Xiao Yan

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Xiao Yan (萧炎)
Alias(es)	Third Brother; Little Yanzi
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Xiao Family
Occupation/Role	Cultivator; alchemist; disciple of Old Yao
Status	Active

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Seventh Stage of Dou Qi, Advanced	90, 91	Revealed by the Black Stone Tablet at the Xiao Family Coming-of-Age Ceremony, marking his return from being regarded as a cripple.
Eighth Stage of Dou Qi	114, 115	Fought Xiao Ning using Suction Palm, Blowing Fire Palm, and Eight Extremes Collapse.
Qi Condensation Stage Nine	123	States that he has advanced again while confronting Xiao Ning.

Background / History

Xiao Yan was once the Xiao Family’s celebrated prodigy before his Dou Qi repeatedly vanished over three years. Old Yao had been absorbing that Dou Qi, but later became Xiao Yan’s master and began guiding his renewed cultivation. Xiao Yan also struggled to afford the medicinal materials required for Old Yao’s training methods. 33 93

He remained concerned about his younger sister Xiao Yue when her appearance, physique, talent, and cultivation changed drastically. Xiao Yan privately asked Old Yao for an explanation, then approached Xiao Yue directly; she told him the broad circumstances of her market encounter while withholding details about Su Mu. 33 41 42

At the Xiao Family’s Coming-of-Age Ceremony, Xiao Yan demonstrated his recovery by testing at the Seventh Stage of Dou Qi. The result shocked the clan members and elders who had dismissed him as a cripple. 90 91

Personality

Xiao Yan is resilient and determined to reclaim the strength and standing he lost. Even after comparing his own progress unfavorably with Xiao Yue’s extraordinary advancement, he resolves to work harder rather than surrender to discouragement. 35 60

He is protective of those close to him, particularly Xiao Yue and Xiao Xun'er, but can be embarrassed by Xiao Yue’s teasing about his feelings and past relationship with Xiao Mei. 86 87

He is also cautious about exposing his secrets. While acting as a black-cloaked alchemist, he fears recognition and later asks Xiao Yue and Su Mu to keep both his apprenticeship and the cloaked identity from his father. 128 129 131

Abilities & Skills

Alchemy

Xiao Yan possesses alchemical talent and operates under a concealed black-cloaked identity at the Mittel Auction House. Su Mu recognizes him as an alchemist and gives him a booklet titled Detailed Explanation of Basic Medicinal Materials. 130 131

• Keeps his status as an alchemist secret from much of the Xiao Family. 131
• Requires costly medicinal materials for Old Yao’s instruction. 33
• Is associated with the Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid auction that draws major attention in Wutan City. 78 123

Suction Palm and Blowing Fire Palm

Xiao Yan alternates these opposing Fighting Skills to disrupt an opponent from two directions.

• Uses the combination against Xiao Ning, forcing him to stagger and vomit blood. 114
• The skills are noted for effects stronger than their crude names suggest. 114

Eight Extremes Collapse

A Mysterious Tier advanced Fighting Skill and Xiao Yan’s decisive combat technique. 114

• Defeats Xiao Ning with a single punch after Xiao Ning attacks again under the effects of Qi Boosting Powder. 114 115
• Places noticeable strain on Xiao Yan at his then-current cultivation level. 115

Concealment

Xiao Yan uses a large black cloak to conceal his identity while acting publicly as an alchemist.

• Attempts to avoid recognition by his father, clan elders, and other auction attendees. 127 129
• Is ultimately identified by Su Mu and reveals himself to Xiao Yue. 130 131

Relationships

• Old Yao — Master residing in Xiao Yan’s ring; previously absorbed Xiao Yan’s Dou Qi and later directs his cultivation and alchemical training. 33 36 93
• Xiao Yue — Younger sister. Xiao Yan worries about her sudden transformation and cultivation, while she supports him and believes in his return to prominence. 33 42 90
• Xiao Xun'er — Close companion and mutual love interest; Xiao Yan openly admits that he is smitten with her. 86 87
• Xiao Zhan — Father and Xiao Family Patriarch; secretly assists Xiao Yan’s cultivation and remains concerned about his future. 81 90
• Su Mu — Xiao Yue’s master, who recognizes Xiao Yan’s concealed alchemist identity and gives him an instructional booklet on medicinal materials. 130 131
• Xiao Ning — Clan rival defeated by Xiao Yan during the Coming-of-Age Ceremony. 114 115
• Xiao Mei — A former close relationship that Xiao Yan considers irreparable after it broke down. 86

Story Role / Major Arcs

Return at the Coming-of-Age Ceremony

Xiao Yan uses the Black Stone Tablet to publicly prove that he has recovered to the Seventh Stage of Dou Qi. He then defeats Xiao Ning in a challenge, including a second attack fueled by Qi Boosting Powder. 90 91 114 115

Concealed Alchemist at the Mittel Auction House

Wearing a black cloak, Xiao Yan leaves the auction house with Old Yao while trying to avoid being recognized. Su Mu intercepts him, reveals that he already knows Xiao Yan’s identity, and pushes him to disclose it to Xiao Yue. 128 129 130

Secret Shared with Xiao Yue

After revealing himself, Xiao Yan accepts that Xiao Yue knows he is an alchemist but asks her to keep his circumstances hidden from their father. Su Mu gives Xiao Yan Detailed Explanation of Basic Medicinal Materials as a parting gift. 131