Li Ming

Biodata

Power Progression

Background / History

Early life

Li Ming is a transmigrator who entered the world as an ordinary mortal with exceptionally poor cultivation aptitude. After his parents died, he was raised by Old Zhang, a low-level rogue cultivator who introduced him to cultivation. Major sacred grounds rejected Li Ming, forcing him to advance through a tattered scripture and his own persistence. 1 15

The mysterious Bronze Mirror became central to his survival. It concealed his aura, resisted curses and deductions, and enabled him to raid tombs for scriptures, treasures, and special-physique origins. Drawing inspiration from the future legend of the Ruthless Empress, he deduced his own Heaven-Swallowing Demonic Art rather than inheriting an established supreme method. 1 14

Dao attainment and rise

Li Ming survived an extraordinary Dao-sealing tribulation in the Chaos Sea, with the Heavenly Demonic Saber devouring much of its lightning. The absorbed origins and his self-created art allowed him to develop a defective acquired Chaotic Body before attaining the Imperial Dao Realm. 1 2

At the moment of his breakthrough, Dark Supremes attempted to harvest his Chaos Origin. Li Ming destroyed their avatars, killed Carefree Heavenly Venerable, made the latter’s remains into the Carefree Boots, and publicly embraced the name Demon Venerable. 2

Reincarnation Sea and forbidden zones

After consolidating his realm, Li Ming attacked the Reincarnation Sea and killed its four Dark Supremes, including the Lord of Reincarnation and Thunder God. He claimed the forbidden zone as his territory and used its Dao Altars, Immortal Dao runes, Divine Spring Water, and sealed resources for more than a thousand years of cultivation. 3 4 5

He later annihilated seven more Dark Supremes who ambushed him with Lingbao Tianzun’s killing formation. The battle established his reputation as an invincible Heavenly Venerable, while the Heavenly Demonic Saber absorbed the slain Supremes’ bodies, weapons, scriptures, and Dao imprints. 7 8 9

Over later eras, Li Ming repeatedly used the Life Forbidden Zones as both resources and strategic tools. He destroyed the Heaven Forbidden Zone and its twelve Dark Supremes, severely damaged the Tianshan Forbidden Zone—renaming it Heaven-Severing Mountain—and ultimately treated surviving Dark Supremes as potential bait for the Undying Heavenly Emperor rather than exterminating all of them immediately. 123 134

Ziwei Star and legacy

After more than ten thousand years away, Li Ming returned to Ziwei Star, where its inhabitants honored him as Venerable Ming or Ziwei Venerable rather than Demon Venerable. His attainments elevated both his birth family’s Sun-Moon Holy Land and Old Zhang’s descendants’ Ziwei Holy Land. 14 15

He gave a ten-year public lecture on the five secret realms, benefiting cultivators of every level. He later passed the Thunder God’s Heavenly Art, Nine Secrets: Zhe and Xing, and the Dao Scripture to his affiliated holy lands, while forging Thunder God’s Hammer and the Ziwei Scepter as their defensive foundations. 16 17

Following his fourth-life return, Li Ming’s identity as the ancient Demon Venerable became public again. He taught the Human Race on several occasions, protected the Solar and Lunar lineages, and strengthened Ziwei through hidden Extreme Dao formations, holy-land inheritances, Tang Valley, and the Solar Divine Palace. 85 86 93

Red Dust transformations and immortality

Li Ming chose the Red Dust Immortal path instead of self-severance, restricted-zone hibernation, or reliance on the Road to Immortality. His fourth lifetime was achieved through a Sacred Spirit transformation in an Immortal Tear Green Gold vein, severing his former aura so completely that even ancient enemies initially failed to recognize him. 81 83

His fifth lifetime was achieved with a Nirvana Pool containing Dark Supreme origin blood, Phoenix Nirvana methods, and his Chaotic Body’s ability to reconcile conflicting Dao laws. He later surpassed the Human Dao Realm, survived an Immortal Ascension Tribulation, and became a True Immortal while continuing his successive mortal-world transformations. 123 131 188

