Xiao Yan

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Xiao Yan (萧炎)
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Xiao Family; Jia Nan Academy
Occupation/Role	Cultivator; alchemist; Elder Huo's disciple
Status	Alive
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Dou Qi First Stage	1	Reaches the First Stage at age four, earning recognition as a Xiao Family prodigy.
Sixth Stage of Dou Qi	9	Prepares to break through after focusing on cultivation following his humiliation at Back Mountain Pond.
Dou Zhe → Third Stage of Dou Qi	79	Had reached Dou Zhe at age eleven, but his cultivation fell and stagnated at the Third Stage from age twelve.
Five-star Dou Wang; Spirit Realm soul	103	His concealed cultivation and exceptional soul talent are identified during Xiao Ling's examination.
Three-star Fighter	109	Restores his talent and rapidly rebuilds his cultivation; becomes a First-grade Alchemist.
Dou Spirit	227	Breaks through after receiving Earth Core Body Tempering Milk from Xiao Ling.
Seven-star Great Dou Shi → Nine-star Great Dou Shi	201	Breaks through to Seven-star Great Dou Shi, then takes two Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pills to reach Nine-star.
Four-star Dou Ancestor	464	Reaches this level through further fortuitous encounters and the Immortal Origin Fruit gifted by Xiao Ling.

Background / History

Xiao Yan was born into the Xiao Family as Xiao Zhan's youngest son and Xiao Ling's younger cousin. He began cultivating at four and reached Dou Qi First Stage almost immediately, becoming the family's celebrated prodigy. By age eleven, he had advanced to Dou Zhe, making him the youngest such cultivator in the Jia Ma Empire aside from Xiao Ling. 1 79

At twelve, his cultivation inexplicably regressed to Third Stage Dou Qi and stopped advancing. The cause was the Bone Flame Ring on his finger, which absorbed the Dou Qi he cultivated. The resulting loss of status exposed him to ridicule from his peers and estranged him from Xiao Mei. 79 80 111

While his cultivation was stalled, Xiao Yan studied alchemy. Princess Yao Yue recognized that his Fire-attributed Dou Qi carried a trace of Wood Attribute and gave him Compendium of Pharmacological Knowledge, encouraging him to pursue the craft once his talent returned. 103

Xiao Ling's examination ultimately exposed the ring's role in Xiao Yan's condition. After the ring was removed and his talent restored, Xiao Yan apologized for his earlier hostility toward Xiao Ling and declined undeserved resources despite his eagerness to recover his strength. 103 106

Appearance

As he grows older, Xiao Yan becomes taller and more robust, with a mature, resolute bearing. 227

• Handsome, sharply defined facial features. 467
• Originally wheat-complexioned; his body-tempering opportunity leaves his skin fairer and more refined. 227
• Often wears black tight-fitting clothes during training. 227
• Uses the Black Iron Heavy Ruler in combat. 409

Personality

Xiao Yan was initially arrogant, resentful of Xiao Ling's superior talent, and prone to challenging or bullying other Xiao Family juniors. He also behaved mischievously, including secretly peeping on Xiao Yu. 3 9

His years of cultivation stagnation temper him considerably. He becomes more self-aware, apologizes for his past treatment of Xiao Ling, and demonstrates restraint by refusing cultivation resources he feels he has not earned. 103 106

After recovering, he is diligent, ambitious, and increasingly composed under pressure. He remains cautious about powerful threats such as the Hall of Souls and is determined to protect the Xiao Family during the looming war. 207 227 406

Abilities & Skills

Cultivation

Xiao Yan possesses unusually strong cultivation potential, though his early progression is interrupted by the Bone Flame Ring draining his Dou Qi.

• Reclaims his cultivation talent after the ring's interference is removed. 106
• Uses Earth Core Body Tempering Milk to break through to Dou Spirit. 227
• Later reaches Four-star Dou Ancestor through fortuitous encounters and the Immortal Origin Fruit. 464
• Practices the Earth-grade Intermediate Crimson Fire Blazing Flame Art. 106

Alchemy

Xiao Yan's powerful soul grants him exceptional aptitude for alchemy.

