Xiao Yan

Biodata

Power Progression

Background

Xiao Yan transmigrated into the Dou Qi Continent and was reborn as the Xiao Clan’s Xiao Yan. Before his rebirth, he selected three exceptional advantages: Soul Talent, a Dou Di inheritance, and the Fire Spirit Body. Though his cultivation had declined because Yao Lao unconsciously absorbed his Dou Qi while dormant in the ring, Xiao Yan retained his memories, analytical mindset, and awareness of many future opportunities 1 2.

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.

As his strength grew, Xiao Yan transformed from an individual cultivator into the leader of the Tian Shu Alliance. He uses the Alliance, the Pill Tower, and allied factions to gather Heavenly Flames, rare materials, intelligence, and capable subordinates across the Northwest Continent and Central Plains 261 267 327.

His possession of the Tou She Ancient God Jade Fragment also became a diplomatic resource. He sought to exchange it with the Ancient Clan for cultivation materials, both to accelerate his development and to remove the chief reason for the Soul Clan's interest in the Xiao Clan. Elder Tongxuan later delivered a One-Star Dou Saint skeleton and five bottles of Ninth-Rank Magical Beast Blood Essence as part of Gu Yuan's promised compensation 104 244 269.

By his twenties, Xiao Yan's public standing extended far beyond the Northwest Continent. His accomplishments as a Tier 9 Precious Pill Grandmaster and the Tian Shu Alliance's expansion made him a widely admired figure, while his Xiao Clan origins and extraordinary potential also attracted the Soul Clan's attention 350 379 383.

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.

By age twenty, repeated physical evolution and reinforcement of his bloodline had refined his features, bearing, and natural authority to an extraordinary degree. His appearance and presence frequently leave others, including Cao Ying and Dan Chen, momentarily mesmerized 319.

• 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, progressing through Second-Turn Dou Venerate strength and eventually reaching Mid-Stage Four-Star Dou Sheng physical strength 217 329 383.
• Can manifest brilliant Dou Qi wings after reaching Dou Emperor 100.
• His physical evolution improved his voice, bearing, and natural charisma 125.
• Removed his Flame Mask before the Pill Tower’s leaders, revealing that he is genuinely only twenty years old 318 319.
• Can manifest the Xiao Clan Mark on his forehead through Heavenly Flame Three Mysterious Changes 364.
• Later obscures his face with the power of heaven and earth to avoid crowds recognizing him in Tian Shu City 379.

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.

His later actions show a preference for durable alliances over short-term profit. He exchanged resources that could strengthen himself for Burning Flame Valley’s long-term cooperation, created cultivation-enhancing Heart Flames for the valley, protected Yun Yun’s succession in Music Valley, and accepted Dan Chen as a disciple after recognizing the danger and potential of her constitution 303 314 315.

His father and brothers occupy an especially important place in his priorities. Xiao Zhan's approval brings him unusual happiness, and a distress signal from Xiao Li provokes immediate anger. He repeatedly supplies his family with pills and techniques while attempting to shield them from threats they cannot confront themselves 101 105 130 287.

In romantic matters, Xiao Yan acknowledges that he is not exclusively devoted to one woman and gradually recognizes honesty and reassurance as obligations toward his partners. He tells Xiao Yi Xian about his long history with Xiao Xun'er and later rejects suggestions that Xiao Xun'er is unworthy of him, remaining concerned about the pressure his rapid growth places on her 224 345.

His pursuit of the Life Spirit Flame demonstrates a further change in outlook. After abandoning a forceful search and calming his mind, he adopts an accepting attitude that helps the flame willingly approach him 387.

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.
• Created bloodline-like effects after his Eighth-Rank physical evolution, causing Xiao Ding and Xiao Li to experience extraordinary spontaneous cultivation gains 217 218.
• Reached First-Turn and later Second-Turn Dou Venerate physical strength through the Three Thousand Burning Flame and a Semi-Saint Fire Lizard-derived pill 322 329.
• Works in conjunction with the Three Thousand Star Body, granting Xiao Yan extreme regenerative capacity and extraordinary survivability 322.
• Ninth-Rank Magical Beast Blood Essence subsequently raised his physical strength through Nine-Revolution Dou Venerate equivalence and into the Semi-Saint range 342 346.
• Huang Quan Demon Saint's blood essence and Zhukun's blood essence later supported physical advancement to Three-Star and Mid-Stage Four-Star Dou Sheng levels respectively 378 383.
• These physical advancements are separate from his Dou Qi cultivation: during his confrontation with High-Level Semi-Saint Elder Tongxuan, his unenhanced Dou Qi cultivation was still First-Turn Dou Venerate 366.

