Xiao Yan

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Xiao Yan (萧炎)
Alias(es)	Yan Xiao
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Xiao Clan; Starfall Pavilion
Occupation/Role	Cultivator; alchemist; disciple of Yao Lao
Status	Active
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
One-star Dou Practitioner	11	Reveals his recovered cultivation at the Xiao Clan coming-of-age ceremony after three years of training.
Eight-star Dou Practitioner	15	Reunites with Yun Zimo at the Ten Thousand Medicine Pavilion after advancing through dedicated training.
Six-star Dou Grandmaster	42	Matches Nalan Yanran during the Three-Year Agreement duel and wins.
Dou Emperor	53	Returns after two years underground; his advancement accompanies a markedly colder, more burdened demeanor.
Peak Dou Emperor (temporary)	57	Uses the Heavenly Fire Three Mysterious Transformations to temporarily reach peak Dou Emperor strength against Han Feng.
Three-star Dou Emperor	74	Breaks through after suppressing and refining Xie Biyan's Demon Poison Mark.
Late Mortal State Spiritual Strength	73	Displays sufficient spiritual strength to confront the Demon Poison Mark within his sea of consciousness.
Late Spirit Realm; eighth-tier grandmaster alchemist	140	Sublimates his soul's spirituality and enters the eighth rank of alchemy.
Dou Zun	167	Breaks through after evolving the Burning Mantra into a Tian-rank Qi Method.
Peak Spirit Realm; seven-star Dou Zun	192	Achieves an arena breakthrough despite the Soul Clan's attempted interference.

Background / History

Xiao Yan annulled his engagement to Nalan Yanran, then proposed a duel three years later to settle the disgrace inflicted on the Xiao Clan and his father, Xiao Zhan. He declared that, once the duel was complete, neither side would retain ties to the other 1.

He later met Yun Zimo in a bamboo grove and sought his guidance in alchemy and combat. Though initially defeated, Xiao Yan refused to yield and resolved to surpass him 6. Yun Zimo continued to support his development, providing the Eagle Wings scroll and a storage ring while warning him that Nalan Yanran possessed superior resources and instruction 15.

After winning the Three-Year Agreement at Misty Cloud Mountain, Xiao Yan publicly ended his enmity with Nalan Yanran rather than press his victory 42. He subsequently spent two years underground, emerged as a Dou Emperor, and rescued his severely wounded brother Xiao Li during the conflict with the Black Alliance 53.

His later cultivation centered on acquiring Heavenly Flames, advancing his alchemy, and restoring Yao Lao. Xiao Yan ultimately completed the resurrection ritual using a Dou Sheng skeleton, the Bone-Growing Blood-Melting Pill, and Heavenly Flames, returning his master to a physical body 175.

Personality

Xiao Yan is resilient, competitive, and highly determined. After suffering defeat or humiliation, he responds by training and pursuing greater strength rather than giving up 6 15.

He is also composed in dangerous situations. He remained calm while trapped in Nalan Yanran's wind-based assault, used his concealed flight technique to escape, and chose mercy after defeating her 42. His respect toward opponents is evident in his conduct after defeating Hai Bodong, whom he compensated before purchasing the map fragment he sought 34.

Following his underground seclusion, Xiao Yan became colder and more reserved, though he still showed warmth toward Yun Zimo and unwavering concern for Xiao Li and Yao Lao 53 54.

Abilities & Skills

Heavenly Flames

Xiao Yan controls multiple Heavenly Flames, which form the core of his combat and alchemical strength.

• Uses the Bone Chilling Flame to freeze and defeat Hai Bodong 34.
• Wields the Green Lotus Core Flame in battle against Soul Hall forces 43.
• Reveals the Glazed Lotus Heart Flame during his battle with Han Feng 57.
• Receives the Sea Heart Flame after Yao Lao defeats Han Feng and Xuan Protector 60.
• Uses four Heavenly Flames to destroy Xie Biyan's invading soul within the Demon Poison Mark 73.
• His flame control is strong enough to manifest the Great Void Fire Dragon, though Huo Zhi forces it to self-destruct with superior fire control 191.

Burning Mantra

Xiao Yan's cultivation method evolves alongside his Heavenly Flames.

• Evolves into a Tian-rank Qi Method during seclusion 167.
• The evolution directly accompanies his breakthrough into the Dou Zun realm 167.
• Continues operating autonomously during his breakthrough toward seven-star Dou Zun 191 192.

Fire Lotus Techniques

Xiao Yan combines flames into destructive lotus-shaped attacks.

• Creates a Miniature Buddha Fury Fire Lotus by combining pale green and purple flames during his duel with Nalan Yanran 42.
• Uses Buddha Fury Fire Lotuses to ambush and severely wound Xie Biyan 72.
• Employs a Two-and-a-Half-Colored Buddha Fury Fire Lotus in the combined attack that triggers the final explosion against Xie Biyan 72.

Heavenly Fire Three Mysterious Transformations

A secret technique that temporarily amplifies Xiao Yan's cultivation.

• Raises him to peak Dou Emperor strength during his battle with Han Feng 57.
• Its enhancement eventually expires, leaving him vulnerable to the Three Elders of Mulan 66.
• He later uses it again to boost his power against Tian She in God-Falling Ravine 129.

