Xiao Yan

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Xiao Yan (萧炎)
Alias(es)	Yan Xiao
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Xiao Clan
Occupation/Role	Cultivator; alchemist
Status	Deceased; reportedly killed during Han Feng's pursuit 128 133
First Appearance	Chapter 60

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Four-star Dou Practitioner	61	Prepared to enter the Demonic Beast Mountain Range to train and advance toward Dou Shi.

Background / History

Xiao Yan arrived in Qingshan Town carrying the conspicuous Black Heavy Ruler. Unmoved by the mercenaries who mocked his unusual weapon, he purchased Blood Lotus Essence from the Myriad Medicine Pavilion and planned to refine a Blood Lotus Pill. His immediate objective was to train in the Demonic Beast Mountain Range and reach Dou Shi under Old Yao's guidance 60.

As a four-star Dou Practitioner, he joined a five-person mercenary squad after demonstrating his strength to its initially distrustful members. During this journey, he first heard the exaggerated rumors surrounding Mo Tang and identified him by the recognizable Black Heavy Ruler when they crossed paths 61.

After failing to obtain the Companion Purple Crystal Source, Xiao Yan passed the second-grade alchemist examination in Black Rock City with Old Yao's assistance. He later exchanged the Mysterious Tier high-level technique Thunder Dragon Roll and a fourth-tier Marrow Cleansing Bone Strengthening Pill to Mo Tang for the source 72 73.

In the desert, Xiao Yan reunited with his brothers Xiao Ding and Xiao Li. His perspective on Qing Lin changed after witnessing her Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils tame the Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake: rather than merely viewing her power as useful, he chose to protect and care for her 82 87.

Appearance

Xiao Yan is a young man who carries a massive, ancient-looking black greatsword nearly longer than his body. His youth initially causes mercenaries to underestimate him 60 61.

• Bears the Black Heavy Ruler, a pitch-black greatsword marked with faint, blurry patterns running from its hilt across the blade 60.
• Uses the identity Yan Xiao to conceal his true name 112.
• His sword gives him a more rugged appearance despite his evident youth 61.

Personality

Xiao Yan is determined, focused, and difficult to provoke. He ignores public mockery because he considers the jeering mercenaries beneath his concern, maintaining his composure as he enters Qingshan Town 60.

He is pragmatic about his limitations. When Old Yao warned him that he could only contend with a first-tier demonic beast, Xiao Yan agreed to seek a mercenary group rather than enter the mountain range alone. Later, when pursued by Han Feng, he recognized that he would only burden Old Yao and chose to flee 61 126.

His attitude toward Qing Lin develops from sympathy and cautious interest in her rare pupils into a genuine commitment to protect her 87.

Abilities & Skills

Alchemy

Xiao Yan possesses considerable alchemical talent and works under Old Yao's instruction.

• Purchased Blood Lotus Essence with the intention of refining a Blood Lotus Pill 60.
• Passed a second-grade alchemist examination by successfully refining a second-grade pill with Old Yao's help 72.
• Became the champion of the Jia Ma Empire's Alchemist Competition 325.
• Was regarded as a young alchemical genius with exceptional future potential 325.

Combat

Xiao Yan combines martial skill, speed, and the Black Heavy Ruler in battle.

• Demonstrated sufficient Dou Practitioner-level strength to gain acceptance into a mercenary squad 61.
• Retrieved the Silver Scroll from Fan Ling and defeated Fan Ling and his Blood Guards using the Bone Spirit Cold Flame 125.
• Could not contend directly with Han Feng, a peak Dou Emperor, and later faced the threat of the Eight-Winged Black Snake Emperor 125 126.

Bone Spirit Cold Flame

A strange flame used through Old Yao's power.

• Enabled Xiao Yan to defeat Fan Ling and his Blood Guards 125.
• Its appearance exposed Old Yao's presence to Han Feng 125.
• Old Yao wielded it while defending Xiao Yan against Han Feng and Protector Wu 126.

Equipment / Items

• Black Heavy Ruler — Massive black greatsword with ancient patterns; Xiao Yan's most recognizable weapon 60 61.
• Blood Lotus Essence — Low-grade herb purchased in Qingshan Town for use in refining a Blood Lotus Pill 60.
• Companion Purple Crystal Source — Acquired from Mo Tang in exchange for a high-level technique and fourth-tier pill 73.
• Thunder Dragon Roll — Mysterious Tier high-level Dou Technique traded to Mo Tang 73.
• Marrow Cleansing Bone Strengthening Pill — Fourth-tier pill traded to Mo Tang 73.
• Silver Scroll — Retrieved from Fan Ling 125.

Relationships

• Old Yao — Teacher and mentor. Old Yao guides Xiao Yan's cultivation and alchemy, aids his alchemist examination, and fights to protect him from Han Feng and Protector Wu 60 72 125 126.
• Xiao Ding — Brother; reunited with Xiao Yan after his return from the desert 82.
• Xiao Li — Brother who finds Xiao Yan in the desert and brings him back to the Barren Iron Mercenary Group headquarters 82.
• Qing Lin — Xiao Yan resolves to protect and care for her after seeing the potential of her Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils 87.
• Xiao Xun'er — Grieves deeply after learning of his death and vows to investigate and avenge him 110 133.
• Ling Ying — Protector who intervenes against Han Feng and later reports Xiao Yan's death to Xiao Xun'er 127 133.
• Mo Tang — Acquaintance from the Jia Ma Empire; traded him the Companion Purple Crystal Source, later tailed him in Black Seal City, and took Xiao Yan's possessions after his death 73 120 128.
• Han Feng — Enemy who pursued Xiao Yan to force Old Yao to reveal the complete Flame Mantra 125 127.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Qingshan Town and the Demonic Beast Mountain Range

Xiao Yan enters Qingshan Town seeking materials for alchemy and cultivation, then joins a mercenary squad to explore the Demonic Beast Mountain Range safely 60 61.

Black Rock City

He earns second-grade alchemist certification, gathers information about the Ice Spirit Cold Spring, and secures the Companion Purple Crystal Source through a costly trade with Mo Tang 72 73.

Desert Journey

Xiao Yan reunites with Xiao Ding and Xiao Li, searches for the Green Lotus Core Flame, and becomes involved in Qing Lin's awakening of the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils 82 87 92.

Black Corner Region and Han Feng's Pursuit

In Black Seal City, Mo Tang secretly reports Xiao Yan's whereabouts to Han Feng. Xiao Yan later defeats Fan Ling's group, but Han Feng and Protector Wu force Old Yao to defend him while he escapes 120 125 126.

Death

Ling Ying temporarily saves Xiao Yan from Han Feng, but Han Feng later kills him. Mo Tang subsequently takes Xiao Yan's Storage Ring and the Tou She Ancient God Jade found near his body 127 128. Ling Ying's report of the death drives Xiao Xun'er to seek revenge 133.

Mo Tang later claims that a Dou Ling-level subordinate of Han Feng, rather than Han Feng himself, killed Xiao Yan; this account broadly matches Ling Ying's report according to Gu Qian 325.