Grand Chancellor of the Heavenly Court

TRIVIA

PERSONALITY

In the eyes of the gods, Shén Lí is a figure who commands both respect and fear. No one can ever discern what lies behind her composed gaze, for she always maintains a calm expression and speaks with unwavering courtesy, never once raising her voice.Beneath her tranquil demeanor, however, lies an exceptionally ambitious soul; a trait she possessed long before ascending to godhood. During her years as a mortal, she lived in a society deeply rooted in patriarchy, where female cultivators were constantly underestimated and dismissed. As a result, Shén Lí was forced to work twice as hard as everyone else simply to earn the recognition she deserved.Despite her cold exterior, Shén Lí possesses an immense sense of responsibility. She is accustomed to carrying every burden alone, never asking others for help. Even when she was still among the lower ranks of Heaven, she was the only one who dared to challenge the Heavenly Emperor whenever she believed a decision was unjust. It was this uncompromising honesty that earned her a reputation for arrogance among many of the gods.As the God of Judgment, Shén Lí is known for her unwavering sense of fairness. She never takes sides, nor does she judge matters solely by whether they are black or white. She has never been interested in forming alliances with other gods simply to bring down a particular faction or individual. She refuses to let personal grudges, political interests, or the opinions of others influence her judgment. Even when doing so would benefit her, Shén Lí would rather stand alone than compromise her principles. Because of this, many gods perceive her as distant, untouchable, and difficult to approach. Shén Lí does not consider herself above others, she simply believes that justice loses its meaning the moment it begins favoring one side over another.When she was appointed Grand Chancellor, Shén Lí initially found her life as a deity unbearably dull. She would have much rather stepped onto the battlefield than spent her days buried beneath mountains of documents. Yet, over time, she gradually grew fond of her new responsibilities. She came to cherish the quiet moments she spent enjoying tea within the halls of her magnificent palace. Sometimes, she would even descend to the Mortal Realm, indulging in its food and drinks, small pleasures that reminded her of the life she once lived.

HISTORY

Mortal Life:
Before she was known as Shén Lí, she was Sū Língxī, a girl born in a small town called Qīnghé. The town was surrounded by rivers and lakes, also floating lotus, making boat rides and swimming daily parts of life. Although Qīnghé was not a city dedicated to cultivation, it had produced its fair share of remarkable cultivators throughout history.Among its most respected families was the Sū Clan, a clan devoted to the path of cultivation. However, like many others, it upheld a deeply patriarchal tradition, where men were always valued above women. For the unfortunate Língxī, who dreamed of becoming a cultivator from an early age, the path before her was destined to be anything but easy.Despite displaying extraordinary intelligence since childhood, all she ever received was ridicule. She never sought praise, only acknowledgment that she deserved the same teachings as everyone else. Her unwavering determination and stubborn spirit eventually caught the attention of a renowned cultivator named Gù Chángfēng. Although many opposed his decision and openly condemned it, Língxī remained steadfast in choosing Chángfēng as her master.Fate, however, was cruel. They were granted only five years together before Chángfēng succumbed to a long illness and passed away.Following her master's death, Língxī continued her cultivation alone. Through relentless perseverance, she eventually surpassed every cultivator within the Sū Clan. Yet instead of receiving the recognition she had earned, she was cast out of her own home.From that day onward, Língxī wandered the world as a lone cultivator, devoting herself to exorcising ghosts, spirits, and demons that threatened the innocent. Though she swore never to set foot in Qīnghé again, everything changed when word reached her that the town was under attack by a Divine Beast.Without a moment's hesitation, she rushed back. No one had ever imagined that Sū Língxī, the woman they had mocked, scorned, and looked down upon for so many years would become their savior.That night, Língxī defeated the Divine Beast and, through that battle, ascended to godhood.From that day forward, the people of Qīnghé revered her as their God, offering prayers to her in gratitude and devotion.

Shén Lí, God of Judgment:
Upon her ascension, Língxī was bestowed a new divine name, Shén Lí. However, life in the Heavenly Realm was far from easy. To earn a position of significance, she had to climb the ranks from the very bottom.In her early years, she served tea and refreshments to the other gods, attending to them like an ordinary servant. At times, she was even dispatched to the front lines of heavenly wars, where she was treated as little more than expendable cannon fodder. Yet every time, Shén Lí returned alive. Not only did she survive, but she gradually became one of the most feared figures on the battlefield by both allies and enemies alike.Fearing both her overwhelming strength and relentless resolve, the other gods eventually proposed transferring her away from the battlefield to handle administrative affairs within the Heavenly Court. To their surprise, the proposal was immediately approved by the Heavenly Emperor. At the time, Shén Lí suspected that everything had unfolded according to the Emperor's intentions.Her suspicion was confirmed when, not long afterward, the Heavenly Emperor personally appointed her as the Grand Chancellor of the Heavenly Court. Though many gods were dissatisfied with the decision, none dared voice their objections before the Heavenly Emperor."In truth, I intended to appoint you as Grand Chancellor from the very beginning.""I had already suspected as much, Your Majesty. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to prove my worth before both you and the other gods."

ABILITY

• 澜璃 (Lán Lí): A razor-sharp blue-and-white sword, resembling the crystallized waters of the ocean. Though calm in appearance, every swing unleashes immense tidal waves capable of engulfing its enemies.• 漪璃琴 (Yī Lí): Much like Lán Lí, this guqin appears to be carved entirely from crystal. It is said that a single pluck of its strings is enough to make the earth tremble.

Relation

1. Gù Chángfēng (顾长风) — Deceased
The master who taught Shén Lí the path of cultivation. Among everyone who ridiculed and looked down on her, Chángfēng was the only one who recognized her true potential. His greatest regret was that he was unable to teach Shén Lí more before passing away.

2. Zhāo Xuān (昭玄) — Alive
The Heavenly Emperor. He had been watching over Shén Lí ever since she walked the Mortal Realm as Sū Língxī. Zhāo Xuān placed unwavering trust in her, eventually appointing her as his right hand. In return, Shén Lí entrusted him with the same unwavering faith.

3. Míng Dēng (冥灯) — Alive
Long before Shén Lí ascended to godhood, she knew him as Yán Wúyè (颜无夜). Like her, Wúyè was a wandering cultivator. The two met by chance while exorcising ghosts and soon agreed to travel together. After Shén Lí saved Qīnghé and ascended to become a God, she never saw him again. It was not until much later that she learned Yán Wúyè had fallen into the Hell Realm, where he became one of the Seven Great Calamities under the name Míng Dēng.

4. Bái Xī (白曦) & Lín Yuè (林月) — Alive
Both had ascended to godhood long before Shén Lí. Unlike the other gods, Bái Xī and Lín Yuè welcomed her warmly from the very beginning, often inviting her to sit and chat with them. Even after Shén Lí was appointed Grand Chancellor, their attitude toward her never changed. They remained among the few who treated her with the same kindness and sincerity as they always had.