By his eighth lifetime, Li Ming had entered the Immortal Dao Realm and become an overwhelmingly remote elder of the world. Nonetheless, he considers ordinary True Immortality incomplete and continues seeking the Immortal Apex and true Mortal-World Ascension. 202 219

Appearance

Li Ming is described as jade-like, refined, and exceptionally handsome; he was once considered Ziwei Star’s foremost beauty in appearance. He does not value this reputation, focusing instead on comprehending the Great Dao. 1

• Often appears in flowing robes amid chaotic energy, giving him the bearing of an exiled immortal. 8
• His aura can manifest as Chaos, a black hole, or controlled chaotic lightning. 8 12
• Following his second lifetime, he emerged with the appearance of an eighteen-year-old youth, black hair, crystalline skin, and overwhelming vitality. 23
• When cultivating or meeting descendants, his true appearance may be obscured by a mass of Chaos. 17
• During his fourth lifetime, his body became an Immortal Tear Green Gold humanoid statue before emerging as a Perfected Sacred Spirit. This transformation erased his former aura and identity from ordinary perception. 81
• After each successful transformation, he commonly returns to a youthful appearance despite having lived for hundreds of thousands or millions of years. 131 187 219

Personality

Li Ming is calm, calculating, and intensely independent. He rejects conventional restrictions on reputation and morality, choosing the title Demon Venerable because fear gives him greater freedom to act. He treats opponents, corpses, weapons, and even forbidden zones as potential cultivation resources. 2 4

Despite his ruthlessness, he is not needlessly reckless. He avoids suicidal conflicts with large numbers of Dark Supremes when surrender and compensation serve his interests better, and he prioritizes the long-term Red Dust Immortal path over temporary victories. 16 20

He retains attachments to Ziwei Star, Old Zhang’s descendants, and the Li Family. He protects Ziwei with hidden weapons, teaches openly, and supports allied Heavenly Venerables whose character he respects. 17 25 45

As his lifespan and strength increased, Li Ming became more willing to alter historical tragedies, notably by preserving the Solar and Lunar Saint Emperors’ consciousnesses and preparing Fighting Saint Emperor for a new corpse-spirit life. 100 231

He is fiercely protective of his descendants and rejects coercive religious conversion. Although he permitted Li Ling to study Buddhism, he forced Peacock Wisdom King to abandon involuntary conversion practices and ensured that Li Ling’s path remained voluntary. 104 106

Abilities & Skills

Heaven-Swallowing Demonic Art

Li Ming independently created a Heaven-Swallowing Demonic Art with its own Great Dao imprint. Unlike the Ruthless Empress’s version, it can establish a supreme foundation through self-cultivation or through seizing others’ origins. 1 11

• Devours origins, blood essence, corpses, Dao laws, curses, weapon fragments, and hostile attacks.
• Evolves and strengthens his physique through absorbed special constitutions. 1
• Transforms his Wheel Sea into a black-hole-like manifestation that absorbs enemy power. 2 8
• Has never been passed to another cultivator; Li Ming considers its karmic and destructive risks too dangerous for broad transmission. 11 15

Chaotic Body

Li Ming first developed a defective acquired Chaotic Body, then refined it into a perfect Chaotic Body during his second lifetime. 1 23

• Resonates with the myriad Daos and excels at comprehending foreign techniques, formations, and Immortal Dao runes. 14 25
• Fused with the Heavenly Heart Imprint upon his Dao attainment, granting broad control over surrounding laws. 2
• His Great Dao suppressed the world so completely that others could not attain the Dao during his era. 14
• His Chaos Origin makes him a recurring target for Dark Supremes seeking longevity and rebirth. 7 23
• Following his fourth-life Dao attainment, he shattered the Heavenly Heart Imprint rather than relying on it and became effectively a mobile, alternative Heavenly Heart Imprint. 83 85
• His Bitter Sea has evolved into a Chaos Sea containing the laws of myriad Daos and several Immortal Medicines; Li Ming hopes eventually to develop it into an internal universe. 93

