Yao Lao

Biodata

Power Progression

Background

Yao Chen originated from the Yao Clan, though Gu Yuan described him as an abandoned son of the clan. His exceptional alchemical potential drew the attention of the ancient Emperor Clans, and Gu Yuan recognized that he had the potential to become a Ninth-Rank Alchemist. 246

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

With Xiao Yan's help, Yao Chen ultimately obtained a body refined from a One-Star Dou Saint skeleton, Ninth-Rank Magical Beast Blood Essence, and a pinnacle Eighth-Tier Bone-Growing Blood-Melting Pill. His soul successfully fused with this body, restoring him to life and allowing him to advance directly to the Two-Star Dou Saint realm. 274 275 278

A later investigation of his Bone Chilling Flame revealed a fading Soul Mark belonging to Han Shanshan, whose lingering obsession was to protect him. Although Yao Chen had no conscious memories of her, he recognized that his soul remembered her. He and Xiao Yan resolved to gather the soul power necessary to restore her. 339

Appearance

Before his resurrection, Yao Lao usually manifested as an aged, bearded man in a translucent soul body. As his soul recovered, that form became increasingly lifelike and solid. 2 99

• Often strokes his beard when pleased, proud, or contemplative. 2 47
• Could extend phantom hands and interact with Xiao Yan despite lacking a physical body. 85
• By the time he reached the Half-Step Heavenly Realm, his soul form bore little visible trace of insubstantiality. 274
• Xiao Yan deliberately restored him with the appearance of his prime. Following resurrection, Yao Chen possesses a youthful, white-haired physical body rather than his former aged soul-body appearance. 316 324

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

After his resurrection, Yao Chen becomes more openly confident and resolves to protect Xiao Yan in turn. He remains deeply proud of his disciple, openly calling Xiao Yan his pride and rejecting attempts by others to underestimate him. 274 278 316

His concern for Xiao Yan also shapes his response to Han Shanshan's possible revival: he initially worries that gathering the immense soul power required would delay his disciple's growth. He is similarly reluctant to accept the valuable infant Fallen Heart Flame until Xiao Yan insists that supporting his teacher's alchemy is its best use. 339 340

Yao Chen enjoys publicly displaying his accomplishments. Once secrecy is no longer necessary for the Nine Netherworld Python Clan operation, he takes evident delight in revealing his Two-Star Dou Saint cultivation and successful Tier 9 Precious Pill refinement before the Pill Region's alchemists. 349

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
• Following his resurrection as a Two-Star Dou Saint with a Heavenly Realm soul, he regains the foundation necessary to refine Ninth-Rank medicinal pills and reclaim his status as a supreme alchemist. 280
• Created the Spirit-Raising Method, an alchemical method Xiao Yan employs to supplement a pill's spirituality during the refinement of the Bodhi Pill. 324
• Created the original Yin-Yang Profound Dragon Pill, which he later helped Xiao Yan reforge into a Tier 8 medicinal pill. 177 178
• Proposed using Beast Flame as a pill ingredient and worked with Xiao Yan to finalize a formula using it as the core energy source, supplemented by fire-attributed herbs and ingredients that moderated its violence. 220 238
• Initially assessed himself as capable of attempting Tier 9 Precious Pill refinement when speaking to Qing Shan, then demonstrated that ability publicly in the Pill Region. His refinement lasted half a month, and he nearly exhausted his soul power stabilizing the pill during its final formation. 332 349
• Refined a Tier 9 Precious Pill based on Xiao Yan's Ice-Fire Energy Gathering Pill formula. It uses ice- and fire-attributed herbs with yin-yang origin fruit to harmonize them and can raise a suitable recipient to the peak of the Dou Zun Realm, provided they can withstand its medicinal power. 355

Soul Body and Soul Arts

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

• Could possess Xiao Yan to temporarily raise his combat strength, though the benefit became more limited as Xiao Yan's own cultivation grew. 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
• Before his resurrection, his soul power remained dependent on recovery and cultivation, so he conserved it when no immediate assistance was needed. 85
• Cultivated soul Dou Skills while residing within the Bone Flame Ring. 142
• His soul cultivation and the heavenly treasures gathered by Xiao Yan raised him to the Half-Step Heavenly Realm before the resurrection ritual. 274
• After fully fusing with his new body, he possesses a Heavenly Realm soul. 280

Bone Chilling Flame

Yao Lao formerly possessed the Bone Chilling Flame, also called the Bone Spirit Cold Flame, ranked eleventh on the Heavenly Flame Ranking. He later transferred it to Xiao Yan. 60 339 340

