Xiao Yan

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Xiao Yan (萧炎)
Alias(es)	Yan Xiao, the masked identity under which he operates as an Alchemist 74 108
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Xiao Clan; Tian Shu Alliance (Alliance Leader); Jia Nan Academy (Elder) 163 232
Occupation/Role	Alchemist, cultivator, faction leader
Status	Active 270

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Physique — comparable to a Tier 2 Magical Beast	2	His raw physical strength already rivaled a Dou Master.
Dou Qi — Nine-Star Dou Qi → Dou Zhe	3	Regained his cultivation talent and broke through after three days of cultivation.
Dou Qi — Nine-Star Dou Zhe	4	Reached one step below Dou Master after eight months of focused training.
Dou Qi — Seven-Star Dou Master	6	Advanced a full major realm and seven minor stages during three months at the Xiao Clan.
Physique — Tier 4 Magical Beast level	6	Reached this level after absorbing a Tier 5 Magical Beast corpse.
Soul power — fourth tier	6	Advanced alongside his physique after absorbing the Tier 5 Magical Beast corpse.
Physique — Peak Tier 5 Magical Beast level	23	Achieved after devouring the Myriad Beast Spirit Flame; was close to Tier 6.
Talent — [Myriad Beast]	24	Awakened through the Myriad Beast Spirit Flame.
Dou Qi — Dou Ling	26	His Flame Mantra had evolved to initial Xuan Rank, giving him sufficient reserves for Tier 6 pill refinement.
Alchemy — Tier 6	26	Refined the Imperial Extreme Pill and the self-created Myriad Beast Blood Pill.
Soul power — Mortal Realm Perfection	52	Reached the peak of the Mortal Realm before turning eighteen.
Alchemy — Sixth-Rank	74	Publicly recognized as Master Yan Xiao after refining a Dou Ling Pill and receiving certification.
Talent — [Heaven-Swallowing]	67	Awakened talent capable of devouring energy, increasing cultivation speed and defense.
Alchemy — Seventh-Rank	96	His reputation as a Seventh-Rank Alchemist spread across multiple empires.
Dou Qi — Eight-Star Dou Wang → Dou Emperor	99	Used Dou Ling Pills, Beast Flames, the Earth Flame Fruit, and Magical Beast blood essence to break through.
Physique — Seventh-Rank	125	Underwent a transformation that elevated his body into the Seventh-Rank range.
Dou Qi — Dou Zong	159	Broke through after absorbing the Sea Heart Flame.
Alchemy — Eighth-Rank	179	Refined a Tier 8 Ice-Fire Energy Gathering Pill with Yao Lao's assistance.
Dou Qi — advanced three stars within Dou Zong	184	Gained three full stars after subduing the Fallen Heart Flame.
Soul power — Spirit Realm	190	Gained the ability to sense and manipulate Spirit Qi; his Soul Spirit Avatar underwent a qualitative leap.
Physique — Eighth-Rank Magical Beast level	217	His body alone could exert power comparable to a Dou Venerate.
Dou Qi — Dou Venerate	241	Gained greatly improved Dou Qi quality, spatial control, and endurance for Tier 8 refinement.
Talents — [Balance] and [Yin-Yang]	259	Balance stabilizes spatial passages; Yin-Yang accelerates cultivation through dual cultivation.

Background

Xiao Yan possessed numerous inheritances and techniques in his mind from birth, a fact that led Yao Lao to speculate that he had received the legacy of a Dou Emperor. Xiao Yan did not confirm the theory, allowing his master to draw his own conclusions 22.

After regaining his talent, he accepted Yao Lao as his master and pursued a regimented routine of Dou Qi cultivation, alchemy, and Dou Technique practice. Rather than treating the Three-Year Agreement with Nalan Yanran as an urgent threat, he prioritized steady growth and preparation against the Soul Hall presence within the Misty Cloud Sect 3 4.

His early progress also strengthened the Xiao Clan. The medicinal baths and Foundation Building Spirit Liquid associated with him expanded the clan's wealth and influence, forcing the Jia Lie Clan to leave Wutan City 3 6. Concerned that this prosperity could attract stronger enemies, Xiao Yan arranged breakthrough pills for his father, Xiao Zhan 6.

Appearance

Xiao Yan is a handsome, refined-looking young man whose appearance became increasingly striking as his physique evolved. His presence carries an unusual affinity that makes strangers feel favorably toward him, while his voice gained a distinctly enchanting quality after his physique reached the Seventh-Rank range 70 103 125.

