Xiao Yan

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Xiao Yan (萧炎)
Alias(es)	Yan Xiao, an identity used during the Alchemist Convention 301
Gender	Male
Age	Sixteen when reported to have reached Three-Star Dou Ling 328
Origin	A transmigrator living as a member of the Xiao Family of Wutan City 32 318
Affiliation	Xiao Family; Jia Nan Academy, initially in Profound Class Two and later entering the Inner Academy 377 408
Occupation/Role	Cultivator, fifth-grade pill refiner, and Nalan Chaoge’s principal rival in the Three-Year Pact 306
Cultivation	Dou Zun at his last documented direct appearance 485
Status	Alive at his last direct appearance; later believed dead by Xiao Yi Xian, without a confirmed death in the supplied account 485 506

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Restored cultivation talent; realm unspecified	111	Yaoye reports that his talent has returned and his strength is rising rapidly. Yao Chen later admits that he engineered both Xiao Yan’s earlier prodigy reputation and subsequent collapse 321.
One-Star Great Dou Master / Da Dou Shi	230	His personal cultivation remains below Nalan Yanran’s newly revealed Dou Ling realm, despite his recent progress.
Dou Ling	306	Breaks through during secluded training before the Three-Year Pact. His expectation of fighting at Dou Zong strength depends on Yao Chen’s assistance, not this personal realm.
Three-Star Dou Ling	328	Ling Ying reports this rank after rescuing him from the Jia Ma Empire.
Peak Dou Ling	378	Relentless cultivation, repeated injuries, and recovery pills raise his strength at roughly one star per month. Only a pill separates him from Dou Wang.
Dou Wang	412	Explicitly considers his advancement to Dou Wang an exceptional achievement before discovering that Xun’er has reached Dou Emperor.
Dou Zun	484 485	Returns after recovering from his injuries and devouring the Fallen Heart Flame. Demonstrates spatial restraint, soul absorption, and departure through space; his star rank is not specified.

Background / History

Family and arranged engagement

Xiao Yan is a transmigrator, like Nalan Chaoge. His grandfather, Xiao Lin, was Nalan Jie’s close friend, and the two elders arranged an engagement between Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran. Xiao Lin died when Xiao Yan was three, and Xiao Yan lost his mother at four. Contact between the Xiao and Nalan families weakened after Xiao Lin’s death 32 318 321.

Yao Chen’s soul resided in a ring associated with Xiao Yan’s mother. According to Yao Chen’s later confession, she had wanted Xiao Yan kept away from him. Yao Chen found Xiao Yan’s natural talent mediocre but recognized his potential for alchemy. He secretly enhanced Xiao Yan’s cultivation, creating his reputation as a prodigy, then withdrew that assistance to make him dependent on a teacher after his fall 321.

Broken engagement and the Three-Year Pact

Nalan Yanran sought to end the engagement because she did not want to marry someone she had never known. She also criticized the Xiao Family’s failure to maintain contact and questioned Xiao Yan’s closeness with Xun’er. Xiao Yan interpreted the request as contempt for his weakened cultivation and resisted the elders’ willingness to accept the sect’s apology gift 34 98.

He subsequently wrote a document declaring that he was casting Yanran out of the Xiao Family. Nalan Chaoge challenged the contradiction between this unilateral declaration and Xiao Yan’s earlier insistence that only the elders could dissolve the engagement. The dispute developed into a Three-Year Pact between Xiao Yan and Chaoge 36 98.

Heavenly Flame and Mo Family conflicts

In the Tagor Desert, Xiao Yan and Yao Chen competed against Medusa and a disguised Nalan Chaoge for the Green Lotus Core Flame. Xiao Yan recognized that his opponent was delaying him and escalated from close combat to an Earth-tier ruler technique. Chaoge ultimately obtained the flame 206 207 211.

At the Mo Family estate, Xiao Yan killed Mo Cheng and severely injured a Misty Cloud Sect elder. Yanran challenged him to defend the sect’s reputation, and he attacked her with the Bone Spirit Cold Flame despite recognizing her connection to Yun Zhi—Yun Yun. Chaoge intervened, copied Eight Extremes Collapse, and badly injured him with Morning Peacock 237 238 239.

