Lishi

**Lishi (力士)** — The term “Lishi” literally means “strength warrior” or “strongman.” In Daoist mythology and xianxia tradition, Lishi are often created or summoned by immortals and great powers to serve as menial laborers, guardians, or expendable soldiers. Unlike true living beings, they are usually constructs with only simple intelligence, born from elemental materials, magical seeds, or condensed qi. The fact that these Lishi grow stronger as they are killed is a classic trial design: it forces the cultivator to display not just raw power but also adaptability and sustained output. The deeper meaning? The trial is not a single battle but a pressure test of endurance over mass slaughter.

Definition

Story context

This chapter is a masterclass in parallel desperation. Inside the Divine Abilities Hall, Ji Ning throws himself into a relentless slaughter-fest against endlessly respawning Lishi, each wave stronger than the last. He’s burning through rain domains, Water-Fire Lotuses, and thought-controlled swords just to keep up—knowing that the higher up the divine ability ladder he climbs, the better his chance of saving his clan. Outside, on Oxhorn Mountain, the mood is no less grim. Ji Yichuan bids a heart-wrenching farewell to his sworn brother, the Whitewater Hound, and steps into the miasmic formation for what may be his final fight. The clan patriarch, Ji Jiuhuo, hands over the Primordial Liquid Ji Ning left behind to the Whitewater Hound, hoping the spirit beast can break through to Zifu and take Yichuan’s place when he falls. Meanwhile, Yellow Bear and the Black Ox watch from the watery depths, offering a cold, ancient verdict: Ji Ning is the best candidate in countless ages, but he’s in too much of a hurry. Another five years and he might have claimed the First Divine Ability. But time is a luxury the Ji Clan simply doesn’t have.

Why it matters

This is one of those chapters where the double timeline hurts so good. On one hand, we have Ji Ning going berserk in a foggy arena—a classic *rocket tag* xianxia spectacle that reminds us how far he’s come. On the other, we have the heartbreaking stillness of a father saying goodbye to his oldest friend. The two arcs are connected by a ticking clock: every second Ji Ning spends slaughtering, Yichuan is buying with his life. Keep an eye on the Whitewater Hound’s breakthrough—if that beast manages to flip, the formation might hold a bit longer. Also, note Yellow Bear’s analysis. The artifact spirit is ancient and brutally honest; his words serve as a sobering reminder that even a genius can’t skip the years of accumulation. The chapter ends on a note of anxious hope and looming tragedy—perfect setup for the carnage to come.