Xiao Yan

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Xiao Yan (萧炎)
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Jia Nan Academy Inner Academy (later active in the Black Corner Region) 153 166
Occupation/Role	Dou Practitioner; alchemist; disciple of Yao Chen
Status	Alive
First Appearance	Chapter 65 (mentioned); Chapter 70 (active appearance)

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Dou Ancestor	351	Arrives at Shen Manor with a steady aura and the cultivation of a Dou Ancestor.
Rank Seven Alchemist	351	States that he advanced his alchemy from Rank Four to Rank Seven while traveling from the Northwest to the Central Continent.

Background / History

Xiao Yan traveled with Xiao Yi Xian in the Monster Beast Mountain Range before their paths diverged. During this period, he acquired a stone box whose contents were suspected to be significant, while Xiao Yi Xian remained concerned that outsiders might be seeking the Seven-Colored Poison Scripture or an even greater secret connected to him 65.

He carries Yao Chen—also called Old Yao—in a ring. Yao Chen serves as his teacher, advisor, and, when necessary, takes over Xiao Yan's body to fight. During a confrontation with Cao Ying, Yao Chen took control and revealed the Bone Spirit Cold Flame 70 71.

Xiao Yan sought the Green Lotus Core Flame to advance his Fen Jue, but Shen Wen obtained it first. Learning that both the Green Lotus Core Flame and the Fallen Heart Flame were beyond his reach, Xiao Yan chose to train in the Tagor Desert and reunite with his brothers instead 75 80.

After winning the Three-Year Agreement against Nalan Yanran, he left the Jia Ma Empire for the Black Corner Region. He later made a name for himself in Jia Nan Academy's Inner Academy before continuing onward to the Central Continent 153 166 351.

Appearance

As a young man in his early twenties, Xiao Yan is tall and slender with a resolute face. He wears dark azure robes and carries a pitch-black short ruler at his waist 351.

• Dark azure robe 351
• Pitch-black short ruler, approximately one foot long, worn at his waist 351
• Steady, composed aura upon reaching the Dou Ancestor realm 351

Personality

Xiao Yan is alert and pragmatic under pressure. When surrounded by superior enemies at the cave entrance, he immediately assessed Yun Yun as an obstacle to escape and sought to withdraw rather than fight recklessly 70.

He is sensitive to the gap between himself and stronger figures. Shen Wen's possession of the Green Lotus Core Flame left him disheartened, while Xiao Xun'er's removal by the Ancient Clan forced him to confront how far he remained from the powers of the Central Continent 75 176.

Despite these setbacks, he remains determined to improve. He seeks instruction from capable alchemists, investigates threats connected to Yao Chen's past, and eventually advances his alchemy from Rank Four to Rank Seven 155 163 351.

Abilities & Skills

Fen Jue

A cultivation technique whose rapid advancement depends on devouring flames.

• Requires Exotic Flames to progress quickly 80
• Its dependence on rare flames complicates Xiao Yan's effort to win the Three-Year Agreement 80
• The Green Lotus Core Flame and Fallen Heart Flame were identified as inaccessible targets at the time due to Shen Wen and Jia Nan Academy's protection 80

Alchemy

Xiao Yan develops from a Rank Four alchemist into a Rank Seven alchemist during his journey from the Northwest to the Central Continent 351.

• Accepted Shen Wen's invitation to observe the refinement of the Bone-Regenerating and Blood-Melting Pill in order to learn 163
• Has Yao Chen's guidance and experience available through their teacher-disciple bond 76 163
• Participates in the Alchemy Conference period after reaching Rank Seven 351

Exotic Flame Use

Xiao Yan's body can be controlled by Yao Chen, who employs the Bone Spirit Cold Flame.

