Chen Tiantian

Biodata

Power Progression

Background / History

Poverty and distrust of her uncle

Tiantian’s father was injured and bedridden for six months, during which the household devoted its money to doctors and medicine. She rarely ate meat during this period and was noticeably thin. After his death, the family faced dwindling savings and a six-tael City Construction Tax 1 4.

The original Chen Shi'an repeatedly borrowed her New Year’s money without repaying it and arranged to sell her and Su Qingrou to Zhao Desheng. When the transmigrated Chen Shi'an reversed that decision, Tiantian initially dismissed his promises as another deception 1 2.

Their dependence on him also had a legal basis: Su Qingrou explained that a household without a male member could not retain its stronghold registration. Tiantian’s suggestion that her father had taken Chen Shi'an in, and that he should therefore be the one expelled, prompted her mother to forbid her from repeating it 4.

School and reconciliation

Chen Shi'an repaid her eight borrowed copper coins with twenty, then arranged for her to attend private school and bought books and writing supplies. Tiantian had loved writing and drawing since childhood and envied children who could afford schooling 5 8.

Soon after she enrolled, Zhang Mazi’s son insulted her deceased father and gambling uncle, tore her book, and struck her beneath the left eye. Tiantian scratched him in return, but came home crying and asked to leave school. When Zhang Mazi demanded compensation and tried to seize her, Chen Shi'an intervened, defeated him and his assistants, and secured four taels for the family through the city guards 9 10.

Afterward, Chen Shi'an told her to protect herself and seek his help rather than fight alone. She accepted his hand, then threw herself into his arms crying—a decisive change from her earlier rejection of him 10.

Spirit Medium selection

Wang Tianye had specifically targeted Tiantian through Zhao Desheng. Chen Shi'an sought protection from Lu Chenyang, then negotiated with Tao Yaoyao to secure Tiantian a place in the Spirit Medium selection, hoping the position would shield her from Wang 6 15 16 18.

Before the final ceremony, Chen Shi'an taught her to conceal a small porcelain bottle and pour from it discreetly. He supplied white phosphorus for the ritual and insisted that she keep their preparations secret, including from Su Qingrou 19 20.

Tiantian stood out among the ten finalists because she wore coarse cloth while the other children wore luxurious clothing. Wang Tianye challenged her participation as favoritism toward Lu Chenyang, but Tao Yaoyao publicly identified herself as Tiantian’s recommender 20 21.

During Tiantian’s ritual, her Spirit Script ignited on the God Altar and thunder sounded across a clear sky. Xiang Chuxiong declared her the apprentice Spirit Medium. She subsequently received robes, ritual implements, spellbooks, ten taels of silver, and escorted lessons for the coming month 21.

Education and martial opportunity

Tiantian continued private school alongside her Spirit Medium training, often studying ritual arts in the morning and attending school after lunch. She also promised Chen Shi'an that she would study hard, aspiring to become both the greatest female scholar and the greatest heroine under heaven 21.

Later, Chen Shi'an entrusted all three of his Marrow-Washing Pills to her rather than selling them. With Zhao Ling’s guidance, Tiantian completed one cleansing per pill. Her results secured Zhao Ling’s agreement to teach her the complete Seven Star-Chasing Forms and encouraged Chen Shi'an to seek more pills for her 40 41.

Appearance

Tiantian is initially described as a thin child with a small face; later passages emphasize her round, dark eyes 1 4 40.

• Round, dark eyes — brighten with curiosity when Chen Shi'an offers her the Marrow-Washing Pills 40.
• Coarse cloth clothing — distinguishes her from the wealthy children at the Spirit Medium final selection 20.
• Bruise beneath her left eye — a temporary injury inflicted by Zhang Mazi’s son during their school dispute 9 10.

Personality

Tiantian is sharp-tongued and unwilling to accept promises unsupported by action. Her early mockery of Chen Shi'an draws on years of unpaid debts and gambling, while her later questions about his books and calligraphy expose gaps in his explanations. Even after becoming fond of him, she continues teasing him 1 3 8 17 19.

