Xiao Yan

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Xiao Yan (萧炎)
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Xiao Family; later associated with Yao Lao and the Pill Tower
Occupation/Role	Cultivator; alchemist-in-training
First Appearance	2

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Ninth Stage Dou Zhi Qi	2	Reached at age ten.
Tenth Stage Dou Zhi Qi	2	Reached at age eleven.
Dou Practitioner	2	Condensed a Dou Qi Vortex after reaching the tenth stage.
Third Stage Dou Zhi Qi	2	His Dou Qi Vortex dissipated and his cultivation regressed over three years.
Seventh Stage Dou Qi	4	Broke through after Yao Lao helped refine Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid.
Seventh Stage Dou Qi	32	Publicly tested at this level during the Xiao Family Coming-of-Age Ceremony.

Background / History

Xiao Yan began cultivating Qi at four years old. He rapidly rose to the ninth stage of Dou Zhi Qi by ten and became a Dou Practitioner at eleven after condensing a Dou Qi Vortex. Shortly afterward, his Dou Qi began vanishing without explanation; the vortex dissipated, and his cultivation fell to the third stage of Dou Zhi Qi over the next three years. His former admirers turned on him, treating him as a “waste.” 2

During this low point, Xiao Chen consistently protected and encouraged him, including driving off clan members who harassed him. Xiao Yan remained determined to train despite the clan’s contempt. 2

He later discovered Yao Lao, the soul residing in his ring. Yao Lao revealed that he had absorbed Xiao Yan’s Dou Qi for three years and offered to train Xiao Yan in cultivation and alchemy in exchange for help reviving himself. Xiao Yan formally accepted him as his teacher. 4

With Yao Lao’s assistance, Xiao Yan used Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid to recover to the Seventh Stage of Dou Qi. He subsequently searched Wutan City’s market for herbs needed to prepare more of the liquid. 4 5

Personality

Xiao Yan is resilient and ambitious. Even after his unexplained regression and the Xiao Family’s disdain, he continues training rather than abandoning cultivation. 2

He is grateful and loyal toward those who support him, particularly Xiao Chen and Yao Lao. Xiao Chen’s kindness during his lowest period remains deeply important to him. 2

Xiao Yan can also be cautious when confronted with the scale of Xiao Chen’s later strength and connections. After learning that Xiao Chen was accompanied by two Dou Zong experts and possessed formidable soul power, he worried that Yao Lao might have been exposed. 138

Abilities & Skills

Dou Qi Cultivation

Xiao Yan recovered from severe regression with Yao Lao’s guidance and Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid.

• Reached the Seventh Stage of Dou Qi after falling to the third stage. 2 4
• Continued seeking medicinal ingredients to support his cultivation. 5
• Later refined the Three Thousand Burning Flame gifted to him by Xiao Chen, improving his cultivation. 270

Alchemy

Yao Lao offers Xiao Yan instruction in alchemy as part of their agreement.

• Accepted Yao Lao’s proposal to become an alchemist. 4
• Participated in the Gama Empire Alchemist Convention. 137 144
• Learned of the Pill Tower’s Pill Gathering through Yao Lao. 196

Heavenly Flame Three Mysterious Transformations

Xiao Chen passed the Five Round Li Fire Method to Xiao Yan with the approval of Heavenly Flame Honored One. 196

• Cultivated the Heavenly Flame Three Mysterious Transformations to its third transformation. 305

Equipment / Items

• Ring containing Yao Lao — Yao Lao’s soul resided within it and absorbed Xiao Yan’s Dou Qi for three years. 4
• Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid — Used to restore and advance his cultivation. 4
• Qi Gathering Powder — Received from Xiao Chen. 14
• Three Thousand Burning Flame — Subdued by Xiao Chen and given to Xiao Yan for refinement. 270

Relationships

• Xiao Chen — Brother and longtime protector. Xiao Chen defended him against hostile Xiao Family members, later supported his cultivation, and gifted him the Three Thousand Burning Flame. 2 14 137 270
• Yao Lao / Yao Chen — Teacher and mentor. Yao Lao trained Xiao Yan in cultivation and alchemy in return for Xiao Yan’s assistance in reviving him. 4
• Xiao Xun'er — Fellow Xiao Family member who noticed the abnormal nature of his disappearing Dou Qi. 2
• Xiao Xuan — Xiao Family ancestor. Xiao Yan paid him the family’s most solemn respects in the Heavenly Tomb. 314

Story Role / Major Arcs

Fall from Prodigy

Xiao Yan’s mysterious loss of Dou Qi reduces him from a celebrated young genius to a third-stage Dou Zhi Qi cultivator and target of ridicule within the Xiao Family. 2

Yao Lao’s Apprenticeship

He discovers the cause of his regression in Yao Lao’s absorption of his Dou Qi, becomes Yao Lao’s disciple, and begins recovering his strength through medicinal assistance and alchemy training. 4

Alchemist Convention

Xiao Yan reunites with Xiao Chen while participating in the Gama Empire Alchemist Convention. He later congratulates Xiao Chen after the convention concludes. 137 144

Pill Tower and Central State

He prepares for the Pill Tower’s Pill Gathering, later travels alongside Xiao Chen and others in the Central State, and encounters Xiao Chen again in the Ten Thousand Medicines Mountain Range. 196 263

Three Thousand Burning Flame

Xiao Chen subdues the sentient Three Thousand Burning Flame and gives it to Xiao Yan, enabling Xiao Yan to refine it and improve his cultivation. 270

Heavenly Tomb

Xiao Yan accompanies Xiao Chen and Meng Er to the Heavenly Tomb, where he meets Xiao Xuan and pays respects to his ancestor. 302 314