When the Eight-Winged Black Serpent Emperor carried away Qing Lin, Xiao Yan attempted a dangerous rescue by fusing the Bone Spirit Cold Flame and Mysterious Yellow Flame into Buddha’s Fury Fire Lotus. The resulting explosion also gave the concealed Chaoge an opportunity to act 245.

Duel, rebellion, and the Xiao Family’s destruction

Before the pact, Xiao Yan refined a fifth-grade pill and advanced to Dou Ling. Yun Yun offered to resign as sect master, marry him, and return with him to Wutan City if he abandoned the confrontation. He initially agreed, but the pact nevertheless proceeded 306 307.

At the imperial arena, Xiao Yan rejected Jia Xing Tian’s mediation and fought Chaoge to avenge what he considered the Nalan Family’s humiliation of his clan. Mu Chen’s rebellion interrupted the duel. Chaoge eventually subdued and sealed the powerful Yao Chen soul supporting Xiao Yan 310 317 328.

After learning that the Xiao Family had been destroyed, Xiao Yan took the gravely injured Chaoge hostage. Ling Ying rescued him during Yun Yun’s intervention. Xiao Yan later helped with his family’s funeral rites and chose to travel through the Black-Corner Region alone 318 328.

Although he continued accusing Chaoge, Xun’er identified a mind-controlling soul body as the culprit and later named the Soul Hall as the Xiao Family’s real enemy. Xiao Yan eventually acknowledged that a powerful soul body, rather than Chaoge, had destroyed his family 380 387.

Jia Nan Academy

Xiao Yan returned to Jia Nan Academy after three years of leave. He defeated Xue Beng with Eight Extremes Collapse, but continued attacking after victory; Chaoge and the elders prevented a fatal outcome. His strength earned recognition, while his excessive force alienated the spectators 377 378.

Another confrontation with Chaoge ended only after Xiao Yu and Xun’er pleaded for mercy. Xiao Yan apologized to both Chaoge and Yanran as the condition for being spared 379 380.

During the selection tournament, he fought Kimimaro, Xiao Yi Xian, and Yang Chao, redirected poison toward rival teams, and unleashed Flame Splitting Wave Ruler. The elders stopped the final contest rather than risk deaths and granted all six remaining competitors access to the Library Pavilion 392 393.

Inside the pavilion, Xiao Yan unsuccessfully competed with Xiao Yi Xian for the Heavenly Poison Scripture. He remained interested in taking it afterward, despite its particular relevance to her Woeful Poison Body 402 403.

Yao Chen’s survival and the Fallen Heart Flame

After the Three-Year Pact, Xiao Yan questioned why Yao Chen had chosen him and whether a powerful soul could truly have needed his weak Dou Qi. A surviving fragment of Yao Chen’s consciousness then revealed itself in his Na Ring. Yao Chen admitted that he had originally intended to cultivate Xiao Yan as a vessel, but offered a different revival plan requiring Xiao Yan to become a seventh-grade alchemist 386 387.

Their cooperation continued despite mutual suspicion. Seeking the Fallen Heart Flame, Xiao Yan investigated the academy tower’s forbidden central shaft and provoked the sealed flame into attacking. Su Qian rescued him and banned him from the tower for a month while investigating his explanation 425 426 427.

The subsequent struggle over the flame endangered Jia Nan Academy. Xiao Yan eventually escaped the magma domain with the Fallen Heart Flame and returned at Dou Zun strength 453 484 502.

Saving Yun Yun

Xiao Yan intervened when Earth Demon Old Ghost attacked Yun Yun, using spatial power to destroy the strike. Her severed meridians and ruptured qi sea required a Life Returning Pill, but his demand that Earth Demon Old Ghost obtain the missing ingredient failed when the old man fled 484.

Elder Yingshan later offered an existing Life Returning Pill while bargaining for his life. Xiao Yan took the pill, killed Yingshan, absorbed his soul, and saved Yun Yun. She survived but remained unable to cultivate. Xiao Yan declared that their mutual debts were settled and departed through space 485.

A later account links Xiao Ning and Xiao Mei’s deaths on missions to reprisals following Xiao Yan’s attack on Jia Nan Academy. Xiao Yu survived because the Great Elder secretly protected her 524.