Her suspicion develops into protectiveness rather than disappearing. She challenges Tao Yaoyao’s unusually generous delivery payment because her father taught her that great temptations may conceal traps. She also fears losing Chen Shi'an to the dangers of the Demon Hunting Team and worries that marriage might leave him less attentive to her 17 19 29.

She is ambitious but considerate of the family’s circumstances. When Su Qingrou raises the possibility of ending her schooling, Tiantian agrees despite becoming tearful. Later, she rejects resignation to fate and voices hopes of leaving the Desolate Ruins 17 19 21.

Abilities & Skills

Rapid Learning and Dexterity

• Copies Chen Shi'an’s concealed-bottle movement after one demonstration, retrieving the bottle, removing its stopper, and pouring within three breaths 19.
• Initially leaves two small drops on her hand; after correction, performs a spill-free attempt at a slower pace. Chen Shi'an requires both speed and safe handling before she uses white phosphorus 20.
• Masters Zhao Ling’s energy-circulation formula after hearing it twice 40.

Spirit Medium Arts

• Writes the Spirit Script under a black-robed elder’s guidance and performs the bows and altar placement required at the selection ceremony 21.
• Receives formal instruction after becoming apprentice Spirit Medium 21.
• No independent supernatural ability is established: her selection involves Chen Shi'an’s secret white-phosphorus preparations and an apparent divine manifestation 20 21.

Martial Cultivation Potential

• Successfully undergoes three marrow cleansings using three pills, demonstrating exceptional aptitude 40 41.
• Secures Zhao Ling’s promise to teach the Zhao family’s complete Seven Star-Chasing Forms 40 41.
• Zhao Ling believes training outside the Desolate Ruins under a major sect or powerful organization could allow her to reach the upper three realms; this is a prediction, not an attained level 41.

Literacy and Arithmetic

• Studies at private school and shows a longstanding interest in writing and drawing 8 9.
• Calculates that one tael of silver can purchase one hundred jars of the family’s chili sauce 17.
• Helps prepare and attach labels for Chen Su Ji products 17 19.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Books and writing supplies — purchased by Chen Shi'an for her schooling 8.
• Small, narrow-necked porcelain bottle — concealed in her sleeve during preparations for the Spirit Medium selection 19 20.
• White phosphorus — supplied by Chen Shi'an for the selection ritual; its use is kept secret 20.
• Spirit Medium robes, ritual implements, and spellbooks — delivered after her appointment, together with ten taels of silver 21.
• Three Marrow-Washing Pills — provided by Chen Shi'an and consumed successfully under Zhao Ling’s guidance 40 41.

Relationships

• Chen Shi'an — Uncle and protector. Their relationship changes from bitter distrust to open affection after he repays her, funds her schooling, and defends her. He also arranges her Spirit Medium candidacy and invests in her martial future 1 5 8 10 18 40.
• Su Qingrou — Mother. Tiantian helps her with household work and the sauce business, and is willing to sacrifice schooling to ease the family’s burden 5 17 29.
• Chen Qingye — Deceased father. He spoiled her in childhood and taught her to be wary of apparently effortless rewards 9 14 17.
• Zhao Ling — “Auntie Zhao,” prospective martial teacher, and household protector. Teaches Tiantian the pill-refining formula and agrees to pass on the Seven Star-Chasing Forms 29 40 41.
• Qin E'na — Welcomed into the household by Tiantian, who later calls her “Aunt Qin” and includes her among the people she fears leaving unprotected 26 29.
• Hou Fang — Her father’s sworn brother. Helps resolve the Zhang Mazi dispute and gives Tiantian money after inspecting her injury 10 11.
• Tao Yaoyao — Recommends her for the Spirit Medium selection through a poetry transaction with Chen Shi'an 18 21.
• Wang Tianye — Threat to her safety. His pursuit of her drives Chen Shi'an’s efforts to obtain influential backing and a protective position for her 6 15 18.

Notable Quotes

“My father told me that pies don't fall from the sky. Behind a great temptation, there may well be a great trap.” 17

“Mother, don't believe in fate. Human strength may have its limits, but if we keep striving to better ourselves, we still have a chance to defy heaven and change our destiny.” 19

“In the future, I'll become not only the greatest female scholar under heaven, but also the greatest heroine under heaven!” 21