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.
• Reached High Xuan Rank after absorbing the Green Lotus Core Flame, then Earth Rank through further flame acquisitions 51 59.
• Reached Mid Earth Rank after absorbing the Nether Poison Flame 138.
• Evolved to Earth Rank High Level after he absorbed the Sea Heart Flame 159.
• Reached Quasi-Heaven Rank following his acquisition of the Fallen Heart Flame, then Low Heaven Rank after absorbing the Yin-Yang Dual Flame 189 259.
• Reached Mid Heaven Rank after the Three Thousand Burning Flame was assimilated 322.
• Reached Higher Heaven Rank after absorbing the Bone Spirit Cold Flame, greatly increasing his Dou Qi capacity and improving its circulation speed 340.
• 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.
• His other early Heavenly Flames include the Green Lotus Core Flame, Wind Fury Dragon Flame, Nether Poison Flame, and Mysterious Yellow Flame 51 59 138 212 271.
• Later absorbed the Turtle Spirit Earthfire, Nine Dragon Lightning Flame, and Three Thousand Burning Flame, further strengthening his Fusion Heavenly Flame and Heavenly Flame Manifestation 312 322.
• His Fire Spirit Body makes intelligent Heavenly Flames exceptionally receptive to him; the Three Thousand Burning Flame ultimately recognized him as its master 321.
• The energy of each absorbed Heavenly Flame can be divided among the Burning Mantra, the Spirit Devouring Body Forging Mantra, and the Fire Spirit Body, improving his cultivation, physique, techniques, and flame affinity simultaneously 312 322.
• After the Bone Spirit Cold Flame's absorption, he judged his fused flame's intensity to exceed the fourth-ranked Golden Emperor Incinerating Flame, though he remained uncertain how it compared with the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame 340.
• Absorbed the Fire Cloud Water Flame, gaining a modest improvement to Dou Qi circulation and storage without another increase in the Flame Mantra's rank 360.
• Publicly controlled fourteen Heavenly Flames during his Tier 9 pill-refinement demonstration 370.
• Acquired the Life Spirit Flame after it revealed itself from the guise of a Yin-Yang Dual-Pole Flower; he prepared to absorb it, but the absorption had not yet occurred at that point 387.

Alchemy

Xiao Yan became an Eighth-Rank Alchemist before the age of twenty, with mastery over high-grade pills and several self-created formulas. He subsequently advanced to Tier 9 Precious Pill Grandmaster 179 379.

• 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.
• Created and successfully refined his own seventh-tier formula after three days of development and two days of refinement, with Yao Lao guiding rather than taking over 52.
• 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.
• Refined the High Seventh Grade Fire Bodhi Pill for Tang Huo’er with exceptional speed and purity, winning Burning Flame Valley’s confidence 296.
• Can fuse eight Heavenly Flames during refinement and use [Balance] to stabilize otherwise irreconcilably violent materials 297.
• Produced pills capable of triggering legendary Nine-Colored Pill Lightning, confirming alchemy at the Eighth-Rank Peak level 297 326 327.
• Became an elder of the Pill Tower and received its elder robes and token 326.
• Uses Heavenly Flame Manifestation to gather spirituality and infuse it into pills, improving their quality; Yao Lao compared this with his Spirit-Raising Method while recognizing its greater potential 274.
• Refined the Tier 9 Precious Bodhi Great Return Pill, establishing his status as a Tier 9 Precious Pill Grandmaster 375 379.
• His and Yao Lao's shared status as Tier 9 Precious Pill Grandmasters greatly increased the Tian Shu Alliance's influence and appeal 379.
• Gathered ingredients for a ninth-tier Ice-Fire Energy Gathering Pill intended for Qing Lin while exploring the Medicinal Garden 387.

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.
• Cultivates the rankless Soul Refining Mantra, which has no fixed upper limit and continually tempers the soul 177.
• His powerful soul essence suppresses Dan Chen’s uncontrollable absorption of surrounding soul power and Spirit Qi, enabling her to remain near others without harming them 314 315.
• The Soul Refining Mantra can also clear mental sluggishness during extended periods of absorbing powerful resources 342.
• Later reached the Early Heavenly Realm, advancing beyond Spirit Realm without encountering an apparent bottleneck 379.

