Xia Yan

Biodata

Feature	Detail
Name	Xia Yan 1
Gender	Male 1
Age at Notting Academy Entry	Six years old 1
Age at Shrek Academy Entry	Eleven years old 22
Current Known Age	Twelve years old; this is the latest explicitly stated age. 66 87
Soul Power at Age 6	Innate Full Soul Power (rank 10) 1
Soul Power at Shrek Entry (Age 11)	Level 35 Control-System Battle Soul Elder 22 23
Latest Known Soul Power	Level 55 Soul King; he broke through from the level-50 bottleneck after contracting the Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear. 120 121
Public Martial Soul	Black Tower, publicly presented as a rare martial soul. Xia Yan later publicly claims that it can materialize and control the souls of Soul Beasts within his Soul Rings. 1 102
True Martial Soul	Demon Suppressing Pagoda – a nine-level, nine-space pagoda that allows contracting Soul Beasts rather than hunting them for conventional Soul Rings. 1
Innate Soul Power	Full (rank 10) 1
Soul Ring Configuration	Not fully detailed. His documented contracts are the Datura Snake, Jade Green Bird, Light White Tiger, Blue Silver Emperor, and Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear. He also possesses the externally attached Eight Spider Lances. 4 13 19 45 64 120 121
Classification	Control-System Soul Master; he is also capable of summoning contracted Soul Beast manifestations for combat. 22 102 103
Place of Origin	Xiling Forest, a remote mountain village in the west 1
Family Background	Transmigrated from another world; found and adopted by foster parents who died in accidents when he was about five and a half years old. 1
Occupation	Former work-study student at Notting Academy; former Shrek Academy student; guest and favored associate of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect; member and later captain of Imperial Heaven Dou Team One. 1 21 56 59 61 106
Physical Description	Slender yet increasingly well-defined build, fair skin, long black hair, and clear eyes. Following his acquisition of the Eight Spider Lances, he can manifest eight blue-purple spear-like spider limbs from his back. 1 14 69
Notable Traits	Extremely mature and strategic; physically trains diligently; a former Soto Great Soul Arena combatant with thirty-two consecutive victories; capable of defeating stronger opponents in a single move; has hunted Wolf Bandits across much of the continent. 9 36 37 106 125
Key Goals at Notting Academy	Contract the Datura Snake, Blue Silver Emperor, and obtain the Eight Spider Lances. He later secured all three objectives. 1 45 64

Physical Description

Xia Yan is a lean and slender youth with strikingly fair skin, as noted by various observers. His most prominent features are his long, jet-black hair that drapes over his shoulders and his clear, limpid eyes that give him a penetrating gaze. His overall build is clean-cut and youthful, though his physical presence belies his age—standing at only eleven years old upon enrolling at Shrek Academy, he nonetheless carries himself with a calm and composed demeanor that commands attention. His fair complexion and lean frame are consistently remarked upon by those who meet him, contributing to his reputation as a striking and memorable figure, even among Soul Masters.

Following his continued physical cultivation, immortal-herb absorption, and contracts with powerful Soul Beasts, his musculature becomes more clearly defined without losing its slender appearance. When the Eight Spider Lances are deployed, eight spear-like limbs emerge from his back; they are dark purple at their roots, gradate through blue-purple, and end in solid blue-purple sharp points. 69

• Eye Color: Clear and limpid, with a piercing quality that hints at his inner strength and determination. 1
• Hair: Long, black hair that falls to his shoulders, often left loose or flowing naturally. 1
• Build: Lean and slender, with a physique that suggests agility and discipline rather than bulk. 1 14 26 In his early years, he is described as fair-skinned and lean. 26 His body later develops distinct muscle definition through intensive training and enhancement. 69 121
• Typical Attire: During his time at Notting Academy, he wore the standard work-study student uniform; after leaving, he adopted practical, unremarkable traveling clothes suitable for his journeys across plains and forests, though his exact attire is rarely specified in detail. 1 At Shrek Academy, he continues to dress simply, with no elaborate or flashy garments noted.
• External Features: The Eight Spider Lances can be manifested as eight sharp, spider-like appendages from his back. 69

Background

Transmigration and Awakening

Xia Yan's story began not on the Douluo Continent, but as an ordinary person from another world who died suddenly after staying up late. Upon waking, he found he had transmigrated into the body of an infant, later discovered and adopted by a pair of passing foster parents. 1 He lived peacefully for five and a half years until his foster parents died in successive accidents. When a Soul Master arrived at their remote village to awaken spirits, Xia Yan expected a trash Martial Soul. Instead, he became the first person in the village in one hundred and twenty-seven years to possess Soul Power—and with Innate Full Soul Power at that. 1

His awakened Martial Soul was the Demon Suppressing Pagoda, a peerless nine-level, nine-space tower that had not been seen in the last hundred thousand years. 1 Unlike normal Soul Masters, Xia Yan did not need to hunt and kill Soul Beasts for rings. Instead, the Demon Suppressing Pagoda allowed him to contract Soul Beasts directly, drawing them into its spaces where they retained a complete physical form and could continue cultivating their age. The contract limit depended on his physique and Soul Power, meaning he could eventually command nine hundred-thousand-year Soul Beasts. 1 However, this heaven-defying power made him a target. To protect himself from those who might seek to destroy what they could not have—and to guard against figures like Tang Hao—Xia Yan publicly claimed his Martial Soul was merely a Black Tower with no special abilities. 1

Early Goals at Notting Academy

At age six, Xia Yan enrolled at Notting Academy as a work-study student, assigned to Dorm Seven. 1 Upon arrival, he met Wang Sheng, the dormitory boss, but chose not to challenge him, prioritizing his long-term goals over petty disputes. 1 Xia Yan had already mapped out his early path: first, contract the Datura Snake, a Soul Beast with excellent growth potential within his reach; second, secure the Blue Silver Emperor, a top-tier plant-type Soul Beast that had been planted for only ten years and was thus within his absorption limits; and third, obtain the Eight Spider Lances from the Man Faced Demon Spider family, which he recognized as a more effective mentor to Tang San than Yu Xiaogang. 1 Because the Demon Suppressing Pagoda had no fixed attribute, it could contract any type of Soul Beast, allowing Xia Yan to plan a balanced team of support, assault, aerial, aquatic, spatial, and mental beasts. 1

Encounter with Yu Xiaogang

Within days, Yu Xiaogang—a teacher at Notting Academy and self-proclaimed foremost theoretical master of the Martial Soul world—sought out Xia Yan. Having heard of a work-study student with Innate Full Soul Power and a mutated Martial Soul, Yu Xiaogang saw the perfect disciple to redeem his own reputation. 1 He intended to overwhelm Xia Yan with his knowledge, force him to kneel, and take him as a student. 2 But Yu Xiaogang's planned intimidation fell flat. When he began questioning Xia Yan about the nature of his mutation, Xia Yan calmly explained that Martial Soul mutations arise from “the fusion of attributes and bloodline”—a concept Yu Xiaogang had never encountered. 2 Yu Xiaogang was stunned; he had spent forty years researching mutation without reaching that conclusion. Xia Yan, realizing he could not afford to let a potential enemy gain knowledge for free, offered to trade information for Yu Xiaogang's records on rare Soul Beasts. Yu Xiaogang grew disgusted, perceiving the boy as calculating. 2

