Xiao Yan

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Xiao Yan (萧炎) 2
Alias(es)	Yan Xiao 96
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Xiao Family; Pan Gate 1 175
Occupation/Role	Cultivator; alchemist; Pan Gate member 94 175
Status	Alive 562
First Appearance	Chapter 2: First Check-in

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Dou Qi, Third Stage	2	Tested at the Xiao Family Test Plaza; his reduced cultivation leaves him dejected, but he remains determined.
Nine-Star Dou Zhe	27	Yao Lao regulates his unstable Dou Qi, allowing his aura to stabilize and break through.
Dou Shi	121	Reveals his realm during the Three-Year Agreement and manifests Dou Qi Armor.
Seven-Star Dou Grandmaster	159	Defeats Bai Shan during the Inner Courtyard Selection Tournament.
Eight-Star Dou Grandmaster	175	Breaks through while cultivating in the Heavenly Flame Training Qi Tower.
Six-Star Dou Ling	216	Advances after the Xiao Family's bloodline activation strengthens the clan.
Dou Zong	382	Breaks through in the Free and Unfettered World; Yao Lao later warns that his aura still requires stabilization.
Dou Zun	505	Reaches the Dou Zun realm after refining a Child Fire and Yao Lao's Bone Chilling Flame through the Flame Mantra.

Background / History

Xiao Yan is Xiao Tian's younger twin brother; Xiao Tian was born half an hour earlier. Both originated from Blue Planet before arriving in the Dou Qi Continent as members of the Xiao Family. 1

At the Xiao Family's Dou Qi test, Xiao Yan registers only at the Third Stage and is visibly discouraged. Xiao Tian comforts him, while Xiao Mei continues treating him kindly rather than distancing herself over his decline. 2

When Nalan Yanran and the Misty Cloud Sect arrive to annul his engagement, Xiao Yan refuses to yield. He proposes a three-year agreement: if he defeats Nalan Yanran after their coming-of-age ceremonies, she will serve him; if he loses, he will surrender the Marriage Letter. 3

Yao Lao becomes Xiao Yan's master and helps stabilize his volatile Dou Qi, enabling his breakthrough to Nine-Star Dou Zhe. Xiao Tian recognizes Yao Lao's identity and asks him to protect and guide Xiao Yan in the future. 27

Appearance

During the Three-Year Agreement, Xiao Yan is described as a handsome, refined young man who carries a black giant ruler across his back. 120

• Carries the Mysterious Heavy Ruler in combat. 121 122
• Can form Dou Qi Armor after reaching the Dou Shi realm. 121
• Uses the identity and altered appearance of Yan Xiao while dealing with the Nalan Family. 92 96

Personality

Xiao Yan is stubborn, proud, and unwilling to submit when humiliated. His decision to make the three-year agreement and his preference for direct close-quarters combat reflect his refusal to be treated as weak. 3 121

He values loyalty and repayment. Although he retains resentment toward the Nalan Family, he agrees to help treat Nalan Jie in exchange for the Seven Illusory Green Spirit Saliva needed to restore Yao Lao's soul. 92 He is equally devoted to Xiao Tian, declaring that he would risk his life to help his elder brother if Xiao Tian were in danger. 251

After growing comfortable under Xiao Tian's protection, Xiao Yan loses some of the relentless ambition that once drove him. Yao Lao's reprimand forces him to confront this change, and Xiao Yan renews his determination to pursue strength. 383

Abilities & Skills

Flame Mantra and Heavenly Flames

Xiao Yan cultivates the Flame Mantra, an evolvable cultivation method associated with refining flames. 2 By the time he reaches Dou Zun, he has refined a Child Fire and Yao Lao's Bone Chilling Flame; later, he can use three Heavenly Flames and one Child Fire to empower his techniques. 505 547

• Uses Heavenly Flames to defend against high-grade Dou Techniques and pressure opponents in close combat. 121 159
• Obtains the juvenile Fallen Heart Flame through an agreement with Heavenly Flame Venerable. 282
• Uses his Fire Lotus to kill Yuan Lei and destroy Wind Lightning Pavilion. 454
• The Heavenly Flame Three Mysterious Transformations can temporarily elevate him to the strength of a Four-Star Dou Zun, but its effectiveness depends on the quality and number of flames used. 98 547

