Xiao Yan

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Xiao Yan (萧炎)
Alias(es)	Little Yanzi; Tang Si
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Xiao Family; travels with the Mo Lang Mercenary Group
Occupation/Role	Cultivator; alchemist; Xiao Lang's younger brother
First Appearance	2

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Sixth stage of Dou Power	3	Reached at age five, astonishing the Xiao Family during its annual test.
Three Duan Dou Qi	29	His cultivation regresses, leaving him subject to ridicule within the family.
Dou Disciple, Stage Eight	49	Passes his re-examination and demonstrates that his cultivation has recovered.
Dou Grandmaster	153, 155	Breaks through after taking a Three-Patterned Green Spirit Pill; he is eighteen during the Three-Year Pact.
Devouring Great Law	178	Upgrades the Star Absorbing Great Law by capturing and devouring a Hall of Souls member; the evolved art can absorb both Dou Qi and souls.

Background

Xiao Yan displayed exceptional talent from childhood, reaching the sixth stage of Dou Power at only five years old. Although he had transmigrated into the Xiao Family, his third brother Xiao Lang's persistent care gave him a strong sense of belonging within the family 2 3.

His cultivation later regressed after Old Yao began absorbing his Dou Qi. Reduced to three Duan Dou Qi, Xiao Yan endured mockery but refused to give up, encouraged by Xiao Lang's confidence that he would one day become a Dou God 28 29.

Nalan Yanran's visit to annul their engagement became a defining humiliation. Xiao Yan remained restrained during the confrontation, while Xiao Lang intervened when the Misty Cloud Sect's Ge Ye struck him and vowed to help him seek justice 30 49.

Personality

Xiao Yan is reserved, diligent, and determined to improve rather than seek attention. Even when facing ridicule, loss of cultivation, and the broken engagement, he continues to cultivate and treats the Three-Year Pact as motivation rather than surrendering to despair 29 55 150.

He is deeply loyal to Xiao Lang. He repeatedly accepts his brother's support with gratitude, resolves to become strong enough to protect him, and reacts fiercely when others insult Xiao Lang—even while privately acknowledging that his brother can be eccentric 66 137.

His admiration for Xiao Lang is mixed with a desire to escape his brother's shadow. By the Alchemist Competition, Xiao Yan explicitly aims to become someone who can stand beside—or eventually surpass—Xiao Lang 150.

Abilities & Skills

Flame Mantra and Heavenly Flame Cultivation

Xiao Yan cultivates the Flame Mantra, a method capable of evolving through the absorption of Heavenly Flames.

• Absorbed the mutated Green Lotus Core Flame after Xiao Lang restored it in the lava cavern 104.
• The mutated flame is believed to be stronger than its original form and close to the eighteenth-ranked Heavenly Flame 104.
• His cultivation speed increases substantially after absorbing the Green Lotus Core Flame 124.
• Received Three Thousand Weak Waters in Ice Form from Xiao Lang to help mitigate the danger of Heavenly Flame absorption 83.

Alchemy

Xiao Yan is an alchemist trained under Old Yao and capable of handling high-level pill refinement.

• Competed with Xiao Lang in refining the peak fourth-grade Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill 128.
• Participated in the Alchemist Tournament under the alias Tang Si 130 150.
• Refined a Three-Patterned Green Spirit Pill using the Eight Trigrams Furnace of Yin Yang, enabling his own breakthrough to Dou Grandmaster 153.
• Uses the Green Lotus Core Flame in both cultivation and alchemical work 149 150.

Buddha's Rage Fire Lotus

A self-created fire technique used to settle the Three-Year Pact.

• Defeated Nalan Yanran with a single use of the technique at the Misty Cloud Sect 155.
• Requires the control and fusion of fire-based energies, making it a dangerous but devastating move 101 155.

Devouring Great Law

An evolved devouring technique obtained through combat with the Hall of Souls.

• Began as the Star Absorbing Great Law 39.
• Evolved after Xiao Yan captured and devoured a Hall of Souls member 178.
• Can absorb both Dou Qi and souls 178.

Old Yao's Assistance

Old Yao resides in Xiao Yan's ring and serves as his mentor, adviser, and emergency source of power.

