Xiao Yan

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Xiao Yan
Alias(es)	Evil Prison Leader; Chief Xiao Yan; Lord Xiao Yan
Species/Race	Human 416
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Xiao Family; Evil Prison; Tianhe Alliance; Starfall Pavilion
Occupation/Role	Alchemist; founder and leader of Evil Prison; sole executor and de facto leader of the Tianhe Alliance 578 725
Status	Active 1002
First Appearance	Chapter 2

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Third Stage Dou Zhi Li	2	Had lost his Dou Qi three years earlier; compensated through physical training and could draw with Xiao Ning in practical combat.
Three-star to Eight-star Dou Zhe	97	Advanced five stars over two months while his alchemy also accelerated.
Dou Shi	109	Broke through after entering the Monster Mountain Range; Fen Jue evolved from Yellow-tier low-grade to Yellow-tier mid-grade after absorbing Beast Fire.
Three-star Great Dou Master	290	Rose from one-star Da Dou Shi while mastering instant activation of Eight Extremes Collapse; created the Purple Lotus Core Flame by combining the Green Lotus Core Flame and Purple Flame.
Dou Wang (temporary)	339 342	Confronted Dou Zongs using power supplied through the soul possessing him; the realm was not his own cultivation.
One-star Dou Spirit	372	Fused the Sea Heart Flame with the Purple Lotus Core Flame into the Earth Sea Heart Flame; Fen Jue rose to Earth-tier low-grade.
Peak Dou Huang (temporary)	469	Raised from Five-star Dou Wang through the Clan Mark, Heavenly Flames Three Profound Transformations, and the fifth level of Eight Extremes Collapse.
Nine-star Dou Huang	534	Absorbed the Fallen Heart Flame; Fen Jue reached Earth-tier mid-grade.
One-star Dou Zong (base level documented)	592	Used Heavenly Flames Three Profound Transformations and the Xiao Clan Ancestral Mark to temporarily reach Seven-star Dou Zong.
Five-star Dou Zun	635	Absorbed the Bone Spirit Cold Flame, recovered his Soul Power, and advanced Fen Jue to intermediate Heavenly rank.
Peak Two-revolutions Dou Zun	704	Absorbed the Nine Dragon Thunder Gang Fire and Pill Lightning; both Fen Jue and Black Prison Dark Soul Lock reached mid-tier Heavenly rank.
Pseudo Half-Saint (temporary)	710	The Five Stroke Clan Mark raised him beyond peak Nine-revolutions Dou Zun; the sixth level of Eight Extremes Collapse further multiplied his physique.
Intermediate Half-Saint (temporary)	737	Used six Clan Marks and the sixth level of Eight Extremes Collapse against Hun Yan; lacked the Enlightenment of a true Saint.
Late-stage Three-star Dou Sheng	808	Awoke after a period of amnesia and reincarnation experiences; his soul reached the Heavenly realm.
Late Four-star Dou Sheng	882	Recovered from severe injuries sustained after using modified Eight Extremes Collapse.
Mid-stage Five-star Dou Sheng	921	Temporarily matched a stronger opponent through secret techniques while wielding multiple Heavenly Flames.

Background

Xiao Yan was once the Xiao Family's celebrated prodigy and used his status to change the clan's values. He taught its younger generation that Dou Qi was not everything, encouraged less-talented relatives, and opposed the strong exploiting the weak. His mother’s teachings formed the basis of his integrity and kindness. 6

After abruptly losing his Dou Qi, he continued supervising the Xiao Family disciples at their request and trained his body with greater intensity. Though he regarded himself as a burden, the family continued to uphold the principles he had taught them. 2 6

Yao Chen became his master and transformed his path forward by teaching him Eight Extremes Collapse, guiding his cultivation, and later training him in alchemy. Xiao Yan responded by sharing the technique with the Xiao Family while concealing its rank to avoid endangering them. 8 9

Appearance

Xiao Yan is generally described as ordinary or merely pleasant-looking rather than conventionally striking. His appearance becomes more refined with formal dress and a black ponytail; after later changes in his cultivation, his aura and azure eyes give him a markedly more imposing presence. 277 654 840

• Clean, fair, and at times gaunt-faced. 654
• Usually has black hair; it is often tied behind his head with a simple black hair tie. 277
• His eyes become azure blue after his later transformation. 840
• Carries the Black Xuan Heavy Ruler or its later refined successor in battle. 117 635

Personality

Xiao Yan is defined by an unusually stubborn commitment to righteousness. He rejects the law of the jungle, believes strength should protect rather than oppress, and repeatedly acts against cruelty even when it is politically or personally inconvenient. 6 327 495

He is humble and uncomfortable with excessive reverence despite becoming a renowned leader. He helps ordinary workers, pays an elderly seller more than requested for valuable scrolls, and refuses rewards for actions he considers simply necessary. 598 717 725

His compassion does not make him passive. He is willing to kill those he judges irredeemably violent, but insists they understand why they are being punished rather than executing them thoughtlessly. 327

As a child, Xiao Yan was mischievous, rebellious, and protective of his siblings. His adult composure developed without erasing his tendency to become awkward around romance and unwanted attention. 990 654

Abilities & Skills

Fen Jue

Xiao Yan cultivates Fen Jue, an evolving cultivation method that grows by absorbing abnormal flames.

