Xiao Yan

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Xiao Yan (蕭炎)
Alias(es)	Xiao Yanzi; Yao Yan
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Xiao Family; disciple of Yao Chen (Venerable Yao)
Occupation/Role	Cultivator; Alchemist
Status	Alive

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Third Stage Dou Qi	107	His cultivation had regressed after Yao Lao unconsciously absorbed his Qi of Dou; he was distressed by the gap between himself and Bai Ge.
Dou Zhe Realm	107	Yao Lao promised to restore him to the Dou Zhe realm overnight using a Great Revitalizing Pill.
5-Star Dou Shi	129	Sparred with 5-Star Great Dou Shi Instructor Ruo Lin; his attacks forced her to use Water Mandala.
9-Star Dou Shi	142	Reached this level after more than ten days of cultivation in the desert; defeated Snake-People attacking the Desert Iron Mercenary Group.
7-Star Da Dou Shi	150	Advanced after absorbing the Azure Lotus Core Flame; his Flame Mantra evolved to Low-Level Earth Rank.
8-Star Da Dou Shi	158	Recovered from injuries and advanced using pure energy injected by an Earth Fire Lotus Seed.
9-Star Da Dou Shi	165	Extracted and purified Nalan Jie's Battle Qi from Branding Poison.
Dou Ling Peak	178	Recovered his Battle Qi after the Alchemist Convention and reached peak Dou Ling before fighting Nalan Yanran.
Dou Zun	290	Entered a rebirth process after the Yin-Yang Mysterious Dragon Pill's medicinal power activated; was expected to advance upon awakening.
8-Star Dou Zun	322	Absorbed a replicated Bone Spirit Cold Fire and the Limitless Pill.
Half Saint	349	Advanced from Dou Zun Peak Three Revolutions to Half Saint with Bai Ge's assistance.
Dou Sheng	366	Recognized as a Dou Sheng expert and a Nine-Rank Alchemist Grandmaster by the Ancient Clan.

Background

Xiao Yan endured three years of cultivation regression caused by Yao Lao absorbing his Qi of Dou. Although Bai Ge initially explained the regression to Xun Er as a consequence of excessive Soul Power, Xiao Yan later became Yao Lao's formal disciple after Bai Ge arranged the apprenticeship. Yao Lao accepted him and undertook to teach him both cultivation and alchemy 107 110.

Nalan Yanran's attempt to annul their engagement led to a three-year appointment at Yunlan Summit. Xiao Yan accepted the duel without holding a grudge, later arriving at the summit calm despite the pressure exerted by nearly a thousand Yunlan Sect disciples 110 179.

His later journey took him from the Gama Empire to Central State, the Ancient World, and the conflict against the Hall of Souls. His motivations increasingly centered on protecting Xun Er, saving his father Xiao Zhan, restoring the Xiao Family, and upholding Xiao Xuan's legacy 271 291 402 404.

Personality

Xiao Yan is described as decisive, ruthless when necessary, calm, and mature after enduring three years of humiliation. He was willing to strike Jia Lieao lethally and showed no discomfort after killing Liu Xi under Yao Lao's guidance 50.

He is also proud and competitive. During the Alchemist Convention, he refused to accept being surpassed by Yan Li or Liu Ling and forced out a Three-Pattern Green Spirit Pill under pressure 178. In battle, he is generally composed and analytical, using movement techniques, Strange Fire, and terrain-aware counters instead of relying solely on raw power 259 325.

Abilities & Skills

Alchemy

A gifted alchemist trained by Yao Lao, Xiao Yan can refine high-level pills and use multiple flames in a single refinement.

• Refined a Three-Pattern Green Spirit Pill through successive use of three different flames, surpassing Yan Li and Liu Ling during the Alchemist Convention 178.
• His Soul Power breakthrough was considered comparable to that of a peak Fourth-Rank or even Fifth-Rank Alchemist 178.
• Used Yao Lao's dangerous Spirit Enhancement method to raise his pill to Seven-Colored Pill Lightning 306.
• Was later acknowledged as a Nine-Rank Alchemist Grandmaster 366.

Flame Mantra

Xiao Yan cultivates the Flame Mantra, a technique that evolves through absorption of powerful flames.

• Absorbed the Sun True Fire and advanced the Flame Mantra to Profound Middle-Rank 112 113.
• Used the Azure Lotus Core Flame to evolve the technique to Low-Level Earth Rank 150.
• Employs several Strange Fires, including Dark Gold Strange Fire, Bone Spirit Cold Fire, Purifying Lotus Demon Fire, and others used in the Five Round Li Fire Formation 182 322 350 381.

Strange Fire Techniques

Xiao Yan combines Strange Fires into powerful offensive techniques.

• Buddha's Fury Fire Lotus — A destructive fire-lotus technique praised by Yao Lao as extraordinary; Xiao Yan later used a four-colored version to defeat Protector Mo across an eight-level gap 158 268.
• Destruction Fire Lotus — Used against Star Plucking Old Ghost during their confrontation 289.
• Five Round Li Fire Formation — Heaven Rank Dou Skill formed from five Strange Fires; used to suppress Gu You's Dark Skeleton King 350.
• Buddha's Angry Reincarnation — Used the Purifying Lotus Demon Fire against the Hall of Souls Master 381.