Appearance

• Usually carries a large, pitch-black heavy ruler on his back 310 377.
• Appears as a youthful black-robed cultivator during his concealed activities and later return 269 484.
• Has pitch-black pupils, which become coated in yellow fire when he channels the Mysterious Yellow Flame through his eyes 426.
• Yun Yun and others encounter a markedly cold, detached Xiao Yan after his advancement to Dou Zun 485.

Personality

Xiao Yan is proud, persistent, and highly sensitive to humiliation. He treats the broken engagement as an injury to both himself and his family, even when Yanran insists that her decision concerns compatibility rather than strength. His refusal to accept mediation repeatedly turns personal grievances into wider conflicts 36 310 379.

His family’s destruction and Yao Chen’s sealing intensify his isolation. He cultivates until injured, restores himself with pills, and resumes training. At the academy, he approaches combat as a matter of survival rather than sport; Ruo Lin attributes some of his brutality to dangerous solitary training, while others condemn his disregard for restraint 378 379.

His affection for Xun’er coexists with insecurity and possessiveness. He admits feeling weak and unworthy beside her, overlooks sacrifices she has made for him, and misreads her friendly farewell with Chaoge as betrayal. He sometimes rejects Yao Chen’s more coercive suggestions, but continues accepting advice that treats strength and other people’s resources as answers to his grievances 430 431 432 435.

He is capable of regret and protective action. He acknowledges that challenging Yanran before he was strong enough helped bring disaster, attempts to recover Qing Lin, and saves Yun Yun despite their estrangement. His later rescue of Yun Yun is framed as settling a debt rather than restoring their former relationship 245 387 485.

Abilities & Skills

Flame Mantra and Heavenly Flames

• Flame Mantra — His cultivation method can evolve through devouring Heavenly Flames 387 426.
• Mysterious Yellow Flame — His own Heavenly Flame, used in combat and to resonate with the Fallen Heart Flame 245 426 430.
• Bone Spirit Cold Flame — Available through Yao Chen; its use should not be confused with Xiao Yan’s unaided strength 206 237.
• Fallen Heart Flame — Eventually devoured by Xiao Yan. It can continually refine Dou Qi and accelerate cultivation 426 484 502.

Eight Extremes Collapse

A High Mysterious/Profound-tier close-range technique and one of Xiao Yan’s most frequently used attacks 207 432.

• At full mastery, combines eight layers of hidden force with power comparable to a low-grade Earth-tier technique 207 238.
• Can trigger internal force after the initial strike, as demonstrated against Xue Beng 378.
• Is copied and countered by Chaoge’s Sharingan, allowing Chaoge to neutralize Xiao Yan’s hidden force 238.

Ruler and Palm Techniques

• Flame Splitting Wave Ruler — An Earth-tier attack performed with the Black Heavy Ruler; powerful enough to require barriers around the tournament arena 238 392.
• Suction Palm — Draws objects toward him, including his heavy ruler 207 310.
• Blowing Fire Palm — Produces an outward palm force and is used against Chaoge’s Vacuum Palm 207.

Buddha’s Fury Fire Lotus

A volatile fusion attack created by combining two Heavenly Flames 245.

• Its documented formation combines the Bone Spirit Cold Flame and Mysterious Yellow Flame.
• Produces a tremendous explosion.
• Requires careful control and carries potentially catastrophic risks for Xiao Yan and nearby people.

Movement and Flight

• Exploding Step — Concentrates Dou Qi in his feet for explosive bursts of speed 207.
• Purple Cloud Wings — Allow aerial escape, including from Chaoge’s Underworld Swamp 238.
• Three Thousand Lightning Movement — An Earth-tier movement technique Yao Chen instructs him to train while preparing for the Fallen Heart Flame 425 427.

Alchemy

• Refines a fifth-grade pill before the Three-Year Pact 306.
• Offers to gather ingredients and refine a Purple Spirit Recovery Pill within one year in exchange for a black-robed elder’s protection 233.
• Remains below the explicitly stated seventh-grade requirement for creating Yao Chen’s replacement body in the documented account 387.

Yao Chen’s Assistance

Yao Chen can advise Xiao Yan, transmit techniques into his mind, protect him with soul power, and control his body 237 307 386.

