Cao Ying

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Cao Ying (曹颖)
Alias(es)	Demoness of the Pill Tower; Demoness of the Cao Clan; Enchantress of the Pill Tower
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Pill Tower; Cao Clan
Occupation/Role	Alchemist; core disciple of the Pill Tower
Status	Alive
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Five-star Dou Ling; peak fifth-tier alchemist	69	Officially admitted as a Pill Tower core disciple at age fifteen.
Four-star Dou King	133	Returned after mastering the Fallen Heart Flame.
Mid-stage Dou Emperor	249	Her rapid advancement still left her unable to safely endure the spatial turbulence of Xuan Jin's Beast Domain expedition.
Four-star Dou Ancestor; eighth-grade alchemist	294	Reached this realm in her early twenties after intensive cultivation, top-tier resources, and training from Xuan Jin.
One-star Dou Venerate; mid-stage Spirit Realm soul	311	Broke through in the Star Domain after overcoming a dangerous soul-power bottleneck.
Five-star Dou Venerate	365	Confirmed to be in closed-door training at the Pill Tower.

Background / History

Cao Ying first met Xuan Jin shortly after he arrived at the Pill Tower as Xuan Yi's disciple. Then an eight- or nine-year-old girl with braided hair, she approached him after hearing of an impressive senior brother and quickly became drawn to the gentle fire-attribute aura emitted by his constitution. She began studying with him and became his childhood sweetheart. 1

Her talent for alchemy was apparent from an early age. She later became Xuan Kongzi's disciple while continuing to spend time with Xuan Jin; the Cao Clan supported their relationship because of Xuan Yi's standing within the Pill Tower. 1 By age fifteen, Cao Ying was already a five-star Dou Ling and peak fifth-tier alchemist, earning an exceptional admission as a core disciple. 69

When Xuan Jin left for the Black Corner Region, Cao Ying promised to cultivate diligently rather than be left behind. During his absence, she held onto his promise that he would return within three years and turned her longing into motivation. 1 70 After he returned, he protected her from Song Qing's harassment and reunited with her at the Pill Tower. 105

Xuan Jin gave Cao Ying the Fallen Heart Flame and Core Earth Flame Lotus Seeds to aid her growth. The flame initially endangered her life; Xuan Jin used his blood and essence blood to tame it within her, deepening her attachment to him. 112 122 She later mastered the flame and reached four-star Dou King. 133

Feeling pressure from Qing Lin, Zi Yan, and Xiao Yi Xian's extraordinary growth, Cao Ying entered seclusion with the resolve to remain worthy of standing beside Xuan Jin. Her cultivation and alchemy advanced rapidly, reaching four-star Dou Ancestor and eighth-grade alchemist before she joined Xuan Jin's Star Domain training. 206 294 After two years there, she overcame a perilous breakthrough to become a one-star Dou Venerate. 311

Xuan Jin formally visited the Cao Clan to propose marriage. Cao Ying had concealed that her mother, Lin Qingyun, suffered a soul injury caused by backlash from Cao Ying's unusually strong innate soul power at birth. Xuan Jin offered a Soul Infant Fruit to restore Lin Qingyun's origin and presented valuable betrothal gifts, securing the clan's support. 316 317

Cao Ying subsequently represented the Cao Clan in the Five Great Clans' assessment. She caught a record-breaking 193 Soul Testing Beads and defeated Bai Ying and Qiu Ji through overwhelming mid-Spirit Realm soul pressure, forcing both the Bai and Qiu Clans to forfeit their elder seats. 321 322

She later gave birth to Xuan Jin's daughter, Xuan Xi. 448 501

Appearance

Cao Ying is a tall, slender woman with snow-white skin, delicate features, long dark hair, and distinctive peach-blossom eyes. Her appearance is frequently associated with the alluring, dangerous image of a “demoness.” 69 196

• Usually wears black-blue or black high-slit dresses that emphasize her elegant figure. 69 139 249
• Has worn practical training attire during seclusion and a grey alchemist robe while refining pills. 206 271
• After reaching the Dou Venerate realm, a faint silver ring can be seen within her dark eyes, reflecting the intensity of her soul power. 312
• Her long hair is commonly arranged in a high bun with a golden hairpin, though prolonged training can leave it disheveled. 69 196

Personality

Cao Ying is clever, lively, and highly perceptive. As a child, she immediately sensed the affinity of Xuan Jin's fire-attribute aura; over time, her cheerful presence became a source of warmth in his cultivation life. 1

As an adult, she is confident, flirtatious, and openly possessive of Xuan Jin. She is prone to jealousy when other women draw his attention, yet can quickly regain composure and act diplomatically when needed, as shown in her reception of Xun Er after learning of the Ancient Clan girl's identity. 111 138 249

Behind her teasing and provocative manner is intense insecurity about falling behind. Rather than accept being protected or reduced to a decorative role, she repeatedly chooses harsh seclusion and alchemical training to close the gap between herself and Xuan Jin's other companions. 206 270 357 368

Abilities & Skills

Alchemy

Cao Ying is a Pill Tower prodigy whose alchemical ability grows alongside her formidable soul cultivation.

