Zhao Yiduo

Zhao Yiduo is a Fragrant Cloud Peak disciple whose rivalry with Chen Zi'ang in spirit plants and medicine repeatedly places him in the audience for Bai Xiaochun's disruptive achievements. (Chapters 27–106)

Biography

Apothecary Competition on Fragrant Cloud Peak

Zhao Yiduo first challenges Chen Zi'ang's standing by presenting his own spiritwinter bamboo and pointedly telling his rival to study harder. Bai Xiaochun's extraordinary bamboo immediately eclipses both competitors, and Zhao responds by joining the close inspection rather than denying the result. He later enters the apothecary promotion test, where he succeeds twice at concocting Inkspirit Incense and earns promotion to journeyman apothecary alongside Chen, Du Lingfei, Han Jianye, and Bai. The outcome preserves his rivalry with Chen but also establishes genuine competence. After Bai is thought dead, Zhao joins the grieving sect crowd; when Bai returns, he and Chen are among those most delighted because the people who had tormented them now face Bai's attention. Zhao's last scene again pairs him with Chen: their argument is forgotten when bizarre legged fish and pursuing cats race past them. (Chapters 27–45, 64–75, and 106)

Appearance and personality

Zhao Yiduo is a long-faced young man with narrow eyes. He is competitive and openly disdainful toward Chen Zi'ang, but he also examines superior results earnestly and works through a demanding promotion test. His reaction to Bai combines discomfort at being called “Sect Nephew,” grief when Bai is missing, and pleasure at Bai's return. No later appearance details or fate are supplied. (Chapters 27–28, 43–45, 64, and 68–75)

Abilities and cultivation

Zhao demonstrates skill in growing spiritwinter bamboo and enough medicinal knowledge to achieve two successful Inkspirit Incense concoctions in a difficult examination, qualifying as a journeyman apothecary. The corpus does not identify his cultivation realm, other formulas, pill-concocting method, combat abilities, or later professional advancement. (Chapters 27–28 and 42–45)

Relationships

• Bai Xiaochun: Bai repeatedly overshadows Zhao's achievements but also becomes someone whose apparent death he mourns and whose return he celebrates. Bai playfully asserts seniority by calling him “Sect Nephew.”
• Chen Zi'ang: Zhao's recurring peer and rival in spirit-plant cultivation and apothecary testing. Their competition persists through his last appearance but can be displaced by shared astonishment.
• Du Lingfei: A fellow successful examinee in the journeyman-apothecary promotion test; no deeper personal relationship is shown.