Da Yi

Biodata

Power Progression

Background / History

Abandonment and meeting Heng'e

At ten, Da Yi accompanied his parents into the mountains to hunt. When cicadas began shrieking and prevented them from approaching him, they judged him an ill omen and abandoned him. He survived alone by making a bow from branches and vines and hunting among venomous insects and Demon Beasts 7.

About six months later, he found Heng'e unconscious from a venomous insect bite. He treated her with medicinal herbs and cared for her for seven days. After recovering, she refused to explain her past or leave him, offering instead to repay him through marriage 7.

They eventually married without parents or religious rites, bowing to each other three times. Heng'e later described Da Yi as her entire world—her heaven, earth, and family 14.

Zhan Qisheng's choice

Around his eleventh year, Da Yi met Zhan Qisheng, whom he regarded as an immortal. Zhan foretold that an elderly immortal would offer him either a pill or an artifact, explaining two possible futures 6 7:

The following day, Da Yi protected an elderly immortal refining a pill by shooting a wolf and the bei riding on its back. Offered the predicted rewards, he chose the artifact without looking at the pill. The giver was later identified as the Supreme Elder Lord, and the artifact as the Plantain Fan 7 11 12.

While considering Zhan's warning, Da Yi experienced vivid images of a half-immortal life in which he no longer needed food or sleep and gradually became estranged from Heng'e. These images felt like memories of something he had already lived through. By contrast, he could not envision the promised future of growing old with her, but chose the artifact nonetheless 7.

Appearance

• As a child: Lived as a disheveled mountain boy; when Heng'e first met him, his hair had gone untended for half a year 14.
• As the Jade Rabbit: A white rabbit with red eyes and long ears. He requested these features because Heng'e loved the pure moon, and he wished to understand her thoughts and hear what filled her heart 14.
• Distinguishing mannerism: Speaks indistinctly while human because he keeps the miniature Plantain Fan hidden on his tongue 4 12.

Personality

Da Yi's devotion to Heng'e governs his most consequential decisions. He initially rejects the half-immortal path because he cannot accept losing her, and later willingly gives up his human form to reach her on the moon. Even when he resolves to shoot down the suns, he still hopes to grow old with her 7 8 14.

His attachment to his wife does not erase his concern for others. Despite remaining mortal, he investigates the supposed monsters, kills dangerous beasts, and protects creatures falsely regarded as threats. As the suns devastate his village, he blames himself for deaths he believes his rejected destiny could have prevented 5 6.

He is loyal and modest. He refuses to abandon Little Ba during the battle with Nine-Infant, acknowledges Du Yu's greater contribution to extinguishing the suns, and initially declines the Queen Mother's reward. After Heng'e ascends, he rejects accusations that either she or Pang Meng stole the elixir 8 12 13 14.

His loyalty to Du Yu persists in his rabbit form. When Chang'e unleashes a lethal attack during her confrontation with the Northern Emperor, he places himself in front of Du Yu and takes the fatal blow. His sacrifice also brings Chang'e back to her senses 367.

Abilities & Skills

Archery

Da Yi develops exceptional archery through survival and hunting in the mountains 5 7.

• Kills the wolf threatening the Supreme Elder Lord, then places two arrows through the bei's throat and heart-lung region 7.
• Kills Fengtun in the Mulberry Grove and Zaochi in the Fields of Chouhua; defeats Dafeng in the Marsh of Qingqiu with a friend's help 5.
• Fires three arrows at once toward Nine-Infant's eyes 8.
• Shoots out twelve of Nine-Infant's eyes in succession while Dong Qianqiu's transmitted voice distracts it 9.
• Limit: His arrows can pierce Nine-Infant's eyes but cannot kill the beast. Once it ignores the distraction, it again evades his shots 9.
• Limit: He cannot extinguish the suns through ordinary archery; the public bow shots conceal the Plantain Fan's use 12.

Plantain Fan Use

Da Yi possesses an immortal fan capable of producing winds that extinguish Samadhi True Fire 12.