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.

[Flame Burning]

Awakened through the Green Lotus Core Flame 51 281.

• Burns flames to increase Xiao Yan's attack power 281.
• Can be applied to his Fusion Heavenly Flame for a short-term, overwhelming enhancement in combat 188.
• Remains an important means of injuring opponents whose cultivation exceeds his own 323.

[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.
• Can devour lightning energy to recover from Pill Lightning and reduce the burden of high-level alchemy tribulations 180.
• Works with the Higher Heaven Rank Flame Mantra to rapidly replenish depleted Dou Qi after extreme exertion 366.

[Space Control]

An innate spatial talent awakened during his Jia Nan Academy period 176.

• Grants spatial mastery beyond what his apparent cultivation would normally permit.
• Allowed him to form spatial barriers and rifts with proficiency that surprised Peak Dou Zongs 180.
• Strengthened alongside his cultivation until he could contend with certain low-level Semi-Saints in spatial techniques 322.

[Source Fire]

A talent awakened through the Fallen Heart Flame 192.

• Creates transparent, unintelligent Split Flames derived from Xiao Yan’s Heavenly Flames.
• The Split Flames can be implanted in others to refine their circulating Dou Qi and continuously improve cultivation efficiency 303.
• Enabled Xiao Yan to provide Burning Flame Valley with Heart Flames as part of the exchange for the Nine Dragon Lightning Flame 303.
• Fallen Heart Flame Split Flames lack an absorbable flame seed but can reproduce its cultivation-assisting effects while supplied with Dou Qi 192.
• Creating Split Flames consumes the parent flame's essence; replacing that loss requires substantial resources, preventing unlimited production 192.
• Can kindle and intensify Heart Flame within an opponent to disturb their concentration 192.

[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.
• Produces black-and-white energy capable of harmonizing conflicting violent energies during pill refinement 297.
• Allows Xiao Yan to refine pills from materials, such as Semi-Saint Fire Lizard remains and Crimson Orbs, that ordinary alchemists would struggle to stabilize 329.

[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.

[Rebirth]

A survival talent awakened through the Three Thousand Burning Flame and the Spirit Devouring Body Forging Mantra 322.

• Allows Xiao Yan to resurrect beneath the stars even after his body is completely destroyed and all signs of life have vanished.
• Leaves him weakened and in need of energy recovery after activation.
• Can be overcome only by repeatedly destroying him within a short interval before the talent can activate again 322.

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.
• Heavenly Flame Three Mysterious Changes — Burning Flame Valley’s inherited secret technique, which Xiao Yan learned through its Inheritance Crystal along with generations of accumulated insights 293 294.
• Flame Control Technique — His exceptional control lets him form lifelike flame creatures, command intelligent Heavenly Flames, and fuse multiple Heavenly Flames with precise coordination 186 318.
• Fusion Heavenly Flame — A merged flame composed of his Heavenly Flames. Its extreme heat and destructive power can threaten enemies far above his base cultivation 188 297.
• [Flame Burning] — An innate talent that burns his Fusion Heavenly Flame to grant a short-term, overwhelming enhancement to his combat power 51 188 281.
• Heavy Profound Ruler — His favored heavy weapon, suited to his overwhelming physical style 85 103.
• Force-stacking adaptation — Studies how to apply Eight Extremities Collapse's force-stacking principle to other Dou Techniques 108.
• Xiao Clan Mark — Manifests through Heavenly Flame Three Mysterious Changes, visibly recalling Xiao Xuan to Gu Yuan 364.
• Buddha's Fury Fire Lotus — A devastating technique based on the collision and eruption of Heavenly Flames. His eight-flame version transformed the Ancient Clan's assessment of his combat potential; its power draws heavily on the flames themselves rather than only his own Dou Qi 366 368.
• Full-strength fire lotus deterrence — After revealing fourteen Heavenly Flames, Xiao Yan judged that a fully unleashed Buddha's Fury Fire Lotus would require intervention from a Five-Star Dou Sheng or higher to counter under the contemporary continent's conditions 370.

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.
• After reaching Seven-Star Dou Venerate, his spatial methods became sufficient to contend with some low-level Semi-Saints 322.
• Used spatial power defensively against Elder Tongxuan during their challenge 364.
• Can transport himself and several companions away from a crowded location with a casual gesture 379.
• Reinforced the Medicinal Garden's small world while searching its Ancient Forest for the Life Spirit Flame 387.

