Contents
- 1Biodata
- 2Power Progression
- 3Background
- 4Appearance
- 5Personality
- 6Abilities & Skills
- 6.1Alchemy
- 6.2Soul Arts and Possession
- 6.3Bone Chilling Flame
- 6.4Cultivation Guidance and Appraisal
- 7Relationships
- 8Story Role / Major Arcs
- 8.1Awakening and Acceptance of Xiao Yan
- 8.2Early Training
- 8.3Han Shanshan's Fate
- 8.4Reckoning with Han Feng
- 8.5Recovery and Return to Danta
- 8.6Completion of Xiao Yan's Apprenticeship
- 8.7Resurrection
- 8.8Life After Resurrection
- 9Notable Quotes
Biodata
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Old Yao (药老); Yao Chen 48 |
| Alias(es) | Venerable Yao; Venerable Yao Chen; Medicine Saint 48 227 482 483 |
| Species/Race | Human; formerly of the Yao Clan, with no Yao Clan bloodline remaining in his reconstructed body 158 483 |
| Gender | Male |
| Affiliation | Yao Clan (former); Starfall Pavilion; associated with Danta and its Three Great Elders 356 357 483 |
| Occupation/Role | Alchemist; Xiao Yan's master and mentor 12 17 |
| Status | Fully resurrected as a Dou Saint; his return remains undisclosed outside Xiao Yan's close circle 482 483 484 |
| First Appearance | Chapter 6 (mentioned); Chapter 12 (awakens and accepts Xiao Yan) 6 12 |
Power Progression
| Stage / Realm / Level | Chapter | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Peak Dou Zun; Heavenly Realm soul | 227 300 | Before his death, Yao Chen had reached the peak of the Dou Zun realm and possessed a Heavenly Realm soul. |
| Damaged soul body | 12 124 | Awakens within Xiao Yan's possession in an illusory soul form; even before fully recovering, he can contend with a Dou King-level expert. |
| Eight-Star Dou Zong combat output | 223 | Takes control of Xiao Yan's body, imprisons Han Feng with soul force, and executes him. |
| Dou Zun-comparable soul power restored | 300 | Recovery is accelerated by Han Feng's refined soul essence, Soul Nourishing Saliva, and rest; his leaked soul force distorts space. |
| Peak soul strength restored | 366 | With Xuan Yi's support, his Heavenly Realm soul recovers fully and can manifest with near-physical solidity, though he still lacks a living body and Dou Qi. |
| Reconstructed Dou Saint-grade body | 437 438 | Xiao Yan refines a body from a Dou Saint Skeleton and Ancient Sky Phoenix essence blood; its fusion with Yao Chen's soul is expected to allow sainthood in a single step. |
| Resurrection and Dou Saint breakthrough | 482 483 | Awakens in his new body, passes through the Ninth-Turn Dou Zun and Half-Saint stages, and reaches the middle phase of One-Star Dou Saint. His soul reaches the late phase of the Heavenly Realm, and his combined strength can contend with a Two-Star Dou Saint. |
Background
Yao Chen was a cultivator of the Yao Clan who rose through his own efforts to become a foremost alchemist. His soul reached the Heavenly Realm, and his cultivation had once stood at the peak of the Dou Zun realm. Following his resurrection, he gained the ability to refine Tier 9 Treasure Pills. 81 124 227 300 483
In the past, he left Holy Pill City in search of the Bone Chilling Flame. Han Shanshan secretly followed him and ultimately sacrificed herself to save both Yao Chen and the flame, leaving a soul imprint within it. Yao Chen later searched for her unsuccessfully, unaware of what had happened. 49
He accepted Han Feng as a disciple because of Han Shanshan and trained him for years. Their relationship fractured over the Burning Art; Han Feng eventually betrayed and killed his master, leaving Yao Chen as a wandering soul body. 357
Yao Chen eventually awakened beside Xiao Yan after the latter refined the incomplete Myriad Beast Spirit Fire. Impressed by Xiao Yan's decisiveness, he accepted him as his disciple and began rebuilding the boy's cultivation, combat ability, and alchemical foundation. 12 13
His reconstructed body contains no trace of the Yao Clan's Dou Emperor bloodline. Rather than regard this as a loss, Yao Chen intends to prove that his alchemical achievements depend on his own ability, not his ancestry. 483
Appearance
As a soul body, Old Yao appears as an illusory elderly man with an aged voice and beard. He later manifests his soul in the handsome appearance he possessed before death. His reconstructed body retains that appearance: a man in his prime with snow-white hair and an exceptionally youthful complexion. 12 356 366 438
- Illusory spiritual body while disembodied. 48
- Aged, dry voice often used when Xiao Yan adopts a disguised alchemist identity. 14 16
- Snow-white hair and rosy, smooth skin after bodily restoration. 438
- Wears a robe formed from his own Bone Chilling Flame during the final stages of soul-body fusion. 438
