Xiao Yan

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Xiao Yan (萧炎)
Alias(es)	Little Yanzi
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Xiao Clan; Starfall Pavilion; formerly the Pill Pagoda; Heavenly Mansion Alliance
Occupation/Role	Alchemist; cultivator; disciple of Yao Chen
Status	Deceased; his soul was later intended for Qing Lin's advancement 1283 1303
First Appearance	Chapter 2

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Nine-star Dou Zhe → Dou Shi	72	Broke through after absorbing his first Beast Flame; continued devouring Beast Flames afterward.
Four-star Dou Shi	72	Reached this level after devouring several Beast Flames; Fen Jue evolved to High Yellow Tier.
Four-star Great Dou Master	117	Advanced through a Three-Pattern Green Spirit Pill and two Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pills; prepared to face Nalan Yanran.
Five-star Dou Wang	260	His level when he escaped Jia Nan Academy after stealing its Heavenly Flame.
Seven-star Dou Wang (temporary)	260	Used a secret technique to raise his strength and kill a Three-star Dou Huang.
Dou Huang	333	Had reached the Dou Huang realm by the time he pursued further alchemical advancement and Heavenly Flames.
Three-star Dou Zong	609	His base cultivation when he ambushed Lin Feng for a Heavenly Flame.
Eight-star Dou Zong (temporary)	612	Heavenly Flame Three Profound Transformations raised him from Three-star to Eight-star Dou Zong.
Dou Zun (temporary)	729	Used the same secret art to cross from Eight-star Dou Zong into the Dou Zun realm.
One-star Dou Zun	778	His cultivation when he rescued Yao Chen from the Soul Hall.
Peak Eight-star Dou Zun	1061	Stabilized his rapidly growing aura instead of forcing a breakthrough to Nine-star Dou Zun.
Five-turn Dou Zun	1064	Emerged from the Heaven Tomb vastly stronger after inheriting Xiao Xuan's bloodline and power.
Peak Ninth-turn Dou Zun	1103	Reached this level using the Bodhi Heart's energy.
Dou Sheng	1107	Successfully broke through after seclusion in the Ancient Realm.
Emperor Soul Realm	1272	His soul power advanced to the Emperor Soul Realm, allowing him to intimidate Yao Wangu.
Ninth-grade Treasure Pill Grandmaster	1242	Identified publicly as a Ninth-grade Treasure Pill Grandmaster and the continent's foremost young alchemist.

Background / History

Xiao Yan was humiliated when his engagement to the Misty Cloud Sect was broken, an event that also disgraced the Xiao family. In the aftermath, he attempted to acquire the Mysterious Tier Dou Skill Sucking Palm from Lin Feng at a reduced price through threats, revealing his pride and entitlement at the time 2.

Under Yao Chen's tutelage, Xiao Yan cultivated Fen Jue, a technique capable of evolving through the absorption of flames. He used Beast Flames to improve both his cultivation and the technique, reaching Four-star Dou Shi before the Three-Year Pact 72. He later fought Nalan Yanran at the Cloud Mist Sect as a Four-star Great Dou Master, refusing to borrow Yao Chen's power despite being pressured by her superior movement techniques and cultivation method 117 119 120.

After the Xiao family was annihilated and his father captured, Xiao Yan learned that the Soul Hall was responsible. He buried his relatives, informed his elder brothers, and resolved to grow stronger in order to rescue his father and confront the Soul Hall 128. His conflict with the organization deepened after Yao Chen was captured during the events surrounding Jia Nan Academy 212.

Xiao Yan stole Jia Nan Academy's Heavenly Flame, the Fallen Heart Flame, after recovering from the battle that led to Yao Chen's capture. The academy placed a bounty on him, but he escaped pursuit 260. His pursuit of Heavenly Flames, resources, and alchemical advancement repeatedly brought him into conflict with Lin Feng, whose own flames became targets of Xiao Yan's ambitions 333 594 609.

He later learned from Gu Xun'er that the Xiao Clan was a fallen Dou Di family destroyed by the Soul Clan a millennium earlier. This revelation intensified his desire to restore the clan and avenge its destruction 648 649. In the Heaven Tomb, he met his ancestor Xiao Xuan, inherited his bloodline and power, and received guidance to prioritize his own strength as the foundation for rebuilding the Xiao Clan 1049 1061 1063.

