Zheng Yao

Biodata

Power Progression

Background / History

Zheng Yao served as the Azure Sea Immortal Palace deacon responsible for guarding Linyuan City. Nearly four hundred years old and believing he had no hope of reaching the Nascent Soul realm, he had applied to guard the city. He organized its semiannual Golden Core Trading Fair, inviting Golden Core cultivators to trade resources at the City Lord’s Mansion. Zhao Hao, while posing as Zhou Wuji, planned to attend one such gathering after receiving Zheng Yao’s invitation. Zheng Yao had previous disputes with the real Zhou Wuji, making the disguised Zhao Hao’s appearance a source of uncertainty for him. Zheng Yao had previously paid out of his own pocket to appease a clan over a matter involving Zhou Wuji. 85 86

At the fair, Zheng Yao acted as host and attempted to preserve order amid escalating disputes. He greeted “Zhou Wuji” warmly, but initially watched without intervening when Chen Li confronted him. After Zhao Hao displayed the Earth-Li Origin Flame, Zheng Yao used his mid-stage Golden Core mana to isolate the flame’s oppressive heat and urged Zhao Hao to end the matter for his sake. 87 88 89

Zheng Yao joined the Golden Roc Island hunting party alongside Zhao Hao, Wan Renli, and others. Distrusting Zhao Hao’s motives, he assigned him to guard the Azure Wood Heaven-Locking Array rather than participate directly in the hunt for the Golden Rocs. When the hunt went awry, Zheng Yao called for Zhao Hao’s support. 90 91

After the failed hunt and the party’s abandonment of Zhao Hao, Zheng Yao met with Sun Hao and Wan Renli. When Zhao Hao returned alive and confronted them, Zheng Yao acknowledged that they had acted wrongly. He offered Zhao Hao three top-grade second-rank array disks and access to the city’s formation classics in an attempt to avoid further conflict. 93

Before Zhao Hao revealed his survival, Zheng Yao believed that both “Zhou Wuji” and the cultivator surnamed Qing had died on the island. He also reported that Fairy Ruan had withdrawn from further cooperation after her formation plate was destroyed. The surviving hunters agreed to conceal their abandonment of Zhou Wuji, but Zhao Hao overheard their discussion and later warned them to coordinate their account for the Law Enforcement Hall. 93

Five years later, Zheng Yao contacted “Zhou Wuji” regarding Linyuan City’s need for Golden Core cultivators ahead of a Sea Beast Tide. He told him that Elder Ji was tentatively assigned to oversee the defense. Zhao Hao declined under Zhou Wuji’s identity, then approached Zheng Yao as “Zhao Ritian” and applied to join the city’s temporary garrison. Zheng Yao did not recognize that the two were the same person. During their subsequent negotiations, he stated that the city had thirteen Golden Core cultivators when Zhao Ritian was included. 103 104

During the beast tide, Zheng Yao prioritized retaining capable defenders over ideological concerns. Although Zhao Ritian’s Ten Thousand Soul Banner exposed him as a demonic cultivator, Zheng Yao reacted less strongly than the Zhengyuan Sect cultivators present, focusing instead on the immediate threat to Linyuan City. When two Azure-Winged White Tigers pursued Zhao Ritian, Zheng Yao and other defenders attempted to support him but were blocked by the remaining sea beasts. 107 110

After the beast tide abruptly retreated, Zheng Yao acted on Zhang Quan’s suggestion to take Zhao Ritian’s apparently unattended Ten Thousand Soul Banner under the pretext of safeguarding it. The banner resisted, and Zhao Hao returned before the cultivators could seize it. Zheng Yao attempted to explain away his actions, but Zhao Hao rejected the explanation. After Zhang Quan announced that a late-stage Golden Core reinforcement from the Zhengyuan Sect would arrive the following day, Zheng Yao agreed to part ways with Zhao Hao and paid him 100,000 Mid-grade Spirit Stones. 112

Personality

Zheng Yao presents himself as genial, courteous, and diplomatic when acting as Linyuan City’s host and administrator. He treated Zhao Ritian respectfully despite the latter’s rough manner and was willing to acknowledge the value of capable outside cultivators. 87 103

