Xiao Yan

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Xiao Yan (萧炎)
Alias(es)	Yan Xiao 37 40
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Xiao Family; Jia Nan Academy student 1 44
Occupation/Role	Cultivator; alchemist
Status	Killed by Xiao Tian in the initial timeline; later appears again in the origin-return continuity 144 243
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Power Progression

Initial timeline record

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Dou Qi, Third Stage	1	Tested at the Xiao Family and ranked low after his talent decline. 1
Dou Qi, Eighth Stage	7	His recovered cultivation is revealed at the coming-of-age ceremony. 7
Seven-Star Dou Zhe	13	Observed fighting mercenaries near Qingshan Town. 13
Eight-Star Da Dou Shi	18	Yao Chen identifies this as Xiao Yan’s cultivation during the Alchemist Association assessment. 18
Dou Ling	22	Xiao Tian learns that Xiao Yan has reached the Dou Ling realm. 22
Two-Star Da Dou Shi	39	Stated as his cultivation at the Three-Year Pact; this lower-ranked report conflicts with the earlier Dou Ling account. 39
Six-Star Da Dou Shi	44	Xiao Tian notes his strength upon their reunion at Jia Nan Academy. 44
Peak Dou Wang	58	Reached after secluded cultivation. 58
Dou Huang	90	Newly entered the realm while fighting Soul Hall Protectors. 90
Dou Zun	101	Has reached the realm by the time Xiao Tian encounters Starfall Pavilion. 101
Two-Star Dou Zun	106	Continues cultivating toward vengeance against the Soul Hall. 106

Origin-return continuity

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Dou Qi, Third Stage	243	Again tested as low-ranked after Xiao Tian returns to the Xiao Family’s origin period. 243
Dou Qi, Seventh Stage	240	His restored talent shocks the Xiao Family at the coming-of-age ceremony. 240
Six-Star Dou Zhe	254	Detected near Qingshan Town while heading toward the Mu She Mercenary Group. 254
Peak Dou Wang	263	Achieves victory over the Molten Magma Beast and stands one step from Dou Huang. 263
Dou Huang	264	Reaches the realm as Xiao Yan’s conflict with the Misty Cloud Sect escalates. 264

Background

Xiao Yan was once celebrated as a genius of the Xiao Family, but his cultivation fell to the third stage of Dou Qi. The clan’s younger generation mocked him as worthless, while Xiao Zhan continued to support and protect him as his father. 1 4

Nalan Yanran’s visit to annul their engagement publicly humiliates Xiao Yan and his family. In response, he establishes the Three-Year Pact and vows to recover his honor through cultivation. Soon afterward, Yao Chen awakens within his ring and begins guiding him. 4 246

Under Yao Chen’s training, Xiao Yan regains his cultivation and develops into both a fighter and an alchemist. His drive is intensified by his awareness of Xiao Tian’s rapid advancement, whom he repeatedly resolves to surpass. 5 18 22

At the Three-Year Pact, Xiao Yan faces Nalan Yanran atop Misty Cloud Mountain. He reveals the Six Paths Samsara Flame and Bone Spirit Cold Flame, fuses them into the Buddha’s Rage Fire Lotus, and is declared the victor after Xiao Tian neutralizes both combatants’ ultimate techniques. 39 40

After the Soul Clan abducts Xiao Zhan, Xiao Yan devotes himself to gaining the power needed to rescue his father. His relationship with Xiao Tian deteriorates after Yao Chen is captured by the Soul Hall; Xiao Yan believes Xiao Tian and Heavenly Fire Venerable failed to save his teacher. 41 93

In the initial timeline, Xiao Tian ultimately kills Xiao Yan, explaining that only one of them can exist under the Heavenly Dao. 144

Origin-return continuity

Later events return Xiao Tian to the Xiao Family’s origin period. Xiao Yan is again a declining prodigy at the third stage of Dou Qi, but Yao Chen awakens and his talent returns. Their old rivalry resumes as both pursue strength, alchemy, and Heavenly Flames. 243 244 240

Appearance

Xiao Yan is a slender young man often seen in blue robes with a black heavy ruler carried on his back. 39

• Dark-red Dou Qi armor manifests when he reveals his full power. 40
• Uses a black heavy ruler as his primary weapon. 39 44
• Wields multiple Heavenly Flames, including the Six Paths Samsara Flame and Bone Spirit Cold Flame. 40

