Xiao Yan

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Xiao Yan (萧炎)
Alias(es)	Third Young Master of the Xiao Family 79
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Xiao Family; Jia Nan Academy; Panmen 137 194
Occupation/Role	Alchemist; Elder Huo's disciple; prospective successor to the Xiao Family patriarchship 137 195
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Dou Qi Stage One	1	Reached the first stage at age four, earning recognition as the Xiao Family's genius. 1
Dou Zhe	79	Began cultivating at four and first reached Dou Zhe at age eleven. 79
Dou Qi Stage Three	79	His cultivation regressed to the third stage at age twelve as the Dou Qi he cultivated repeatedly disappeared. 79
Cultivation talent restored	106	Xiao Ling resolved the condition affecting his Dou Qi, allowing him to cultivate normally again. 106
Three-star Dou Zhe	111	Recovered to Three-star Dou Zhe and became a First-grade Alchemist at age fifteen. 111
Six-star Great Dou Shi	195	Approached a breakthrough into the high-level Great Dou Shi stage under Elder Huo's guidance. 195
Dou Ling	227	Broke through after using Earth Core Body Tempering Milk, gaining a markedly stronger physique. 227
Dou Zun	697	Had recently entered the Dou Zun realm; his Heavenly Flames and deep foundation let him contend with ordinary Dou Zuns above his apparent level. 697
Five-star Dou Zun	728	Could suppress equal-level Energy Bodies and defeat Six-star Dou Zun Energy Bodies with his normal combat strength. 728
Seven-star Dou Zun	747	Reached Seven-star Dou Zun after cultivation in the Heavenly Tomb, while deliberately prioritizing a stable foundation over further immediate advancement. 747

Background & History

Early life

Xiao Yan is Xiao Zhan's son and grew up as the Xiao Family's celebrated prodigy. At four years old, his rapid entry into Dou Qi cultivation led Xiao Zhan and the family elders to speak openly of his potential to become a Dou Emperor. 1

He wore an ancient black ring left by his late mother. Unknown to him, it housed the soul of Yao Chen. 63 106 As a child, Xiao Yan was proud of his status and initially tried to impress the newly arrived Xiao Xun'er; when she proved aloof, he began plotting ways to win her over. 2

Loss and restoration of talent

After reaching Dou Zhe at eleven, Xiao Yan's cultivated Dou Qi began vanishing. By age twelve, he had regressed to Dou Qi Stage Three and endured two and a half years of ridicule within the Xiao Family. 79 103 Despite the regression, his meridians retained strength comparable to an ordinary Dou Zhe's. 80

Xiao Ling's examination exposed Yao Chen's presence in the Bone Flame Ring. Yao Chen admitted that he had dispersed Xiao Yan's Dou Qi to temper his character and foster the heart of a strong cultivator. 103 104 Xiao Ling subsequently resolved Xiao Yan's condition, enabling him to cultivate again. 106

Xiao Yan accepted Xiao Ling's help but initially refused to take cultivation resources without offering anything in return. Xiao Ling ultimately gave him a Storage Ring containing Yellow Dragon Pills, Foundation Building Spiritual Liquid, a fire-attribute cultivation method, and Dou Techniques, while warning him never to betray his master or ancestors. 106 107

Academy training and alchemy

Xiao Yan entered Jia Nan Academy with Xiao Ling's group and became the personal disciple of Elder Huo in the Alchemy Department. 137 Under Elder Huo's guidance, he advanced rapidly in both cultivation and alchemy, becoming a Second-grade Alchemist and later successfully refining Peak Rank 7 Pills. 132 539

He also helped Panmen establish itself in Jia Nan Academy's Inner Academy through his leadership, personal strength, and ties to the Supreme Freedom Gate. 194

Central Plains and the Ancient Realm

Xiao Yan later traveled through the Central Plains independently, refusing to bind himself to a major faction before he had sufficient strength to make his own place there. 297 Xiao Ling provided him with the Taiyi Soul Art in recognition of information Xiao Yan supplied about the Yanqiong Ancient Domain, then later entrusted him with the complete inheritance of a fire-attribute Immortal Talisman Master. 696 761

He learned that the Xiao Family descended from the ancient Xiao Clan, one of the Eight Ancient Clans. 693 694 During the Heavenly Tomb expedition, Xiao Ling and Xun'er protected and assisted him as he fought Energy Bodies and refined their Energy Cores. 727 728 Xiao Xuan and Xiao Chen later confirmed themselves as his ancestors and began personally guiding his cultivation and teaching him Xiao Clan Dou Techniques. 855

Appearance

By the time he became a Dou Ling, Xiao Yan had grown taller and more solidly built, with smoother, fairer skin and sharper, more resolute facial features. 227

• Usually wears black robes in later appearances. 467
• Has dark pupils that can show a faint white glimmer when he has just absorbed unrefined Dou Qi. 63
• Carries a mature, steady bearing developed through his years of lost cultivation and later travels. 227 784

