Yao Lao

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Yao Lao (藥老)
Alias(es)	Medicine Venerable; Venerable Yao Chen
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Xiao Yan; Zhang Tian; co-founder of Starfall Pavilion
Occupation/Role	Alchemist; Xiao Yan's master and cultivation mentor
Status	Remnant soul residing in Xiao Yan's black storage ring; seeking revival
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Peak Nine-Revolutions Dou Zun; Eighth Grade Peak Alchemist	34	His former peak before Han Feng's betrayal destroyed his body and reduced him to a remnant soul.
Soul-body recovery sufficient for Two-Star Dou Zong strength	41	His recovered soul power allows him to remain unseen by ordinary Xiao Family members and wield the strength of a Two-Star Dou Zong.

Background / History

Yao Lao was once the renowned Medicine Venerable Yao Chen, a celebrated alchemist whose reputation and connections extended across Central State. He was a peak Nine-Revolutions Dou Zun and an Eighth Grade Peak Alchemist; he is also described as Central State's number one alchemist and capable of refining Ninth Grade pills. 34 60

He was formerly a member of the Medicine Clan, one of the Ancient Eight Clans, but was expelled while young and consequently knows little of the clan's internal affairs. 41

His former disciple Han Feng betrayed him for the Flame Mantra, joining forces with the Soul Hall. The betrayal led to Yao Lao's death, the destruction of his body, and the near-dissipation of his soul. He survived only as a remnant spirit, hidden in a ring in Wu Tan City. 14

While dormant in Xiao Yan's ring, Yao Lao unconsciously absorbed Xiao Yan's Dou Qi for two years. His consciousness began awakening as Xiao Yan's cultivation recovered, and he first intervened against Ga Lie Mi's guards. 1 4 After Zhang Tian exposed his presence, Yao Lao compensated Xiao Yan by becoming his alchemy and cultivation teacher. 7 8

Appearance

Yao Lao ordinarily appears as an aged, white-haired soul body emerging from Xiao Yan's black storage ring. He can conceal himself from weaker observers once his soul power recovers. 7 41

• Aged white figure with a snowy-white beard. 7 21
• Usually floats weightlessly in midair in translucent soul form. 7 8
• Returns to Xiao Yan's ring as smoke or a wisp of spiritual presence. 7
• Uses a bone-white flame while refining medicine. 9

Personality

Yao Lao is proud of his standing as an alchemist and reacts badly when his skill is questioned. He boasts of his accomplishments, dismisses inferior Dou Skills and sects without restraint, and often treats his prestigious title with far less dignity than others expect. 8 18 22

He is mischievous and shameless in his teaching style, frequently teasing Xiao Yan or pushing him toward dangerous opportunities. He enjoys surprising Xiao Yan with harsh training tools such as the Mysterious Heavy Ruler, yet consistently guides him through difficult breakthroughs and fights. 18 22 34

Han Feng's betrayal left him cautious about accepting disciples. Although he initially regarded Xiao Yan partly as a means of securing revival, he ultimately came to see him as a genuine disciple and entrusted him with the Flame Mantra. 14 60

Abilities & Skills

Alchemy

Yao Lao is an elite alchemist with extensive knowledge of pills, medicinal materials, Magic Cores, Strange Fires, and resurrection methods. His former reputation allowed him to maintain connections with numerous Central State factions. 9 60

• Created the Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid formula to nourish Xiao Yan's body and accelerate his Dou Qi growth. 9
• Refined Small Revitalizing Pills and Greater Purple Spirit Pills from surplus ingredients. 9 10
• Refined medicinal liquid for Xiao Yan and recognizes the soul pressure of high-level alchemists. 77
• Identified a seventh-order Fire Eyed Jade Hoof Beast Magic Core as an important component for his future revival. 41
• Knows that his revival requires the Eighth Grade Bone Growing Blood Melting Pill, a suitable corpse, two Rank 7 Magic Cores, and two Strange Fires. 60

Soul Power

Despite lacking a body, Yao Lao retains powerful soul perception and can act outside Xiao Yan's ring.

