Yao Lao

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Yao Lao; Yao Chen (药老) 128
Alias(es)	Teacher; Master (to Xiao Yan) 3
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Co-founder of the Star Meteor Pavilion 142
Occupation/Role	Alchemist; Xiao Yan's master and alchemy instructor 2 3
Status	Soul infused into a newly refined body; resurrection is underway 275
First Appearance	Chapter 2

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Soul Body	2	Having escaped death, Yao Lao remained dormant within the Bone Flame Ring and survived by absorbing Xiao Yan's Dou Qi.
Soul power recovered by more than half	99	The Seven Illusion Green Spirit Saliva greatly solidified his soul form and restored over half of his former soul power.
Spirit Realm soul	187	His soul body became sufficiently solid to be recognized by fellow remnant soul Yao Tianhuo as having reached the Spirit Realm.
Peak Spirit Realm; nearing Heavenly Realm	246	Gu Yuan assessed his soul as full and complete, at Peak Spirit Realm and approaching the Heavenly Realm threshold.
Half-Step Heavenly Realm soul	274	Soul cultivation techniques and soul-strengthening treasures raised him beyond Peak Spirit Realm, preparing him for resurrection in a Dou Saint body.

Background

In life, Yao Chen won the Alchemist Conference and became the continent's publicly acknowledged number-one Alchemist after his senior rivals withdrew from the world. He and his close friend Venerable Feng Xian founded the Star Meteor Pavilion, though Feng Xian managed its day-to-day affairs. 142

Yao Lao adopted the orphan Han Feng as his son and disciple, teaching him alchemy and granting him an Earth Rank cultivation method. Han Feng ultimately betrayed him for the Burning Mantra, joining Soul Hall elder Mu Gu in an ambush that destroyed Yao Lao's body. His soul escaped into the Bone Flame Ring and fell dormant. 142

He eventually awakened within the Xiao Clan, where the ring had come into Xiao Yan's possession. While asleep, he had unconsciously absorbed Xiao Yan's Dou Qi for years; he later offered to compensate Xiao Yan by becoming his master and providing superior cultivation resources, Dou Skills, and alchemy instruction. 2 3

Appearance

Yao Lao usually manifests as an aged, bearded man in a translucent soul body. As his soul recovers, that form becomes increasingly lifelike and solid. 2 99

• Often strokes his beard when pleased, proud, or contemplative. 2 47
• Can extend phantom hands and interact with Xiao Yan despite lacking a physical body. 85
• By the time he reaches the Half-Step Heavenly Realm, his soul form bears little visible trace of insubstantiality. 274

Personality

Yao Lao is proud of his former standing as the continent's greatest Alchemist and readily boasts about his Bone Chilling Flame, alchemical knowledge, and exceptionally gifted disciple. His pride is usually expressed through affectionate teasing rather than cruelty. 2 47 59

He is vigilant and protective of Xiao Yan, repeatedly warning him against reckless flame absorption, unstable cultivation, and enemies beyond his current strength. Even when he scolds Xiao Yan, his concern is genuine. 13 14 22 234

Han Feng's betrayal left Yao Lao distrustful and insecure about whether Xiao Yan would eventually outgrow or abandon him. Xiao Yan's commitment to resurrecting him, along with gifts such as the Seven Illusion Green Spirit Saliva, gradually restores his trust. 51 85 87

Abilities & Skills

Alchemy

Yao Lao was the continent's foremost Alchemist in life and retains the expertise to instruct Xiao Yan in high-level refinement. 2 142

• Trained Xiao Yan in medicinal-herb identification, alchemical techniques, and soul control from the beginning of his cultivation journey. 3
• Possesses an Eighth-Rank Nine-Color standard of alchemy, allowing him to guide Xiao Yan's advancement toward Eighth-Rank refinement. 193
• Collaborates with Xiao Yan on complex pill formulas, ingredient balance, and reforging methods. 178 220
• His Bone Chilling Flame can greatly accelerate refining; Xiao Yan used it to complete a Tier 6 pill in one day. 47

Soul Body and Soul Arts

Yao Lao survives as a soul body bound to the Bone Flame Ring and can manifest, transmit thoughts, protect Xiao Yan, and conceal their presence with soul power. 17 85

• Can possess Xiao Yan to temporarily raise his combat strength, though the benefit becomes more limited as Xiao Yan's own cultivation grows. 20 51
• Received a low Heaven Rank soul cultivation method from Wan Ling Emperor to accelerate his recovery. 127
• Later received an Emperor Rank soul cultivation method from Xiao Yan, enabling further growth beyond his former limits. 238
• His soul power is still dependent on recovery and cultivation; he conserves it when no immediate assistance is needed. 85

