Xiao Yan

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Xiao Yan (蕭炎)
Alias(es)	Rock Owl; “Xiao Yan-gege”
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Xiao Family; later a disciple of Mo Yuan
Occupation/Role	Cultivator; alchemist candidate; Mo Yuan’s eighteenth disciple
Status	Deceased; dies after Qi’s attack and the shock of learning its consequences 561
First Appearance	Chapter 8

Background / History

Xiao Yan possesses knowledge of Earth’s history and myths because he was a man of the Huaxia Empire in a past life. He shares this knowledge with Xiao Xun’er, explaining the Huaxia, Greek, Indian, and Babylonian empires, as well as figures such as Sun Wukong. Yao Lao, his teacher within a ring, observes this unusual knowledge with curiosity 8 9.

He trains under Yao Lao, enduring ninety-four Dou Qi lashes while cultivating the Eight Extremes Collapse. His resilience surpasses Yao Lao’s expectations 40. He later acquires the Smoke Fruit and the Fifteen Styles of Holy Spirit Sword Method, then prepares to enroll at Canaan Academy, promising Xun’er that he will find her there within a year 63.

Seeking materials to refine a strange fire, Xiao Yan confronts the Little Fairy Doctor over Ice Spirit Flame Grass in the Demon Beast Mountain Range. He subsequently follows a map connected to the Purifying Lotus Demon Fire, drawing the attention of Akainu, Ye Qiu, and other major powers 66 68 76.

After stealing the Purifying Lotus Demon Fire remnant map, he is pursued and injured. Ling Ying intervenes on Xun’er and the Ancient Clan’s behalf, allowing Yao Lao to escape with him. Xiao Yan eventually returns the map after believing it belongs to Sun Wukong, showing remorse and respect for its supposed owner 76 79.

Two years after vanishing, Xiao Yan returns during Canaan Academy’s Inner Academy Selection Tournament, arriving in time to reunite with and support Xun’er. He displays both Dou Qi and his Smoke Fruit ability 138.

During the conflict with the Yun Lan Sect, Xiao Yan leads his allies against the sect’s invading disciples and personally defeats Yun Du and Yun Cha, two Dou Huangs. He uses the Earth Rank Low Level Dou Technique Flame Splitting Tsunami Ruler against their reanimated corpses 209.

His apparent protection by Heavenly Law Power is confirmed when attacks directed at him are repelled by a strange force. Wind Venerable and Hua Rouying subsequently offer him protection, while the Pill Tower invites him to its premises 209 210.

Later, Xiao Yan, Gu Xun’er, and Gu Yuan are captured by the Soul Clan. To secure his and Xun’er’s release, he offers the Burning Art, half of Yao Lao’s collection, and Huaxia Coins through Huaxia Mall; he then sells his remaining pill formulas to raise money for his family’s rescue 264 267.

Xiao Yan infiltrates the Soul Clan to rescue his father but is overwhelmed by Hun Tiandi, Void Swallowing Flame, and the Four Demon Saints. He is saved by a future version of himself—the Flame Emperor Xiao Yan—from three hundred years ahead 319 320.

He later seeks Mo Yuan as a foster father but accepts becoming Mo Yuan’s eighteenth disciple instead 419. During Qi’s assault on the Xiao Family, Xiao Yan is kicked and suffers severe kidney damage. He dies from anger and shock after learning Qi caused the injury 560 561.

Personality

Xiao Yan is determined, resilient, and intensely goal-oriented. His pursuit of Ice Spirit Flame Grass and strange fire refinement makes him willing to enter tense confrontations despite unfavorable circumstances 66.

He remains composed when underestimated, including during an alchemy test where he emerges last without apology or visible urgency. Li Xingyun describes him as strong, difficult to defeat without trump cards, and exceptionally lucky 116.

His loyalty to Xun’er is a defining trait: he worries for her safety, protects her during crises, and reacts strongly to perceived threats to their relationship 102 165. However, he is also jealous and insecure, particularly regarding Xun’er’s connection to the future Flame Emperor Xiao Yan and his own concern for Bi Yao 267 320.

Abilities & Skills

Dou Qi Cultivation

Xiao Yan is a Dou Qi practitioner whose strength grows through Yao Lao’s guidance, harsh endurance training, and acquired techniques.

