Xiao Yan

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Xiao Yan (萧炎)
Alias(es)	Little Yanzi
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Xiao Family; disciple of Zhong Li
Occupation/Role	Cultivator; Zhong Li's disciple
First Appearance	107

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Third stage of Dou Qi	107	His cultivation had regressed from the Fighter realm over three years, making him the target of ridicule within the Xiao Family.
Minor Accomplishment — Skin Refining	131	Reached through the Nine Transformations of God and Demon; the weakened first transformation grants 54,000 jin of strength.
Weapon-resistant body	133	A breakthrough in the Nine Transformations of God and Demon leaves him nearly invulnerable to ordinary weapons.
Minor Accomplishment — Bone Refining	144	Achieved after one month of continuous cultivation in the Monster Mountain Range, where Earth Power is dense.
Second Transformation — Nine Transformations of God and Demon	146	Reached by the time of the Three Year Pact; his strength surpasses that of a Dou Emperor.
Fourth Transformation — Nine Transformations of God and Demon	146	Reached before the Soul Hall's vanguard moves against Yao Chen.
Sixth Transformation — Nine Transformations of God and Demon	146	His highest documented transformation; he cannot proceed to the seventh because the Dou Qi Continent lacks sufficient Earth Power.

Background / History

Three years before Zhong Li's arrival, Xiao Yan had reached the Fighter realm at roughly twelve years old and was regarded as the Xiao Family's prodigy. His Dou Qi then stagnated and regressed to the third stage, turning former admirers into mockers. His father Xiao Zhan and childhood companion Xiao Xun'er remained supportive during this period. 107

Xiao Yan met Zhong Li on the Xiao Family's back mountain. Although initially overwhelmed by Zhong Li's apparent strength, he judged that the stranger bore no ill will and invited him home rather than demanding answers. He hoped Zhong Li could identify the cause of his lost Dou Qi. 107

After Zhong Li temporarily empowered him, Xiao Yan defeated Xiao Ning and the other youths who had bullied him. He subsequently knelt before Zhong Li and requested discipleship, accepting the condition that he remain chaste until age five thousand in exchange for becoming stronger. 108 109 110

He later learned that Yao Chen's remnant soul had been residing in his mother's ring and was responsible for absorbing his Dou Qi. Zhong Li instead made Xiao Yan's path the body-refining Nine Transformations of God and Demon. 113 115 116

Personality

Xiao Yan is resilient and highly motivated by humiliation, refusing to remain weak after three years of decline. He is willing to endure severe physical suffering in pursuit of strength, including Earth Power tempering and repeated hammer blows during his early body refinement. 107 115 116

He is perceptive and cautious around powerful strangers. Upon meeting Zhong Li, he recognized the absence of hostile intent and chose patience over suspicion. He also understands the value of powerful backing after seeing how differently others treat him once Zhong Li becomes his master. 107 112

Despite his growth, Xiao Yan retains a mischievous and vindictive side. He gives Xiao Ning the Eight Extremes Collapse scroll while privately hoping his cousin will suffer through its punishing training requirements. 118

Abilities & Skills

Nine Transformations of God and Demon

A body-refining cultivation method that uses Earth Power to temper Xiao Yan's body in successive stages.

• Begins by refining the skin through painful Earth Power absorption and external strikes. 115 116
• At minor skin-refining accomplishment, its weakened first transformation grants 54,000 jin of strength. 131
• Makes him nearly immune to ordinary weapons after a later breakthrough. 133
• Requires vast quantities of Earth Power; the Dou Qi Continent's supply prevents him from advancing beyond the sixth transformation. 146

Earth Power Manipulation

Xiao Yan learns to draw on Earth Power under Zhong Li's guidance.

• Supports his body-refining cultivation. 115 116
• Can be applied through gravity and attraction when Zhong Li supplies sufficient power. 125
• His own early reserves are too limited to keep him airborne or fully exploit these applications without Zhong Li's assistance. 125

Jade Screen Shield

The core “divine skill” of Zhong Li's lineage, taught to Xiao Yan after he can gather more Earth Power. 117

• Creates an exceptional defensive shield that can amplify Xiao Yan's combat power to the level of a King Fighter. 121
• Protected him from multiple attackers, including Dou Spirit experts, during the confrontation at Wutan City's gate. 124
• Its power enables him to withstand and challenge opponents far above his natural cultivation. 121 125

Combat Ability

Xiao Yan can capitalize effectively on borrowed power and his refined physique.