Personality

Xiao Yan is driven by pride, competitiveness, and a persistent refusal to accept defeat. Even when overwhelmed by Nalan Yanran, he insisted on relying on his own strength rather than borrowing Yao Chen's power 120. He later showed restraint when rapid advancement threatened his foundation, deliberately stabilizing himself at peak Eight-star Dou Zun instead of forcing a higher breakthrough 1061.

His strongest loyalty is reserved for Yao Chen. Xiao Yan repeatedly risked himself to rescue, restore, and protect his teacher, including offering a Heavenly Flame in exchange for materials needed to repair Yao Chen's soul 778 789 811. He is also pragmatic when necessary, accepting Gu Xun'er's assistance in obtaining Heavenly Flames despite his distrust of the Ancient Clan 649.

Repeated losses to Lin Feng, expulsion from the Pill Pagoda, and the loss of resources increasingly destabilized Xiao Yan. He came to blame Lin Feng for many of his misfortunes, and his desire for retaliation became increasingly obsessive 1089.

Abilities & Skills

Fen Jue

A cultivation method that evolves by devouring flames and feeds that growth back into Xiao Yan's cultivation.

• Absorbed Beast Flames to evolve from its earlier state to High Yellow Tier 72.
• Enabled Xiao Yan to gain major increases from Heavenly Flames, including the Fallen Heart Flame 260 571.
• By the battle against the Heavenly Nether Sect, Xiao Yan possessed seven Heavenly Flames: Sea Heart Flame, Fallen Heart Flame, Mysterious Yellow Flame, Volcanic Stone Flame, Nine Dragon Lightning Seal Fire, Bone Spirit Cold Flame, and Three Thousand Yan Yan Fire 1071.
• Its value made it a central target of Xiao Yan's enemies and a resource he guarded closely 619.

Heavenly Flame Three Profound Transformations

A secret art from Fen Yan Valley that temporarily raises Xiao Yan's combat power through his Heavenly Flames.

• Raised him from Three-star to Eight-star Dou Zong against Ye Zhong 612.
• Allowed him to temporarily enter the Dou Zun realm from Eight-star Dou Zong 729.
• Provides exceptional short-term strength, but is distinct from his stable cultivation level.

Alchemy

Xiao Yan was trained by Yao Chen and became one of the continent's leading young alchemists.

• His soul power had reached High Seventh-grade by the time he entered the Pill Pagoda 571.
• Used Yao Chen's Sixth-grade refining insights to barter for a King Ascension Pill 149.
• Refined with four Heavenly Flames during the Pill Gathering in an effort to improve his pill's quality 706.
• Reached Ninth-grade Treasure Pill Grandmaster status 1242.
• Advanced his soul power to the Emperor Soul Realm 1272.

Imperial Seal Art

An Ancient Clan hand-seal Dou Skill.

• Successfully learned all four seals 783.
• Combined Mountain Splitting, Sea Overturning, and Earth Overwhelming Seals into the Crystal Hand Seal 694.
• Used it to break a formation and free Wind Venerable's group 783.

Flame Splitting Wave Ruler

An Earth Tier Dou Skill wielded through Xiao Yan's heavy ruler.

• Used as his decisive technique during the Three-Year Pact 120.
• Its clash with Nalan Yanran's Setting Sun Radiance devastated the Cloud Mist Sect plaza and left both combatants incapacitated 121.
• Its power attracted the attention of opportunists seeking Earth Tier techniques 121.

Thunder Bat Heavenly Wings

A Flying Dou Skill won by Xiao Yan at auction.

• Lets its user fly like a Dou Wang expert 147.
• Offered Xiao Yan an advantage against opponents below the Dou Wang realm and improved his ability to escape 147.
• Won after a bidding war with Fan Ling 149.

Equipment / Items

• Mysterious Heavy Ruler — Xiao Yan's heavy black ruler, used throughout his early major battles 119 120.
• Storage Rings — Contained Yao Chen's accumulated wealth and the Fen Jue cultivation method; their loss caused Xiao Yan considerable panic while captured by Lin Feng 619.
• King Ascension Pill — Obtained through bartering Yao Chen's Sixth-grade alchemy insights; intended to assist a future breakthrough to Dou Wang 149.
• Bodhi Heart — Rare treasure acquired by Xiao Yan, allowing him to reach peak Ninth-turn Dou Zun and drawing pursuit from Half-Saint and Dou Sheng powerhouses 1103.
• Spirit Dragon Heavenly Ganoderma — Given by Gu Xun'er to replenish or enhance soul power and aid Yao Chen's resurrection preparations 811.