• Shields him from potentially worse injuries during Yanran’s attack and Chaoge’s Morning Peacock 237 239.
• Produces combat power far beyond Xiao Yan’s personal cultivation, including Dou Zun-level power during the pact 317.
• Leaves Xiao Yan vulnerable when his principal soul is sealed, although a weaker consciousness fragment survives in the ring 387.
• His assistance is tied to a confessed earlier plan to possess Xiao Yan’s body 387.

Spatial Control and Soul Absorption

Documented after Xiao Yan reaches Dou Zun 484 485.

• Freezes surrounding space and destroys Earth Demon Old Ghost’s attack.
• Restrains Elder Yingshan’s Soul Clone and pulls his concealed original body into reach.
• Absorbs Yingshan’s soul after killing him.
• Departs by stepping into space.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Black Heavy Ruler — Main weapon and implement for Flame Splitting Wave Ruler 207 238.
• Na Ring — Houses Yao Chen and later his surviving consciousness fragment 387.
• Tou She Ancient God Jade fragment — Remains in Xiao Yan’s possession after the Xiao Family’s destruction; its revelation surprises both Xun’er and Yao Chen 429.
• Nine Heavens Dragon Phoenix Art — A high-grade Earth-tier cultivation method given to him by Xun’er, who obtained it with Chaoge’s help 386 387 432.
• Sealed clan inheritance scroll — Gifted by Xun’er; requires Dou Wang cultivation to open, and its grade remains unidentified while sealed 432.
• Seventh-rank water-type Magic Core — Another gift from Xun’er 432.
• Green Wood Immortal Vine — Ingredient sought for an Earth Spirit Pill 430 431.
• Bodhi Body Transformation Saliva — Seizes it after Yun Yun asks Su Qian to pass it to Xiao Yi Xian 485.

Relationships

• Yao Chen / Old Yao — Teacher, source of borrowed power, and manipulator. Their bond continues after Yao Chen confesses his possession plan, becoming an alliance sustained by mutual need and suspicion 321 387 426.
• Nalan Chaoge — Rival in the Three-Year Pact. Their feud extends to Heavenly Flames, Qing Lin, family grievances, and Jia Nan Academy; Chaoge repeatedly defeats or restrains him 207 239 317 380.
• Nalan Yanran — Former arranged fiancée. She rejects the match as unwanted, while Xiao Yan interprets the breakup as humiliation and later attacks her 34 36 237.
• Xiao Xun’er — Childhood companion and romantic attachment. She defends him, supplies rare cultivation resources, and negotiates for his safety; jealousy and doubts about his childhood conduct increasingly strain their relationship 380 387 431 432.
• Xiao Yu — Older cousin. Offers herself as Chaoge’s servant to preserve Xiao Yan’s life and the Xiao Family’s remaining hope 113 380.
• Xiao Zhan — Father and head of the Xiao Family; central to Xiao Yan’s stated grievances after the clan’s destruction 32 379.
• Xiao Lin — Grandfather whose friendship with Nalan Jie established the engagement 32.
• Yun Yun / Yun Zhi — Former romantic connection and someone who once owed him her life. Her marriage to Chaoge deepens his resentment, but he later saves her and declares their debts settled 307 318 425 485.
• Ling Ying — Xun’er’s bodyguard, who rescues Xiao Yan after the disrupted pact 318 328.
• Ruo Lin — Instructor of Profound Class Two; offers a sympathetic explanation for his harsh survival instincts 377 379.
• Su Qian — Academy Great Elder who rescues him from the Fallen Heart Flame but investigates his unauthorized approach to the tower’s sealed shaft 426 427.
• Black-robed elder — Contracted protector who assists him at the Mo Family estate and against the Black Serpent Emperor, while secretly coveting his powers and resident soul 233 239 245.

Notable Quotes

“There's no need. Today, I'll repay the humiliation the Nalan Family forced upon my Xiao Family twofold!” 310

“I trust only my own instincts!” 379

Trivia

• He is the first student in Jia Nan Academy’s history to take three years of leave 377.
• His apparent Dou Emperor reputation before the pact does not reflect his personal realm: the documented breakthrough is Dou Ling, with higher combat power supplied by Yao Chen 306 317.
• The author explicitly asks readers to treat this version of Xiao Yan as a different person from the hero of the original Doupo Cangqiong 403.