Xiao Yan

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Xiao Yan (萧炎)
Alias(es)	Yan Xiao, used during the Jia Ma Empire Alchemist Conference 369 370
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Dream Chasing Mercenary Group; later operates in the Mercenary Guild's sphere 584 590
Occupation/Role	Mercenary group leader; alchemist and alchemy competitor 337 584
Status	Active 743
First Appearance	Setting Off, Tagor Desert! 2

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Dou Zhe / Dou Practitioner	82	Breaks through under Elder Yao's guidance, restoring his confidence after the broken engagement.
Dou Shi	287	Has only recently entered the realm when he defends the Desert Iron Mercenary Group.
Dou Ling (temporary)	287	Elder Yao's soul support temporarily raises his aura to Dou Ling.
Dou Wang (temporary)	288 343	Elder Yao's assistance lets him contest stronger opponents; the power is explicitly identified as not being Xiao Yan's own.
Dou Zong (temporary)	290	Elder Yao takes control of his body to confront Xiao Jin.
Great Dou Master	402	Achieves a genuine breakthrough before ascending Yun Lan Mountain for his duel with Nalan Yanran.
Five-star Great Dou Master	518	Reaches this level after a year in Jia Nan Academy's inner courtyard.

Background

Xiao Yan's humiliation following the dissolution of his engagement to Nalan Yanran becomes the driving force behind his cultivation. With Elder Yao as his teacher, he breaks through to the Dou Zhe realm and vows to defeat Nalan Yanran within three years. 82 97

He leaves Wutan City to train, seeking life-and-death experiences rather than sheltered cultivation. Elder Yao directs him toward the Tagor Great Desert, where a Heavenly Flame may be hidden; Xiao Yan hopes such a flame will evolve his Burning Art. 2 125

His early training in the Monster Beast Mountain Range hardens him considerably. After a month of hunting powerful magical beasts under Elder Yao's escalating regimen, his overall combat strength nearly doubles and he becomes capable of challenging a two-star Dou Shi. 283

Personality

Xiao Yan values steady cultivation over short-lived advantages. When confronted with others' rapid progress, he accepts Elder Yao's advice to build a solid foundation rather than become consumed by envy. 2

His determination is closely tied to his resentment over the broken engagement and his desire to prove himself before Nalan Yanran and the Yun Lan Sect. Even so, he becomes more restrained as he matures, treating Liu Ling with respect despite their past hostility and their immense difference in status. 82 593

He is compassionate but not reckless. During the Soul Hall's massacre of Ling City, he wants to intervene for the civilians, yet accepts Elder Yao's warning that the enemy is far beyond his current ability to confront. 709

Abilities & Skills

Burning Art / Flame Devouring Technique

Xiao Yan cultivates the Burning Art, a technique intended to evolve by absorbing Beast Fires or Heavenly Flames.

• He seeks a Heavenly Flame in the Tagor Great Desert specifically to advance the technique. 2
• Its rank remains low Yellow-tier after failing to absorb either a Heavenly Flame or Beast Fire, slowing his cultivation. 345
• He refuses to abandon it despite this limitation. 345

Flame Splitting Wave Ruler

An Earth-tier Dou Technique performed with the Heavy Black Ruler.

• Draws surrounding energy into the ruler before releasing it as a destructive crescent-shaped strike. 211
• Injures Mu She, a two-star Dou Shi, despite Xiao Yan being at a lower realm. 211
• Becomes vastly more destructive when executed through Elder Yao's greater strength. 290
• Its heavy energy cost often leaves Xiao Yan reliant on Qi-replenishing pills during extended combat. 211 518

Alchemy

Xiao Yan is a capable young alchemist who participates in the Jia Ma Empire Alchemist Conference under the name Yan Xiao.

• Nalan Jie recognizes that he can refine third-grade pills at a young age. 337
• Attempts to refine the Three-Pattern Qing Ling Pill during the conference. 387
• Receives covert assistance from Elder Yao, who suppresses the Bone Spirit Cold Fire's aura while Xiao Yan uses it in his cauldron. 390
• His soul power is considered strong within the Mortal Realm, though still below Liu Ling's peak Mortal Realm soul. 593

Elder Yao's Soul Support

Elder Yao can lend Xiao Yan power or directly control his body in emergencies.

