Legend of Fu Yao

A thousand years before the main story, Di Fei Tian spreads destruction across the Five Kingdoms. A Qiongcang predecessor defeats and seals him, but the remaining force cannot be completely destroyed.

A surviving remnant of Di Fei Tian's power becomes the five-colored stone. A prophecy warns that a young woman connected to it will break five seals and create the conditions for his return.

Meng Fu Yao refuses to accept the restrictions placed on her as a servant of the Xuanyou Division. Her decision to enter the Xuanyuan Sword Sect competition exposes her hidden martial talent and brings her into direct conflict with the sect's privileged disciples.

Involved: Fu Yao — Challenger · Yan Lie — Sect Leader · Jing Chen — Senior Disciple · Pei Yuan — Rival

Zhang Sun Wu Ji secretly impersonates Xuan Yuan Min and enters Taiyuan's succession struggle as its apparently weak royal heir. The disguise allows him to observe Qi Zhen's faction from inside the palace while concealing Tianquan's direct intervention.

Involved: Zhang Sun Wu Ji — Impersonator · Xuan Yuan Min — Impersonated Person · Jiang Feng — Co-Conspirator

Yan Jing Chen yields to Yan Lie's demands and accepts marriage to Pei Yuan despite his feelings for Meng Fu Yao. Fu Yao realizes that Jing Chen will not oppose his family or the sect to stand beside her, ending their first love.

Involved: Jing Chen — Betrothed Heir · Fu Yao — Betrayed Person · Pei Yuan — Bride · Yan Lie — Marriage Arranger

Uncle Zhou reveals the powerful Po Jiu Xiao technique to Meng Fu Yao and gives her the means to exceed the limits imposed by the sect. The training begins the awakening of her unusual abilities and prepares her to survive beyond Xuanyuan Mountain.

Involved: Uncle Zhou — Mentor · Fu Yao — Student

Uncle Zhou appears to give his life while protecting Meng Fu Yao from the forces seeking to control or kill her. Fu Yao believes her guardian has died, and the loss drives her toward leaving Xuanyuan Mountain.

Involved: Uncle Zhou — Protector · Fu Yao — Protected Person · Xiao Qi — Witness

Meng Fu Yao abandons the sect, her servant status, and the remains of her relationship with Yan Jing Chen. Accompanied by Xiao Qi, she begins the journey through the Five Kingdoms that will reveal her powers and hidden birth.

Involved: Fu Yao — Traveler · Xiao Qi — Companion

Meng Fu Yao enters Qi Zhen's household under a concealed identity and begins gathering information about his political schemes. Her infiltration places her near Zong Yue, Yun Hen, and Zhang Sun Wu Ji, each of whom is pursuing a separate objective inside the mansion.

Involved: Fu Yao — Infiltrator · Qi Zhen — Investigation Target · Zong Yue — Secret Ally · Yun Hen — Household Enforcer

Meng Fu Yao, Zhang Sun Wu Ji, and Zhan Bei Ye enter the hidden cavern while searching for the Bell Shekun. Their competing objectives collide, but the encounter also begins turning suspicion and rivalry into a wider alliance.

Involved: Fu Yao — Artifact Seeker · Zhang Sun Wu Ji — Investigator · Bei Ye — Artifact Seeker

The failure of Taiyuan's water defenses places Kunjing and its population in immediate danger. The crisis makes royal blood and water-controlling power essential to the succession, preventing Qi Zhen from treating the throne as a purely political prize.

Involved: Zhang Sun Wu Ji — Acting Royal Heir · Fu Yao — Rescuer · Qi Zhen — Political Opportunist · Zong Yue — Royal Descendant · Yun Hen — Royal Descendant

Meng Fu Yao assumes another false identity and enters the Taiyuan royal household as a consort. From inside the palace, she helps Zhang Sun Wu Ji counter Qi Zhen while surviving rivalry from Tang Zhi Rong and other court factions.

Involved: Fu Yao — Undercover Consort · Zhang Sun Wu Ji — Co-Conspirator · Zhi Rong — Court Rival · Shi Lan — Undercover Protector

Zong Yue reveals that Yun Hen is his younger brother and a surviving son of Prince Wenyi. Yun Hen learns that Qi Zhen helped destroy their family and then raised him as a loyal weapon.