Personality
Old Yao is proud of his alchemy and readily dismisses lesser alchemists, particularly Pill King Gu He. His confidence is backed by extraordinary technical control and a willingness to demonstrate it when Xiao Yan doubts him. 17 24
He is also teasing and mischievous, frequently making jokes at Xiao Yan's expense. His training methods can be harsh—such as using Dou Qi lashes to temper Xiao Yan's body—but he carefully balances pain, recovery, and long-term growth. 22 23
Han Feng's betrayal left him deeply resentful and more cautious about relying on others. Despite possessing a flame capable of devouring souls, he generally dislikes using that ability; Han Feng is an exception because of the severity of his betrayal. 48 223 300
His reunion with Xuan Yi reveals remorse for his past conduct and a sincere desire to change. After his resurrection, he settles into teaching and cultivation while seeking to address unfinished relationships from his past. 356 357 484
Despite becoming a Dou Saint, Yao Chen dislikes excessive ceremony from Xiao Yan. He immediately helps his disciple to his feet when Xiao Yan kneels to congratulate him. 482
Abilities & Skills
Alchemy
Yao Chen is regarded as one of the continent's foremost alchemists. He possesses a Heavenly Realm soul and treats pill refinement as a precise art rather than a merely technical craft. Following his resurrection, he states that he can refine Tier 9 Treasure Pills. 81 124 300 483
- Refined a flawless Tier 4 Qi Gathering Powder while demonstrating his superiority to Xiao Yan. 17
- Can refine medicinal ingredients without a cauldron by using flame as the vessel. 187
- Controls heat precisely even when deliberately slowing his work to teach Xiao Yan. 17
- Provides pill formulas, medicinal-bath preparations, and bespoke training resources for Xiao Yan. 13 23 187
- Assists Xiao Yan in revising the Soul Fusion Pill formula to separate souls. 300
- Developed the Spirit Ascension pill-refinement technique, which Xiao Yan later uses in public. 370
- Resumes teaching Xiao Yan and Xiao Yan's three Danta disciples after his resurrection. 484
Soul Arts and Possession
As a soul entity, Old Yao could enter and control Xiao Yan's body, lending him power far beyond his ordinary cultivation level. 12 222
- Boosted Xiao Yan's aura to the Dou Zong realm during the confrontation with Han Feng. 222
- Took full control of Xiao Yan's body to capture, freeze, incinerate, and refine Han Feng's soul. 223
- Locked down surrounding space with soul force, preventing Black Corner Region experts from escaping. 223
- Could create spatial tunnels after recovering sufficient soul power. 337
- While disembodied, his soul power was limited by recovery and expenditure; repeated support for Xiao Yan left his spiritual form weakened and in need of extended rest. 356
- His post-resurrection soul strength reaches the late phase of the Heavenly Realm, supporting his Tier 9 alchemy. 483
Bone Chilling Flame
The Bone Chilling Flame is Yao Chen's Origin Flame, a pale white Heavenly Flame with both extreme heat and cold. 12 49
- Evaporates an entire pool to expose the skeletal remains beneath it. 12
- Can devour souls and feed their energy back to Yao Chen, though he normally avoids exploiting this property. 300
- Was used in Han Feng's execution and soul refinement. 223
- Helps Yao Chen's new body adapt to his soul during resurrection due to its connection to soul-based power. 438
- Becomes active immediately before he awakens in his reconstructed body. 482
Cultivation Guidance and Appraisal
Old Yao possesses broad knowledge of Heavenly Flames, Dou Techniques, cultivation methods, rare physiques, and ancient inheritances. 13 22 43 165
- Teaches Xiao Yan the Earth-tier low-rank Spirit Flame Tempering Technique. 13
- Identifies the hidden Mystic-tier Sucking Palm and provides the complementary Fire Blowing Palm. 22
- Teaches Xiao Yan the high-tier Profound-class Eight Extremities Collapse. 23
- Recognizes a fragment of the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame map and explains the flame's rank and properties. 43
- Identifies Shi Xuanxuan's exceptionally rare Natural Charm Body. 165
Relationships
- Xiao Yan — Disciple. Old Yao accepts him immediately after awakening and becomes his principal mentor in alchemy, cultivation, combat, and Heavenly Flames. Xiao Yan later restores his body; Yao Chen takes greater pride in his disciple's achievements than in his own breakthrough and gives him a Spatial Jade Slip that can summon him in an emergency. 12 13 23 482 484
- Han Feng — Former disciple and murderer. Han Feng betrayed Yao Chen over the Burning Art; Old Yao later personally participates in his execution and soul refinement. 222 223 357
