Xiao Yan

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Xiao Yan (萧炎)
Alias(es)	Yan Xiao; Yao Yan (disguise) 149 165
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Xiao Clan; Jia Nan Academy; co-founder of Pan Men 376 413
Occupation/Role	Cultivator; alchemist
Status	Active
First Appearance	Chapter 3

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Third-stage Dou Qi	3	His cultivation had stagnated for three years, making him the target of ridicule within the Xiao Clan.
Fifth-stage Dou Qi	15	Xiao Yu recognizes that Xiao Yan's talent has returned after several months apart.
Four-star Dou Zhe	23	Reveals his cultivation during Jia Nan Academy registration and earns an A-grade potential assessment.
Nine-star Dou Shi	115	Reaches this level after two years of harsh training, largely spent in the Black Corner Region under Yao Lao's guidance.
Six-star Great Dou Master	148	Enters the Three Year Pact battle against Nalan Yanran with the strength to challenge the Misty Cloud Sect's young sect leader.
Dou Wang	375	Had entered the Dou Wang realm by the time he confronts Nalan Yanran after the events surrounding the Fallen Heart Flame.
Dou Emperor	374	Credits the Fallen Heart Flame's tempering and the tower's fire-attributed energy for his rapid advancement.
Peak Dou Zun	510	Reaches the peak of the Dou Zun realm while preparing for the Five Great Families' assessment.
Peak One-star Dou Sheng	638	Achieves this level during cultivation in the Heavenly Tomb.
Dou Di	681	Absorbs the Origin of Emperor left by Tou She Ancient God and ascends to Emperor.
Third Grade Supreme	687	Converts his power into Spiritual Energy after entering the Great Thousand World.

Background

Xiao Yan is the Xiao Clan's Third Young Master and a son of clan head Xiao Zhan. His elder brothers are Xiao Ding and Xiao Li, while Xiao Yu is his younger brother. Once celebrated as a prodigy for becoming a Dou Zhe at eleven, Xiao Yan spent three years stuck at third-stage Dou Qi and became an object of contempt within his clan. 3 6 376

The apparent loss of his talent was caused by Yao Lao, the soul residing in his ring, who had been absorbing Xiao Yan's Dou Qi. After Yao Lao awakens, Xiao Yan learns that his talent remains intact and accepts him as a master in exchange for cultivation and alchemy instruction. 7

Personality

Xiao Yan is driven by pride in his clan and a refusal to accept humiliation. Nalan Yanran's attempt to end their engagement restores his fighting spirit; he vows to prove himself at the Misty Cloud Sect rather than remain defined by his years of stagnation. 6 116

Despite his intensity in battle, he values his family and listens to Yao Lao's guidance. His reunion with Xiao Ding and Xiao Li shows his attachment to his brothers, while his later return to the Xiao Clan reflects his acceptance of both his family and his place within it. 115 376

Abilities & Skills

Cultivation

Xiao Yan's recovery is built on Yao Lao's training, repeated combat experience, and the refinement of Heavenly Flames.

• Advanced from third-stage Dou Qi to Dou Di, then converted his power into Spiritual Energy in the Great Thousand World. 3 681 687
• Developed a blood- and killing-intent-laden presence through prolonged training in the Black Corner Region. 115
• Can suppress and conceal his aura under Yao Lao's guidance. 253

Alchemy

Yao Lao teaches Xiao Yan the path of alchemy after revealing his identity as an alchemist. 7

• Earned certification as a Second-grade Alchemist in the Imperial Capital. 119
• Reached Sixth Grade Alchemist level by the time of his involvement with the Han Family. 451
• Can refine Sixth Grade Pills, a capability that surprises Jia Nan Academy's Great Elder Su Qian. 253
• Later demonstrates the ability to refine Grade Eight Pills with Five-Colored Pill Lightning. 540

Heavenly Flames

Xiao Yan uses Heavenly Flames for combat, pill refinement, and dangerous flame-fusion techniques.