• Conceals its miniature form on his tongue and enlarges it to human height with a gentle wave 12.
• Previously uses it against wild beasts, unaware that it can extinguish the artificial suns 12.
• Personally extinguishes the ninth artificial sun after Du Yu can no longer wield it 12.
• Limit: Its force splits his palms when he swings it; owning the artifact does not grant him an immortal body 12.

Survival and Herbal Treatment

• Makes his own bow from natural materials and survives alone in dangerous mountain terrain 7.
• Uses medicinal herbs and sustained care to save Heng'e after a venomous insect bite 7.

Actions as the Jade Rabbit

• Springs in front of Du Yu to intercept the crimson moonlight beam of Chang'e's Moonlit Night Radiance 367.
• Limit: The intercepted attack fatally wounds him; no new cultivation realm or protective technique is identified in the encounter 367.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Bow and arrows — His principal hunting and combat weapons; also used to stage the visible “shooting” of the suns 5 8 12.
• Plantain Fan — Gift from the Supreme Elder Lord, chosen instead of the Nine-Turn Primordial Spirit Pill. Kept secret for years; Heng'e is its only other witness before Da Yi reveals it to Du Yu 7 12.
• Elixir of Immortality — Receives one whole pill and one half-pill from the Queen Mother of the West. Heng'e takes the whole pill; the remaining half can enable an animal, but not a human, to ascend 13 14.
• Falsely attributed Sun-Shooting Divine Bow — Shen Shi later offers an ornate crossbow as the ancient weapon Da Yi used against the nine suns. Du Yu exposes the claim as false, pointing out that its intricate carvings, red lacquer, and gold-thread bowstring do not fit the era of Yao, Shun, and Yu. Shen Shi admits that the bow is not authentic; it is not established as Da Yi's equipment 107.

Relationships

• Heng'e / Fairy Chang'e — Wife, whom he rescues in childhood. He chooses mortal life for her sake, then becomes the Jade Rabbit to reunite with her. His later sacrifice restores her tenderness and awareness during her confrontation with the Northern Emperor; she holds him when the Northern Emperor pierces her heart 7 14 22 367.
• Du Yu / Pang Meng — Guest, trusted companion, and partner in repairing the legend. Du Yu saves him from Nine-Infant and secretly extinguishes the first eight artificial suns in his name. Du Yu later greets Chang'e's White Rabbit as “Brother Da Yi” at the Southern Heavenly Gate, and Da Yi eventually takes a fatal attack meant for him 4 8 12 102 367.
• Zhan Qisheng — Mysterious friend whose warning influences his childhood choice. Da Yi honors their agreement not to reveal Zhan's whereabouts to anyone who cannot answer his identifying phrase 5 6 7.
• Youqiong / Hou Yi — Young admirer whom Da Yi entrusts with Heng'e's care. Inspired by the sun-shooting feat, the boy renames himself Hou Yi 6 12 13.
• Little Ba / Cultivated Serpent — A serpent whose life Da Yi and Youqiong saved. Da Yi gives it a new name and hopes it can live peacefully; it later sacrifices itself to save him 6 7 8 9.
• Queen Mother of the West — Rewards the sun-shooting feat with the elixir and later grants his request to become a white rabbit. She also covers for Du Yu after he addresses Chang'e's rabbit as Da Yi at the Southern Heavenly Gate 13 14 102.
• Supreme Elder Lord — Immortal whom Da Yi protects during pill refinement; rewards him with the Plantain Fan 7 11 12.
• Northern Emperor — Attacks Chang'e in the confrontation where Da Yi sacrifices himself to protect Du Yu, then pierces Chang'e's heart after she has stopped fighting 367.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Repairing *Yi Shoots Down Nine Suns*

Da Yi's failure to become half-immortal leaves the legend unable to follow its expected course. The Legend Management Bureau sends Du Yu into the reign of Emperor Yao as Pang Meng to restore the sun-shooting event before the damaged legend's seal expires 3 4.