Involved: Yun Hen — Revealed Heir · Zong Yue — Revealing Brother · Qi Zhen — Deceiver

A Lie stabs Pei Yuan and reveals that she was also responsible for disfiguring her after years of abuse. Pei Yuan retaliates with her remaining strength and fatally wounds A Lie, bringing both women to violent ends within the same confrontation.

Involved: Pei Yuan — Victim and Killer · A Lie — Betrayer and Victim · Jing Chen — Dying Witness · Fu Yao — Witness

Yan Jing Chen drinks the Soul Splitting Powder rather than allow Pei Yuan to force it upon Meng Fu Yao. Already dying from the poison, he shields Fu Yao during the final struggle and dies in her arms after affirming that loving her was the one choice he never regretted.

Involved: Jing Chen — Sacrificing Protector · Fu Yao — Protected Person · Pei Yuan — Captor · A Lie — Betrayer

The combined efforts of Meng Fu Yao, Zhang Sun Wu Ji, Zong Yue, and Yun Hen destroy Qi Zhen's control over Taiyuan. His defeat ends the immediate coup and allows the surviving royal bloodline to reclaim responsibility for the kingdom.

Involved: Qi Zhen — Defeated Usurper · Fu Yao — Opponent · Zhang Sun Wu Ji — Strategist · Zong Yue — Avenger · Yun Hen — Royal Heir

Zhang Sun Wu Ji and Zong Yue use the power available at Taiyuan's royal platform to save Meng Fu Yao and release the first of her five seals. The process restores Fu Yao's original appearance, but she remains unaware that breaking the seals is advancing Fei Yan's plan.

Involved: Fu Yao — Seal Bearer · Zhang Sun Wu Ji — Protector · Zong Yue — Healer · Qi Yun — Linked Patient

Zhang Sun Jiong shows Meng Fu Yao the portrait of Tianquan's crown prince and reveals that Xuan Yuan Min and Yuan Zhaoxu were both identities used by Zhang Sun Wu Ji. Fu Yao is deeply hurt by the prolonged deception and questions how much of their relationship was shaped by politics.

Involved: Fu Yao — Revelation Recipient · Emperor Zhang Sun Jiong — Revealer · Zhang Sun Wu Ji — Hidden Crown Prince

Meng Fu Yao receives authority over Yao City and must move from independent fighter to public administrator. The appointment tests whether she can protect residents, enforce justice, and command people who initially doubt her.

Involved: Fu Yao — New Magistrate · Tie Cheng — Skeptical Officer · Zhang Sun Wu Ji — Political Sponsor

Chi Gui and Zhang Sun Ping Rong threaten Yao City as part of a broader rebellion against Tianquan. Meng Fu Yao refuses to abandon the residents and organizes soldiers and civilians into a defensive force.

Involved: Fu Yao — Defender · Tie Cheng — Military Supporter · Chi Gui — Attacker · Ping Rong — Rebellion Sponsor

Meng Fu Yao enters Heirong Stronghold under the appearance of surrender to disrupt the enemy from within. She confronts Chi Gui and helps collapse the force threatening Yao City.

Involved: Fu Yao — Infiltrator · Chi Gui — Stronghold Leader · Zhang Sun Wu Ji — Covert Supporter · Jiang Feng — Rescue Support

Zhang Sun Wu Ji becomes trapped in the most dangerous region of the Geya Desert while enemies close in around him. His disappearance forces Meng Fu Yao and their allies to risk entering the desert to find him.

Involved: Zhang Sun Wu Ji — Trapped Target · Ping Rong — Pursuer · Fu Yao — Rescuer

Zhan Bei Ye reaches the imprisoned Hidden Army and secures the force needed to challenge Zhan Nan Cheng's defenses. Their allegiance transforms him from a hunted prince into a viable ruler with the power to reclaim Tiansha.

Involved: Bei Ye — Claimant Commander · Ji Yu — Military Ally · Fu Yao — Ally

After the rebellion is defeated, Meng Fu Yao entrusts Yao City's continuing government to Tie Cheng. His transformation from skeptic to responsible local leader confirms that Fu Yao's influence can survive after she leaves.