He is also suspicious and politically calculating. He sought to limit Zhao Hao’s access to Golden Roc spoils, tested Zhao Ritian’s strength before accepting his demands, and repeatedly negotiated over the cost of employing him for the beast-tide defense. He initially offered Zhao Ritian the standard coastal-city rate despite knowing that Linyuan City faced greater pressure during beast tides. 90 104 106

Zheng Yao is highly concerned with maintaining relationships and securing useful personnel. During the dispute between Zhao Ritian and the Zhengyuan Sect cultivators, he attempted to placate Fairy Bingyue while preventing Zhao Ritian—a powerful mid-stage Golden Core reinforcement—from leaving Linyuan City. 105 106

His pragmatism outweighs sectarian prejudice when Linyuan City’s interests are at stake. Rather than immediately rejecting Zhao Ritian after the latter used the demonic Ten Thousand Soul Banner, Zheng Yao remained focused on the city’s defensive needs. Azure Sea Immortal Palace also has soul-path and blood-path lineages, making his reaction less severe than that of the Zhengyuan Sect cultivators. 107

He is cautious about escalating battles beyond the protection of the city’s formation. Although Zhao Ritian’s slaughter of low-tier beasts eased the array’s burden, Zheng Yao urgently demanded that he stop when it threatened to provoke all ten Golden Core great demons. His later attempt to rescue Zhao Ritian also reflected concern for Linyuan City’s reputation: he believed that allowing a recruited defender to die without attempting assistance would deter future reinforcements. 109 110

His conduct during the beast tide exposed a more opportunistic side: he attempted to take Zhao Hao’s Ten Thousand Soul Banner after Zhao Hao’s apparent absence. When Zhao Hao returned, Zheng Yao tried to settle the confrontation with spirit stones, but failed to persuade him to remain in Linyuan City. 112

Story Role / Major Arcs

Golden Core Trading Fair

• Invites Zhou Wuji—actually Zhao Hao in disguise—to the Golden Core trade fair and banquet at the City Lord’s Mansion. 85 86
• Hosts the fair with a diplomatic demeanor, welcoming Zhao Hao and managing disputes among attendees. 87
• Establishes that exchanges must be voluntary and that sellers may choose among the bids offered. Opens the fair by offering a lightning-struck wood heart from ten-thousand-year ironwood, a material possessing both lightning and wood attributes, which he trades for rain flower stone. 87
• Initially watches Chen Li’s confrontation with Zhao Hao without mediating, then attempts to maintain order after Zhao Hao intimidates Chen Li with the Earth-Li Origin Flame. 88 89
• Personally intervenes between Zhao Hao and the Chen family, using his mid-stage Golden Core mana to block the flame’s heat and asking Zhao Hao to give him face. 89
• Recognizes the flame as a divine ability and is visibly alarmed by its power. After the dispute ends, orders replacement furnishings and offers attendees a discount. 89

Golden Roc Island Hunt

• Joins the six-person Golden Core hunting squad targeting Golden Rocs on Golden Roc Island. 90
• Assigns Zhao Hao to guard the trapping array, intending to prevent him from taking the main spoils. 90
• Calls for Zhao Hao’s aid when the battle turns against the hunters. 91
• Struggles alongside Sun Hao and the Triangular-Eyed Cultivator against the two mid-stage Golden Core Golden Rocs and the harassment of their lower-tier flock. Flees after Fairy Ruan’s formation is shattered, leaving Zhao Hao behind. 91
• After the failed hunt and Zhao Hao’s apparent loss, discusses the outcome with Sun Hao and Wan Renli. When Zhao Hao returns, Zheng Yao offers him three top-grade second-rank array disks and access to formation classics as compensation for their abandonment of him. 93
• Accepts Zhao Hao’s demand that the survivors coordinate their account of the expedition for the Law Enforcement Hall. 93

