Xiao Yan

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Xiao Yan (蕭炎)
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Xiao Family; later associated with Canaan Academy
Occupation/Role	Third Young Master of the Xiao Family; cultivator
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Dou Qi Rank 3, Low	1	Tested at a low rank and left disheartened after the family assessment.
Dou Zhe	28	Regained rapid progress after Yao Lao awakened and learned the cause of his lost Dou Qi.
Three-Star Dou Zhe	29	Fought Five-Star Da Dou Shi instructor Ruo Lin; Eight Extremes Collapse briefly raised his combat power to the Dou Shi level.
Dou Shi	105	Revealed this realm during his duel with Nalan Yanran and defeated her.
First Grade Dou Sheng	115	Reached this realm after devouring the Void Swallowing Flame.

Background / History

Xiao Yan was once regarded as a genius of the Xiao Family, but his cultivation declined until he could no longer retain refined Dou Qi. Though he endured ridicule from clan members, he maintained composure and repeatedly sought solitude in the back mountain. His father, Xiao Zhan, and cousin Xiao Xun'er remained among the few relatives who consistently supported him. 1 4 5

During this period, Xiao Yan grew close to his Clan Uncle Xiao Xian. Xiao Xian encouraged him and later gave him a mysterious stone. Xiao Yan trusted that his uncle bore him no ill intent, even after Yao Lao recognized Xiao Xian as an overwhelmingly dangerous powerhouse. 1 4 41 44

After Yao Lao awakened within his ring, Xiao Yan learned the source of his lost Dou Qi and rapidly recovered his cultivation. He entered Canaan Academy but immediately sought a one-year leave to travel the continent, pursue Strange Flames, and strengthen himself. 28 30

Personality

Xiao Yan is resilient under humiliation. His loss of cultivation leaves him frustrated and at times despairing, yet he continues training despite making no progress for a long period. 1 4

He is determined and pragmatic in combat. Against Ruo Lin, he did not attempt an impossible victory; his objective was simply to endure ten moves and secure leave from Canaan Academy. When his own strength proved insufficient, he relied on Yao Lao rather than recklessly refusing help. 29

His determination can become ruthless when confronting those who repeatedly demean or threaten him. He publicly defeated Nalan Yanran, crippled her Dou Qi, and spared her life. 104 105

Abilities & Skills

Dou Qi Cultivation

Xiao Yan’s cultivation initially deteriorated to Dou Qi Rank 3, but he later resumed rapid advancement after Yao Lao’s awakening. 1 28

• Reached the Dou Zhe realm in less than a month after escaping the label of “trash.” 28
• Achieved First Grade Dou Sheng after devouring the Void Swallowing Flame. 115
• Seeks Strange Flames as a means of improving his cultivation. 30

Combat Intuition

Xiao Yan displays combat judgment beyond his cultivation level.

• Identified openings in Ruo Lin’s attacks, including the interval between her old force fading and new force forming. 29
• Used an ordinary sword defensively despite lacking weapon-based Dou Techniques. 29
• Evaded pursuing powerhouses after the Fallen Heart Flame caused destruction in Mo City. 44

Fire Blowing Palm

A Dou Technique learned from Yao Lao.

• Primarily intended to intensify flames for pill refinement rather than direct combat. 29
• Used to offset the weakened force of Ruo Lin’s whip after it shattered his sword. 29

Eight Extremes Collapse

A powerful Dou Technique used during his battle with Ruo Lin.

• Temporarily elevated his combat power from Three-Star Dou Zhe to the level of a Nine-Star Dou Zhe and briefly into the Dou Shi level. 29
• Could not overcome the realm gap against a Five-Star Da Dou Shi by itself. 29

Yao Lao’s Assistance

Yao Lao can take control of Xiao Yan’s body when necessary.

• Broke Ruo Lin’s Water Mandala after Xiao Yan was unable to escape it himself. 29
• Guides Xiao Yan in cultivation, combat, and preparations for his journeys. 29 39 44

Equipment / Items

• Mysterious stone — Given by Xiao Xian during Xiao Yan’s period of stalled cultivation. 4
• Fallen Heart Flame — A Different Fire gifted by Xiao Xian in a jade bottle; its accidental release devastated part of Mo City. 44
• Five-colored stone armor — The stone left after Xiao Yan’s Storage Ring exploded transformed into armor and empowered him. 113
• Storage Ring — Contained the five-colored stone before its explosion. 113

Relationships

• Xiao Xian — Clan Uncle and benefactor. Xiao Yan receives encouragement, a mysterious stone, and the Fallen Heart Flame from him; Xiao Yan believes Xiao Xian has no malicious intent toward him. 1 4 44
• Xiao Xun'er — Cousin and longtime supporter. She seeks him out when he is upset, comforts him during his decline, and publicly offers him a seat when the elders humiliate him. 1 4 5
• Xiao Zhan — Father and Xiao Family Clan Leader. He treats Xiao Yan warmly despite the clan elders’ disdain. 4 5
• Yao Lao — Teacher and partner residing in Xiao Yan’s ring. He guides Xiao Yan’s cultivation and can take control of his body in critical moments. 28 29 41
• Ruo Lin — Canaan Academy instructor. She challenged Xiao Yan to withstand ten moves in exchange for a year’s leave; he succeeded with Yao Lao’s intervention. 28 29
• Nalan Yanran — Former fiancée and rival. Their conflict culminated in a public duel in Wutan City, where Xiao Yan defeated and crippled her. 104 105
• Yan Jin — Ally during the conflict at the city gate; the two retreated together to avoid harming the moat’s fish. 113

Story Role / Major Arcs

Fall from Genius

Xiao Yan’s cultivation falls to Dou Qi Rank 3, Low, making him a target of mockery within the Xiao Family. He struggles to retain refined Dou Qi and becomes increasingly isolated apart from Xiao Xun'er, Xiao Zhan, and Xiao Xian. 1 4 5

Canaan Academy Leave

After recovering cultivation with Yao Lao’s help, Xiao Yan enters Canaan Academy and challenges Ruo Lin’s attempt to keep him enrolled. He survives her ten-move test and obtains a year of leave. 28 29

Search for Strange Flames

Xiao Yan leaves the Gama Empire to explore the wider Dou Qi Continent and seek Strange Flames. In Mo City, he searches for a Tagor Desert map and becomes involved with Hai Bo Dong’s Purification Lotus Demon Flame Map fragment. 30 39 41

Mo City Pursuit

Xiao Xian gives Xiao Yan the Fallen Heart Flame, whose release draws the attention of Mo City’s powerhouses. Xiao Yan and Yao Lao escape their pursuit and enter the Tagor Desert. 44

Duel with Nalan Yanran

Xiao Yan returns to Wutan City to face Nalan Yanran’s challenge over their engagement. Having reached the Dou Shi realm, he defeats her, cripples her Dou Qi, and later decides to return the marriage certificate after consulting Xiao Zhan. 104 105

Ancient Emperor Cave Abode

After escaping the Ancient Emperor Cave Abode with his power exhausted, Xiao Yan realizes he has become a genuine First Grade Dou Sheng by devouring the Void Swallowing Flame. He and Yao Chen then plan to seek the Purification Lotus Demon Flame. 115

Trivia

• Xiao Yan is Xiao Zhan’s third son; his two older brothers had already left the Xiao Family to train elsewhere. 4
• Before Yao Lao’s awakening, Xiao Yan was known as “trash” because of his inexplicable loss of Dou Qi. 28
• Xiao Yan initially believed Xiao Xian had joined the Xiao Family as an outsider a little more than a decade earlier. 44