Zhou Yi

Biodata

Background / History

Zhou Yi is notorious among Outer Academy students for harsh training, severe punishments, and threats of expulsion. When she first appears, she berates a group of students and sends them rushing to training 5.

She confronts Xiao Dong for entering Shrek Academy without a freshman badge or recommendation letter. He insults her, then reveals that he knows both about the young-looking face beneath her elderly disguise and her largely secret marriage to Fan Yu. Unwilling to discuss either before the watching students, she takes him to a private courtyard 6 7.

In the courtyard, Zhou Yi attacks Xiao Dong, but he blocks her palm strike without releasing a Martial Soul or Soul Ring. She refuses his demand for submission and insists on her loyalty to Shrek and her marriage. Xiao Dong then uses the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame to forcibly erase her resistance and hostility toward him, leaving her obedient while retaining her ability to think and carry out tasks 8 9.

At Xiao Dong’s request, Zhou Yi asks fellow teacher Wang Yan about high-age Mental Attribute Soul Beasts. She obtains a map of their likely habitats in the Star Dou Great Forest and passes it to Xiao Dong. Ning Tian and Wu Feng witness her markedly deferential manner toward him 10 13 14.

Appearance

Zhou Yi presents herself to students as a thin elderly woman in a coarse white robe, but her aged face is a removable mask 5 7.

• Public disguise — Deep wrinkles, sunken eyes, and a severe expression reinforce her fearsome reputation 5.
• Unmasked appearance — A beautiful, young-looking face and a mature figure concealed by her loose robe 6 7.

Personality

Zhou Yi is domineering with students and quick to anger when challenged. Even after Xiao Dong withstands her Soul Emperor pressure, she attacks him rather than accept his insults 5 6 7 8.

Her loyalty to Shrek and concern for Fan Yu initially make her refuse Xiao Dong outright. Her later obedience is the result of the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame altering her will, not a voluntary change of allegiance. Afterward, she remains capable of taking initiative: when she cannot answer Xiao Dong’s question about rare Soul Beasts, she seeks out Wang Yan’s expertise 9 10 13.

Abilities & Skills

Soul Emperor combat

Zhou Yi has six Soul Rings—two yellow, two purple, and two black—and can exert pressure with her Soul Power 6 7.

• Uses crimson Soul Power in a heated palm strike; Xiao Dong blocks it bare-handed, and the recoil injures her arm 8.
• Detects Ning Tian and Wu Feng following her along the Ancient Forest Path 14.

Teaching and field knowledge

• Teaches practical combat and physical conditioning at Shrek’s Outer Academy 10.
• Knows the Star Dou Great Forest’s outer areas, but cannot identify the exact lairs of high-age Mental Attribute Soul Beasts without consulting Wang Yan 10 13.

Equipment / Items

• Elderly disguise mask — Hides her true face from students 6 7 12.
• Ancient map of the Star Dou Great Forest — Obtained after consulting Wang Yan and delivered to Xiao Dong 13 14.

Relationships

• Fan Yu — Her husband and a senior teacher in Shrek’s Soul Tool Department. Their marriage is known to few people, and Zhou Yi feels neglected by his devotion to Soul Tool research 7 8 9.
• Xiao Dong — Initially an intruder she tries to discipline. He defeats her attack, forcibly alters her will with the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame, and sends her to gather Soul Beast information 6 8 9 10 14.
• Wang Yan — Fellow Shrek teacher whose Soul Beast research Zhou Yi consults on Xiao Dong’s behalf 10 13.
• Ning Tian and Wu Feng — Newly enrolled students who observe Zhou Yi’s changed behavior toward Xiao Dong and secretly follow the pair 13 14.

Notable Quotes

“I belong to Shrek in life and in death. I'm a married woman, too. If you have the ability, kill me with one blow today. Otherwise, don't dream of making me yield an inch!” 9