Old Yao

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Yao Chen
Alias(es)	Old Yao; Venerable Yao; Medicine Sage
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Starfall Pavilion; Tianfu Alliance; Yao Clan
Occupation/Role	Alchemist; Xiao Yan's master; leader of the Tianfu Alliance
Status	Alive; resurrected in a reconstructed body
First Appearance	Chapter 15

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Soul Body with Dou Zong-level Soul Power	76	Though greatly weakened from his life as a Dou Venerate, he can lend Xiao Yan enough power to reach the Dou Wang realm and considers the Misty Cloud Sect's newly advanced Dou Zong no threat. 76
Peak Dou Zong	198	Nourishment from the Mysterious Spirit Secluded Bamboo and recovery of his Soul Body allow him to stand as one of Xiao Yan's revealed peak-Dou-Zong allies. 198
Nine-star Dou Zong	210	His recovered strength is sufficient that Liuli considers Xiao Yan safe from interference while confronting four opponents. 210
Peak Dou Zun	383	Xiao Yan reconstructs his body using an Eighth-grade Bone-Regenerating and Blood-Melding Pill, an almost complete Dou Sheng corpse, and Eighth Order Sky Demon Phoenix essence blood; Old Yao returns at his former peak. 383
Half-Saint	384	He reveals that his resurrection has elevated him beyond his former strength, then overwhelms the Soul Hall's Heavenly Venerables. 384
One-star Dou Sheng	455	As Starfall Pavilion's sole Dou Saint, he leads its defense against the Heavenly Nether Alliance. 455

Background / History

Yao Chen was once a continent-renowned Alchemist and a Dou Venerate whose standing was high enough that even Dou Venerates treated him with respect. He possessed the Bone Spirit Cold Flame and regarded Dou Huangs as insignificant compared with the strong individuals of his era. 15

He originated from the Yao Clan but was expelled by its Punishment Elder, Yao Wangui, who also removed Yao Chen's parents from the clan records. The expulsion and the treatment of his parents remained his deepest wound for decades. 490

Following his death or severe injury, Yao Chen survived as a damaged Soul Body within the Pitch-black Ring. He became Xiao Yan's master, guiding the young cultivator in both cultivation and pill refinement while relying on Xiao Yan's Dou Qi and later Soul Power to sustain himself. 15 68

Liuli later provided him with the Mysterious Spirit Secluded Bamboo, an immortal herb-level treasure containing traces of the Spirit Emperor's power. The bamboo gradually restored his damaged Soul Body and greatly increased his endurance when using Soul Power. 134 144

Xiao Yan eventually reconstructed Yao Chen's body with several supreme materials, allowing him to resurrect at peak Dou Zun strength. His recovery immediately reversed Soul Hall's assault on Starfall Pavilion. 383 384

Appearance

Yao Chen commonly manifests as an aged, white-haired man in snow-white robes. Before his resurrection, his body was translucent or nearly transparent, reflecting his condition as a Soul Body. 15 68 176

• White hair and beard. 248
• Usually wears white or snow-white robes. 198 383
• His Soul Body becomes increasingly solid after being nourished by the Mysterious Spirit Secluded Bamboo. 144
• Regains a complete physical body following his resurrection. 383

Personality

Old Yao is confident, teasing, and frequently irreverent toward weaker opponents. He enjoys provoking Xiao Yan with jokes, but his humor consistently masks close attention to his disciple's safety and development. 68 76

He is deeply protective of Xiao Yan. He promises to cover Xiao Yan's retreat at the Misty Cloud Sect, confronts Liuli about her intentions toward his disciple, seals the Fallen Heart Flame for Xiao Yan, and is willing to sacrifice himself to save him when the flame becomes unstable. 70 120 176 218

The Yao Clan remains a source of painful nostalgia and anger. While he initially seeks acknowledgment for himself and his parents, he later accepts leadership within the reformed clan only after Yao Dan removes the corrupt elders who contributed to its decline. 490 491 540

Abilities & Skills

Alchemy

Old Yao is regarded as the continent's foremost Alchemist and is capable of refining Ninth-grade pills after reaching the Half-Saint realm. 195 385

• Refined or created the formula for the Anti-Yang Marrow Cleansing Pill before his death. 343
• Refines high-grade pills for Xiao Yan and his allies, including the treatment for Yao Han's Extreme Yin Power. 111
• Refined the Earth Spirit Pill, whose quality approached the seventh tier due to its Seven-star water-element Magical Core. 145
• Possesses Ninth-grade pill formulas and provides Xiao Yan with two such formulas. 477
• His name and alchemy status attract powerful experts and enable Starfall Pavilion to expand rapidly after his resurrection. 384 385

Soul Power and Soul-Body Techniques

Even as a damaged Soul Body, Old Yao can project his consciousness, examine injuries, channel Soul Power, and fight at a level far above his physical condition. 15 176 218

