A Record of a Mortal's Journey to Immortality
ProtagonistSon of poor farmers, Han Li joins the Seven Mysteries Sect, a martial arts school of the mortal world, by chance. With mediocre spiritual talent, he discovers a small green vial that can speed up plant growth, and sets out on a long road toward immortality.
Personality
Cautious, calculating and endlessly patient, Han Li is known for his distrust: he always prepares a way out. He is not cruel, though, and stays loyal to those who helped him.
Powers & abilities
The green vial lets him ripen in days herbs that would take centuries, a priceless resource for alchemy. He also masters flying swords, artefacts and formations, making up for his limited talent with preparation.
History
First trained by Doctor Mo, who hides dark intentions, Han Li survives his first betrayal. He then joins Yellow Maple Valley, a cultivation sect, and goes through trials such as the Blood Forbidden Ground. His slow, methodical rise spans centuries.
Relationships
Nan Gong Wan, met during the Blood Forbidden Ground trial, becomes his Dao companion. Doctor Mo is his first master and his first lesson in distrust. Over time he forms cautious alliances, rarely friendships.
Key moments
- Finding the green vial, which changes his fate.
- The confrontation with Doctor Mo.
- The Blood Forbidden Ground trial, where he meets Nan Gong Wan.
In the adaptations
The 3D donghua, launched in 2020, is one of China's most popular thanks to its faithfulness to Wang Yu's novel. A drama starring Yang Yang aired in 2025.
Did you know?
- Chinese readers nickname him "ever-cautious Han Li" for his knack for fleeing before danger.
- Record of Mortal is seen as the founding novel of the "mortal" current, where the hero has no extraordinary talent or past.
Our take
Han Li is refreshing: neither chosen one nor genius, just cautious and tenacious. His slow rise makes every victory earned.
— Spidermas, for Donghua Fan