Xiao Yan

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Xiao Yan (蕭炎)
Alias(es)	Yan Xiao; “Little Yanzi”
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Xiao Family; Canaan Academy; associated with the Great Love Alliance
Occupation/Role	Cultivator; alchemist; disciple of Yao Lao
Status	Alive
First Appearance	2

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Six-Star Fighter	142	Fought and killed a second-tier Crimson Flame Wolf while wielding the Mystic Heavy Ruler.
Dou Ling	276	Appeared at Yun Lan Sect during the confrontation with Yun Shan.
Dou Wang	363	Broke through amid battle against Qi Yu, though Qi Yu still overwhelmed and captured him.
One-Star Dou Huang	545	Advanced while studying alchemy under the Little Fairy Doctor.
One-Star Dou Zong	663 714	Reached Dou Zong before the conflict involving Burning Flame Valley and Ice River Valley; defeated a Three-Star Dou Zong using Rage Fire Lotus.
Six-Star Dou Zong	928	Emerged from the Heavenly Tomb having risen three stars from his pre-entry Three-Star Dou Zong cultivation.

Background / History

Xiao Yan was a member of the Xiao Family of Wutan City and the elder brother of Xiao Meier. He was already close to Xiao Xun Er when Nalan Ye first encountered them in the market; Xun Er chose Xiao Yan’s inexpensive necklace over Galeo’s costly Magic Crystal necklace. Nalan Ye intervened when Galeo moved to attack them and declared the Nalan Family’s support for the Xiao Family. 2

After recovering his standing as a genius, Xiao Yan reunited with Nalan Ye and the Xiao Family in Stone Desert City. He remained straightforward and calm, but frequently clashed with Nalan Ye’s pragmatism, particularly when he refused to meet Yun Yun despite the potential benefits. 35 38

He trained under Yao Lao, whose teachings expanded his ambitions beyond the Gamma Empire. Xiao Yan eventually resolved to leave the empire, seek Xun Er, and help Yao Lao settle his past grievances. 121 122

Xiao Yan fought Nalan Yanran in their destined battle, adapting his heavy-ruler style against her swordsmanship and Wind Attribute techniques. Although he was badly injured by her Wind Spirit Transformation Sword, his persistence earned her respect. 116

Following the Gama Royal Family’s extermination of the Xiao Family, Xiao Yan initially sought immediate revenge. After Xiao Li explained the political circumstances, he regained his composure and chose to work with the Nalan Family and Poison Sect instead. 272 273

He later became a major defender of Canaan Academy. Though he had already left the academy, he returned to fight for it for three years and, despite being only a Dou Huang at the time, killed a Dou Zong during the decisive battle against the Black Alliance. Canaan Academy subsequently erected a statue in his honor. 581

Xiao Yan departed for Central State to rescue Yao Lao from the Hall of Souls. After years of cultivation, travel, and alliance-building, he participated in the rescue at the West Underworld Earth Hall and reunited with his teacher. 581 672 675

Appearance

Xiao Yan is commonly described as a black-robed youth with a lazy smile. He often carries the oversized Mystic Heavy Ruler on his back. 46 142

• Usually wears black robes. 46 142
• Carries the Mystic Heavy Ruler. 142 374
• Has adopted the disguise and name Yan Xiao on multiple occasions. 75 451

Personality

Xiao Yan is calm under provocation and often presents a lazy, unconcerned demeanor, yet he is fiercely ambitious and refuses to accept permanent inferiority. He openly acknowledged Nalan Ye’s current superiority but vowed that he would someday surpass him. 2 374

His pride can make him stubborn, particularly where “face” is concerned. He initially rejected Nalan Ye’s attempt to bring him before Yun Yun, and defeats—especially his loss to Nalan Yanran—left him struggling with self-doubt. Yao Lao’s guidance repeatedly redirects this frustration into ambition. 38 121

His strongest defining trait is loyalty. Xiao Yan risked himself to protect Canaan Academy, pursued dangerous cultivation opportunities for greater strength, and traveled to Central State primarily to save Yao Lao. 546 581 635 672

Abilities & Skills

Cultivation and Combat

Xiao Yan can fight opponents above his realm through adaptability, technique, and powerful finishing moves.

• Defeated a second-tier Crimson Flame Wolf as a Six-Star Fighter. 142
• Adapted his heavy-ruler attacks to contend with Nalan Yanran’s swordsmanship. 116
• Broke through to Dou Wang in battle against Qi Yu. 363
• As a One-Star Dou Zong, killed a fleeing Three-Star Dou Zong from Ice River Valley. 714

Mystic Heavy Ruler

A large black iron ruler that gives Xiao Yan an advantage in close-range exchanges.

• Used as his principal weapon during his fight with Nalan Yanran. 116
• Carried during his training in the Winged Palace Mountain Range. 142
• Used in sparring with Nalan Ye. 374

Eight Extremities Collapse

A powerful close-range Dou Skill centered on explosive force.

• Used to defend against Nalan Yanran’s Wind Spirit Transformation Sword, though he was severely injured. 116
• Used against the chains binding Yao Lao during the rescue operation. 672
• Offered as a supposed lesson during a prank on Zhang Yan. 474

Exploding Step

A movement-type Dou Skill taught by Yao Lao.

