Chu Yao

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Chu Yao (楚瑶)
Alias(es)	Third Princess; Palace Mistress
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Phoenix Cry Empire imperial family
Occupation/Role	Imperial princess
Status	Alive 46
First Appearance	Chapter 16

Background / History

Chu Yao is the youngest daughter of the Phoenix Cry Emperor and the younger sister of the Seventh Prince, Chu Feng. She and Chu Feng have effectively grown up without their father; Chu Yao says she has not seen the Emperor since she was three years old. 16 17

Before entering seclusion, the Emperor called Chu Yao a martial arts prodigy and urged her to cultivate. Her mother later died suddenly when Chu Yao was ten, before Master Yun Qi could be summoned; Chu Yao became convinced that the death was not accidental. Five years before meeting Long Chen, her cultivation began stagnating and her spiritual energy weakened despite her efforts. 28

Believing that the same hidden forces targeting her mother had turned against her and Chu Feng, Chu Yao and her brother deliberately adopted arrogant, reckless public personas to appear harmless. Her priority was keeping Chu Feng safe, even if it meant concealing her own suffering. 28

After Chu Feng was frightened by Long Chen, Chu Yao ambushed Long Chen with a harrier eagle, dropped him onto Falling Sunset Mountain, and confronted him in revenge. Their fight ended after a misunderstanding led her to bite his arm; Long Chen endured the injury rather than strike her again. Chu Yao bandaged his wound, learned the truth about Zhou Yaoyang's manipulation of Chu Feng, and apologized. They agreed to become friends. 16 17

Chu Yao later brought Long Chen to Falling Sunset Mountain and taught him combat techniques. When Long Chen examined her condition, he discovered that her Dantian had been sealed by nine strands of foreign spiritual energy. She entrusted him with her history and accepted his promise to eventually break the shackles. 27 28

Xia Changfeng of Great Xia sent a betrothal gift for Chu Yao after gaining the Empress Dowager's approval. During the Phoenix Cry Lantern Festival, Chu Yao openly used her lantern show and embroidered ball to declare her feelings for Long Chen. Long Chen publicly returned her declaration, placing both of them in conflict with the Empress Dowager and the political scheme surrounding Chu Yao. 31 36

Appearance

Chu Yao is described as a stunning, delicate young woman whose demeanor can shift sharply between an unapproachable imperial princess and a gentle, shy maiden. 17 28

• Tall and slender, with fair skin. 29
• Frequently described with jade-like hands, clear eyes, and a delicate build. 16 28
• Her formal appearance at the Lantern Festival leaves Long Chen momentarily stunned. 36
• Uses disguise liquid to alter her facial features and pass through the imperial capital unnoticed. 28

Personality

Chu Yao initially presents herself as proud, impulsive, and quick-tempered. She invokes royal hierarchy during her first confrontation with Long Chen and becomes frustrated when he refuses to fight according to the routines she has learned. 16

Behind that behavior, she is lonely, observant, and deeply distrustful of insincere people. She dislikes those who “wear masks” around her, values Long Chen's bluntness, and gradually opens up because she believes he will not deceive her. 17

Her apparent recklessness is partly a survival strategy. Chu Yao deliberately acts willful to protect Chu Feng from palace intrigue, and she accepts a diminished life rather than risk making herself or her brother a target. 28

She is affectionate and courageous toward Long Chen. She publicly declares her feelings at the Lantern Festival, tries to intervene when he faces Huang Shang, and blames herself when his life is endangered because of their relationship. 36 42 46

Abilities & Skills

Qi Gathering Cultivation

Chu Yao is a Qi Gathering Ninth Heaven cultivator, though the condition of her Dantian prevents her from displaying power appropriate to that realm. 16 28

• Her nine foreign spiritual-energy strands continuously absorb her spiritual energy. 28
• By Long Chen's estimate, less than one-tenth of her spiritual power remains. 28
• Her weak practical combat performance initially makes her actual fighting strength appear lower than that of an ordinary Qi Gathering Fifth Heaven cultivator. 16
• Her spiritual root is exceptionally powerful; Long Chen identifies her as a rare prodigy whose potential has been deliberately suppressed. 28

Combat-Technique Mastery

Chu Yao states that she has mastered thirteen combat techniques. Her movements are technically refined, though she initially relies too rigidly on prescribed sequences during real combat. 16 27

• Fire Cloud Palm — A high-level Human-tier palm technique that produces scorching spiritual energy; Chu Yao demonstrates it by leaving a handprint on a thick tree. 27
• Wind Breaking Fist — A human-grade advanced combat technique she demonstrates for Long Chen. 28
• Spiritual-energy control — Despite her weakened reserves, she can perform advanced techniques without obvious exhaustion. Long Chen judges her control to surpass that of ordinary Blood Condensation experts. 28

Harrier Eagle Transport

Chu Yao rides a harrier eagle, using it to seize Long Chen and carry him to Falling Sunset Mountain during her first confrontation with him. 16

Equipment / Items

• Space ring — Carries personal items, including a large blanket used during her time with Long Chen. 17
• Disguise liquid — Given to her by Long Chen; alters her appearance for roughly twelve hours, allowing her to travel the capital anonymously. 28

Relationships

• Long Chen — Initially his adversary after he frightened Chu Feng; they become trusted friends and romantic partners. Chu Yao publicly declares her love for him at the Lantern Festival, and he returns her feelings. 16 17 28 36
• Chu Feng — Her younger brother, the Seventh Prince. Chu Yao's attempt to avenge him leads to her first encounter with Long Chen; she later reveals that much of her behavior is intended to keep him safe. 16 28
• Phoenix Cry Emperor — Her father. He recognized her talent before entering seclusion, but Chu Yao has not seen him since childhood. 17 28
• Chu Yao's mother — Deceased. Her sudden death when Chu Yao was ten is believed by Chu Yao to have been murder connected to palace power struggles. 28
• Master Yun Qi — A protector and supporter during the Lantern Festival; he prevents Chu Yao from being removed after her public declaration and reassures her when Long Chen is in danger. 36 42
• Empress Dowager — Opposes Chu Yao's public relationship with Long Chen and has a grim private discussion with her after the festival. 36 46
• Xia Changfeng — Great Xia prince pursuing a politically arranged marriage to Chu Yao after the Empress Dowager accepts his betrothal gift. 31

Notable Quotes

“You are the person I trust the most right now.” 28

“Now, my only family is my younger brother. I don't want him to have any accidents.” 28