• Possesses a colorless Heavenly Flame capable of suppressing other flames. 142
• Uses the Fallen Heart Flame and Heart Fire in combat. 158 260
• Possesses two Heavenly Flames and receives Child Flames of the Bone Spirit Cold Flame and Green Lotus Core Flame. 537
• Employs the Spirit Ascension Method to fuse multiple flames into a stronger refinement technique. 537

Combat Techniques

• Eight Extremes Collapse — A close-range offensive Dou Skill used against Yao Sheng during the Strong Ranking Competition. 260
• Ruler technique — A weapon style Xiao Yan practices in Jia Nan Academy's back mountain. 229
• Adamantine Glazed Body — A Heavenly Grade Dou Skill purchased for three Grade Eight Pills with Nine-Colored Pill Lightning. 644

Equipment / Items

• Ring containing Yao Lao — The ring houses Yao Lao's soul and was responsible for absorbing Xiao Yan's Dou Qi for three years. 7
• Massive ruler — Carried on Xiao Yan's back during his return to the Imperial Capital. 115
• Disguise Pills — Used to alter his appearance while operating under concealed identities. 123
• Ancient Map of the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame — Retrieved from Earth Scorpion. 646

Relationships

• Xiao Zhan — Father and Xiao Clan patriarch; arrives to support Xiao Yan at the Three Year Pact and later welcomes him home. 6 376
• Xiao Yu — Younger brother and close ally; the brothers support one another through the Three Year Pact, Jia Nan Academy, and later conflicts. 6 147 688
• Xiao Ding — Eldest brother; reunites with Xiao Yan in the Imperial Capital and supports his plans. 115 116
• Xiao Li — Second elder brother; proud of Xiao Yan's restored strength and alchemist status. 115 116
• Yao Lao / Yao Chen — Master and mentor; reveals the cause of Xiao Yan's lost cultivation, trains him, and teaches him alchemy. 7 115
• Nalan Yanran — Former fiancée and Three Year Pact opponent; Xiao Yan defeats her at the Misty Cloud Sect, and she later becomes his wife. 149 376
• Ya Fei — An acquaintance from Wu Tan City who assists him with information and a recommendation concerning Old Master Nalan's poison. 119 120
• Su Qian — Jia Nan Academy's Great Elder; learns of Xiao Yan's Sixth Grade alchemy and later works alongside him. 253 374

Story Role / Major Arcs

Three Year Pact

When the Misty Cloud Sect attempts to dissolve his engagement to Nalan Yanran, Xiao Yan refuses to accept the humiliation passively. He commits himself to challenging her at the Misty Cloud Sect three years later, regaining the resolve he had lost during his stagnant years. 5 6

Xiao Yan ultimately fulfills the pact, defeats Nalan Yanran, and publicly reveals his identity as Yan Xiao. 147 149

Training Under Yao Lao

After accepting Yao Lao as his master, Xiao Yan rebuilds his cultivation and begins studying alchemy. His later progress comes through two years of severe training in and around Jia Nan Academy and the Black Corner Region. 7 115

Jia Nan Academy and the Fallen Heart Flame

Xiao Yan attends Jia Nan Academy, reunites with Xiao Yu, and participates in the academy's power struggles and Strong Ranking Competition. He later absorbs and is tempered by the Fallen Heart Flame, advancing dramatically in both cultivation and physical resilience. 184 260 374

Central Plains and the Pill Tower

In the Central Plains, Xiao Yan's alchemy becomes central to his role among major factions. He aids the Han Family, trains for the Five Great Families' assessment, and becomes involved with the Pill Tower and its conflicts. 451 510

Ascension and the Great Thousand World

Xiao Yan absorbs the Origin of Emperor and becomes a Dou Di, awakening the Xiao Clan's bloodline alongside Xiao Yu's later ascension. 681 682

After reaching the Great Thousand World, he converts his power to Spiritual Energy and attains the Third Grade Supreme Realm. He and Xiao Yu subsequently aid the Luoshen Clan against the Blood God Clan. 686 687 688

Notable Quotes

“What matters is that I will wash away the Xiao Clan's humiliation. I will prove to everyone that I, Xiao Yan, am not trash!” 116

“Today, I have come to fulfill the Three Year Pact!” 147

“Compared to having you take me there, I'd rather do it myself!” 646