Elder Yao

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Yao Chen
Alias(es)	Elder Yao; Medicine Saint
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Starfall Pavilion; formerly the Yao Clan
Occupation/Role	Alchemist; Xiao Yan's master and cultivation mentor
Status	Alive; soul restored and reborn in a physical body 292 296
First Appearance	Chapter 5, “Master and Disciple's First Meeting”

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Peak Dou Zun	77, 355	His original body was destroyed when his former disciple Han Feng ambushed him with the Spirit Devouring Cold Flame, leaving his soul damaged.
Damaged soul body	5	Awakened within Xiao Yan's Storage Ring after absorbing Xiao Yan's Dou Qi to stabilize himself.
Near-corporeal soul body; Dou Zong-level Dou Qi	158	Emerged to aid Xiao Yan against Yun Shan, though forced manifestation consumed substantial Soul Force.
Soul Power restored to its peak	292	The Soul Infant Fruit restored his soul body completely, allowing preparation for physical rebirth.
Half-Saint	296	After fusing with a Five-Star Dou Zun body, he awakened and revealed Half-Saint strength.
Mid Five-Star Dou Sheng	412	Returned to the Yao Clan to clear his name, but was pressured by stronger clan elders.

Background / History

Yao Chen was once a peak Dou Zun renowned for his alchemy and Soul Power. He was betrayed by Han Feng, his former disciple, who ambushed him with the Spirit Devouring Cold Flame, destroyed his body, and grievously damaged his soul. Reduced to a soul body, Yao Chen took refuge within his black Storage Ring. 77 355

While hidden in the ring, he absorbed Xiao Yan's Dou Qi to stabilize his weakened soul, inadvertently causing Xiao Yan's long-term regression. After awakening, he explained the truth, recognized Xiao Yan's resilient and loyal character, and accepted him as his disciple. He provided the Blazing Art and began rebuilding Xiao Yan's foundation. 5 8

Yao Chen repeatedly endangered his fragile soul to protect Xiao Yan. His Soul Power was nearly exhausted during the battle against Yun Shan, and after later awakening from a long slumber, he was abducted by a Soul Hall expert during the conflict on Misty Cloud Mountain. 78 141 158

Xiao Yan eventually infiltrated a Soul Hall Branch Hall and freed Yao Chen from Soul Devouring Iron chains that had been draining his soul energy. Afterward, the Soul Infant Fruit restored his soul body, while Xiao Yan and Venerable Feng prepared a Five-Star Dou Zun body for his rebirth. 271 292

Following his rebirth, Yao Chen awakened as a Half-Saint and protected Xiao Yan from the Soul Hall's Heavenly Venerates. He later returned to the Yao Clan with Xiao Yan to contest the accusation that had led to his expulsion: stealing the clan's Pill Dao Origin Record. 296 412

Appearance

Yao Chen first appears as an incorporeal elderly soul in ancient robes. After his rebirth, he possesses a healthy physical body and is often depicted with the bearing of a refined scholar and master alchemist. 23 141 296

• White or gray-white hair and beard. 23 141
• Lean, aged features with bright, perceptive eyes. 23
• Commonly wears gray, black, moon-white, or spotless white robes. 77 296 338
• His soul body ranges from faint and transparent during periods of weakness to nearly corporeal after recovery. 141 158 292
• In physical form, he has a rosy complexion and carries a whisk. 338

Personality

Yao Chen is patient, discerning, and protective. He values Xiao Yan's determination, loyalty, and willingness to honor promises, seeing these qualities as the foundation of a worthy disciple. 5

As a mentor, he is exacting rather than indulgent. He corrects flaws in Xiao Yan's techniques, pushes him through painful training, and emphasizes that cultivation has no shortcuts. 10 24 109

He remains calm in danger and often uses dry teasing to ease tension. Despite Xiao Yan's desire for immediate vengeance against the Soul Hall, Yao Chen consistently urges patience, preparation, and the strengthening of their allies before confronting a continent-spanning enemy. 141

Abilities & Skills

Soul Power Manipulation

Yao Chen can condense, project, and weaponize exceptionally powerful Soul Power even while lacking a physical body.

• Manifests a soul form outside Xiao Yan's Storage Ring. 23
• Forms defensive barriers capable of blocking Dou Qi aftershocks. 77
• Creates soul arrows that can injure both an opponent's body and soul. 77
• Uses the Soul Annihilation Palm against Yun Shan. 78
• Can perceive energy signatures, examine ancient objects, and guide Xiao Yan's cultivation through Soul Force. 9 108 109
• Extended combat severely depletes his weakened soul; during the battle with Yun Shan, he warned Xiao Yan that his Soul Power was running out. 78

Possession

Yao Chen can temporarily take control of Xiao Yan's body, granting access to far greater combat experience, Soul Power, and techniques.