• While temporarily protected by Zhong Li's Qi Armor, he defeated Xiao Ning and several Xiao Family youths despite being at the third stage of Dou Qi. 108
• At Wutan City's gate, he forced King Fighter Yun Leng back with a single sword strike while his own cultivation was still recorded as the third stage of Fighting Qi. 123
• He defeated Yun Leng and protected the Xiao Family from destruction. 125 126

Equipment / Items

• Mother's ring — A keepsake from Xiao Yan's mother; Yao Chen's remnant soul had taken possession of it. 116
• Mysterious Heavy Ruler — Wielded at Wutan City's gate during the confrontation with Yun Leng. 121
• Jade Screen Shield — Zhong Li's defensive divine skill and a major source of Xiao Yan's temporary combat amplification. 117 121
• Palm Absorption iron piece — A seemingly useless Mysterious-tier combat skill acquired from the Xiao Family market before Xiao Miao could obtain it. 126 128

Relationships

• Zhong Li — Master and mentor. Zhong Li restores Xiao Yan's confidence, provides his cultivation path, and repeatedly protects him while teaching him not to fear trouble. 109 110 112
• Xiao Zhan — Father and Xiao Family patriarch. He supported Xiao Yan throughout his regression and gives him resources before his training journey. 107 135
• Xiao Xun'er — Childhood companion and staunch supporter. She defended Xiao Yan when the clan called him worthless and remained concerned for his safety. 107 108
• Yao Chen — A remnant soul associated with Xiao Yan's mother's ring. Though Yao Chen initially intended to take Xiao Yan as a disciple, he later assists Zhong Li's training regimen. 114 115 116
• Xiao Ning — Cousin and former bully. Xiao Yan beat him after receiving Zhong Li's temporary protection, then later handed him a deliberately punishing combat skill. 108 118
• Nalan Yanran — Former fiancée and Three Year Pact opponent. Xiao Yan publicly divorced her after she came to annul their engagement; she later conceded when his strength became overwhelming. 111 112 146
• Xiao Miao — Cousin and an “Outer Realm Heavenly Demon” seeking to plunder Xiao Yan's fortune. Xiao Yan follows and outmaneuvers him to secure opportunities first. 127 128 129

Story Role / Major Arcs

Cultivation Regression and Zhong Li's Arrival

Xiao Yan's fall from prodigy to third-stage Dou Qi cultivator ends when Zhong Li enters his life. Zhong Li's support lets him retaliate against his clan's bullies and gives him a path to reclaim his future. 107 108

Becoming Zhong Li's Disciple

Xiao Yan formally becomes Zhong Li's disciple, accepting the five-thousand-year condition in exchange for the chance to become strong. He begins the Nine Transformations of God and Demon after Zhong Li exposes Yao Chen's connection to his lost Dou Qi. 109 110 113 115

Engagement Conflict and the Three Year Pact

When Nalan Yanran arrives to break off their engagement, Xiao Yan reverses the humiliation by divorcing her himself. Their dispute becomes a three-year duel in which the loser must serve the winner. 111 112

Defense of Wutan City

Empowered by the Jade Screen Shield and Zhong Li's Earth Power, Xiao Yan confronts Yun Leng and the Misty Cloud Sect's forces at Wutan City's gate. He defeats Yun Leng, secures the Xiao Family's safety, and earns support from the Gale and Ouba Families. 121 124 125 126

Contest with Xiao Miao

After learning that Xiao Miao can plunder fortune, Xiao Yan begins shadowing his cousin to prevent his destined opportunities from being taken. He claims the Palm Absorption iron piece and later takes further opportunities before Xiao Miao can secure them. 127 128 146

Monster Mountain Range Training

Xiao Yan leaves Wutan City with Zhong Li to train in the Monster Mountain Range. The region's dense Earth Power accelerates his body refinement, bringing him to minor accomplishment in Bone Refining within a month. 134 135 144