• Usually wears black robes or fitted dark clothing 51 133.
• Uses a white flame-patterned mask while acting as Yan Xiao 74 133.
• Possesses an exceptionally powerful body, eventually surpassing ordinary Eighth-Rank Magical Beast physiques 217.
• Can manifest brilliant Dou Qi wings after reaching Dou Emperor 100.
• His physical evolution improved his voice, bearing, and natural charisma 125.

Personality

Xiao Yan is methodical, ambitious, and highly risk-conscious. He prefers accumulating overwhelming advantages over gambling his life on uncertain opportunities, dividing his time between cultivation, alchemy, and combat training to ensure that he is prepared before acting 4.

He is ruthless toward enemies who threaten himself or those close to him. He killed Mu Li’s mercenaries to prevent future trouble, destroyed Han Feng after pursuing vengeance for Yao Lao, and used his power to force the Black-Corner Region’s defeated factions into submission 9 154. However, he does not favor indiscriminate killing; when dealing with the Mu Clan bounty, he explicitly objected to killing captives and preferred crippling their cultivation instead 82.

Despite his pragmatism, Xiao Yan values loyalty and repays it generously. He rewarded Hai Bodong’s faithfulness with the Spirit Recovery Purple Pill, gave Ling Ying a Break-Ancestor Pill through Xiao Xun’er, and committed considerable resources to reviving Yao Tianhuo and Yao Lao 80 175 270.

Abilities & Skills

Spirit Devouring Body Forging Mantra

A Higher Heaven Rank body-refining technique obtained from a Dou Di inheritance. It allows Xiao Yan to devour Magical Beast blood essence and natural spiritual treasures to continuously strengthen his physique 3.

• Contains ten stages, spanning from Dou Zhe to Dou Emperor.
• Each major physical breakthrough can awaken an innate talent based on the absorbed resources 3.
• Raised his body from Tier 2 Magical Beast level to a physique capable of confronting Dou Venerates without Dou Qi 2 217.
• Grants extraordinary raw strength; he can kill enemies of Dou Wang level with casual punches 186.

Fire Spirit Body and Flame Mantra

Xiao Yan chose the risky Flame Mantra over a safer Earth Rank fire cultivation method. With the Fire Spirit Body, he absorbs and uses fire-attributed energy at an exceptional rate 3 99.

• The Flame Mantra evolved to Xuan Rank by the time he reached Dou Ling 26.
• Enables precise flame control, including sending fine wisps of fire through another person’s meridians without injury 26.
• Supports the absorption and integration of Heavenly Flames 99 159 184.
• Uses the Myriad Beast Spirit Flame, Sea Heart Flame, Fallen Heart Flame, and Yin-Yang Dual Flame among his major flame acquisitions 23 154 184 256.

Alchemy

Xiao Yan is an Eighth-Rank Alchemist before the age of twenty, with mastery over high-grade pills and several self-created formulas 179.

• Refined the Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill, which can increase a Da Dou Shi’s cultivation by one star 82.
• Created the Myriad Beast Blood Pill using Magical Beast flesh, blood, herbs, and the Myriad Beast Spirit Flame 26.
• Refined Break-Ancestor Pills, allowing Peak Dou Emperors to break through to Dou Zong 177 194.
• Produced the Ice-Fire Energy Gathering Pill, a Tier 7 and later Tier 8 pill capable of raising a low-star Dou Zong’s cultivation 94 179.
• Can refine multiple pills from Tier 1 through Tier 5 simultaneously 172.
• Reached sufficient soul and flame control to refine Tier 8 Medicinal Pills independently 244.

Soul Cultivation and Soul Skills

Xiao Yan possesses extraordinary natural soul talent, reaching Mortal Realm Perfection without cultivating a soul technique or using soul-related treasures 52.

• Reached the Spirit Realm, gaining spiritual resonance and the ability to sense and manipulate Spirit Qi 190.
• His Soul Spirit Avatar gained a major qualitative enhancement at Spirit Realm 190.
• Uses Void Soul Prison: Soul Net to trap souls, as demonstrated after defeating Han Feng 154.
• Received Emperor Rank soul cultivation methods and Heaven Rank soul Dou Skills from Wan Ling Emperor’s inheritance 128.
• His soul force can blanket the Black-Corner Region and exert pressure comparable to a Dou Venerate’s 190.

Innate Talents

[Myriad Beast]

Awakened after Xiao Yan absorbed the Myriad Beast Spirit Flame 24.

• Makes Magical Beasts friendly or obedient toward him.
• Enhances his attacks against Magical Beasts.
• Allows him to strengthen Magical Beasts through blood 24.
• Was enhanced significantly by the self-created Myriad Beast Pill 168.

[Heaven-Swallowing]

Awakened during his battle against Lv Man 67.

