On Han Li's path of immortal cultivation, his companions include more than magical treasures and cultivation techniques. Spirit birds that scout and carry messages, extraordinary insects that break restrictions and fend off enemies, consciousness born from spirit herbs and true flames, and powerful beings bound to him by contracts all leave their own stories at different stages. Looking at these paths of growth together also makes it easier to distinguish those nurtured over the long term from those encountered only briefly.
This article traces the origins, abilities, and eventual fates of the spirit pets, spirit insects, and sentient companions in A Record of a Mortal's Journey to Immortality, roughly following the order in which Han Li acquired or subdued them. Their eventual fates are covered through A Record of a Mortal's Journey to Immortality: Immortal Realm Arc,Contains full spoilers for both novels。
This article includes spirit beasts, spirit birds, spirit insects, and sentient spiritual entities cultivated over long periods, such as the Nine-Curve Spirit Ginseng and the Essenceflame Firebird.The Gold-Devouring Beetles and Jin Tong belong to the same cultivation lineage; the Essenceflame Firebird and the Essenceflame Child are also covered together.
Illustration note: All 23 entries in this article include AI-created evocative illustrations to aid reading; the depictions and scenes are artistic interpretations, not official design illustrations. Details of their appearance should not be used as evidence when examining the original novel.
I. The Human Realm: From Early Spirit Birds to Principal Combat Spirit Companions
01 · Cloud-winged Bird
When, where, and how it was obtained:During his youth, at the Qi Refinement stage, in Divine Hand Valley of the Seven Mysteries Sect.After Mo Juren's death, Han Li obtained methods for controlling and summoning the Cloud-Winged Bird from the letter he left behind
Abilities and main roles:Small, fast-flying, and quite intelligent, primarily used for Surveillance, tracking, and relaying messages。While in Jiayuan City, Han Li fed it Yellow Chestnut Pills and ordered it to watch Sun Ergou for any attempt to escape
Subsequent growth and ending:One of the spirit birds Han Li used very early on. It gradually faded from the story, and its ultimate fate was never explicitly explained.
02 · Blood Jade Spiders, one female and one male
When, where, and how it was obtained:Early Foundation Establishment stage, in an underground cavern at a spirit stone mine in Yue State, near an ancient teleportation formation.Han Li obtained two spider eggs and brought them back to his cave abode to hatch and raise
Abilities and main roles:Its tough silk can restrain juvenile Gold-Devouring Beetles and withstand the Qianlan Ice Flame; it is what Han Li later An important helper in obtaining the Heavenvoid Cauldron
Subsequent growth and ending:In Heavenvoid Hall, one was killed by an elder of the Star Palace, while the other took part in the final retrieval of the cauldron. Xuan Gu explained that Blood Jade Spiders need a male-female pair to advance further; losing one limited this cultivation path. Han Li still carried the surviving one with him later, but its eventual fate was not described in detail.
03 · Gold-Devouring Beetle Lineage: Gold-Devouring Beetle → Gold-Devouring Beetle King → Jin Tong
When, where, and how it was obtained:Foundation Establishment stage, the cave residence on Lesser Huan Island in the Scattered Star Seas.The Gold-Devouring Beetles lurking underground were attracted by the scent of other exotic insects and ate the insects Han Li was raising; after returning, Han Li used the Blood Jade Spiders to capture them
Abilities and main roles:Skilled at devouring metals, spiritual energy, and various attacks, the swarm can be used for Surrounding and attacking, breaching defenses, breaking restrictions。Han Li continually accelerated their growth using Rainbow Skirt Grass and other means, making this one of his spirit insect cultivation efforts with an exceptionally long investment of time
Subsequent growth and ending:A Gold-Devouring Beetle King was raised during the Spirit Realm stage, and in the Immortal Realm arc it is Jin Tong. It was later revealed that her former incarnation was the sovereign of all insect races Dao Ancestor Qulin, eventually regaining the Dao Ancestor level. Jintong is not another spirit pet that Han Li newly acquires after reaching the Immortal Realm.