Involved: Fu Yao — Departing Magistrate · Tie Cheng — Successor

Meng Fu Yao confronts her inner demon inside the Tianmen Ruins and escapes by recognizing that the hostile presence is an extension of herself. The ordeal releases the second seal and produces a surge of power that alarms her allies.

Involved: Fu Yao — Seal Bearer · Zhang Sun Wu Ji — Rescuer · Ping Rong — Attacker · Zong Yue — Investigator

Ya Lan Zhu uses a dangerous forbidden technique to save Zhan Bei Ye during the Tiansha conflict. The personal cost demonstrates the depth of her devotion and changes Bei Ye's understanding of her love.

Involved: Ya Lan Zhu — Rescuer · Bei Ye — Protected Person

Facing the final stage of his revenge, Qi Zhen bargains with Fei Yan and gives up what remains of his life for supernatural power. The agreement lets him overpower Zong Yue and Yun Hen but makes him an instrument of Fei Yan's larger plan.

Involved: Qi Zhen — Power Seeker · Fei Yan — Power Broker

Qi Yun steps between Qi Zhen's attack and Zong Yue, taking the enchanted weapon meant for him. Her sacrifice forces Zong Yue to confront the human cost of his revenge and reveals that she gave him the Dragonscale Armour.

Involved: Qi Yun — Protector · Zong Yue — Protected Person · Qi Zhen — Family Connection

Zhan Bei Ye returns to Pandu and openly challenges Zhan Nan Cheng after the king threatens Consort Jing and persecutes Bei Ye's supporters. Their royal conflict becomes a direct struggle for control of Tiansha.

Involved: Bei Ye — Challenger · Nan Cheng — Reigning King · Bei Heng — Royal Ally · Consort Jing — Hostage

Zhan Bei Ye defeats Zhan Nan Cheng but initially offers his brother an opportunity to leave alive. Nan Cheng attempts a final surprise attack and is killed before he can strike.

Involved: Nan Cheng — Defeated King · Bei Ye — Challenger

After Zhan Nan Cheng's fall, Zhan Bei Ye accepts responsibility for governing Tiansha. The decision completes his movement from reluctant military prince to ruler responsible for rebuilding the kingdom.

Involved: Bei Ye — New Ruler · Ya Lan Zhu — Royal Partner · Ji Yu — Military Supporter · Fu Yao — Allied Commander

Meng Fu Yao enters Xuanji and begins uncovering fragmented memories connected to the royal palace, the Cold Palace, and an abandoned lotus pond. Her presence threatens Feng Xuan and Feng Jing Fan because it may expose the truth behind the Lotus Princess.

Involved: Fu Yao — Hidden Heir · Zhang Sun Wu Ji — Investigation Partner · Feng Xuan — Secret Keeper · Feng Jing Fan — False Heir

The Xuanji Lotus Pond restores Meng Fu Yao's memories of her childhood and her first meeting with the young Zhang Sun Wu Ji. The recovered memory proves that Feng Jing Fan claimed a personal history that actually belonged to Fu Yao.

Involved: Fu Yao — Memory Holder · Zhang Sun Wu Ji — Childhood Connection · Feng Jing Fan — Identity Thief

Feng Jing Zhi discovers information linking Feng Xuan to Feng Qi's destruction and Meng Fu Yao's concealed survival. Her knowledge makes her dangerous to the queen despite being Feng Xuan's own daughter.

Involved: Jing Zhi — Witness · Feng Xuan — Secret Keeper

Feng Xuan kills or fatally silences Feng Jing Zhi after her daughter learns too much about the stolen succession. The act demonstrates that Feng Xuan will sacrifice even her own family to preserve the throne.

Involved: Feng Xuan — Killer · Jing Zhi — Victim

The royal shadow guard Yu Heng is revealed to be Meng Shuo, Feng Qi's husband and Meng Fu Yao's biological father. His years of apparent service to Feng Xuan are exposed as a covert search for his missing wife and daughter.

