Su Yao

Biodata

Power Progression

Appearance

• Features: Exquisite facial features and a cool bearing 14.
• Posture: At her introduction, she stands motionless by the doorway, compared to “a winter plum beneath the moon” 14.
• Voice: Usually cool and quiet; she speaks to Ling Yu in an extremely low voice when he visits her at the academy 15 18.

Personality

Su Yao is reserved and sparing with words. Xue Qinghe explicitly describes her as having a quiet disposition, and she initially acknowledges Ling Yu’s greeting with only a nod. She is also observant: she recognizes when he avoids recording his thoughts because he remains wary of her 15 19.

Her professional reserve gradually gives way to affection and admiration. She brings Ling Yu regular meals when his research consumes his attention, expresses sympathy for his relentless work, and begins calling him “Xiao Yu” after receiving a gift from him. His successful Soul Guidance Lamp excites her enough that she repeatedly switches it on and off, then anxiously asks whether she has damaged it 21 26 29 32.

Although loyal to Qian Renxue, Su Yao is willing to exercise her own judgment. She chooses to protect Ye Lingling’s External Soul Bone secret alongside Ling Yu, privately apologizing to her young master for that decision. She also cares about Qian Renxue’s happiness and eventually urges her to pursue what she wants rather than lose her chance 40 46 50.

Abilities & Skills

Azure Bird Martial Soul

• Su Yao identifies herself as an Azure Bird Agility Attack System Soul Saint 44.
• She frequently appears or departs in a flash while carrying out guarding, reporting, and logistical duties 15 20 26.

Seventh Soul Skill — Azure Bird True Body

• Activated during the pursuit of the Glazed Deer in Sunset Forest 45.
• Used together with her fourth Soul Skill to carry Ling Yu and Ye Lingling rapidly toward the fleeing beast 45.

Fourth Soul Skill — Skyline Dancing Spirit

• Used immediately after Azure Bird True Body during the Glazed Deer pursuit 45.
• The combined activation lets her reach the deer within a few breaths while carrying two passengers. The separate contribution of each skill is not explained 45.

Soul Power Pressure and Combat

• Restrains the Glazed Deer with overwhelming pressure, pinning the beast to the ground before it can escape 45.
• Defends the expedition alongside Ye Yilan while Ye Lingling absorbs her third Soul Ring. The surrounding Soul Beasts continue attacking for eight hours before dispersing 45.
• Despite her Soul Saint cultivation, Dugu Bo’s presence provokes an instinctive retreat and a sensation of encountering a natural predator 50.

Soul Bone Knowledge

• Recognizes the significance of the unusual eye appearing on Ye Lingling’s forehead and questions whether the others have ever heard of an eye-shaped Soul Bone 46.
• Understands that its value may exceed what the entire Ye Family could afford, before Ling Yu explains its nature as an evolvable External Soul Bone 46.

Background / History

Assignment to Ling Yu

Following Ling Yu’s ennoblement, Qian Renxue orders Pufferfish to recall Su Yao. Her assignment combines protection with surveillance: she must guard Ling Yu and report his every move daily. Under her Xue Qinghe identity, Qian Renxue then introduces Su Yao to him as his new bodyguard 14.

Su Yao accompanies Ling Yu to the palace library and is impressed by his deductions about cultivation. Her first report describes him as diligent and broad-minded—praise that Qian Renxue considers unusually high coming from her 15.

Because Heaven Dou Imperial Academy does not permit guards, Xue Qinghe arranges for Su Yao to work as a guidance teacher and reside on campus. After Ling Yu’s unusual Soul Ring configuration attracts crowds, the education commissioners assign her to remain beside him around the clock 18 19.

Protecting the Soul Tool Laboratory

Su Yao supports Ling Yu’s research by obtaining discarded Soul Tools and imperial materials, arranging transportation, and ensuring that he eats. At Xue Qinghe’s command, she also arranges guards to prevent the laboratory’s contents and research notes from leaking 20 21.

After Qian Renxue reveals her identity and confirms that Su Yao belongs to the Angel Legion, Su Yao apologizes to Ling Yu during their return journey. He tells her that the situation is not her fault, relieving her 22.

When Ling Yu becomes a carving apprentice at a Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect shop, Su Yao blames herself for taking him there. Qian Renxue rejects that blame and orders her to maintain laboratory security without taking rash action against the sect 29.

Having watched nearly half a year of research, Su Yao becomes the first person Ling Yu calls over to share his completed Soul Guidance Lamp. She tests it herself and then summons Qian Renxue at his request. The lamp is subsequently named the Snowlight Lamp 32.

Sunset Forest Expedition

Su Yao joins Ling Yu, Ye Lingling, Dugu Yan, and Ye Yilan in Sunset Forest to find Ye Lingling’s third Soul Ring. After more than ten days of searching, Ling Yu locates a suitable Glazed Deer, and Su Yao carries him and Ye Lingling ahead to intercept it 44 45.

She restrains the deer and later helps defend the group while Ye Lingling absorbs its ring. When an eye-shaped External Soul Bone manifests, Su Yao recognizes its extraordinary value. Rather than claim it or disclose it, she supports Ling Yu’s decision and swears a Martial Soul Oath to keep the incident secret 45 46.

Ye Lingling thanks her for helping obtain the Soul Beast. After the expedition, Su Yao accompanies Ling Yu back to Heaven Dou City 47 48.

Qian Renxue’s Confidante

Su Yao notices Qian Renxue leaving Ling Yu’s research room with reddened eyes and begins to understand her feelings. Watching Ling Yu grow closer to Ye Lingling leaves her uncertain whether she should report their interactions 40.

After returning from Sunset Forest, she redirects their carriage to the crown prince’s residence at Ling Yu’s request. That night, she speaks frankly to Qian Renxue, warning that failing to fight for what she wants could cost her the opportunity 49 50.

Relationships

• Ling Yu — Her assigned charge and surveillance target, later someone she treats with genuine warmth. He gives her a necklace during their city outing, after which she begins using his nickname, “Xiao Yu” 14 24 26.
• Qian Renxue / Xue Qinghe — Her superior and the recipient of her reports. Su Yao addresses her as “Young Mistress” in private and becomes a confidante concerning her feelings for Ling Yu 15 50.
• Ye Lingling — Protects her during the third Soul Ring hunt and swears to conceal her External Soul Bone. Ye Lingling formally thanks her afterward 45 46 47.
• Ye Yilan — Fellow Soul Saint and expedition defender. Ye Yilan expresses gratitude after Su Yao agrees to protect the Ye Family’s secret 44 45 46.
• Dugu Yan — Fellow expedition member and participant in the oath protecting Ye Lingling’s Soul Bone 44 46.

Notable Quotes

“There’s no need, Xiao Yu. Whatever you choose, I’ll choose the same. I’ve also guessed what you’ll do.” 46

“If you don’t fight for some things, you’ll truly lose your chance.” 50