Later, when Yu Xiaogang summoned Xia Yan again, Xia Yan deliberately misled him. He claimed to have lost a book with advanced theories in a fire, and then steered the conversation toward the idea that weak Martial Souls require mixed potent poisons to become viable. 3 This dovetailed perfectly with Yu Xiaogang's existing biases. Yu Xiaogang, obsessed with proving his worth, latched onto the theory—not knowing that Xia Yan was feeding him a half-truth to keep him occupied. Immediately afterward, Yu Xiaogang encountered Tang San, who possessed Innate Full Soul Power and Twin Martial Souls—Blue Silver Grass and the Clear Sky Hammer. Tang San was obedient and respectful, unlike the arrogant Xia Yan. Yu Xiaogang took Tang San as his disciple and resolved to use the poison theory against Xia Yan, convinced he had found the perfect student to surpass the boy who had dismissed him. 4 6

First Soul Ring and Contract

Xia Yan needed a Soul Master to accompany him to the Soul Hunting Forest. He approached the Dean of Notting Academy, who agreed to help. 3 4 In the forest, they encountered a four-hundred-year-old Datura Snake. Xia Yan activated his Demon Suppressing Pagoda, which expanded and emitted a majestic suction that drew the snake inside. The moment the contract formed, Xia Yan's long-stagnant Soul Power broke through—from level ten to level thirteen in an instant. 4 He gained the Soul Skill “Snake Shadow Binding,” which manifested countless serpentine shadow chains. 4 The Dean was shocked but agreed to keep the secret. 4

Second Soul Ring and Continued Growth

Two years later, Xia Yan's Soul Power reached level twenty. 12 He returned to the Star Dou Great Forest, seeking a Jade Green Bird—a wind-attributed Soul Beast capable of atavism to become a Jade Green Luan. With the help of his contracted Datura Snake, he located a thousand-year-old specimen and captured it using the Demon Suppressing Pagoda. 13 After the contract, his Soul Power broke through to level 23.5, and he gained significant physical enhancements, a speed boost, and the new Soul Skill “Jade Shadow Flowing Light.” 13 The Datura Snake itself evolved to the millennium rank, shrinking and taking on a crimson color. 13 Xia Yan then graduated early from Notting Academy and set out on his own.

Wolf Bandit Hunts and Financial Independence

Xia Yan's next major endeavor was hunting Wolf Bandits in the Sylvie Grasslands. He approached the Seven Treasure Pavilion, asking for information on small groups of five or fewer bandits. 14 The Pavilion Master, Yue Yao, personally received him and provided detailed intelligence. 16 Over the following months, Xia Yan systematically tracked and eliminated small Wolf Bandit groups, presenting their corpses for bounties. His purse swelled past one hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins. 17 Although he publicly allowed others to believe that each hunt took much longer, he could eliminate six Wolf Bandits in only minutes; he concealed that efficiency to avoid attracting excessive attention. 16 His actions improved the safety of the Sylvie Grasslands, and the Seven Treasure Caravan expressed formal gratitude. 17

His actions earned the gratitude of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, with Sect Master Ning Fengzhi and elders Chen Xin and Gu Rong admiring his courage and character. 17 Xia Yan’s legend grew, and rumors about his mysterious background spread. Meanwhile, Tang San only reached level twenty after half a year had passed—a full six months behind Xia Yan’s pace. 17

Third Soul Ring and the Light White Tiger

Two years and seven months later, Xia Yan had cultivated to level thirty. 19 He traveled to the Star Dou Great Forest to contract a Light White Tiger—a light-attribute beast with potential to evolve into the fearsome Dark Demon Evil God Tiger. He successfully contracted a three-thousand-year-old specimen, further increasing his power. 19 By then, he had wandered the continent from the Extreme North Snow Plains to the Blazing Volcano, honing his skills through constant travel and combat. 19

Enrollment at Shrek Academy

At age eleven, with Soul Power at level 35, Xia Yan arrived at Shrek Academy for enrollment. 20 23 The first-round examiner, Li Yusong—a six-ringed Soul Emperor—was astonished by Xia Yan's Black Tower Martial Soul and allowed him to skip the preliminary tests. 21 Flender, the Dean, personally guided him through the process, revealing his excitement about Xia Yan's potential. 21 Xia Yan skipped to the final round—a spar against Dai Mubai, the academy's strongest student at level 34. In two moves, Xia Yan effortlessly defeated the arrogant Dai Mubai, demonstrating immense strength and control. 23 Dai Mubai was humbled and demanded a rematch, but Flender persuaded him to recover first. 23 Xia Yan was given a simple dormitory and allowed to skip introductory courses due to his strength. 23

During his year at Shrek, Xia Yan became a famed fighter in the Soto Great Soul Arena. At the beginning of his match against Gan Yue, he possessed thirty-one consecutive victories without a loss and was regarded as an arena legend. 36 He defeated Gan Yue, a level 39 Fire Wolf Soul Master, in one move to secure his thirty-second consecutive victory, shocking the Shrek group. 36 When Zhu Zhuqing asked the secret to his strength, Xia Yan emphasized diligent physical training and strengthening the body while Soul Power was depleted. 36 37 He also challenged the orthodox claim that Soul Ring absorption age limits are fixed, explaining that physical constitution and preparation determine how high a level of Soul Ring a Soul Master can bear. 37

Departure from Shrek and Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect

After accompanying the group to the Star Dou Great Forest and experiencing the danger posed by the Titan Giant Ape, Xia Yan chose to leave Shrek Academy. 38 48 56 Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing traveled with him toward the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and their affection for him became increasingly apparent during the journey. 56 After a month of travel, the three reached Seven Treasure Glazed Tile City, where Ning Fengzhi, Chen Xin, and Gu Rong personally received them. 59

Ning Fengzhi offered Xia Yan support and a place within the sect, recognizing both his humble origins and exceptional talent. 59 Xia Yan maintained a polite but independent stance. He accepted ten thousand jin of thousand-year Soul Beast meat, intending to use it to nourish his Martial Soul and the contracted Soul Beasts within the Demon Suppressing Pagoda. 60 He later traveled with Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing to Heaven Dou Royal Academy under the escort of Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, who was secretly Qian Renxue. 60 61

Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well and Immortal Herbs

Using a detailed map supplied by Xue Qinghe, Xia Yan located the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well in the Sunset Forest. 67 There, he harvested the surrounding immortal herbs and the Ice and Fire Dual Springs with the Demon Suppressing Pagoda, leaving Dugu Bo a letter concerning Dugu Yan's poison despite lacking the ability to cure it himself. 67 He subsequently oversaw Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing's absorption of immortal herbs, including the Aromatic Silk Beauty and Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone respectively. 73 75