Involved: Yu Heng — Hidden Father · Fu Yao — Revealed Daughter · Feng Xuan — Deceived Queen

Meng Fu Yao's blood activates Xuanji's phoenix altar and releases her third seal. The awakening restores her childhood memories, summons the sacred phoenix, and proves that she is Feng Qi's daughter.

Involved: Fu Yao — Seal Bearer and True Heir · Yu Heng — Witnessing Father · Zhang Sun Wu Ji — Protector · Feng Jing Fan — Exposed False Heir · Fei Yan — Hidden Manipulator

Evidence from Meng Shuo, Fu Yao's memories, and the Feng royal bloodline proves that Meng Fu Yao is Feng Qi's daughter and the true Lotus Princess. Feng Jing Fan's identity and Feng Xuan's version of the succession are publicly discredited.

Involved: Fu Yao — True Heir · Feng Jing Fan — False Heir · Feng Xuan — Usurper · Yu Heng — Witness · Feng Qi — Birth Mother · Feng Wu — Royal Witness

Meng Fu Yao confronts Feng Xuan over Feng Qi's murder, the theft of the throne, and the erasure of her identity. Feng Xuan's rule collapses, ending the false succession that controlled Xuanji.

Involved: Fu Yao — Challenger · Feng Xuan — Defeated Queen · Zhang Sun Wu Ji — Ally · Yu Heng — Avenging Family Member

After reclaiming her identity, Meng Fu Yao accepts responsibility for governing Xuanji. Her coronation completes her rise from an unrecognized servant to a ruler whose legitimacy comes from birth and demonstrated leadership.

Involved: Fu Yao — New Queen · Zhang Sun Wu Ji — Royal Partner · Yu Heng — Father

Zhang Sun Jiong attempts to force Zhang Sun Wu Ji to oppose and destroy Zhang Sun Jia. Wu Ji recognizes that the emperor raised him partly as a weapon in a private revenge, placing filial duty and moral judgment in direct conflict.

Involved: Emperor Zhang Sun Jiong — Manipulator · Zhang Sun Wu Ji — Manipulated Heir · Zhang Sun Jia — Targeted Father · Empress Qing Yi — Caught Family Member

Zhang Sun Ping Rong moves openly against Zhang Sun Wu Ji and the established succession. His rebellion intensifies the Tianquan crisis and demonstrates how the emperor's manipulation has fractured the royal family.

Involved: Ping Rong — Rebel Prince · Zhang Sun Wu Ji — Targeted Crown Prince · Emperor Zhang Sun Jiong — Emperor

Meng Fu Yao discovers that Uncle Zhou survived his apparent death and continued watching over her from the shadows. He reveals that he is Sheng Ling, the second-ranked member of the Ten Saints, and that he placed the five-tier restraint on her as a child.

Involved: Uncle Zhou — Revealer and Hidden Guardian · Fu Yao — Reunited Ward

Meng Fu Yao is dying from Zhang Sun Jiong's poison when Uncle Zhou opens the Tianquan-linked fourth seal to save her. Her life is preserved, but only the final seal remains between her and Di Fei Tian's full awakening.

Involved: Fu Yao — Poisoned Seal Bearer · Uncle Zhou — Seal Breaker · Emperor Zhang Sun Jiong — Poisoner

Uncle Zhou transfers his accumulated cultivation to Meng Fu Yao and gives her the Changqing wooden dagger. He warns that the weapon can protect her only if she uses it against Zhang Sun Wu Ji, then says his final farewell.

Involved: Uncle Zhou — Departing Mentor · Fu Yao — Heir to His Power · Zhang Sun Wu Ji — Named Target

Zhang Sun Wu Ji learns that Zhang Sun Jia, not Zhang Sun Jiong, is his biological father. The revelation exposes the forbidden relationship between Zhang Sun Jia and Yuan Qing Yi and explains the emperor's long revenge plan.

Involved: Zhang Sun Wu Ji — Revealed Son · Zhang Sun Jia — Biological Father · Empress Qing Yi — Mother and Secret Keeper · Emperor Zhang Sun Jiong — Deceptive Father Figure

Zhang Sun Jia prevents Yuan Qing Yi from immediately revealing Zhang Sun Wu Ji's parentage and chooses to sacrifice himself. He takes his own life with Wu Ji's sword, hoping his death will persuade Zhang Sun Jiong to spare Qing Yi and Wu Ji.

