Xiao Yan

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Xiao Yan (小炎子)
Alias(es)	Third Young Master; Yan Xiao
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Xiao Family; disciple of Yao Chen
Occupation/Role	Cultivator; alchemist
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Dou Qi Power, Stage One — Low Rank	1	Tested successfully at four years old, earning immediate praise as a Xiao Family prodigy.
Dou Zhe	99	Reached this realm before his Qi Cyclone abruptly shattered; he later regressed.
Dou Qi Power, Stage Three — Low Rank	92, 99	His cultivation stabilized at this level after more than two years of continuous Dou Qi loss.
Seven-Star Dou Shi	234	Reached this level before the Three-Year Agreement, while preparing to challenge Na Lan Yan Ran.
Da Dou Shi	241	Broke through after Yao Chen refined a pill for him shortly before the Three-Year Agreement.
Near-Dou Emperor strength (temporary)	249	Borrowed Yao Chen’s power to repel three Misty Cloud Sect Dou Wang elders; the borrowed power rapidly diminished.
Dou Zun	544	Later identified by Xiao Ming as a Dou Zun, recognizable by his aura and possession of two Heavenly Flames.

Background / History

Xiao Yan was celebrated as a prodigy from childhood. At four, he tested at Dou Qi Power Stage One, Low Rank, and visibly enjoyed the acclaim and expectations that he would become the Xiao Family’s future leader 1. His early status made him proud and spoiled; he initially treated Gu Xun’er’s arrival as an inconvenience and spoke harshly to Xiao Ming when he encountered him nearby 4.

After reaching the Dou Zhe realm, Xiao Yan’s Qi Cyclone shattered while he was beginning a new cultivation method. His realm steadily fell until it stabilized at Dou Qi Power Stage Three. Numerous examinations, including one by a Fourth Grade Alchemist, found no physical defect, leaving him publicly branded as a failure within the clan 92 99.

The cause was Yao Chen, a soul concealed in Xiao Yan’s Black Ancient Ring. Yao Chen had been absorbing Xiao Yan’s Dou Qi and later admitted responsibility, claiming the hardship had strengthened Xiao Yan’s endurance 99 106. Though initially horrified and enraged, Xiao Yan accepted Yao Chen as his master after learning that he could become an alchemist and regain his cultivation 106.

Appearance

As a child, Xiao Yan was described as a cute, fair-skinned boy; after years of travel and cultivation, he appeared more mature and weathered, with darker skin and a refined face 4 234.

• Frequently wears black robes during combat and while traveling 241.
• Carries the massive Heavy Xuan Ruler on his back 241.
• Wears the Black Ancient Ring—later identified as the Bone Flame Ring—on his right hand 106.
• Used a Human Skin Mask while operating under the identity “Yan Xiao” 234.

Personality

Xiao Yan began as an admired but arrogant child, accustomed to being praised for his talent. His decline from prodigy to “waste” left him bitter, withdrawn, and deeply sensitive to humiliation, particularly when clan members mocked him or challenged his family’s standing 92 102.

His suffering also made him highly determined. He refused to accept the annulment of his engagement, proposed the Three-Year Agreement despite his weakened state, and spent the following years rebuilding his strength 106. In battle, he is aggressive and prideful, willing to stake his life to restore his and Xiao Zhan’s honor 242.

Xiao Yan can be impulsive when valuable resources are involved. After gaining a Heavenly Flame, he considered taking Xiao Yi Xian’s flame as well, only backing down after Yao Chen warned him of the overwhelming difference in strength 233.

Abilities & Skills

Cultivation and Combat

Xiao Yan is a fire-attributed cultivator whose close-range style centers on physical force, a heavy weapon, and decisive bursts of Dou Qi.

• Condenses Dou Qi Armor after entering the Da Dou Shi realm 243.
• Uses Flame Steps to enhance his combat mobility 243.
• His physical strength gives him an advantage when his Heavy Xuan Ruler clashes directly with Na Lan Yan Ran’s sword 243.
• His lower-grade cultivation method and weaker long-range options left him vulnerable to Na Lan Yan Ran’s superior movement and wind techniques 243 244.

Heavenly Flames

Xiao Yan possesses Heavenly Flames and can use them to dramatically increase the force of his attacks.

• Used an earthen-yellow Heavenly Flame during the Three-Year Agreement when ordinary combat left him at a disadvantage 244.
• Gu He recognized the aura of Xiao Yan’s flame as connected to the Heavenly Flame stolen from him in the Tagor Desert 244 246.
• Later possessed two Heavenly Flames, which allowed Xiao Ming to identify him despite changes to his appearance 544.
• Using his flames risks exposing his identity and provoking enemies connected to Gu He and the Misty Cloud Sect 244 245.