• Used it to sustain and protect his former soul body, particularly in hostile environments such as underground magma. 184 185
• Lent it to Xiao Yan for alchemy, where its temperature and power improved refinement speed and quality. 47
• Intended to give it to Xiao Yan after his own physical restoration, allowing the Burning Mantra to potentially advance to Heaven Rank. 185
• Following his resurrection, he offers the flame to Xiao Yan because he no longer needs it to anchor his soul. Xiao Yan postpones accepting it so Yao Chen's combat power and Ninth-Rank alchemy are not weakened before the acquisition of further Heavenly Flames. 280 294
• After the Nine Netherworld Python Clan's affairs are settled, he renews the offer. The Soul Spirit Emperor discovers Han Shanshan's fading Soul Mark within the flame and separates it before Yao Chen relinquishes ownership. 338 339
• Yao Chen erases his own Soul Mark, allowing the flame to pass to Xiao Yan, who subsequently absorbs it. 339 340

Fallen Heart Flame

Xiao Yan preserved an infant Fallen Heart Flame obtained from the underground magma world specifically to replace the Heavenly Flame Yao Lao intended to give him. The Fallen Heart Flame ranks fourteenth on the Heavenly Flame Ranking. 192 340

• Yao Chen accepts the flame after Xiao Yan explains that it will preserve much of his alchemical strength despite the loss of the Bone Chilling Flame. 340
• Completes its absorption in less than a day and a half, at nearly the same time Xiao Yan finishes absorbing the Bone Chilling Flame. Its transparent flames replace his former bone-white signature flame. 340
• Absorbing it considerably diminishes the weakness caused by erasing his Soul Mark from the Bone Chilling Flame. 340
• Uses the Fallen Heart Flame during his successful public refinement of a Tier 9 Precious Pill. 349

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
• Supplied the High-Level Xuan Rank Dou Technique Eight Extremities Collapse during Xiao Yan's early training. 4
• 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
• As a Two-Star Dou Saint, can manipulate the power of heaven and earth and spatial power with overwhelming ease. He immobilized two Semi-Saint Fire Lizards by sealing the surrounding space. 281
• Remains at the Tian Shu Alliance as Xiao Yan's protector, allowing the alliance to expand under the deterrence of a Dou Saint. 279
• Personally withstands the Black Demon Thunder generated by his Tier 9 Precious Pill refinement. 349

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Bone Flame Ring — Storage Ring that housed Yao Lao's soul after his death and served as the vessel through which he met Xiao Yan. It later houses Han Shanshan's separated Soul Mark for safekeeping. 142 339
• Spirit Container — A precious container Yao Lao gave Xiao Yan to safely house the subdued Myriad Beast Spirit Flame. 23
• Bone Chilling Flame — His former personal Heavenly Flame and a crucial support for both his former soul preservation and his alchemy. Transferred to Xiao Yan after Han Shanshan's Soul Mark was removed. 47 185 339 340
• Fallen Heart Flame — An infant Heavenly Flame preserved and gifted by Xiao Yan as a replacement for the Bone Chilling Flame; subsequently absorbed by Yao Chen and used for Tier 9 Precious Pill refinement. 340 349
• Black Demon Cauldron — His personal medicine cauldron from before his death, ranked eighth on the Heavenly Cauldron Ranking. Its flame totem naturally absorbs surrounding fire-attributed energy and improves the quality of refined pills by at least half a rank. Xiao Yan uses it during his early alchemical training. 28 47
• Medicine Token — A token given to Xiao Yan before their temporary separation after Burning Flame Valley. Channeling Dou Qi into it can summon Yao Lao's assistance, and it also carries messages about his arrangements at the Pill Tower. 304
• Han Shanshan's Soul Mark — A fading remnant separated from the Bone Chilling Flame by the Soul Spirit Emperor and entrusted to Yao Chen as the foundation for her possible revival. 339
• Demon Saint Blood Essence — Xiao Yan entrusts him with two drops of Huang Quan Demon Saint's blood essence, one for himself and one to deliver to Medusa. No subsequent absorption or cultivation breakthrough is established at that point. 375

