Xiao Yan

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Xiao Yan (萧炎)
Alias(es)	Yan Xiao
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Jia Ma Imperial Family (honored guest as Yan Xiao)
Occupation/Role	Cultivator; alchemist; protagonist
Status	Alive
First Appearance	Chapter 52

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Below Dou Zhe	168	Three years before the Three-Year Agreement, he had not yet become a Dou Zhe.
Dou Zhe	54	Fought Yan Lin for the Blood Lotus Essence; Yan Lin suppressed his own cultivation to two stars below Xiao Yan's level.
Dou Ling (temporary)	66	Yao Chen lent him power to confront the Third Order Crimson Flame Monkey; the enhancement was temporary and strained Xiao Yan's body.
Dou Master	164	Watched Yan Lin battle above the Imperial Mausoleum while using Golden Wings to remain airborne.

Background

Three years before the Three-Year Agreement with Nalan Yanran, Xiao Yan had not yet reached the Dou Zhe realm. Under Yao Chen's guidance, he developed steadily enough to become a Dou Master, gain recognition as the disguised alchemist Yan Xiao, and acquire multiple flames. 164 168

He carries the Bone Flame Ring, through which Yao Chen guides him and can temporarily lend or directly exert power. Xiao Yan's accessible treasures include the super Heaven-tier cultivation method Flame Mantra, while Yao Chen's presence gives him access to the Bone Spirit Cold Flame and techniques beyond his own realm. 52 53 66

Personality

Xiao Yan is polite toward stronger cultivators, initially addressing Yan Lin as “senior” despite their similar apparent age. He nevertheless accepts difficult challenges when they are necessary to obtain what he needs. 54

His defeat by Yan Lin forces him to confront the limits of his confidence, but he accepts the result and honors the agreed trade rather than abandoning his word. Yao Chen encourages this willingness to face defeat independently. 55

Xiao Yan is ambitious and receptive to new possibilities. Yan Lin's Flame Phantom Beast demonstration leaves him considering whether his own multiple flames could be combined into a new combat technique. 166 167

Abilities & Skills

Flame Mantra and Heavenly Flames

Xiao Yan possesses the super Heaven-tier cultivation method Flame Mantra, an upgradable method categorized as a Heavenly Treasure. 52 53

• Wields the Bone Spirit Cold Flame, ranked eleventh on the Heavenly Flame Ranking. 53
• Later obtains the Wind Fury Dragon Flame, ranked eighteenth. 158
• Possesses three types of flames by the time of the Alchemist Conference. 166
• Had not yet created a Heavenly Flame fusion skill when Yan Lin recognized him as Yan Xiao. 165
• Yan Lin deliberately encourages him to attempt flame fusion, believing it could produce an exceptionally powerful flame-based combat technique. 166 167

Ghost Possession and Yao Chen's Power

Yao Chen can bolster Xiao Yan's combat ability by lending power or possessing his body.

• The Heaven-tier Ghost Possession allows Xiao Yan to experience power comparable to a Dou Huang or Dou Zong. 53
• Borrowed power temporarily raised Xiao Yan from Dou Zhe to Dou Ling against the Crimson Flame Monkey. 66
• Yao Chen directly possessed Xiao Yan to defend against a Winged Snake when danger approached. 66
• The borrowed power can damage Xiao Yan's body afterward. 66
• Yao Chen does not intervene automatically; during Xiao Yan's duel with Yan Lin, he refused to fight in his disciple's place. 55

Eight Extremes Collapse

A close-range Dou Technique that delivers layered hidden force after impact.

