Xiao Yan

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Xiao Yan (萧炎)
Gender	Male
Age	16 during Jianan Academy recruitment 18
Affiliation	Xiao Clan; registered recruit of Jianan Academy 9 18
Occupation/Role	Xiao Clan member; Jianan Academy student on leave 18 19
Status	Active 44
First Appearance	Chapter 8

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Three-Star Dou Zhe	8	Encounters Ye Xiu in the Xiao Clan’s back mountain; Yao Lao warns him that Ye Xiu is a Nine-Star Da Dou Shi.
Four-Star Dou Zhe	17 18	Registers at Jianan Academy at age sixteen and receives a Grade A potential rating.

Background / History

Xiao Yan spent three years regarded as the Xiao Clan’s “waste.” By the time Ye Xiu arrives in Wutan City, he has regained enough strength to reach Three-Star Dou Zhe and is training under Yao Lao’s guidance. 8 15

He is a member of the Xiao Clan and the son of Clan Leader Xiao Zhan. After meeting Ye Xiu, he informs Xiao Zhan that the mysterious expert responsible for the destruction of the Jialie Clan is a young Nine-Star Da Dou Shi. 9

Appearance

Xiao Yan is a black-clad youth around fifteen to sixteen years old. 8

• Often wears black clothing. 8 14
• Is described as spirited and handsome. 14 17
• Conceals himself beneath a golden-yellow blanket while hiding in the Tagor Desert. 44

Personality

Xiao Yan is cautious around overwhelming power. During his first encounter with Ye Xiu, he remains ready to fight despite realizing that Ye Xiu could kill him effortlessly, then addresses him respectfully as “Senior.” 8

He is protective of the Xiao Clan and its members. He confronts Zhou Tong when the alchemist harasses his cousin Xiao Mei, refusing to let the Xiao Clan trade her away for medicinal-pill services. 15 When Xuan Hao threatens the Xiao Clan over Liu Xi’s death, Xiao Yan personally warns Ye Xiu while making clear that his clan is prepared to resist if necessary. 11

He can also be evasive when his motives are exposed. When Ye Xiu finds him hiding near the Snake-Person Race’s temple, Xiao Yan insists he is merely passing through and denies seeking the Green Lotus Core Flame. 44

Abilities & Skills

Dou Qi Cultivation

Xiao Yan is a Four-Star Dou Zhe by the time of Jianan Academy’s recruitment. 18

• Reached Three-Star Dou Zhe by his first meeting with Ye Xiu. 8
• Earned a Grade A potential rating at Jianan Academy as a Four-Star Dou Zhe at age sixteen. 18
• Challenges fellow applicant Luo Bu after being provoked during recruitment. 17

Yao Lao’s Guidance

Yao Lao serves as Xiao Yan’s teacher and adviser, warning him about threats and identifying Ye Xiu’s unusual constitution. 8 10

• Detects Ye Xiu’s Nine-Star Da Dou Shi cultivation when Xiao Yan cannot discern it himself. 8
• Identifies Ye Xiu’s Innate Medicine Body from ancient knowledge. 10
• Advises Xiao Yan that it is better to be Ye Xiu’s friend than his enemy. 12

Relationships

• Xiao Zhan — Father and Xiao Clan Leader. Xiao Yan reports Ye Xiu’s identity to him after the Jialie Clan’s destruction. 9
• Yao Lao — Teacher and spiritual adviser who assesses Ye Xiu’s strength and constitution. 8 10
• Ye Xiu — A powerful senior whom Xiao Yan treats with caution and respect; Ye Xiu twice protects the Xiao Clan from threats connected to Liu Xi. 8 11 12
• Xiao Mei — Cousin. Xiao Yan intervenes when Zhou Tong harasses her in the market. 15
• Xiao Yu — Cousin who helps bring Xiao Yan’s group into the Jianan Academy recruitment area. 17
• Instructor Ruo Lin — Jianan Academy instructor who grants Xiao Yan a one-year leave after he withstands twenty rounds against her. 19
• Luo Bu — Fellow academy applicant who antagonizes Xiao Yan and challenges his right to remain in the recruitment tent. 17

Story Role / Major Arcs

Encounter with Ye Xiu

Xiao Yan discovers Ye Xiu refining medicine in the Xiao Clan’s back mountain. After Yao Lao identifies Ye Xiu as a Nine-Star Da Dou Shi, Xiao Yan realizes that Ye Xiu annihilated the Jialie Clan; Ye Xiu confirms it but promises not to target the Xiao Clan. 8

Xuan Hao’s Threat

When Xuan Hao threatens to destroy the Xiao Clan unless Ye Xiu is surrendered, Xiao Yan rushes to warn Ye Xiu. Ye Xiu accompanies him to the Xiao Clan and kills Xuan Hao and his guards, leaving Xiao Yan stunned by the difference in their strength. 11 12

Jianan Academy Recruitment

Xiao Yan registers at Jianan Academy as a Four-Star Dou Zhe and receives a Grade A rating. He later earns a one-year leave of absence after enduring twenty rounds against Instructor Ruo Lin. 18 19

Tagor Desert

Xiao Yan secretly reaches the Tagor Desert, where Ye Xiu discovers him hiding near the Snake-Person Race’s temple. Ye Xiu suspects him of pursuing the Green Lotus Core Flame, while Xiao Yan denies it. 44