Linyuan City Beast Tide

• Contacts Zhao Hao, then known to him as Zhou Wuji, about Linyuan City’s garrison shortage before the Sea Beast Tide. He names Elder Ji as the tentatively assigned Nascent Soul overseer. 103
• Initially offers Zhao Ritian the standard remuneration of 40,000 Mid-grade Spirit Stones, with additional spoils distributed by contribution. 104
• Raises his offer to 60,000 Mid-grade Spirit Stones, the corpses of beasts Zhao Ritian personally kills, and three opportunities to select essence blood after Zhao Ritian demands greater compensation. 104
• Tests Zhao Ritian through duels involving Zhang Quan and Fairy Bingyue. After Zhao Ritian defeats Zhang Quan, Zheng Yao praises his strength but also agrees to a condition Fairy Bingyue had proposed, prompting Zhao Ritian to threaten to leave. 104 105
• Further raises the terms to 80,000 Mid-grade Spirit Stones and five priority opportunities to select demon-beast essence blood in exchange for Zhao Ritian not using his third-rank supreme-grade flying sword against Fairy Bingyue. 106
• Announces that neither participant may use magical treasures above low-grade third tier in the second sparring match. His revised payment terms apply regardless of whether Zhao Ritian wins or loses. 106
• Is astonished when Zhao Ritian passes through the City Protection Array without an access token, adding apparent formation expertise to the reinforcement’s demonstrated sword and body-cultivation abilities. 107
• Remains comparatively restrained after Zhao Ritian reveals the demonic Ten Thousand Soul Banner, unlike the visibly hostile Zhengyuan Sect cultivators. 107
• Grows suspicious when Zhao Hao retreats from the third-tier sea beasts rather than joining the defense. 108
• Gives Zhao Ritian an Array Access Token after he requests one during the beast-tide defense. 109
• Urges Zhao Ritian to stop harvesting low-tier beasts when the ten Golden Core great demons advance toward the city’s formation, fearing that he will trigger the Golden Core battle prematurely. 109
• Attempts to support Zhao Ritian when two Azure-Winged White Tigers pursue him, but the other sea beasts prevent the city’s cultivators from reaching him. 110
• Recognizes the Azure-Winged White Tigers immediately from his long experience dealing with sea beasts. Leads preparations for a rescue partly to protect Linyuan City’s reputation among outside Golden Core defenders, but halts when the remaining eight third-tier beasts threaten concentrated attacks. 110
• Attempts to seize the Ten Thousand Soul Banner after the beast tide retreats, claiming he will safeguard it. The banner resists, and Zhao Hao returns to reclaim it. Zheng Yao’s subsequent offer of additional spirit stones fails to keep Zhao Hao in Linyuan City. 112
• Ultimately pays Zhao Hao 100,000 Mid-grade Spirit Stones and agrees to end their cooperation following the confrontation. 112

Relationships

• Zhao Hao / “Zhou Wuji” / “Zhao Ritian” — Their relationship is marked by past tension, mutual suspicion, negotiations, and Zheng Yao’s unsuccessful efforts to manage or exploit Zhao Hao’s strength. Zheng Yao treats Zhao Ritian as an unaffiliated mid-stage Golden Core rogue cultivator and does not recognize him as Zhou Wuji. His attempt to take Zhao Ritian’s Ten Thousand Soul Banner ends their cooperation. 86 90 103 112
• Sun Hao — Fellow participant in the Golden Roc Island hunt; Zheng Yao later discusses their abandonment of Zhao Hao with him and Wan Renli. 90 93
• Wan Renli — Fellow Golden Core cultivator involved in the Golden Roc Island hunt and the ensuing dispute with Zhao Hao. 90 93
• Fairy Ruan — Formation specialist in the Golden Roc Island expedition. Zheng Yao assigns Zhao Hao to protect her and her Azure Wood Heaven-Locking Array. After the formation plate is destroyed, he reports that she has withdrawn from further cooperation. 90 93
• Fairy Bingyue — A Golden Core cultivator Zheng Yao uses to test Zhao Ritian’s strength through a sparring match. He also tries to preserve their relationship while retaining Zhao Ritian for the city’s defense. 104 105 106
• Zhang Quan — A Golden Core cultivator involved in Zheng Yao’s test of Zhao Ritian; Zhang Quan later provokes conflict during the beast-tide aftermath and encourages Zheng Yao to “safeguard” Zhao Hao’s Ten Thousand Soul Banner. Although Zheng Yao privately resents Zhang Quan’s interference in the original strength test, he later knowingly cooperates with his proposal to take the banner. 104 105 112
• Chen Li — The head of Linyuan City’s Chen family, whose dispute with Zhao Hao forces Zheng Yao to intervene as host. 87 89

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