Yao Lao
Battle Through the Heavens: I Have Five Qi Gathering Palaces
Biodata
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Yao Chen 333 474 |
| Alias(es) | Yao Lao; Venerable Yao 45 48 |
| Species/Race | Human; lived as a soul body before regaining a physical body 48 396 399 |
| Gender | Male 224 |
| Affiliation | Starfall Pavilion; formerly the Yao Clan 255 393 494 |
| Occupation/Role | Alchemist and teacher of Xiao Yan and Xiao Yuan 48 214 |
| Status | Alive after resurrection 396 399 |
| First Appearance | Chapter 11, speaking to Xiao Yan from his ring 11 |
Power Progression
| Stage / Realm / Level | Chapter | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Recovering soul body | 124 | A spiritual liquid restores enough Soul Strength for Yao Lao to refine Grade 7 pills and share soul-cultivation guidance with both disciples. |
| Dou Zun-level soul strength | 249 | His soul has recovered to Dou Zun-level strength, though he still needs a physical body—or a disciple able to bear his power—to fully wield it. |
| Advanced Half-Saint | 399 | After fusing with a newly refined body, he emerges during the attack on Starfall Pavilion and defeats Gu You. |
| Peak One-Star Dou Sheng | 456 | Arrives to protect Xiao Yan from the Great Heavenly Venerable of Soul Hall. |
| Heaven Realm Great Perfection soul strength | 474 | His soul strength is recognized at this level during the confrontation with the Medicine Clan. |
Background and History
Yao Lao was born into the Yao Clan, but Yao Wangui expelled him with a single ruling. He later became a renowned alchemist. He raised Han Feng like a son, only for Han Feng to betray him in an attack that destroyed his body; Soul Hall was also involved. Yao Lao survived as a soul body sheltered in an ancient black ring 144 224 255 305 473.
From the ring, he taught Xiao Yan alchemy. After protecting the Xiao Clan from the Oba Family, he offered to teach Xiao Yuan as well, despite Xiao Yuan's Ice Attribute Dou Qi being less suited to his usual instruction 35 46 48. The brothers subsequently helped restore his soul and sought materials for a new body 124 200 393.
Xiao Yuan and Xiao Yan refined that body using a Dou Sheng skeleton, Ancient Heavenly Phoenix blood essence, and the Bone Growing Blood Melting Pill. Yao Lao completed the fusion as Soul Hall and the Tianming Sect attacked Starfall Pavilion. His return turned the battle against the attackers 395 396 397 399.
Appearance
Yao Lao initially appears outside his ring as an illusory elder. As his Soul Strength recovers, his soul body becomes more solid; after his resurrection, he is seen as a handsome white-haired man 48 124 456.
- Earlier form — an aged, phantom-like soul body with a beard 48 200.
- Restored body — white-haired and youthful-looking 444 456.
Abilities & Skills
Alchemy and instruction
Yao Lao's alchemical knowledge underpins both brothers' training. His guidance helps Xiao Yuan learn to refine pills despite the difficulty posed by his Ice Attribute Dou Qi 133 214.
- Shares pill-refinement methods, including the Spirit Raising Method used by Xiao Yan 214 352.
- Can refine Grade 7 pills once enough Soul Strength has recovered 124.
- Guides Xiao Yuan's companions and disciple You Quan while the brothers are in seclusion 457.
Bone Spirit Cold Fire
Yao Lao wields the Bone Spirit Cold Fire, a Heavenly Flame 79 139.
- Uses it to refine medicinal liquid and torment a captured soul body 124 139.
- His flame helps Xiao Yuan form the five-fire-spirit array of the Five Round Fire Separation Method 311.
Soul Strength and borrowed power
Even without a body, Yao Lao can exert formidable Soul Strength, though his condition limits how much of his former power he can use directly 120 249.
- Temporarily channels power into Xiao Yuan for combat 148 222 249.
- Guides the brothers in improving their Soul Strength 124.
- After resurrection, freezes enemies in place and overwhelms Gu You's Dark Skeleton King 399.
Equipment / Items
- Ancient Flame Ring — the ancient black ring that houses Yao Lao while he exists as a soul body; it is carried at different times by Xiao Yan, Xiao Yuan, and Xuan Yi 48 314 338 375.
- Black Demon Cauldron — Yao Lao's alchemy cauldron, later entrusted to Xiao Yuan for regular use 229 282 296.
Relationships
- Xiao Yan — disciple and bearer of Yao Lao's ring; learns alchemy from him and helps refine his new body 35 48 396.
- Xiao Yuan — disciple; Yao Lao guides his alchemy and cultivation, while Xiao Yuan works to restore both his soul and physical body 48 214 393 396.
- Han Feng — former disciple whom Yao Lao raised like a son; his betrayal caused Yao Lao's loss of his body 224 305.
- Feng Xian / Wind Venerable — longtime friend and Starfall Pavilion ally who sought Yao Lao for years 285 376 393.
- Xuan Yi — old acquaintance who cares deeply for him and helps nourish his soul 333 336 374.
- Han Shanshan — a figure from his past who sacrificed herself to save him; Xiao Yuan later reveals the truth behind her disappearance 335 336.
- Yao Wangui — Yao Clan elder responsible for expelling him 473.