Transformation Character Secret

A self-created secret art combining Li Ming’s deductions of the Soaring Immortal Art and Myriad-Transformation Sacred Art. It is also called the Flower Secret. 4 8

• Created specifically to counter the Nine Secrets.
• Can transform, reverse, neutralize, or refine phenomena and Dao techniques. 4
• Produces Dao flowers and petals bearing Li Ming’s imprints, which can seal, destroy, or erase enemies and their primordial spirits. 8

Flying Immortal Power and Immortal Ascension Light

Li Ming wields Flying Immortal Power, also manifested as Immortal Ascension Light or Eternal Ascension Power. 4

• Overwhelmed Extreme-Sublimated Dark Supremes and shattered their Dao manifestations. 4
• Destroyed the old ghost’s invading Devil Mist during its possession attempt. 9
• Combined with Chaos Thunder to annihilate Longevity Heavenly Venerable. 19
• In later eras, his Flying Immortal divine fist and Immortal Ascension Light could erase Dao-Dissolving attacks, kill Dark Supremes in single blows, and overwhelm opponents with True Immortal-level bodies. 134 187

Thunder God’s Heavenly Art

Li Ming studied Thunder God’s Scripture after killing Thunder God and incorporated it into his own Dao, creating Thunder God’s Heavenly Art. 4 12

• Controls chaotic lightning that naturally emanates from his body and can absorb surrounding Great Dao power. 12
• Uses lightning as an effective force against dark and corruptive beings. 17
• Forged Thunder God’s Hammer and transmitted the art to Li Huayuan and the Sun-Moon Holy Land. 17

Phoenix Tribulation Art and Sacred Spirit transformation

Li Ming studied the Immortal Phoenix Secret Art obtained from the Undying Heavenly Emperor and adapted its principles to his own cultivation. 58

• Created the Phoenix Tribulation Art by combining the Immortal Phoenix Secret Art, Phoenix Blood Crimson Gold, Divine Chains of Order, and Nine Secrets: Zhe. 61
• Can restore a shattered body and Primordial Spirit from as little as a drop of blood. 61
• Used Sacred Spirit and Phoenix-Nirvana principles to complete multiple lifetimes without abandoning his Chaotic Body. 81 123 131
• Created the Heaven-Mending Scripture after perfecting the Sacred Spirit Heaven-Mending Art, giving him deeper mastery over Sacred Spirit origins, defects, and transformations. 104 109

Source Heaven Scripture and formations

Li Ming created the Source Heaven Scripture after studying Duan De’s Source Heaven Book and adapting its principles to his Chaotic Body. 35

• Connects Source Arts, terrain, natural runes, celestial phenomena, Yin-Yang, and the myriad Daos. 35
• Allows Li Ming to activate or alter natural Grand Dao patterns and construct formations on a cosmic scale. 75 148
• Enabled him to rebuild the Ancient Starry Sky Road, create Divine Cities and Five-Colored Altars, and turn ancient ruins into training grounds for later generations. 75
• His proficiency with Source Arts, Nine Secrets: Zu, and Immortal Dao Runes places his formation mastery at least on par with Lingbao Tianzun and Netherworld Emperor Duan De. 148

Nine Nether Secret Art

After killing and soul-searching the Lord of Taichu, Li Ming acquired the Nine Nether Secret Art of the Primal Ten Evils. 130 131

• Permits transformation into the Nine Nether, a nine-tailed, red-furred wolf-like Primal Evil capable of devouring heaven, earth, stars, and Chaos. 130 131
• Includes the Heaven-Devouring Earth-Eating Art, which grants extraordinary devouring power and insight into ancient Immortal King-level cultivation methods. 130 131
• Li Ming does not use the form casually because it temporarily intensifies his savage and violent impulses. 131

Nine Secrets, formations, and Source Arts

Li Ming possesses several Nine Secrets and integrates their principles into his own techniques rather than relying on them alone. 16 25 28

