Cao Ying

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Cao Ying (曹颖)
Alias(es)	Cao Clan Enchantress; Demon Girl
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Cao Family; Pill Tower; Purple Firmament Pavilion
Occupation/Role	Alchemist; Head of the Purple Firmament Pavilion's Elixir Hall
Status	Active
First Appearance	Chapter 102

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Dou Grandmaster	102	At a little over ten years old, she is identified as a Dou Grandmaster; Medusa Queen considers her talent exceptional.
Refines Green Lotus Core Flame	105	Successfully absorbs the weakened Heavenly Flame after enduring its body-tempering process.
Profound High-Rank cultivation technique	123	Refines the Sea Heart Flame and advances the Flame Mantra to Profound High-Rank, giving it the potential to support Dou Ancestor cultivation.
Dou Emperor / Dou Huang	222, 224	Reaches the Dou Emperor stage; after consuming Fire Pills, she is stated to possess Three-Star Dou Huang strength. Her soul is at Mortal Realm Peak, one step from Spirit Realm.
Spirit Realm soul; Eighth-Grade Alchemist	224, 225	Breaks into the Spirit Realm and successfully refines an eighth-grade elixir with two-colored Pill Lightning.
Three-Star Dou Zong	283	Absorbs a Heavenly Flame and advances to Three-Star Dou Zong.
One-Star Dou Venerate	298	Emerges from seclusion as a One-Star Dou Venerate ahead of the Pill Gathering.
Dou Saint	345	Defeats Jiu Feng, the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan's next clan leader, with a five-colored flame technique.

Background

Cao Ying is a prodigy of the Cao Family, one of the Five Great Clans of the Pill Domain. She became an alchemist after reaching Dou Practitioner at age seven and was later recognized as the Cao Family's most talented younger-generation member. Her early cultivation lagged behind her alchemy because she devoted most of her attention to pill refinement. 102 105

The Cao Family sent her to the Northwest Continent after learning of the unclaimed Green Lotus Core Flame. Accompanied by Cao Xi, she sought Chen Xiao's help in obtaining it. Though initially introduced as merely a junior with “decent talent,” her status as the renowned Cao Clan Enchantress was already well established. 102

After successfully refining the Green Lotus Core Flame, Cao Ying agreed to serve as Chen Xiao's personal alchemist. Their initially practical partnership deepened through repeated cooperation, mutual support, and her work refining pills for his forces. 105 114 123 124

She later entered the Pill Tower under Xuan Kongzi, where her alchemy advanced rapidly. By the Five Great Clans' assessment, she was a Seventh-Grade Alchemist and ranked first after catching exactly one hundred Soul Measuring Orbs. 165

Following her breakthrough into the Spirit Realm, Cao Ying refined an eighth-grade elixir and completed her studies at the Pill Tower. Xuan Kongzi acknowledged that he had nothing further to teach her and allowed her to choose between returning to the Cao Family or joining Chen Xiao. 225

Cao Ying subsequently became the head of the Purple Firmament Pavilion's Elixir Hall, taking full authority over its alchemical affairs. 227

Appearance

Cao Ying is a striking young woman whose appearance and composed bearing regularly draw attention in Holy Pill City and the Pill Domain.

• Favors black clothing; later commonly wears dark-purple robes. 105 222
• Has an enchanting, captivating appearance associated with her “Enchantress” reputation. 165 225
• Her expression often becomes cool or displeased when subjected to unwanted attention. 165
• Displays a rare, warm smile around Chen Xiao and Zi Yan. 165 222

Personality

Cao Ying is confident in her alchemical talent and regards pill refinement as her greatest pride. She is ambitious without being reckless, believing she can surpass the Cao Family's elders while recognizing the need to strengthen both her soul and cultivation for higher-grade alchemy. 123 225

Despite her reputation for pride and enchantment, she is mature, observant, and considerate in personal and political matters. She anticipates Chen Xiao's needs, prepares medicinal resources in advance, and understands the implications of Cao Family politics. 167 222

She can be mischievous and sharp-tongued around people she trusts, particularly Chen Xiao. Her teasing manner often conceals genuine affection, and she becomes noticeably flustered when caught off guard emotionally. 124 145

Abilities & Skills

Alchemy

Cao Ying is an elite alchemist whose rapid advancement places her among the foremost younger-generation alchemists in the Central State.

• Began studying alchemy after reaching Dou Practitioner at age seven. 102
• Advanced from Fifth Grade to Seventh Grade in a little over two years. 165
• Became an Eighth-Grade Alchemist after entering the Spirit Realm. 225
• Refined an eighth-grade elixir over twenty days, producing two-colored Pill Lightning. 225
• Created a new Spirit Nurturing Dust formula, requiring the Soul Infant Fruit to complete it. 228
• Refined pills for Chen Xiao, the Cao Family, and the Purple Firmament Pavilion's needs. 124 222 227

Soul Power

Her soul talent is central to both her alchemy and combat abilities.

