Xiao Yan

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Xiao Yan (萧炎)
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Xiao Family; Jia Nan Academy
Occupation/Role	Cultivator; alchemist; Jia Nan Academy student
Status	Alive
First Appearance	3

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Four-star Fighter	22	Yao Lao assesses him as a Four-star Fighter while comparing him to Ji Changqing's concealed cultivation.
Da Dou Shi	132	Breaks through after consuming a Three-Pattern Green Spirit Pill before traveling to fulfill the Three-Year Agreement.

Background / History

Xiao Yan was engaged to Nalan Yanran through an agreement between the Xiao and Nalan families. When Yanran came to Wutan City to dissolve the engagement, he initially remained composed despite having endured years of contempt after his talent was ruined. The annulment ultimately led to the Three-Year Agreement between them. 4 7

During a herb-gathering expedition near the Monster Beast Mountain Range, Xiao Yan encountered Ji Changqing and Xiao Yi Xian. He followed them to a hidden cave, survived an ambush with Yao Lao's help, and competed with Ji Changqing for the cave's techniques and treasures. 22 24 25

Under Yao Lao's guidance, Xiao Yan trained in the Monster Beast Mountain Range and cultivated the Earth Tier Flame Splitting Wave Palm, partly driven by his wish to surpass the green-robed youth he had met there. 27

Three years later, Xiao Yan arrived at the Misty Cloud Sect to honor his agreement with Nalan Yanran. Although he had reached the Da Dou Shi realm, Yanran's hidden Dou Wang cultivation and the intervention of powerful souls turned the duel decisively against him. 132 133 135 138

Appearance

Xiao Yan is a lean, slightly dark-complexioned youth whose features have been weathered by prolonged harsh training. He commonly wears black robes and carries a massive black ruler on his back. 132 133 145

• Carries the Black Heavy Ruler.
• Has dark eyes and a notably resilient bearing. 145
• Appears ragged and exhausted after the Fire Energy Hunt Competition. 145

Personality

Xiao Yan is fiercely determined, competitive, and unwilling to abandon a challenge once he has committed to it. He seeks strength through relentless training and repeatedly measures himself against Ji Changqing, even after recognizing the gulf between them. 27 143 145

He also values debts and loyalty. He credits Ji Changqing and the Misty Cloud Sect for speaking up for him, indirectly protecting the Xiao Family, and killing Han Feng, whom he considers Yao Lao's traitorous former disciple. 140 145

His feelings for Xiao Xun'er deeply affect his behavior. Learning that she had chosen Ji Changqing devastated him and drove him to enter the Inner Academy Selection Tournament, where his emotional turmoil made his fighting style unusually ruthless. 141 142

Abilities & Skills

Alchemy

Xiao Yan possesses considerable alchemical talent and won an alchemy competition prior to the Three-Year Agreement, trading its Spirit Fusion Pill formula for Seven Illusory Green Spirit Saliva to nourish Yao Lao. Fama considers his alchemy talent second only to Ji Changqing's. 132 133

Flame Splitting Wave Palm

An Earth Tier Fighting Skill trained under Yao Lao in the Monster Beast Mountain Range. 27

• Channels fire-attributed Dou Qi through the Black Heavy Ruler. 146
• Produces an energy resonance recognizable as an Earth Tier technique. 146
• Its full-force strike can threaten a Dou Wang, though Ji Changqing emerged from it unharmed. 147

Heavenly Flame Control

Xiao Yan can wield Beast Fire, the Profound Yellow Flame, and the Bone Spirit Cold Flame. 134 137

• Uses Beast Fire and the Profound Yellow Flame together to create his Fire Lotus. 134
• His control of the Bone Spirit Cold Flame is revealed during the Three-Year Agreement. 137
• Combining multiple flames places immense strain on his concentration and body. 148 149

Buddha's Rage Fire Lotus

Xiao Yan's signature flame-fusion technique, developed through life-and-death experiences. 148

• Requires precise soul-power control to balance multiple Heavenly Flames. 148
• Initially formed with two flames; later clashes with Ji Changqing using a Fire Lotus containing four types of Heavenly Flame. 148 149
• The collision threatens the entire Inner Academy and leaves Xiao Yan severely injured and unconscious. 149

Movement and Soundwave Techniques

While preparing to enter the Inner Academy, Xiao Yan trained two high-level Fighting Skills acquired through separate means. 143

• Three Thousand Thunder Movement — Low-grade Earth Tier movement technique; lets him traverse roughly a hundred meters in a flash. 143
• Lion Tiger Shattering Gold Chant — High-grade Xuan Tier soundwave technique from Jia Nan Academy's library. 143

Equipment / Items

• Black Heavy Ruler — His signature weapon, used to channel Dou Qi and execute Flame Splitting Wave Palm. 133 146
• Ancient black ring — The vessel in which Yao Lao resides. 132 152
• Xiao Family Ancient Jade Token — A clan heirloom surrendered to Ji Changqing under threat; Ji Changqing promised Xiao Yan one favor in exchange. 151 152

Relationships

• Yao Lao — Master and protector residing in Xiao Yan's ring. He trains Xiao Yan, assists him against poison, and repeatedly acts to keep him alive. 24 27 135 152
• Nalan Yanran — Former fiancée and opponent in the Three-Year Agreement. Xiao Yan arrives at the Misty Cloud Sect to fulfill their agreement but is defeated. 4 132 135
• Ji Changqing — Rival, occasional benefactor, and the person Xiao Yan most wishes to surpass. Xiao Yan acknowledges three favors from him, yet challenges him because of Xiao Xun'er. 140 145
• Xiao Xun'er — Xiao Yan harbors deep feelings for her. Her relationship with Ji Changqing breaks his heart and becomes a major motivation for his entry into the Inner Academy. 141 142 145
• Xiao Yi Xian — Met during the herb-gathering expedition. They compete for the cave's opportunity after Xiao Yan follows her and Ji Changqing there. 22 25
• Xiao Yu, Xiao Ning, and Xiao Mei — Xiao Family companions who reunite with and support him after his return to Jia Nan City. 141 142

Story Role / Major Arcs

Three-Year Agreement

Xiao Yan returns to the Misty Cloud Sect as a Da Dou Shi to challenge Nalan Yanran. He deploys Flame Splitting Wave Palm and Buddha's Rage Fire Lotus, but Yanran's superior cultivation and Yao Lao's eventual surrender end the confrontation in defeat. 132 134 135 138

Return to Jia Nan Academy

After learning that Xiao Xun'er is with Ji Changqing, Xiao Yan enters the Inner Academy Selection Tournament to confront her and establish that he is not inferior to Ji Changqing. His grief hardens his fighting style, helping him reach the final four. 142

Challenge to Ji Changqing

Upon reaching the Inner Academy, Xiao Yan openly challenges Ji Changqing despite admitting that he owes him favors. Ji Changqing effortlessly withstands Flame Splitting Wave Palm, duplicates Buddha's Rage Fire Lotus, and escapes the resulting four-flame collision unscathed while Xiao Yan is critically injured. 145 147 148 149

Ancient Jade Exchange

While Xiao Yan recovers, Ji Changqing demands the Xiao Family Ancient Jade Token and threatens to kill him if he refuses. Xiao Yan initially resists, but ultimately relinquishes the token after Yao Lao is intimidated by an unseen Misty Cloud Sect presence; Ji Changqing agrees to owe him a favor. 151 152

Notable Quotes

“I had once hoped... that I could become brothers with you, Yunlan Saint Son. But now... I have a reason I must defeat you.” 145

“One day, I will defeat you.” 152