• Endures ninety-four Dou Qi lashes during Eight Extremes Collapse training 40.
• Recognizes the overwhelming gap between himself and high-level combatants, but remains committed to gradual improvement 71.
• Defeats Dou Wangs and Dou Huangs of the Yun Lan Sect during the Mittel Family conflict 209.

Eight Extremes Collapse

A combat technique cultivated under Yao Lao.

• Trained through repeated Dou Qi lashes and physical endurance 40.
• Xiao Yan’s progress exceeds Yao Lao’s expectations 40.

Smoke Fruit

A fruit-based power obtained before his planned enrollment at Canaan Academy.

• Identified as one of the sources of his significant increase in strength 63.
• Displayed alongside his Dou Qi upon his return to Canaan Academy 138.

Flame Splitting Tsunami Ruler

An Earth Rank Low Level Dou Technique.

• Used against the animated corpses of Yun Du and Yun Cha 209.
• Serves as a response to the unknown force manipulating the slain Dou Huangs 209.

Alchemy

Xiao Yan participates in an alchemy test and possesses pill formulas valuable enough to sell through Huaxia Mall.

• Remains calm when he is the final participant to emerge from the test 116.
• Offers the Burning Art and half of Yao Lao’s collection as payment for a rescue mission 264.
• Sells remaining pill formulas to fund efforts to rescue his family 267.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Ring containing Yao Lao — houses Xiao Yan’s teacher and adviser 8 17.
• Purifying Lotus Demon Fire remnant map — stolen by Xiao Yan, triggering pursuit by several factions; later returned 76 79.
• Ice Spirit Flame Grass — sought by Xiao Yan as a material for refining strange fire 66.
• Burning Art — offered as a reward and later transferred as part of his rescue arrangement 264 267.

Relationships

• Yao Lao / Yao Chen — teacher residing in Xiao Yan’s ring; trains, advises, and repeatedly protects him during danger 8 40 76.
• Gu Xun’er — childhood companion and romantic partner; she consistently protects and supports him, while he is deeply concerned for her safety 8 102 165.
• Xiao Zhan — Xiao Yan’s father and Xiao Family leader; supports Xiao Yan and assigns him to connect with the Buddhist Sect 9.
• Ling Ying — Ancient Clan protector assigned to protect Xiao Yan due to Xun’er’s favor toward him 76.
• Little Fairy Doctor — initially clashes with Xiao Yan over Ice Spirit Flame Grass 66.
• Ye Qiu — recurring adversary and occasional rescuer; manipulates events surrounding Xiao Yan’s remnant map and later facilitates his Soul Clan ransom 78 79 267.
• Flame Emperor Xiao Yan — Xiao Yan’s future self from three hundred years ahead; rescues him from the Soul Clan but causes identity-related tension 319 320.
• Mo Yuan — accepts Xiao Yan as his eighteenth disciple 419.
• Qi — powerful enemy responsible for pursuing the Xiao Clan, injuring Xiao Yan, and indirectly causing his death 560 561.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Huaxia Knowledge and Xiao Family Life

Xiao Yan’s past-life knowledge of Huaxia and Earth mythology distinguishes him within the Xiao Family and strengthens his bond with Xun’er 8 9.

Demon Beast Mountain Range and Remnant Map

He enters the Demon Beast Mountain Range to pursue strange fire resources and the Purifying Lotus Demon Fire remnant map. The theft of the map brings him into conflict with Akainu, Ye Qiu, and the Ancient Clan’s protectors 66 76 79.

Canaan Academy Return

After disappearing for two years, he returns at Canaan Academy’s Inner Academy Selection Tournament and reunites with Xun’er 138.

Yun Lan Sect Revenge

Xiao Yan fights the Yun Lan Sect after it targets the Mittel Family and Xiao Family members. He orders the sect’s invading disciples killed and personally slays Yun Du and Yun Cha 207 209.

Soul Clan Captivity and Rescue

Captured alongside Xun’er and Gu Yuan, Xiao Yan seeks outside aid through the Myriad Realms Network and ultimately sacrifices the Burning Art and Yao Lao’s collection to secure his release 264 267.

Future Flame Emperor Encounter

While attempting to rescue his father from the Soul Clan, Xiao Yan is saved by the Flame Emperor—a future version of himself. The encounter exposes contrasting personalities, power, and relationships between the two versions 319 320 322.

Final Conflict with Qi

Qi targets the Xiao Family because of old grievances involving the Xiao Clan and Ancient Races. Xiao Yan is injured during the conflict and later dies after learning the cause of his condition 560 561.