• Yao Chen took over Xiao Yan's body during the confrontation with Cao Ying 71
• The Bone Spirit Cold Flame clashed with Cao Ying's Green Lotus Core Flame, expanding the cavern and creating an energy storm 71
• Xiao Yan later encounters the Wind Fury Dragon Flame in the Tagor Desert 95

Equipment / Items

• Ring containing Yao Chen's soul body — Yao Chen resides within it and can communicate with or take control of Xiao Yan 70 71.
• Pitch-black short ruler — carried at Xiao Yan's waist during his visit to Shen Manor 351.
• Fragmented Map of the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame — possessed by Xiao Yan until Shen Wen recognizes it; he later trades the Tou She Ancient God Jade for a remnant map 159 361.
• Tou She Ancient God Jade — inherited connection to the Xiao Clan; traded to Shen Wen in exchange for the remnant map 351 361.

Relationships

• Yao Chen / Old Yao — teacher and soul residing in Xiao Yan's ring; advises him, protects him, and can take over his body in battle 70 71 76.
• Xiao Xun'er — his fiancée and a member of the Ancient Clan; her departure motivates him to close the immense gap between himself and her clan 153 176.
• Xiao Yi Xian — friend and former traveling companion; they reunite before Xiao Yan departs for the Tagor Desert 79 80.
• Shen Wen — powerful acquaintance, advisor, and later trading partner; Xiao Yan respects Shen Wen's strength, seeks his knowledge, and exchanges the Tou She Ancient God Jade for a Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame map 80 176 361.
• Yun Yun — traveled with Xiao Yan during the cave incident; Ling Ying later hears of ambiguous entanglements between them before Xiao Yan leaves the Jia Ma Empire 70 153.
• Nalan Yanran — opponent in the Three-Year Agreement, which Xiao Yan wins before departing for the Black Corner Region 153.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Cave confrontation and the Green Lotus Core Flame

Xiao Yan and Yun Yun are trapped at a cave entrance by Cao Ying, Qing Lin, Dan Chen, and another unknown presence. Facing multiple Dou Emperors, Xiao Yan relies on Yao Chen's intervention; Yao Chen uses Xiao Yan's body and the Bone Spirit Cold Flame against Cao Ying 70 71.

Shen Wen's acquisition of the Green Lotus Core Flame disrupts Xiao Yan's plans for Fen Jue. Unable to seize that flame or the Fallen Heart Flame, he leaves to train in the Tagor Desert 75 80.

Jia Nan Academy and the Black Corner Region

After defeating Nalan Yanran in the Three-Year Agreement, Xiao Yan enters the Black Corner Region. In Black Seal City, he investigates rumors surrounding Han Feng's death and recognizes its relevance to Yao Chen's betrayal 153 155.

He becomes a notable Inner Academy figure at Jia Nan Academy, including clashing with Liu Fei over access to a high-level training room after the infant Fallen Heart Flame makes the Heavenly Flame Qi Refining Tower safer 166.

Ancient Clan revelation

When Xiao Xun'er is taken away by Ancient Clan members, Xiao Yan seeks Shen Wen's explanation. He learns that the Ancient Clan is one of the Ancient Eight Clans, possesses a Dou Di bloodline, and that Xun'er is the daughter of its chieftain 176.

The revelation leaves him painfully aware that he could not even withstand a casual strike from the clan's leader, strengthening his resolve to cultivate further 176.

Central Continent and the ancient jade trade

By the time of the Alchemy Conference, Xiao Yan has reached the Dou Ancestor realm and become a Rank Seven alchemist. He recounts his journey from the Northwest, including his progress from Rank Four to Rank Seven alchemy 351.

Targeted by the Soul Clan over suspicions concerning the Tou She Ancient God Jade, he chooses to trade the jade to Shen Wen for the remnant map of the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame. Shen Wen warns him of the flame's danger before accepting the exchange 361.

Trivia

• Xiao Yan briefly considers whether following Shen Wen would offer him a better path after witnessing Shen Wen kill Fan Lao with Space Lockdown 158.
• Shen Wen considers Xiao Yan unusually fortunate in his relationships with Xiao Xun'er and Yun Yun, despite the apparent dangers surrounding him 351.