Xiao Yan

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Xiao Yan (蕭炎)
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Xiao Family; Xiao Clan; Dragon Gate
Occupation/Role	Cultivator; Zhang Tian's disciple; Young Sect Master of Dragon Gate
Status	Active
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Third-stage Dou Zhe	1	Stabilized after refining Qi Gathering Pills; most of their Dou Qi had been absorbed by Yao Lao.
Fourth segment of Dou Qi	2	Broke through after refining a Foundation Nurturing Pill, then received first-grade pills to consolidate.
Fifth stage of Dou Qi	4	Returned to this level after two years of hard work, according to Xiao Zhan's public explanation.
Eighth stage of Dou Qi	10	Reached this level after roughly one and a half months of cultivation support.
Three-Star Dou Zhe	12	Also learned the Sucking Palm.
Seven-Star Dou Zhe	13	Revealed his cultivation during Nalan Yanran's visit to dissolve their engagement.
Dou Shi	16	Successfully devoured a Dou Wang-rank Beast Flame and entered the realm within a month.
Eight-Star Dou Shi	22	Advanced through the Flame Mantra ahead of schedule.
Seven-Star Dou Shi	23	Could fight at this level without using Beast Flame; grasped part of the hidden force within Eight Extremes Collapse.
Six-Star Dou Zhe	24	Identified at the Yun Lan Sect while formally dissolving his engagement with Nalan Yanran.
Three-Star Great Dou Shi	62	Had risen to within two stars of Nalan Yanran.
Two-Star Dou Sheng	75	Defeated the Seven-Star Dou Wang Xing Liu without borrowing Yao Lao's power or using the Mysterious Heavy Ruler.
Two-Star Dou Wang	76	Broke through while subduing and absorbing the seed of the Three Thousand Yan Flame Fire.
Dou Zong	104	Returned to Central State after years of training; his aura was difficult even for Three-Star Dou Zun Pei En to read.

Background / History

Xiao Yan was once regarded as a fallen genius after his cultivation stagnated for three years. Zhang Tian secretly began supplying him with medicinal pills, allowing him to return to the third-stage Dou Zhe and resume rapid advancement. Unbeknownst to Xiao Yan, Yao Lao absorbed much of the energy in the early pills from within Xiao Yan's ring. 1

His return to cultivation restored his standing in the Xiao Family. After reaching the fourth and then fifth stages of Dou Qi, he defeated Xiao Chu and earned renewed respect through a combination of growing strength and humility. 2 4

Zhang Tian later revealed himself and formally accepted Xiao Yan as a disciple, with Xiao Zhan witnessing the apprenticeship ceremony. Xiao Yan subsequently discovered Yao Lao's presence within his ring, gaining a second mentor whose knowledge of alchemy, Strange Fire, and Dou Skills shaped his later training. 6 7

After growing beyond Wu Tan City, Xiao Yan confronted Nalan Yanran over their engagement. He ultimately went to the Yun Lan Sect himself to end it, offering a tier-six Magic Core and Symbiotic Amethyst Source as compensation. 13 24

Xiao Yan later became a prominent member of Dragon Gate and the restored Xiao Clan. Xiao Xuan was tasked with returning the Xiao Clan's Clan Crest to him, restoring the clan's inheritance; Xiao Yan was subsequently recognized as Dragon Gate's Young Sect Master and a Xiao Clan prodigy. 102 104

Personality

Xiao Yan is ambitious, persistent, and strongly motivated by both cultivation and personal commitments. His desire to become strong enough to marry Xun'er remains a stated source of motivation. 51

Although initially prone to impulsiveness, he becomes more deliberate in dangerous situations. He refrains from killing Ga Lie Mi while awaiting Zhang Tian's instruction, accepts the need to build a stable foundation before seeking Strange Fire, and recognizes when an uncontrolled attack could cause collateral harm. 5 43 108

He is deeply loyal to Zhang Tian, regarding his master as the strongest person in his life and worrying when Zhang Tian disappears for an extended period. 34 62

Abilities & Skills

Flame Mantra

A cultivation method used to accelerate Xiao Yan's advancement and enable the absorption and use of powerful flames.

• Allowed him to reach Eight-Star Dou Shi ahead of schedule. 22
• Supported his subjugation of the Three Thousand Yan Flame Fire. 76
• Its Strange Fire Dou Qi can heal his injuries. 112

Strange Fire

Xiao Yan wields multiple powerful flames in combat.

• Used the Azure Lotus Core Flame and Nine Nether Wind Flame against the Three Thousand Yan Flame Fire. 76
• Revealed Strange Fire during his battle with Shi Yun, making his eventual victory effectively inevitable in Shi Po Tian's view. 108
• Used Strange Fire alongside Yao Lao's assistance against Yun Shan. 54
• Absorbed the seed of the Three Thousand Yan Flame Fire. 76

Eight Extremes Collapse

A Mystic Rank High Level Dou Skill provided through Yao Lao's guidance.