• Initially absorbs Xiao Yan's Dou Qi, causing his early cultivation regression 28.
• Can take control of Xiao Yan's body to let him witness battles between powerful cultivators 69.
• Guided him through the absorption of the Green Lotus Core Flame 104.
• Supported Xiao Yan during the confrontation with Qing Man and the Eight-Winged Black Snake Emperor 110.

Equipment / Items

• Black Heavy Ruler — Xiao Yan's primary weapon during his rematch with Nalan Yanran 155.
• Mother's ring — Family heirloom that houses Old Yao 22.
• Flying Dou Skill — Given to him by Xiao Lang as an escape option 66.
• Incomplete map of the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame — Gifted by Xiao Lang; a lead connected to the third-ranked Heavenly Flame 66 97.
• Maps of possible Heavenly Flame locations in the Tagore Desert — Provided through Hai Bodong 97.
• Three Thousand Weak Waters, Ice Form — Provided by Xiao Lang to aid Heavenly Flame absorption 83.

Relationships

• Xiao Lang — Third brother and primary supporter. Xiao Yan regards him as a parental figure, accepts his gifts and protection, and strives to become strong enough to stand at his side 2 7 66 150.
• Xiao Zhan — Father. Xiao Zhan is proud of Xiao Yan's growth and entrusts family threats to Xiao Yan and Xiao Lang 20 51.
• Old Yao — Mentor residing in Xiao Yan's ring. Old Yao's absorption caused Xiao Yan's regression, but he later guides Xiao Yan's cultivation, alchemy, and Heavenly Flame absorption 28 69 104.
• Nalan Yanran — Former fiancée. Her annulment of their engagement drives Xiao Yan to pursue the Three-Year Pact; he defeats her at the Misty Cloud Sect 30 155.
• Xiao Ding and Xiao Li — Elder brothers. They share a close, teasing relationship and support Xiao Yan's departure for Jia Ma Holy City 112 163.
• Xiao Xun'er — Xiao Family companion. Her concern for Xiao Yan's situation is tied to her concern for Xiao Lang, and she resents Xiao Yan for referring to other women as Xiao Lang's “sister-in-law” 49 119.
• Yun Yun — Encountered during the expedition near the Amethyst Winged Lion King's territory; Xiao Yan finds her unconscious after her battle with the Lion King 68 69.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Cultivation Regression and the Broken Engagement

After losing most of his cultivation, Xiao Yan becomes the target of family ridicule. Nalan Yanran's annulment intensifies his humiliation, but he refuses to abandon cultivation and prepares to challenge her at the Misty Cloud Sect 29 30.

Recovery and Green Mountain Town

Xiao Yan recovers to Stage Eight Dou Disciple and accompanies Xiao Lang to Green Mountain Town. There, he receives the incomplete Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame map and a Flying Dou Skill, strengthening both his prospects and his determination to repay Xiao Lang's support 49 60 66.

Heavenly Flame Expedition

He travels with Xiao Lang through the Monster Beast Mountain Range and desert regions, receives information on Heavenly Flames from Hai Bodong, and ultimately absorbs the mutated Green Lotus Core Flame 76 97 104.

Alchemist Competition

Xiao Yan enters the Alchemist Competition as Tang Si, competing alongside Xiao Lang. A setback during refinement becomes a test of his will; he recovers his composure and resolves to become worthy of standing beside his brother 128 150.

Three-Year Pact

At the Misty Cloud Sect, Xiao Yan confronts Nalan Yanran and defeats her with Buddha's Rage Fire Lotus. The victory allows him to reclaim the dignity lost at the engagement's annulment 155.

Black Corner Region

While traveling toward the Black Corner Region, Xiao Yan captures a Hall of Souls member and evolves the Star Absorbing Great Law into the Devouring Great Law 177 178.

Notable Quotes

“I will decide my own marriage.” 155

“The Three-Year Pact, I have arrived as promised. Today, let's settle our past grievances.” 155

Trivia

• Xiao Yan is also a transmigrator, though he gradually comes to see the Xiao Family as his true home 2.
• He is called the Xiao Family's “little genius” because of his extraordinary childhood cultivation talent 3.
• Xiao Lang's constant generosity leaves Xiao Yan feeling that he has received far more than he has been able to repay 66.