Su Qingyao

Biodata

Name	Su Qingyao (苏青瑶)
Alias(es)	Empress Qingyao
Gender	Female
Affiliation	First Central Empire; Lu Yuan's subordinate
Occupation/Role	Founding Empress of the First Central Empire
Status	Alive; rescued from captivity by Lu Yuan 110 111
First Appearance	Chapter 18

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Peak King Immortal Realm	21	Reigned at the peak of Tianxiao Continent's cultivation world, but could not sense Lu Yuan entering within ten meters of her.
Failed Ancient Stone Tablet assessment	25	Attempted the assessment but did not initially qualify to ascend through the tablet.
Limit Breaker	30	Survived a month-long life-and-death pursuit by Er Gouzi, broke her limits, and passed the assessment.

Background

A peerless prodigy, Su Qingyao founded the First Central Empire a thousand years before the story by leading powerful experts to establish it by force. Her iron-fisted methods, talent, and beauty made her one of Tianxiao Continent's most influential figures 18.

Although she ruled an empire admired by billions, Qingyao recognized the Tianxiao Continent's limits. She sought Lu Yuan after learning he had descended from the Upper Realm, intending to use his influence to establish herself there before eventually becoming independent 18 21.

She offered to serve Lu Yuan and accepted a probationary arrangement that required her to publicly claim he had forced her to acknowledge him as master. The resulting scandal enraged her many admirers and drew prodigies toward the First Imperial City—precisely the outcome Lu Yuan wanted 18 19.

After surviving Er Gouzi's pursuit and becoming a Limit Breaker, Qingyao chose to leave Tianxiao Continent alongside Lu Yuan rather than travel to the academy alone 30. She later cultivated at Cangmang Academy, where an expedition outside its domain ended with talented and attractive students being captured; Lu Yuan encountered and rescued her from imprisonment 110 111.

Appearance

Su Qingyao is a noble and elegant woman whose beauty is renowned across Tianxiao Continent.

• Wears a floor-length white gown and initially conceals her face with a white veil 18.
• Has brows likened to distant mountains and “autumn-pool” eyes 18.
• Her unveiled appearance is described as capable of captivating the world 18.
• Was regarded as Tianxiao Continent's foremost beauty for a thousand years 24.

Personality

Qingyao is ambitious, calculating, and exceptionally pragmatic. She does not mistake beauty or imperial status for true security; her decision to seek Lu Yuan's protection stemmed from a clear understanding that entering the Upper Realm without sufficient strength or backing would be dangerous 18 21.

She is also adaptable under pressure. When Lu Yuan entered her palace undetected, she immediately abandoned her imperial bearing and submitted rather than risk provoking an overwhelmingly stronger opponent 21. At his instruction, she convincingly presented herself as a distressed victim to incite powerful young geniuses against him 22.

Abilities & Skills

Nine Heavens Profound Goddess Physique

Qingyao possesses the Nine Heavens Profound Goddess Physique, which Lu Yuan considers a strong foundation for cultivation 22.

• Her innate talent contributed to her status as Tianxiao Continent's greatest prodigy of the previous millennium 18.
• Her lack of limit-breaking progress was attributed by Lu Yuan to Tianxiao Continent's relatively sheltered cultivation environment rather than a lack of talent or comprehension 26.

Ice Sword Intent

Qingyao can wield Ice Sword Intent while fighting at the Dao Foundation Realm 23.

• Her sword intent can frost the hall's dragon pillars and sharply lower the surrounding temperature 23.
• Despite this, Lu Yuan defeated her in a single exchange while both suppressed their cultivation to the Dao Foundation Realm 23.

Political Manipulation

As empress and later as Lu Yuan's agent, Qingyao uses her public image and emotional presentation to influence others.

• Publicly accepted the narrative that Lu Yuan had forced her into servitude, provoking outrage throughout Tianxiao Continent 18 19.
• Feigned grief before Jun Xiaoyao and other geniuses, directing their hostility toward Lu Yuan 22.
• Recognized Jun Xiaoyao's desire to play the hero and privately regarded him as a fool for challenging Lu Yuan 22.

Equipment / Items

• Snow-white longsword — A King Grade Top-tier sword used with Ice Sword Intent; Lu Yuan shattered its blade with a finger flick during their Dao Foundation Realm spar 23.
• Empress's Flying Chariot — A white chariot drawn by eighteen flood dragons and accompanied by Golden Armored Warriors 24.

Relationships

• Lu Yuan — Her master, patron, and route to the Upper Realm. Qingyao initially sought to use his influence, but accepted his dangerous trial, traveled with him after passing the Ancient Stone Tablet assessment, and remained his subordinate after he rescued her 18 21 30 111.
• Er Gouzi — Lu Yuan's beast, assigned to hunt Qingyao at full strength for a month as life-and-death tempering; she survived the pursuit 26 30.
• Jun Xiaoyao — One of her admirers. Qingyao manipulated his concern for her into hatred toward Lu Yuan 19 22.
• Ji Taiyi — A prominent prodigy who sought an audience with her; Qingyao initially refused to meet him 21.
• Jiang Shengyi — Sent ahead with Qingyao when Lu Yuan arranged travel by teleportation array; Jiang Shengyi was later still at Vast Academy when Qingyao was captured 34 111.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Empress Seeks Refuge

Qingyao approaches Lu Yuan and offers to serve him in exchange for access to the Upper Realm. To prove her resolve, she agrees to spread the claim that he forced her into becoming his maidservant 18.

Luring Tianxiao Continent's Prodigies

At Lu Yuan's direction, Qingyao receives admirers and portrays him as a cruel oppressor. Her performance mobilizes numerous prodigies and turns the First Imperial City into a center of hostility toward Lu Yuan 19 21 22.

Ancient Stone Tablet and Break Limit Trial

Qingyao fails to qualify for the Ancient Stone Tablet after Lu Yuan determines that she has not broken her limits. He then subjects her to a month-long pursuit by Er Gouzi; she survives, becomes a Limit Breaker, and passes the assessment 23 26 30.

Captivity and Rescue

While cultivating at Cangmang Academy, Qingyao is captured during an expedition outside the academy's domain. Lu Yuan finds her imprisoned and restores her with a pill before freeing the captives 110 111.

Trivia

• Qingyao lived for more than a thousand years by the time she manipulated Jun Xiaoyao 22.
• Her public submission to Lu Yuan became a continent-wide scandal and prompted admirers from multiple generations to seek vengeance 19 24.
• Lu Yuan considers her greatest value to be her ability to spread hatred and draw out Children of Destiny 22.