Personality

Xiao Yan was initially proud, mischievous, and easily frustrated when Xiao Ling surpassed him as the Xiao Family's foremost genius. His resentment led him to repeatedly challenge Xiao Ling and vent his anger on other clan members. 2 3

The loss of his cultivation tempered this immaturity. He remained optimistic even while regarded as incapable of cultivation, and he treated his childhood engagement to Nalan Yanran as a matter that should depend on mutual choice rather than family pressure. 79 After recovering, he apologized to Xiao Ling for his earlier conduct and showed enough restraint to reject valuable resources he had not earned. 103 106

He is cautious, resilient, and conscious of his responsibilities. Rather than flee a potential war, he chose to remain with the Xiao Family because he wanted to contribute to its defense. 227 Xiao Ling particularly values his ability to judge when to advance or retreat, his lack of greed for short-term gains, and his suitability to eventually lead the Xiao Clan. 731

Abilities & Skills

Dou Qi Combat

Xiao Yan combines fire-attribute Dou Qi, Heavenly Flames, and powerful weapons and techniques in combat.

• Possesses Heavenly Flames, including the Volcanic Stone Flame. 697 727
• Uses the Heavy Black Ruler in close combat. 727
• Learned the Eight Extremes Collapse and other fire-attribute techniques supplied through Xiao Ling and Yao Chen. 106 111
• Received a rare Flying Dou Technique from Xiao Ling, allowing him aerial mobility before reaching the Dou Wang realm. 203
• At Five-star Dou Zun, could defeat Six-star Dou Zun-level Energy Bodies without relying on his trump cards. 728

Alchemy

Xiao Yan's fire attribute mixed with a trace of wood attribute gives him the innate qualifications of an alchemist. 103

• Studied pharmacology while unable to cultivate, beginning with Complete Guide to Pharmacology gifted by Yao Yue. 103
• Became a First-grade Alchemist by age fifteen and later a Second-grade Alchemist under Xiao Ling's instruction. 111 132
• Won the Alchemist Tournament by refining the Tough Vein Spirit Connecting Pill, raising it to Fifth-grade quality. 213
• Can refine Peak Rank 7 Pills in later years. 539

Soul Cultivation and Talisman Mastery

As a transmigrator, Xiao Yan possesses Soul Power stronger than that of ordinary people, granting him exceptional potential in alchemy. 207

• Cultivates the Taiyi Soul Art, which draws Heaven and Earth Spirit Qi to nourish the soul. 696
• Received the complete inheritance of a fire-attribute Immortal Talisman Master from Xiao Ling and began comprehending its cultivation system. 761
• Has developed Soul Power sufficient to notice dangerous presences that appear outwardly unremarkable. 406

Equipment

• Bone Flame Ring — His late mother's keepsake and Yao Chen's former hiding place; Xiao Ling later had Qing Lin safeguard it. 63 106
• Heavy Black Ruler — His principal weapon during the Heavenly Tomb expedition. 727
• Six Harmonies Spirit Flame Cauldron — Used in his alchemy practice and tournament refinements. 207
• Heavenly Demon Puppet — A durable puppet he deploys against Pill Lightning; it can repair damage sustained in battle. 685
• Storage Ring — Holds cultivation resources, pills, and acquired items. 106 824

Relationships

• Xiao Ling — Cousin, benefactor, mentor, and protector. Their childhood rivalry became mutual trust after Xiao Ling cured Xiao Yan, supported his cultivation, and repeatedly protected him during dangerous expeditions. 64 106 727
• Xiao Zhan — Father. Xiao Yan respects him deeply and chose to remain near the Xiao Family when war threatened; their reunion after years apart was emotional. 227 784
• Yao Chen — The soul formerly concealed in Xiao Yan's Bone Flame Ring. Yao Chen caused Xiao Yan's temporary loss of cultivation to temper him, then indirectly provided cultivation methods and techniques through Xiao Ling. 104 106
• Elder Huo — Xiao Yan's master at Jia Nan Academy's Alchemy Department, whose devoted guidance accelerated his cultivation and alchemy. 137 195
• Yao Yue — Friend and early alchemy supporter. She examined his condition, recognized his unusually strong meridians, and gave him an introductory pharmacology text. 80 103
• Nalan Yanran — Former fiancée. Their childhood engagement was eventually dissolved after negotiations between the Xiao Family and Misty Cloud Sect. 79 115
• Xiao Mei — Former childhood friend who distanced herself when his cultivation failed; Xiao Yan remained indifferent when she later regretted it. 111
• Xiao Xuan and Xiao Chen — Xiao Clan ancestors who confirmed his heritage and began instructing him in the clan's cultivation and Dou Techniques. 855

Notable Quotes

“If there is ever anything I can do for you, Cousin, I, Xiao Yan, will certainly give it my all.” 106

“Although staying might be dangerous, I still want to remain with the Xiao Family. My strength may not be of much use right now, but I can at least contribute something.” 227