The herbs provided substantial benefits to his companions. Ning Rongrong rose two ranks from level 28 to level 30 after absorbing the Aromatic Silk Beauty. 75 Xia Yan's own second Soul Skill, Jade Shadow Flowing Light, evolved into the domain-type ability Wind God Domain, dramatically raising his battlefield control. 75 His contracted Soul Beasts also consumed immortal herbs, greatly enhancing their potential and contributing to the growth of his Datura Snake, Jade Green Bird, and Light White Tiger. 70 86

Blue Silver Emperor and Eight Spider Lances

During the Star Dou Great Forest expedition, Xia Yan obtained the Eight Spider Lances from a Man Faced Demon Spider and arranged for the attached Soul Bone to be extracted. 45 He later absorbed the Eight Spider Lances, gaining eight sharp blue-purple spider limbs that greatly strengthen his physical combat potential. 69

After reaching the Soul Ancestor stage, Xia Yan contracted the young Blue Silver Emperor he had long planned to acquire. The contract opened the fourth level of the Demon Suppressing Pagoda, creating a vast grassland habitat in which the Blue Silver Emperor rapidly developed. 64 By the time Xia Yan later contracted the Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear, the Blue Silver Emperor—Ah Yin—had awakened a consciousness and could communicate with him. 121

Ah Yin subsequently returned to the Blue Silver Forest, where her imperial aura was recognized by the Blue Silver King. Xia Yan persuaded Ah Yin and the Blue Silver King to relocate the entire Blue Silver Forest into the Demon Suppressing Pagoda, offering it denser heaven-and-earth energy and greater security. 123 The relocation succeeded, transferring Blue Silver Grass ranging from century-old to ten-thousand-year-old specimens, along with the Blue Silver King, into the pagoda's available levels. 124

Heaven Dou Royal Academy and Imperial Heaven Dou Team One

At Heaven Dou Royal Academy, Xia Yan received a respectful welcome from the Education Committee members Meng Shenji, Bai Baoshan, and Zhilin. 61 By age twelve, he had become a level 43 Soul Ancestor, a development that concerned the returning Imperial Heaven Dou Team One and attracted the attention of Dugu Bo. 66

When Qin Ming introduced him to Team One, Xia Yan proposed a challenge: if its members could touch him, they would win; otherwise, he would win. 86 87 He used Wind God Domain and an Azure Wind Tornado to completely suppress Yu Tianheng, whose Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul could not break through the wind barrier. 88 89 The attack severely injured and publicly humiliated Yu Tianheng despite Xia Yan deliberately restraining his power. 89 90

Yu Tianheng later demanded a public rematch. Rather than personally enter the arena, Xia Yan publicly revealed a partial explanation for his Black Tower, claiming that it could materialize and control the souls of Soul Beasts within his Soul Rings. 102 He manifested the Light White Tiger, then a five-thousand-year Soul Beast, which crushed Yu Tianheng despite the latter having reached level forty and used his strongest dragonification abilities. 102 103 104 105 The revelation that Xia Yan could summon physical Soul Beast manifestations caused an uproar among the academy and across Heaven Dou City. 103 106

Following the battle, Xia Yan agreed to become captain of Imperial Heaven Dou Team One without dismissing its existing members. He instructed them to train properly and stated that they could leave victory to him. 106

Continental Wolf Bandit Extermination and the Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear

After defeating Yu Tianheng, Xia Yan left Heaven Dou City to travel and train. His purpose was to obtain more detailed Wolf Bandit records from Ning Fengzhi and eliminate the remaining Wolf Bandit groups throughout the continent. 106 During this journey, he used the Jade Green Luan for aerial travel, adopted the false identity Ye Cheng, and concealed his true cultivation by claiming to possess a level-15 Wind Falcon Martial Soul. 107 111

Over more than a month of travel, Xia Yan absorbed the Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew, which enhanced his spiritual power and perception, and advanced to level 47. 110 He encountered and traveled with the Jiang Clan Caravan, whose members were unaware of his true identity; Jiang Qinghe in particular risked herself to protect him during a Wolf Bandit attack. 113 Upon reaching Mountain City, the Seven Treasure Pavilion publicly addressed him as “Young Master,” exposing his connection with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to the caravan. 115 116

After receiving intelligence that a Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear had appeared in the Star Dou Great Forest, Xia Yan decided to first advance to level fifty, contract the bear, and then continue toward the Star Luo Empire. 116 In the forest's inner reaches, he encountered a ten-thousand-year Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear fighting a sixty-thousand-year Griffin. He used the Demon Suppressing Pagoda to absorb the bear, completing his fifth known contract. 120

The powerful contract shattered his level-fifty bottleneck and propelled him directly to level 55. It also granted him a dramatic increase in physical attack and defense, allowing him to crush ordinary refined steel with his bare hand and overpower an ordinary three-ring Soul Master through physical strength alone. 121

Return to Heaven Dou City

Over nine months of hunting Wolf Bandits along the borders of the continent, Xia Yan eliminated nearly two thousand Wolf Bandits and acquired two Spirit Bones from Wolf Bandit leaders. 125 His disappearance fueled rumors throughout Heaven Dou City, while the Heaven Dou Empire, Star Luo Empire, and Spirit Hall all sought to recruit him. 107 129

Upon returning with Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing, Xia Yan's public appearance caused an immediate sensation. 130 131 Qian Renxue, still posing as Xue Qinghe, visited him at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and presented him with an ice wyrm inner core capable of suppressing fire and water attributes. 130 131 Although they publicly acted as close friends, both understood that their relationship was built on deception and conflicting interests. 130 131

Plot Summary

• Notting Academy Arc (Chapters 1–13): Xia Yan, a six-year-old with the rare Black Tower Martial Soul, enrolls as a work-study student at Notting Academy, choosing not to challenge dorm boss Wang Sheng to focus on his goals: contracting the Datura Snake, Blue Silver Emperor, and Eight Spider Lances. 1 He attracts the attention of teacher Yu Xiaogang, who tries to mentor him but is rebuffed. 2 Xia Yan obtains his first Soul Ring from a Datura Snake, gaining the skill Snake Shadow Binding. 4 He single-handedly defeats over twenty students who bullied work-study students, earning fame and shifting power dynamics. 9 He sells Datura Snake venom and participates in soul battles to earn money, and protects a stall owner from harassment. 10 After two years, he reaches level 20, captures a thousand-year Jade Green Bird as his second contracted beast, gains the Soul Skill Jade Shadow Flowing Light, and graduates early from Notting Academy. 12 13

• Wolf Bandit Hunting Arc (Chapters 14–19): Xia Yan travels to the Sylvie Grasslands and learns of Wolf Bandit attacks on caravans. 14 He hunts small packs of Wolf Bandits, turning in their corpses at the Seven Treasure Pavilion for bounties, and earns over 100,000 Gold Soul Coins over several months. 15 16 17 He disguises the speed of his hunts, having defeated six Wolf Bandits in minutes while claiming the task had taken a day. 16 His work makes the grasslands safer, and the Seven Treasure Caravan formally thanks him. 17 Sect Master Ning Fengzhi and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect elders admire his character and speculate about his background. 17 After clearing out many Wolf Bandit groups, he continues roaming the continent for over two years, reaches level 30, contracts a 3,000-year Light White Tiger, and finally heads to Shrek Academy. 17 19