• Reached peak fifth-tier alchemist status by age fifteen. 69
• Became an eighth-grade alchemist by the time she reached four-star Dou Ancestor. 294
• Possesses alchemy standards at the peak middle eighth grade and received extensive fire-control instruction from Xuan Jin. 333
• Meticulously selects herbs and studies medicinal-property transitions for high-grade pill formulas. 409 418

Soul Power

Her exceptional innate soul talent is both the foundation of her alchemy and the source of her greatest combat advantage.

• Her innate soul power caused backlash that permanently injured her mother during childbirth. 316
• Achieved mid-stage Spirit Realm soul power upon entering the Dou Venerate realm. 311
• Caught 193 Soul Testing Beads during the Five Great Clans' assessment, setting a record. 321
• Used mid-Spirit Realm soul pressure to effortlessly defeat Bai Ying and Qiu Ji in a soul duel. 322

Fallen Heart Flame

Cao Ying received and refined the Fallen Heart Flame under Xuan Jin's guidance.

• The flame nearly overwhelmed her until Xuan Jin subdued it using his blood and essence blood. 122
• Refining it greatly reduced inner-fire interference during alchemy and accelerated the condensation of her soul power. 161
• She had mastered the flame by the time she reached four-star Dou King. 133

Cultivation

Cao Ying combines fire-based cultivation with an alchemist's precision and unusually powerful soul attacks.

• Her Dou Venerate breakthrough required soul sublimation rather than simple accumulation of Dou Qi. 311
• During the breakthrough, her released soul power shattered the surrounding space. 311
• Her growth is driven as much by determination and rivalry as by natural talent. 206 270 368

Relationships

• Xuan Jin — Childhood sweetheart, fiancé, and later the father of her daughter. Cao Ying's central motivation is to stand beside him as an equal; he protects her, supplies her cultivation resources, and formally proposes to the Cao Clan. 1 112 316 448
• Xuan Kongzi — Master at the Pill Tower. 1 70
• Xuan Yi — Regards her as a teacher because of Cao Ying's relationship with Xuan Jin; Xuan Yi supports her cultivation and relationship with him. 70 112
• Lin Qingyun — Mother. Her severe soul injury originated from backlash caused by Cao Ying's strong innate soul power at birth. 316
• Cao Yuanlang — Father and a member of the Cao Clan leadership. 316
• Cao Yuan — Senior Cao Clan expert who recognizes Xuan Jin's overwhelming strength. 316
• Cao Dan — Brother; shows deference to Xuan Jin after witnessing his status and wealth. 317
• Xuan Xi — Daughter with Xuan Jin. 501 502
• Cai'er — Romantic rival and frequent target of Cao Ying's provocative teasing; the two maintain an openly competitive but functional relationship. 249 311 368
• Xiao Yi Xian — Companion and friendly rival. Cao Ying teases her about Xuan Jin while acknowledging her exceptional strength. 294
• Qing Lin — Younger companion whom Cao Ying views with affection despite being pressured by her extraordinary potential. 206 294
• Zi Yan — Companion whose Ancient Void Dragon bloodline and rapid growth initially intensify Cao Ying's urgency to improve. 187 196
• Xun Er — Xuan Jin's old acquaintance from the Ancient Clan; Cao Ying treats her courteously while remaining watchful. 138
• Dan Chen — Fellow alchemical genius of the Dan Clan and a potential Pill Gathering rival. 297 333

Story Role / Major Arcs

Childhood at the Pill Tower

Cao Ying meets Xuan Jin as a young Pill Tower newcomer, becomes his study companion, and develops into his childhood sweetheart. 1

Waiting for Xuan Jin's Return

While Xuan Jin travels through the Black Corner Region, Cao Ying continues cultivating and awaits his promised return. 70

Reunion and Engagement

After Xuan Jin returns to the Pill Tower and incapacitates Song Qing for harassing her, Cao Ying reunites with him. They confess their feelings, and Xuan Jin promises a formal proposal after obtaining the Three Thousand Burning Flame. 105 112

Fallen Heart Flame

Cao Ying receives the Fallen Heart Flame, survives its backlash through Xuan Jin's sacrifice, and ultimately masters it. 112 122 133

Self-Improvement and Star Domain Training

Unwilling to fall behind Xuan Jin's other companions, Cao Ying undertakes relentless cultivation. Her growth culminates in her Dou Venerate breakthrough in the Star Domain. 206 294 311

Cao Clan Betrothal

Xuan Jin visits the Cao Clan to formally seek her hand, heals Lin Qingyun with a Soul Infant Fruit, and gives betrothal gifts that solidify the marriage alliance. 316 317

Five Great Clans Assessment

Cao Ying dominates the assessment with her record-setting Soul Testing Bead result and decisive soul-duel victory over the Bai and Qiu Clan representatives. 321 322

Motherhood

After seclusion, Cao Ying reveals her pregnancy to Xuan Jin. She later raises their daughter, Xuan Xi, while continuing her cultivation and alchemical work. 448 501 502

Trivia

• Cao Ying was initially drawn to Xuan Jin because his constitution naturally emitted a gentle fire-attribute energy that felt comfortable to fire-attribute cultivators. 1
• Her 193 Soul Testing Beads surpassed her own previous record; she claimed she could have reached 200. 321
• She calls herself the woman best suited to stand by Xuan Jin's side because of her confidence in both her appearance and alchemical talent. 206
• Her mother’s injury is directly tied to Cao Ying's unusually powerful innate soul at birth. 316