Yao Lao

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Yao Lao (药老)
Alias(es)	Yao Chen; Venerable Yao; Master Green Fire
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Starfall Pavilion; formerly Yao Clan
Occupation/Role	Alchemist; mentor to Xiao Yan
Status	Alive; resurrected in a new body
First Appearance	5

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Peak Dou Zong soul body	58	Reveals that he survived as a soul; displays a false Dou Venerate-level aura while fighting Xuan Protector.
True Dou Sheng	175	Resurrected through a Dou Sheng skeleton, the Bone-Growing Blood-Melting Pill, Heavenly Flames, and the skeleton's power of creation. Zhu Kun estimates he may ultimately reach around two-star Dou Sheng after fully digesting the power.

Background / History

Yao Lao was once a renowned wandering alchemist from the Yao Clan. He cultivated the foundational chapter of the clan's open Three-Flower Fire-Gathering Technique, which accompanied him throughout his travels and repeatedly preserved his life. He later left the clan and became known across the continent as Venerable Yao and its number-one alchemist. 124 170

At some point before the present story, he lost his body and remained alive as a spiritual body. His disciple Han Feng was connected to the circumstances of his death, leaving Yao Lao emotionally scarred when they later faced one another. 58

While wandering in Wutan City, Yao Lao recognized Xiao Yan's talent and accepted him as his disciple. He guided Xiao Yan's recovery from his lost cultivation, taught him alchemy, and remained concealed within the Bone Flame Ring. 22 36

Yao Lao exposed himself while protecting Xiao Yi Xian from the eruption of her Woe Poison Body. The intervention exhausted much of his soul power, forcing him into deep slumber until Xiao Yan used medicinal liquid to awaken him through the Bone Flame Ring. 16 41 54

His existence became public during the conflict with Han Feng and Soul Hall. He fought Xuan Protector, reunited with Su Qian, and defeated both Xuan Protector and Han Feng, reclaiming the Sea Heart Flame for Xiao Yan. 58 60

After Xiao Yan assembled the needed materials, Yao Lao returned to Starfall Pavilion and reunited with his old friend Feng Xian. He remained there while Xiao Yan prepared the final resurrection ritual. 126 127

Xiao Yan ultimately revived Yao Lao using a Dou Sheng skeleton and the Bone-Growing Blood-Melting Pill. The skeleton's immense power of creation restored Yao Lao's youth and raised him into the Dou Sheng realm. 175 176

Appearance

As a soul, Yao Lao commonly manifests as an ethereal, middle-aged man or temporarily takes control of Xiao Yan's body. After resurrection, his appearance returns to that of a young man. 16 54 58 175

• Pale-white flames accompany his post-resurrection appearance. 175
• Wears white robes after reforming his body. 175
• His spiritual body is sustained through the Bone Flame Ring. 54 76

Personality

Yao Lao is perceptive, experienced, and bluntly practical. He recognizes Xiao Yan's confidence and potential early, while also criticizing reckless choices such as Yun Zimo's repeated recultivation. 124

Despite his world-weary manner and occasional teasing, he acts decisively to protect those he considers important. His rescue of Xiao Yi Xian and his continued instruction of Xiao Yan reflect a strong sense of responsibility toward younger cultivators. 16 132

He is modest about his accomplishments, even when others identify him as the continent's foremost alchemist and a former Pill Gathering champion. 170

Abilities & Skills

Alchemy

Yao Lao is an elite alchemist, recognized as the continent's number-one alchemist.

• Refined the Tier 6 Break Calamity Pill within half a day while disguised as Master Green Fire. 36
• Uses the Bone Chilling Flame and the ranked Black Demon cauldron in pill refinement. 36
• His refining methods and soul-power control provide Xiao Yan with direct instruction and insight. 36
• Won the Pill Tower's Pill Gathering in his youth. 170

Bone Chilling Flame

Yao Lao wields the bone-chilling white Bone Chilling Flame.

• Projected the flame through Xiao Yan's body to create a massive fire barrier and incinerate spreading poison mist. 16
• Employs it as his primary flame for alchemy. 36
• Its origin is tied to the Bone Flame Ring that houses Yao Lao's soul. 54 76

Soul Techniques

As a long-lived spiritual body, Yao Lao possesses formidable soul power and knowledge of soul-based arts.

