Xiao Yan

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Xiao Yan (萧炎)
Alias(es)	Yan Xiao (black-robed identity) 298
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Xiao Clan; Starfall Pavilion 1 336 348
Occupation/Role	Cultivator; Rank 7 Alchemist 298
Status	Active 348
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Eighth Stage Dou Zhi Qi	1	Had reached this level at age ten, markedly ahead of Xiao Han at the time.
Third Stage Dou Disciple	3	His cultivation regressed, leaving him the target of ridicule and isolation within the Xiao Clan.
Fourth Stage Dou Qi	26	Reached after a month of cultivation aided by Xiao Han.
Fifth Stage Dou Qi / Dou Disciple	52, 54	Broke through while training under Old Man Yao and prepared to surprise Xiao Zhan at the next family test.
Eighth Stage of Qi	209	Reached after leaving the Jia Ma Empire; the Green Lotus fire lotus seat accelerated his cultivation.
Dou Zhe	298	Advanced after several months of training in Shimo City, supported by Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid, the Green Lotus Core Flame’s fire lotus seat, and resources supplied by Xiao Han.

Background / History

Xiao Yan was initially a standout of the Xiao Clan, reaching the eighth stage of Dou Zhi Qi by age ten. He is Xiao Han’s cousin and is one month younger than him. 1 9 His rapid decline in cultivation reduced him to the third stage of Dou Disciple, however, and the clan disciples who had once been beneath his notice began bullying him whenever Xiao Han was absent. Isolated and despondent, he viewed himself as a burden to the clan. 3

The cause of his lost Dou Qi was Old Man Yao’s presence within his storage ring: while Yao was absent, the ring itself continued absorbing Xiao Yan’s Dou Qi to delay his recovery until he had been properly tempered. 12 Xiao Han later brought the truth into the open, and Xiao Yan accepted Old Man Yao as his teacher. 22 Under Yao’s guidance and with Xiao Han’s resources, his talent recovered and his cultivation resumed. 26 52

Xiao Yan accompanied Xiao Han to the Nalan Clan to personally dissolve his engagement to Nalan Yanran. Although the Nalan Clan welcomed Xiao Han, their cold treatment of Xiao Yan reinforced his dislike of the family. 71 72 After continuing his cultivation in Shimo City, he departed for the Central Continent with Old Man Yao, eventually reaching Starfall Pavilion. 119 298 336

Appearance

Xiao Yan is a handsome black-haired, black-eyed youth. 22

• His features resemble Xiao Han’s, though Xiao Han is regarded as the more striking of the two. 71
• He later travels in a black robe and uses a human-skin mask under the identity Yan Xiao. 298
• He received a haircut and new clothes before traveling to Jia Ma Holy City, which noticeably improved his appearance. 54

Personality

Before his regression, Xiao Yan was arrogant and dismissive of most fellow Xiao Clan disciples. Losing his cultivation stripped away that confidence and left him deeply self-critical. 3 By the time he reunited with Xiao Han and Old Man Yao, he had become more mature, choosing to focus on his present cultivation and future rather than remain trapped by his past. 22

He is sensitive to contempt directed at him or the Xiao Clan, but generally keeps that resentment private rather than openly lashing out. 71 He is also practical with money despite receiving substantial support from Xiao Han, and remains focused on becoming strong enough to earn respect through his own ability. 59 298

Abilities & Skills

Alchemy

Xiao Yan studies alchemy under Old Man Yao and eventually becomes a Rank 7 Alchemist. 23 298

• Learned the refining method for Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid by observing Old Man Yao. 23
• Uses an Energy Value interface that records refining proficiency and can be spent to improve formula mastery. 23
• Can conceal his strength while wearing a black robe, aided by Old Man Yao’s soul power. 59
• Traveled through the Central Continent as the black-robed alchemist Yan Xiao. 298

Fire-Attribute Cultivation

Xiao Yan received a dying ember of the Green Lotus Core Flame from Xiao Han, intended to revive as he grows stronger and to support the evolution of his Flame Mantra. 119

• Cultivates with the Green Lotus Core Flame’s fire lotus seat, greatly increasing his cultivation speed. 209 298
• Received fire-attribute cultivation resources, techniques, pill recipes, and secret arts from Xiao Han after their reunion at Starfall Pavilion. 348

Soul Power and Spiritual Sense

Under Old Man Yao’s instruction, Xiao Yan trains his Spiritual Sense using a method from A Chinese Ghost Story. 55

• Communicates silently with Xiao Han through soul power. 71
• Benefits from Old Man Yao’s expertise in soul power and alchemy. 23 55

Equipment / Items

• Storage Ring — Houses Old Man Yao and carries Xiao Yan’s supplies. 22 85
• Soul Scroll — A one-use explosive soul treasure refined by Old Man Yao; stated to incapacitate ordinary Dou Kings when detonated. 85
• Green Lotus Core Flame ember — A flame ember entrusted to him by Xiao Han for future nurturing. 119
• Human-skin mask and black robe — Used for his disguised identity as Yan Xiao. 298

Relationships

• Xiao Han — Older cousin by one month and brotherly companion. Xiao Han repeatedly supplies him with cultivation resources, techniques, and protection. 1 22 119 348
• Old Man Yao — Master and mentor. Old Man Yao guides Xiao Yan’s cultivation, alchemy, and Spiritual Sense training. 22 52 55
• Xiao Zhan — Father and Xiao Clan head. Xiao Zhan supports Xiao Yan despite pressure from the Nalan Clan and is overjoyed by the recovery of his son’s talent. 54 125
• Nalan Yanran — Former fiancée. Their arranged engagement was dissolved during Xiao Yan’s visit to the Nalan Clan. 71 72
• Mu Qingluan — A Starfall Pavilion disciple with whom Xiao Yan shares living arrangements to maintain appearances. 348

Story Role / Major Arcs

Fallen Genius

Xiao Yan’s unexplained loss of Dou Qi transforms him from a gifted child into a mocked “waste,” leaving him isolated in the Xiao Clan’s back mountain after the family test. 3

Old Man Yao’s Disciple

After Xiao Han exposes the connection between Old Man Yao and his ring, Xiao Yan begins training under Yao and gradually recovers his cultivation. 22 26

Breaking the Nalan Engagement

Xiao Yan travels with Xiao Han to the Nalan Clan and initiates the dissolution of his engagement to Nalan Yanran. The experience confirms his distrust of the Nalan family. 71 72

Journey to the Central Continent

Following cultivation in Shimo City, Xiao Yan leaves the Jia Ma Empire under Old Man Yao’s guidance. He advances to Dou Zhe, develops as an alchemist, and reaches Starfall Pavilion after a difficult journey. 119 298 336

Reunion at Starfall Pavilion

Xiao Yan reunites with Xiao Han at Starfall Pavilion, admires his cousin’s overwhelming strength, and receives a large collection of fire-attribute spoils and cultivation resources. 348