• Evolved from Yellow-tier low-grade to Yellow-tier mid-grade after absorbing Beast Fire. 109
• Reached Earth-tier low-grade after the fusion of the Sea Heart Flame and Purple Lotus Core Flame. 372
• Reached intermediate Heavenly rank after he absorbed the Bone Spirit Cold Flame. 635
• Reached mid-tier Heavenly rank after absorbing the Nine Dragon Thunder Gang Fire. 704
• Enables him to contain and use multiple Heavenly Flames, an ability considered extraordinary by other experts. 552 921

Heavenly Flames

Xiao Yan wields a growing collection of Heavenly Flames and fused flames, forming the core of both his cultivation and combat strength.

• Green Lotus Core Flame — his first Heavenly Flame, drawn from within his soul. 198
• Purple Lotus Core Flame — created when the Green Lotus Core Flame devoured Purple Flame. 290
• Sea Heart Flame — received from Han Feng; initially used without refinement before later fusion. 343
• Earth Sea Heart Flame — fusion of the Sea Heart Flame and Purple Lotus Core Flame. 372
• Fallen Heart Flame — successfully absorbed, advancing Fen Jue to Earth-tier mid-grade. 534
• Bone Spirit Cold Flame — absorbed with Yao Chen’s assistance. 635
• Nine Dragon Thunder Gang Fire — absorbed alongside Pill Lightning. 704
• Nihility Devouring Flame — absorbed before awakening from his amnesiac state. 808

Eight Extremes Collapse

A High-grade Xuan-tier Dou Technique given to Xiao Yan by Yao Chen, tailored to his low-Dou-Qi condition and exceptional physique. 8

• Can be activated instantly after sufficient training. 290
• Its modified forms multiply his physical ability by dozens or hundreds of times. 689 710
• The sixth level can elevate his physique to a level capable of suppressing an Ancient Void Dragon. 710
• Causes severe physical backlash; Han Feng developed Wound-Resisting Pills to mitigate the damage. 710

Heavenly Flames Three Profound Transformations and Clan Marks

Xiao Yan combines Fenyan Valley’s secret technique with the Xiao Clan Ancestral Mark to generate massive temporary increases in power.

• Heavenly Flames Three Profound Transformations releases the energy of his flames but damages his meridians and leaves him weakened afterward. 343
• He discovered that the Clan Mark functions like a fourth transformation, enabling him to progress from three to five and eventually six marks. 643 737
• The Five Stroke Clan Mark can push him to pseudo Half-Saint; six marks enabled an intermediate Half-Saint state. 710 737

Black Prison Dark Soul Lock

A soul-based cultivation technique secretly transmitted to Xiao Yan by Yun Ying.

• Activated by imprinting its mantra directly into the soul rather than through conventional step-by-step cultivation. 339
• Grants Xiao Yan control of Black Qi and the ability to manifest black chains. 372
• Can replicate his primary cultivation method, effectively providing him with greatly expanded Dou Qi reserves. 570

Fire Without Form

A Heaven-grade advanced fighting skill mastered with the research and guidance of Yao Tianhuo and Yao Chen.

• Regenerates damage not caused by soul attacks or pure Dou Qi. 737
• Cannot protect Xiao Yan if he exhausts his Dou Qi or suffers soul-based damage. 737

Alchemy and Soul Power

Xiao Yan is an exceptionally gifted alchemist under Yao Chen’s instruction.

• Refined a Third-grade pill after only two months of rapid advancement. 97
• Became a Seventh Grade Alchemist after refining a pill that summoned Pill Lightning. 578
• Won the Pill Gathering by refining an eighth-grade pill with five-colored Pill Lightning. 602
• Possesses Heavenly-realm Soul Power after his later reincarnation experience. 808

Equipment

• Black Xuan Heavy Ruler — signature heavy weapon used with techniques such as Flame Splitting Wave Ruler and Eight Extremes Collapse. 117 343
• Boundless Purgatory Ruler — refined weapon activated with a wisp of Heavenly Flame; its slashes can equal or surpass Flame Splitting Wave Ruler. 635
• Storage Ring — carries pills, materials, and other supplies. 117
• Phoenix Feather — granted by the Phoenix as a means of seeking aid in danger. 678
• Mang Tianchi’s token — entrusted to him by Su Qian to help investigate the mystery beneath Jia Nan Academy. 758