04 · Nine-Curve Spirit Ginseng／Qu'er
When, where, and how it was obtained:Core Formation stage, Heavenvoid Hall.Han Li and Xuan Gu searched for it together, and Han Li caught its white rabbit incarnation; after Xuan Gu's ambush failed, he handed the spiritual ginseng's true body over to Han Li
Abilities and main roles:Its true form is a sentient spirit herb, belonging to Medicine spirit. It later gained sentience, took human form and could travel through the earth, and helped Han Li activate and refine the spiritual body left behind by the Zhi Immortal
Subsequent growth and ending:During the Spirit Realm period, she received help from the Zhi Immortal, and her primordial spirit transformed from a white rabbit into a young girl. Han Li named her Qu'er。Qu'er is the transformed Nine-Curve Spirit Ginseng, while Zhi Xian is another being who helps her. Their eventual whereabouts are not detailed.
05 · Weeping Soul Beast / Ti Hun
When, where, and how it was obtained:Core Formation stage, on the lava path in Heavenvoid Hall.On the condition that he continue escorting Yuan Yao through the dangerous area, Han Li obtains the Soul-Wailing Beast and Soul-Resonating Pearl from her
Abilities and main roles:Its core capability is Absorbs souls, devours ghosts, and counters refined corpses and yin spirits, later gradually revealing its Punishment Beast bloodline, with supernatural abilities that could act directly on the soul
Subsequent growth and ending:While in the Spirit Realm, she was summoned to the Immortal Realm before Han Li; in the Immortal Realm installment, she has taken the form of a woman and reunites with Han Li in the Gray Realm under the identity “Youluo.” Later, she reaches the Great Encompassment stage and chooses Remained in the Netherworld to cultivate。
06 · Three Golden Silkworms
When, where, and how it was obtained:Core Formation stage, at the scene of retrieving the cauldron in Heavenvoid Hall.Han Li collected three dying Golden Silkworms that Wan Tianming had abandoned
Abilities and main roles:The silk can withstand the Qianlan Ice Flame, and Wan Tianming once used them in an attempt to pull out the Heavenvoid Cauldron. Han Li valued their potential to evolve further into Illusory Flame Moth's potential, attempting to revive and nurture
Subsequent growth and ending:One died first, while the other two survived temporarily with the help of the Five-Colored Pearl and other items; later, after Rainbow Skirt Grass was used to induce egg laying, all of the more than one hundred eggs laid were dead, and the two adults died as well.Han Li did not succeed in raising Illusory Flame Moths.
07 · Six-Winged Frost Centipede / Six Wings
When, where, and how it was obtained:Early Nascent Soul stage, after accepting Liu Yu as a nominal disciple.Liu Yu handed over the original insects and secret insect-control techniques; Han Li induced them to lay twenty-four eggs, then let Liu Yu take back the original insects while he raised their offspring
Abilities and main roles:Skilled at Extreme-cold attacks, freezing, and its cold energy can also help Han Li merge the Celestial Blue Ice Flame and strengthen his own spirit flame; an important combat spirit insect during his time in the human realm
Subsequent growth and ending:During the Spirit Realm period, Six-Wing left Han Li after gaining intelligence and later reached the Grand Ascension stage. Upon meeting Han Li again, the two reached an agreement:Collect all the specified materials within a thousand years and swear to help the human race three times when calamity strikes, in exchange for release from the blood pact.
08 · Earth Armored Dragon
When, where, and how it was obtained:Mid-Nascent Soul stage, near Yueyang Palace in Great Jin.While Han Li was using Rainbow Skirt Grass to lure a Bright Sun Bird, he unexpectedly attracted a wild Earth-Armored Dragon, froze it, and captured it alive; after keeping it captive for several years, he formally tamed it
Abilities and main roles:A grade-seven demonic beast, skilled at Earth escape, defense, treasure sensing, which played a role during the treasure hunt on Mount Kunwu
Subsequent growth and ending:Before Han Li entered the Spirit Realm,Left it to Nangong Wan in the Human Realm. The original novel explicitly explains this.
09 · Essence Flame Firebird／Essence Flame Boy
When, where, and how it was obtained:Gradually cultivated from the mid Nascent Soul stage in the Human Realm onward.An important starting point was obtaining the sentient Supreme Yin True Flame on Mount Kunwu; afterward, it continually absorbed and merged with other spiritual flames
Abilities and main roles:Its essence is Sentient spiritual flame. After devouring the essence of Shi Yan of the Spirit Tribe early in his time in the Spirit Realm, it became the Spirit-Devouring Heavenly Flame; it continued to develop into the Essence Flame Firebird, adept at devouring spiritual flames and burning enemies
Subsequent growth and ending:Spans the Mortal, Spirit, and Immortal Realms. At the beginning of the Immortal Realm Arc, it was sleeping inside the Heaven-controlling Bottle and was later awakened again by Han Li; in the later stages, as Essence Flame Boy form. There is no reliable basis for directly identifying its final cultivation level as Dao Ancestor.