Dou Techniques

• Hundred Flame Slash — A flame-based attack used against Na Lan Yan Ran’s Wind Spirit Sword Qi 243.
• Flame Splitting Wave Devouring Ruler — Earth Tier technique unleashed as Xiao Yan’s decisive attack during the Three-Year Agreement; it nearly exhausted his Dou Qi and severely strained his body 245.
• Flame Steps — Movement technique used alongside his Dou Qi Armor to close distance rapidly 243.

Alchemy

Yao Chen judged that Xiao Yan met the demanding qualifications for alchemy, though only barely 106.

• Operated publicly under the alias Yan Xiao as a Grade Three Alchemist 233.
• Relies on Yao Chen’s pill refinement, including a pill that helped him advance into the Da Dou Shi realm before the Three-Year Agreement 234 241.
• Sought rare ingredients and medicinal pills to prepare for his confrontation with Na Lan Yan Ran 226.

Borrowed Power of Yao Chen

Yao Chen can temporarily lend Xiao Yan strength, but Xiao Yan’s control over that borrowed power is incomplete.

• Temporarily reached strength close to the Dou Emperor realm while escaping the Misty Cloud Sect 249.
• Forced back three Dou Wang elders using the Heavy Xuan Ruler while empowered by Yao Chen 249.
• Failed to overcome Yun Yun’s defenses with a Soul Power attack because of his crude control over Yao Chen’s strength 249.
• Yao Chen’s borrowed power weakens over time and leaves Xiao Yan vulnerable once it recedes 249 251.

Equipment

• Black Ancient Ring / Bone Flame Ring — Ring containing Yao Chen’s soul and his stored techniques, pills, and resources 99 234 256.
• Heavy Xuan Ruler — Oversized black ruler used as Xiao Yan’s primary weapon and as a defensive shield 241 245.
• Human Skin Mask — Used to conceal his identity while posing as Yan Xiao 234.
• Purple Token — Snake-shaped token used to summon aid from the Snake People Race during his attempted escape from the Misty Cloud Sect 249.

Relationships

• Xiao Zhan — Father; remained steadfastly protective during Xiao Yan’s years of lost cultivation and sought help from Xiao Ming on his behalf 97 99.
• Xiao Ming — Clan relative and cousin; Xiao Yan has long felt uncomfortable being compared to him, but Xiao Ming recognizes his talent, knows of Yao Chen, and intervenes when the Hall of Souls attacks 98 241 251.
• Yao Chen / Old Man Yao — Master and hidden soul within Xiao Yan’s ring; caused his cultivation decline, then guided his recovery, alchemy, and combat training 106 234.
• Na Lan Yan Ran — Former fiancée and opponent in the Three-Year Agreement; Xiao Yan defeated her and publicly declared their engagement ended by his own decision 241 246.
• Yun Yun — Misty Cloud Sect Master and Na Lan Yan Ran’s teacher; attempted to make Xiao Yan surrender his Heavenly Flames after the duel, then led the effort to restrain him 249.
• Gu He — Pill King whose stolen Heavenly Flame exposed Xiao Yan’s connection to the Tagor Desert attack 244 246.
• Xiao Yu — Clanswoman hostile toward Xiao Yan after he entered the family hot-spring area, an incident she believed was deliberate 91.
• Xiao Ding and Xiao Li — Elder and second brothers; Xiao Yan was later seen holding Soul Locking Chains connected to them under unexplained circumstances 544.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Fall from Genius

Xiao Yan’s cultivation collapse transforms him from the Xiao Family’s celebrated prodigy into its most ridiculed youth. His inability to explain or cure his condition fuels his resentment and desperation 92 99 102.

Yao Chen’s Disciple

Following the annulment dispute with Na Lan Yan Ran, Xiao Yan meets Yao Chen directly and accepts him as his master. He gains a path to restore his talent, become an alchemist, and pursue the Three-Year Agreement 106.

Three-Year Agreement

Xiao Yan arrives at the Misty Cloud Sect as a Da Dou Shi and fights Na Lan Yan Ran in a life-and-death duel. He endures her superior speed and techniques, finally wins through the Flame Splitting Wave Devouring Ruler and his refusal to collapse first, then formally ends their engagement 241 243 245 246.

Misty Cloud Sect and Hall of Souls Incident

Gu He’s recognition of Xiao Yan’s Heavenly Flame turns the completed duel into a sect-wide confrontation. Xiao Yan borrows Yao Chen’s strength to escape, but the Misty Cloud Sect’s formations restrain him and Hall of Souls agents ultimately capture Yao Chen’s soul 245 249 251.

Notable Quotes

“Fight, Na Lan Yan Ran! I have waited three years for this day!” 242

“Na Lan Yan Ran, from this day forward, you and my Xiao Family will have nothing to do with each other. Remember, you did not break off this engagement. I divorced you.” 246

“Xiao Yan of the Xiao Family has come to fulfill the Three-Year Agreement!” 241