Involved: Zhang Sun Jia — Sacrificing Father · Zhang Sun Wu Ji — Witnessing Son · Empress Qing Yi — Witness and Former Lover

Zhang Sun Wu Ji rejects Zhang Sun Jiong's effort to define loyalty through obedience, concealed parentage, and revenge. He chooses to govern according to his own principles rather than reproduce the emperor's cruelty.

Involved: Zhang Sun Wu Ji — Defiant Heir · Emperor Zhang Sun Jiong — Emperor and Father Figure · Fu Yao — Wu Ji's Ally

The dying Zhang Sun Jiong admits that he manipulated the conflict between Zhang Sun Wu Ji and Zhang Sun Jia as revenge. He also acknowledges that he came to love Wu Ji as a son, then entrusts Tianquan's future to him.

Involved: Emperor Zhang Sun Jiong — Dying Emperor · Zhang Sun Wu Ji — Successor and Mourning Son

Zhang Sun Wu Ji succeeds Zhang Sun Jiong and becomes emperor of Tianquan. His accession completes his political rise but leaves him responsible for rebuilding a dynasty damaged by concealed parentage, revenge, and rebellion.

Involved: Zhang Sun Wu Ji — New Emperor · Fu Yao — Emotional and Political Partner · Emperor Zhang Sun Jiong — Deceased Predecessor

Tian Ji concludes that Meng Fu Yao must die before Di Fei Tian can use her as a vessel. He orders Zhang Sun Wu Ji to place the survival of the Five Kingdoms above his love for Fu Yao.

Involved: Tian Ji — Order Giver · Zhang Sun Wu Ji — Ordered Disciple · Fu Yao — Condemned Person

Zhang Sun Wu Ji refuses to kill Meng Fu Yao and breaks with the master who trained him. He commits himself to finding another way to save both Fu Yao and the Five Kingdoms.

Involved: Zhang Sun Wu Ji — Defiant Disciple · Tian Ji — Rejected Mentor · Fu Yao — Protected Person

Xiao Qi remains behind on the bridge at Mount Wunian so the other companions can continue toward Meng Fu Yao and Zhang Sun Wu Ji. Unable to defeat the final pursuer directly, he pulls the attacker over the cliff with him.

Involved: Xiao Qi — Sacrificing Defender · Bei Ye — Departing Companion · Zong Yue — Departing Companion · Ya Lan Zhu — Departing Companion

Fei Yan reveals that Meng Fu Yao's broken seals and five-colored stone have been guiding her toward becoming Di Fei Tian's vessel. The truth redefines Fu Yao's journey as a trap arranged by forces that have manipulated her since childhood.

Involved: Fei Yan — Revealer · Fu Yao — Intended Vessel · Zhang Sun Wu Ji — Protector · Tai Yan — Disciple

Fei Yan attacks Tian Ji and the Qiongcang elders as they attempt to prevent the fifth seal from opening. Tian Ji is killed, removing the principal guardian standing between Fei Yan and Di Fei Tian's resurrection.

Involved: Fei Yan — Killer · Tian Ji — Fallen Guardian · Zhang Sun Wu Ji — Witnessing Disciple

Tai Yan rejects Fei Yan's command to kill Zhang Sun Wu Ji and attacks her master instead. Fei Yan anticipates the betrayal and casts Tai Yan from Mount Wunian, killing her before she can protect Wu Ji.

Involved: Tai Yan — Defiant Disciple · Fei Yan — Killer and Betrayed Master · Zhang Sun Wu Ji — Protected Person

Meng Fu Yao wounds Fei Yan during their final confrontation, but Fei Yan reveals that her own death is required to open the fifth seal. She dissolves into dark energy and enters Fu Yao's body, completing the seal progression.

Involved: Fei Yan — Sacrificial Manipulator · Fu Yao — Final Seal Bearer · Zhang Sun Wu Ji — Protector

The force connected to Di Fei Tian overwhelms Meng Fu Yao and turns her against Zhang Sun Wu Ji. Wu Ji refuses to treat the possessed Fu Yao as an enemy and tries to reach her true consciousness.