• Xing — Deepened through killing Carefree Heavenly Venerable and forging the Carefree Boots. 2 19
• Zhe — Studied through Longevity Heavenly Venerable’s regeneration and obtained through soul-searching. 19
• Zu — Received from the bronze lamp’s weapon spirit alongside Lingbao Tianzun’s scriptures. 23
• Dou — Received directly from Boundless Heavenly Venerable with its complete creation insights. 28
• Shu — Obtained from Daode Tianzun during their century-long Dao discussion. 25
• Source Heaven Scripture — Created after studying Duan De’s Source Heaven Book; connects Source Arts, terrain, natural runes, and Li Ming’s Chaotic Body. 35

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Bronze Mirror — Li Ming’s mysterious protective artifact. It conceals him from enemies, absorbs the river of time, suppresses powerful opponents, seals the Bronze Immortal Hall’s laws, erases Dark Strangeness, and transforms Faith Power into a more mysterious Destiny Power. 1 2 11 27 84
• Heavenly Demonic Saber — Li Ming’s primary weapon, forged from absorbed origins and corpses. It has consumed multiple Heavenly Venerables, Dark Supremes, immortal metals, Dao laws, and faith power. Its nine-immortal-metal composition was completed at the Reincarnation Sea, and it later evolved into an Immortal Weapon. 4 20 32 The saber can act autonomously, intercepting and killing enemies without Li Ming’s direct command. 134
• Carefree Boots — A pair of extreme-speed boots refined from Carefree Heavenly Venerable’s body. 2
• Bronze Immortal Hall — An immortal artifact taken from the old ghost after Li Ming destroyed it and imprinted the hall with his own Emperor Runes. 11 Li Ming later chose to preserve and restore it rather than melt it into the Heavenly Demonic Saber. 79
• Devouring Heaven Demon Jar — Li Ming’s former body, refined into an Extreme Dao Weapon using Immortal Dao runes, Chaos Divine Marrow, Mother Qi of All Things, immortal materials, and Dark Supreme blood essence. 29 30 After Li Ming released it to seek a destined holder, it eventually evolved into an independent Immortal Weapon that grants inheritances across the universe. 136 218
• Nine hidden Extreme Dao Weapons — Three bells, three cauldrons, and three towers forged from Immortal Gold and sealed around Ziwei Star as a defensive formation nourished by faith power. 25
• Thunder God’s Hammer — A Heavenly Venerable weapon forged for Li Huayuan and the Sun-Moon Holy Land. 17
• Ziwei Scepter — A Heavenly Venerable weapon forged for Zhang Wen and the Ziwei Holy Land. 17
• Heaven-Burying Coffin — A supreme coffin forged and continuously enhanced from Immortal Gold, Chaos Essence, Mother Qi of All Things, Dark Supreme remains, and Immortal Flame. It has approached the level of an Immortal Weapon. 98 131
• Myriad Souls Banner — A sinister banner forged from eighty-one Dark Supreme skins and bones, then refined with Immortal Flame and Immortal Dao Runes. It devours Dark Supremes, weapons, Primordial Spirits, and imperial laws, producing Emperor Fiend Aura and rapidly evolving toward an Immortal Weapon. 131 134 139
• Human Emperor Seal — A nine-immortal-metal weapon remade by Li Ming as the vessel and eventual revival path of the Lunar Saint Emperor, whose consciousness became its Weapon Deity. 100
• Solar Divine Tower — The Solar Saint Emperor’s weapon, recovered from Tang Valley and reinforced by Li Ming. It became the Solar Saint Emperor’s vessel for revival after Li Ming fused his reconstructed body and consciousness with the tower. 91 100
• Heaven, Earth, and Human Pagodas — Three nine-level Extreme Dao pagodas forged from Dao Tribulation Gold, Divine Marked Purple Gold, and Dragon-Patterned Black Gold for the Human Race of Feixian Star. 97 98
• Kunlun Immortal Bell — An ancient Immortal Weapon captured and refined after it attempted to flee through the Heavenly Gate to the Immortal Domain. Li Ming copied its Immortal Dao inscriptions and subdued its Weapon Deity. 187