Three Thousand Star Body

After absorbing the Three Thousand Burning Flame, Xiao Yan obtained the Three Thousand Star Body, also called the Undying Body 322.

• Grants exceptionally powerful regeneration and recovery.
• Works alongside [Rebirth] to make Xiao Yan extraordinarily difficult to kill permanently 322.
• Its starlight-based energy contributed to Xiao Yan’s rapid post-absorption advancement 322.
• Healed the wounds sustained during his clash with Elder Tongxuan in the blink of an eye 366.
• Makes ordinary healing pills of limited personal value to him 356.

Bloodline Sublimation

Xiao Yan's physical evolution grants him some characteristics of a Dou God Bloodline before an actual Dou Emperor breakthrough 223 377.

• His first observed family-wide effects were concentrated among close blood relatives rather than the Xiao Clan as a whole 220 223.
• Xiao Zhan advanced from One-Star Dou Wang to Dou Emperor, while Xiao Ding and Xiao Li also benefited from his earlier transformation 217 218 223.
• A subsequent bloodline sublimation prompted him to check on his family's condition; he had already instructed Xiao Ding to monitor such changes and suppress the news 377.

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, Yin-Yang Life-Soul Pill, and high-tier pills at Burning Flame Valley 173 232 296.
• Bone Flame Ring — Ring that formerly housed Yao Lao’s soul and remains associated with Yao Lao’s possessions 235 278.
• Nether Sea Storage Ring — Storage vessel associated with Yao Tianhuo 235.
• Earth Fire Lotus Platform — A valuable item connected to a Heavenly Flame, used to store flames and improve the absorption of fire-attributed energy 51 157 322.
• 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.
• Heavenly Demon Puppets — Powerful puppets created through the Heavenly Demon Puppet Refinement Method; Xiao Yan possesses and deploys puppets with Dou Venerate-level combat strength 209 260 289.
• Pill Tower elder token and robes — Marks his formal status as an elder of the Pill Tower and grants access to most of its areas 326.
• Thunder Bat Sky Wings — Purchased at auction for two million gold coins 144.
• Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame map fragment — Identified by Yao Lao and purchased at auction for three hundred thousand gold coins 144.
• Tou She Ancient God Jade Fragment — Xiao Clan heirloom used in his negotiations with the Ancient Clan for cultivation resources 104 244 269.
• Ninth-Rank Magical Beast Blood Essence — Powerful body-strengthening resources, including the five bottles delivered by Elder Tongxuan on Gu Yuan's behalf 269 342.
• Favor token — An auctioned token exchangeable for a favor from Xiao Yan; Ye Xinlan later presented it to request help for the Ye family 345 346.
• Semi-Saint Heavenly Demon Puppet — A later puppet advancement associated with his Tier 9 pill-refinement period 375.
• Huang Quan Demon Saint's blood essence — Acquired as a major resource and absorbed to strengthen his physique 375 378.
• Zhukun's blood essence — Obtained after bringing Zi Yan to meet her father and used for further body refinement 381 382 383.
• Gold-Grade Soul Infant Fruits — Secured two fruits after previously promising to find one for Soul Spirit Emperor; later gave Soul Infant Fruits to Soul Spirit Emperor and Huang Quan Demon Saint 385 387.
• Life Spirit Flame — Willingly followed him after revealing itself within the Medicinal Garden; awaiting absorption at the end of the encounter 387.