Bone Chilling Flame

Yao Lao possesses the Bone Chilling Flame, ranked eleventh on the Heavenly Flame Ranking. 60

• Uses it to sustain and protect his soul body, particularly in hostile environments such as underground magma. 184 185
• Lends it to Xiao Yan for alchemy, where its temperature and power improve refinement speed and quality. 47
• Intends to give it to Xiao Yan after his own physical restoration, allowing the Burning Mantra to potentially advance to Heaven Rank. 185

Cultivation and Combat Instruction

Yao Lao supplies Xiao Yan with techniques and practical guidance rather than merely raw power. 3

• Presented Xiao Yan with both a Lower Earth Rank cultivation technique and the evolving Flame Mantra, explaining the latter's risks and potential. 3
• Taught Xiao Yan the Flame Splitting Wave Ruler after their discussion of Yao Lao's resurrection. 85
• Advises Xiao Yan on the use of flames, medicinal resources, physical cultivation, and the dangers posed by stronger opponents. 22 193 234

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Bone Flame Ring — Storage Ring housing Yao Lao's soul after his death. 142
• Spirit Container — A precious container Yao Lao gave Xiao Yan to safely house the subdued Myriad Beast Spirit Flame. 23
• Bone Chilling Flame — His personal Heavenly Flame and a crucial support for both soul preservation and alchemy. 47 185

Relationships

• Xiao Yan — Disciple and surrogate son. Yao Lao initially compensates Xiao Yan for absorbing his Dou Qi by teaching him alchemy and cultivation; their relationship grows into a familial bond centered on mutual loyalty. 2 85 249
• Han Feng — Adopted son and former disciple who betrayed Yao Lao alongside Soul Hall elder Mu Gu in pursuit of the Burning Mantra. 142 156
• Venerable Feng Xian — Lifelong friend and co-founder of the Star Meteor Pavilion. Feng Xian maintained the pavilion during Yao Lao's disappearance. 142 277
• Xiao Yi Xian — Xiao Yan's partner, whom Yao Lao treats warmly and implicitly accepts as a daughter-in-law. 128 235
• Yao Tianhuo / Venerable Skyfire — Fellow remnant soul. Yao Tianhuo envies Yao Lao's solid soul body and Xiao Yan's devotion to him. 187
• Wan Ling Emperor — Provided Yao Lao with a low Heaven Rank soul cultivation method through Xiao Yan's request. 127

Story Role / Major Arcs

Taking Xiao Yan as a Disciple

Yao Lao reveals himself after Xiao Yan's engagement dispute and offers to become his master. He stops absorbing Xiao Yan's Dou Qi, provides cultivation techniques, and begins laying Xiao Yan's foundation in alchemy. 2 3

Training in the Magical Beast Mountain Range

He guards Xiao Yan during body refinement, conceals their aura while exploring dangerous areas, warns him about the risks of Beast Flames and Heavenly Flames, and supplies the Spirit Container needed to subdue the Myriad Beast Spirit Flame. 16 17 22 23

Recovery and the Resurrection Promise

As Xiao Yan rapidly surpasses the limits of Yao Lao's direct assistance, Yao Lao fears becoming unnecessary. Xiao Yan responds by making Yao Lao's resurrection a priority, prompting Yao Lao to reveal the materials and conditions required for a new body. 51 85

Confronting Han Feng's Betrayal

Upon entering the Black-Corner Region, Yao Lao finally recounts Han Feng's betrayal and the Soul Hall ambush that reduced him to a soul body. After Xiao Yan defeats and imprisons Han Feng, Yao Lao confronts his former disciple directly. 142 155 156

Soul Restoration and Body Preparation

Yao Lao receives increasingly powerful soul cultivation methods, recovers to the Half-Step Heavenly Realm, and patiently allows Xiao Yan to resurrect Venerable Skyfire first as proof that the body-refinement process is viable. 127 235 238 274

Resurrection

Xiao Yan gathers a Dou Saint skeleton, Ninth-Rank Magical Beast Blood Essence, and a Nine-Colored Pill Lightning Bone-Growing Blood-Melting Pill for Yao Lao's revival. Yao Lao consumes the pill and enters the newly refined body as flesh and blood grow around the skeleton. 270 274 275

Notable Quotes

“Hehe, this old man was the continent's greatest Alchemist in life.” 2

“Yan'er, how wonderful it would have been if you had been the first disciple I took back then.” 85