Xiao Yan

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Xiao Yan (萧炎)
Alias(es)	Yan Xiao
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Xiao Clan; Flower Sect
Occupation/Role	Alchemist; Xiao Clan representative; Sword Emperor’s successor’s descendant
Status	Active
First Appearance	17

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Improved Dou Qi control and combat strength	28	Uses Eight Extremes Collapse against Xiao Yi Xian; loses in one move, but forces her to take him seriously.
Peak Dou King	97	Reaches this level after refining the Fallen Heart Flame during two years of seclusion in the Heavenly Flame Refining Pagoda.
Peak Dou Emperor	130	Achieves this stage after cultivation and consuming nine Ice Skin Spirit Cleansing Pills.
Dou Ancestor	137	Breaks through alongside Mu Qingluan and other cultivators at Sky Eye Mountain Range.
Seven-Star Dou Zong	173	His stated cultivation after recovering from Yao Tian’s attack; his combat power is described as comparable to a peak Nine-Revolutions Dou Zun.
Dou Venerate	195	Advances while using the Human Emperor Banner to collect Soul Hall Soul Bodies.
High-level Half-Saint	206	Identified at this realm during the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit conflict.
Peak Nine-Revolutions Dou Zun	258	After three years of training, absorbs Hua Yu’s remaining Dou Qi; stands one step from the Half-Saint realm.
Dou Saint	274	Obtains the Bodhi Heart, enters seclusion, and successfully breaks through in the Pill Region.

Background

Xiao Yan initially travels with his teacher, Old Yao, while pursuing the Green Lotus Core Flame. When Su Yun demands the fragmented map Xiao Yan had obtained from Hai Bodong, Xiao Yan yields it after realizing Old Yao fears Su Yun’s strength and perception. He seeks cooperation with Su Yun in exchange for access to the Strange Fire. 17

While concealing his identity as Yan Xiao, he participates in the Jia Ma Empire’s alchemy gathering and challenges Xiao Yi Xian. Although defeated, he demonstrates substantial fighting ability and earns acknowledgment from Su Yun and Old Yao. 26 28

Xiao Yan later learns that the Heavenly Flame Three Profound Transformations originated with a peak Dou Sheng of the Xiao Clan. This revelation, together with Xun’er’s mysterious placement in the Xiao family, leads him to conclude that his family is tied to the ancient Xiao Clan. 30

After escaping the Misty Cloud Sect, Xiao Yan accepts Su Yun’s Soul Guiding Jade and begins preparing to investigate ruins in the Black Corner Region. He subsequently enters Jia Nan Academy’s Heavenly Flame Refining Pagoda, refines the Fallen Heart Flame, and emerges two years later at peak Dou King. 47 97

His refusal to reveal information about Xiao Ji Bai and the Sword Emperor’s inheritance brings him into direct conflict with the Eight Ancient Races. He endures torture by the Yao Clan without yielding, then resolves to travel to Zhongzhou and become strong enough to rescue Old Yao himself after his teacher is captured. 97 98 129 130

Appearance

Xiao Yan is typically depicted in black, carrying his signature great ruler and later the Human Emperor Banner. His bearing becomes increasingly composed and authoritative as his cultivation rises. 47 217 274

• Wears black combat attire during his appearance at Ancient Saint City. 217
• Carries an ancient, simple great ruler on his back. 47 217
• Bears a purple-and-black Human Emperor Banner behind him in battle. 217
• Develops a seven-colored clan emblem on his forehead after receiving the Divine Bloodline and training under Xiao Xuan. 258 274
• Radiates golden Saintly Might after becoming a Dou Saint. 274

Personality

Xiao Yan is resilient, guarded, and highly independent. He remains composed when his identity is nearly exposed, endures Yao Clan torture without divulging information, and refuses the Six Clans’ assistance after Old Yao’s capture because he intends to gain the strength to settle the matter himself. 26 98 129