Relationships

• Yao Chen — master, mentor, and spiritual companion. She taught him cultivation and alchemy, while he remains fiercely protective of her. 8 635 927
• Xiao Yi Xian — wife and long-time companion. Xiao Yan saved her from suicide, supported her through the dangers of the Calamitous Poison Body, and helped her regain control of it. 126 619 892
• Yun Yun — wife and mother of his daughter, Yun Xiao. Xiao Yan accepts responsibility for their past and promises to protect them. 483 485
• Yun Xiao — daughter. Xiao Yan openly accepts his role as her father and remains with her and Yun Yun after their reunion. 485
• Cai Lin — wife and powerful companion who travels with him and challenges his tendency to avoid emotional complications. 506 533
• Han Feng — senior sister and fellow disciple of Yao Chen. She entrusted him with the Sea Heart Flame and repeatedly fought beside him. 343 654
• Xiao Zhan — father. Xiao Yan respects his position as clan leader and seeks to strengthen the Xiao Family rather than pursue power only for himself. 9
• Xiao Yu — cousin and early supporter. She sought a solution to his lost Dou Qi and later joins the Tianhe Alliance. 21 882
• Xiao Xun'er — childhood companion whom Xiao Yan regards as family; she retains deep feelings for him despite their long separation. 760 967
• Nalan Yanran — betrothed from the Misty Cloud Sect. Their relationship begins in conflict, but she later seeks strength to defeat and marry him. 2 721
• Zi Yan — close companion whom Xiao Yan protects with particular care after learning her Ancient Void Dragon identity. 550 689
• Yun Ying — ally and nominal Tianhe Alliance leader who trusted Xiao Yan with the Black Prison Dark Soul Lock mantra. 339 725
• Gu Qinghan — Gu Clan ally and Black Seal Army Grand Commander; she comes to respect Xiao Yan’s character and develops feelings for him. 665 725 827

Story Role / Major Arcs

Xiao Family Reformer

Before and after his loss of Dou Qi, Xiao Yan serves as the younger generation’s backbone. His teachings reshape the Xiao Family’s outlook, making it unusual for a cultivation clan in that it continues to value and protect him after his fall from genius status. 2 6

Disciple of Yao Chen

Yao Chen’s arrival gives Xiao Yan a route back to strength. He learns Eight Extremes Collapse, begins alchemy, develops Fen Jue through abnormal flames, and steadily turns his physical discipline into combat ability that far exceeds his realm. 8 97 109

Protector of Xiao Yi Xian

Xiao Yan aids Xiao Yi Xian through the death of Boss Yao and saves her when she attempts to end her life. Their bond becomes central to both of their journeys, with Xiao Yi Xian later training specifically so she can stand beside him rather than merely be protected. 126 287

Unification of the Black Corner Region

Horrified by the region’s violence and exploitation, Xiao Yan builds Evil Prison and destroys the entrenched forces sustaining the law of the jungle. More than eighty percent of the region’s residents come to support him, and the Black Corner Region is transformed into a place where predation is openly condemned. 327 429

Rise in the Central Plains

Xiao Yan’s reputation expands through his Heavenly Flames, combat victories, and alchemy. He defeats challengers in the Four Pavilion Tournament, proves himself a Seventh Grade Alchemist, and wins the Pill Gathering with an eighth-grade pill. 568 578 602

Tianhe Alliance Leader

Though Yun Ying is publicly the Alliance Leader, Xiao Yan is recognized as the Tianhe Alliance’s sole executor and true leader. He earns this authority through his conduct as much as his power, remaining approachable even when factions and ordinary citizens treat him with near-reverence. 725 726 727

Opposition to the Soul Hall and the Law of the Jungle

Xiao Yan repeatedly confronts Soul Hall forces, protects those targeted by them, and forms alliances with major powers without abandoning his principles. Even when pursuing a supreme Heavenly Flame, he chooses to seal the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame rather than gamble his life for greater power. 665 918

Pursuit of the Righteous Path

By the finale, Xiao Yan recognizes that his goal was never merely to establish the Tianhe Alliance. His deeper ambition is to abolish the law of the jungle and realize the peaceful world his mother hoped for, even as he questions whether the alliance’s growth has truly brought that world closer. 1002

Notable Quotes

“If my Dou Qi can't recover, then I'll train my body!” 2

“Without strength, no one would listen to you.” 6

“To abandon the law of the jungle.” 1002

Trivia

• Xiao Yan originally considered resigning as the Xiao Family’s training coach after losing his Dou Qi, but the disciples asked him to remain. 2
• Despite becoming a famous cultivator and leader, he is not naturally comfortable with adoration or formal deference. 654 726
• His childhood memories depict him as a troublemaker who stole from street vendors alongside his siblings. 990
• He has a habit of treating strength as a responsibility rather than a justification to dominate others. 6 598