Yao Lao

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Yao Chen (药尘)
Alias(es)	Yao Lao; Medicine Venerable
Gender	Male
Occupation/Role	Alchemist; Xiao Yan's teacher
Status	Soul body; seeks resurrection through a suitable body
First Appearance	3

Background

Yao Lao was once a peak Dou Zun and an acclaimed alchemist whose Pill Refinement Technique he considered unmatched on the contemporary continent had he not fallen. He subdued the Bone Chilling Flame at great personal cost, and Han Shanshan once risked her life to save him during that ordeal. 3 160 178

His former disciple Han Feng coveted the Flame Mantra and attacked him from the shadows. Yao Lao holds both Han Feng and the Hall of Souls responsible for his downfall. 3 88 114

After becoming a soul body, Yao Lao remained within a Storage Ring and secretly observed Xiao Yan for three years, during which he absorbed Xiao Yan's Dou Qi. Recognizing Xiao Yan's talent and character, he offered all of his alchemical knowledge in return for Xiao Yan helping him forge a body in the future. 3

Yao Lao initially hoped for a strong body, but later made clear that he wanted a Dou Sheng body for his revival; such a vessel would allow a former Dou Zun like him to ascend directly to the Dou Sheng realm. 120

Personality

Yao Lao is proud of his expertise, especially his alchemy, and is repeatedly left shocked by Xiao Yan's abnormal talent, rapid cultivation, and collection of Heavenly Flames. His frustration can turn theatrical, particularly when Xiao Yan's Myriad Beast Spirit Fire devours much of his Bone Chilling Flame. 3 17

Despite his teasing, mischievous manner, he is deeply affected by Xiao Yan sincerely calling him “Master.” The betrayal by Han Feng left him wary of placing faith in another disciple, but he gradually develops genuine pride and affection for Xiao Yan. 3 76 178

Abilities & Skills

Pill Refinement

Yao Lao is a renowned alchemist who teaches Xiao Yan Pill Refinement Techniques, pill formulas, and related Dou Techniques. He identifies the Mysterious Yellow Flame's ability to strengthen Mental Strength and immediately recognizes Xiao Yan as an extraordinary alchemical prodigy. 3

• Instructed Xiao Yan through the refinement of a Tier-2 Heart Stabilizing Pill. 3
• Provided alchemist techniques later passed by Xiao Yan to Xue Mei. 76
• Assessed that a Nine-Pattern Venerable Zenith Pill would have posed a considerable failure risk even at his peak. 178
• Possesses extensive knowledge of Heavenly Flames, rare materials, magical beasts, and cultivation methods. 41 49 102 205

Bone Chilling Flame

Yao Lao possesses the Bone Chilling Flame, a Heavenly Flame he nearly sacrificed his life and fortune to obtain. 3

• Its remnants were devoured by Xiao Yan's Myriad Beast Spirit Fire, leaving the flame severely weakened and requiring years of recovery. 17
• Han Shanshan had been sealed within the Bone Chilling Flame before her eventual resurrection. 247

Great Heaven Creation Palm

Yao Lao can use the Great Heaven Creation Palm, which he used to kill Scorpion and Earth Scorpion, leaders of the Netherworld Dead Sea. 208

Equipment / Items

• Storage Ring — Yao Lao's soul body resides within it for much of the story. 3 88
• Bone Chilling Flame — His personally subdued Heavenly Flame. 3
• Ancient jade — Used to open a spatial gate into Starfall Pavilion. 177

Relationships

• Xiao Yan — Teacher and disciple. Yao Lao teaches him alchemy and entrusts his future revival to him; he becomes openly proud of Xiao Yan's accomplishments. 3 76 178
• Han Feng — Former disciple who coveted the Flame Mantra and betrayed Yao Lao. 3 88 114
• Wind Venerable — Old friend who is stunned and delighted to learn Yao Lao survived as a soul body. 177 178
• Xuan Yi — One of Pill Tower's Three Great Heads. She had feelings for Yao Lao in the past, but he rejected her; their reunion remains tense. 151 160
• Xuan Kongzi — Pill Tower president who had searched for Yao Lao and blames him for becoming entangled in the Pill Tower's conflict with the Hall of Souls. 151
• Han Shanshan — His confidante, who once saved him while he subdued the Bone Chilling Flame and was later resurrected to return to his side. 160 247
• Heavenly Fire Venerable — A fellow soul body who learns of Yao Lao's plan to revive using a Dou Sheng body. 119 120
• Medicine Clan — Yao Lao suffered humiliation from members of the clan and bears resentment toward them, though he retains good memories of some, including Clan Leader Yao Dan. 140 245

Story Role / Major Arcs

Accepting Xiao Yan as a Disciple

After learning of Xiao Yan's supposed Innate Heavenly Flame Constitution and seeing his immense Mental Strength, Yao Lao offers him a teacher-disciple bargain. He is stunned when Xiao Yan refines a Tier-2 Heart Stabilizing Pill barehanded on his first attempt. 3

The Bone Chilling Flame Incident

Xiao Yan's Myriad Beast Spirit Fire devours much of Yao Lao's Bone Chilling Flame. Though enraged by the loss, Yao Lao accepts Xiao Yan's apology after being reminded that Xiao Yan's growth will hasten his resurrection. 17

Hall of Souls Confrontation

Yao Lao publicly emerges from Xiao Yan's ring to confront Wu Protector and declares his intention to settle the debt for Han Feng's betrayal and the Hall of Souls' involvement in his fall. 88

Reunion with Old Allies

Yao Lao reunites with Pill Tower figures Xuan Kongzi and Xuan Yi, exposing his survival to Central State's alchemical establishment. He later returns to Starfall Pavilion and reunites with Wind Venerable. 151 177 178

Heavenly Mansion Alliance

Yao Lao supports Xiao Yan as the latter forms the Heavenly Mansion Alliance against the Hall of Souls. He helps address dissent among its gathered experts and works with Xiao Yan and Heavenly Fire Venerable to interpret the Ancient Map connected to the Purification Lotus Demon Flame. 208 213

Medicine Clan Conflict

Xiao Yan kills Yao Wangui after Yao Wangui and Yao Tian insult Yao Lao, effectively declaring war against the Medicine Clan in defense of his teacher's honor. Yao Lao later urges a measured response when the clan seeks help, acknowledging both his grievances and his remaining ties to the clan. 237 245

Trivia

• Yao Lao's first reaction to Xiao Yan's hand-refined Heart Stabilizing Pill is to retreat into his ring in speechless frustration. 3
• Xiao Yan's rapid growth repeatedly shocks Yao Lao, including his acquisition of numerous Heavenly Flames and advancement to high Dou Zun realms. 120 178
• He rejected Xuan Yi partly by claiming that he needed to better teach Han Feng, a decision that became especially bitter after Han Feng's betrayal. 151