• Her Soul Power was considered stronger than her cultivation even before refining the Green Lotus Core Flame. 105
• Caught exactly one hundred Soul Measuring Orbs during the Five Great Clans' assessment, placing first. 165
• Reached Mortal Realm Peak before breaking through to the Spirit Realm. 222 224
• Uses soul techniques such as the Soul Profound Seal Palm. 300

Heavenly Flame Fusion

Cao Ying cultivates the Flame Mantra and progressively refines Heavenly Flames, combining them into increasingly powerful fused flames.

• Successfully refined the Green Lotus Core Flame. 105
• Successfully refined the Sea Heart Flame, elevating the Flame Mantra to Profound High-Rank. 123
• Later possessed a fused flame formed from three Heavenly Flames. 224
• Refined the Ten Thousand Beast Spirit Flame as her fourth Heavenly Flame. 232
• Eventually wielded a flame fused from five Heavenly Flames. 302
• Used a five-colored flame technique to defeat Jiu Feng. 345

Combat

Although alchemy remains her primary focus, Cao Ying becomes a formidable cultivator in her own right.

• Reached One-Star Dou Venerate before the Pill Gathering. 298
• Her presence in the Pill Realm was considered sufficient to deter several Three-Star Dou Venerates. 300
• Defeated Jiu Feng with ease after reaching the Dou Saint realm. 345

Equipment

• Ten Thousand Beasts Cauldron — A medicine cauldron gifted by Chen Xiao and used in her high-grade pill refinement. 168 224
• Heavenly Demon Puppets — Chen Xiao gives her multiple puppets for self-protection and to receive Pill Lightning during alchemy. Nine can jointly unleash One-Star Dou Venerate-level power through a formation. 225
• Fire Pills — Used to accelerate her cultivation and strengthen her fused Heavenly Flame. 222 224

Relationships

• Chen Xiao — Partner and principal supporter of her cultivation; she becomes his exclusive alchemist before their relationship develops into intimacy and mutual commitment. 123 124 224 227
• Cao Xi — Her Fourth Uncle and Cao Family elder; escorts and protects her during the mission to obtain the Green Lotus Core Flame. 102 105
• Zi Yan — Close friend who calls her “Sister Cao Ying”; Cao Ying once cared for her and prepared pills for her as snacks. 124 165
• Xuan Kongzi — Her Pill Tower teacher, who recognizes her achievement as an eighth-grade alchemist and allows her to leave the Pill Tower. 225
• Cao Family — Her birth clan, which regards her as a key pillar of its future. 105 176
• Dan Chen — Former rival from the Dan Family; they were once evenly matched, but Cao Ying's growth creates a substantial gap between them. 165 225 302
• Xiao Yi Xian — Ally and companion within Chen Xiao's circle; Cao Ying assists in preparations for Xiao Yi Xian's Poison Pill. 121 166 173
• Heavenly Flame Honored One — Supports her leadership within the Purple Firmament Pavilion after Chen Xiao and Cao Ying help revive him. 339

Story Role / Major Arcs

Green Lotus Core Flame Expedition

Cao Ying arrives in the Jia Ma Empire with Cao Xi to seek Chen Xiao's assistance in obtaining the Green Lotus Core Flame. She succeeds in refining the flame, beginning her connection with Chen Xiao and his group. 102 105

Maple City and Sea Heart Flame

She travels with Chen Xiao's group into the Black-Corner Region, refines pills for his forces, and later absorbs the Sea Heart Flame. Her agreement to become his personal alchemist becomes increasingly personal. 106 123 124

Pill Tower Studies

Cao Ying studies in Holy Pill City under Xuan Kongzi, rises to Seventh Grade, and dominates the Five Great Clans' assessment. She helps Chen Xiao negotiate with the Ye Family and process a Heaven Demon Phoenix corpse. 165 166 168

Eighth-Grade Breakthrough

After reaching the Spirit Realm, Cao Ying refines an eighth-grade elixir with two-colored Pill Lightning. Xuan Kongzi formally releases her from further Pill Tower study, and she later joins Chen Xiao's side. 224 225 226

Elixir Hall Leadership

As head of the Purple Firmament Pavilion's Elixir Hall, Cao Ying takes responsibility for its alchemists, pill production, and combat-puppet enhancement. 227 235

Pill Gathering

Cao Ying enters the Pill Gathering as one of its favorites. Her cultivation, multiple Heavenly Flames, and reputation deter challengers, while Old Man Mu Gu identifies her as one of his principal targets. 299 300 302

Bodhi Ancient Tree

Cao Ying refines the Bodhi Seeds needed to cleanse the Bodhi Ancient Tree, after which she and Chen Xiao undergo one hundred lifetimes of reincarnation within it. The experience strengthens her but also reveals that her mental fortitude had been weaker than her talent suggested. 342 344

Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan's Fall

After reaching the Dou Saint realm, Cao Ying returns from the Vast Desolate Ancient Region with captured Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan members and defeats Jiu Feng using a five-colored flame technique. 345

Trivia

• Cao Ying's favorite reading material is alchemy-related books; Chen Xiao compares her bookishness only to Xun Er among those close to him. 222
• She is widely recognized in Vast Sea City, where her prominence is compared to Xiao Yan's local fame after condensing his Dou Qi Cyclone. 175
• Before becoming Chen Xiao's partner, she was already known for reacting strongly to his teasing despite presenting herself as fearless. 124 145