• Learns the basics during his cultivation stagnation through Yao Yue's pharmacological text. 103
• Becomes a First-grade Alchemist after recovering his talent. 109
• Studies under Elder Huo at Jia Nan Academy. 137
• Wins the second round of the Alchemist Convention by refining the Wind Hành Pill first. 207
• Refines a peak seventh-grade pill at the Pill Gathering, triggering Pill Lightning. 467
• Uses an Earth Demon Puppet to absorb and disperse the Pill Lightning, upgrading the puppet. 467

Dou Techniques

• Eight Extreme Collapse — A Mysterious-tier Advanced Dou Technique successfully cultivated before the Misty Cloud Sect's visit. 106 111
• Flame Splitting Wave-Devouring Ruler — Earth-grade Low-Level Dou Technique used with the Black Iron Heavy Ruler; its power rises substantially after his Dou Spirit breakthrough. 106 227
• Three Thousand Lightning Movement — An unusual movement technique noted during his fighting at the Four Directions Pavilion assembly. 409

Equipment / Items

• Black Iron Heavy Ruler — His principal weapon in battle. 409
• Earth Demon Puppet — Used to withstand Pill Lightning during the Pill Gathering. 467
• Bone Flame Ring — His late mother's keepsake; its absorption of his Dou Qi caused his prolonged cultivation stagnation. It was later given to Qing Lin. 80 106
• Six Harmonies Spirit Flame Cauldron — Used during the Alchemist Convention. 207

Relationships

• Xiao Ling — Older cousin. Xiao Yan once resented him, later apologizes and comes to regard him with respect; Xiao Ling restores his talent and supports his advancement. 103 106 227
• Xiao Zhan — Father and Xiao Family Clan Leader; takes pride in Xiao Yan's accomplishments and supports him through his decline. 66 207
• Yao Yue — Imperial princess and friend who examines his condition and encourages his interest in alchemy. 79 80 103
• Yao Chen — Former inhabitant of the Bone Flame Ring; indirectly compensates Xiao Yan with techniques and Dou Skills after the ring is removed. 103 106
• Elder Huo — Alchemy master at Jia Nan Academy who accepts Xiao Yan as a disciple. 137
• Nalan Yanran — His childhood fiancée and the Young Sect Master of the Misty Cloud Sect; Xiao Yan defeats her in a duel, after which their engagement is dissolved. 79 114 115
• Xiao Mei — Former close friend who distanced herself during his cultivation decline; Xiao Yan remains indifferent when she later seeks reconciliation. 111
• Lin Yan — Jia Nan Academy senior and later companion at the Four Directions Pavilion assembly. 406 409

Story Role / Major Arcs

Fall from Prodigy

Xiao Yan rises as an unprecedented child genius, then loses his cultivation because the Bone Flame Ring drains his Dou Qi. His fall to Third Stage Dou Qi changes his standing within the Xiao Family and forces him to endure sustained ridicule. 1 79 80

Restoration and Reconciliation

Upon Xiao Ling's return, Xiao Yan apologizes for his earlier behavior and submits to an examination. His talent is restored after the ring's interference is resolved, enabling him to resume cultivation and begin his path as an alchemist. 103 106

Engagement Dissolution

Xiao Yan meets Nalan Yanran during the Misty Cloud Sect's visit, defeats her on the Xiao Family Battle Stage, and confirms the dissolution of their engagement. He later handles the public dispute pragmatically, accepting compensation rather than escalating conflict with the Misty Cloud Sect. 112 114 115

Jia Nan Academy Training

Xiao Yan travels with Xiao Ling's group to Jia Nan Academy, where he becomes Elder Huo's disciple and develops his alchemy skills. 133 137

Alchemist Convention

At the Jia Ma Empire's Alchemist Convention, Xiao Yan outperforms rival contestants by refining the Wind Hành Pill first. His success earns the Xiao Family prestige and prompts several factions to seek marriage alliances. 207

Central Continent and Pill Gathering

Xiao Yan continues growing through fortuitous encounters in the Central Continent. He later appears at the Pill Gathering as a Four-star Dou Ancestor and refines a peak seventh-grade pill under Pill Lightning, establishing himself as a notable young alchemist. 406 464 467

Trivia

• Xiao Yan's Fire-attributed Dou Qi includes a trace of Wood Attribute, giving him the basic qualification to become an alchemist. 103
• His soul potential is considered his greatest asset and is stated to be sufficient for him to potentially become an Eighth-grade Alchemist with adequate resources. 106
• The Bone Flame Ring was a keepsake left by his late mother. 106