Xiao Yan

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Xiao Yan (萧炎)
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Xiao Family
Occupation/Role	Cultivator; negotiator for the Xiao Family
First Appearance	Chapter 3

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Fourth Stage of Dou Qi	11	Broke through after consuming three pieces of shortbread while using Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid.
Seventh Stage of Dou Qi	20	His cultivation had stabilized at this stage; he continued training with pastries and spiritual liquid.
Sixth Stage of Dou Qi	22	The chapter reports a breakthrough after he consumed peanut candy.
Ninth Stage of Dou Qi	46	Advanced from the Seventh to the Ninth Stage after eating cream cake with Xiao Xun'er.
One-Star Dou Zhe	95	Old Yao identifies him as a One-Star Dou Zhe while assessing his ability to fight magical beasts.
Three-Star Dou Zhe	153	His realm when Xiao Cheng visits him with pastries; Xiao Yan remains dissatisfied with his pace of progress.

Background / History

Xiao Yan is a member of the Xiao Family and the son of Clan Leader Xiao Zhan. His Dou Qi had been drained for three years to nourish Old Yao's soul, damaging his standing within the family; during that period, Xiao Zhan and Xiao Xun'er were the people who consistently treated him well. 3 5

He meets Xiao Cheng at Ruyi Zhai alongside Xiao Xun'er and recognizes him as a fellow Earthling. After experiencing the cultivation-enhancing effects of Ruyi Zhai's pastries, Xiao Yan brings the opportunity to Xiao Zhan and supports cooperation between the shop and the Xiao Family. 3 4 20 22

Old Yao becomes Xiao Yan's teacher and pushes him to improve rather than rely on low-tier Dou Skills. Xiao Yan trains in the Back Mountain, later travels to the Monster Mountain Range, and learns the hidden-force principles of the Eight Extremes Collapse. 16 75 81

Following the Yun Lan Sect's involvement and Ge Ye's visit to Ruyi Zhai, Xiao Yan vows that Nalan Yanran will regret her actions. 57

He later plans to join Jia Nan Academy and prepares to depart with pastries supplied by Xiao Cheng. 200 206

Personality

Xiao Yan is determined and cultivation-focused. Even when others mock or provoke him, he generally remains composed, choosing training over impulsive confrontation. He ignores Xiao Ning's taunts, responds calmly to Jia Lie'ao, and continues working toward restoring his strength. 12 14

He is also pragmatic and mature in family affairs. He recognizes Ruyi Zhai's value early, presents it seriously to Xiao Zhan, and successfully finalizes cooperation terms for the Xiao Family. 4 20 22

Despite his decisiveness in cultivation and business, he is notably slow to understand Xiao Xun'er's feelings. When he admits his confusion to Xiao Cheng, he is advised simply to be bolder. 187

Abilities & Skills

Dou Qi Cultivation

Xiao Yan cultivates through persistent training, Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid, and Ruyi Zhai's cultivation-enhancing foods.

• Reached the Fourth Stage of Dou Qi after combining shortbread with Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid. 11
• Used peach pastries, peanut candy, and cream cake to accelerate his cultivation. 20 22 46
• Continues to prioritize actual improvement over external shortcuts, declining to bid on Qi Gathering Powder at the Mittel Auction House. 54

Eight Extremes Collapse

A High-level Profound Tier Dou Skill offered by Old Yao once Xiao Yan met the required cultivation threshold. 16

• Requires mastery of hidden force to reveal its true power. 81
• Xiao Yan trains the technique in the Monster Mountain Range. 81 100
• Its use contributes to his ability to defeat a second-tier magical beast. 100

Equipment / Items

• Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid — Used alongside shortbread to improve his Dou Qi. 11
• Low-tier Dou Skill scrolls — Obtained before his Back Mountain training. 16
• Medicinal herbs — Purchases and seeks rare ingredients to support cultivation. 11 81
• Mung bean cakes — Bought from Ruyi Zhai for detoxification before training in the Monster Mountain Range. 75
• Ruyi Zhai pastries — Regularly purchases or receives shortbread, peanut candy, cream cake, and other pastries for cultivation and travel. 11 22 46 206

Relationships

• Xiao Zhan — Father and Xiao Family Clan Leader. Xiao Yan brings him information about Ruyi Zhai, negotiates cooperation on his behalf, and receives his trust and support. 4 20 22
• Xiao Xun'er — Close companion and protector. She encourages his recovery, supports him in conflicts, trains and eats cultivation-enhancing pastries with him, and comforts him after his vow against Nalan Yanran. 3 12 46 57
• Old Yao — Teacher and mentor. Old Yao guides Xiao Yan's cultivation, criticizes his low-tier skills, and teaches him the Eight Extremes Collapse. 4 16 81
• Xiao Cheng — Fellow Earthling and owner of Ruyi Zhai. Xiao Yan helps establish the Xiao Family's cooperation with the shop, receives pastries and support from Xiao Cheng, and seeks his advice before leaving for Jia Nan Academy. 3 22 153 200 206
• Xiao Ning — Clan rival whose jealousy of Xiao Yan's closeness with Xiao Xun'er leads to repeated tension and a sparring match. 14 46 75
• Jia Lie'ao — Rival from the Jia Lie Family. Xiao Yan protects Xiao Xun'er from his harassment and outsmarts him in the market. 12
• Nalan Yanran — The target of Xiao Yan's vow for revenge after the Yun Lan Sect's involvement with the Xiao Family. 57

Story Role / Major Arcs

Ruyi Zhai and the Xiao Family

Xiao Yan's discovery of Ruyi Zhai changes his cultivation prospects and gives the Xiao Family access to pastries that enhance Dou Qi. He acts as the link between Xiao Zhan and Xiao Cheng, helping secure discounted prices and priority access to new products. 3 4 20 22

Recovery and Clan Rivalries

As his cultivation rises, Xiao Yan faces hostility from Jia Lie'ao and Xiao Ning. Rather than allowing their provocations to derail him, he continues cultivating and sets a one-year response to Xiao Ning's threat. 12 14

Monster Mountain Range Training

Seeking greater strength, Xiao Yan leaves to train under Old Yao in the Monster Mountain Range. There, he develops his understanding of the Eight Extremes Collapse and fights magical beasts. 75 81 95 100

Jia Nan Academy Departure

Xiao Yan later decides to join Jia Nan Academy. Before the journey, Xiao Cheng sponsors him with pastries and offers support for the road ahead. 200 206

Notable Quotes

“A year from now, I'll be waiting for you to cripple me.” 14

“Nalan Yanran, you will definitely regret this.” 57