Relationships

• Yao Chen — Teacher and most important mentor; Xiao Yan risked his life to rescue and resurrect him 119 778 811.
• Gu Xun'er — Childhood companion and supporter from the Ancient Clan; she provided Heavenly Flames, the Spirit Dragon Heavenly Ganoderma, and repeated protection 648 649 811.
• Xiao Xuan — Ancestor and surviving remnant of the Xiao Clan; granted Xiao Yan bloodline inheritance, cultivation resources, and guidance in the Heaven Tomb 1049 1061.
• Lin Feng — Primary rival and enemy; their conflict centered on Heavenly Flames, resources, and repeated attempts by Xiao Yan to seize Lin Feng's flames 594 609 1107.
• Nalan Yanran — Former fiancée and Three-Year Pact opponent; their battle ended with both severely injured after their strongest techniques collided 119 121.
• Wind Venerable — Yao Chen's close friend and Xiao Yan's ally; assisted in plans involving Heavenly Flames and the rescue of Yao Chen 333 783.
• Xuan Kongzi, Tian Lei Zi, and Xuan Yi — Pill Pagoda leaders connected to Yao Chen who offered varying degrees of support, though Xiao Yan was eventually expelled from the Pill Pagoda 716 631.
• Soul Hall / Soul Clan — Principal enemies responsible for the Xiao Clan's destruction and the capture of Xiao Yan's family and teacher 128 648.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Three-Year Pact

Xiao Yan challenged Nalan Yanran at the Cloud Mist Sect to erase the shame caused by their broken engagement. He fought as a Four-star Great Dou Master using the Mysterious Heavy Ruler, Eight Extremes Collapse, and Flame Splitting Wave Ruler, but was pressured by Nalan Yanran's superior speed and cultivation 117 119 120. Their final clash left both incapacitated 121.

Jia Nan Academy and Yao Chen's Capture

Xiao Yan became involved in the struggle over Jia Nan Academy's Heavenly Flame. Yao Chen was ultimately defeated and captured by the Soul Hall, leaving the Bone Spirit Cold Flame to Xiao Yan 212. Xiao Yan later stole the Fallen Heart Flame from the academy and escaped despite the resulting bounty 260.

Pill Pagoda Conflict

While advancing as an alchemist, Xiao Yan sought Lin Feng's Heavenly Flames and assembled Dou Zun allies to ambush him. The plan failed; Lin Feng defeated and captured Xiao Yan, who was publicly threatened with execution before Xuan Yi intervened 609 616 626. Xiao Yan was subsequently expelled from Sacred Pill City and returned to the Pill Pagoda to face punishment 631.

Rescue and Resurrection of Yao Chen

Xiao Yan organized a raid on the Soul Hall to rescue Yao Chen, facing the Star Picking Old Ghost and Elder Mu Gu while protecting his teacher 773 778 780. He later acquired materials needed to restore Yao Chen's soul, including the Spirit Dragon Heavenly Ganoderma supplied by Gu Xun'er 789 811. Yao Chen was eventually resurrected, shocking the Central Continent 872.

Heaven Tomb Inheritance

In the Heaven Tomb, Xiao Yan met Xiao Xuan and explained the Xiao Clan's decline. Xiao Xuan encouraged him to focus on personal strength, granted him inherited bloodline power, and prepared resources for his growth 1049 1061. Xiao Yan emerged dramatically stronger, becoming the Xiao Clan's hope for revival 1063 1064.

Rise to Dou Sheng

After gaining the Bodhi Heart and evading widespread pursuit, Xiao Yan used its energy to reach peak Ninth-turn Dou Zun 1103. He later broke through to Dou Sheng in the Ancient Realm, becoming more determined than ever to confront Lin Feng 1107.

Final Defeat

Xiao Yan's later schemes included hiding a fragment of his soul within his Dou Di bloodline while arranging protections for remnants of the Xiao Clan. Lin Feng exposed the plan 1288. Xiao Yan ultimately died after self-immolating his soul in an attempt to escape, only to be captured by the Soul Clan 1303.