10 · Gui Ling, Mystic Rock Turtle
When, where, and how it was obtained:During the middle Nascent Soul stage, at Mount Kunwu in the Great Jin.Han Li obtained her life-bound essence tablet, subdued her within the Arctic Essence Light, and then made her surrender part of her primordial spirit to strengthen his control
Abilities and main roles:Grade Ten Mystic Rock Turtle，has already taken human form, possesses strong defenses, excels at earth-attribute supernatural abilities, and once helped Han Li fight powerful enemies such as Old Devil Qian
Subsequent growth and ending:Accompanied him for only a short time. During the final battle on Mount Kunwu, by the Black Wind Flag's Swallowed by a spatial rift and perished。
At this stage, three acquisition processes are particularly easy to mix up
- Han Li brought back the Blood Jade Spider eggs and hatched and raised them himself.Their origins are connected to Xuan Gu and Ji Xuan, but Han Li did not receive two adult beasts directly from Xuan Gu.
- Han Li was still at the Foundation Establishment stage when he obtained the Gold-Devouring Beetles.It was Qu Hun who first formed a core at that time.
- The Six-Winged Frost Centipedes went through the process of “obtaining the original insects—stimulating their growth and egg laying—returning the original insects—raising their offspring.” Simply writing “Liu Yu gave him twenty-four insect eggs” would leave out the nurturing process involved.
II. Spirit Realm Period: Newly Subdued Beast Companions and the Fire Spirit Beast
11 · Leopard Qilin Beast
When, where, and how it was obtained:Obtained during the Sunset Tomb incident, shortly after entering the Spirit Realm.Originally captured by the Spirit Race, it later fell into Han Li's hands; only after arriving in Tianyuan City did Han Li formally place a master-binding restriction on it
Abilities and main roles:Possesses a little Qilin bloodline a mutated demonic beast of , with considerable combat strength even in its youth, which later became an important combat ally of Han Li
Subsequent growth and ending:After devouring the Dark Beast King's demonic core, underwent a tribulation and advanced Body Integration stage, transforming into a little girl even younger than Qu'er. Her role diminishes later on, and her ultimate whereabouts are not explained in detail.
12 · Huo Xuzi
When, where, and how it was obtained:At the Grand Ascension stage, after killing the True Immortal Ma Liang.Originally controlled by Ma Liang, it entered into a Heavenly Demon Contract with Han Li at Mo Guang’s persuasion and served as his spirit servant for a time
Abilities and main roles:The original novel calls it Fire Spirit Beast, can transform into a crimson humanoid or a crimson monstrous flood dragon, and excels at controlling fire in battle. A powerful being subdued through a contract later on
Subsequent growth and ending:One condition was that Han Li take it back to the Immortal Realm when he ascended; helping it recover its life-bound crystal pearl could further extend its period of service. It did indeed ascend with Han Li at the end of the original story，Its specific whereabouts after reaching the Immortal Realm are not clearly explained。
The little girl into whom the Leopard Qilin Beast transforms and Qu’er are two different companions.The former is a beast that cultivated until it could assume human form; the latter is the primordial spirit of the Nine-Curved Spirit Ginseng taking human form.
III. Additions in the Immortal Realm Arc: Mountain-Guarding Spirit Beasts and Xiaobai the Pixiu
13 · Two-headed Lion-eagle Beast
When, where, and how it was obtained:At the True Immortal stage, shortly after joining the Candle Dragon Dao.Han Li went to the sect's beast-rearing garden to select a spirit beast to guard his cave residence on Crimson Mist Peak, and received this beast along with its life-bound token
Abilities and main roles:Early Body Integration stage, dual lightning and fire attributes，primarily responsible for guarding the mountain, and can also be placed under attendants' command
Subsequent growth and ending:It is a spirit beast allocated by the Candle Dragon Dao to inner sect elders, and Han Li did indeed collect it. It mainly served at his cave residence on Crimson Mist Peak; its subsequent fate and whereabouts receive little attention.
