Yao Chen

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Yao Chen (药尘)
Alias(es)	Venerable Yao; Elder Yao; Medicine Saint Yao Chen; “Continent’s Number One Alchemist” 104 365
Species/Race	Human; member of the Yao Clan, one of the Eight Ancient Clans 144
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Starfall Pavilion — former master; later resides there after his resurrection 358 760
Occupation/Role	Alchemist, cultivation mentor, former master of Starfall Pavilion, supervisor of the Talisman Master method’s dissemination 104 760
Status	Alive; resurrected in a refined Dou Sheng body 359 365
First Appearance	Chapter 1 (mentioned in connection with the Bone Flame Ring); Chapter 103 (reveals himself) 1 103

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Peak Ninth-turn Dou Zun	104	His cultivation during his former life; he was also a Peak Eighth-grade Alchemist.
Remnant soul — bodiless peak	133	After refining a Fierce Soul and taking the Seven Illusory Soul Cleansing Pill, he recovers enough power to handle peak Dou Zong opponents; using Xiao Ling’s body could briefly produce low-star Dou Zun combat power.
Peak advanced Two-star Dou Sheng	365	His initial strength after fusing with the refined Dou Sheng body.
Early Three-star Dou Sheng	365	Advances after refining and consuming more than ten Rank 8 Nine-Colored Pills.

Background

Yao Chen was once the renowned “Continent’s Number One Alchemist,” a Peak Eighth-grade Alchemist whose cultivation had reached Peak Ninth-turn Dou Zun. An accident in his youth left his original body flawed, limiting his ability to enter the Dou Sheng realm despite his talent and effort. 104 365

After his disciple Han Feng betrayed him and colluded with the Hall of Souls, Yao Chen lost his body and survived as a remnant soul within the Bone Flame Ring. He remained hidden on Xiao Yan’s finger, secretly dispersing Xiao Yan’s Dou Qi to temper the boy’s character before intending to reveal himself and accept him as a disciple. 104 150

Xiao Ling exposed Yao Chen’s presence while examining Xiao Yan. Rather than becoming Xiao Ling’s master outright, Yao Chen agreed to teach him Alchemy and guide his cultivation in exchange for help refining a new body. 103 104 106

With Xiao Ling’s support, Yao Chen restored much of his Soul Power, personally executed Han Feng, and eventually received a body refined from a Dou Sheng corpse using Ninth-tier Magical Beast essence blood and a Rank 8 Nine-Colored Bone Regenerating Blood Melting Pill. 133 150 359 365

Appearance

Before resurrection, Yao Chen appears as a translucent elderly soul with a beard and a calm, benevolent presence. 103 217

After resurrection, he possesses the appearance of an elegant man seemingly in his thirties. 759

• Long white hair flowing down his back. 759
• Handsome, refined facial features and a moon-white robe. 759
• Retains the habit of stroking his beard, including while in soul form. 104 144
• Carries the restrained authority of a Dou Sheng, prompting reverence even when he suppresses his aura. 762

Personality

Yao Chen is composed, confident, and deeply experienced. He can remain calm even when threatened by Xiao Xun’er and the Gu Clan, relying on his judgment rather than intimidation. 144

He is also humorous and somewhat vain, teasing old friends and openly claiming to have been more handsome than Wind Venerable in his youth. 357 760 His past betrayal by Han Feng made him more cautious in selecting disciples, yet it did not diminish his willingness to guide talented younger cultivators. 104

As a mentor, Yao Chen is protective and demanding. He views Qing Lin as his prized disciple, takes pride in Xiao Ling’s alchemical growth, and considers Xiao Yi Xian and Xiao Ling to be akin to half-disciples. 257 335 586

Abilities & Skills

Alchemy

A legendary alchemist formerly recognized as the continent’s foremost practitioner, Yao Chen provides Xiao Ling with detailed instruction that helps him rise from the eighth grade to the ninth grade of Alchemy. 104 586

• Formerly a Peak Eighth-grade Alchemist. 104
• Can refine Rank 9 Pills with a fifty-percent success rate after resurrection. 365
• Refined more than ten Rank 8 Nine-Colored Pills to advance from Two-star to Three-star Dou Sheng. 365
• Identifies rare storage vessels, medicinal materials, formations, and cultivation techniques through extensive experience. 196 236 313

Soul Power

Yao Chen’s soul cultivation was at Spirit Realm Great Perfection while alive and later reached the Heavenly Realm after consuming the Soul Infant Fruit. 103

• Uses Soul Perception to inspect terrain, identify hidden enemies, and analyze unfamiliar energies. 313
• Could preserve himself as a remnant soul within the Bone Flame Ring after losing his body. 103 104
• Refined a Fierce Soul and consumed the Seven Illusory Soul Cleansing Pill to restore his bodiless strength. 132 133
• Cultivates the Talisman Master path, which focuses on Soul Power rather than Dou Qi. 501 759