• Zhang Tian required Xiao Yan to master it before joining the infiltration of the Amethyst Winged Lion King's cave. 18
• Xiao Yan trained extensively to grasp its hidden force. 23 34
• Defeated Nalan Yanran with the technique. 54

Sucking Palm

A technique granted by Zhang Tian.

• Xiao Yan received its manual after reaching the eighth stage of Dou Qi. 10
• Had learned the technique by the time he reached Three-Star Dou Zhe. 12

Flame Splitting Tsunami Ruler

An Earth Rank Dou Skill employed with Strange Fire.

• Used it to destroy Shi Yun's Cloud Dragon and Wind Tiger constructs. 108
• Its aftermath was dangerous enough that Xiao Yan believed Shi Yun could have been severely harmed without outside intervention. 108

Angry Buddha Fire Lotus

A flame-fusion attack used during the conflict with Yun Shan.

• Helped Xiao Yan and Yao Lao inflict severe damage on Yun Shan and destroy half of Yunlan Mountain. 54
• Xiao Yan's control over the technique was still imperfect. 55

Combat Perception

Xiao Yan trained to use his soul and mind to read an opponent's movements, based on Zhang Tian's Control Sword with Qi.

• Began learning the method during training against third-rank magical beasts. 23
• Initially made limited progress in mastering it. 23

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Mysterious Heavy Ruler — Training weapon given by Yao Lao; suppresses Dou Qi and greatly increases the burden on its wielder. 22
• Tier-six Magic Core — Offered to the Yun Lan Sect as compensation for dissolving the engagement. 24
• Symbiotic Amethyst Source — Also offered as compensation for the dissolved engagement. 24
• Xiao Clan Clan Crest — Xiao Xuan was ordered to return it to Xiao Yan to restore the clan's inheritance. 102

Relationships

• Zhang Tian — Master and principal benefactor; secretly supplied Xiao Yan with pills, formally accepted him as a disciple, and repeatedly protected him. 1 6 55
• Yao Lao — Mentor residing in Xiao Yan's ring; provides alchemical knowledge, cultivation guidance, Dou Skills, and combat support. 7 18 54
• Xiao Zhan — Father and Xiao Family leader; supported Xiao Yan's apprenticeship and defended the family's honor during the engagement dispute. 6 13
• Nalan Yanran — Former fiancée; sought to dissolve their engagement, later regretted the decision and attempted to grow strong enough to match him. 13 24
• Xiao Xun'er — Xiao Yan intends to become strong enough to marry her; his closeness to her attracts scrutiny from the Ancient Clan. 51 84
• Xiao Xuan — Ancestor of the Xiao Clan; was instructed to restore the clan's inheritance to Xiao Yan. 102
• Shi Yun — Elder of the Shi Yun Sect; sparred with Xiao Yan and showed interest in him. 107 108
• Little Xin — Zhang Tian's daughter, who delivered Xiao Yan a three-year deadline to reach Dou Zun. 112

Story Role / Major Arcs

Return of the Fallen Genius

Xiao Yan resumes cultivation through Zhang Tian's covert assistance, rises through the Dou Qi stages, and regains the Xiao Family's respect. 1 2 4

Apprenticeship and Dual Mentorship

Zhang Tian becomes Xiao Yan's formal master, while Yao Lao emerges from the ring and begins providing separate guidance in cultivation, Dou Skills, and alchemy. 6 7 18

Yun Lan Sect Engagement Dispute

Xiao Yan reveals his rapid progress during Nalan Yanran's attempt to end their engagement, then personally travels to the Yun Lan Sect to formally dissolve it. 13 24

Conflict with Yun Shan

After defeating Nalan Yanran, Xiao Yan and Yao Lao fight Yun Shan using Beast Fires, Earth Rank Dou Techniques, and the Angry Buddha Fire Lotus. Zhang Tian ultimately intervenes to protect Xiao Yan and defeat Yun Shan. 54 55

Strange Fire Acquisition

Xiao Yan battles and subdues the Three Thousand Yan Flame Fire, absorbing its seed and advancing during the encounter. 76

Xiao Clan and Dragon Gate Heir

As Dragon Gate's Young Sect Master and a Xiao Clan prodigy, Xiao Yan returns to Central State amid widespread recognition of the revived Xiao Clan's influence. 102 104

Three-Year Deadline

After being attacked and recovering with Strange Fire Dou Qi, Xiao Yan receives Zhang Tian's ultimatum through Little Xin: reach Dou Zun within three years or never return. 112