• Used his soul power to assist Yun Zimo in binding Tie Yi's soul to the Origin Sword. 76
• Identified the Soul Hall's secret soul-armor method, which can slow a soul body's natural dissipation. 78
• His soul power was severely depleted after saving Xiao Yi Xian, requiring sleep and spiritual treasures for recovery. 16 78

Three-Flower Fire-Gathering Technique

Yao Lao inherited the foundational chapter of an ancient Yao Clan technique.

• The technique is based on the Three Treasures of soul, body, and Dou Qi. 124
• He lacked its later methods after leaving the Yao Clan. 124
• Yun Zimo's ideas about fusing the Three Treasures give Yao Lao a new direction for developing a flame unique to himself. 124

Combat

Yao Lao remains a dangerous combatant even in soul form.

• Fought Xuan Protector while sustaining a false Dou Venerate-level presence. 58
• Defeated both Xuan Protector and Han Feng. 60
• His post-resurrection body and Dou Sheng cultivation are empowered by the creation force within a Dou Sheng skeleton. 175

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Bone Flame Ring — Ancient ring that housed and sustained Yao Lao's soul; Xiao Yan used it to awaken him from slumber. 54 76
• Black Demon Cauldron — Eighth-ranked cauldron on the Heavenly Cauldron Ranking, used to refine the Break Calamity Pill. 36
• Sea Heart Flame — Its origin required replenishment with Sea Heart Origin; Yao Lao and Yun Zimo collected the latter in the East Sea. 123

Relationships

• Xiao Yan — Disciple. Yao Lao recognized Xiao Yan's talent in Wutan City, trained him in cultivation and alchemy, and was ultimately resurrected through Xiao Yan's efforts. 22 36 175
• Han Feng — Former disciple and enemy. Han Feng's betrayal is tied to Yao Lao's loss of his original body; Yao Lao later defeats him. 58 60
• Yun Zimo — Ally and mentee in cultivation and alchemy. They exchange insights on cultivation, cooperate against Soul Hall, and maintain a frank, mutually respectful bond. 76 124 133
• Xiao Yi Xian — Protected acquaintance. Yao Lao intervened to suppress her Woe Poison Body and later helped her gain control over it. 16 132
• Feng Xian / Venerable Feng — Old friend and Starfall Pavilion associate. They reunite after years apart, and Yao Lao chooses to remain at Starfall Pavilion. 126 127
• Su Qian — Longtime acquaintance from Jia Nan Academy. Their reunion reveals Su Qian had once followed Mang Tianchi in his youth. 58
• Xuan Yi — Close ally who supports Xiao Yan and Yao Lao's resurrection preparations. 166 176

Story Role / Major Arcs

Xiao Yan's Mentor

Yao Lao serves as Xiao Yan's hidden teacher, restoring his confidence and cultivation while introducing him to alchemy and the wider world of powerful cultivators. 22 36 39

Woe Poison Body Incident

He takes control of Xiao Yan's body to contain Xiao Yi Xian's poisonous outbreak, but the effort badly weakens his soul and leads to a prolonged slumber. 16 41

Black-Corner Region Conflict

After awakening, Yao Lao reveals himself during the battle against Han Feng and Soul Hall. His victory over Xuan Protector and Han Feng decisively changes the conflict. 54 58 60

Return to Starfall Pavilion

Yao Lao travels with Yun Zimo to Starfall Pavilion, reunites with Feng Xian, and helps plan the next generation's path through the Central Plains. 126 127 133

Resurrection

Xiao Yan completes a resurrection ritual using rare materials, Heavenly Flames, and a Dou Sheng skeleton. Yao Lao regains a physical body, youth, and Dou Sheng cultivation. 175 176

Trivia

• Yao Lao initially warns Xiao Yan that Xiao Yi Xian is a poison master, yet later spends much of his soul power saving her. 15 16
• His soul body naturally loses power over time without a physical body, making slumber a necessary means of slowing the loss. 78
• He lists the surviving Eight Emperor Clans as Xiao, Gu, Hun, Lei, Yan, Yao, Shi, and Ling. 185