Bone Spirit Cold Flame

Yao Chen possessed the eleventh-ranked Heavenly Flame, the Bone Spirit Cold Flame, which combines extreme heat with bone-chilling cold. 104 150 365

• Used it to overwhelm and kill Han Feng. 150
• Used it to refine a Fierce Soul and restore his Soul Power. 133
• Erased his Soul Imprint and transferred the flame to Xiao Ling after resurrection. 365
• No longer possesses the flame after its transfer. 365

Great Creation Palm

Yao Chen learned the Heavenly Tier Dou Technique, Great Creation Palm, from Xiao Ling. 628

• His will used the technique to forcibly open a Space Rift through the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan’s Space Barrier. 628
• His true body underwent medicinal tempering so his hands could endure the technique’s circulation requirements. 628
• The one-use Energy Body formed by his will could unleash the technique without concern for backlash. 628

Mentorship

Yao Chen is an accomplished teacher of both Alchemy and cultivation. 104 106

• Provided Xiao Ling with alchemical instruction in exchange for assistance restoring a physical body. 104 106
• Supplied Xiao Ling with cultivation-method and Dou Technique scrolls for Xiao Yan after Xiao Yan’s talent was restored. 106
• Personally mentors Qing Lin. 257 389
• Was entrusted with overseeing the initial spread of the Talisman Master cultivation method within the Pill Tower. 759 760

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Bone Flame Ring — the ring that housed Yao Chen’s remnant soul after his body was destroyed. 103 104
• Heavy Black Ruler — a weapon suited to his combat style alongside the Bone Spirit Cold Flame. 278
• Space Jade Slip — contains a strand of Yao Chen’s will, which Xiao Ling activated during an escape from the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan. 628

Relationships

• Xiao Ling — ally, alchemical mentor, and eventual successor in Alchemy; Xiao Ling restored Yao Chen’s body, while Yao Chen guides his cultivation and supports his ambitions. 104 365 760
• Xiao Yan — initially Yao Chen’s intended disciple; Yao Chen tempered his character by dispersing his Dou Qi, then indirectly aided his recovery through Xiao Ling. 104 106
• Qing Lin — personal disciple; Yao Chen is fiercely protective of her. 257 389
• Han Feng — former beloved disciple who betrayed Yao Chen and allied with the Hall of Souls; Yao Chen personally killed him. 150
• Wind Venerable (Feng Xian) — old friend and associate from Starfall Pavilion; they reunite after Yao Chen’s return. 357 358 364
• Yao Tianhuo — fellow former Dou Zun remnant soul and close companion after their respective restorations. 184 308 365
• Xuan Kongzi — longtime friend from the Pill Tower; his reunion with Yao Chen is marked by shock, joy, and teasing. 759 760
• Xuan Yi — former lover whose arrival disrupts Yao Chen’s usual composure. 762
• Xiao Xun’er — wary of Yao Chen’s intentions toward Xiao Ling; she warns him of the consequences should Xiao Ling be harmed. 144

Story Role / Major Arcs

Hidden Soul in the Bone Flame Ring

Yao Chen remains concealed within Xiao Yan’s Bone Flame Ring and plans to accept Xiao Yan as a disciple if Xiao Ling fails to solve his cultivation problem. Xiao Ling instead discovers and forces him to reveal himself. 66 103

Alliance with Xiao Ling

Yao Chen and Xiao Ling reach a mutually beneficial arrangement: Yao Chen provides alchemical and cultivation guidance, while Xiao Ling promises to refine him a new body. 104 106

Revenge Against Han Feng

Yao Chen joins Xiao Ling’s infiltration of Feng City, confronts Han Feng over his betrayal, and kills his former disciple with the Bone Spirit Cold Flame. 149 150

Resurrection

After watching Yao Tianhuo regain a body, Yao Chen waits for a stronger opportunity. Xiao Ling ultimately prepares a Dou Sheng body and the necessary high-grade materials, allowing Yao Chen to resurrect and enter the Dou Sheng realm. 308 359 365

Return to the Pill Tower

Yao Chen reunites with Xuan Kongzi and other old acquaintances, publicly revealing that he has returned as a Three-star Dou Sheng. He agrees to direct the controlled spread of the Talisman Master method through the Pill Tower. 759 760

Return to Prominence

Yao Chen personally kills Old Demon of Heaven Nether, helping Starfall Pavilion and the Alchemist Tower destroy the Nether River Alliance. His return as a Dou Sheng causes widespread upheaval across the Central Plains. 841

Notable Quotes

“Heaven and Earth can bear witness to my intentions toward Xiao Ling.” 144

“I merely guided him. What truly allowed him to grow was his own tireless effort and thirst for power.” 197

“What is it, Xuan Kongzi? After all these years, you no longer recognize me?” 760