Relationships

• Yao Lao / Yao Chen — Master, teacher, and father figure. Yao Lao guided Xiao Yan’s cultivation and alchemy, while Xiao Yan ultimately gathered the resources and refined the body needed for his resurrection. Xiao Yan openly states that Yao Chen is no different from a father to him 3 278 318. Yao Lao later relinquished the Bone Spirit Cold Flame to him and absorbed a Fallen Heart Flame, while both became recognized as Tier 9 Precious Pill Grandmasters 340 379.
• 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. He assures her that she will always hold first place in his heart and promises to win her freedom from the Ancient Clan's restrictions 175 251. On their later reunion, he rejects others' claims that she is unworthy of him; she subsequently graduates from Jia Nan Academy to accompany him to the Central Plains 345 350.
• 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. Their relationship became openly committed after her return to Yan City 8 123 224 225. She later receives Yao Ling alongside Xiao Xun'er in the capacity of a mistress of Xiao Yan's household 360.
• 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. He initially invited her to serve as his maid and later sought ingredients for a ninth-tier Ice-Fire Energy Gathering Pill for her 34 387.
• 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. Their bond develops into an acknowledged brother-and-sister relationship, founded on the trust and ordinary affection he offers her 174 225. He later escorts her to the depths beneath Jia Nan Academy and facilitates her reunion with her father, Zhukun 379 380 381.
• 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 Zhan — Father and a central source of emotional support. Xiao Yan treasures his approval, repeatedly supplies pills and cultivation resources, and seeks to preserve the Xiao Clan's peace. Xiao Zhan reassures him that he will always have a home to return to 6 101 105. Xiao Yan's bloodline-like evolution later helps him advance from One-Star Dou Wang to Dou Emperor 223.
• 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. He regards their safety as a major priority and reacts furiously when Xiao Li calls for help through a Tian Shu Token 287.
• Yun Yun — Close ally, former traveling partner, and romantic partner. She chose to stand against Yun Shan to protect Xiao Yan, later inherited Music Valley’s legacy, and gained Xiao Yan’s support in becoming Music Valley’s valley master 44 110 310 311. Their early association began when he rescued her after killing the Amethyst Winged Lion King and coerced her into following his commands for a month; they subsequently traded pills for Beast Flames 12 18.
• 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. He had already defeated her during her original attempt to dissolve their engagement, prompting her to issue the Three-Year Agreement herself. Although he later treated her grandfather's poison as Yan Xiao and exchanged apologies with her, he explicitly ended their former ties after the agreement 2 78 85 102 103 104.
• Yao Tianhuo / Venerable Skyfire — Former remnant soul and later resurrected Tian Shu Alliance member. Xiao Yan promised and delivered his resurrection in exchange for his allegiance and the Five Wheel Fire Method 186 236.
• Dan Chen — Xiao Yan’s disciple. Her constitution uncontrollably absorbs soul power and Spirit Qi, but Xiao Yan’s soul essence suppresses its harmful effects. He accepted her as a disciple to protect and cultivate her extraordinary potential 314 315.
• Tang Huo’er — Daughter of Tang Zhen and a friendly Burning Flame Valley associate. Xiao Yan refined the Fire Bodhi Pill to treat the injuries she received from the Nine Dragon Lightning Flame, while her family repeatedly attempted to encourage a closer relationship between them 293 296 303. Tang Zhen's interpretation of Xiao Yan's haste to refine the pill encouraged her to believe that he was especially concerned for her 295.
• Tang Zhen and Fire Cloud Ancestor — Leaders of Burning Flame Valley and major allies. Xiao Yan negotiated for the Nine Dragon Lightning Flame, provided the valley with Heart Flames, and cured Fire Cloud Ancestor’s hidden injuries 302 303.
• Xuankong Zi, Tianleizi, and Xuan Yi — Yao Lao’s old friends and the Pill Tower’s Three Giants. They tested Xiao Yan, supported his absorption of the Three Thousand Burning Flame, and accepted him as a Pill Tower elder 318 322 326.
• Cao Ying — Xuankong Zi’s disciple and a talented alchemist. Initially assessing Xiao Yan as a potential rival, she became deeply impressed by the gap in their age, cultivation, and alchemy 318 319 327.
• Su Qian — Jia Nan Academy's Great Elder, initially a negotiating partner and later a trusted friend. Xiao Yan offers unlimited Tian Shu Alliance places to outstanding graduates of decent character and later proposes assistance with relocating the academy to the Central Plains, partly because it is Zi Yan's home 163 282 346 380.
• Ye Xinlan — Jia Nan Academy student from the Ye family in the Pill Region. She presents Xiao Yan's auctioned favor token and asks him to help her family 345 346.
• Gu Yuan and Elder Tongxuan — Ancient Clan figures involved in his resource negotiations and relationship with Xiao Xun'er. Gu Yuan promises compensation for the Ancient Jade, while Tongxuan delivers resources and later tests Xiao Yan in combat 248 269 364 366.
• Yao Ling — Yao Clan alchemist and later frequent companion. Xiao Yan agrees to exchange pointers with her because her constitution can help improve his strength. She becomes increasingly comfortable in his household and develops affection for him, though no confirmed partnership is established 360 361 379 382.
• Soul Spirit Emperor — A figure Xiao Yan addresses as Third Master. Xiao Yan consults him about the Soul Clan's origins and secures Gold-Grade Soul Infant Fruits for him 378 385 387.
• Huang Quan Demon Saint — Associated with blood essence Xiao Yan acquires for physical refinement; Xiao Yan later gives him a Soul Infant Fruit 375 378 387.
• Zhukun — Zi Yan's father and the Ancient Void Dragon Clan's former Dragon Emperor. Xiao Yan brings Zi Yan to reunite with him, explains the clan's subsequent turmoil, and obtains blood essence that supports his physical advancement 381 382 383.
• Gu Yang — Ancient Clan elder whom Xiao Yan knows to be a concealed Soul Clan spy. Xiao Yan treats his contact and invitation with caution, considering whether the Nihility Devouring Flame is directing him 375 384.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Wutan City and Early Training