• Defeated Hai Bodong after Xiao Yan relinquished control of his body. 36
• While possessing Xiao Yan at peak Dou Wang, could display strength close to peak Dou Huang and contend with a peak Dou Huang using the Bone Spirit Cold Flame. 53
• Used Soul Flame and the Heaven Burning Golden Flame against Han Feng; the latter could suppress Heavenly Flames and burn Dou Qi and souls. 127
• The strain can leave Xiao Yan's own Dou Qi disordered after control is returned. 36

Alchemy

Yao Chen is an elite alchemist whose knowledge encompasses medicinal ingredients, pill refinement, flame control, and soul-based alchemy.

• Personally instructed Xiao Yan in herb appraisal, preprocessing, cauldron control, and pill refinement. 9
• Refined high-quality Qi Gathering Powder with effects seventy percent stronger than ordinary versions. 9
• Explained the delicate balance required to refine the Fifth-grade Spirit-Restoring Purple Pill. 51
• Offered to train alchemists and establish a systematic cultivation and alchemy foundation for the Xiao Clan. 141
• Teaches Pill Dao to Xiao Xiao at Starfall Pavilion. 339

Cultivation and Technique Instruction

Yao Chen's greatest ongoing contribution is his instruction of Xiao Yan.

• Passed down the Blazing Art, which condenses Xiao Yan's Dou Qi beyond that of peers at the same level. 5 8
• Guided Xiao Yan's breakthrough from Fighter One Star to Fighter Two Star through refined medicine and Soul Force. 9
• Trained Xiao Yan in Eight Level Collapse using harsh body-tempering methods. 10
• Taught Xiao Yan the Earth-tier Low-grade Flame Splitting Wave Ruler. 23
• Helped Xiao Yan understand the Heavenly Flame Three Profound Transformations fragment and other ancient inheritances. 108

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Black Storage Ring — Yao Chen's former ring, engraved with distinctive Pill Markings and used to store medicinal materials and cultivation methods; it served as his refuge while he existed as a soul. 220
• Black Heavy Ruler — A thousand-jin exotic treasure Yao Chen collected in his early years; it suppresses enemies and tempers the wielder's Dou Qi in battle. 23

Relationships

• Xiao Yan — Disciple, protector, and surrogate family. Yao Chen taught him cultivation and alchemy, while Xiao Yan risked his life repeatedly to awaken, rescue, and restore him. 5 141 271 292
• Han Feng — Former disciple and traitor who destroyed Yao Chen's original body with the Spirit Devouring Cold Flame. 77 127
• Venerable Feng — Old friend who recognized Yao Chen's Storage Ring and aided Xiao Yan in restoring Yao Chen's body. 220 292
• Soul Hall — Primary enemy faction responsible for pursuing, imprisoning, and draining Yao Chen's soul. 158 271
• Yao Clan — His former clan. Yao Chen was expelled after being falsely accused of stealing the Pill Dao Origin Record and later returned to seek justice. 412
• Xiao Xiao — Xiao Yan's daughter, who calls him “Grandpa Elder Yao” and receives Pill Dao instruction from him. 338 339

Story Role / Major Arcs

• Xiao Yan's awakening and early training — Awakens from the Storage Ring, explains Xiao Yan's lost Dou Qi, accepts him as a disciple, and provides the Blazing Art. 5
• Jia Ma Empire journey — Guides Xiao Yan through pill refinement, combat training, Heavenly Flame refinement, and survival in the Monster Beast Mountain Range and desert. 9 17 31
• Misty Cloud Sect conflict — Protects Xiao Yan against Yun Shan, but expends immense Soul Power in the process. 77 78
• Return from slumber — Xiao Yan refines soul-nourishing spiritual herbs to awaken Yao Chen, who then begins helping develop the Xiao Clan's alchemists and cultivation system. 141
• Soul Hall abduction and rescue — Is taken by the Soul Hall, imprisoned with Soul Chains, and later rescued by Xiao Yan's team. 158 271
• Rebirth and return to power — Regains a body, awakens as a Half-Saint, and defeats the Soul Hall's Heavenly Venerates with ease. 292 296 297
• Yao Clan reckoning — Returns to the Yao Clan with Xiao Yan to reclaim his dignity and demand an investigation into his expulsion. 412
• Starfall Pavilion mentor — Continues supporting Xiao Yan's advancement, including providing a Rank 8 Bodhi Pill for his attempt to enter the Dou Saint realm. 356

Notable Quotes

“Though my soul body is damaged now, when it comes to the ways of alchemy and Dou Qi cultivation, there are few in the entire Jia Ma Empire who can compare to me.” 5

“There's no rush for revenge. The Soul Hall's influence spans the continent, and its foundations are deep. We are not their match yet.” 141