• Xiao Yan used it against Yan Lin during their wager for the Blood Lotus Essence. 54
• Although defeated, he traded the technique to Yan Lin for the Blood Lotus Essence and two fourth-grade Restoration Pills. 55
• He later used it to kill a Fusion Ape, with the delayed force destroying the beast's head after the initial strike. 79

Alchemy and Fire Control

Under the identity Yan Xiao, Xiao Yan wins the Alchemist Conference by refining a Three-Stripe Green Spirit Pill and overcoming competitors from the Chuyun Empire. 166

• His listed alchemy talent was Mortal-grade peak when Yan Lin first examined his attributes. 52
• His manipulation of three flames earns Yan Lin's recognition as unusually capable for a Dou Master. 166
• He considers Yan Lin's Flame Phantom Beast far beyond his own current fire-control ability. 167

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Bone Flame Ring — Yao Chen resides within it and uses it to guide and support Xiao Yan. 52 66
• Black Heavy Ruler — Xiao Yan's primary heavy weapon during his duel with Yan Lin. 52 55
• Golden Wings — A flying Dou Technique derived from a Fifth Order Golden-Winged Roc; lets Xiao Yan fly above the Imperial Mausoleum. 164
• Blood Lotus Essence — Obtained from Yan Lin in exchange for Eight Extremes Collapse and two fourth-grade Restoration Pills. 55

Relationships

• Yao Chen (Yao Lao) — Master and mentor. He provides cultivation guidance, lends power in emergencies, and pushes Xiao Yan to face defeat without relying on him. 55 66 79
• Yan Lin — Powerful rival and manipulator. Yan Lin defeats Xiao Yan in their first duel but trades fairly afterward; he later saves Xiao Yan from danger, recognizes his identity as Yan Xiao, and pushes him toward developing flame fusion. 55 65 165 167
• Jia Shentian — Protector and political backer. After Xiao Yan refines the Fu Ling Purple Pill for him, Jia Shentian promises to protect Xiao Yan in the Imperial Capital and ensure his safe return after the Three-Year Agreement. 165
• Nalan Yanran — Scheduled opponent in the Three-Year Agreement, due to occur two days after Yan Lin's discussion with Yun Yun. 168
• Yun Yun — Nalan Yanran's master. She learns that the Alchemist Conference champion Yan Xiao is Xiao Yan and becomes concerned that her disciple may not be able to defeat him. 168

Story Role / Major Arcs

Myriad Medicine Hall Duel

Xiao Yan first encounters Yan Lin while seeking the Blood Lotus Essence at Myriad Medicine Hall. He proposes a trade, accepts Yan Lin's wager, and fights despite the apparent disparity in experience and physical strength. 54

Yan Lin defeats him while suppressing his cultivation below Xiao Yan's. Xiao Yan then trades Eight Extremes Collapse for the Blood Lotus Essence and Restoration Pills, accepting the loss rather than breaking their agreement. 55

Monster Mountain Range

While searching for a Spirit Returning Red Fruit, Xiao Yan faces a Third Order Crimson Flame Monkey. Yao Chen lends him power, but a subsequent Winged Snake attack forces Yao Chen to possess him directly. 65 66

Yan Lin observes the encounter and confirms Yao Chen's existence through Xiao Yan's changed attribute panel. 66

Alchemist Conference and Return to the Imperial Capital

Under the alias Yan Xiao, Xiao Yan wins the Alchemist Conference and becomes an honored guest of the Jia Ma Imperial Family. Yan Lin identifies him through his attributes, noting that Xiao Yan has acquired the Wind Fury Dragon Flame but has not yet formed a flame-fusion technique. 165 166

Yan Lin then publicly demonstrates a Flame Phantom Beast made from Beast Fires and explicitly urges Xiao Yan to attempt merging his own flames, intending to spur the development of a new Heavenly Flame combat technique. 166 167

Three-Year Agreement

Xiao Yan is expected to face Nalan Yanran in the Three-Year Agreement. Yan Lin considers Xiao Yan's foundation, alchemical achievement, flames, and hidden backing sufficient to make a three-star Da Dou Shi Nalan Yanran an unlikely victor without further assistance. 168

Notable Quotes

“Yes. With my teacher backing my lofty ambitions, I will surely tread through snow to the mountaintop!” 79