Old Yao

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Old Yao (药老); Yao Chen 48
Alias(es)	Venerable Yao; Venerable Yao Chen 48 227
Species/Race	Human; formerly of the Yao Clan 158
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Yao Clan (former); associated with Danta and its Three Great Elders 356 357
Occupation/Role	Alchemist; Xiao Yan's master and mentor 12 17
Status	Revived after existing for years as a soul body 357 439
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.
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.
Revived	439	His resurrection is complete, though his exact post-revival realm is not specified in the provided material.

Background

Yao Chen was a cultivator of the Yao Clan who rose through his own efforts to become a Tier 9 alchemist. His soul reached the Heavenly Realm, and his cultivation had once stood at the peak of the Dou Zun realm. 81 124 227 300

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

Appearance

As a soul body, Old Yao appears as an illusory elderly man with an aged voice and beard. After his body is refined, he regains the appearance he possessed before death: a handsome man in his prime with snow-white hair and an exceptionally youthful complexion. 12 356 438

• 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. 356 357

Abilities & Skills

Alchemy

Yao Chen is regarded as one of the continent's foremost alchemists. He independently reached Tier 9 alchemy, possesses a Heavenly Realm soul, and treats pill refinement as a precise art rather than a merely technical craft. 81 124 300

• 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

Soul Arts and Possession

As a soul entity, Old Yao can 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
• Can create spatial tunnels after recovering sufficient soul power. 337
• His soul power is limited by recovery and expenditure; repeated support for Xiao Yan leaves his spiritual form weakened and in need of extended rest. 356

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

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. 12 13 23
• 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. She forgives Yao Chen after his return, while he expresses regret and promises to change. 356 357
• 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. 367 434 435
• 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. 300 437

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. 300 356 357

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

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