• Allowed Xiao Yan to narrowly evade the Crimson Flame Wolf’s flame attack. 142

Rage Fire Lotus

Xiao Yan’s powerful Secret Method and one of his principal decisive techniques.

• Han Feng’s “Other Shore Flower” shocked Xiao Yan because of its similarity to Rage Fire Lotus. 236
• Failed against Qi Yu due to the overwhelming disparity in their strength. 363
• Enhanced with the Bone Spirit Cold Flame to defeat a Three-Star Dou Zong. 714

Different Flames

Xiao Yan possesses and refines Different Flames to strengthen his combat and cultivation.

• Successfully refined the Sea Heart Flame. 240
• Attempted to refine the Fallen Heart Flame beneath Canaan Academy’s Heavenly Flame Training Gas Tower. 546
• Lent the Fallen Heart Flame during the Medicine Garden conflict only reluctantly, considering Different Fire extremely precious. 799

Alchemy

Xiao Yan developed rapidly as an alchemist under the Little Fairy Doctor’s instruction.

• Reached Fourth-Rank Alchemist within one year. 545
• Attempted Seventh-Rank pill refinement with mixed results. 545
• Refined a Seventh Grade Four-Colored Pill, producing a Four-Colored Pill Tribulation. 869
• Personally withstood the Four-Colored Pill Tribulation, whose power matched that of a Four-Star Dou Zong. 869

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Mystic Heavy Ruler — Xiao Yan’s signature heavy weapon. 142 374
• Bone Spirit Cold Flame — used to enhance Rage Fire Lotus. 714
• Sea Heart Flame — successfully refined. 240
• Fallen Heart Flame — sought and refined for cultivation and combat. 546 799

Relationships

• Yao Lao / Yao Chen — master and disciple. Yao Lao trained Xiao Yan, guided his ambitions, and was later rescued by Xiao Yan from the Hall of Souls. 121 122 672 675
• Xiao Xun Er — childhood companion and love interest. She consistently believes in his potential, protects him, and supports his cultivation path. 2 690 691
• Nalan Yanran — wife and former combat rival. Xiao Yan lost their early battle but later married her; they announced her pregnancy after the disrupted wedding period. 116 366 384
• Nalan Ye — ally, rival, and family connection. Xiao Yan respects Nalan Ye’s strength while insisting he will surpass him; the two later cooperate on dangerous ventures. 308 374 641
• Xiao Meier — younger sister. She joined him in seeking revenge after the Xiao Family tragedy. 2 273
• Xiao Li — brother who restrained Xiao Yan’s initial anger after the Xiao Family’s destruction and helped him choose a strategic path to revenge. 273
• Xiao Yu — sibling and ally in the campaign for revenge. 273
• Little Fairy Doctor — alchemy mentor and trusted companion. She trained Xiao Yan in alchemy and later fought alongside his allies. 545 695
• Cai Lin — combat ally who took control of Xiao Yan’s body to counter Feng Qing’er’s Heavenly Phoenix phantom. 453
• Medicine Residue — son with Nalan Yanran. 545 672
• Xiao Xin — younger son; his name was chosen by Nalan Ye. 641
• Ling Quan — hostile rival obsessed with Xun Er, who sought Xiao Yan’s execution through the Ancient Clan Council of Elders. 690 691
• Han Feng — opponent connected to Yao Lao through the Burning诀; their confrontation ended with Han Feng attempting to self-destruct. 236

Story Role / Major Arcs

Early Xiao Family Period

• Established his bond with Xun Er and received Nalan Ye’s protection against Galeo. 2
• Reunited with the Xiao Family in Stone Desert City after a year apart. 35
• Joined the contest surrounding the Azure Lotus Pedestal while disguised as “Yan Xiao.” 75

Duel with Nalan Yanran

• Fought Nalan Yanran with the Mystic Heavy Ruler and Eight Extremities Collapse. 116
• Lost the battle after suffering severe injuries, prompting a period of self-doubt and renewed ambition. 116 121

Xiao Family Tragedy and Revenge

• Learned that the Gama Royal Family had exterminated the Xiao Family. 272 273
• Chose an alliance-based retaliation plan with the Nalan Family and Poison Sect rather than acting alone. 273

Canaan Academy

• Returned to defend Canaan Academy during its conflict with the Black Alliance. 581
• Sought to refine the Fallen Heart Flame in order to gain strength for the academy’s defense. 546

Central State and Yao Lao’s Rescue

• Left for Central State to rescue Yao Lao from the Hall of Souls. 581
• Won the trust of allies including Tang Zhen through his determination to save his master. 635
• Reunited with Yao Lao after the rescue from the West Underworld Earth Hall. 672 675

Ancient Clan and Heavenly Tomb

• Reunited with Xun Er and faced hostility from Ling Quan. 690 691
• Entered the Heavenly Tomb and advanced from Three-Star to Six-Star Dou Zong. 928

Trivia

• Xiao Yan’s inexpensive street-vendor necklace was chosen by Xun Er over Galeo’s Magic Crystal necklace worth more than a thousand gold coins. 2
• He initially resented lending the Fallen Heart Flame because he regarded Different Fire as an exceptionally precious personal resource. 799
• Canaan Academy erected a statue of Xiao Yan in recognition of his role in protecting the institution. 581