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. Xiao Yan's resurrection of Yao Chen strengthens that bond further, and Yao Chen considers Xiao Yan his greatest pride. Xiao Yan later gives him the infant Fallen Heart Flame, while Yao Chen refines a Tier 9 Precious Pill specifically to support his disciple's cultivation. 2 85 249 278 340 355
• Han Feng — Adopted son and former disciple who betrayed Yao Lao alongside Soul Hall elder Mu Gu in pursuit of the Burning Mantra. Xiao Yan defeated and imprisoned Han Feng's soul, then entrusted it to Feng Xian for punishment after Yao Chen's resurrection. 142 156 278
• Venerable Feng Xian — Lifelong friend and co-founder of the Star Meteor Pavilion. Feng Xian maintained the pavilion during Yao Lao's disappearance, fought Soul Hall while searching for him, and was reunited with Yao Chen after his resurrection. 142 277 278
• Xiao Yi Xian — Xiao Yan's partner, whom Yao Lao treats warmly and accepts as a daughter-in-law. She later helps guard the master and disciple while they absorb their exchanged Heavenly Flames. 128 235 278 340
• 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
• Xuankong Zi, Tianleizi, and Xuan Yi — Old acquaintances among the Pill Tower's Three Giants. They receive Yao Chen warmly after his resurrection and assist Xiao Yan's attempt to subdue the Three Thousand Burning Flame. 316 318 322
• Xuan Yi — A Pill Tower Giant who has retained feelings for Yao Chen for decades. Although Yao Chen recognizes her affection, an unresolved absence in his memories leaves him unable to reciprocate. 316
• Han Shanshan — A woman whom Yao Chen cannot consciously remember, though his soul remembers her. Her fading Soul Mark remained in the Bone Chilling Flame with the obsession of protecting him. After learning her identity, Yao Chen and Xiao Yan resolve to revive her. 339
• Soul Spirit Emperor — Xiao Yan's third master, who respects Yao Chen for nurturing such an exceptional disciple. He identifies and separates Han Shanshan's Soul Mark from the Bone Chilling Flame and explains the soul power required to restore her. 255 339
• Tang Zhen and Fire Cloud Ancestor — Old acquaintances from Burning Flame Valley. Yao Chen's reputation and personal connections help Xiao Yan negotiate for the Heavenly Flame Three Mysterious Changes and the Nine Dragon Lightning Flame. 291 303
• Tang Huo'er — Tang Zhen's daughter and Fire Cloud Ancestor's granddaughter. Burning Flame Valley repeatedly attempts to match her with Xiao Yan, while Yao Chen leaves the matter to his disciple's own choice. 293 303
• Qing Shan and Eastern Dragon Island — Yao Chen initially confronts Qing Shan and Hei Qing when they arrive for Zi Yan. Once his identity and ability to attempt Tier 9 Precious Pills become known, Qing Shan treats him and Xiao Yan with increased warmth and seeks closer ties with them. 331 332
• Yao Ming and the Nine Netherworld Python Clan — Yao Chen supports Xiao Yan's rescue of Yao Ming by subduing Yao Xiaotian. He later obtains herbs from the clan for his Tier 9 Precious Pill and undertakes to repay that assistance by refining pills for them. 335 336 355
• Yao Clan — His former clan, from which he was described as an abandoned son. When Yao Yue and Yao Ling arrive to visit Xiao Yan, Yao Chen leaves before their meeting. 246 355

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

Han Feng first begs for mercy, then reveals his continuing hatred when Yao Lao refuses to spare him. Xiao Yan reassures his teacher that Han Feng's ingratitude is not a failure of his teaching, and Yao Lao declares that accepting Xiao Yan was the most correct decision of his life. He entrusts Han Feng's fate to Xiao Yan. 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

Yao Chen's soul subsequently completes its fusion with the body, restoring him to life as a Two-Star Dou Saint rather than merely a Semi-Saint or One-Star Dou Saint. 278

Reunion with Feng Xian

Following his resurrection, Yao Chen reunites emotionally with Feng Xian, who had spent years fighting Soul Hall and searching for him. Xiao Yan presents Han Feng's sealed soul to Feng Xian, while also revealing that Mu Gu has already been defeated and transformed into a puppet. 277 278

Protector of the Tian Shu Alliance

Yao Chen chooses to remain with the Tian Shu Alliance to protect Xiao Yan, while Feng Xian returns to oversee the Star Meteor Pavilion. His Two-Star Dou Saint cultivation immediately intimidates regional Dou Venerates and becomes the alliance's greatest deterrent. 279

He later accompanies Xiao Yan into the Underground Magma World and effortlessly restrains two Semi-Saint Fire Lizards through spatial control, allowing Xiao Yan to test his own techniques against them. 280 281

Return to the Central Plains

Yao Chen returns to the Star Meteor Pavilion and accompanies Xiao Yan to Burning Flame Valley, where his reputation as Venerable Yao earns immediate respect from Tang Zhen and the valley elders. He supports Xiao Yan's negotiations for the Heavenly Flame Three Mysterious Changes and the Nine Dragon Lightning Flame. 290 291 293