Physical Combat

Xiao Yan possesses exceptional physical strength and close-quarters skill.

• His physical strength surpasses Nalan Yanran's despite her own intensive body-tempering regimen 42.
• Uses the Heavy Profound Ruler in direct, powerful ruler attacks 42 54.
• Employs Eight Extremities Collapse to break Nalan Yanran's armor and later defeat Lei Man 42 191.
• Fights Lin Xiuya and Liu Qing simultaneously after returning from seclusion, using their battle as practical sparring 54.

Movement and Flight

• Uses Purple Cloud Wings, a Flight Dou Technique gifted by Yun Zimo, to fly despite not being a Dou King at the time 15 42.
• Fuses Amethyst Beast Fire with the Purple Cloud Wings 42.
• Uses Three Thousand Lightning Illusory Bodies to produce multiple combat clones against Lin Xiu 191.

Alchemy

Xiao Yan is an eighth-tier grandmaster alchemist.

• Refines medicinal liquid into the Bone Flame Ring, helping awaken Yao Lao 54.
• Enters the late Spirit Realm while advancing to the eighth tier 140.
• His alchemical achievements and soul strength significantly elevate his standing among other cultivators and Magical Beasts 140.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Heavy Profound Ruler / Heavy Black Ruler — his primary close-combat weapon 42 191.
• Purple Cloud Wings — Flight Dou Technique scroll gifted by Yun Zimo 15 42.
• Storage Ring — high-level ring received from Yun Zimo 15.
• Map fragments of the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame — acquired through Yun Zimo and Hai Bodong 16 34.
• Bone Flame Ring — used in the process that awakens Yao Lao 54.
• Dou Sheng Magical Beast essence blood — gifted by Zi Yan 149.

Relationships

• Yao Lao / Yao Chen — teacher and disciple. Yao Lao guides Xiao Yan's cultivation, flame use, and spiritual crises; Xiao Yan later completes his resurrection 16 73 175.
• Yun Zimo / Yun Li — mentor, sponsor, ally, and trusted friend. Yun Zimo supports Xiao Yan's training, protects him against enemies, and repeatedly encourages his growth 6 15 22 192.
• Xiao Xun'er — longtime acquaintance who supports Xiao Yan during his return to prominence 6 11.
• Nalan Yanran — former fiancée and opponent in the Three-Year Agreement. Xiao Yan defeats her but ends their enmity afterward 1 42.
• Xiao Li — elder brother. Xiao Yan rescues him after the Black Alliance leaves him critically wounded 53.
• Xiao Yi Xian — ally who assists him in suppressing and refining the Demon Poison Mark; they later fight Tian She together 74 129.
• Zi Yan — friend who gifts him Dou Sheng Magical Beast essence blood and reveals information about the Three Thousand Burning Flame 149.
• Hai Bodong — former opponent. After defeating him over a map fragment, Xiao Yan compensates him and receives both fragments from him 34.
• Lin Xiuya and Liu Qing — comrades and sparring partners from Jia Nan Academy 54 140.
• Xiao Zhan — father and Xiao Clan leader; the humiliation surrounding the broken engagement motivates Xiao Yan's Three-Year Agreement 1.
• Gu Zhen — Ancient Clan member who recognizes Xiao Yan as a Xiao Clan descendant and becomes grateful for his magnanimity 188.
• Elder You Xuan — Ancient Clan elder who acknowledges Xiao Yan's Xiao Clan descent and offers future support 188.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Three-Year Agreement

Xiao Yan challenges Nalan Yanran to a three-year duel after their engagement is annulled 1. He eventually faces her at Misty Cloud Mountain as a six-star Dou Grandmaster, employing the Heavy Profound Ruler, Purple Cloud Wings, and a Miniature Buddha Fury Fire Lotus before winning and sparing her 42.

Black-Corner Region and Han Feng Conflict

After returning from underground seclusion, Xiao Yan saves Xiao Li and helps oppose the Black Alliance 53. He battles Han Feng using the Glazed Lotus Heart Flame and the Heavenly Fire Three Mysterious Transformations, then receives the Sea Heart Flame after Yao Lao's victory 57 60.

Myriad Scorpion Sect War

Xiao Yan ambushes Xie Biyan with Buddha Fury Fire Lotuses during the battle against the Myriad Scorpion Sect 72. When Xie Biyan's Demon Poison Mark invades his sea of consciousness, Xiao Yan destroys the enemy's soul with four Heavenly Flames, then refines the mark to reach three-star Dou Emperor 73 74.

Pill Gathering and Alchemy Advancement

Xiao Yan enters the late Spirit Realm and becomes an eighth-tier grandmaster alchemist in the Pill World 140. His improved soul strength and alchemy elevate his influence among allies and rivals alike 140.

Dou Zun Breakthrough and Ancient Clan Affairs

Xiao Yan evolves the Burning Mantra into a Tian-rank Qi Method and reaches Dou Zun during seclusion 167. He later enters Ancient Saint City, is acknowledged as a Xiao Clan descendant, and defends the Heavenly Tomb arena against challengers from the Eight Clans 188 190 191. He breaks through again to seven-star Dou Zun and peak Spirit Realm while confronting threats from the Soul Clan 192.