Yao Chen

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Yao Chen (曜晨)
Alias(es)	Old Yao; Venerable Yao; the Mysterious Alchemist; Artifact Spirit of the Heavenly Flame Profound Weight Ruler
Species/Race	Soul body / Artifact Spirit; later a Ghost Cultivator
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Xiao Yan's party; registered under the Alchemist Guild's name as a Soul Artifact to deter Soul Hall
Occupation/Role	Alchemist; mentor; Artifact Spirit; Ghost Cultivator
Status	Active
Known Realm	Seven-star Ghost Venerable 686

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
High-level Ghost Sect	670	Developed the Ghost Spirit Art with Pei Xuan; Source Pills enabled him to reach this realm within half a year. His soul realm was already firmly at the Dou Zun level.
One-star Ghost Venerable	679	Had reached this realm before the group absorbed the Deep Sea Soul Hall's Dou Zun soul bodies.
Two-star Ghost Venerable	679	His Ghost Body advanced after absorbing sufficient Dou Zun soul bodies.
Three-star Ghost Venerable	685	His realm began rising immediately when Cold Fire Little Bone Dragon fused with him.
Seven-star Ghost Venerable	686	Completed a two-year fusion with Cold Fire Little Bone Dragon Gu Aotian; his former Nine-star Dou Zun experience let him fully control the resulting power.

Background / History

Yao Chen was once the world-renowned Venerable Yao and had previously reached the Nine-star Dou Zun realm. Before becoming a soul body, he trained Han Feng as a direct disciple; their eventual conflict centered on Han Feng's refusal to abandon the Burning Art. 591 670

After losing his physical body, Yao Chen spent a long period confined within a Storage Ring. He concealed his identity because exposing his rarer techniques, possessions, or Bone Spirit Cold Fire could draw dangerous attention. 89 310 He became Xiao Yan's teacher and protector, at times possessing Xiao Yan's body to fight and instruct him directly. 89 90

At the Wutan City auction, Yao Chen posed as a mysterious alchemist and offered an Earth-grade Dou Skill to secure the Dragon Flame Art for Xiao Yan. Soon afterward, he controlled Xiao Yan's body against several Da Dou Shi attackers while deliberately maintaining only Da Dou Shi-level strength to avoid escalating the conflict. 89 90 91

Yao Chen later became involved with Jiang Lin's artifact-forging projects. Jiang Lin forged him an autonomous Artifact Spirit body through the Heavenly Flame Profound Weight Ruler, freeing him from the Storage Ring while preserving his independent will. 310 Jiang Lin subsequently registered Yao Chen as a Soul Gold Stone-forged Soul Artifact associated with the Alchemist Guild, giving him a protective public identity against Soul Hall. 314

Following the development of the Ghost Spirit Art, Yao Chen adopted the Ghost Cultivator path. He ultimately fused with Cold Fire Little Bone Dragon, whose cold-fire energy was exceptionally compatible with both Yao Chen's Ghost Body and the Ghost Spirit Art. 670 685 686

Appearance

Yao Chen most often appears as a white-haired soul form, accompanied by an aged voice and the mannerisms of an elderly master. Before gaining his Artifact Spirit body, he commonly resided within Xiao Yan's body or Storage Ring. 158 190 310

• White hair, a trait that contributed to his sense of affinity with Xiao Yi Xian. 190
• Can manifest as an independent soul body outside Xiao Yan. 158 601
• Can operate the Heavenly Flame Profound Weight Ruler as a mechanical body through Soul Power. 310 314

Personality

Yao Chen is cautious, calculating, and deeply conscious of the dangers created by fame. He deliberately limits his displayed strength and avoids revealing rare techniques when doing so would attract stronger enemies. 89 90 His combat advice and sarcasm often conceal a pragmatic focus on survival, foundations, and long-term growth.

