Old Man Yao

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Yao Chen (药尘)
Alias(es)	Old Man Yao; Medicine Venerable; Apothecary Yao; Saint Master; Continent's Number One Alchemist
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Pill Tower; Starfall Pavilion; later associated with the Soul Clan
Occupation/Role	Alchemist; master of Xiao Yan and Hun Ruoruo; honorary giant and overseer of the Pill Gathering
Status	Alive
First Appearance	14

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Peak Dou Venerate (past)	126	Had once reached peak Dou Venerate and possessed profound understanding of spatial power.
Remnant Soul / Soul Body	415	Guided Xiao Yan in secret after being reduced to a remnant soul.
Soul force comparable to peak Dou Ancestor	513	His restored soul body shed its earlier ethereal state after Venerable Feng's nurturing.
Dou Venerate-level soul body	552	Reappeared with an illusory Dou Venerate wheel and aura comparable to a Dou Venerate.
Ninth-grade Alchemist	706	Achieved Ninth Rank through his own efforts and connections, despite being cast out by the Yao Clan.
Dou Saint	768	Advanced to Sainthood, elevating both his standing and the Soul Clan's capacity for high-end pill refinement.

Background / History

Yao Chen was born into the Yao Clan but was treated as a discarded son despite his exceptional talent. The clan prioritized Bloodline Power over other measures of worth, and he ultimately endured ridicule and expulsion. In his youth, he used medicinal baths to force out his potential, accumulating powerful medicinal energy and strengthening his Blood Essence beyond that of many peers at the same cultivation level. His overly aggressive advancement later caused his cultivation to stagnate for a long time after reaching the Dou Venerate realm. 415 465 732

Before taking Xiao Yan as a disciple, Yao Chen trained Han Feng as though he were his own son and intended for him to surpass his master. He later concluded that he had neglected Han Feng's character; Han Feng betrayed him, contributing to Yao Chen's downfall and leaving him as a remnant soul. 59 415 416

Yao Chen encountered Xiao Yan and offered to teach him alchemy and a cultivation technique. Xiao Yan accepted him as master, beginning the relationship that would define Yao Chen's later life. 14

He later accepted Hun Ruoruo as his first disciple after she disclosed her soul-erosion problem. To help her, he shared his unique Spirit Ascension alchemy technique. 274

After regaining influence, Yao Chen joined the Pill Tower as an Honorary Giant to secure protection for Starfall Pavilion against the Soul Hall. He eventually reasserted himself at the Pill Gathering, becoming a Ninth-grade Alchemist and overturning the Yao Clan's public contempt for him. 672 680 706

Appearance

Yao Chen is usually manifested as an ethereal soul body, though his form becomes increasingly substantial as he recovers.

• Pale golden eyes, often described as gentle, wise, or sharp when angered. 57 699
• Usually wears blue-and-white robes. 485 641
• Has an aged appearance with a beard; his posture can appear hunched in moments of resignation. 335 681
• His soul body later becomes solid enough to resemble a physical body rather than a fading phantom. 513 552
• Possesses the pale Bone Spirit Cold Flame. 417

Personality

Yao Chen is a patient and protective master who balances teasing familiarity with sober guidance. He regularly reins in Xiao Yan's recklessness, urging him to stabilize rapid breakthroughs, avoid relying on luck, and prepare calmly before major risks. 136 174 272

His betrayal by Han Feng made him especially attentive to his disciples' character. He warns Hun Ruoruo against taking the same path as his former disciple, but ultimately trusts and cares for her enough to accept her as his own. 59 274

Although deeply wounded by the Yao Clan's rejection, Yao Chen gradually lets go of his resentment through his bond with Xiao Yan and Hun Ruoruo. He repeatedly places their safety above his own reputation, status, and old grievances. 675 681 910

Abilities & Skills

Alchemy

Yao Chen is a Grandmaster Alchemist revered across the Central Continent and eventually becomes a Ninth-grade Alchemist.

• Offered Xiao Yan the means to become an Alchemist and trained him from the beginning. 14
• Possesses the unique Spirit Ascension technique, which he teaches to Hun Ruoruo and later recognizes in Xiao Yan as a qualification for graduation. 274 678
• Refined the Ninth-grade Dunyī Pill while enduring lightning tribulation. 702
• Served as Honorary Giant and overseer of the Pill Gathering. 680
• His advancement to Ninth Rank publicly refuted the Yao Clan's claim that he was merely an unworthy outcast. 706

Bone Spirit Cold Flame

Yao Chen commands the Bone Spirit Cold Flame, a pale flame that he displays during his first meeting with Xiao Yan.

• Demonstrated the flame to prove his power and draw Xiao Yan into apprenticeship. 14
• Used it in an attempt to protect Xiao Yan and Hun Ruoruo when Mu Gu activated their Soul Seals. 417
• Its legacy became a major object of Han Feng and Mu Gu's hostility toward Yao Chen. 418

Soul Force and Soul-Body Techniques

As a remnant soul, Yao Chen can project his soul force, support his disciples, and eventually recover a substantial soul body.

