Xiao Yan

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Xiao Yan (萧炎)
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Xiao Family; Jia Nan Academy
Occupation/Role	Cultivator; alchemist apprentice; disciple of Yao Lao
Status	Alive
Alias(es)	Little Yan Zi
First Appearance	1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Fifth stage of the Dou Qi Stage	90	Reached under Xiao Yang’s supervision while tempering his body with Tiger Bone Jade Marrow Balm and practicing the Bull Demon Great Strength Method and Tiger Demon Bone Refining Fist.
Fighter	90	Broke through after completing all eight forms of the Tiger Demon Bone Refining Fist.
Three-Star Dou Shi	117	Advanced three levels before beginning refinement of the Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame.
Dou Shi	117	Successfully absorbed and refined the Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame.
Peak Dou Shi	120	His assessed potential exceeded S-rank during Jia Nan Academy enrollment.
One-Star Dou Ling	128	His baseline cultivation before consuming a Three-Pattern Azure Spirit Pill en route to the duel with Nalan Yanran.
Three-Star Dou Ling	128	Reached after taking a Three-Pattern Azure Spirit Pill; his Flame Mantra and integrated strange flame greatly enhanced his attack power.
Six-Star Dou Zun	197	Broke through after winning the Pill Gathering and refining the Three Thousand Burning Flame.
Above Maha Tian	286	His cultivation was stated to exceed Maha Tian’s during the Battle of the Endless Fire Territory.

Background / History

Xiao Yan is Xiao Yang’s elder brother. Before receiving assistance from Xiao Yang, he remained at the Dou Qi Stage while others around him advanced rapidly. Xiao Yang deliberately focused on strengthening Xiao Yan’s physical foundation first, believing rapid cultivation without body tempering would produce an unstable foundation. 68 90

Xiao Yang later revealed the presence of Yao Lao within Xiao Yan’s ring and persuaded the former Central Continent alchemy master to accept Xiao Yan as a disciple. Yao Lao offered him the evolving cultivation technique known as the Flame Mantra. 81

Under Xiao Yang’s supervision and Xun Er’s assistance, Xiao Yan trained through body tempering and martial practice until he returned to the Fighter stage. 90 He subsequently refined the Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame with preparations made by Xiao Yang and guidance from Yao Lao. 117

Personality

Xiao Yan is initially portrayed as kind-hearted but inexperienced, possessing the “youthful vigor” and naïveté of someone who has not endured the harsher side of the cultivation world. 29

By the time of his duel with Nalan Yanran, he is calm, composed, and determined. He adapts to her Sword Intent and higher pressure during combat rather than losing his resolve. 127 128

Abilities & Skills

Flame Mantra

An evolving cultivation technique granted by Yao Lao after he became Yao Lao’s disciple. 81

• Integrates Xiao Yan’s Dou Qi with strange flames. 128
• Greatly increases the offensive power of his flame-based techniques. 128
• Enabled him to refine and employ the Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame. 117

Strange Flame Refinement

Xiao Yan refines powerful flames into his cultivation.

• Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame — successfully absorbed, advancing him to the Dou Shi realm. 117
• Three Thousand Burning Flame — refined after winning the Pill Gathering, leading to his Six-Star Dou Zun breakthrough. 197

Combat Techniques

• Tiger Demon Bone Refining Fist — an eight-form body-tempering fist art; completing it allowed his breakthrough to Fighter. 90
• Azure Lotus Sky Burning Strike — used to counter Nalan Yanran’s Wind Spirit Separation Sword. 128
• Angry Buddha Fire Lotus — a powerful flame technique noted for its devastating effectiveness against opponents such as Guardian Wu. 62
• Yellow Springs Sky Wrath — used against Maha Tian during the Battle of the Endless Fire Territory. 286
• Yellow Spring Finger — helped defeat Maha Tian after the latter employed the Maha Ancient Clan’s divine ability. 286

Alchemy

Xiao Yan studies under Yao Lao, a former top alchemist of the Central Continent. 81

• Won the Pill Gathering. 197
• Refined the Three Thousand Burning Flame. 197

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Dark ring — contains Yao Lao’s soul. 81 117
• Flame Mantra — evolving cultivation technique inherited through Yao Lao. 81
• Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame — strange flame refined by Xiao Yan. 117
• Three Thousand Lightning Movement scroll — acquired during training with Xun Er. 133
• Yin-Yang Mysterious Dragon Pill — taken during training; its effects were not immediately apparent. 133
• Tou She Ancient God’s inheritance — received later in his cultivation journey. 236

Relationships

• Xiao Yang — younger brother and principal supporter; arranged his training, revealed Yao Lao’s existence, and prepared resources for his strange-flame refinement. 81 90 117
• Yao Lao — master and alchemy mentor; bestowed the Flame Mantra and guides Xiao Yan’s cultivation. 81 117
• Xun Er — close companion and later committed partner; assisted with his body tempering and accompanied him through academy training and the Ancient Realm. 90 133 198 216
• Nalan Yanran — former fiancée and duel opponent in the three-year agreement. 127 128
• Yun Yun — referee for his duel with Nalan Yanran. 127
• Qing Yanjing — involved in the conflict that prompted the Maha Ancient Clan’s invasion of the Endless Fire Territory. 286

Story Role / Major Arcs

Yao Lao’s Disciple

Xiao Yan learns that Yao Lao resides within his ring and formally becomes the elder alchemist’s disciple, receiving the Flame Mantra. 81

Rebuilding His Foundation

He undergoes supervised body tempering, studies the Bull Demon Great Strength Method and Tiger Demon Bone Refining Fist, and returns to the Fighter stage. 90

Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame

After reaching Three-Star Dou Shi, Xiao Yan refines the Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame in a cave outside the Xiao Family estate to avoid endangering the clan. 117

Three-Year Agreement

Xiao Yan arrives at the Yun Lan Sect to fulfill his three-year agreement with Nalan Yanran. He withstands her Sword Intent and Dou Ling-level power, using his flame techniques to contest her attacks. 127 128

Jia Nan Academy Return

He returns to Canaan Academy with Xun Er, wins the Inner Courtyard Selection Competition, and continues training under Yao Lao’s guidance. 133

Ancient Realm and Heavenly Tomb

Xiao Yan travels with Xiao Yang’s group to the Ancient Realm, reunites with Xun Er, and later receives help from Xiao Yang and Xun Er in the Heavenly Tomb. 198 203

Endless Fire Territory

After receiving Tou She Ancient God’s inheritance, Xiao Yan becomes a central defender of the Endless Fire Territory. He defeats Maha Tian during the Maha Ancient Clan’s invasion. 236 286