Du Yu uncovers Da Yi's hidden choice while the archer struggles with the devastation around him. More than half his village has died of thirst or hunger, and he helps bury Uncle Tan, the last member of a seven-person household 6.

Nine-Infant and Little Ba's sacrifice

Da Yi accompanies Du Yu to confront Nine-Infant, but the beast overpowers them and bites deeply into his shoulder. Du Yu rescues him and heals the injury with a Rejuvenation Talisman. Little Ba intervenes, restraining Nine-Infant while Da Yi attacks its eyes 8 9.

Unable to finish the beast with arrows, Da Yi tries to prevent Little Ba from sacrificing itself. Du Yu drags him away before the serpent detonates its inner core. They afterward build its tomb, named Ba Mausoleum at Du Yu's insistence 9.

Extinguishing the suns

The nine extra suns are fireballs released from the Queen Mother of the West's Nine-Treasure Glazed Lamp. Du Yu discovers that Da Yi's hidden fan can extinguish their Samadhi True Fire 11 12.

To preserve the legend's visible form, Da Yi draws an empty bow while Du Yu secretly swings the fan. Du Yu extinguishes eight artificial suns despite severe injuries; Da Yi takes over for the final swing. The villagers celebrate Da Yi as their savior, unaware of Du Yu's hidden role 12 13.

Becoming the Jade Rabbit

Heng'e's ascent must also occur to avert catastrophic consequences in the present. While Da Yi is hunting, Du Yu persuades her to swallow the whole elixir and become Fairy Chang'e 13 14.

With only half a pill left, Da Yi begs the Queen Mother to help him reach his wife. He accepts transformation into a white rabbit rather than remain separated from her. Heng'e initially welcomes the rabbit without recognizing him as her husband; she later tells Du Yu that the Jade Rabbit is Da Yi and expresses their happiness at being together again 14 22.

Distinction from Hou Yi

• Da Yi explicitly corrects Du Yu's initial identification of him as Hou Yi 4.
• After Da Yi disappears, Emperor Yao takes the child Hou Yi from the village and appoints him to office. This brings the repaired legend to its first recorded 100% completion 15.
• The novel explains that later accounts confuse Da Yi with Hou Yi, the future ruler of the Youqiong Kingdom and another exceptional archer 15.
• In a bonus chapter, Heng'e requests news of Da Yi. When no mortal by that name can be found, the Supreme Elder Lord suggests Hou Yi; she subsequently receives a report of Hou Yi's victory on Emperor Yao's western campaign 37.

Reunion at the Heavenly Court

When Du Yu arrives at the Southern Heavenly Gate, he encounters Chang'e and her White Rabbit among the immortals. He greets the rabbit as “Brother Da Yi,” and the Queen Mother of the West covers for his remark. The encounter reaffirms that the rabbit accompanying Chang'e is the former mortal archer 102.

Sacrifice during the Northern Emperor's attack

During the Northern Emperor's attack on Chang'e, Du Yu tries unsuccessfully to stop him. Severely wounded, Chang'e unleashes Moonlit Night Radiance against them. White Rabbit springs in front of Du Yu and intercepts its crimson moonlight beam, receiving a fatal wound 367.

Recognizing the rabbit's devotion, Chang'e apologizes and regains her former tenderness. She warns Du Yu that she nearly killed him and stops fighting, but the Northern Emperor nevertheless pierces her heart. She falls while holding White Rabbit, and Du Yu attacks the Northern Emperor in fury 367.

Replacement Jade Rabbit side story

A later short side story depicts Du Yu discovering that Da Yi is the current Jade Rabbit in a legend whose existing setup he considers unsuitable for him. Rather than use Da Yi, Du Yu seeks a replacement. Xiao Qi reveals that a close friend of hers is a rabbit demon, and Du Yu urges her to invite the ill-tempered demon with the prospect of eating Tang Sanzang's flesh 485.

Notable Quotes

“I want to shoot down the suns, but I also want to grow old with Heng'e.” 8

“Then I'll become cattle or sheep! As long as I can reunite with my wife, I don't mind becoming livestock!” 14

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