- Han Shanshan — A person central to Yao Chen's past. She followed him during his search for the Bone Chilling Flame and sacrificed herself to save him and the flame. 49
- Xuan Yi — Long-standing intimate connection and, after his resurrection, his principal partner. She forgives Yao Chen after his return, supports his recovery, and remains beside him through the fusion of his soul and new body. 356 357 438 482 483 484
- Fairy Qing — Former romantic connection at the Flower Sect. After his resurrection, Yao Chen asks Xiao Yan to tell her that he has returned, hoping to address their past; Xuan Yi has accepted the possibility of their reunion. 484 487
- Venerable Feng — Old friend and life-and-death companion. Their reunion is deeply emotional, and Feng assists Xiao Yan's preparations for Yao Chen's revival. Feng welcomes his return as a great source of strength for Starfall Pavilion. 367 434 435 483
- Xuan Kongzi — Old friend and one of Danta's Three Great Elders; he is overjoyed to learn Yao Chen survived. 356 357
- Tian Leizi — Old friend and one of Danta's Three Great Elders; he supports Yao Chen's recovery with a Soul-Returning Pill. 357
- Venerable Skyfire — Ally. Old Yao agrees to help modify a resurrection formula for him, and Skyfire later helps guard Yao Chen's revival. Their shared experience as soul bodies develops into a close friendship. 300 437 483
- Flower Sect elders — Former beneficiaries of Yao Chen's help. Their memory of him leads them to scrutinize Xiao Yan's claim to be his disciple and then welcome news of his survival and advancement. 486 487
Story Role / Major Arcs
Awakening and Acceptance of Xiao Yan
Old Yao awakens after Xiao Yan's encounter with the Myriad Beast Spirit Fire. He accepts Xiao Yan as a disciple, teaches him an Earth-tier cultivation method, and begins steering him toward alchemy and stronger combat techniques. 12 13 22
Early Training
He develops Xiao Yan through punishing body-tempering exercises, specialized pills, the Heavy Profound Ruler, and practical combat instruction. His guidance helps Xiao Yan establish both physical resilience and technical versatility. 23 31
Han Shanshan's Fate
When Xiao Yan tells him the truth about Han Shanshan's sacrifice, Old Yao discovers her soul imprint within the Bone Chilling Flame. The discovery restores his hope of finding her and strengthens his resolve to protect Xiao Yan from the Soul Hall. 49
Reckoning with Han Feng
Old Yao emerges during the conflict surrounding Jia Nan Academy and lends Xiao Yan enough power to confront Han Feng. He then takes control of Xiao Yan's body, prevents Han Feng's escape, and personally ends his former disciple. 222 223
Recovery and Return to Danta
Following the battle, Old Yao's soul power recovers to a level comparable to a Dou Zun. He reunites with Xuan Yi, Xuan Kongzi, and Tian Leizi at Danta, where he recounts Han Feng's betrayal and receives their support. Tian Leizi's Soul-Returning Pill strengthens his soul body; with Xuan Yi's continued support, his Heavenly Realm soul later recovers to its former peak. 300 356 357 366
Completion of Xiao Yan's Apprenticeship
Xiao Yan's public refinement of high-grade pills marks the completion of Old Yao's alchemy legacy. Old Yao formally acknowledges his disciple's graduation as a fully fledged alchemist. 369 370
Resurrection
Xiao Yan gathers a Dou Saint Skeleton, seven Heavenly Flames, Ancient Sky Phoenix essence blood, and a Life-and-Death Reincarnation Pill for his master's revival. The reconstructed body is fused with Yao Chen's soul under the protection of Danta, Venerable Feng, Venerable Skyfire, and their allies. 435 437 438
After a prolonged fusion within the Star Domain, Yao Chen awakens, passes through the Half-Saint stage, and reaches the middle phase of One-Star Dou Saint. Xiao Yan congratulates him as the “Medicine Saint,” and Yao Chen reunites with Xuan Yi. His friends later celebrate his return and learn that he can refine Tier 9 Treasure Pills. 482 483
Life After Resurrection
Yao Chen keeps his return private while consolidating his cultivation and teaching Xiao Yan and the Danta Trio. Two and a half months later, he sends Xiao Yan to the Flower Sect to inform Fairy Qing that he is alive. Xiao Yan's announcement of the Medicine Saint's return astonishes elders who once knew Yao Chen and helps renew his connection with the sect. 484 486 487
Notable Quotes
“Rest assured, with me as your teacher, I will certainly ensure you become a true powerhouse at the fastest possible speed!” 49
“This Seat was truly blind back then to have taken in a beast like you who would betray his master and ancestors.” 223