Xiao Yan

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Xiao Yan (消炎药)
Alias(es)	“Xiao Family Trash”; “Xiao Yanzi”
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Xiao Family; Starfall Pavilion (Young Pavilion Master) 736
Occupation/Role	Cultivator; alchemist; heir and leading hope of the Xiao Clan
Status	Active
First Appearance	Chapter 13

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Three-stage Dou Qi	13	Fails the Xiao Family test at low grade and is publicly ridiculed.
Four-stage Dou Qi	42	Briefly regains the fourth stage with a Foundation Building Pill before the Black Ring drains his Dou Qi and returns him to the third stage.
Five-stage Dou Qi	89	Reaches the fifth stage through diligent cultivation and increased family resources, then regresses again to the third stage.
Four-stage Dou Qi	93	Re-cultivates from the third stage to the fourth in ten days.
Nine-star Great Dou Shi	371	Reaches this level shortly before the three-year agreement with Nalan Yanran.
Dou Ling	386	Returns to Wutan City at seventeen and reveals that he has reached his father Xiao Zhan’s realm.
Four-star Dou Ling	518	Arrives at Jia Nan Academy confident that he can contend with even peak Dou Ling opponents.
Eight-star Dou Ling	597	Becomes unmatched in Jia Nan Academy’s Inner Academy aside from Zi Yan.
Three-star Dou Wang	682	Xiao Xun'er recognizes his advancement despite his lack of bloodline support.
Nine-star Dou Huang	736	Returns to the Xiao Family at age twenty-two.
Five-star Dou Zong	736 737	Advances five stars in seven days under Xiao Chen’s personal guidance.
Peak Dou Zong	763	Nears the Dou Zun realm while visiting the Ancient Clan.
Three-star Dou Zun	784	Breaks through after a night of cultivation aided by Xiao Chen.
Five-star Dou Zun	797	Advances during cultivation in the Heavenly Tomb and intervenes against the Yao Clan attackers.
Six-star Dou Zun	799	Refines the Nine Nether Wind Flame and completes another breakthrough.
Eight-star Dou Zun	805 809	Reaches eight-star Dou Zun after inheriting Xiao Clan bloodline power, then spends months stabilizing his control.
Peak Eight-star Dou Zun	823	Leaves the Heavenly Tomb with a stable foundation after advancing five stars from his entry level.
Peak Dou Zun	836	Activates the Xiao Clan bloodline and reaches peak Dou Zun after further cultivation.
Initial Half-Saint	836	Compresses his Dou Qi nine times over a year before advancing to the Half-Saint realm.
One-star Dou Sheng	840	Represents Starfall Pavilion alongside Old Yao at the Yao Clan’s grand ceremony.

Background / History

Xiao Yan was once the third young master of the Xiao Family in Wutan City. During the family test, he registered only low-grade Three-stage Dou Qi and endured contempt from his clansmen, who regarded him as a disgrace to Clan Chief Xiao Zhan. He nevertheless remained composed under the ridicule, though the result left him bitter and determined to regain his strength. 13

His years of regression were caused by the Black Ring left by his mother. The ring absorbed the Dou Qi he cultivated because Old Yao’s sleeping soul required energy to awaken; removing the ring allowed Xiao Yan’s newly cultivated Dou Qi to remain. 17 90 After Old Yao emerged, Xiao Yan became his disciple and began pursuing both cultivation and alchemy. 93

Flowing Cloud offered Xiao Yan a means of restoring his talent in exchange for an agreement: Xiao Yan would bring future treasures—cultivation methods, Dou Techniques, pills, and even Heavenly Flames—to the Mittel Auction House first. Despite his suspicion, Xiao Yan accepted because he needed to recover his strength. 18 28 43

Appearance

Xiao Yan is a tall, upright young man usually dressed in black. After years of training, his formerly youthful features become firmer and more restrained, giving him a composed presence that contrasts with his earlier reputation. 13 386 446

• Usually wears black robes. 13 93
• Has dark eyes and a clear, handsome face. 42 386
• Carries the Mysterious Black Ruler in battle. 448
• Wears the Black Ring containing Old Yao’s soul. 371

Personality

Xiao Yan is defined by stubborn perseverance. His humiliation, repeated cultivation regressions, and powerlessness during the Xiao Family’s crisis make him intensely driven to become strong enough to protect those close to him. 68 89 521

He is proud in battle and unwilling to accept victory handed to him. When Flowing Cloud offered to kill the scarred Great Dou Shi for him, Xiao Yan refused and insisted on finishing his own fight, though he still accepted a Recovery Pill with gratitude. 317

Despite this pride, he is generally respectful toward seniors and allies. He treats Instructor Hode politely despite surpassing him in strength, remains calm before the Ancient Clan’s pressure, and humbly deflects praise from Old Yao and Wind Venerable. 518 676 772

Abilities & Skills

Dou Qi Cultivation

Xiao Yan’s cultivation rises rapidly after Old Yao becomes his teacher, driven by harsh training, medicinal resources, life-and-death combat, energy cores, and the restoration of Xiao Clan bloodline power.