14 · Xiaobai／White Jade Pixiu／Ink-Eyed Pixiu
When, where, and how it was obtained:During the middle Golden Immortal stage, after the events at the Netherfrost Immortal Manor.While sorting through Gongshu Jiu's belongings on an island in the Black Wind Sea, Han Li discovered a pixiu disguised as a white jade palm ornament and subsequently entered into a True Spirit contract with it
Abilities and main roles:Skilled at Treasure hunting, sensing hidden spiritual materials；its belly contains a space of its own, where swallowed items can be shielded from outside tracking. It was later confirmed to possess the bloodline of the Ink-Eyed Pixiu
Subsequent growth and ending:Reached after inheriting the parents’ True Spirit bloodline Great Encompassment Realm, still willing to follow Han Li and take part in rescuing Jin Tong. Afterwards, returned to Secluded cultivation at Bahuang Mountain, continuing to inherit and refine the power left behind by his father.
IV、Supplement: Species briefly acquired or used, or unsuccessfully raised
These are also connected to Han Li’s experiences in taming beasts and raising insects, but they did not develop into the long-term growth arcs described above.
15 · Twin-Pupiled Mouse
Source and usage:During the early Foundation Establishment stage, Han Li was at Qilin Pavilion in Yellow Maple Valley Rent for three days，used to find places rich in spiritual energy and suitable for establishing a cave abode; once released at the end of the agreed term, it will return to the pavilion on its own
How it should be classified:A spirit beast rented for a short period.In the original novel, it was not purchased, nor was it raised all the way to the Scattered Star Seas.
16 · Heart-Boring Insects
Source and usage:During the Foundation Establishment stage, obtained from an unnamed demonic cultivator disciple who had been killed, and later used on the Five Colors Sect's leader
How it should be classified:A special insect species that he actually obtained and used, mainly for surprise attacks, with little narrative about long-term cultivation.
17 · A batch of other exotic insects left behind by a Spirit Taming Sect cultivator
Source and usage:Han Li once obtained them and set up an insect chamber to raise them; on Little Huan Island, they were eaten by Gold-Devouring Beetles that infiltrated his cave abode
How it should be classified:They can be grouped together as a batch of unusual insects raised early on; the original novel does not list all their species names individually in these passages.
18 · Iron Rhinoceros Beast
Source and usage:Early Nascent Soul stage, the Fu clan's guardian spirit beast obtained after destroying the clan in Yuanwu State; Han Li entrusts it to Silvermoon for training, planning to take it to a trading gathering to exchange for rare items
How it should be classified:A spirit beast acquired temporarily in preparation for trading，and was not raised over the long term as a primary combat pet.
19 · Golden-backed Demonic Mantis／Golden-backed Saber Mantis
Source and usage:Han Li killed the adult beast. The eggs he obtained failed to hatch and were later fed to the Gold-Devouring Beetles as dead eggs
How it should be classified:Was not successfully raised.It does have a connection to Han Li, but it is not a successfully raised spirit pet.
V. Several Special Companions Often Included in “Spirit Pet Lists”
20 · Silvermoon
More precise identities and relationships:She initially established a master–servant relationship with Han Li as an artifact spirit, later regained her own identity, and became an important longtime companion and intimate female confidante. She should be included in an account of Han Li’s sentient spiritual companions, but her experiences go far beyond those of an ordinary spirit beast pet.
21 · Avatar of the Tianlan Sacred Beast
More precise identities and relationships:Han Li once confined it in the Heavenvoid Cauldron. They later formed a cooperative relationship: it provided knowledge and assistance with artifact crafting and other matters, while Han Li offered protection. It belongs to An unusual being who began cooperating after being restrained。
22 · Daoist Xie
More precise identities and relationships:His true form belongs to the immortal puppet system, and he has a contractual relationship with Han Li, serving as a powerful companion. Although he has a golden giant crab form and also enters the spirit beast ring, his identity should be classified as Immortal puppet, contracted companion。
23 · Mo Guang
More precise identities and relationships:An otherworldly demon who enters into a Heavenly Demon Contract with Han Li. The original novel even explicitly states that this contract is more like an alliance based on mutual checks and balances, making it appropriate to classify it under Contracted companion。
More in this series：Timeline of Han Li’s Treasure Acquisitions · Timeline of Han Li’s Acquisition of Cultivation Methods and Secret Techniques
