Xiao Yan

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Xiao Yan (小炎子)
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Xiao Family (formerly); Starfall Pavilion
Occupation/Role	Disciple of Yao Lao; cultivator; Third-Rank Alchemist
Status	Deceased; killed alongside his group by Chen Cheng's subordinates 403
First Appearance	Chapter 85

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Dou Zhe	Before Ch. 85	Reached the Dou Zhe realm at age eleven and was celebrated as a once-in-a-century genius. His cultivation later declined for three years as Yao Lao absorbed his Dou Qi.
Dou Zhi Li Level 3	85	His cultivation during Nalan Yanran's annulment of their engagement.
Dou Zhi Li Level 4	114	Recovered one stage through cultivation supported by Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid.
Dou Qi Fourth Stage	144	Regressed after purple energy entered his body and suppressed his Dou Qi.
Dou Zhi Li Rank 8	303	Reached the seventh stage through arduous training while supporting Yao Lao's sleeping soul, then advanced three days after Yao Lao awoke and ceased draining his Dou Qi.
Da Dou Shi	382	Advanced from Dou Zhe to Da Dou Shi within several months through Xun Er's resources and Yao Lao's remaining legacy.
Four-Star Dou Huang	403	Revealed during the three-year battle with Nalan Yanran; wielded the Green Lotus Core Flame through the Mystic Heavy Ruler.

Background

Xiao Yan was once regarded as an extraordinary prodigy after becoming a Dou Zhe at eleven. His sudden three-year decline made him the target of constant ridicule within the Xiao Family, while the real cause remained hidden: Yao Lao's soul had been residing in Xiao Yan's black ring and absorbing his Dou Qi to sustain itself. 85 88

Nalan Yanran came to the Xiao Family to annul her engagement to him. Xiao Yan refused to accept the humiliation quietly, wrote a letter of divorce, and established a three-year agreement with her. 85

Chen Cheng later offered to resolve Xiao Yan's declining cultivation in exchange for the black ring. Xiao Yan distrusted the proposal but considered it because of the agreement with Nalan Yanran. Yao Lao awakened before the exchange could occur and revealed the truth behind Xiao Yan's lost cultivation. 87 88

Personality

Xiao Yan is proud, resilient, and intensely unwilling to accept humiliation. Years of being mocked by his clan hardened his temperament; he often endured insults in silence but reacted fiercely when his dignity, family, or Xun Er was threatened. 85 240 274

His confidence can border on stubbornness. He initially refused to ask Xun Er for help obtaining a Fifth Grade pill because he did not want to rely on her wealth, despite his condition. 144 Over time, he became more pragmatic and learned to suppress his desire for immediate revenge until he possessed sufficient strength. 382

Appearance

Xiao Yan is a young man with a good figure and appearance. During his return for the three-year agreement, he wears a black robe and carries the Mystic Heavy Ruler across his back. 85 402

• Wore the Xiao Family robe until severing it during his final break with the clan. 402
• Keeps Yao Lao's pitch-black ring on his hand. 85 322
• Carries the Mystic Heavy Ruler in his later confrontation with Nalan Yanran. 402 403

Abilities & Skills

Fen Jue

An evolving cultivation method that Xiao Yan raised to Yellow High-Rank by absorbing beast flames.

• At Yellow High-Rank, its quality is comparable to an ordinary Mysterious Low-Rank cultivation method. 382
• Beast flames can no longer advance it beyond Yellow High-Rank; true Heavenly Flames are required for further evolution. 382
• Supports his use of flame-based combat techniques and alchemy.

Green Lotus Core Flame

Xiao Yan acquired the nineteenth-ranked Heavenly Flame before the three-year agreement.

• Stored within his body and detected by Chen Cheng during his battle with Nalan Yanran. 382 403
• Channeled through the Mystic Heavy Ruler in combat. 403
• Allows Fen Jue to continue evolving beyond the limits imposed by beast flames. 382

Alchemy

Xiao Yan studied alchemy under Yao Lao after formally accepting him as his master.

• Requires wood-attributed Dou Qi, which Xiao Yan possesses. 89
• Became a Third-Rank Alchemist using Yao Lao's legacy and instruction from a lower-level Starfall Pavilion alchemist. 382
• Uses medicinal liquids and pills as major tools for cultivation and recovery.

Yao Lao's Soul Assistance

Yao Lao can temporarily control Xiao Yan's body and lend him combat ability.