• Devours external energy to replenish his own reserves.
• Enhances cultivation speed and defensive endurance 67.
• Allowed him to absorb portions of Yan Luotian’s attacks and sustain combat without exhausting his Dou Qi 111.
• Can absorb leaking Dou Qi from others and direct it into a Heavenly Flame, as when Xiao Yi Xian broke through 258.

[Balance]

A talent used to stabilize the spatial passages created by the Tian Shu Alliance 259 267.

• Maintains spatial routes for rapid travel between alliance territories.
• Supports the Alliance’s expansion across the Northwest Continent 267.

[Yin-Yang]

A talent that improves cultivation through dual cultivation 259.

• The weaker participant gains cultivation more quickly.
• The stronger participant also benefits at a rate surpassing ordinary cultivation 259.
• Helped Medusa advance from Eight-Star to Nine-Star Dou Zong in one month and accelerated Xiao Yan’s own Dou Venerate cultivation 261.

Dou Techniques and Combat

Xiao Yan combines overwhelming physical strength, Heavenly Flames, high-level Dou Techniques, and refined tactical judgment.

• Eight Extremities Collapse — Xuan Rank High-Level close-combat technique that he later refined to a higher level through battle with Medusa 4 108.
• Flame Burst Fist — Lower Earth Rank fire-attributed fist technique with high single-target explosive power 10.
• Flame Splitting Wave Ruler — Powerful ruler technique capable of absorbing surrounding fire energy; used to cleave Han Feng in half and massacre Flame Lizards 154 186.
• Flash Step — Earth Rank intermediate movement technique that moves him with near-teleportation speed 25 67.
• Purple Cloud Wings — Xuan Rank flying Dou Technique acquired from the cave’s secret chamber 8.
• Five Wheel Fire Method — Venerable Skyfire’s signature fire-control technique; its complete Five Wheel Fire Array can unleash Heaven Rank-level power 186 193.
• Heavy Profound Ruler — His favored heavy weapon, suited to his overwhelming physical style 85 103.

Spatial Control

After becoming a Dou Venerate, Xiao Yan gained precise and effortless command of spatial power 241.

• Can form spatial passages for rapid travel 267 270.
• Can tear open spatial rifts and traverse them directly 270.
• His spatial control is stated to be comparable to that of a High-Star Dou Venerate 241.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Heavy Profound Ruler — Heavy weapon used with Flame Splitting Wave Ruler and other close-combat techniques 103 154.
• Myriad Beast Cauldron — Medicine cauldron used for refining high-grade pills, including the Myriad Beast Pill and Yin-Yang Life-Soul Pill 173 232.
• Bone Flame Ring — Ring housing Yao Lao’s soul 235.
• Nether Sea Storage Ring — Storage vessel associated with Yao Tianhuo 235.
• Earth Fire Lotus Platform — A valuable item connected to a Heavenly Flame and retained for future use 51.
• Flame Mask — White flame-patterned mask used under the Yan Xiao identity 74 133.
• Purple Cloud Wings — Xuan Rank flying Dou Technique scroll acquired from the secret chamber 8.

Relationships

• Yao Lao — Master and teacher. Yao Lao guides Xiao Yan’s cultivation and alchemy, while Xiao Yan gathers resources and plans extensively for his resurrection 3 179 270.
• Xiao Xun’er — Childhood companion and central love interest. She supported him through his lost-talent period, and he seeks strength and status worthy of standing beside her 6 224 244.
• Xiao Yi Xian — Partner and lover. They met in Green Mountain Town, later reunited in the Chu Yun Empire, and work together to control her Woeful Poison Body 8 123 225.
• Queen Medusa — Ally, sparring partner, and romantic partner. Their initial transaction developed into a close relationship and continued cooperation 44 108 243.
• Qing Lin — Protected companion with the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils. Xiao Yan recognized her potential early and took an interest in protecting her 35 243.
• Zi Yan — Academy associate and close companion. Xiao Yan provides her with large quantities of pills and seeks her Ancient Void Dragon blood essence for a future talent awakening 170 173.
• Hai Bodong — Loyal ally and elder of the Tian Shu Alliance. Xiao Yan rewarded his loyalty with the Spirit Recovery Purple Pill and later relied on him in the Black-Corner Region 80 154 204.
• Xiao Ding and Xiao Li — His elder brothers. They assist with Yan City and Tian Shu Alliance administration, while Xiao Yan supplies resources and protection 204 217.
• Yun Yun — Close ally and former traveling partner. She ultimately chose to stand against Yun Shan to protect Xiao Yan 44 110.
• Ling Ying — Xiao Xun’er’s protector and one of Xiao Yan’s allies. Xiao Yan arranged a Break-Ancestor Pill that helped him reach Dou Zong 175 226.
• Nalan Yanran — Former fiancée and Three-Year Agreement opponent. Xiao Yan overwhelmingly defeated her while limiting himself to physical strength 103.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Wutan City and Early Training