• Defeats Nalan Yanran during her attempt to dissolve their engagement, issuing his own annulment letter. She responds by challenging him to a rematch in three years 2.
• 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.
• Kills the Amethyst Winged Lion King, rescues Yun Yun, and brings her to the small valley for treatment. He claims to have tampered with her healing pill to secure a month of service 12.
• Trades medicinal pills for Yun Yun's assistance in gathering Beast Flames and hunting powerful Magical Beasts 18.
• 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.
• Creates and refines a seventh-tier pill using ingredients from the Snake-People Tribe's treasury, demonstrating that his actual ability exceeds his later Sixth-Rank certification 52 74.
• 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.
• Exchanges apologies with Nalan Yanran but declares their former engagement conclusively ended. Before leaving, he spends time with Xiao Zhan and supplies medicinal pills for his father and the clan 103 104 105.

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.
• Helps Xiao Yi Xian control her Woeful Poison Body and exchanges Poison Fire with her, subsequently absorbing the Nether Poison Flame and advancing to Six-Star Dou Emperor 137 138.
• Enters the Black-Corner Region to avenge Yao Lao, seize the Sea Heart Flame, and establish a power base 141 152.
• Purchases the Thunder Bat Sky Wings and a Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame map fragment, then orders Hai Bodong to act against Fan Ling after repeated provocations 144.
• 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.
• Reconciles with Xiao Xun'er over his relationships with other women and assures her that she remains first in his heart 175.
• 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.
• Makes an agreement with Yao Tianhuo for his future resurrection and receives the Five Wheel Fire Method 186.
• Uses [Source Fire] to provide Jia Nan Academy with a Fallen Heart Flame Split Flame in exchange for Tier 8 pill ingredients 192.
• Uses Pill Lightning to temper an Earth Demon Puppet, then absorbs the Mysterious Yellow Flame and other resources to reach Nine-Star Dou Zong 211 212.
• His Eighth-Rank physical evolution strengthens his immediate blood relatives, including raising Xiao Zhan to Dou Emperor 217 218 223.

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.
• Hosts an alchemy exchange conference that establishes Yan City as a major regional center for alchemists, merchants, and powerful factions 261.
• Completes the materials for Yao Lao’s resurrection and subsequently restores both Yao Tianhuo and Yao Lao to physical bodies 270 278.
• Begins extending the Alliance’s influence into the Central Plains through diplomacy, powerful Heavenly Demon Puppets, and alliances with established sects 284 289 327.
• Receives the Dou Saint skeleton and Ninth-Rank Magical Beast Blood Essence promised by Gu Yuan, together with notice that the Ancient Clan will assess his potential in two and a half years 269.
• Slays two Semi-Saint Fire Lizards and absorbs their essence blood to strengthen his body, preserving their Crimson Orbs and remains for later refinement 281 282.
• Promises unrestricted Alliance entry to outstanding Jia Nan Academy graduates of sound character 282.
• The Alliance later absorbs Music Valley and the three surviving Four Square Pavilions, while maintaining Burning Flame Valley's support. Its growing status inspires the saying “One Hall, One Tower, One Alliance” 350.

Burning Flame Valley

• Travels to Burning Flame Valley to obtain the Heavenly Flame Three Mysterious Changes and agree to refine a Fire Bodhi Pill for Tang Huo’er 293.
• Displays unprecedented affinity with the valley’s Inheritance Crystal and receives the complete technique and generations of cultivation insights 293 294.
• Refines the Fire Bodhi Pill, reveals eight Heavenly Flames, and produces Nine-Colored Pill Lightning while refining a separate Tier 8 pill 296 297.
• Negotiates with Fire Cloud Ancestor for the Nine Dragon Lightning Flame, offering a soul cultivation technique, a Fallen Heart Flame Split Flame, and treatment for the ancestor’s injuries 302.
• Uses [Source Fire] to establish Heart Flames within Burning Flame Valley and cures Fire Cloud Ancestor’s fire poison, allowing him to advance to Late-Stage One-Star Dou Saint 303.