Ruler Arts and Close-Quarters Combat

Xiao Yan excels at close combat, combining his body, Dou Qi, and Mysterious Heavy Ruler into a relentless fighting style. 121

• Uses Eight Extremities Collapse, whose Dark Energy can disrupt an opponent after impact. 26
• Uses Flame Splitting Tsunami Ruler to decisively defeat Liu Qing. 227
• Uses his limbs, elbows, legs, and head as weapons to deny opponents room to disengage. 121
• Combines direct strikes with delayed Dark Energy to severely injure stronger opponents. 441

Soul Techniques and Alchemy

Xiao Yan is an alchemist who is already a Second Grade Alchemist while operating as Yan Xiao. 94 His Soul Power later becomes a major part of his combat and alchemical capability.

• Uses Soul Shattering Palm to seize more than one hundred Soul Testing Beads during the Five Great Families' assessment. 529
• Uses Great Heaven Creation Palm, creating a destructive black ring that collapses space and counters Hun Yuan's Heaven Rank Soul Art. 547
• Receives instruction from Yao Lao in preparation for the Pill Gathering. 369
• Helps Yao Lao rebuild his body using the Dou Sheng Skeleton and the Heaven-Melting Resurrection Pill. 562

Movement Techniques

Xiao Yan employs Ground Shrinking to an Inch, a movement technique associated with Xiao Tian, to appear and disappear unpredictably during battle. 441

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Mysterious Heavy Ruler — Xiao Yan's signature black ruler and primary weapon. 120 122
• Bone Flame Ring — houses Yao Lao and later also serves as a refuge for Heavenly Flame Venerable's soul. 151 369
• Ice Silkworm Mask — given by Xiao Tian; conceals Xiao Yan's original appearance. 92
• Fire Gathering Pot — used to contain the juvenile Fallen Heart Flame. 282

Relationships

• Xiao Tian — older twin brother and primary supporter. Xiao Tian encourages him after his decline, supplies him with resources and techniques, and remains the person Xiao Yan trusts most. 2 92 367
• Yao Lao — master and mentor. Yao Lao stabilizes Xiao Yan's cultivation, teaches him alchemy and combat, and later reignites Xiao Yan's ambition. 27 369 383
• Nalan Yanran — former fiancée and opponent in the Three-Year Agreement. They meet again under the identities Yan Xiao and Lan Na, then gradually develop mutual affection. 3 96 382
• Heavenly Flame Venerable — ally and combat mentor. He provides Xiao Yan with the Five Round Li Fire Method and the juvenile Fallen Heart Flame in exchange for help restoring his soul. 282 369
• Xiao Mei — childhood companion who remains friendly and encouraging even after Xiao Yan's cultivation decline. 2
• Xiao Yu — cousin with whom he maintains a playful sibling-like rivalry. 155

Story Role / Major Arcs

• Three-Year Agreement — Rejects the engagement annulment and challenges Nalan Yanran, later revealing his Dou Shi cultivation and overwhelming her in close combat. 3 121
• Nalan Family and Alchemist Convention — adopts the identity Yan Xiao, agrees to treat Nalan Jie for Yao Lao's sake, and participates in the Alchemist Convention alongside Xiao Tian. 92 94 96
• Jia Nan Academy — enters the academy, joins Pan Gate, advances through the Inner Courtyard Selection Tournament, and becomes fourth on the Strong Ranking after defeating Liu Qing. 151 175 227
• Underground Magma World — pursues Fallen Heart Flame, encounters Heavenly Flame Venerable, and obtains the juvenile Fallen Heart Flame. 250 282
• Renewed Resolve — breaks through to Dou Zong, then recognizes that Xiao Tian's protection has weakened his former drive; Yao Lao's guidance restores his ambition. 382 383
• Central State Conflicts — fights Wind Lightning Pavilion, reaches Dou Zun, and becomes entangled with the Soul Clan during the Pill Gathering. 454 505 547
• Yao Lao's Resurrection — uses the Dou Sheng Skeleton and Heaven-Melting Resurrection Pill to reconstruct Yao Lao's body. 562

Notable Quotes

“Even if I can't beat them, I'll still bite a chunk out of them.” 367

“You're right. I was overthinking things. I need to find my former self again, and recover that pursuit and obsession with strength I once had.” 383