• Regains his talent, accepts Yao Lao as master, and rapidly returns to the Dou Zhe realm 3.
• Strengthens the Xiao Clan through medicinal baths, Foundation Building Spirit Liquid, and breakthrough pills 3 6.
• Leaves for training rather than enrolling immediately at Jia Nan Academy, intending to grow strong enough to protect Xiao Xun’er from the Ancient Clan 6.

Green Mountain Town and the Magical Beast Mountain Range

• Partners with Xiao Yi Xian to explore a secret chamber and gives her the Seven-Colored Poison Scripture 8.
• Eliminates Mu Li and the Wolf Head Mercenary Group after they attempt to ambush him 9.
• Acquires the Myriad Beast Spirit Flame, awakens [Myriad Beast], and develops the Myriad Beast Blood Pill 23 24 26.
• Builds connections with Yun Yun and Queen Medusa while gathering Beast Flames and Magical Beast essence blood 18 44.

Yan Xiao and the Jia Ma Empire

• Operates publicly as the masked Alchemist Yan Xiao, gaining recognition as a Sixth-Rank and later Seventh-Rank Alchemist 74 96.
• Rewards Hai Bodong, cooperates with Jia Xingtian, and acquires information on the Nether Poison Flame 80.
• Breaks through from Eight-Star Dou Wang to Dou Emperor before returning to Wutan City 99 100.
• Defeats Nalan Yanran in the Three-Year Agreement without using Dou Qi 103.

Misty Cloud Sect Conflict

• Reveals his true identity to Jia Xingtian and secures his support against Yun Shan 108.
• Prepares extensively with restoration and healing pills before ascending the Misty Cloud Sect 108.
• Counters Yun Shan’s ambush through Jia Xingtian and Ling Ying, while Yun Yun chooses Xiao Yan’s side 110.
• Kills Yan Luotian, a Two-Star Dou Zong, with a single empowered strike 111.

Chu Yun Empire and Black-Corner Region

• Reunites with Xiao Yi Xian and helps her rise from Three-Star Dou Emperor to Dou Zong through successive high-grade pills 123.
• Receives Wan Ling Emperor’s soul inheritance and Heaven Rank soul Dou Skills 128.
• Enters the Black-Corner Region to avenge Yao Lao, seize the Sea Heart Flame, and establish a power base 141 152.
• Kills Han Feng, captures his Sea Heart Flame, and forces Ban Lao and Yuan Yi into service 154.
• Breaks through to Dou Zong after absorbing the Sea Heart Flame 159.

Jia Nan Academy and the Fallen Heart Flame

• Joins Jia Nan Academy as an elder in exchange for the right to absorb the Fallen Heart Flame 163.
• Refines the Myriad Beast Pill, develops ties with Zi Yan, and repeatedly improves the academy’s Peak Dou Emperors through Break-Ancestor Pills 168 173 194.
• Refines a Tier 8 Medicinal Pill, reaches Spirit Realm soul power, and absorbs the Fallen Heart Flame 179 184 190.
• Retrieves resources from the Magma World and begins preparing bodies for Yao Tianhuo and eventually Yao Lao 235.

Tian Shu Alliance

• Leads the Tian Shu Alliance’s rapid expansion across the Northwest Continent, using Magical Beasts to manage branches and [Balance] to stabilize spatial passages 267.
• Is publicly recognized as a young Eighth-Rank Alchemist and Dou Venerate, causing major factions to reconsider their stance toward the Alliance 268.
• Sets a three-year objective of obtaining Semi-Saint-level strength while gathering resources for Yao Lao’s resurrection 256 270.

Notable Quotes

“I did not want to narrowly escape death. I only wanted absolute certainty!” 4

“Long time no see.” 222

Trivia

• Xiao Yan initially refused to reveal his full combat capability to Xiao Yi Xian, only admitting that he was a Seven-Star Dou Master despite possessing a Tier 4 Magical Beast physique and Yao Lao’s support 8.
• He considers the Myriad Beast Blood Pill one of his and Yao Lao’s joint creations 26.
• His public identity, Yan Xiao, was mistaken for his real name by Black-Seal City’s surrendered factions until he clarified that it was an alias 154.
• He is capable of refining Tier 8 Medicinal Pills before the age of twenty, an achievement Yao Lao considers unprecedented even among the Ancient Clans 179.