• Detects the hidden strength of distant cultivators through Soul Power. 15
• Transfers Soul Power to stabilize and repair Xiao Yan's damaged body. 176
• Uses his Soul Power to filter spiritual energy from rare herbs into pure restorative energy for Xiao Yan. 134
• Could recover to Great Perfection of the Heavenly Realm and contend with a Dou Venerate using Soul Power alone if allowed to recover inside the Mysterious Spirit Secluded Bamboo. 134

Bone Spirit Cold Flame

Old Yao possesses the Bone Spirit Cold Flame, a Heavenly Flame used for combat, sealing, and alchemy. 133 176

• Uses it to help refine high-grade pills. 111
• Seals and weakens the Fallen Heart Flame after cutting off its connection to the Magma World. 176
• Its white flames enhance the healing effect of the Three Yang Jade Qiong Pill. 74
• After becoming a Half-Saint, he considers the flame more useful for alchemy than for increasing his combat strength. 385

Combat

After regaining a body, Old Yao's combat strength vastly exceeds that of ordinary Dou Zun experts. 383 384

• Instantly kills the Ninth Heavenly Venerable by throwing a small stone. 384
• Kills the fleeing Black-White Heavenly Venerables. 384
• Traps Eighth Heavenly Venerable Qiu Di and leaves him unable to escape. 384
• Leads Starfall Pavilion's Saint-level defense against the Heavenly Nether Alliance. 455

Equipment / Items

• Pitch-black Ring — Xiao Yan's ring and Old Yao's residence during his existence as a Soul Body. 70 120
• Bone Spirit Cold Flame — his Heavenly Flame. 133 176
• Black Demon Cauldron — Old Yao's Medicine Cauldron, noted as the counterpart to Liuli's Sacred Radiance Cauldron. 40 172
• Mysterious Spirit Secluded Bamboo — a soul-nourishing treasure entrusted to him by Liuli during his recovery. 134 144

Relationships

• Xiao Yan — Master and disciple. Old Yao guides Xiao Yan's cultivation and alchemy, lends him power in battle, and repeatedly protects him; Xiao Yan ultimately reconstructs his master's body and vows to restore his standing in the Yao Clan. 68 76 383 509
• Liuli — Ally and benefactor. Old Yao initially distrusts her intentions toward Xiao Yan, but later works alongside her to save him and receives the Mysterious Spirit Secluded Bamboo from her. 120 134
• Han Feng — Former disciple and traitor. Han Feng's betrayal remains a major source of resentment for Old Yao and motivates Xiao Yan's confrontation with him. 164 343
• Yao Wangui — Enemy responsible for Yao Chen's expulsion from the Yao Clan and the removal of his parents' names from its records. 490 491
• Yao Dan — Yao Clan leader who acknowledges that the clan misjudged Yao Chen and later offers him positions as clan leader and Punishment Elder. 512 540
• Wind Venerable — Longstanding associate who guarded Starfall Pavilion before Old Yao's return. 384
• Gongsun Sanbu — Fellow Ninth-grade Alchemist and supporter during the Yao Clan conflict. 511 514

Story Role / Major Arcs

Mentor of Xiao Yan

Old Yao serves as Xiao Yan's primary master from the beginning of his journey, teaching him to look beyond the Jia Ma Empire and helping cultivate his ambitions in both martial arts and alchemy. 15 68

Misty Cloud Sect Conflict

He supports Xiao Yan during the renewed Three Year Agreement, promises to secure his escape, and lends him part of his power to temporarily reach the Dou Wang realm. 70 76

Fallen Heart Flame

Old Yao seals the weakened Fallen Heart Flame so Xiao Yan can absorb it, draining his own Soul Body in the process. He later investigates the flame's instability and vows to save Xiao Yan despite the risk to himself. 176 218

Recovery and Resurrection

With Liuli's aid and the Mysterious Spirit Secluded Bamboo, Old Yao gradually repairs his Soul Body. Xiao Yan later completes his resurrection, restoring him to peak Dou Zun strength and enabling him to break through to Half-Saint. 134 144 383 384

Starfall Pavilion and Tianfu Alliance

Old Yao leads Starfall Pavilion through a period of rapid expansion and manages the Tianfu Alliance's affairs while Xiao Yan focuses on cultivation and major battles. 385 455 546

Reconciliation with the Yao Clan

Old Yao returns to the Yao Clan alongside Xiao Yan to confront Yao Wangui and reclaim the dignity denied to him and his parents. Following the Yao Clan's devastation and internal reforms, he accepts a leadership role while retaining his position in the Tianfu Alliance. 490 509 540

Notable Quotes

“Without me, your achievements in this life would likely have peaked at the Dou Huang level. But with me, reaching Dou Zong—or even an even higher realm—is not impossible.” 15

“Even if it costs me this old life, I will save him.” 218

“The Yao Clan's true tragedy is having someone like you in power. One day, I will return to the clan. I hold no attachment to the Yao Clan, but I must carve the names of my two elders upon that Clan Stele!” 491