Xiao Yan

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Xiao Yan (小炎子)
Alias(es)	Yan Xiao (disguise) 233 234
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Xiao Family; disciple of Yao Chen
Occupation/Role	Alchemist; cultivator
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Dou Qi Power, Stage One — Low-level	1	Tested at age four; his early cultivation talent earns widespread praise within the Xiao Family.
Dou Zhe	100	Reached Dou Zhe before his Qi Cyclone suddenly shattered and his cultivation began regressing.
Dou Qi Power, Stage Three	93 100	His regression stops at three segments after more than two years, making him the target of public ridicule.
Talent restored	107	Yao Chen reveals that he had deliberately absorbed Xiao Yan’s Dou Qi and that Xiao Yan’s cultivation had already recovered.
Seven-Star Dou Shi	226 234	Returns to Jia Ma Holy City to prepare for the Three-Year Agreement; seeks pills to raise his strength further.
Great Dou Shi	241 243	Reveals Great Dou Shi strength during the Three-Year Agreement against Na Lan Yan Ran.
Near-Dou Huang / Half-step Dou Zong (temporary)	249 250	Borrows Yao Chen’s power while escaping the Cloud Mist Sect; the borrowed aura rises beyond peak Dou Huang but remains short of Dou Zong.
Dou Zun	544	Appears during Hun Tiandi’s hostage confrontation, identifiable by his aura and the two Heavenly Flames within him.

Background / History

Xiao Yan is a transmigrator and the son of Xiao Family Patriarch Xiao Zhan. As a child, he displayed exceptional talent, reaching Dou Qi Power Stage One at four years old. The clan praised him as a future genius, and he responded with visible pride and smugness. 1

During his early years, Xiao Yan attempted to ingratiate himself with Gu Xun'er while privately planning to enter her room at night. Xiao Ming discovered him outside her courtyard, exposing the incident and leaving Xiao Yan embarrassed enough to flee when Xun'er appeared. 4 5

After reaching Dou Zhe, Xiao Yan’s Qi Cyclone shattered without warning. His realm continued to fall until it stabilized at Dou Qi Power Stage Three. The Xiao Family, which had once celebrated him, turned hostile; even his seat was initially omitted when the Cloud Mist Sect visited. 93 100 106

Xiao Ming’s examination found no physical illness. The true cause was Yao Chen, a soul residing within Xiao Yan’s Bone Flame Ring, who had deliberately taken Xiao Yan’s Dou Qi. 100 107 When Na Lan Yan Ran’s side moved to annul their engagement, Xiao Yan publicly rejected the offered compensation and established a Three-Year Agreement to challenge her. 107

Yao Chen subsequently accepted Xiao Yan as a disciple and confirmed that he possessed the qualifications to become an alchemist. Under Yao Chen’s guidance, Xiao Yan restored his cultivation, developed the Flame Mantra, acquired a Heavenly Flame, and returned for the Three-Year Agreement. 107 226 237

At the Cloud Mist Sect, Xiao Yan defeated Na Lan Yan Ran after both combatants used their strongest techniques and suffered serious injuries. He then dissolved their marriage himself. The victory was followed by accusations over Gu He’s stolen Heavenly Flame and a confrontation with the sect’s elders. 245 246

Appearance

Xiao Yan is described as a delicate-looking youth during his period of decline. By the time he visits Xiao Ming as Yan Xiao, his skin has darkened and his face carries a more weary, travel-worn appearance. 93 234

• Often appears in black robes during the Three-Year Agreement. 242
• Uses a Human Skin Mask to take on the ordinary appearance of “Yan Xiao.” 233 234
• Originally possessed a more youthful and refined appearance before years of travel and cultivation. 234

Personality

As a child, Xiao Yan was pampered by his status as the patriarch’s son and his cultivation talent. He expected the other children to defer to him, was irritated by Xiao Ming’s indifference, and acted arrogantly toward those around him. 1 4 92

His fall from genius to “waste” leaves him bitter, isolated, and distrustful. He recognizes that only his father and older brothers continued to support him, while repeated comparisons with Xiao Ming deepen his complicated feelings toward his cousin. 99 103

Despite this resentment, Xiao Yan is resilient. Public humiliation and the annulment of his engagement strengthen his resolve to regain power rather than submit quietly. He remains determined even when facing opponents above his level or relying on dangerous, improvised methods. 107 242 245

Abilities & Skills

Alchemy

Yao Chen identifies Xiao Yan as having the minimum qualifications needed to become an alchemist and takes him as a disciple. 107

• Introduced to Xiao Ming as a Grade Three Alchemist before reaching the age of twenty. 233
• Agrees to refine the Curved Lotus Pill and Emperor Extreme Pill for Hai Bodong in exchange for protection of the Xiao Family. 226
• Uses alchemy and medicinal pills to accelerate his preparation for the Three-Year Agreement. 226 234

Flame Mantra and Heavenly Flame

Xiao Yan cultivates the complete Flame Mantra, a technique more orthodox than the incomplete version used by Han Feng. 237

