive about her status as a Divine Phoenix. She resents being judged by her weak present form and reacts strongly when Jiang Lu or others doubt her identity. 7 50

She is also competitive, especially with Cangchen. The two cooperate effectively when necessary, but repeatedly argue over usefulness, treasure, strength, and Jiang Lu's favor. 13 17 84

Beneath her arrogance, Chi Li is perceptive and deeply loyal to Jiang Lu. She was the first to identify Jiang Lu's Chaos Spirit Root, fears the dangers that Jiang Lu's talent may attract, and resolves to become strong enough to protect her. 7 50

Chi Li has high expectations of treasures and opportunities, dismissing the offerings at a fourth-tier city's auction as mediocre. She also resents being overpowered in training by mere demonic-beast phantoms, seeing it as an affront to her Divine Phoenix status. 57 153

Abilities & Skills

Nirvana Flame

Chi Li wields the Nirvana Flame unique to the Fire Phoenix Clan, a divine fire ranked among the top ten on the Divine Flame Ranking. 27

• Purges demonic qi from spiritual treasures, as when she drove contamination from the Water Spirit Pearl. 27
• Launches fireballs in combat; her flames unexpectedly strengthened after contracting Jiang Lu. 17
• Burns demon-beast corpses so completely that their aura and traces vanish. 14
• Fire is ineffective or dangerous against certain enemies and environments, such as poisonous spider silk that releases toxic fumes when burned. 63
• Her fire aspect enables her to restrain Ghost-Head Bees and protect Cutie while they search for Ghostly Charm Flowers. 177

Spiritual Perception

Chi Li possesses sharp instincts for threats, rare opportunities, and divine bloodlines.

• Warned Jiang Lu of an approaching horde of first-rank demonic beasts before nearby cultivators sensed them. 24
• Led Cangchen toward an unusual aura during the beast tide, despite their diminished strength. 26
• Detected the aura of a powerful Divine Beast across the Linlan Secret Realm and independently went to Mount Qi to investigate. 80
• Identified the Azure Luan's awakened bloodline as that of a Demi-Divine Beast. 80
• Recognized that Lu Lingfeng's fire was unusual and considered its possible connection to the long-vanished Chaos Fire. 64

Contract-Based Growth

Chi Li's Master-Servant Contract with Jiang Lu allows her to benefit from Jiang Lu's advancement and spiritual resources. 16 52

• Regained first-rank power after the initial contract. 8
• Shared the Spirit Pearl's power with Cangchen to reach second rank. 37
• Her firepower increased noticeably during Jiang Lu's first battle against a cultivator. 17
• Reached third rank after Jiang Lu's Golden Core advancement nourished her and the other Spirit Beasts. 84
• Her sealed strength will fully unseal upon reaching fifth rank, though she will remain suppressed by the Heavenly Dao of the Immortal Cultivation Realm. 81
• Explained to Jiang Lu that a master and contracted beasts can strengthen one another, creating a cycle of faster improvement and steadier foundations. 52

Equipment / Items

• Storage pouch — Jiang Lu bought Chi Li a cheap pouch for pills and snacks; Chi Li later stored the purified Spirit Pearl inside it. 26 27
• Ghostly Charm Flower — Carried in her storage pouch and delivered to Jiang Lu during the clearing-stage incident. 178

Relationships

• Jiang Lu — Master and contracted partner. Chi Li initially treated the contract as an unwanted setback, but became devoted after recognizing Jiang Lu's Chaos Spirit Root and potential to return her to the Divine Realm. Jiang Lu's promise to treat her Spirit Beasts as family further strengthened their trust. 7 48 50
• Cangchen — Fellow contracted Divine Beast and constant rival. They bicker over status and usefulness, but cooperate in combat, treasure hunting, and shared cultivation. 13 17 37
• Mingyue — Fellow contracted Spirit Beast and perceived rival for Jiang Lu's affection. Chi Li became jealous when the qilin joined Jiang Lu under an Equal Contract. 82 84
• Cutie — Fellow Spirit Beast and treasure seeker. Chi Li helps interpret Cutie's discoveries and accompanied it in a search for Ghostly Charm Flowers, protecting it from Ghost-Head Bees. 47 177
• Qiming — Fellow Spirit Beast. Chi Li teased Cangchen when Qiming's concealment ability overlapped with his, and later accompanied Qiming during Jiang Lu's exploration of the Star Ruins. 86 187
• Ye Qing — Jiang Lu's master, who harshly trained Chi Li and the other Spirit Beasts through repeated formation battles to improve their ability to protect Jiang Lu. 153

Story Role / Major Arcs

• Reverse Contract and Chaos Spirit Root — Chi Li becomes Jiang Lu's contracted Spirit Beast, reveals her claimed Divine Phoenix identity, and identifies Jiang Lu's Chaos Spirit Root. 7
• Lesser Secret Realm — Supports Jiang Lu's early exploration and combat, including coordinated attacks against the Smallfoot Beast, Scarlet Demon Spider, and a stronger hostile cultivator. 12 14 17
• Beast Tide — Uses Nirvana Flame with Cangchen's water techniques to cleanse demonic qi from the Water Spirit Pearl. 27
• Illusory Forest — Reaches second rank by sharing the Spirit Pearl's power with Cangchen and accompanies Jiang Lu into the expedition surrounding the hidden Magic Beast. 37
• Azure Luan Incident — Helps establish that her Divine Phoenix identity is genuine and pledges to grow strong enough to protect Jiang Lu. 49 50
• Golden Core Advancement — Breaks through to third rank alongside Cangchen after Jiang Lu's advancement. 84
• Heaven's Chosen Competition Preparations — Undergoes harsh combat training with Jiang Lu's other Spirit Beasts while Jiang Lu is absent in the ghost domain. 153
• Clearing-Stage Search — Protects Cutie while they search for Ghostly Charm Flowers, then openly delivers one to Jiang Lu, accounting for the flower's appearance before the watching cultivators. 177 178
• Star Ruins — Accompanies Jiang Lu and Qiming into the desolate hunting ground. Despite its oppressive atmosphere and invisible attacks, the two Spirit Beasts assist Jiang Lu in treating the encounter as combat training. 187
• Magic Cultivators' Lair — While Jiang Lu is imprisoned by cultivators seeking to refine her Chaos Body, Chi Li voices suspicion that the Heaven's Chosen Ranking and their predicament are connected to mysterious forces of the Upper Realm. 203
• Illusory Forest Travels — Reverts to her earlier, less recognizable form as Jiang Lu disguises herself, and later accompanies her during the exploration of an eerie sea island. 205 227

Notable Quotes

“Master, I'm a Divine Phoenix, and it's a Divine Dragon!” 50

“Once our strength recovers, we'll definitely be the coolest contracted beasts!” 50