As a mentor, he is demanding toward Xiao Yan but notably patient with Xiao Yi Xian. He recognizes that conventional alchemy is unsuitable for her Calamity Poison Body and instead guides her toward Poison Pill Mastery. 190 Though initially skeptical of Jiang Lin, Yao Chen gradually develops respect for Jiang Lin's treatment of soul bodies as people rather than resources. 310 311

Yao Chen has lost faith in uncomplicated personal bonds and openly favors relationships built on mutual interests. 273 Nevertheless, his actions toward Xiao Yan, Xiao Yi Xian, and even Han Feng show that he remains emotionally invested in his disciples.

Abilities & Skills

Alchemy

A renowned Alchemy Venerable, Yao Chen possesses extensive knowledge of medicinal ingredients, pill refinement, cultivation methods, and inherited alchemical arts. 190 494

• Refines pills using rare materials gathered by Jiang Lin and divides the results as part of their cooperation. 162
• Refined medicine for the Ancient Sea's Merfolk experts, where local alchemy was comparatively underdeveloped. 604
• Planned the N-series Cultivation Pills, including potential successors to Dou Wang Pill No. 2. 604
• Recognizes and evaluates high-grade cultivation methods, including Xiao Yan's Heaven-grade Burning Art. 663

Mentorship

Yao Chen adapts his instruction to each disciple's circumstances instead of forcing them into a single path.

• Guides Xiao Yan's cultivation of the Burning Art and assists him in absorbing the Companion Purple Crystal Source. 189
• Uses possession battles as live instruction in Eight Extremes Collapse and Suction Palm. 90
• Teaches Xiao Yi Xian to refine poison powders into Poison Pills and gives her the Heavenly Poison Scripture. 190
• Advises Xiao Yan to prioritize a stable foundation over reckless advancement after absorbing Fallen Heart Flame. 591

Soul Power and Possession

Yao Chen can use Soul Power to control Xiao Yan's body, manipulate equipment, and act independently as an Artifact Spirit.

• Enhanced Xiao Yan's body with Soul Power while fighting Lin Hong and other Da Dou Shi. 90
• Equipped Xiao Yan's Black Flame Battle Armor and installed its four wing components through Soul Power. 198
• Replenished a Water Element Crystal Core with Da Dou Shi-level Dou Qi. 194
• Could not sustain high Soul Power usage indefinitely; after Xiao Yan's injuries from Buddha's Fury Lotus, he entered hibernation to recover. 287

Combat Techniques

Despite primarily being an alchemist, Yao Chen is an experienced fighter with combat knowledge extending far above the low-level battles Xiao Yan initially faced. 201

• Eight Extremes Collapse — Uses the Profound Grade High-Level Dou Skill with refined layered force capable of tearing through enemy Dou Qi and exploiting openings in armor. 90
• Suction Palm — Combines it with Eight Extremes Collapse for close-range control while engaging multiple opponents. 90
• Battlefield restraint — Intentionally suppressed his displayed strength to roughly five- or six-star Da Dou Shi during the Wutan City ambush. 90
• Long-range techniques — Used ranged Dou Skills while evading Jiang Lin with the Mist Eagle. 131

Bone Spirit Cold Fire

Yao Chen possesses the Bone Spirit Cold Fire, one of his most valuable and identity-revealing possessions. 89

• Its presence can be recognized by sufficiently knowledgeable experts, as demonstrated by the Gray Robe Elder. 385
• Can support Spirit Forging when Jiang Lin requires a powerful fire source. 245
• Its properties formed the basis for the Ghost Spirit Art's design. 685
• After Xiao Yan devoured much of it, Yao Chen fused with Cold Fire Little Bone Dragon, a cold-fire entity compatible with his Ghost Body. 663 685

Artifact Spirit Functions

As the Artifact Spirit of the Heavenly Flame Profound Weight Ruler, Yao Chen can directly control its Soul Gold-based system without being imprisoned inside it. 310

• Activates the ruler's formations using Soul Power. 314
• Forms a Dou Qi Furnace that gathers surrounding heaven-and-earth Dou Qi. 314
• Operates the ruler's Mysterious Flame Xuan Heavy Cannon form. 314
• Retains autonomy and can enter or leave the ruler freely. 310