• Possesses the Wind Fury Dragon Flame, which Gu He recognizes as the Heavenly Flame formerly in his possession. 244 245
• Uses the Heavenly Flame to reinforce his strongest attacks against Na Lan Yan Ran. 244 245
• His acquisition of the flame involved a sneak attack on Gu He while Gu He was attempting to refine it. 226
• The flame’s exposure turns Gu He and the Cloud Mist Sect against him. 244 246

Dou Techniques

• Flame Steps — A movement technique used during his duel with Na Lan Yan Ran. 243
• Flame Splitting Wave Devouring Ruler — An Earth Tier technique performed with the Heavy Xuan Ruler. It drains nearly all of Xiao Yan’s available Dou Qi and causes severe physical strain. 244 245
• Hundred Severing Slash — A Profound Tier technique Xiao Yan cultivates from methods Xiao Ming provided to the Xiao Family. 244

Borrowed Power of Yao Chen

Yao Chen can take control of Xiao Yan’s body and lend him a massive temporary increase in power. 248 250

• Allows Xiao Yan to contend with Cloud Mist Sect elders while approaching Dou Huang strength. 248 249
• Under Yao Chen’s full control, his aura rises to half-step Dou Zong. 250
• The enhancement ends when Yao Chen leaves Xiao Yan’s body; Xiao Yan’s strength immediately falls back. 251
• Reliance on this power makes Yao Chen vulnerable to the Hall of Souls’ soul-targeting chains. 251

Disguise

Xiao Yan adopts the identity “Yan Xiao” through a Human Skin Mask. 233 234

• Conceals his face but not his aura from sufficiently perceptive experts. 233
• Uses the disguise when visiting Xiao Ming in Jia Ma Holy City. 233 234

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Bone Flame Ring — Storage ring that housed Yao Chen’s soul and concealed him from Xiao Ming’s earlier probe. 100 107
• Heavy Xuan Ruler — Weapon used to perform Flame Splitting Wave Devouring Ruler. 244 245
• Human Skin Mask — Used for his “Yan Xiao” identity. 233 234
• Wind Fury Dragon Flame — Heavenly Flame acquired from Gu He. 244 245

Relationships

• Xiao Zhan — Father and Xiao Family Patriarch. Xiao Zhan repeatedly seeks treatment and support for Xiao Yan despite clan opposition. 98 100 103
• Yao Chen — Mentor and soul within Xiao Yan’s ring. Yao Chen caused Xiao Yan’s regression, then restores his path and trains him in alchemy and cultivation. 107 161
• Xiao Ming — Cousin and former rival by comparison. Xiao Yan resents being measured against Xiao Ming but also seeks his help and recognizes his overwhelming strength. 99 100 234 237
• Na Lan Yan Ran — Former fiancée and opponent in the Three-Year Agreement. Xiao Yan defeats her, then personally dissolves their marriage. 107 245 246
• Gu Xun'er — Xiao Yan was assigned to familiarize her with the Xiao Family, but his attempt to enter her room damages her impression of him. 4 5 98
• Xiao Yu — Clan cousin who openly despises him over his past intrusion into the hot spring area and later mocks his fallen state. 92 98
• Xiao Ding and Xiao Li — Older brothers who continued caring for Xiao Yan during his years of humiliation. 99 544
• Gu He — Alchemist whose Wind Fury Dragon Flame Xiao Yan took; Gu He recognizes the flame during the Three-Year Agreement and becomes hostile. 226 244 249

Story Role / Major Arcs

Fall from Genius

Xiao Yan’s early talent and arrogance collapse when his cultivation regresses from Dou Zhe to Dou Qi Power Stage Three. His clan’s treatment shifts from praise to contempt, driving much of his need to prove himself. 1 93 100

Three-Year Agreement

After the Cloud Mist Sect seeks to annul his engagement with Na Lan Yan Ran, Xiao Yan rejects the humiliation and stakes a three-year challenge. Yao Chen’s appearance gives him the means to pursue it through cultivation, alchemy, and the Flame Mantra. 107

Return as Yan Xiao

Xiao Yan returns to Jia Ma Holy City disguised as Yan Xiao, now a Grade Three Alchemist and Seven-Star Dou Shi. He seeks medicinal resources and Hai Bodong’s aid to protect the Xiao Family before facing Na Lan Yan Ran. 226 233 234

Cloud Mist Sect Conflict

Xiao Yan reaches Great Dou Shi, defeats Na Lan Yan Ran, and ends their marriage. His stolen Heavenly Flame is exposed, escalating the event into a confrontation with the Cloud Mist Sect and forcing him to rely on Yao Chen’s borrowed power. 243 245 246 249

Hall of Souls Crisis

During the escape, the Hall of Souls captures Yao Chen with soul-restraining chains, stripping Xiao Yan of his borrowed strength. 251 Much later, Xiao Yan appears as a Dou Zun amid Hun Tiandi’s hostage operation, holding Soul Locking Chains connected to Xiao Ding and Xiao Li; despite appearances, he has not willingly turned against his brothers. 544

Notable Quotes

“Damn your grandma! Are you playing me for a fool by transmigrating me here as a waste? Damn it!” 103

“Life and death will be left to fate.” 242