• Develops an exceptionally stable foundation despite rapid advances. 823
• Can challenge opponents above his current realm through combat experience and specialized techniques. 316 799
• Initially suffers from poor endurance because of his low-grade cultivation method. 799

Alchemy

Old Yao introduces Xiao Yan to alchemy after taking him as a disciple. Xiao Yan eventually becomes a recognized alchemist whose Soul Power reaches the late Heaven Realm. 93 850

• Uses his status as a Three-star Alchemist to enter the Mittel Auction House’s Heaven-tier Auction. 375
• Possesses Soul Power near the Soul Realm of major Yao Clan alchemists. 850
• Refines a Ninth-grade Treasure Pill before the later Heaven-tier auction. 912
• Pursues alchemy partly to restore and support Old Yao. 378 683

Fen Jue and Heavenly Flames

Xiao Yan cultivates the evolving Fen Jue/Fentian Jue, a dangerous technique that gains strength through refining Heavenly Flames. 799 807

• Uses Flame Splitting Wave Ruler as a powerful offensive technique, though it can temporarily exhaust his Dou Qi. 316
• Refines the Nine Nether Wind Flame, raising his cultivation to Six-star Dou Zun. 799
• Evolves Fen Jue to Earth-tier Mid-grade after refining the flame. 799
• Gains sufficient combat power to independently defeat six-star energy bodies and contend with stronger ones through the flame’s enhancement. 799

Xiao Clan Bloodline and Clan Mark

Xiao Xuan transfers the remaining Xiao Clan bloodline power to Xiao Yan, naming him the clan’s final hope for revival. 804

• Learns that the Xiao Clan’s Clan Mark is cultivated through the Heavenly Fire Three Profound Transformations, rather than bestowed by another party. 804
• Receives a blood rune containing the power of the Xiao Clan’s Three Axes from Xiao Chen. 783
• Uses a blood-thread attack associated with the First Blood Axe Power to overwhelm Yao Clan opponents who underestimate him. 797
• Temporarily reaches Nine-star Dou Zun during inheritance but deliberately suppresses his power to preserve control and a stable state of mind. 806

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Black Ring — Ring left by his mother; houses Old Yao’s soul and was responsible for absorbing Xiao Yan’s Dou Qi during Old Yao’s recovery. 90
• Mysterious Black Ruler — Heavy weapon used during his duel with Nalan Yanran and in close-quarters combat. 448
• Bamboo Hat — Used to conceal his identity while bidding at the Heaven-tier Auction. 376 378
• Storage Ring — Holds Old Yao and Xiao Yan’s cultivated resources. 371
• Ten Thousand Ninth-grade Profound Pills — Awarded by Flowing Cloud after Xiao Yan successfully auctions a Ninth-grade Profound Pill. 936

Relationships

• Xiao Zhan — Father and Xiao Family patriarch. Xiao Yan’s early weakness burdens Xiao Zhan, while his later breakthroughs become a source of pride and reassurance. 13 386 736
• Old Yao — Teacher and soul residing in Xiao Yan’s Black Ring. Old Yao initially drains his Dou Qi to survive, then trains him in cultivation and alchemy. 17 93 676
• Xiao Xun'er — Childhood companion and beloved. She secretly arranges protection for Xiao Yan, supports his growth, and asks him to find her after reaching Dou Zun. 520 521 878
• Flowing Cloud / Liu Yun — Early benefactor, auction partner, and later friend. Their relationship begins with a transactional agreement but develops into mutual respect and assistance. 18 317 683
• Nalan Yanran — Former fiancée and opponent in the three-year agreement. Their duel reveals how far both have progressed from their earlier conflict. 386 446 448
• Xiao Chen — Xiao Clan ancestor and mentor. He guides Xiao Yan’s cultivation, secures his Heavenly Tomb opportunity, and protects him against pressure from the Ancient Clan. 736 783 784
• Wind Venerable — Old Yao’s ally and a senior guide who accompanies Xiao Yan through the Ancient Realm. 737 762 771

Story Role / Major Arcs

Talent Regression and Old Yao’s Awakening

Xiao Yan begins as the mocked “Xiao Family Trash,” unable to retain the Dou Qi he cultivates. Discovering the Black Ring’s connection to his regression leads to Old Yao’s awakening and the start of his path as an alchemist and cultivator. 13 90 93

Three-Year Agreement

After returning to Wutan City as a Dou Ling, Xiao Yan refuses to abandon his agreement with Nalan Yanran and ascends the Cloud Sect to confront her. The duel publicly transforms his reputation from a ridiculed wastrel into a recognized young powerhouse. 386 446 451

Jia Nan Academy

Xiao Yan returns to Jia Nan Academy after two years away, defeats Yellow Tier leader Xue Beng with ease, and reunites with Xiao Xun'er. Her subsequent departure with the Ancient Clan gives him a new goal: reaching the strength needed to stand beside her. 519 520 521

Return of the Xiao Clan

Xiao Yan learns of the Xiao Clan’s ancient heritage, its depleted Dou Di bloodline, and the danger surrounding the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade. Xiao Chen’s return elevates both the Xiao Family’s position and Xiao Yan’s cultivation. 736 737 760

Ancient Clan and Heavenly Tomb

Entering the Ancient Realm, Xiao Yan faces hostility from Ancient Clan members who oppose his relationship with Xiao Xun'er. With Xiao Chen’s backing, he enters the Heavenly Tomb, receives Xiao Xuan’s bloodline legacy, refines the Nine Nether Wind Flame, and rapidly advances through repeated combat with Energy Bodies. 773 783 799 804

Yao Clan Affairs and Heaven-tier Auction

As a One-star Dou Sheng and Starfall Pavilion representative, Xiao Yan supports Old Yao during the Yao Clan’s grand ceremony. He later represents the Xiao Clan at a Heaven-tier auction, successfully securing a Ninth-grade Profound Pill with assistance from the Fairy Fire Spirit and receiving ten thousand additional pills from Flowing Cloud. 840 936

Notable Quotes

“Dou Zun cultivation, I, Xiao Yan, will definitely achieve it!” 521

“I was able to get to where I am today from being Xiao family trash, relying on my unwavering determination!” 773

“Ancestor Xiao Xuan, please rest assured, I will do my best to revive the Xiao Clan! I will not let the Soul Clan succeed!” 806