Contents
Biodata
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Yao Zi (姚紫) |
| Alias(es) | Unofficial “boss of the Plant Academy” 23 |
| Gender | Female |
| Affiliation | Plant Advanced Soul Master Academy; her family works for Spirit Hall 19 26 |
| Occupation/Role | Academy’s top student, student leader, and tournament-team member 24 26 30 |
| Soul Master Type | Control-type 29 |
| Martial Soul | Red Flame Thorn, also described as crimson flame thorn 26 28 30 |
| First Appearance | Mentioned by Yao Hong 19; appears in person 23 |
Power Progression
| Stage / Realm / Level | Chapter | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Level 39 — Soul Elder | 24 | Jiang Yan identifies her exact level. Yao Zi confirms that she has not broken through to level 40; no later advancement is documented in the supplied chapters. |
Background / History
Yao Zi comes from a family whose members work for Spirit Hall. She grew up hearing stories about Qian Daoliu from her grandfather and revered him before ever meeting him. Her older brother, Deacon Yao Hong, routinely tells Plant Academy students to seek her help, contributing to her reputation as the academy’s unofficial “boss” 19 23 26.
Her aunt entrusted her with supervising the cultivation of her younger cousin, Jiang Yan. Because he frequently avoids training, Yao Zi regularly tracks him down and brings him back. Their familiarity allows her to combine stern instruction with teasing, though she stops scolding when she sees that he is genuinely distressed 28 29.
Meeting Jin Yang
Yao Zi first encounters Jin Yang while confronting Jiang Yan for missing a training appointment by two hours. She challenges the newcomer to fight, but withdraws after learning that he is a support-type Soul Master. Recognizing his connection to Yao Hong, she offers to help him with any trouble at the academy 23 24.
After Jin Yang expresses his intention to prepare for the Whole Continent Soul Master Tournament, she agrees to train with him. Initially treating him as a fragile junior, she ends their first practice exchange when he charges directly into her thorns. His subsequent demonstration—punching down a tree without a Martial Soul or Soul Skill—forces her to reassess his strength 28 29 30.
She later witnesses his three thousand-year Soul Rings and experiences his team-support skill firsthand. Feeling her body become at least thirty percent stronger, she compares the enhancement to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda and becomes hopeful about Plant Academy’s prospects in team battles 30 31 32.
Academy Receptions and Shopping Outing
Yao Zi organizes the academy’s preparations for Qian Daoliu’s visit, directing students and using her Martial Soul to move large, nonflammable objects. She congratulates Jin Yang on becoming his disciple and eagerly anticipates meeting the figure she has admired since childhood 26.
During a shopping trip, she encourages Jin Yang to buy plant Soul Beast seeds, participating in the academy tradition of cultivating plants as a legacy for future students. Their conversation later turns to the hardship of ordinary people. When Jin Yang announces the Saintess’s forthcoming visit, Yao Zi immediately rushes off to arrange another reception; she is visibly excited when Qian Renxue arrives 34 35 36.
Appearance
- Build and features: Tall, with delicate, pretty facial features 23.
- Usual clothing: Plant Academy’s uniform; Jin Yang likens her appearance in it to a graceful orchid 34.
- Casual clothing: Wears a new outfit for the shopping outing, giving her a brighter, more approachable appearance 34.
Personality
Yao Zi is energetic, competitive, and demanding about training. She readily challenges a promising newcomer and refuses to let Jiang Yan neglect his cultivation. Her encouragement rests on the belief that determination can improve his chances of earning a tournament place 23 24 28.
Her forcefulness is tempered by concern for others. She retracts an attack when she notices Jin Yang nearby, deliberately weakens her attacks during his practice match, and becomes angry because she believes his reckless charge could leave him badly injured. She also releases Jiang Yan as soon as he concedes 23 29.
She genuinely prefers fierce-looking Martial Souls. While other students find Jin Yang’s toothy Sunflower unsettling, she calls it handsome and insists that she is not merely trying to comfort him 30.
Her outlook on social inequality is more resigned than Jin Yang’s. She regards the suffering of people without Soul Power as an unavoidable part of ordinary life, rather than something she expects to change 35.
Abilities & Skills
Red Flame Thorn
Yao Zi manifests blood-red, sharp-spiked vines covered in flames. She can extend them across the ground, erupt them beneath an opponent, and redirect them during an attack 23 28 29 30.
- Offense: Uses vines as lashes and sends thorn roots upward beneath opponents 23 29.
- Restraint: Burning thorns bind a target while flames scorch its body 29.
- Fine control: Retracts attacks to avoid bystanders and adjusts their speed and ferocity for practice 23 29.
- Utility: Moves large, nonflammable objects while decorating reception venues 26.
Named Thorn Techniques
| Technique | Effect | Demonstrated Application |
|---|---|---|
| Thorn City | Weaves thorns into an enormous defensive wall 29. | Blocks Jiang Yan’s charging Man-Eating Flower, although his enhanced teeth tear an opening through it 29. |
| Thorn Bind | Restrains the target with burning thorns 29. | Binds and scorches Jiang Yan’s Martial Soul, causing pain that disrupts his ability to evade 29. |
| Thorn Spikes | Erupts spikes that can close into a cage 29. | Traps Jiang Yan without piercing his skin, ending their spar 29. |
Fire Resistance
- She is the only Plant Academy student currently eligible for the tournament explicitly identified as possessing fire resistance 32.
- This distinguishes her from teammates vulnerable to fire-aligned opponents such as Blazing Fire Academy; the extent of her resistance is not specified 32.
Combat Instruction and Leadership
- Defeats Jiang Yan by restraining his Martial Soul and exploiting the pain caused by damage to it. She warns him against recklessly attacking with its physical body 29.
- Coordinates student work during major receptions and calls the tournament group to order for training 26 30.
Relationships
- Yao Hong — Older brother and Spirit Hall deacon. His frequent referrals make her a contact for students needing help 19 23.
- Jiang Yan — Younger cousin and training partner. She supervises his cultivation at her aunt’s request and repeatedly confronts his attempts to skip practice 28 29.
- Jin Yang — Junior academy student and fellow tournament aspirant. She offers him protection, becomes his training partner, and comes to admire his unusual strength and support abilities 24 28 30 31.
- Fang Qiong — Fellow tournament-team member and shopping companion; participates in the training group Yao Zi directs 30 34.
- Qian Daoliu — Revered Spirit Hall figure whom she grew up hearing about. Jin Yang’s apprenticeship provides her first opportunity to see him in person 26.
- Qian Renxue — Spirit Hall’s Saintess. Yao Zi helps prepare her welcome and regards seeing her as an honor 35 36.
Notable Quotes
“My brother says that to every Plant Academy student he meets. Thanks to him, I've become the boss of the Plant Academy.” 23
“Who taught you to fight like that as a support-type soul master?!” 29
“Now we've got hope in the team battles.” 32
Trivia
- Jin Yang recalls that, in the original story, Yao Zi led Plant Academy’s team to the Whole Continent Soul Master Tournament, where the academy failed to reach the finals. This is his recollection of the original storyline, not a documented tournament result in the current narrative 24.
- She is the first person Jin Yang encounters who openly appreciates his Sunflower Martial Soul’s intimidating appearance 30.