• Shrek Academy Arc (Chapters 20–38): Xia Yan arrives at Shrek Academy, where examiner Li Yusong is shocked by his Black Tower Martial Soul and allows him to skip initial tests. 20 21 Dean Flender personally welcomes him, and he easily defeats the academy's top student, Dai Mubai, in two moves. 23 He is given a simple dormitory and begins combat training at the Great Soul Arena, skipping introductory courses. 23 A year later, Tang San and his group arrive for enrollment, and Xiao Wu learns of Xia Yan's presence at Shrek, fueling her determination. 24 26 Tang Hao appears, beats Zhao Wuji, and instructs Flender to protect Tang San and keep an eye on Xia Yan, revealing that Xiao Wu has fallen for Xia Yan. 30 Xia Yan bonds with Ning Rongrong, comforting her after a clash with Flender, and shares his adventure stories. 32 33 At the Great Soul Arena, Xia Yan extends his undefeated streak to thirty-two by defeating Gan Yue, a level 39 Fire Wolf Soul Master, in one move. 36 He later teaches Zhu Zhuqing that Soul Ring absorption limits depend on physical constitution rather than fixed universal years, then resolves to leave Shrek after the Star Dou Great Forest expedition. 37 38

• Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and Heaven Dou Arc (Chapters 56–80): Xia Yan leaves Shrek with Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing, whose affection for him grows during their journey to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. 56 59 Ning Fengzhi, Chen Xin, and Gu Rong personally receive him, and Ning Fengzhi offers him support and belonging within the sect. 59 Xia Yan obtains ten thousand jin of thousand-year Soul Beast meat, meets Xue Qinghe, and travels to Heaven Dou Royal Academy. 60 61 Using Xue Qinghe's map, he finds and harvests the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well's immortal herbs and springs. 67 After Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing absorb immortal herbs, Xia Yan's Jade Shadow Flowing Light evolves into Wind God Domain. 73 75 At age twelve, he reaches level 43 and prepares to enter the Star Dou Great Forest with Chen Xin, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing to seek the Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear and Golden Tortoise. 66 80

• Imperial Heaven Dou Team One Arc (Chapters 86–106): Xia Yan is introduced to Imperial Heaven Dou Team One by Qin Ming and challenges its members to touch him through his wind barrier. 86 87 88 He overwhelms Yu Tianheng with the Azure Wind Tornado, exposing the immense gap between them. 89 90 During their public rematch, Xia Yan reveals that his Black Tower can materialize Soul Beast souls and summons the five-thousand-year Light White Tiger. 102 103 The White Tiger brutally defeats Yu Tianheng, stunning Heaven Dou Royal Academy and triggering political concern among the empire, Spirit Hall, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. 105 106 Xia Yan becomes captain of Team One before leaving to continue his Wolf Bandit extermination campaign. 106

• Continental Wolf Bandit Extermination and Star Dou Arc (Chapters 107–125): Xia Yan travels under an assumed identity, cultivates to level 47 after absorbing the Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew, and crosses paths with the Jiang Clan Caravan. 110 111 113 The Seven Treasure Pavilion later reveals his status as a sect young master to the caravan. 115 116 He enters the Star Dou Great Forest, contracts a ten-thousand-year Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear, and advances from the level-50 bottleneck to level 55. 120 121 Ah Yin, his contracted Blue Silver Emperor, awakens consciousness, and Xia Yan relocates the Blue Silver Forest into the Demon Suppressing Pagoda. 121 123 124 Over nine months, he hunts nearly two thousand Wolf Bandits across much of the continent and acquires two Spirit Bones. 125

• Return to Heaven Dou City Arc (Chapters 129–131): Xia Yan returns after nine months away, bringing Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing to Heaven Dou City and reigniting widespread factional interest in recruiting him. 129 130 131 Qian Renxue, posing as Xue Qinghe, publicly welcomes him and gifts him an ice wyrm inner core, while privately continuing to regard him as both a potential asset and a dangerous obstacle. 130 131

Abilities and Skills

Demon Suppressing Pagoda

Xia Yan’s awakened Martial Soul is the Demon Suppressing Pagoda, a nine-level tower that contains nine distinct spaces. Rather than hunting and killing Soul Beasts for rings, the pagoda allows him to form a living contract with a beast by drawing it into the tower. Once contracted, the Soul Beast retains a complete physical body and can continue to cultivate its age, meaning Xia Yan can eventually command multiple hundred-thousand-year Soul Beasts. The pagoda has no fixed attribute—unlike gem, wood, water, or earth types—which enables it to contract any kind of Soul Beast regardless of element. 1 When activated, the pagoda expands in mid-air, its inscriptions come alive, and a powerful suction force erupts from its base to pull the target inside. 4 Each successful contract opens a new pocket dimension within the pagoda; for example, the first floor became a lush forest with a clear stream for the Datura Snake, while the second floor presented shattered cliffs under a vast sky. 4 13 The pagoda also provides Xia Yan with a personal safe haven—he can enter the independent space at will, making him effectively invincible unless an opponent can kill him in a single instant. 4

By the time he contracts the Blue Silver Emperor and Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear, the pagoda contains multiple developed habitats, including the fourth-level grassland of the Blue Silver Emperor and enough occupied space to accommodate the relocated Blue Silver Forest. 64 124 The pagoda's capacities extend beyond contract formation: Xia Yan can use it to store resources and corpses, relocate large groups of spirit plants, and relocate himself or allied Soul Beasts instantly between its inner spaces and the outside world. 17 67 123 124

Xia Yan later publicly reveals a partial version of its power, claiming that the Black Tower can materialize and control the souls of Soul Beasts contained in his Soul Rings. 102 His manifested Light White Tiger possesses the body, aura, and fighting capacity of a genuine Soul Beast rather than a conventional intangible summon. 102 103 104

• Applications: Can be used to subdue and contract Soul Beasts without killing them; the opened spaces serve as habitats where contracted beasts can live and cultivate; Xia Yan can retreat into the pagoda to escape danger; the spaces can also be used to transplant spirit plants that the contracted beasts enjoy. 4 12 13 It can further function as storage, allowing Xia Yan to conceal maps, records, harvested resources, immortal herbs, Ice and Fire Dual Springs, and Wolf Bandit corpses within its space. 17 67 125 It can materialize contracted Soul Beasts as combatants, giving Xia Yan the practical fighting flexibility of a one-man Soul Beast force. 102 103 106
• Limitations: The contract limit is restricted by Xia Yan’s physique and Soul Power—he cannot contract a hundred-thousand-year beast as his first ring, and even a thousand-year beast is impossible at low levels; only nine Soul Beasts can be contracted in total, one per level; the age of a potential beast cannot exceed what his body can withstand. 1 12 The full details, independent Soul Power requirements, and maximum number of simultaneously manifested Soul Beast souls remain undisclosed. 102 103

