Master Yi has tempered his body and sharpened his mind, so that thought and action have become almost as one. Though he chooses to enter into violence only as a last resort, the grace and speed of his blade ensures resolution is always swift. As one of the last living practitioners of the Ionian art of Wuju, Yi has devoted his life to continuing the legacy of his people—scrutinizing potential new disciples with the Seven Lenses of Insight to identify the most worthy among them. (More League of Legends Characters in Profile)
Real name: Yi
Alias(es): The Wuju Bladesman
Species: Human (Magical)
Age: 41-51 years old
Place of origin: Wuju, Ionia
Current residence: Ionia
Master Yi has tempered his body and sharpened his mind, so that thought and action have become almost as one. Though he chooses to enter into violence only as a last resort, the grace and speed of his blade ensures resolution is always swift. As one of the last living practitioners of the Ionian art of Wuju, Yi has devoted his life to continuing the legacy of his people—scrutinizing potential new disciples with the Seven Lenses of Insight to identify the most worthy among them.
In the tranquil highlands of Bahrl, nestled within the central province of Ionia, stood the secluded mountain village of Wuju—a place of harmony, discipline, and sacred swordsmanship. Among its quiet stone paths and mist-veiled pagodas, a boy named Yi grew up under the care of his swordsmith parents, dreaming of joining the ranks of the fabled Wuju masters.
While other children played, Yi honed his skills. Mornings were spent sparring with his mother in the dew-soaked gardens, evenings reciting poetry beside his father’s forge. The villagers soon recognized his natural talent and unmatched focus. When Yi was old enough to begin his formal training, he did so with the pride of his family and the admiration of the entire village. He rose swiftly, mastering every form and philosophy of the blade, until even the elders called him the “Young Master.”
Yet Yi’s gaze often wandered beyond Wuju’s borders. From the highest rooftops, he would watch distant towns flicker beneath the setting sun, yearning to see what lay beyond. But the masters forbade it. Wuju had always remained hidden, founded on the belief that its techniques were too sacred to share and too refined to be used for killing. For centuries, it endured in proud isolation, its secrets guarded even from fellow Ionians.
That illusion shattered when Yi saw dark smoke curling above the horizon. The Noxian invasion had reached Ionia’s shores, burning and bleeding its way inland. Against the will of his elders, Yi descended the mountain, choosing duty over doctrine. What followed was awe-inspiring: a lone warrior cutting through battalions, wielding speed and grace unlike anything seen before. The art of Wuju, once cloistered, had become a beacon of hope.
Word of his deeds spread like wildfire. Other disciples followed his example, joining the defense of their homeland. Together, they traveled to Navori, where the resistance was fiercest. But Wuju's rise did not go unnoticed. Noxian generals, recognizing the threat these warriors posed, launched a retaliatory strike. In a single night, the village of Wuju was reduced to cinders by chemical fire—its people, teachings, and sanctity all lost.
When the war ended, Yi returned to find only ash and silence. The mountain soil itself had been poisoned. The melodies of his youth, the warmth of his parents, the wisdom of his masters—everything was gone. He became the last of Wuju, the final heir to a broken legacy. Though his body endured, Yi’s spirit crumbled beneath the weight of guilt.
For years, he lived in solitude, training endlessly, hoping to preserve what little remained. Yet without others to share in Wuju's philosophy, it began to fade. He questioned whether a single man could uphold centuries of tradition. Then, fate intervened—in the form of a brash, monkey-like vastaya named Kong.
The creature challenged Yi to a duel. Yi obliged, defeating him effortlessly. But Kong returned the next day. And the next. Again and again, he adapted, evolving his technique in wild and unexpected ways. Yi, forced to adjust in turn, felt the stirrings of Wuju’s spirit rekindled. For the first time since the war, he remembered the joy of teaching, the purpose of mastery.
Eventually, Kong knelt and gave his name. He begged to learn the true way of Wuju. In him, Yi saw more than determination—he saw hope. Yi accepted him as a disciple, crafting an enchanted staff and bestowing upon him a new name: Wukong. Now, master and student travel the First Lands.
Appearance:
Yi is a thin, agile man with tan skin and dark brown hair. He usually wears a goatee of varying lengths, sometimes long enough to be tied off at numerous points. There is a red rune seemingly tattooed on his forehead. His slim-fitting armor typically features shades of silver, green, brown, and golden yellow. The most notable feature of his combat attire is a large helmet that covers his eyes with a cluster of seven greenish-yellow lenses. His main weapon is the green Wuju Blade.
Personality:
Master Yi is disciplined, humble, and curious. He is also a skilled fighter who values the art of Wuju, a special fighting style in Ionia. He can meditate to heal wounds and reduce damage.
Abilities:
Double Strike - Every few consecutive sword strikes, Master Yi strikes twice.
Alpha Strike - Master Yi teleports across the battlefield with blinding speed, striking multiple enemies in his path at an untargetable speed.
Meditate - Master Yi rejuvenates his body by focus of mind, healing his wounds.
Wuju Style - He does an enhanced blade strike.
Ultimate Ability:
Highlander - Master Yi moves with unparalleled agility, temporarily increasing his speed and the speed of his sword strikes as well as making him immune to being slowed down.