Ghost Spirit Art

Yao Chen and Pei Xuan developed the Ghost Spirit Art by combining Soul Power and Dou Qi into Ghost Qi. 670

• Allows soul bodies to cultivate along the Ghost Cultivator path. 670
• Yao Chen named the system “ghost” rather than “soul” to avoid confusion with the Soul Clan and existing realm names. 670
• His Ghost Cultivator path is particularly dangerous to Dou Zongs who lack methods to resist soul-focused attacks. 670
• Cold Fire Little Bone Dragon can also cultivate the art after fusing with Yao Chen. 685

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Heavenly Flame Profound Weight Ruler — Yao Chen's autonomous Artifact Spirit body and the platform through which he activates formations and the Mysterious Flame Xuan Heavy Cannon. 310 314
• Bone Spirit Cold Fire — His signature Heavenly Flame and a core component of his later Ghost Cultivator development. 89 685
• Storage Ring — His former place of confinement as a soul body. 89 310
• Black Demon Cauldron — Yao Chen's alchemical cauldron, through which Jiang Lin recognized his identity. 456

Relationships

• Xiao Yan — Primary disciple and inheritor of Yao Chen's legacy. Yao Chen protects, possesses, trains, and later treats him increasingly as an equal as Xiao Yan's strength grows. 89 90 663
• Xiao Yi Xian — Personal alchemy disciple whom Yao Chen regards as akin to a daughter; he created a tailored path of Poison Pill Mastery for her. 189 190
• Jiang Lin — Ally and frequent collaborator. Their relationship begins cautiously but develops through exchanges of information, artifact forging, and mutually beneficial agreements. 160 273 310 311
• Han Feng — Former disciple whose dispute with Yao Chen centered on the Burning Art. Yao Chen later forcibly imprints his Ghost legacy onto Han Feng, turning him into a Ghost Cultivator. 663 670
• Cold Fire Little Bone Dragon Gu Aotian — A cold-fire entity that fuses with Yao Chen, greatly advancing his Ghost Cultivator realm. 685 686
• Soul Hall — A hostile force whose practice of capturing and consuming soul bodies shaped Yao Chen's view of the dangers faced by souls. 310 314

Story Role / Major Arcs

Wutan City Mentor and Protector

Yao Chen establishes himself as Xiao Yan's hidden teacher, secures the Dragon Flame Art, and protects Xiao Yan from the forces drawn by an Earth-grade Dou Skill. 88 89 90

Artifact Forging Valley

At Jiang Lin's valley, Yao Chen guides Xiao Yan's cultivation, accepts Xiao Yi Xian first as a nominal disciple and then as a personal disciple, and begins engaging more directly with Jiang Lin's artifact-forging work. 189 190 245

Mechanical Ascension

Jiang Lin turns Yao Chen into the Artifact Spirit of the Heavenly Flame Profound Weight Ruler, granting him a physical vessel, freedom of movement, and an official cover identity. 310 314

Han Feng's Legacy

After learning of Han Feng's continued growth, Yao Chen leaves the question of Han Feng's fate to Xiao Yan. Xiao Yan then deceives Han Feng into accepting Yao Chen's “true legacy,” allowing Yao Chen to convert his former disciple into a ghost. 663 670

Ghost Cultivator Advancement

Yao Chen advances through the Ghost Cultivator system alongside Han Feng, absorbs Dou Zun soul bodies, and ultimately fuses with Cold Fire Little Bone Dragon to become a Seven-star Ghost Venerable. 670 679 685 686

Notable Quotes

“Displaying strength beyond the Da Dou Shi realm will bring more unnecessary trouble.” 90

“Just call me Old Yao. This old man has had some dealings with your people.” 158

“Many regard souls as resources, with no right to be people.” 310

Trivia

• Yao Chen considers Jiang Lin's ability to turn several forms of perception into instinct through Spiritual Sense “terribly unfair.” 174
• He cannot drink tea in soul form, but still keeps tea during conversations because “the atmosphere” matters. 201
• His former life in a Storage Ring is the reason he reacts so strongly to the freedom offered by the Heavenly Flame Profound Weight Ruler. 310