Xiao Yan

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Xiao Yan (萧炎)
Alias(es)	Little Yanzi; Third Young Master 1 20
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Xiao Family; Jia Nan Academy 1 24
Occupation/Role	Cultivator and alchemist; later a Jia Nan Academy student 21 24
Status	Alive; marries Xun Er 198
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Dou Qi, Third Stage	2	Had remained at this level for three years after losing his former genius status, becoming a target of clan ridicule.
Dou Qi, Eighth Stage	12	His cultivation talent returns under his mysterious master's guidance.
Peak Dou Ling	167	Reaches the peak of the realm after training in the Black-Corner Region.
Dou Zong-level combat power (temporary)	119	Draws on Yao Lao's recovered power; Yao Lao speaks and fights through Xiao Yan's body against Protector Wu.
Three-Star Dou Emperor	189	Breaks through during two months of cultivation in the Sundial Space.

Background

Xiao Yan is Xiao Zhan's son and was once the Xiao Family's celebrated genius. After his cultivation stalled at the Third Stage of Dou Qi for three years, he was mocked as a “useless person” by the clan's younger generation alongside Lin Feng. Despite this, he and Lin Feng remained close, with Xiao Yan encouraging his friend not to surrender. 1 2

His recovery begins when Yao Lao appears through the ring he wears. Xiao Yan conceals his teacher's identity from most people, explaining only that a mysterious old man has accepted him as a disciple. 5 12

Personality

Xiao Yan is intensely loyal to those he considers family. He accepts Lin Feng's secrets without demanding explanations, supports him during crises, and repeatedly trains beside him despite the gap in their strength. 5 12 21

The humiliation surrounding his broken engagement gives him a fierce drive to improve. He is determined to defeat Nalan Yanran, protect the Xiao Family, and repay the Misty Cloud Sect and Hall of Souls for their attacks. 4 7 168

Though competitive and occasionally jealous of Lin Feng's talent, he channels that frustration into further cultivation rather than resentment. 12 158

Appearance

Xiao Yan is described as a handsome young man. He wears a ring inhabited by Yao Lao and is seen wielding the Mystic Heavy Ruler in battle. 1 29

• Formerly carried himself with little confidence during his period of stalled cultivation. 1
• Uses a black robe when concealing his identity, including at the Mittel Auction House and during the Three-Year Agreement. 10 113
• Possesses Dou Qi wings when fighting with Yao Lao's power. 119

Abilities & Skills

Dou Qi Cultivation

Xiao Yan develops rapidly after Yao Lao becomes his teacher, progressing from the Third Stage of Dou Qi to a Three-Star Dou Emperor.

• Performs the Eight Extremes Collapse in sparring. 12
• Holds three Dou Wang opponents at bay without falling into disadvantage during the defense of the Jia Ma Empire. 171
• Fights a Dou King temporarily without borrowing Yao Lao's power during the battle at the Misty Cloud Sect. 116

Heavenly Flame Techniques

Xiao Yan uses Heavenly Flames to reinforce his combat techniques and weapon strikes.

• Uses a Heavenly Flame in his victory over Nalan Yanran. 113
• Coats the Mystic Heavy Ruler in Heavenly Flames while battling three Dou Wangs. 170

Alchemy

Under Yao Lao's guidance, Xiao Yan begins refining medicinal pills.

• Refines First Grade pills to help stock the Xiao Family's reserves before leaving Wu Tan City. 21
• Offers Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid for auction while disguised. 10
• Studies Lin Feng's Rank 6 pill refinement and is motivated by the difference in their alchemical skill. 158

Yao Lao's Empowerment

Yao Lao can take control of Xiao Yan's body and lend him immense temporary power.

• Controls Xiao Yan's body to battle the Dou Wang Yun Leng with the Mystic Heavy Ruler. 29
• Reveals himself through Xiao Yan to confront Protector Wu and settle his grievance with the Hall of Souls. 119
• Emerges personally to protect Xiao Yan when Hall of Souls members track them to the Imperial Capital. 172

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Ring containing Yao Lao — the ring through which Yao Lao guides and empowers Xiao Yan. 1 5
• Mystic Heavy Ruler — his primary weapon in major battles. 29 116 170
• Tou She Ancient God Jade — entrusted to Xiao Yan by Xiao Zhan for safekeeping after the Xiao Family is targeted. 170 190

Relationships

• Lin Feng — Closest friend and sworn-brother-like companion. They train, travel to the Monster Mountain Range, and fight alongside one another against the Misty Cloud Sect and Hall of Souls. 1 21 119
• Xun Er — Childhood friend, romantic partner, and eventual wife. She supports his decisions, helps defend his home, and worries for his safety. 1 21 171 198
• Yao Lao — Teacher and mentor residing in Xiao Yan's ring. Yao Lao restores Xiao Yan's path of cultivation and provides alchemical and combat instruction. 5 12 119
• Xiao Zhan — Father. Xiao Yan vows to protect him and the Xiao Family after the Hall of Souls' attack. 3 168 170
• Nalan Yanran — Former fiancée and opponent in the Three-Year Agreement. Xiao Yan defeats her, after which she apologizes to him and the Xiao Family. 3 4 113
• Nalan Jie — Elder of the Nalan Family who becomes a grandfather figure to Xiao Yan after the conflict with Nalan Yanran is resolved. 125 127

Story Role / Major Arcs

Three-Year Agreement

When Nalan Yanran arrives to dissolve their engagement, Xiao Yan is humiliated by the Misty Cloud Sect's manner of doing so. Encouraged by Lin Feng, he immediately divorces her and establishes a three-year duel to settle the matter. 3 4

He later defeats Nalan Yanran at the Misty Cloud Sect. Her apology closes the personal grievance between them, although Yun Shan's attempt to capture Xiao Yan turns the event into a larger war. 113

Monster Mountain Range Journey

Xiao Yan chooses to accompany Lin Feng to the Monster Mountain Range after securing leave from Jia Nan Academy. Their journey is interrupted at Green Mountain Town by Ge Ye's forces and Misty Cloud Sect experts. 21 25 27

Yao Lao takes control during the conflict, allowing Xiao Yan to confront the Dou Wang Yun Leng while Lin Feng faces the other attackers. 29

Battle at the Misty Cloud Sect

After defeating Nalan Yanran, Xiao Yan joins the battle against Yun Shan's faction. He demonstrates that he can temporarily fight a Dou King without relying on Yao Lao's power. 113 116

When Protector Wu of the Hall of Souls intervenes, Xiao Yan and Yao Lao openly join Lin Feng and Medusa Queen against him. 118 119

Defense of the Xiao Family and Jia Ma Empire

The Hall of Souls attacks the Xiao Family in pursuit of its Ancient Jade, killing over half of the clan and severely injuring Xiao Zhan. Xiao Yan returns immediately, enraged by the attack. 168

During the ensuing battle outside the Imperial Capital, he faces three Dou Wang experts and protects the jade entrusted to him by his father. 170 171

Central State Crisis

After learning that the Hall of Souls and Hun Clan are seizing Ancient Jade pieces, Xiao Yan follows Lin Feng to Jia Nan Academy to investigate Tou She Ancient God's Cave Mansion and safeguard the Xiao Family's jade. 189 190

Notable Quotes

“Three years. In three years, I will definitely show you that I, Xiao Yan, am not trash.” 7

“Feng Ge has his own fortuitous encounters. I only need to know that he's my brother.” 5

“Father, don't worry. I'll make those people pay the price.” 170