Cao Ying

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Cao Ying (曹颖)
Alias(es)	“Demon Girl” of the Cao Family
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Cao Family; Pill Tower
Occupation/Role	Alchemist; Shen Wen’s wife
Status	Active
First Appearance	2

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Dou Huang	20	Revealed as a remarkably young Dou Huang while confronting Hai Bodong.
Five-Star Dou Huang	26	Arrives to confront Medusa and breaks through the pressure she is exerting on the mercenary group.
Green Lotus Earth Core Fire wielder	36	Successfully refines the Exotic Flame and uses it to disperse the Snake People Clan elders’ pressure.
Spirit Realm Grand Perfection	171	Reaches the peak of the Spirit Realm after Shen Wen refines a Spirit Nurturing Pill for her.
Heavenly Realm Soul	183	Breaks through after refining the Soul Infant Fruit with support from the Spirit Nurturing Pill; her soul power can materialize and affect reality.

Background

Cao Ying is the legitimate daughter of the Cao Family, one of the Pill Tower’s Five Great Families. Known across the Central Continent as the Cao Family’s “Demon Girl,” she possesses exceptional beauty, alchemical talent, cultivation, and a formidable reputation. She regarded Shen Wen as a rival from childhood, resenting comparisons that portrayed him as superior to her. Dan Chen is both her other principal rival and a close friend. 2 3

Shen Wen offered her the prospect of obtaining a Heavenly Flame and the means to surpass him through flame cultivation. Cao Ying agreed to a marriage of convenience in exchange for information on the Green Lotus Core Flame and a Soul Contract forbidding forced marital relations. The Cao Family readily accepted the alliance because of Shen Wen’s status as Old Monster Lin’s disciple and a seventh-grade alchemist. 2 3

Although the marriage began as a transaction, Cao Ying gradually developed genuine affection for Shen Wen. She provided him with Primordial Dragon Essence Blood for cultivation, worried over his safety, and increasingly treated their relationship as a true marriage rather than a contractual arrangement. 8 9 17

Appearance

Cao Ying is repeatedly described as breathtakingly beautiful, with an enchanting and captivating presence. Her beauty is well known enough that Luo Cheng immediately recognizes her as the famed Cao Family “Demon Girl.” 17

• Often conceals her identity beneath a hood while traveling. 16 17
• Has alluring eyes, dark hair, and a strikingly beautiful face. 17 183
• Her demeanor becomes more ethereal after advancing to the Heavenly Realm Soul. 183
• Frequently wears red clothing, emphasizing her charming and lively bearing. 65

Personality

Cao Ying is proud, competitive, and highly conscious of her standing as an alchemist and member of the Cao Family. Her early motivation to surpass Shen Wen is sincere, and she immediately recognizes the value of a Heavenly Flame as a way to close the gap between them. 2

She is also emotionally expressive beneath her pride. Cao Ying becomes easily jealous when Shen Wen pays attention to other women, including Dan Chen, Medusa, Qing Lin, and even strangers. Her possessiveness is often conveyed through sharp remarks, sulking, or attempts to remain physically close to him. 9 21 22 31 32

As the story progresses, she demonstrates maturity and political judgment. She understands the strategic value of preserving the Luo Family, advises Dan Chen on how to gain influence within the Dan Family, and plans to use Cao Xiu’s defeat to consolidate support within the Cao Family. 17 210 271

Abilities & Skills

Alchemy

Cao Ying is a gifted alchemist from the Pill Tower’s Cao Family and continues to improve under Shen Wen’s guidance.

• Was established as one of Shen Wen’s foremost alchemy rivals from childhood. 2
• Studies the Po E Pill formula and regularly discusses alchemy with Dan Chen. 46
• Guides Xiao Yi Xian in flame-control methods applicable to poison-pill refinement. 105
• Her enhanced soul cultivation directly improves her alchemy capability. 171

Red Emperor Fire Sovereign Qi

A fire-oriented cultivation method given to Cao Ying by Shen Wen.

• Lets her sense concentrated fire-attribute power and locate the Green Lotus Core Flame beneath the magma. 31 32
• Strengthens the Green Lotus Core Flame when it is suppressed by Yao Chen’s Bone Spirit Cold Fire. 73
• Supports her refined flame control in combat. 53 73

Green Lotus Earth Core Fire

Cao Ying’s refined Exotic Flame and principal combat asset.

• Disperses the oppressive aura of the Snake People Clan elders after she refines it. 36
• Allows her to fight Xie Shan and a Four-Winged Sky Demon Scorpion simultaneously. 53
• Can be empowered through Red Emperor Fire Sovereign Qi to overcome stronger flame suppression. 73
• Under Heavenly Realm Soul control, can take the form of a green celestial phoenix over thirty meters across. 185

Soul Power

Cao Ying cultivates her soul alongside her alchemy.