He is also loyal to those he considers important. He vows to repay Jia Nan Academy for its sacrifice, seeks to rescue Xun’er despite the danger, and accepts the Old Ancestor’s mission to retrieve the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit alongside Zi Yan. 80 195 304

Despite his suspicion of Su Yun’s motives, Xiao Yan repeatedly chooses pragmatic cooperation when necessary. He reflects critically on Senior Su’s hidden intentions but still seeks his aid concerning the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame’s fragmented map. 328 332

Abilities & Skills

Alchemy

Xiao Yan is an accomplished alchemist who wins the Jia Ma Empire’s Alchemist Tournament with the Wind Fury Dragon Flame. He later participates in the Pill Conference under the identity Yan Xiao and resurrects the Heavenly Fire Venerable. 31 167 221

• Uses Heavenly Flames in pill refinement. 31 167
• Seeks Spirit Nurturing Dust to raise his Soul Power to the Spirit Realm. 167
• Qualifies to refine the Three Thousand Burning Flame through the Pill Conference. 167
• Successfully resurrects the Heavenly Fire Venerable, who returns at One-star Dou Venerate. 167

Heavenly Flames

Xiao Yan possesses multiple Strange Fires and bases much of his combat and alchemy on flame manipulation.

• Wind Fury Dragon Flame — Ranked eighteenth among Heavenly Flames; used to win the Alchemist Tournament. 31
• Fallen Heart Flame — Refined in the Heavenly Flame Refining Pagoda, bringing him to peak Dou King. 97
• Yin Yang Twin Flames — Used to rapidly heal severe injuries. 173
• Has refined two types of Strange Fire by the time Su Yun discusses him with the Pill Tower’s Three Giants. 117
• Combines three Heavenly Flames through the Heavenly Flame Three Profound Transformations. 258

Eight Extremes Collapse

An explosive close-range Dou Technique centered on concentrated force.

• Launches himself forward with a Dou Qi-enhanced elbow strike. 28
• Shatters bluestone tiles and fractures the ground through its shockwave. 28
• Uses Earth and Fire Dou Qi to employ the technique against Feng Qing’er. 141

Heavenly Flame Three Profound Transformations

A Xiao Clan-linked secret technique created by a peak Dou Sheng powerhouse a thousand years earlier. Xiao Yan possesses its first transformation early on and later masters the technique during his training with Xiao Xuan. 29 30 258

• Uses three Heavenly Flames to dramatically raise his aura and Dou Qi. 258
• Is credited with mastering the technique in his victory over Feng Qing’er. 204
• Its origins reinforce Xiao Yan’s connection to the ancient Xiao Clan. 30

Five-Wheel Separation Flame Technique

A flame technique used to decisively overcome Feng Qing’er during the battle for the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit. 204

Human Emperor Banner

A righteous artifact intended to suppress demons and magical beasts, later wielded by Xiao Yan as a major combat resource. 75 195

• Absorbs Soul Bodies from the Soul Hall. 195
• Supports the formation of the Earth Fiend Soul Refining Array. 195
• Summons Dou Venerate Soul Bodies to defend Xiao Yan. 219
• Enables him to defeat Gu Yao and repel his attacks with ease. 219 220
• Becomes the target of Gu Yang’s attempted seizure. 220

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Great Ruler — Xiao Yan’s pitch-black, ancient great ruler. 47 217
• Human Emperor Banner — Banner containing refined Soul Bodies and used for combat. 195 219
• Soul Guiding Jade — Given by Su Yun; used for long-distance communication and later sought by the Yao Clan to contact Xiao Ji Bai. 47 98
• Bone Flame Ring — Old Yao resides within this ring. 97
• Dragon-shaped mark — Given by Zi Yan; intended to assist Xiao Yan in refining the Three Thousand Burning Flame. 191
• Fragmented maps of the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame — Xiao Yan assembles three pieces and issues a continent-wide bounty for the final fragment. 333