Datura Snake

Xia Yan’s first contracted Soul Beast is a four-hundred-year Datura Snake, which he acquires in the Soul Hunting Forest. Upon contracting, his Soul Power jumps from level 10 to level 13. 4 The Datura Snake provides the first Soul Skill, Snake Shadow Binding, which summons countless serpentine shadow-chains from surrounding darkness to restrain enemies. Later, this skill evolves into Snake Swarm, where the shadows emerge directly from a target’s own shadow, slithering into clothing and coiling around limbs and necks to induce fear and paralysis. 4 8 As Xia Yan contracts stronger beasts, the Datura Snake itself ages and grows more powerful. After the Jade Green Bird contract, the snake reaches 1,100 years, shrinks to a one-meter crimson form, and its skill range, strength, tenacity, and venom are all enhanced. 13 After the Light White Tiger contract, its age rises to 2,800 years, and the summoned snake shadows become roughly equivalent to fifty- to seventy-year Soul Beasts, all carrying the Datura Snake’s venom. 19

The Datura Snake later lays an egg known to Xia Yan as Xue Fei. As of the evolution of Wind God Domain, the egg has shown no movement. 75 After consuming the Snowy Swan Kiss, the Datura Snake's poison resistance and poisonous potential improve dramatically, granting Xia Yan an exceptionally high level of poison immunity. 86

• Applications: Area control and crowd suppression—the shadow snakes can bind multiple opponents simultaneously; the venom can be harvested and sold for income. 7 10 The snake’s loyalty and affection allow Xia Yan to handle it safely outside the pagoda; the evolving skill allows the snake to grow in potency alongside Xia Yan’s other contracts. Its enhanced venom resistance makes Xia Yan highly resistant to ordinary and corrosive poisons. 86
• Limitations: The skill’s range and binding strength depend on the snake’s current age; it may be less effective against foes with strong light-attribute or anti-shadow abilities; the snake must be kept inside the pagoda when not in use to avoid detection.

Jade Green Bird / Jade Green Luan

Xia Yan’s second contracted beast is a thousand-year Jade Green Bird, a wind-attribute Soul Beast capable of atavism to become a Jade Green Luan. After the contract, his Soul Power breaks through to level 23.5, and he gains a permanent passive increase in speed—a simple attribute boost that enhances his movement, reaction time, and agility without consuming Soul Power. 13 The active Soul Skill derived from the bird is Jade Shadow Flowing Light, a buff that increases his speed by fifty percent, later upgraded to sixty percent after the Light White Tiger contract. This buff can also be applied to his contracted Soul Beasts, such as the Datura Snake and the Jade Green Bird itself. 13 19 The Jade Green Bird’s feathers are described as delicate and tough, and it becomes an affectionate companion that the Datura Snake enjoys playing with. 13

Following the absorption of immortal herbs and Xia Yan's continued growth, Jade Shadow Flowing Light evolves into the domain-type Soul Skill Wind God Domain. 75 The bird later evolves into a Jade Green Luan, which Xia Yan uses for long-distance aerial travel during his continent-wide Wolf Bandit hunts. 107

• Applications: Permanent speed increase improves all aspects of combat, evasion, and traversal; the active speed buff can be used to outpace opponents or to enhance contracted beasts in battle; the bird provides aerial scouting and mobility, and Xia Yan can use it as a mount for long-distance travel. 13 17 67 107
• Limitations: The speed boost is a percentage increase, so its effectiveness depends on Xia Yan’s base speed; the buff skill has a cooldown or duration not explicitly detailed; the bird itself is a physical entity that can be targeted in combat if summoned outside.

Wind God Domain

Wind God Domain is the evolved form of Xia Yan's second Soul Skill, Jade Shadow Flowing Light. It is a rare domain-type Soul Skill associated with the Jade Green Bird's wind attribute. 75 Within the domain, Xia Yan can summon powerful gale winds possessing absolute piercing and disintegrating properties. It suppresses wind-attributed abilities and opponents within its range, granting Xia Yan exceptional control over wind-based combat. 75

Xia Yan demonstrated the domain by neutralizing an Azure Wind Tornado formed by the Jade Green Bird and reducing Blue Silver Grass to powder. The Jade Green Bird itself can create a cyan tornado roughly one hundred meters wide while within its second-layer pagoda space. 75 At Heaven Dou Royal Academy, Xia Yan used the Azure Wind Tornado to create a wind barrier that Yu Tianheng could not penetrate and to suppress Yu Feng's Wind Chime Bird Martial Soul. 88 89 The tornado's winds stripped flesh and clothing from Yu Tianheng while Xia Yan remained able to control its force precisely enough to avoid immediately killing him. 89 92

• Applications: Suppresses enemy wind-attribute powers; creates destructive gale winds; shreds vegetation and weaker material targets; provides broad battlefield control rather than merely enhancing Xia Yan's own speed. 75 It can form a defensive perimeter, impede powerful opponents, suppress inferior wind-type Martial Souls, and inflict severe cutting damage at range. 88 89
• Limitations: Its exact duration, area, Soul Power consumption, and effectiveness against opponents of comparable or greater strength remain undisclosed. 75

Light White Tiger

Xia Yan’s third contracted Soul Beast is a three-thousand-year Light White Tiger, chosen for its potential to evolve into the legendary Dark Demon Evil God Tiger. Upon contracting, his Soul Power surges from level 30 to level 34, and the third level of the Demon Suppressing Pagoda opens. 19 The tiger grants the Soul Skill Light Slash, which allows Xia Yan to condense light-attribute Soul Power into his arms and hands. He can either release the energy as a powerful slash with a range of up to thirty meters or keep it concentrated to continuously strengthen his arms for close-quarters combat, making it a flexible single-target attack skill. 19 The Light White Tiger also provides a passive boost to Xia Yan’s overall physical constitution, and its presence further increases the age and power of his earlier contracted beasts—the Datura Snake reaches 2,800 years and the Jade Green Bird reaches 2,500 years, enhancing their respective skills. 19

Through continued cultivation and nourishment, the Light White Tiger grows into a five-thousand-year Soul Beast. 102 103 Xia Yan can materialize it onto the battlefield as an independently fighting Soul Beast manifestation. It demonstrates strength above its stated age, defeats Yu Tianheng after his level-forty breakthrough, and leaves scorch marks and melted stone across the fighting platform with its light-attribute attacks. 102 103 104 105

• Applications: Provides a much-needed single-target offensive skill with both ranged and melee variants; the light attribute may be effective against darkness-aligned enemies; the passive buff to other contracted beasts amplifies the entire team’s effectiveness. The manifested tiger can independently pressure or defeat powerful opponents while Xia Yan remains outside direct combat range. 102 103 104
• Limitations: The skill relies on light-attribute Soul Power, which might be less effective against enemies with immunity to light; close-quarters reinforcement requires Xia Yan to be in melee range; the tiger itself is a large and conspicuous creature if summoned outside the pagoda.

