Ouyang Family

Biodata

Background / History

The Ouyang Family is a wealthy, deeply established power whose protection and resources allow dependents such as Revenant to live securely despite limited cultivation prospects. Its eldest daughter, Ouyang Tian, is a prominent young noblewoman, while the family itself is described as having multiple talented generations and an extensive foundation. 1

The family is closely associated with the Ouyang Family Spirit Academy. The academy developed and expanded under Ying San's influence, accumulating a history described as spanning tens of thousands of years; elsewhere, it is credited as having been established by Ying San. 90 136 The family retains eight branches even during a period described as its decline, leaving considerable accumulated wealth and political potential. 124

The academy's reach made it a central institution for noble and royal education. Graduates reportedly enter the upper levels of the three great empires and major royal houses, while the academy itself possesses territory, military strength, and its own talent system. 90

Ouyang Family Spirit Academy

Influence and Controversy

The academy is regarded as one of the world's great academies, but its political influence unsettles outside observers. Its educational resources make it the preferred destination for many great families, creating concern that imperial leadership may become dominated by Ouyang Family Academy alumni. 10 90

Accounts attribute the graduates' intense loyalty to the academy partly to its exceptional education and care for each generation. However, the same accounts allege that the academy possesses a “bone-washing” ability capable of quietly shaping students into admirers willing to contribute everything to it. 90

Notable Members and Associates

• Ouyang Tian — Eldest daughter of the Ouyang Family; a noble young woman with numerous suitors who has not chosen a successor. 1
• Unnamed Ouyang Family Head — Parent of the family’s current heir, referred to as “Third Sister” in later accounts. 160
• Luo Yao — Ouyang Family elder who attempts to expel Zhou Ji from the Spirit Academy. 96
• Li Tian — Master of the Spirit Academy who observes the confrontation between Luo Yao and Zhou Ji. 96
• Zhou Ji — Associated with the academy as an elder and teacher before renouncing that role amid conflict with Luo Yao. 81 96
• Duoduo — Seeks to restore the Ouyang Family's former glory and emphasizes the surviving foundation of its eight branches. 124
• Revenant — Enters and studies at the academy; his presence draws the attention of several factions and prospective exchange representatives. 10 83

Story Role / Major Arcs

Recruitment of Wang Dongliu and Revenant

Wang Dongliu is compelled by Uncle Niu and Uncle Taiping to enter the Ouyang Family Academy disguised as a man, despite having no memory of the decision. 3 Later, Duoduo's family head invites Revenant to accompany her daughter to the academy, though he is wary of its strict teachings, political complexity, and powerful personnel. 10

Academy Examinations and Student Placement

Students approaching official enrollment undertake an entrance examination and choose one of four future specialization paths: attack, defense, control, or support. Revenant dismisses the academy's ability to teach him much, while Duoduo selects support and Guang chooses control. 100

Destruction Threat

Mo Yu discovers that three-year students at the academy have died and demands the destruction of the Ouyang Family. Zhou Ji initially invokes her responsibility toward the family and its students, but ultimately aligns herself with Wu Mei's effort against it. 81

Expulsion Conflict

Luo Yao attempts to expel Zhou Ji from the Spirit Academy, but the Eight-winged Ghost King intervenes after finding Zhou Ji in critical condition. Zhou Ji reveals her youthful true appearance and renounces her position as an Ouyang Family elder, declaring her intent to expel the Ouyang Family from the academy instead. 96

Continuing Importance

Despite threats and internal conflict, the academy remains a destination for powerful outsiders seeking to understand mortal society. Guo Nian persuades Emperor Tian that attending the Ouyang Family Spirit Academy is the most effective way to gain such experience. 136

Trivia

• The academy's cafeteria food is prepared to benefit students' foundations and cultivation, though Xuanxuan considers it inferior in taste to the food of the Sun Imperial Noble Daughter Academy. 83
• Ouyang Family Academy students may need to repeat their studies if they fail the entrance examination. 100
• The family’s estate is sufficiently prominent that crowds of merchants, guests, and disciples gather outside its courtyard. 46