Relationships

• Old Zhang — Adoptive guardian and first cultivation guide after Li Ming’s parents died; Old Zhang’s descendants later founded the Ziwei Holy Land. 1 15
• Li Huayuan — Distant Li Family descendant and leader of the Sun-Moon Holy Land; received Li Ming’s Thunder God’s Heavenly Art, Nine Secrets: Zhe and Xing, Dao Scripture, and Thunder God’s Hammer. 17
• Zhang Wen — Ziwei Holy Master and descendant of Old Zhang’s lineage; received the Dao Scripture and Ziwei Scepter. 17
• Carefree Heavenly Venerable — First legendary Heavenly Venerable killed by Li Ming after his Dao attainment; Carefree’s remains became the Carefree Boots. 2
• Daode Tianzun — Fellow Heavenly Venerable and Dao-discussion partner. They exchanged scriptures, debated the Dao for a century, and later cooperated around Lingbao Tianzun’s fate. 24 25
• Lingbao Tianzun — Initially connected to the ambush using Lingbao’s formation, but later treated by Li Ming as a respected fellow seeker of the Red Dust Immortal path. Li Ming aided his revival and gave him a strand of Chaos Origin. 8 44 45
• Boundless Heavenly Venerable — Saved by Li Ming from Dark Strangeness within the Chaotic Dragon Nest. In gratitude, Boundless gave Li Ming the Nine Secrets: Dou, True Dragon transformation insights, and the Myriad Dragon Nest. 27 28 29 Boundless later became the Weapon Deity of the Boundless Divine Cauldron and remained a respectful ally despite being vastly weaker than Li Ming. 108 159
• Netherworld Emperor Duan De — First met as the creator of Source Arts; later fought Li Ming at the Mythical Battlefield. Their rivalry developed into mutual respect and discussions of rebirth and immortality. 35 37 Li Ming later saw through Duan De’s feigned decline and Corpse Spirit Awakening preparations. 159
• Emperor Zun — Defeated by Li Ming in a hundred-move battle, then became a pragmatic ally in matters involving the Heavenly Court, Immortal Ascension Cauldron, and Nine-Revolution Immortal Elixir. 48 49 Li Ming’s intervention helped alter Emperor Zun’s original fate, allowing him to enter the Immortal Domain with Daode and Lingbao Tianzun. 68 84
• Undying Heavenly Emperor — Initially an object of study from whom Li Ming obtained the Immortal Phoenix Secret Art. He later became Li Ming’s principal long-term enemy after falling under Dark Strangeness and devouring the Solar and Lunar Saint Emperors. Li Ming ultimately killed him on the Road to Immortality and refined him into the Myriad Souls Banner. 58 139 187
• Undying Heavenly Empress — The Undying Heavenly Emperor’s Dao companion, who recognized Li Ming despite his disguise and disclosed evidence of Undying’s corruption. Li Ming offered to help her attain enlightenment, creating a cautious alliance. 114 139
• Solar Saint Emperor and Lunar Saint Emperor — Human Race protectors whose legacies aided Li Ming’s clan. Li Ming recovered their remains and restored their consciousnesses through the Solar Divine Tower and Human Emperor Seal, respectively, giving both a path toward eventual revival. 85 100
• Li Ling / Buddha Emperor — Li Ming’s nineteenth-generation descendant, gifted with a pure childlike heart and Wisdom Light. Li Ming protected him from forced Buddhist conversion, supported his voluntary Buddhist cultivation, and guided his longevity plans after he became the Buddha Emperor. 104 106 122
• Xiao Yao / Immortal Matriarch — Li Ming’s former maidservant, who unexpectedly attained Emperor Enlightenment and became the Immortal Matriarch. She is an ancestor of Li Ling and is undergoing Sacred Spirit transformation in Kunlun Mountain. 100 121
• Li Lian — Li Ming’s daughter, who has undertaken her own successive transformations and discusses the Red Dust Immortal path with him. 202
• Dongfang Taiyi / Barbarian Emperor — A Human Demon whom Li Ming once rescued and guided in harmonizing lunar and solar energies. The Devouring Heaven Demon Jar later aided Dongfang’s enlightenment, and he continues to regard Li Ming with near-filial respect. 218 219
• Dark Supremes — Persistent enemies who covet Li Ming’s Chaos Origin and expect to attack him in old age; Li Ming has killed many of them but accepts compensation from those willing to yield. 14 20 Their fear became near-total after his repeated transformations and destruction of major forbidden zones. 131 134

