Xiao Yan

Biodata

Power Progression

Background and History

Xiao Yan was regarded as the Xiao Clan’s greatest talent in a century. He cultivated so intensely that he rarely left his room, but his strength unexpectedly fell from one-star Dou Practitioner to the fourth stage of Dou Qi. The result drew gossip, and Xiao Ning defeated him in a public sparring match. His younger brother Xiao Ze then warned the clan against mocking him 1 2 9.

Yao Lao, whose recovery had caused the loss of Xiao Yan’s Dou Qi, became his teacher. Xiao Yan regained his cultivation and chose the difficult Burning Mantra over an Earth-tier fire technique because he believed it offered a chance to catch up with Xiao Ze. Yao Lao subsequently began teaching him alchemy 52 58 89 90.

After training away from home, Xiao Yan learned that the Xiao Clan had relocated to Jia Nan City. He reunited with Xiao Ze, who told him about the clan’s history, and went to Jia Nan Academy to cultivate. His connection to Xiao Ze earned him respect there, though he recognized that the attention was directed at his brother’s status rather than his own 125 139 145.

Xiao Yan later joined the Anti-Misty Cloud Sect Alliance as the sect expanded toward the Black-Corner Region, where the Xiao Clan lived. His strength and alchemy made him a prominent member. He sought Jia Nan Academy’s cooperation against the sect and helped the Xiao Clan with medicinal pills 316 317 321.

Appearance

Xiao Yan wears black robes when he returns to reunite with Xiao Ze 322.

• Distinguishing feature — By that reunion, Xiao Ze can identify his peak Dou Emperor strength at a glance, while Xiao Yan cannot see through Xiao Ze’s cultivation 322.

Personality

Xiao Yan’s fall in cultivation does not end his ambition. After learning that Xiao Ze has protected him from the clan’s mockery, he resolves to work harder. Catching up to his younger brother becomes a lasting goal, but he also wants the strength to protect his family and companions rather than live under Xiao Ze’s protection 9 58.

He accepts dangerous paths when he sees a reason to pursue them, choosing the Burning Mantra despite the difficulty of finding and refining Heavenly Flames. Years later, he declines a guest elder position in Xiao Ze’s Heaven Alliance because he prefers to seek challenges in the Central Plains on his own 89 345.

Abilities & Skills

Burning Mantra

Yao Lao teaches Xiao Yan this cultivation method, which can evolve by devouring Heavenly Flames 89 90.

• It begins at Huang-tier low-level, leaving Xiao Yan with little Dou Qi and a need to finish fights quickly 90.
• After Xiao Yan absorbs two Beast Flames, it reaches the high Yellow tier; Yao Lao still considers it inferior to a version strengthened by a Heavenly Flame 147.
• Refining Heavenly Flames is dangerous, and their rarity can prevent the method from evolving 89.

Alchemy

Yao Lao begins Xiao Yan’s formal alchemy training after his return to Dou Practitioner. Xiao Yan continues refining and studying under him, later gaining recognition for his alchemy in the Jia Ma Empire and the Anti-Misty Cloud Sect Alliance 90 316 363.

• At the Alchemist Conference, he chooses to refine the peak seventh-tier Bone-Regenerating Blood-Fusing Pill 373.
• Xiao Ze binds to Xiao Yan’s developing alchemy skill; Xiao Yan’s improvements provide feedback that helps advance Xiao Ze’s own alchemy 90 153.

Heavenly Flames

• Xiao Yan survives an encounter with the Fallen Heart Flame and decides to devour it. He later leaves a portion of its power in the Heavenly Burning Qi Refining Tower, which requires regular replenishment 211 316.
• He obtains the Green Lotus Core Flame after returning to the Jia Ma Empire 316.
• At the Alchemist Conference, the Heavenly Flame he uses appears jade-green and is not identified by observers on the known Heavenly Flame Ranking 373.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Storage Ring — Holds his medicine cauldron and serves as the place from which Yao Lao’s soul body emerges 90 345.
• Two-mouthed medicine cauldron — Used in his first formal alchemy lesson with Yao Lao 90.
• Dragon-shaped jade tablet — Contains an Origin Tree Root given by Xiao Ze, allowing the brothers to communicate across great distances 536.

Relationships

• Xiao Zhan — Father and head of the Xiao Clan; worries about Xiao Yan’s cultivation regression 3 9.
• Xiao Ze — Younger brother and the standard Xiao Yan strives to reach. Xiao Ze protects him during his decline, helps him enter Jia Nan Academy, and later supports his decision to travel independently 9 58 139 345.
• Xiao Ding and Xiao Li — Eldest and second brothers. Xiao Yan seeks news of them after finding that they have left the Desert Iron Mercenary Group 125.
• Yao Lao / Yao Chen — Teacher and alchemy mentor. Xiao Yan regards him as both master and father and is determined to protect him 90 345 615.
• Xiao Xun’er — Cousin who shows concern when his strength declines 1 2.
• Nalan Yanran — His betrothed, who comes to Wutan City seeking to dissolve their arranged engagement while Xiao Yan is away. Xiao Ze refuses to settle it without Xiao Yan’s consent 129 130 139.
• Xiao Yi Xian — Xiao Ze’s friend; she and Xiao Yan agree to cooperate against the Misty Cloud Sect 317.

Story Role / Major Arcs

• Fall and recovery — Xiao Yan loses his former cultivation, suffers a public defeat, then regains the Dou Practitioner realm with Yao Lao’s help 1 2 89 90.
• Jia Nan Academy — He follows his relocated clan to Jia Nan City and trains at the academy, where he pursues the Fallen Heart Flame 139 147 211.
• Resistance to the Misty Cloud Sect — He joins the Anti-Misty Cloud Sect Alliance and seeks support from Jia Nan Academy as the sect’s expansion threatens the region around his clan 316 317.
• Central Plains journey — He leaves the Heaven Alliance to travel independently, continues improving his alchemy, and competes at the Alchemist Conference 345 363 373.
• Conflict with the Soul Hall — He helps defend Heaven Alliance City during the Soul Hall’s invasion and survives a confrontation with its Half-Saint force through Yao Lao’s intervention 528.

Notable Quotes

“I still have the Burning Mantra! As long as I devour a Heavenly Flame, I might be able to catch up to my fourth brother!” 152