Relationships

• Old Yao / Yao Chen — Teacher and mentor. Old Yao guides Xiao Yan’s cultivation, assists him at the Sword Altar, and later expresses pride in Xiao Yan’s rise to Dou Saint. 28 68 274
• Su Yun / Senior Su — Powerful senior, ally, and source of persistent suspicion. Su Yun gives Xiao Yan a Soul Guiding Jade and resources, but Xiao Yan questions his deeper motives. 47 146 328
• Xiao Xuan — Ancestor and rigorous trainer. He oversees Xiao Yan’s Divine Bloodline integration, Seven-colored Clan Emblem cultivation, and later fights beside him to rescue Xun’er. 253 258 308
• Xiao Xun’er — Xiao Yan’s childhood companion and beloved. Their relationship is obstructed by Ancient Clan politics, motivating his attempt to rescue her from an arranged marriage. 217 218 304 307
• Xiao Yi Xian — Old friend and former fellow explorer from Qingshan Town. They later reunite as powerful cultivators, and she entrusts him with a fragmented map. 28 332 333
• Zi Yan — Close companion and ally. Xiao Yan shows concern for her safety and later travels with her on the mission for the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit. 75 173 195
• Heavenly Fire Venerable — Ancient Venerable allied with Xiao Yan after being resurrected by him; accompanies him through Zhongzhou and the Pill Conference. 130 167
• Feng Qing’er — Rival from the Wind Lightning Pavilion and Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan. She exposes Xiao Yan’s identity and fights him repeatedly; Xiao Yan eventually defeats her with the Five-Wheel Separation Flame Technique. 141 204
• Gu Yao — Ancient Clan prodigy defeated by Xiao Yan at Ancient Saint City. 218 219 307
• Yao Tian — Yao Clan prodigy who captures and brutally tortures Xiao Yan while seeking information about Spirit Nurturing Dust. 167 170

Story Role / Major Arcs

Jia Ma Empire and the Three-Year Agreement

Xiao Yan operates under the Yan Xiao identity, competes as an alchemist, challenges Xiao Yi Xian, and arrives to honor the three-year agreement with Nalan Yanran despite widespread doubt that he would come. 26 28 32

Sword Emperor Ruins and Ancient Clan Pursuit

He seeks the Sword Emperor’s inheritance, receives Old Yao’s assistance against Old Man Mu Gu, refines the Fallen Heart Flame, and becomes a target of the Eight Ancient Races over Xiao Ji Bai and the inheritance. 68 97

Zhongzhou and the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit

After Old Yao’s capture, Xiao Yan leaves for Zhongzhou to cultivate independently. He advances through several realms, joins Zi Yan in pursuing the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit, and defeats Feng Qing’er during the ensuing conflict. 129 137 195 204

Ancient Saint City Confrontation

Xiao Yan answers the Ancient Clans’ summons alone, faces public hostility over his connection to Xun’er, defeats Gu Yao with the Human Emperor Banner, and survives escalating pressure from Yao Wan Gui and Gu Yang with support from the Pill Tower’s Old Ancestor. 217 219 220 222

Divine Bloodline Training and Sainthood

Su Yun gives Xiao Yan the Divine Bloodline, after which Xiao Xuan trains him for three years. Xiao Yan cultivates a Seven-colored Clan Emblem, reaches peak Nine-Revolutions Dou Zun, obtains the Bodhi Heart, and finally becomes a Dou Saint. 253 258 274

Rescue of Xun’er

Xiao Yan and Xiao Xuan enter the Thunder Realm to rescue Xun’er from the Ancient Clan. Xiao Yan defeats the Ancient Clan prodigies but is injured when Gu Yuan intervenes and takes Xun’er away. 304 307 308

Trivia

• Xiao Yan’s alias Yan Xiao is simply his name reversed. 26
• Hai Bodong notices that Yan Xiao’s combat stance resembles that of the person who stole his fragmented map. 28
• Xiao Yan’s status as the Pill Conference champion is recognized by the Pill Tower’s Old Ancestor. 221
• He and Xiao Yi Xian first explored an ancient tomb together in Qingshan Town before their separate cultivation paths began. 332