• Used Xiao Yan's body to unleash a powerful Dou Technique and save him during the battle that devastated Wutan City. 141
• The assistance places a severe burden on Xiao Yan's body and contributed to his subsequent collapse. 141 144
• Yao Lao's recurring slumber repeatedly left Xiao Yan without guidance or protection. 144 261

Equipment

• Black Ring — The residence of Yao Lao's soul; later presented to Wind Venerable as proof of Xiao Yan's identity as Yao Lao's disciple. 85 322
• Mystic Heavy Ruler — Heavy weapon used in the battle against Nalan Yanran. 402 403
• Storage Ring — Used to store the Three-Pattern Azure Spirit Pill offered to the Xiao Family elders. 274
• Three-Pattern Azure Spirit Pill — Gift from Yao Lao that Xiao Yan used to remain in the Xiao Family after failing the coming-of-age retest. 274

Relationships

• Yao Lao (Yao Chen) — Master and mentor. Yao Lao initially drained Xiao Yan's Dou Qi without his knowledge, then taught him alchemy and devoted himself to helping Xiao Yan grow. He was captured by a Soul Hall protector; Xiao Yan later sought Wind Venerable's aid to rescue him. 88 89 303 322
• Xun Er — Childhood companion, devoted supporter, and lover. She supplied cultivation resources, cared for him during his injuries, and repeatedly protected him from danger. 144 240 382
• Mu Qingluan — Wife and fellow Starfall Pavilion associate. She and Xiao Yan became husband and wife after an accident, and she joined Xun Er in supporting his revenge. 382
• Nalan Yanran — Former fiancée and rival in the three-year agreement. Her annulment of their engagement became the driving humiliation behind Xiao Yan's pursuit of strength. 85 403
• Chen Cheng — Enemy. Chen Cheng attempted to obtain Yao Lao's ring, secretly poisoned Xiao Yan, and was blamed for Yao Lao's likely death; Xiao Yan swore to eventually kill him. 87 139 248 382
• Wind Venerable (Feng Xian) — Yao Lao's old friend who recognized Xiao Yan as Yao Lao's disciple and accepted him as his own disciple. 322
• Xiao Zhan — Father and Xiao Family patriarch. He tried to protect Xiao Yan within the limits of clan rules and later died protecting the family. 274 383
• Xiao Family — Former clan. After repeated humiliation and eventual expulsion, Xiao Yan cut his robe and severed all ties with the family. 274 383 402

Story Role / Major Arcs

Three-Year Agreement

Following Nalan Yanran's annulment request, Xiao Yan issued a letter of divorce and declared a three-year agreement to prove himself. Chen Cheng's presence during the event also brought Yao Lao's ring to attention. 85

Decline, Recovery, and Clan Rejection

Yao Lao's awakening explained Xiao Yan's lost cultivation and began his path into alchemy. However, Chen Cheng's poison and Yao Lao's repeated slumbers caused further regression. Xiao Yan failed his coming-of-age test, resisted assignment to manage a farm, and used a Three-Pattern Azure Spirit Pill to remain in the clan. 88 144 261 274

Soul Hall Attack

With Yao Lao's aid, Xiao Yan reached Dou Zhi Li Rank 8, but the Soul Hall attacked the Xiao Family in search of the Tou She Ancient God Jade. Xiao Yan was critically wounded, his meridians severed and dantian shattered, while Yao Lao was captured. 303

Starfall Pavilion

After Xun Er helped restore his meridians, Xiao Yan travelled from Ancient Saint City to Starfall Pavilion alone to seek help rescuing Yao Lao. Wind Venerable recognized the black ring and accepted him as Yao Lao's disciple. 322

Pursuit of Revenge

Learning that Yao Lao likely died after Nether City was destroyed, Xiao Yan resolved to avenge both Yao Lao and Xiao Zhan. Xun Er and Mu Qingluan pledged their support, while Xiao Yan focused on strengthening Fen Jue and seeking the Green Lotus Core Flame. 382

Final Three-Year Agreement

Xiao Yan returned to Misty Cloud Mountain as a Dou Huang to face Nalan Yanran. Before the duel, he rejected the Xiao Family completely by cutting his robe and declaring all ties severed. Nalan Yanran, however, was a Seven-Star Dou Venerable; Xun Er intervened to save Xiao Yan, after which Chen Cheng's subordinates killed Xiao Yan's group and seized their Heavenly Flames. 402 403

Notable Quotes

“Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river—do not bully the poor youth!” 85

“Today, I cut my robe and sever all ties. From this day forward, Xiao Yan and the Xiao Family are done with each other.” 402