Blue Silver Emperor / Ah Yin

Xia Yan’s fourth known contracted Soul Beast is the Blue Silver Emperor, later identified as Ah Yin. He contracts the young plant after reaching the Soul Ancestor stage, opening the pagoda’s fourth-floor grassland habitat. 64 The Blue Silver Emperor grows rapidly within the pagoda and eventually awakens consciousness, calling Xia Yan “Master” and viewing him as both her master and a father figure. 121

As the Blue Silver Emperor, Ah Yin possesses an imperial connection to Blue Silver Grass and the Blue Silver Forest. The Blue Silver King recognizes her aura and accepts Xia Yan as another emperor after he proposes relocating the forest into the Demon Suppressing Pagoda. 123 Ah Yin can connect with the Blue Silver Forest to gain immense spiritual power and command its collective vegetation. 123 124

• Applications: Provides a plant-type contract with great control, perception, concealment, recovery, and battlefield-support potential; grants Xia Yan the loyalty of the Blue Silver King and an entire transplanted Blue Silver Forest. 45 123 124
• Limitations: Ah Yin initially possesses no memory of her life before awakening and remains emotionally dependent on Xia Yan. 121 The exact Soul Skill Xia Yan directly receives from the Blue Silver Emperor has not been fully disclosed.

Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear

Xia Yan’s fifth known contracted Soul Beast is a ten-thousand-year Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear. He contracts it in the inner reaches of the Star Dou Great Forest while it is fighting a sixty-thousand-year Griffin. 120 The bear is a top-tier Soul Beast whose contract immediately breaks Xia Yan’s level-fifty bottleneck and raises him to level 55. 121

The contract massively increases Xia Yan’s raw physical attack and defense. He can crush a refined-steel dagger in his bare hand without leaving a mark on his palm and can physically overpower an ordinary three-ring Soul Master. 121

• Applications: Dramatically enhances Xia Yan’s physical strength, durability, and close-range lethality; gives him access to a high-tier ten-thousand-year Soul Beast contract with enormous future growth potential. 120 121
• Limitations: Its specific active Soul Skill and the full capabilities of its manifested form have not yet been disclosed. 121

Eight Spider Lances

The Eight Spider Lances are an externally attached Soul Bone acquired from a Man Faced Demon Spider. Xia Yan obtains the Man Faced Demon Spider’s corpse and has the Soul Bone extracted before absorbing it himself. 45 The Soul Bone manifests as eight spear-like appendages extending from his back, colored dark purple at the base and blue-purple toward their sharp tips. 69

• Applications: Enhances Xia Yan’s physical combat capacity, provides additional limbs for attack and movement, and offers long-term evolutionary potential as an externally attached Soul Bone. 45 69
• Limitations: Xia Yan initially regards the Blue Silver Emperor Soul Bone as unnecessary due to his growing contracted Soul Beasts, but the exact independent abilities of the Eight Spider Lances have not yet been fully disclosed. 45

Physical Training and Soul Ring Theory

Xia Yan possesses an unusually strong physical constitution, developed through rigorous training and a diet tailored to improve the body. 36 37 He trains especially when his Soul Power has been exhausted, treating physical development as essential to advancing as a Soul Master rather than relying exclusively on Martial Soul abilities. 37 His approach enables him to bear Soul Rings beyond conventional expectations, including his thousand-year second Soul Ring and his exceptionally powerful fourth-ring abilities. 41 61 88

His constitution is further enhanced by immortal herbs, the Eight Spider Lances, and the Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear contract. 69 70 121 After the bear contract, he can crush refined steel barehanded and overpower ordinary three-ring Soul Masters through physical force alone. 121

He rejects Yu Xiaogang's assertion that Soul Ring absorption years are fixed universal limits. Instead, Xia Yan maintains that a Soul Master's physical strength, preparation, nutrition, and resistance determine the actual limit they can withstand. 37

Spiritual Power and Perception

After absorbing the Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew during his continental travels, Xia Yan gains a notable increase in spiritual power and perception. 110 This improvement enhances his ability to sense hidden threats and complements the spiritual control required to manage the Demon Suppressing Pagoda and its growing Soul Beast population. 110 123 124

Power Progression

Age	Soul Power Level	Soul Rings / Contracts
6	10 (Innate Full Soul Power)	None — awakened the Demon Suppressing Pagoda Martial Soul. 1
6	13	First contract: 400-year Datura Snake via Demon Suppressing Pagoda. Soul Power increased from level 10 to 13. 4
8	20	No new contract — Soul Power reached level 20 after two years of training and resource expenditure. 12
8	23.5	Second contract: 1,000-year Jade Green Bird with wind attribute and atavistic potential. Soul Power broke through from level 20 to 23.5. Permanent speed attribute increase granted. 12 13
11	30 (implied)	No new contract documented — Soul Power reached level 30 through continued cultivation and hunts against Wolf Bandits. 16 17 19
11	34	Third contract: 3,000-year Light White Tiger with light attribute and potential evolution toward the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger. Soul Power climbed from level 30 to 34. Gained Soul Skill Light Slash. 19
11	35	No new contract — Soul Power reached level 35 by the time of sparring at Shrek Academy. 23
11	37 (reported)	No new contract documented. Xia Yan is reported as level 37 before his Great Soul Arena battle against level 39 Gan Yue, whom he defeats in one move. 36
12	43	Fourth contract: Blue Silver Emperor, later known as Ah Yin. The contract opens the pagoda’s fourth level; the exact immediate Soul Power increase is undisclosed. 64 66 121
12	43+	Prepares to seek a Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear and Golden Tortoise for future Soul Ring upgrades in the Star Dou Great Forest. 80
12	47	No new contract disclosed. Xia Yan reaches level 47 after further cultivation and absorbing the Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew. 110
12	50	Reaches the level-fifty bottleneck before seeking the Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear. 116 121
12	55	Fifth contract: 10,000-year Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear. The contract breaks his level-fifty bottleneck and directly raises him to level 55 while greatly strengthening his body. 120 121

Relationships

Xiao Wu

Xia Yan and Xiao Wu first met at Notting Academy, where Xiao Wu challenged him as the boss of Dorm Seven, but Xia Yan declined. 5 Their relationship quickly deepened after Xia Yan lent her money for bedding and explained Soul Ring subsidies, and Xiao Wu was thrilled to learn that he also possessed Innate Full Soul Power, feeling a unique connection. 5 6 Over time, Xiao Wu developed romantic feelings for Xia Yan, often seeking his attention and care—for instance, she was moved when he protected a stall owner and then talked with her gently. 11 However, Xia Yan maintained emotional distance, leaving Xiao Wu confused and hurt when he left without saying goodbye. 11 24 When she learned that Xia Yan was at Shrek Academy, she became determined to pass the entrance trial. 26 At Shrek, Xiao Wu deliberately avoided eye contact with Xia Yan, betraying her lingering feelings. 32 Tang Hao observed her affection and concluded that Xiao Wu had “fallen for Xia Yan,” a situation he deemed dangerous to his plans for his son Tang San. 29 30