Music Valley

• Supports Yun Yun against Music Valley’s hostile leadership and secures the elders’ recognition of her as the new valley master 310.
• Learns that Yun Yun acquired the Thirteenth-ranked Turtle Spirit Earthfire because a remnant of his Myriad Beast Spirit Flame attracted it to her 310.
• Reveals his major secrets and relationships to Yun Yun, then discusses Music Valley’s eventual integration and cooperation with the Tian Shu Alliance 311.
• Absorbs the Turtle Spirit Earthfire and Nine Dragon Lightning Flame, reaching Five-Star Dou Venerate 312.

Pill Tower and the Three Thousand Burning Flame

• Takes Dan Chen as his disciple after discovering that his soul essence suppresses her dangerous soul-absorbing constitution 314 315.
• Reunites with Yao Lao at the Pill Tower and earns the recognition of Xuankong Zi, Tianleizi, and Xuan Yi through his loyalty, Five-Star Dou Venerate cultivation, and flame-control skill 318.
• Reveals that he is genuinely twenty years old, shocking the Pill Tower’s leaders, Cao Ying, and Dan Chen 319.
• Accepts Xuankong Zi's invitation to become a Pill Tower elder after confirming that the position will not prevent him from managing his own faction and affairs 321.
• Subdues and absorbs the Three Thousand Burning Flame, gaining the Three Thousand Star Body, [Rebirth], Mid Heaven Rank Burning Mantra, and Seven-Star Dou Venerate cultivation 321 322.
• Receives formal appointment as a Pill Tower elder after demonstrating Peak Eighth-Rank alchemy 326.

Return to the Tian Shu Alliance

• Confirms to Dan Hong that Yan Xiao is an alias of Xiao Yan, strengthening the Dan Clan’s relationship with the Tian Shu Alliance through Dan Chen’s apprenticeship 327.
• Reunites with Yun Yun, Xiao Yi Xian, Zi Yan, Medusa, Qing Lin, and Dan Chen while expanding alliances across Music Valley, Star Meteor Pavilion, and the Central Plains 327.
• Refines and consumes a pill derived from Semi-Saint Fire Lizard remains, reaching Peak First-Turn Dou Venerate cultivation and a Second-Turn Dou Venerate physique 329.
• Begins personally guiding Dan Chen’s alchemy, using [Balance] to stabilize her failed Tier 6 pill and identify her technical weaknesses 329.
• Absorbs the Bone Spirit Cold Flame, evolving the Flame Mantra to Higher Heaven Rank and bringing his Dou Qi reserves to a level he considers sufficient for Tier 9 refinement 340.
• Uses Ninth-Rank Magical Beast Blood Essence to raise his physique through Nine-Revolution Dou Venerate equivalence and into the Semi-Saint range 342 346.

Reunion with Xiao Xun'er and the Ye Family Request

• Returns to Jia Nan Academy and publicly reunites with Xiao Xun'er, reassuring her when onlookers imply that his status places him beyond her 345.
• Tells Xiao Xun'er that his physical strength has reached Semi-Saint level, strengthening her confidence that they can remain together 346.
• Receives Su Qian and Ye Xinlan; Ye Xinlan presents his auctioned favor token and requests help for the Ye family 346.
• Discusses further seclusion with Xiao Xun'er, planning eight months of cultivation followed by two months of free time 347.
• Xiao Xun'er subsequently graduates from the academy to accompany him to the Central Plains 350.

