Xiao Yan

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Xiao Yan (萧炎)
Alias(es)	Yan Emperor; Third Young Master Xiao; Xiao Yanzi
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Xiao Clan; Starfall Pavilion
Occupation/Role	Cultivator; alchemist; final disciple of Yao Chen
First Appearance	Chapter 46
Status	Active

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Cultivation regressed; regarded as a “Waste”	46	His former talent had vanished, lowering his standing within the Xiao Clan.
Returned to Dou Practitioner	97	Recovered this realm after half a year of cultivation under Yao Chen.
Six-Star Dou Practitioner	123	Displayed his recovered cultivation at the Xiao Clan Coming-of-Age Ceremony and decisively defeated Xiao Yu.
Peak Dou King	233	Defended Xun'er and wounded Ling Yu.
Seven-Star Dou Emperor	296	Became a Sixth-grade Alchemist before age nineteen; had repeatedly killed Soul Hall Dou Zong experts.
Dou Venerate	325	Reached this realm at age twenty-four after three years of intensive cultivation.
Peak Nine-Turn Dou Venerate	370	Achieved a stable foundation during three years within the Heavenly Tomb; also obtained the Xiao Clan Clan Mark.
Mid-stage Spirit Grade Heavenly Sovereign	423	As the Yan Emperor, could repel a Mystic Grade Primary Heavenly Demon Emperor.

Background

Xiao Yan was once a gifted member of the Xiao Clan, but his cultivation regressed for three years and he was treated as a “Waste” by much of his family. The experience hardened his resolve to regain his strength and surpass his former self. 46 49

During Gu Han's visit to the Xiao Clan, Xiao Yan was shocked to see peers whose cultivation far surpassed his own, especially Gu Han. Rather than losing his composure, he remained respectful and treated their arrival as a possible chance to resolve his cultivation problem. 46

The cause of his regression was connected to Yao Chen, a remnant soul residing in his ring. After confronting Xiao Yan, Yao Chen accepted him as his sole personal disciple and began guiding his renewed cultivation. 49 51

Personality

Xiao Yan is determined, proud, and capable of enduring humiliation without abandoning his ambitions. His loss of status within the Xiao Clan deepened his drive to recover his talent and become stronger. 46 49

He is protective of those close to him. He defended Xun'er when Ling Yu harassed her fiancée, despite the other party's Ancient Clan affiliation. 233

Though initially embarrassed to borrow money from Nalan Yanyun for cultivation resources, he accepted her help and resolved to repay her by restoring her talent. 51

Abilities & Skills

Fire-Attribute Dou Qi and Strange Fires

Xiao Yan employs fire-attribute fighting skills and possesses multiple Strange Fires.

• Used Strange Fire to defeat Mu Dong after losing the advantage in speed. 296
• Created a powerful technique by combining multiple Strange Fires, capable of defeating a seven-star Dou Zong. 277
• Developed and used variations of the Fire Lotus technique. 296 423
• Used a concealed Fire Lotus to breach the Fire Spirit Clan's protective barrier. 428

Alchemy

Under Yao Chen's instruction, Xiao Yan became an accomplished alchemist.

• Began rebuilding his cultivation using Yao Chen's Foundation Building Spirit Liquid formula. 51
• Reached Sixth-grade Alchemist before age nineteen. 296
• Advanced to Tier 8 alchemy, drawing attention to Starfall Pavilion and the Northwest Continent. 316
• Could refine Tier 8 medicinal pills capable of triggering Nine-Color Pill Lightning. 325

Flight and Combat Techniques

Xiao Yan uses a Flying Fighting Skill and fire-based combat techniques.