During the Star Dou Great Forest crisis, Xia Yan pursued Xiao Wu after she fled under the pressure of powerful Soul Beasts. His actions convinced Xiao Wu that he had not changed despite their years apart, deepening her attachment to him. 45 Xia Yan also understands the danger created by her identity and the hostility directed toward her by human Soul Masters. 46

Ning Rongrong

Ning Rongrong first learned of Xia Yan through her father, Sect Master Ning Fengzhi, who praised him as a peerless genius for single-handedly hunting Wolf Bandits. 31 When she recognized him at Shrek Academy, she immediately visited him, offered a large sum of money, which Xia Yan declined, and listened eagerly to his adventure stories. 31 Ning Rongrong admired his unrestrained lifestyle and bonded with him over his tales. 31 32 After Dean Flender harshly reprimanded Ning Rongrong, Xia Yan was tasked with comforting her; he patiently helped her understand her father’s intentions in sending her to Shrek, and she broke down crying in his arms before recovering her composure. 32 33 Their relationship became one of mutual trust and emotional support.

After Xia Yan left Shrek, Ning Rongrong traveled with him to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect alongside Zhu Zhuqing. Her affection became increasingly explicit, and she proudly introduced him to Ning Fengzhi, Chen Xin, and Gu Rong. 56 59 She absorbed the Aromatic Silk Beauty provided through Xia Yan's efforts, advancing from level 28 to level 30, and expressed gratitude for his support. 75

Ning Rongrong's admiration grows further after Xia Yan defeats Yu Tianheng. Her letter to Ning Fengzhi is filled with praise for Xia Yan and contempt for Yu Tianheng. 92 She and Zhu Zhuqing remain emotionally devoted to Xia Yan during his later travels, and their correspondence expresses longing and affection for him. 102 116 Upon his return, Ning Rongrong openly seeks closeness and warmth from Xia Yan even in Qian Renxue's presence. 131

Tang San

Tang San and Xia Yan had a strained relationship from the start. When Xia Yan criticized Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang’s theories, Tang San defended his teacher angrily and became determined to defeat Xia Yan. 5 8 Yu Xiaogang actively encouraged this rivalry, instructing Tang San to overcome Xia Yan as a goal. 8 Tang San’s hatred deepened when he noticed Xiao Wu’s romantic interest in Xia Yan, and he felt a surge of joy at any sign that Xia Yan might be pushed away from her. 26 32 At the Great Soul Arena, Tang San deliberately avoided Xia Yan’s gaze. 34 Xia Yan's one-move victory over the level 39 Gan Yue shocked Tang San and strengthened his resolve to forge hidden weapons and refine deadly poisons to compensate for Blue Silver Grass's perceived weaknesses. 36

Their ideological conflict also intensified when Xia Yan challenged the fixed Soul Ring age-limit theory. Tang San briefly doubted Yu Xiaogang's teachings, but quickly became defensive and angry at the implication that his teacher could be wrong. 37 Their dynamic remains one of intense, one-sided rivalry driven by Tang San's pride in Yu Xiaogang and jealousy over Xiao Wu.

Yu Xiaogang

Yu Xiaogang was the first teacher to take notice of Xia Yan at Notting Academy, personally inviting him to his office after learning of his rare Martial Soul and Innate Full Soul Power. 1 He saw Xia Yan as an ideal candidate for a disciple. However, Xia Yan publicly dismissed Yu Xiaogang’s research, which angered the teacher deeply. 5 In retaliation, Yu Xiaogang instructed his own disciple Tang San to defeat Xia Yan, using the excuse of equal talent but secretly seeking personal revenge. 8 The relationship is defined by a failed mentorship and subsequent enmity.

Xia Yan's later explanation that Soul Ring absorption years are not fixed directly contradicts one of Yu Xiaogang's foundational conclusions, further undermining his authority in Tang San's eyes and deepening the ideological divide between them. 37

Tang Hao

Tang Hao, Tang San’s father and a Title Douluo, initially hoped that Xia Yan and Tang San would become good friends and allies in his revenge against Spirit Hall. 29 30 But when they became enemies and Xia Yan caught Xiao Wu’s affection, Tang Hao’s attitude shifted to hostility. He considered killing Xia Yan but decided against it, fearing that a dead “white moonlight” would make Xiao Wu pine forever. 30 Instead, he ordered Flender to keep a close eye on Xia Yan, and to execute him if he attempted to oppose Tang San, defect to Spirit Hall, or draw close to Xiao Wu. 29 30 Tang Hao also tried to arrange for Xia Yan to spend more time with Ning Rongrong to distance him from Xiao Wu. 32

After Xia Yan's departure from Shrek, Tang Hao remained displeased and demanded that Flender determine his whereabouts while continuing to prioritize Tang San's cultivation resources. 66

Flender

Flender, the dean of Shrek Academy, was immediately impressed by Xia Yan’s talent and personally guided him through the entrance tests, skipping multiple rounds. 21 He valued Xia Yan as a powerful student and instructed him to comfort Ning Rongrong after a conflict, seeing an opportunity to divert Xia Yan’s attention from Xiao Wu. 32 After Tang Hao’s intervention, Flender understood that Xia Yan’s presence at Shrek was connected to the Title Douluo’s schemes, and he complied with Tang Hao’s orders to monitor him while still treating him as a promising student. 29 30 32

Flender later accepted Xia Yan's decision to leave Shrek following the Star Dou Great Forest journey. Xia Yan's departure subsequently left Shrek with too few students to form a full team for the Soul Master Tournament, worsening Flender's institutional difficulties. 38 66

Oscar

Oscar was initially suspicious of Xia Yan’s talents when the newcomer appeared, but later became a gossip-loving observer of the romantic tensions between Xia Yan, Xiao Wu, and Tang San. 21 26 He also provided Xia Yan a room after his arrival. 29 Their interactions are limited but friendly in a background capacity.

Oscar was envious of Xia Yan's exceptional arena strength after witnessing his one-move victory over Gan Yue. He later reached level 30, though his excitement was tempered by seeing Xia Yan and Ning Rongrong together. 36 38

Zhao Wuji

Zhao Wuji, the vice dean, was eager to test Xia Yan’s strength and regretted not having a chance to spar with him during the entrance exam. 26 He later informed the incoming students that Xia Yan was the academy’s strongest, and he was revealed to have been beaten severely by Tang Hao in connection with Xia Yan’s situation. 29 Zhao Wuji’s primary interaction with Xia Yan is one of respect for his ability and an unfulfilled desire to fight him.

