Biodata
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Ya Fei (药尘) |
| Alias(es) | Old Yao; Venerable Yao 675 |
| Gender | Male 838 |
| Affiliation | Starfall Pavilion; formerly the Yao Clan, which expelled him 675 838 |
| Occupation/Role | Starfall Pavilion Master; alchemist; Xiao Yan’s teacher 675 676 837 |
| Cultivation | Identified as a Half-Saint by observers at the Pill Codex gathering 837 |
| Status | Survives the destruction of his physical body as a soul; later participates in the defense of the Yao Clan 675 868 869 |
Power Progression
| Stage / Realm / Level | Chapter | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Eighth-grade alchemy at his former peak | 846 | Retrospectively credited with refining Eighth-grade pills that endured Nine-colored Pill Lightning. The supplied passages do not show his advancement to this level. |
| Half-Saint | 837 | Identified at this level by observers when he accompanies Xiao Yan to the Pill Codex. The timing and method of his breakthrough are not given. |
Background / History
Ya Fei was expelled from the Yao Clan and developed a lasting feud with Yao Wan Gui, the elder responsible for punishments. Outside the clan, he became a celebrated alchemist, winning the Pill Tower’s Pill Gathering championship several hundred years before the Pill Codex visit 837 838.
He shared an alchemy master with Old Man Mu Gu. According to Mu Gu’s account, later recalled by Hun Xuzi, Ya Fei took an ancient cultivation scroll from him that could grow stronger by devouring Heavenly Flames 385 848.
His former student and successor, Han Feng, betrayed him and destroyed his physical body. Ya Fei survived as a Soul Body and became Xiao Yan’s teacher, repeatedly spending his own Soul Power to help his disciple escape mortal danger while teaching him cultivation, Dou Techniques, and alchemy 377 517 675.
Return to Starfall Pavilion
Ya Fei returned to Starfall Pavilion with Xiao Yan, where Mu Qingluan recognized him from the patriarch’s portrait. His longtime friend Wind Venerable was overjoyed by their reunion and wanted revenge for Han Feng’s betrayal, but Ya Fei explained that Han Feng and Mu Gu were already dead 675.
Wind Venerable had largely built and managed the pavilion during Ya Fei’s absence, deliberately leaving the Pavilion Master’s position vacant for his return. That evening, he gathered the disciples and formally announced that their master had come back 676.
Search for a Physical Body
Ya Fei identified the Bone Growing Blood Fusing Pill as a possible means of recovering a physical body. Later, he visited the Heaven and Earth Alliance’s Hall of Souls with Xiao Yan and selected a Peak Dou Zun body after inspecting the available bodies with Soul Power 675 685.
Return to the Yao Clan
Invited to the Pill Codex, Ya Fei returned to the Yao Clan alongside Xiao Yan. Yao Wan Gui mocked his expulsion, and other clan members joined in the insults. Xiao Yan openly defended his teacher, condemning the clan’s treatment of him 837 838.
Clan Chief Yao Dan subsequently acknowledged Ya Fei with the words, “We were both mistaken.” Despite his history with the clan, Ya Fei later joined Yao Dan, Xiao Chen, Xiao Yan, and other experts in fighting the Soul Clan’s invading forces 841 868 869.
Personality
Ya Fei’s commitment to Xiao Yan extends beyond instruction: he repeatedly exhausts his own Soul Power to protect him, and Xiao Yan comes to regard him as one of his closest companions 377.
His reunion with Wind Venerable shows a restrained response to his past betrayal. Rather than encourage further revenge, he explains that the responsible enemies are already dead. He also greets Yao Dan courteously despite the hostility surrounding his return to the Yao Clan 675 841.
Abilities & Skills
Alchemy
- Pill Gathering champion: Won the Pill Tower’s competition several hundred years earlier 837.
- High-grade pill refinement: At his former peak, could refine Eighth-grade pills that endured Nine-colored Pill Lightning 846.
- Recognized reputation: Xuan Kong Zi uses his prime abilities as a benchmark when assessing Flowing Cloud’s performance 486.
- Later comparison: By the Pill Codex, Xiao Yan’s alchemy is stated to have surpassed his teacher’s 846.
Soul Power
- Survival without a body: Remains conscious and active after Han Feng destroys his physical body 675.
- Spiritual perception: Sweeps Starfall Pavilion’s mountain peaks with Soul Power to search for Wind Venerable 675.
- Body assessment: Inspects the bodies stored in the Hall of Souls before choosing one for himself 685.
- Uncertain later realm: Xuan Kong Zi describes him as long stalled at Peak Spirit Realm, while Tian Lei Zi believes he has already entered Heaven Realm. Neither assessment is confirmed in that exchange 922.
Teaching and Protection
- Cultivation instruction: Teaches Xiao Yan cultivation methods and Dou Techniques 377.
- Alchemy instruction: Trains Xiao Yan in pill refinement 377.
- Emergency assistance: Expends Soul Power to help Xiao Yan survive dangerous encounters 377.
Items Associated with Him
- Ancient Heavenly Flame-devouring cultivation scroll — Reportedly taken from Mu Gu; its technique can strengthen itself by devouring Heavenly Flames. The supplied passage does not name it 848.
- Bone Growing Blood Fusing Pill — Discussed as a potential aid in restoring his physical body; possession or use is not confirmed in the supplied account 675.
- Peak Dou Zun body — Selected from the Heaven and Earth Alliance’s Hall of Souls for his recovery preparations 685.
Relationships
- Xiao Yan — Disciple whom he teaches and repeatedly protects. Xiao Yan defends him against the Yao Clan’s insults and assists his search for a replacement body 377 685 838.
- Wind Venerable — Longtime friend who manages Starfall Pavilion in his absence and preserves the Pavilion Master’s position for him 675 676 766.
- Han Feng — Former student and successor whose betrayal destroys his physical body 517 675.
- Old Man Mu Gu — Fellow disciple under the same master; associated with the dispute over the ancient cultivation scroll 385 396 848.
- Mu Qingluan — Starfall Pavilion disciple who recognizes him as the pavilion’s patriarch and respectfully welcomes him back 675.
- Flowing Cloud — Provides access to the Hall of Souls, where Ya Fei selects a body for his recovery 685.
- Yao Wan Gui — Yao Clan punishment elder with deep grudges against him; publicly humiliates him upon his return 838.
- Yao Dan — Yao Clan chief who acknowledges past mistakes; later fights alongside him against the Soul Clan 841 868 869.