• Learned the nature and rarity of Flying Fighting Skills from Yao Chen. 53
• Defeated a stronger opponent in the Four Directions Pavilion Tournament using flight, fire techniques, and a Three-Colored Fire Lotus. 296
• Carried a heavy ruler during his confrontation with Ling Yu. 233

Xiao Clan Clan Mark

Xiao Yan obtained the Xiao Clan Clan Mark during his Heavenly Tomb cultivation. 370

• The mark was visibly present on his forehead after he exited the Heavenly Tomb. 369
• Its acquisition accompanied his rise to peak Nine-Turn Dou Venerate. 370

Relationships

• Yao Chen — Teacher and father figure. Yao Chen accepted Xiao Yan as his only personal successor and guided his return to cultivation. They share a close bond, and Xiao Yan seeks to help him settle his grievance with Han Feng. 51 151
• Nalan Yanyun — Fiancée. She supported Xiao Yan financially when he needed ingredients for cultivation medicine; he resolved to restore her talent in return. 46 51
• Gu Han — Friend, rival, and benefactor. Xiao Yan recognizes Gu Han's overwhelming talent, receives information and opportunities from him, and is repeatedly motivated by the gap between their achievements. 92 213 370
• Gu Xun'er — Childhood cousin and someone Xiao Yan protects. He later learns that she belongs to the Ancient Clan, which makes him conscious of the gulf between their backgrounds. 46 233 238
• Xiao Zhan — Father. Xiao Yan remained respectful toward him despite the strain caused by his diminished status in the Xiao Clan. 46
• Xiao Li — Second brother. They reunite at Jia Nan Academy and discuss Xiao Li's ambitions in the Black Corner Region and Gu Han's rapid rise. 212 213
• Zi Yan — Companion from Jia Nan Academy. She accompanied Xiao Yan on his journey to Cloud Dusk City and frequently pressed him to refine snacks for her. 214 231
• Wind Venerate — Pavilion master and elder ally. He publicly identified Xiao Yan as his nephew and supported him during the Four Directions Pavilion Tournament. 296

Story Role / Major Arcs

Xiao Clan Recovery

After years of regression, Xiao Yan encounters Gu Han and witnesses the exceptional cultivation of his peers. His circumstances change when Yao Chen reveals himself and accepts him as a disciple, setting Xiao Yan on the path to recover his strength. 46 51

He returns to the Dou Practitioner realm after six months, then publicly displays Six-Star Dou Practitioner strength at the Xiao Clan Coming-of-Age Ceremony. 97 123

Jia Nan Academy and the Black Corner Region

Xiao Yan reunites with Xiao Li at Jia Nan Academy and learns of Gu Han's rise in Cloud Dusk City. The news pressures him to cultivate more diligently and prompts him to seek out Gu Han. 212 213

Four Directions Pavilion Tournament

Representing Starfall Pavilion, Xiao Yan defeats stronger competitors and wins the Four Directions Pavilion Tournament. His use of Strange Fire and the Three-Colored Fire Lotus forces Wind Venerate to personally contain the released power. 296

Middle Continent Reputation

Xiao Yan becomes known in the Western Region as a young Sixth-grade Alchemist and seven-star Dou Emperor who killed multiple Soul Hall Dou Zong experts. He is recognized as one of the Northwest Continent's former “Twin Stars,” though Gu Han's later rise eclipses him. 296 325

Heavenly Tomb Cultivation

Xiao Yan spends three years within the Heavenly Tomb, equivalent to half a year outside. He emerges as a peak Nine-Turn Dou Venerate with a stable foundation and the Xiao Clan Clan Mark. 369 370

Yan Emperor

By the era of the Great Thousand World, Xiao Yan is known as the Yan Emperor. He creates the Peerless Divine Ability Fire Lotus, reaches the mid-stage Spirit Grade Heavenly Sovereign realm, and fights alongside Lin Dong against the Fire Spirit Clan. 423 428

Trivia

• Xiao Yan was once regarded as the future Yan Emperor while still a youth in the Xiao Clan. 46
• He initially insisted that he would never rely on a woman, only to borrow money from Nalan Yanyun shortly afterward. 51
• His principal goal became avenging Yao Chen's betrayal by Han Feng and “cleaning up the sect.” 151
• Without Gu Han's greater notoriety, Xiao Yan would have been viewed as the surface-level number one prodigy of the Middle Continent. 325