Involved: Fu Yao — Possessed Vessel · Zhang Sun Wu Ji — Protector · Fei Yan — Architect · Tian Ji — Realm Guardian

Meng Fu Yao regains control of herself and rejects the destiny imposed through the five-colored stone. Her resistance prevents Di Fei Tian from fully returning and destroying the Five Kingdoms.

Involved: Fu Yao — Resisting Vessel · Zhang Sun Wu Ji — Emotional Anchor · Fei Yan — Defeated Manipulator

Meng Fu Yao and Zhang Sun Wu Ji are shown together after the final struggle, completing their promise to choose one another despite prophecy and sacrifice. The scene leaves their precise physical or spiritual circumstances open to interpretation.

Involved: Fu Yao — Reunited Partner · Zhang Sun Wu Ji — Reunited Partner

Di Fei Tian's remaining consciousness is divided and sealed in separate sacred places so that it cannot regain full strength. One part is associated with Xuanji's waters, while another is confined beneath Qiongcang near Mount Wunian.

Before Yuan Qing Yi becomes empress, she and Zhang Sun Jia form a mutual romantic attachment. Political pressure separates them and forces Qing Yi into marriage with Zhang Sun Jiong.

Yuan Qing Yi gives birth to Zhang Sun Jia's son after entering the imperial marriage. Zhang Sun Jiong publicly accepts the child as his own and raises him as Zhang Sun Wu Ji, crown prince of Tianquan.

Zhang Sun Jiong raises Zhang Sun Wu Ji as Tianquan's future ruler while concealing that he knows the truth of the child's parentage. He also preserves the secret as part of a long revenge against Zhang Sun Jia and Yuan Qing Yi.

Qi Zhen helps frame Prince Wenyi as a traitor, causing Taiyuan's ruler to order the destruction of the prince's household. The massacre removes a powerful royal branch and creates the blood debt that shapes Zong Yue and Yun Hen.

Prince Wenyi's two young sons survive the destruction of their family but are separated. Zong Yue grows up knowing the truth, while Yun Hen loses his identity and memories of his birth family.

Qi Zhen takes Yun Hen into his household and raises him as an adopted son and loyal enforcer. Yun Hen believes Qi Zhen saved him, unaware that his guardian helped destroy his birth family.

Fei Yan saves Zong Yue after the massacre and grants him exceptional medical and martial abilities. In exchange, Zong Yue gives up decades of his lifespan so that he can survive and pursue revenge against Qi Zhen.

The twin sisters Feng Xuan and Feng Qi become rivals over Xuanji's succession and their feelings for Yu Heng / Meng Shuo. His choice of Feng Qi deepens Feng Xuan's jealousy and resentment.

Feng Qi and Yu Heng / Meng Shuo have a daughter whose birth is accompanied by miraculous winter lotuses. The child is Xuanji's legitimate Lotus Princess and the true bearer of its phoenix inheritance.

Feng Xuan murders her twin sister and seizes control of Xuanji. She suppresses Feng Qi's royal line and begins constructing a false succession that will secure her own reign.

A loyal attendant hides Feng Qi's surviving daughter inside Xuanji Palace after the murder. This protection temporarily prevents Feng Xuan from eliminating the legitimate royal heir.

The young Meng Fu Yao encounters Zhang Sun Wu Ji near Xuanji's abandoned lotus pond while living in isolation. Their brief meeting creates a childhood bond that Feng Jing Fan later claims as her own.

Feng Jing Fan learns that Feng Qi's daughter survived and reveals the child's existence to Feng Xuan. Feng Xuan sends people to eliminate the girl and those who protected her.

A guard ordered to kill the young Meng Fu Yao chooses to spare her. She escapes Xuanji with her memories damaged or sealed and loses knowledge of her royal identity.

Uncle Zhou finds the displaced child and brings her to Xuanyuan Mountain. He conceals her among the servants of the Xuanyou Division and quietly protects her from forces connected to the five-colored stone.

Meng Fu Yao grows up as a low-status servant under Uncle Zhou's protection. She becomes close to Xiao Qi and Yan Jing Chen while developing the independent spirit that will eventually place her against the sect hierarchy.