• Begins cultivating the Future Non-Birth Scripture under Shen Wen’s instruction and shows exceptional aptitude. 97
• Reaches Spirit Realm Grand Perfection with the aid of the Spirit Nurturing Pill. 171
• Advances to the Heavenly Realm Soul through the Soul Infant Fruit and Spirit Nurturing Pill. 183
• Uses Heavenly Realm Soul power to precisely shape the Green Lotus Core Flame during battle. 185

Equipment / Items

• Sky Burning Cauldron — stored alongside the Red Emperor Fire Sovereign Qi jade slip after Shen Wen gives them to her. 5
• Green Lotus Earth Core Fire — her refined Exotic Flame. 36
• Soul Infant Fruit — refined to support her breakthrough into the Heavenly Realm Soul. 183
• Yi Shi Pill — given by Shen Wen to reshape and improve her constitution. 216
• Form Transformation Pills — entrusted to her for contacting Beast Domain forces concerning Zi Yan’s affairs. 227

Relationships

• Shen Wen — Husband and former rival. Their marriage begins as an agreement tied to the Green Lotus Core Flame, then develops into a close and affectionate partnership. Cao Ying supports his decisions, cultivation plans, and political ambitions. 2 3 17 193 216
• Dan Chen — Close friend and alchemy rival. Cao Ying initially reacts jealously to Dan Chen’s contact with Shen Wen, but later advises her on gaining influence in the Dan Family. 2 9 210
• Cai Lin — Shen Wen’s wife and Cao Ying’s sister-wife. Their relationship begins with mutual tension and jealousy but develops into cooperation on family, faction, and political matters. 31 52 193 210
• Cao Tianxiong — Grandfather and Old Family Head of the Cao Family. He seeks to secure Shen Wen’s support for the family’s future, while Cao Ying recognizes the political calculation behind his generosity. 260 262
• Cao Dan — Her brother, whom she considers irresponsible and unfit to bear the Cao Family legacy. 16 259
• Cao Xiu — Cousin and internal rival within the Cao Family. After his defeat by Shen Wen, Cao Ying works to neutralize or win over elders who supported him. 262 264 271
• Xiao Yi Xian — Fellow member of Shen Wen’s household whom Cao Ying assists with flame-control techniques. 105
• Zi Yan — Entrusted to Cao Ying’s care while Shen Wen handles matters at Ice River Valley; Cao Ying is tasked with contacting Beast Domain forces on her behalf. 225 227

Story Role / Major Arcs

Marriage Alliance

Cao Ying accepts Shen Wen’s proposal because it offers a path to the Green Lotus Core Flame and a chance to surpass him. Their wedding unites the Cao Family with Old Monster Lin’s lineage and draws major attention within the Pill Tower and Central Continent. 2 3

Search for the Green Lotus Core Flame

She accompanies Shen Wen through Tianya City, Mo City, Stone Desert City, and the Snake People territory. Her Red Emperor Fire Sovereign Qi helps detect the Exotic Flame’s location, and she eventually refines the Green Lotus Earth Core Fire. 20 31 32 36

Defense of the Snake People Clan

Cao Ying uses the Green Lotus Core Flame against the Ten Thousand Scorpions Gate and later faces Xie Shan and the Four-Winged Sky Demon Scorpion. Xie Biyan attempts to capture her through spatial confinement, but Shen Wen breaks the seal and rescues her. 53 54 55

Soul Hall Branch Assault

After reaching the Heavenly Realm Soul, Cao Ying joins Shen Wen’s attack on the Soul Hall’s Tianxin Branch Hall. Alongside Xiong Tao, she holds back a dozen Soul Hall experts while Shen Wen battles Qing Hai and Xue Nu. 183 185

Pill Tower and Family Politics

Cao Ying becomes increasingly involved in Shen Wen’s long-term affairs: she advises Dan Chen on the Dan Family, discusses Faith Power and faction-building with Cai Lin, manages cooperation with Blazing Flame Valley, and helps consolidate control over Cao Family elders after Cao Xiu’s defeat. 210 251 271

Trivia

• Cao Ying’s affection for Shen Wen surpasses 20% after he publicly calls her his wife during the Luo Family confrontation. 17
• She secretly delights when Shen Wen refers to her as his wife. 17
• Her jealousy toward Medusa begins before she meets her, after hearing Medusa described as exceptionally beautiful. 21
• Despite calling their marriage a marriage of convenience, she grows frustrated whenever that description is used to deny her emotional claim on Shen Wen. 22