Venerable Yao

Biodata

Power Progression

Background / History

Yao Chen was once the famed Venerable Yao, a top-tier Dou Venerate with extensive connections across the continent. His downfall was orchestrated by his former eldest disciple Han Feng and his sect junior Elder Mugu: after Mugu failed to seize the Flame Mantra from him, he manipulated Han Feng into framing Yao Chen. The Soul Hall was implicated as the force operating behind the scheme. 315 335

Reduced to a soul body, Yao Chen encountered Xiao Yan during his lowest period and accepted him as his disciple. He regarded Xiao Yan's talent and gratitude as the greatest fortune of his life and his best hope for resurrection. Their relationship became mutually sustaining: Yao Chen provided guidance and resources, while Xiao Yan dedicated himself to restoring and protecting his teacher. 219 335

While concealed in Xiao Yan's ring, Yao Chen aided the Xiao Family during its commercial crisis by supplying 1,283 bottles of Blood Coagulation Powder. He met Mo Yu for the first time during this visit, immediately recognizing his exceptional potential. 42

Appearance

When manifesting in soul form, Yao Chen appears as an elderly, illusory man with a refined and approachable bearing. His outward gentleness is tempered by the sharpness in his gaze. 219

• Flowing white hair. 219
• Aged, amiable appearance. 219
• Occasional sharp glints in his eyes reveal his vigilance and experience. 219
• His body is visibly illusory while existing as a soul. 219 495

Personality

Yao Chen is perceptive, experienced, and exacting in his judgment of talent. He identified both Xiao Yan's potential and Mo Yu's unusual inheritance early, and he does not offer empty praise. 42 219

Despite his strictness as a teacher, he is deeply affectionate toward Xiao Yan and considers him unlike the ungrateful Han Feng. His gratitude toward those who aid him is equally strong; after Mo Yu joined the rescue operation, Yao Chen openly acknowledged the debt he owed him. 219 495 499

The betrayals that caused his downfall left him with deep resentment toward Han Feng, Elder Mugu, and the Soul Hall. Even so, he can remain composed under captivity and urges caution when facing enemies beyond his disciples' current strength. 335 495

Abilities & Skills

Alchemy

Yao Chen is regarded as the continent's foremost alchemist and possesses rare medicinal formulas unavailable to ordinary cultivators. 568

• Refines the unique Foundation Establishment Spiritual Liquid, which increases the cultivation speed of basic Dou Qi. 8
• Provided the Xiao Family with 1,283 bottles of Blood Coagulation Powder, helping counter the Jialie Family's Spring Return Powder. 42
• Refines pills for Xiao Yan's recovery and cultivation breakthroughs. 220
• His prestige as an alchemist remains significant enough for Xiao Yan and Old Yao to represent Starfall Pavilion at the Spatial Trade Fair. 567

Soul-Body Techniques

As a surviving soul body, Yao Chen can manifest outside Xiao Yan's ring, observe events, and provide support despite his weakened condition. 215 219

• Controlled Xiao Yan during the battle against Yun Shan and Protector Wu. 215
• Possesses advanced soul-control knowledge, though he acknowledges Mo Yu's thunder-and-flame fusion control as superior. 219
• Endured imprisonment in the Soul Locking Hall, where four rune-covered chains bound his soul body. 495

Combat Experience

Yao Chen retains the knowledge and battle instincts of a former top-tier Dou Venerate and later Half-Saint and Dou Sheng expert. 144 568 620

• Joined Mo Yu against Protector Wu after learning the Soul Hall was involved. 350
• Assisted Qing Zhi in defeating the Scorpion Demon Three Ghosts while recovering the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame remnant map. 568
• Maintains enough standing and strength that the Yao Clan treats his return as a major political concern. 620 642

Relationships

• Xiao Yan — Disciple and surrogate son figure. Yao Chen considers Xiao Yan his greatest hope, while Xiao Yan is unwaveringly devoted to reviving and defending his teacher. 219 335 495
• Mo Yu — Respected junior and ally. Yao Chen recognized Mo Yu's talent early; Mo Yu later helped rescue him from the Soul Hall and supported him against the Yao Clan. 42 495 620
• Venerable Feng — Closest friend and fellow senior expert. Feng aided Xiao Yan's effort to rescue Yao Chen and remained loyal to him. 491 492
• Venerable She — Fellow Venerable who recognizes Yao Chen's past reputation. The two temporarily cooperated against the Soul Hall and discussed Mo Yu's unusual inheritance. 215 219
• Han Feng — Former eldest disciple who betrayed Yao Chen and contributed to his downfall. 315 335
• Elder Mugu — Former sect junior who failed to take the Flame Mantra, then incited Han Feng to frame Yao Chen. 315 335
• Yao Wangu — Senior Yao Clan elder and hostile figure from Yao Chen's past; repeatedly insults him upon his return to the Yao Clan. 619 620 641

Story Role / Major Arcs

Xiao Family and Wu Tan City

Yao Chen first appears publicly as a black-robed visitor to the Xiao Family. He assists the family through its commercial crisis, meets Mo Yu, and praises the potential of one of the Xiao Family's “Twin Dragons.” 42

Escape from Cloud Mist Sect

After Cloud Mist Sect's destruction, Yao Chen reveals himself as Venerable Ya alongside Venerable She. He advises Mo Yu and Xiao Yan to flee westward and avoid both Cloud Mist Sect pursuers and the Soul Hall. 219

Soul Hall Imprisonment and Rescue

Yao Chen is captured by the Soul Hall and imprisoned in the Soul Locking Hall. Xiao Yan seeks Mo Yu's help, and Mo Yu assembles Yuan Manor's Dou Zun experts for a rescue mission. 491 492

Mo Yu and Xiao Yan reach Yao Chen, who is bound by four enormous chains. Mo Yu destroys the chains with five-colored lightning, allowing the master and disciple to reunite before Old Ghost Picking Stars blocks their escape. 495

Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame Map

Yao Chen tracks the buyer of the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame remnant map after the Spatial Trade Fair. Together with Mo Yu, Xiao Yan, and Qing Zhi, he helps defeat the Scorpion Demon Three Ghosts and recover the map. He gives Mo Yu the Divine Firmament Thunder Stone in gratitude for the assistance. 568

Conflict with the Yao Clan

Yao Chen's return to the Yao Clan brings his old conflict with Yao Wangu to the surface. When Yao Clan members humiliate him, Xiao Yan and Mo Yu intervene; Xiao Yan ultimately captures Yao Wangu before Elder Wan Huo de-escalates the confrontation. 619 620 641 642

Notable Quotes

“When I was down and out, I took in a good disciple. It can be considered that my hardships have finally ended.” 219

“You don't need to be so polite, young man. Just call me Old Yao, like Xiao Yan.” 219