Battle Skills

• Flame Splitting Tsunami Ruler — Earth Rank Battle Skill taught by Yao Lao; Xiao Yan mastered it in half a month and used it against Nalan Yanran and Gu Yao 131 132 182 325.
• Dragon Subduing Palm: Flying Dragon in the Sky — Second form of the Dragon Subduing Palm; destroyed Instructor Ruo Lin's Water Mandala 130.
• Twenty-Four Solar Terms Spirit Shocking Finger — Used its Awakening of Insects form to defeat Nalan Yanran, and later employed it against Gu Yao 180 325.
• Purple Cloud Wings — Profound High-Rank Flying Combat Skill used for aerial mobility and evasion 130 182.
• Three Thousand Lightning Movement — Used to evade Fan Lao's attacks 230.
• Heavenly Evolution Yu Steps — Used to evade Gu Yao's techniques 325.
• Ephemeral Swordplay: Sword Ten — Sky Burial — Used to counter Gu Yao's Great Extinction Finger; later identified as the Heaven Rank Dou Skill Heaven Burial Sword 325 326.

Soul and Spatial Techniques

• Used spatial teleportation to escape Star Plucking Old Ghost's Star Plucking Hand 288.
• His Soul Power was unusually strong from an early age, contributing to the physical absorption of his Qi of Dou during adolescence 110.
• His Yellow Springs Heavenly Wrath could contend with the Hall of Souls Master's Myriad Souls Adoration 381.

Equipment / Items

• Mystic Heavy Ruler — Used alongside Strange Fire against Hong Chen 259.
• Purple Cloud Wings — Flying Combat Skill enabling aerial movement 130.
• Ancient Worm Emperor Garment — Refined for him using the Queen of the Ancient Devouring Worms 334.
• Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade — The final Ancient Jade is associated with Xiao Yan and is sought by the Soul Clan 403.

Relationships

• Yao Chen / Yao Lao — Master and alchemy teacher. Yao Lao helped restore Xiao Yan's cultivation, taught him Battle Skills, and remained a central mentor throughout his growth 107 131 385.
• Bai Ge — Cousin, fellow disciple of Yao Lao, and close ally. Bai Ge arranged Xiao Yan's apprenticeship, repeatedly supported his cultivation, and assisted in major conflicts 107 150 403.
• Xun Er — Childhood companion and love interest. Xiao Yan's wish to protect her drives much of his cultivation; they reunite repeatedly despite separation and Ancient Clan pressure 113 272 322.
• Xiao Zhan — Father and Xiao Family patriarch. His capture by the Hall of Souls became a major motive for Xiao Yan's conflict with Protector Mo and the Soul Emperor 105 268 402.
• Nalan Yanran — Former fiancée and opponent at Yunlan Summit. Their arranged duel followed her attempt to break their engagement 110 179 182.
• Xiao Xuan — Ancestor and source of hope for the Xiao Clan. Xiao Xuan recognized Xiao Yan's growth and joined him against the Soul Clan after resurrection 334 404.
• Zi Yan — Ally who protected Xiao Yan during Fan Lao's attack and later returned with the Void Ancient Dragon Clan 230 289.
• Han Yue — Former Canaan Academy classmate. Xiao Yan defended her family against the Hong Family out of gratitude 256 257.
• Gu Yao — Ancient Clan opponent defeated by Xiao Yan in a battle concerning Xun Er 325 326.
• Protector Mo — Hall of Souls enemy who captured Xiao Zhan; Xiao Yan defeated him with a four-colored Fire Lotus 268.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Return to the Dou Qi Continent

Xiao Yan began in a weakened state after his Qi of Dou regressed. Bai Ge returned to the Xiao Family as Xiao Yan's cousin, introduced him to Yao Lao, and secured Yao Lao as his master 105 107.

Yunlan Summit Appointment

After Nalan Yanran moved to annul their engagement, Xiao Yan accepted Bai Ge's arrangement of a three-year duel at Yunlan Summit. He later defeated Nalan Yanran through techniques including the Spirit Shocking Finger and Flame Splitting Tsunami Ruler 110 179 180 182.

Gama Empire and Alchemist Convention

Xiao Yan advanced through the Dou Shi and Da Dou Shi realms, acquired and evolved his Flame Mantra through Strange Fires, and displayed exceptional alchemy by refining the Three-Pattern Green Spirit Pill 142 150 178.

Central State

After entering Central State, Xiao Yan protected Han Yue's family, fought the Hong Family, confronted Hall of Souls forces, and faced increasingly powerful opponents including Star Plucking Old Ghost 257 259 288.

Ancient Clan and Heavenly Tomb

Xiao Yan entered the Ancient World, defeated Gu Yao, condensed the Xiao Clan clan crest, and inherited responsibility for the Xiao Clan's future from Xiao Xuan 322 326 334.

Soul Clan War

As a Dou Sheng and Nine-Rank Alchemist Grandmaster, Xiao Yan became a major force against the Soul Clan. He fought the Hall of Souls Master, prepared to rescue his father, and helped bring the resurrected Xiao Xuan into the final alliance at Burial Sky Mountain Range 381 402 404.

Trivia

• Xiao Yan was once identified publicly as Yao Yan, the alchemist, when Nalan Yanran recognized him during their battle 182.
• His first documented killing was Liu Xi, whom he burned to ashes under Yao Lao's guidance 50.
• He initially wished to avoid fighting Fan Lao, noting that he would have fled if Fan Lao had not discovered him 230.