Story Role / Major Arcs

• Creation and Dao attainment — Rises from an untalented mortal through tomb-raiding, the Bronze Mirror, and his self-created Heaven-Swallowing Demonic Art; survives Dao-sealing and kills Carefree Heavenly Venerable. 1 2
• Conquest of forbidden zones — Claims the Reincarnation Sea, destroys its four Dark Supremes, annihilates seven ambushers, and forces several other restricted areas into submission. 3 4 8 20
• Bronze Immortal Hall incident — Survives the old ghost’s possession attempt, destroys the ghost within the Bronze Immortal Hall, and refines the artifact for himself. 9 11
• Return to Ziwei Star — Becomes the planet’s celebrated Venerable Ming, lectures on the Great Dao, strengthens its two associated holy lands, and establishes hidden defenses around the star. 14 17 25
• Longevity transformations — Completes a perfect Chaotic Body and second lifetime, later reaches a third lifetime while preserving his original physique and growing dragon-like might. 23 43
• Dragon Nest and Kunlun campaigns — Acquires the True Dragon Elixir, assists Boundless Heavenly Venerable, gains the Myriad Dragon Nest, refines the Devouring Heaven Demon Jar, conquers Kunlun Mountain, and advances the Heavenly Demonic Saber toward immortality. 27 30 31 32
• Heavenly Venerable alliances — Exchanges Dao insights and Chaos Origin with Daode, Lingbao, and Netherworld Venerable, then participates in Emperor Zun’s preparations for the Nine-Revolution Immortal Elixir and the Road to Immortality. 45 49 50
• Fourth-life Sacred Spirit rebirth — Enters silent extinction in Undying Mountain, becomes an Immortal Tear Green Gold Perfected Sacred Spirit, returns in the Primordial Era under a new identity, and proves the Dao again by shattering the Heavenly Heart Imprint. 81 83
• Human Race restoration — Reappears publicly as the Demon Venerable, strengthens the Sun-Moon Holy Land and Ziwei Star, lectures to Human Race cultivators, and protects the Solar and Lunar Saint Emperor legacies. 85 86 100
• Forbidden-zone pacification — Destroys Flame Mountain and the Heaven Forbidden Zone, severs Tianshan Mountain, and repeatedly forces Dark Supremes to surrender resources while preserving some as bait for Undying. 91 123 134
• Fifth-life rebirth and Myriad Souls Banner — Uses Dark Supreme origin blood to begin a fifth lifetime, kills the Lord of Taichu, gains the Nine Nether Secret Art, and forges the Myriad Souls Banner from Dark Supreme remains. 130 131
• War against Undying — Investigates Undying Heavenly Emperor’s Dark Strangeness corruption, uses his son and surviving Dark Supremes as strategic bait, then kills Undying during the collapse of the Road to Immortality. 139 187
• Immortal ascension and later mentorship — Becomes a True Immortal, guides later emperors including Emperor Huang and Dongfang Taiyi, completes further lifetimes, and reaches the Immortal Dao Realm by his eighth lifetime. 188 202 219
• Guardian of ancient legacies — Preserves Fighting Saint Emperor for a possible corpse-spirit rebirth as Sun Wukong, protects descendants and transforming companions, and accepts the eventual decline of the Primordial Era after delaying it long enough for others to prepare. 231

Notable Quotes

“I do not want to be a good person. I only want to be someone both righteous and evil, free and unfettered, without bearing the shackles of morality.”
— Li Ming 23

“We cultivators draw our great power from ourselves.”
— Li Ming 48