Pill Tower Support

Using his old connections within the Pill Tower, Yao Chen helps arrange Xiao Yan's access to Holy Pill City and the sealed Three Thousand Burning Flame. He introduces Xiao Yan to Xuankong Zi, Tianleizi, and Xuan Yi, then confidently supports his disciple's attempts to subdue the Heavenly Flame and refine the Bodhi Pill. 312 316 318 324

Eastern Dragon Island Contact

Yao Chen confronts Qing Shan and Hei Qing when they come to bring Zi Yan back to the Ancient Void Dragon Clan. After Xiao Yan identifies them as allies, Zi Yan agrees to return with them. Qing Shan subsequently learns that Yao Chen is a Two-Star Dou Saint capable of attempting Tier 9 Precious Pills and seeks to strengthen the clan's relationship with master and disciple. 331 332

Nine Netherworld Python Clan Intervention

While Xiao Yan frees Yao Ming from the Nine Netherworld Yellow Springs, Yao Chen subdues Yao Xiaotian. After learning how Yao Xiaotian poisoned and imprisoned his elder brother, Yao Chen prepares to kill him at Xiao Yan's request, but stays his hand when Yao Ming asks that his brother be spared. 335 336

Han Shanshan's Soul Mark and the Heavenly Flame Exchange

Once their business with the Nine Netherworld Python Clan is settled, Yao Chen again offers his Bone Chilling Flame to Xiao Yan. Before the transfer, the Soul Spirit Emperor discovers another Soul Mark within it and identifies its owner as Han Shansshan, whose remaining obsession is to protect Yao Chen. The revelation explains that his soul retains a connection to someone absent from his conscious memories. 338 339

The Soul Spirit Emperor explains that restoring her requires immense soul power. Xiao Yan proposes using Dan Chen's Heaven-Swallowing Talent and a secret art to create Soul Crystals, and master and disciple select Soul Hall criminals as their intended source. The separated Soul Mark is entrusted to Yao Chen and stored in the Bone Flame Ring. 339

Yao Chen then erases his own Soul Mark from the Bone Chilling Flame and gives it to Xiao Yan. In return, Xiao Yan presents the infant Fallen Heart Flame that he has preserved specifically for his teacher. Deeply moved, Yao Chen accepts it, and the two absorb their respective flames under Xiao Yi Xian's protection. 339 340

Afterward, Yao Chen and Xiao Yi Xian guard Xiao Yan's chambers and prevent curious members of the Nine Netherworld Python Clan from approaching during his seclusion. 342

Public Tier 9 Precious Pill Refinement

Yao Chen publicly refines a Tier 9 Precious Pill in the Pill Region, using the Fallen Heart Flame in place of his former signature flame. The process lasts half a month and nearly exhausts his soul power when the pill threatens to split during its final formation. He successfully stabilizes it and reveals his Two-Star Dou Saint cultivation while enduring the resulting Black Demon Thunder. 349

His success attracts widespread attention from individuals and factions seeking his favor. Because he remains within the Pill Tower, many of these visitors approach the Tian Shu Alliance and Star Meteor Pavilion instead, greatly increasing Xiao Ding's administrative workload. 349

When reunited with Xiao Yan after the auction, Yao Chen gives him the completed pill. He explains that it is an upgraded version of Xiao Yan's Ice-Fire Energy Gathering Pill, capable of raising him to the peak of the Dou Zun Realm. The herbs came from the Nine Netherworld Python Clan, to which Yao Chen owes future pill-refining assistance. He also agrees to accompany Xiao Yan to the Three-Year Agreement and provide support. 355

Demon Saint Blood Essence and Medusa's Pill

Yao Chen is delighted to learn that Xiao Yan can already refine Tier 9 Precious Pills himself. As Yao Chen prepares to visit the Nine Netherworld Python Clan, Xiao Yan asks him to delay his departure long enough to deliver a newly refined Bodhi Great Return Pill to Medusa. 375

Xiao Yan subsequently entrusts him with the pill and two drops of Huang Quan Demon Saint's blood essence, reserving one drop for Yao Chen and asking him to deliver the other to Medusa. Yao Chen leaves with these resources while Xiao Yan prepares for another period of seclusion. 375

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

“Haha, of course. Yan'er is my pride!” 278

“My disciple is far more outstanding than you imagine. There is no need to worry. He will exceed all your expectations.” 316

“My surname is Yao, and my given name is Chen. In the past, others called me Venerable Yao. I have not appeared in the world for a long time, so now I should be called Saint Yao.” 332

“Mm. I'll be there to back you up.” 355

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