Personality

Xiao Yan is resilient, proud, and intensely driven by humiliation, family loyalty, and the need to become stronger. Though ridiculed during his decline, he continues cultivating rather than surrendering to the Xiao Family’s judgment. 1 4

He approaches major conflicts with determination but can act pragmatically when outmatched. Before the Three-Year Pact, he states that he seeks his family’s dignity rather than immediate war with the Misty Cloud Sect; after Xiao Zhan’s abduction, however, he becomes focused on eventually confronting the Soul Clan. 39 41

Xiao Yan is capable of gratitude and goodwill toward Xiao Tian when receiving aid, but Yao Chen’s capture turns that relationship into open resentment. 40 44 93

Abilities & Skills

Flame Mantra and Heavenly Flames

Xiao Yan cultivates the Flame Mantra under Yao Chen and can wield more than one Heavenly Flame.

• Six Paths Samsara Flame — his primary displayed Heavenly Flame during the Three-Year Pact and alchemy tournament. 37 40
• Bone Spirit Cold Flame — provided through Yao Chen for Xiao Yan’s flame fusion. 40
• Buddha’s Rage Fire Lotus — a fusion of the Six Paths Samsara Flame and Bone Spirit Cold Flame. 40
• His Heavenly Flames allow him to resist the oppressive aura of a Dou Zun despite being far weaker in cultivation. 92

Alchemy

Xiao Yan develops as an alchemist under Yao Chen’s instruction.

• Completes the First Grade and Second Grade Alchemist assessments. 19
• Uses paired Heavenly Flames for pill refinement during the alchemist tournament finals. 38
• His identity as the alchemist Yan Xiao is exposed during the tournament. 37 40

Combat Techniques

• Eight Extremes Collapse — defeats Xiao Ning during the Xiao Family ceremony. 5 240
• Explosive Step — used with Fire-Blowing Palm against Nalan Yanran. 40
• Wave Splitting Flame Ruler — a heavy-ruler technique used during the Three-Year Pact and against Yun Shan. 40 265
• Three Thousand Lightning Movement — low Earth-tier movement technique given to him by Xiao Tian. 44
• Purple Cloud Wings — flight equipment gifted by Xiao Tian. 44

Yao Chen’s Possession

Yao Chen can take control of Xiao Yan’s body, temporarily raising his combat ability far beyond Xiao Yan’s natural realm.

• During the battle against Soul Hall Protectors, possession raises his aura to eight-star Dou Zong. 90
• Yao Chen possesses him to confront Yun Shan and protect his escape from the Misty Cloud Sect. 264 265
• The technique is temporary and relies on Yao Chen’s soul power. 90

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Black Heavy Ruler — Xiao Yan’s signature weapon. 39 44
• Purple Cloud Wings — allows aerial movement before reaching the Dou Wang realm. 44
• Three Thousand Lightning Movement — low Earth-tier movement technique. 44
• Storage ring containing Yao Chen — the vessel from which Yao Chen guides him and later manifests. 41

Relationships

• Yao Chen — Master and mentor. Yao Chen awakens in Xiao Yan’s ring, teaches him the Flame Mantra and alchemy, and repeatedly protects him through possession. 4 40 90
• Xiao Zhan — Father. Xiao Zhan supports Xiao Yan through his decline; Xiao Yan’s determination to grow stronger becomes centered on rescuing him after the Soul Clan takes him away. 4 41
• Xiao Tian — Clan member, rival, occasional benefactor, and eventual enemy. Xiao Tian helps settle the Three-Year Pact, gives Xiao Yan valuable mobility techniques, but later kills him in the initial timeline. 40 44 144
• Nalan Yanran — Former fiancée and opponent in the Three-Year Pact. Xiao Yan defeats her and burns their engagement contract, ending their connection. 39 40 263
• Xiao Xun'er — Childhood companion who encourages him during his decline. Her closeness with Xiao Tian becomes a source of tension for Xiao Yan. 1 5 243
• Xiao Yu — Cousin and ally. She fights beside Xiao Yan during the Soul Hall attack on the Xiao Family. 91 92
• Hai Bodong — Ally who supports Xiao Yan against the Misty Cloud Sect. 263 264