Dai Mubai

Dai Mubai met Xia Yan during the final round of Shrek’s entrance test and was initially magnanimous, agreeing to a spar. 21 Xia Yan defeated him in two moves, leaving Dai Mubai humiliated and eager for a rematch. 23 Later, at the Great Soul Arena, he pretended not to see Xia Yan, suggesting a cool but not openly hostile relationship. 34 Xia Yan's victory over Gan Yue further demoralized Dai Mubai, who saw little possibility of surpassing him. 36

Zhu Zhuqing

Zhu Zhuqing was initially curious about Xia Yan’s strength and talent, though her interest was clinical rather than emotional. 26 34 After witnessing his one-move victory over Gan Yue, she directly sought his advice on becoming stronger. 36 Xia Yan taught her the importance of physical training, diet, and training while Soul Power is depleted, as well as his view that Soul Ring absorption limits depend on the individual rather than fixed years. 37

Zhu Zhuqing later left Shrek with Xia Yan and Ning Rongrong, traveling to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and Heaven Dou Royal Academy. 56 59 60 61 Her affection for Xia Yan gradually grew during this period. She absorbed the Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone under his supervision, strengthening her connection to him and demonstrating her determination to grow stronger. 56 73

By Xia Yan's public rematch with Yu Tianheng, Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong are recognized across Heaven Dou Royal Academy as goddesses, yet they show no interest in other admirers and focus only on Xia Yan. 102 Her later letters to Xia Yan express longing and affection during his continent-wide travels. 116

Ning Fengzhi

Ning Fengzhi first learned of Xia Yan through his Wolf Bandit hunts. He and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect elders admired Xia Yan's willingness to eliminate dangerous bandits despite his youth and uncertain background. 17 As Ning Rongrong's father, he later received Xia Yan personally when he arrived at Seven Treasure Glazed Tile City with Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing. 59

Ning Fengzhi considers Xia Yan an extraordinarily valuable genius and hopes to give him a sense of family and recruit him into the sect. 59 He provides Xia Yan with ten thousand jin of thousand-year Soul Beast meat for the development of his Martial Soul and contracted Soul Beasts, demonstrating both favor and investment in his future. 60

After Xia Yan reveals the ability to manifest Soul Beast souls and defeats Yu Tianheng, Ning Fengzhi becomes even more committed to supporting him. He begins to suspect that Xia Yan's extraordinary demand for Soul Beast meat is connected to the growth of his contracted Soul Beasts. 106 Ning Fengzhi later supplies intelligence on Wolf Bandit gathering points and remains a key source of logistical support during Xia Yan's travels. 106 116

Chen Xin and Gu Rong

Chen Xin and Gu Rong, Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, first discussed Xia Yan's Wolf Bandit hunts with Ning Fengzhi and approved of his character. 17 Both were impressed when they later met him at the sect. 59 Chen Xin subsequently agreed to escort Xia Yan, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing to the Star Dou Great Forest in search of rare Soul Beasts, using his Seven Kill Sword to transport them. 80

After Xia Yan's victory over Yu Tianheng, Gu Rong openly declares that anyone who provokes Xia Yan will face his retaliation, illustrating the sect guardians' dramatically increased support for him. 92 Their unexplained absence during Xia Yan's nine-month disappearance also deters Qian Renxue from attempting an assassination, as she cannot rule out the possibility that they are secretly protecting him. 130 131

Xue Qinghe / Qian Renxue

Xia Yan meets Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, who is secretly Qian Renxue in disguise, at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. 60 Their interactions are outwardly polite, while Xue Qinghe attempts to assess Xia Yan's genuine attitude toward the Heaven Dou Imperial Family. 60 Xue Qinghe accompanies Xia Yan, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing to Heaven Dou Royal Academy and later provides Xia Yan with the detailed map that allows him to locate the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well. 60 67

Following Xia Yan's overwhelming defeat of Yu Tianheng, Qian Renxue concludes that his potential threatens her plans. She considers crippling, capturing, or having other factions kill him, while also contemplating recruiting him to weaken rival powers and eventually benefit Spirit Hall. 90 91 Xia Yan is aware that their public friendship is a facade and does not trust her intentions. 93 130 131

When Xia Yan returns after nine months away, Xue Qinghe visits him at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and gifts him an ice wyrm inner core. 130 131 They continue to act like close friends despite having met fewer than fifteen times and privately wishing the other dead. 130 131

Yu Tianheng

Yu Tianheng, captain of Imperial Heaven Dou Team One and heir of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, immediately regards Xia Yan as a threat to his position and reputation. 66 86 He accepts Xia Yan's challenge to penetrate a wind barrier but is completely suppressed by the Azure Wind Tornado, suffering severe injuries and public humiliation. 87 88 89 90

Obsessed with revenge, Yu Tianheng later breaks through level forty and challenges Xia Yan to a public rematch. 94 99 Xia Yan responds by manifesting the Light White Tiger, which crushes Yu Tianheng even after he activates dragonification and his strongest Soul Skills. 102 103 104 105 Yu Tianheng subsequently disappears from Royal Heaven Dou Academy, leaving his future intentions unclear. 106

Imperial Heaven Dou Team One

Xia Yan meets Imperial Heaven Dou Team One through its coach Qin Ming. Its members are initially curious, cautious, or hostile toward the twelve-year-old level-43 Soul Ancestor who may disrupt their positions. 86 87 After Xia Yan defeats Yu Tianheng twice, the team witnesses both his wind-domain control and his ability to manifest the Light White Tiger. 88 89 102 103

Xia Yan later becomes the team’s captain but does not remove any existing members. He instructs them to continue training and promises to carry the team to victory. 106

Ah Yin and the Blue Silver King

Ah Yin is Xia Yan's contracted Blue Silver Emperor and regards him as both master and father after awakening consciousness inside the Demon Suppressing Pagoda. 121 Xia Yan treats her gently and demonstrates concern for her well-being, while Ah Yin expresses joy at finally meeting him and a strong desire to remain close to him. 121

The Blue Silver King recognizes Ah Yin's imperial aura and accepts Xia Yan as another emperor after Xia Yan offers to move the Blue Silver Forest into the pagoda. 123 Both Ah Yin and the Blue Silver King become loyal to Xia Yan after he successfully relocates the forest and provides it with a safer, richer cultivation environment. 123 124

Jiang Qinghe

Jiang Qinghe is a member of the Jiang Clan Caravan that encounters Xia Yan while he travels under the alias Ye Cheng. 110 111 During a Wolf Bandit attack, she risks her life to save him despite his outwardly calm behavior and her lack of knowledge about his true strength. 113 She becomes increasingly drawn to him during the journey and continues looking back toward him even after the caravan regroups. 115

After arriving in Mountain City, Jiang Qinghe and the rest of the caravan are shocked when the Seven Treasure Pavilion addresses Xia Yan as “Young Master,” exposing that the seemingly ordinary youth they traveled with is an important figure connected to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. 115 116

Work-Study Students and Wang Sheng

Xia Yan became a symbol of hope and protection for the work-study students at Notting Academy after single-handedly defeating over twenty regular students who had bullied them. 9 Wang Sheng, the dormitory boss, initially accepted Xia Yan without conflict, and later the work-study students became his ardent supporters. 5 9