Ancient Clan Challenge and Tier 9 Alchemy

• Welcomes Yao Ling and agrees to exchange alchemical pointers with her, recognizing that her constitution can assist his improvement 360.
• Absorbs the Fire Cloud Water Flame for a modest further improvement to the Higher Heaven Rank Flame Mantra 360.
• Challenges Elder Tongxuan and uses spatial defenses, physical strength, and Flame Burst Fist to demonstrate that he can withstand a Semi-Saint's attacks 364.
• Activates all three transformations of Heavenly Flame Three Mysterious Changes and manifests the Xiao Clan Mark, startling the Ancient Clan's elders and reminding Gu Yuan of Xiao Xuan 364.
• Battles High-Level Semi-Saint Tongxuan despite possessing only First-Turn Dou Venerate base cultivation. His Five Wheel Fire Array and Buddha's Fury Fire Lotus substantially change the Ancient Clan's assessment of him 366 368.
• Reveals fourteen Heavenly Flames while preparing a Tier 9 pill, regarding his strongest fire lotus as a deterrent against intervention below the Five-Star Dou Sheng level 370.
• Refines the Bodhi Great Return Pill, strengthens a Heavenly Demon Puppet to Semi-Saint level, and secures Huang Quan Demon Saint's blood essence 375.
• Experiences another bloodline sublimation and checks the arrangements made to monitor and conceal its effects on his relatives 377.
• Consults Soul Spirit Emperor about the Soul Clan's origins, then absorbs demon saint blood essence to raise his physique to Three-Star Dou Sheng level 378.
• Reaches Early Heavenly Realm soul power and is publicly celebrated as a Tier 9 Precious Pill Grandmaster 379.

Zhukun and the Ancient Void Dragon Clan

• Travels to Jia Nan Academy with Zi Yan, intending to meet the powerful presence deep beneath the academy 379.
• Offers assistance if Jia Nan Academy relocates to the Central Plains, including construction support and Dou Venerates to help recreate the Scripture Library's special space 380.
• Takes Zi Yan into the underground Magma World and prepares her for the possibility of meeting a blood relative 380.
• Facilitates Zi Yan's reunion with Zhukun, the Half-Emperor Ancient Void Dragon trapped in the depths 381.
• Explains the Ancient Void Dragon Clan's turmoil following Zhukun's disappearance and obtains blood essence before returning to Tian Shu City 382.
• Absorbs Zhukun's blood essence to raise his physical strength to Mid-Stage Four-Star Dou Sheng 383.

Gu Yang, the Medicinal Garden, and the Life Spirit Flame

• Analyzes Gu Yang's contact with caution because he knows the elder is a Soul Clan mole, considering whether the Nihility Devouring Flame is directing his actions 375 384.
• Secures two Gold-Grade Soul Infant Fruits, fulfilling his earlier intention to find such a resource for Soul Spirit Emperor 384 385.
• Reinforces the Medicinal Garden's small world and searches its Ancient Forest for the Life Spirit Flame, initially without success 387.
• Collects ingredients for Qing Lin's ninth-tier Ice-Fire Energy Gathering Pill and asks the Sky-Piercing Flood Dragon to locate a Yin-Yang Dual-Pole Flower 387.
• Discovers that the flower is the Life Spirit Flame in disguise. After he calms his mind and abandons his earlier insistence, the flame willingly chooses to follow him 387.
• Returns to the Small Courtyard, distributes Soul Infant Fruits to Soul Spirit Emperor and Huang Quan Demon Saint, and prepares to absorb the Life Spirit Flame in hopes of awakening another talent 387.

Notable Quotes

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

“Long time no see.” 222

“To me, Teacher is no different from a father.” 318

“Xun'er, you're worthy of anyone. Don't ever belittle yourself like that again.” 345

“Jia Nan Academy is Zi Yan's home. Offering it a little care is no great matter.” 380

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.
• Xiao Yan’s alias Yan Xiao was eventually revealed to be an identity created to avoid unnecessary trouble; Dan Hong later learned that Yan Xiao, Elder Xiao, and Xiao Yan are the same person 327.
• Despite initially wearing the Flame Mask to avoid attention, Xiao Yan later admitted that his appearance itself was a reason for using it, as he found it attracted too much notice 318.
• His initial victory over Nalan Yanran reverses the familiar Three-Year Agreement dynamic: she challenges him and declares “don't bully a young girl in her poverty,” leaving him internally bemused that she has taken his expected line 2.
• He deliberately chose to learn Flame Splitting Wave Ruler from Yao Lao rather than another technique from his Dou Di inheritance, partly to reassure his teacher that there was still much he could teach him 85.
• Although he often claims that his cultivation speed will slow as his realm rises, Yao Lao observes that his progress repeatedly becomes faster instead 251.
• His extraordinary physical strength should not be confused with his Dou Qi realm: his Semi-Saint and later Dou Sheng physical advancements occurred while his Dou Qi cultivation remained within Dou Venerate 346 366 383.
• By the time he became a Tier 9 Precious Pill Grandmaster, appearing unmasked in Tian Shu City attracted such large crowds that he resorted to obscuring his face with the power of heaven and earth 379.
• His acquisition of the Life Spirit Flame depended not only on his fire affinity but also on a calmer, less forceful state of mind 387.

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