• Detected approaching enemies around the Amethyst Winged Lion King's cave. 21
• Tracked Yun Yun's location to the ruins of the Chuyun Empire near Central State. 60
• Can possess and control Xiao Yan's body in combat. 54 55
• Recovered enough power to wield Two-Star Dou Zong-level strength. 41

Flame Mantra Instruction

Yao Lao gave Xiao Yan the Flame Mantra after overcoming his reluctance caused by Han Feng's betrayal. He calls it stranger than a Heaven Rank cultivation technique because it can evolve by devouring flames. 14

• Guided Xiao Yan through devouring the Secluded Valley Spirit Snake's Innate Beast Flame. 16
• Planned and supported the acquisition of the Amethyst Winged Lion King's accompanying Purple Fire. 18 21
• Helped Xiao Yan prepare to absorb Strange Fire through items including the Blood Lotus Pill, Ice Spirit Cold Spring, and Soul Collection. 43

Combat Guidance and Dou Skills

Yao Lao supplies high-level techniques and teaches the principles behind them.

• Provided the Mystic Rank High Level Eight Extremes Collapse and personally taught Xiao Yan its force-exertion techniques. 18
• Dismissed Yun Lan Sect's Triple Overlapping Waves as inferior and replaced it with Eight Extremes Collapse. 18
• Took control of Xiao Yan's body against Yun Shan, using Earth Rank Dou Techniques and Beast Fires. 54
• Fused three flames to create an explosion that destroyed half of Yunlan Mountain and severely injured Yun Shan. 54

Equipment / Items

• Black storage ring — Xiao Yan's ring, where Yao Lao's remnant soul resides. 7
• Mysterious Heavy Ruler — Training weapon given to Xiao Yan; increases in weight and suppresses the user's Dou Qi. 22
• Flame Mantra — Ancient cultivation technique preserved in a yellowed book; entrusted to Xiao Yan. 14
• Eight Extremes Collapse — Mystic Rank High Level Dou Skill provided to Xiao Yan. 18

Relationships

• Xiao Yan — Disciple. Yao Lao initially accepts him after being exposed in the ring, later sincerely recognizes him as his disciple and entrusts him with the Flame Mantra. 8 14
• Zhang Tian — Ally, fellow mentor to Xiao Yan, and principal supporter of Yao Lao's revival. Their relationship is marked by bickering, cooperation, and mutual respect. 18 41 60
• Han Feng — Former disciple and betrayer. Han Feng conspired with the Soul Hall for the Flame Mantra, causing Yao Lao's death and current soul-body state. 14
• Feng Xian — Old friend and Starfall Pavilion co-founder. Feng Xian offers to kill Han Feng or find Yao Lao a body, but Yao Lao insists on personally settling matters with his traitorous disciple. 75
• Flower Granny — Old acquaintance from the Flower Sect. She recognizes Yao Lao as Medicine Venerable Yao Chen and offers to capture Han Feng for him. 62

Story Role / Major Arcs

Awakening in Wu Tan City

Yao Lao begins as a dormant presence in Xiao Yan's ring, unconsciously consuming his Dou Qi. His awakening protects Xiao Yan from Ga Lie Mi's guards and leads Zhang Tian to confront him on the Xiao Family Back Mountain. 1 4 7

Xiao Yan's Second Master

After revealing himself, Yao Lao becomes Xiao Yan's second master. He provides Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid, refines pills, and eventually grants Xiao Yan the Flame Mantra after recognizing him as a true disciple. 8 9 14

Lion King Cave Operation

Yao Lao proposes infiltrating the Amethyst Winged Lion King's cave for the accompanying Purple Fire and other treasures. He equips Xiao Yan with Eight Extremes Collapse, guards the cave during the operation, and later assists Zhang Tian against arriving experts. 18 20 21

Yunlan Mountain Battle

When Yun Shan attacks Xiao Yan, Yao Lao takes control of his disciple's body. He uses Beast Fires and powerful techniques to confront the Dou Zong, then creates an enormous three-flame explosion that devastates Yunlan Mountain. 54 55

Revival Quest

Yao Lao's allies seek the materials for his resurrection, particularly high-order Magic Cores, Strange Fires, and a powerful corpse. Zhang Tian ultimately intends to find a Dou Zun corpse rather than revive Yao Lao in a weaker Dou Zong body. 41 60 70

Central State and Starfall Pavilion

Yao Lao reunites with Feng Xian and confirms that the two founded Starfall Pavilion. He remains determined to personally punish Han Feng despite Feng Xian's offer to intervene. 75

Trivia

• Yao Lao precisely counts Zhang Tian's absence as “three months and twenty-one days,” drawing suspicious looks from both Zhang Tian and Xiao Yan. 41
• He considers the Yun Lan Sect's Dou Skills exceptionally poor and calls Triple Overlapping Waves “garbage.” 18
• Though styled the Medicine Venerable, he is repeatedly portrayed as incapable of maintaining a dignified demeanor around Xiao Yan. 22