• Grants temporary Dou Ling, Dou Wang, and even Dou Zong-level combat power. 287 290
• Allows Xiao Yan to use techniques at a far greater level than his own cultivation would permit. 288 290
• Excessive empowerment risks leaving Elder Yao's soul imprints in Xiao Yan's body, eventually causing rejection of Xiao Yan's own soul. 411 587
• Using Dou Zong-level power severely weakens Elder Yao and may force him into slumber. 294 400

Equipment / Items

• Heavy Black Ruler / Heavy Xuan Ruler — Xiao Yan's signature oversized black weapon and the focus for Flame Splitting Wave Ruler. 2 211
• Black ring — Holds Elder Yao's soul and enables their constant communication. 125 402
• Qi-Replenishing Pills — Used to restore Dou Qi after draining techniques. 211
• Storage Ring — Carries pills and alchemical materials during his travels and competitions. 390

Relationships

• Elder Yao — Teacher and protector. Elder Yao guides Xiao Yan's cultivation, lends him power in critical battles, and openly praises his talent and character. 82 710 711
• Nalan Yanran — Former fiancée and principal rival. Their broken engagement leads to the three-year pact; Nalan Yanran is ultimately declared the winner after Xiao Yan's battle with Little Doctor Immortal. 404 407 411
• Xiao Ding and Xiao Li — Xiao Yan's elder brothers and leaders of the Desert Iron Mercenary Group. He stands with them when Liu Ling threatens their group. 287 288
• Liu Ling — Initially an opponent in Stone Desert City, later the Mercenary Guild President. Their relationship becomes outwardly respectful as Xiao Yan recognizes Liu Ling's status and strength. 288 593 743
• Little Doctor Immortal — A powerful opponent who exposes Xiao Yan's reliance on borrowed soul power, poisons him, and secures Nalan Yanran's victory announcement. 410 411
• Xiao Yu — Xiao Yan's cousin and an early member of the Dream Chasing Mercenary Group. 584 593
• Fa Ma — Alchemist Guild president who senses a familiar aura around Yan Xiao and recognizes Xiao Yan's potential. 369 407

Story Role / Major Arcs

Tagor Desert and Monster Beast Mountain Range

Xiao Yan begins his external training under Elder Yao, pursuing a possible Heavenly Flame in the Tagor Great Desert and tempering himself through dangerous battles in the Monster Beast Mountain Range. 2 165 283

Stone Desert City Conflict

When Liu Ling's Senior Disciple Mercenary Group moves against the Desert Iron Mercenary Group, Xiao Yan defends his brothers with Elder Yao's support. His Flame Splitting Wave Ruler is countered by Liu Ling's Vermilion Bird Seal, revealing the gulf between their foundations. 287 288

Jia Ma Empire Alchemist Conference

Competing as Yan Xiao, Xiao Yan earns the attention of Nalan Jie, Fa Ma, Jia Xing Tian, and Princess Yao Ye. He confronts the pressure of refining high-grade pills while Liu Ling's Heavenly Flame dominates the arena's ordinary fires. 369 370 387

Three-Year Pact

Xiao Yan ascends Yun Lan Mountain after reaching Great Dou Master. He and Nalan Yanran both reveal temporary or hidden Dou Wang-level power, but his augmented strength proves unsustainable; after Little Doctor Immortal poisons him, Elder Yao withdraws and Nalan Yanran is declared the victor. 402 407 410 411

Dream Chasing Mercenary Group

After entering Jia Nan Academy, Xiao Yan forms the Dream Chasing Mercenary Group to acquire resources, build influence, and avoid remaining overshadowed by the Yun Lan Sect. The group later rises to Rank 4. 518 584 590

Central Continent Journey

Xiao Yan follows Elder Yao to the Starfall Pavilion and later encounters Pill Tower figures. His growing contacts with Liu Ling and the Mercenary Guild shift from anxiety over old conflicts to cautious mutual recognition. 725 593 743

Notable Quotes

“Only by being steady can I go further.” 2

“With me here today, you won't be able to touch a single blade of grass or a single tree of the Desert Iron Mercenary Group.” 287