• Enveloped Xiao Yan with Soul Force during his fusion with a Heavenly Flame. 57
• Previously enhanced Xiao Yan with his soul force in battle. 265
• Recovered to a soul force level comparable to a peak Dou Ancestor. 513
• Manifested a Dou Venerate-level soul-body presence after further recovery. 552
• Could later be physically touched by Xiao Yan after Xiao Yan reached the Spirit Realm. 523

Spatial Insight

Yao Chen's former peak Dou Venerate cultivation granted him exceptional understanding of spatial power.

• His knowledge of spatial power surpassed that of ordinary Alchemists. 126
• Bestowed spatial insights on Hun Ruoruo for her cultivation. 126

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Bone Flame Ring — associated with Yao Chen and later used by Xiao Yan during the Pill Gathering. 695
• Bone Spirit Cold Flame — his signature Heavenly Flame. 14 417
• Spirit Ascension — his personal alchemy technique. 274 678

Relationships

• Xiao Yan — Second disciple; Yao Chen's first encounter with him begins a close master-disciple bond. He teaches Xiao Yan alchemy, cultivation, combat judgment, and restraint, while Xiao Yan repeatedly risks himself to protect and support his master. 14 136 416 697
• Hun Ruoruo — First disciple; Yao Chen helps her confront soul erosion through Spirit Ascension and treats her with paternal affection. 274 416 910
• Han Feng — Former disciple; Yao Chen treated him as a son and intended him to become greater than himself, but Han Feng betrayed him and was disowned. 59 415 416
• Mu Gu — Traitorous former disciple and longstanding enemy; Mu Gu seeks revenge on Yao Chen and repeatedly attempts to sabotage or destroy him. 417 702
• Venerable Feng — Long-lost friend; their reunion is emotional, though they argue over disciples and teaching methods. 480
• Xuan Yi — Pill Tower associate who supports Yao Chen and reacts strongly to the Yao Clan's public humiliation of him. 672 681
• Yao Clan — Birth clan; rejected Yao Chen as an outcast despite his talent and later publicly challenged his status. 465 681 706
• Hun Tiandi — Soul Clan leader; Yao Chen confronts him over Hun Ruoruo's circumstances and is struck by the extent of his power and ambition. 734

Story Role / Major Arcs

Mentor of Xiao Yan

Yao Chen recruits Xiao Yan as his disciple after recognizing his potential and offers the instruction needed to make him an Alchemist. He remains Xiao Yan's principal guide through early cultivation, Heavenly Flame fusion, magical-beast training, and major battles. 14 57 123 136

Protecting His Disciples

During the conflict involving Protector Wu, Yao Chen nearly treats the situation as a final farewell, only for Hun Ruoruo to restore and remove his injured soul body from the battlefield. He later emphasizes that luck cannot be Xiao Yan's foundation for strength. 265 266 272

Reckoning with Han Feng and Mu Gu

Yao Chen confronts Han Feng after his former disciple recognizes him within Xiao Yan. He rejects Han Feng's pleas, declares him disowned, and relies on Xiao Yan and Hun Ruoruo to face the consequences of his former disciples' betrayals. 415 416 417

Return to the Alchemical World

Yao Chen restores his strength and reputation through Starfall Pavilion and the Pill Tower. He becomes an Honorary Giant, oversees the Pill Gathering, faces the Yao Clan's public insults, and ultimately rises to Ninth Rank. 672 680 681 700 706

Soul Clan Recognition

Upon entering the Soul Realm, Yao Chen is received with unexpected respect by numerous Dou Venerates. The experience contrasts sharply with the bloodline-based contempt he suffered in the Yao Clan, and he recognizes the Soul Clan's confidence in rewarding genuine strength. 732

Advancement to Sainthood

Yao Chen advances to Dou Saint, becoming an even more sought-after figure due to the combination of Saint-level cultivation and Ninth-grade alchemy. His capabilities help address the Soul Clan's need for high-end pills. 768

Later Guidance

After Xiao Yan and Hun Ruoruo return from the Ancient Realm, Yao Chen remains concerned for their health, future, and families. He warns them that the Xiao Family and Jia Ma Empire remain vulnerable, then affirms that they are already excellent and should put safety first. 910

Notable Quotes

“To achieve great things, one must cast aside arrogance and impatience.” 415

“Having you two as my disciples is more than enough for me. Watching you support each other and grow... in this life, I have no other wishes.” 416

“Growth is not a result, but a process. When you feel lost and helpless, don't stand still. Go back and look at the path you've taken; perhaps you'll find unexpected gains.” 642

“You are already excellent enough. So, no matter what you do, prioritize safety above all else.” 910

Trivia

• Yao Chen initially calls Hun Ruoruo his first disciple and Xiao Yan his second disciple. 678
• Xiao Yan's successful Heavenly Flame fusion leads Yao Chen to call Hun Ruoruo Xiao Yan's “lucky star.” 57
• Yao Chen admits that he became softer toward the Yao Clan's rejection because Xiao Yan and Hun Ruoruo gave him more important things to cherish. 675
• Despite his reputation, Yao Chen speaks of Old Man Shen Nong with admiration and reverence. 928