Xiao Yan

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Xiao Yan (萧炎)
Alias(es)	Flame Emperor 5
Gender	Male 5
Affiliation	Xiao Clan; later competes in Danta's Pill Gathering 5 106
Occupation/Role	Cultivator and alchemist; winner of the Jia Ma Empire's Alchemist Grand Meeting 46
Status	Alive 121
First Appearance	Chapter 5

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Third-stage Dou Qi → cultivation restored	6	Had been unable to cultivate for three years because Yao Chen's ring drained his Dou Qi. Tang Chen removed the ring, allowing him to cultivate again. 6
Peak nine-star Dou Master	46	Reached this level after advancing the Flame Mantra through beast flames rather than an Exotic Flame. 46
Dou Zong	107	Had advanced to the Dou Zong realm by the Pill Gathering and fused several beast flames through the Flame Mantra. 107

Background & History

Xiao Yan was a member of the Xiao Clan in Wutan City whose Dou Qi had inexplicably vanished, leaving him stuck at the third stage of Dou Qi for three years and subject to ridicule. During Nalan Yanran's visit to annul their engagement, he entered the clan hall amid widespread mockery. 5 6

Tang Chen identified the source of Xiao Yan's condition as the ring left by his mother and removed it, restoring his cultivation. Tang later returned the ring after ensuring it would no longer drain Xiao Yan's Dou Qi, then privately warned him that the Soul Hall was targeting the Xiao Clan. 6 8

After Tang Chen departed, Yao Chen emerged from the ring and accepted Xiao Yan as his disciple. Under Yao Chen's training, Xiao Yan began rebuilding his strength and alchemical ability. 8 9

Appearance

Xiao Yan is a handsome, slender youth with delicate features. Though initially described as only slightly handsome, he later appears as a tall, upright young man in black robes during the Pill Gathering. 5 115

• Slender build and delicate facial features. 5
• Commonly wears black robes during the Central Plains arc. 115
• Carries himself with a composed bearing after reaching the Dou Zong realm. 107

Personality

Xiao Yan is acutely aware of his own lack of strength and is driven by the need to overcome it. After recovering his cultivation, he worries that he cannot close the gap between himself and Nalan Yanran within three years, while Tang Chen's overwhelming strength becomes an ideal he wishes to pursue. 7

He is respectful toward powerful benefactors and deeply loyal to Yao Chen. He remembers Tang Chen's assistance in restoring his cultivation and warning him about the Soul Hall, and later seeks Tang Chen's aid when Yao Chen is captured. 6 107

Although consumed by hatred for Mu Gu over Yao Chen's capture, Xiao Yan recognizes the difference between a Dou Zong and a Dou Zun and does not recklessly endanger others in an unwinnable fight. 110

Abilities & Skills

Flame Mantra

Xiao Yan cultivates the Flame Mantra and uses it to merge beast flames into a stronger fused flame. 46 113

• Chose beast flames rather than an Exotic Flame to advance the Flame Mantra. 46
• His fused black flame contains phantoms of multiple magical beasts and possesses a powerful, mysterious aura. 113
• Tang Chen considers the beast-flame path potentially viable because of the Flame Mantra's evolutionary potential. 107

Alchemy

Xiao Yan is a highly capable alchemist trained by Yao Chen. His techniques share foundations with Tang Chen's alchemy, though Tang Chen's control is more refined. 9 114

• Won the Jia Ma Empire's Alchemist Grand Meeting. 46
• Drew two-colored Pill Lightning during the Pill Gathering. 115
• Used Yao Chen's Spirit-Raising Method, combining Spirit-Nurturing Dust and blood essence into a pill to raise the Pill Lightning to four colors. 115
• Competed in Danta's Pill Gathering alongside Tang Chen, Cao Ying, and Dan Chen. 106 115

Soul Perception

Xiao Yan possesses notable soul power, which allowed him to sense Tang Chen's overwhelming strength even in Wutan City. 6

• His soul perception is heavily restricted within the Soul Illusion Realm, leaving him unable to navigate the gray mist effectively. 107
• The illusion of Yao Chen strongly affects him emotionally despite his awareness that it is false. 107

Equipment / Items

• Bone Flame Ring — A keepsake left by Xiao Yan's mother and the vessel containing Yao Chen's soul. It initially drained Xiao Yan's Dou Qi, but Tang Chen returned it after removing that danger. 6 8
• Spirit-Nurturing Dust — Used with blood essence in the Spirit-Raising Method during the Pill Gathering. 115

Relationships

• Tang Chen — Benefactor and senior ally. Tang Chen restored Xiao Yan's cultivation, warned him about the Soul Hall, destroyed Mu Gu, and agreed to assist in rescuing Yao Chen. Xiao Yan addresses him as “Brother Chen” and considers himself heavily indebted. 6 8 107 111
• Yao Chen — Teacher. Yao Chen resided in Xiao Yan's ring, had unknowingly drained his Dou Qi for three years, and later took him as a disciple. Xiao Yan is determined to rescue him from the Soul Hall. 7 8 107
• Nalan Yanran — Former fiancée. Her arrival at the Xiao Clan to annul their engagement intensifies Xiao Yan's resolve to regain strength. 5 7
• Xun Er — Xiao Clan associate who helps Xiao Yan avoid embarrassment by giving him a seat when he enters the annulment meeting. 5
• Mu Gu — Soul Hall enemy connected to Yao Chen's capture. Xiao Yan harbors deep hatred for him but is unable to confront the Dou Zun directly; Tang Chen later kills him. 110 111

Story Role / Major Arcs

Wutan City and the Annulment

Xiao Yan is introduced during Nalan Yanran's annulment of their engagement. Tang Chen's presence changes the balance of the meeting, and the removal of Xiao Yan's ring restores his lost cultivation. 5 6

Training Under Yao Chen

After Tang Chen returns the ring, Yao Chen becomes Xiao Yan's master. Xiao Yan trains under him, builds his alchemical foundation, and pursues greater strength despite being behind Nalan Yanran. 8 9

Jia Ma Empire Advancement

Xiao Yan wins the Alchemist Grand Meeting and reaches the peak of the nine-star Dou Master realm. Rather than absorb an Exotic Flame, he advances the Flame Mantra through beast flames. 46

Pill Gathering and Yao Chen's Rescue

Xiao Yan enters the Pill Gathering, reaches the Dou Zong realm, and demonstrates his pill-refining talent through multi-colored Pill Lightning. During the Soul Illusion trial, he asks Tang Chen to help rescue Yao Chen from the Soul Hall. 107 115

In the Pill Realm, Xiao Yan encounters Mu Gu, one of the figures responsible for Yao Chen's capture. Tang Chen kills Mu Gu and uses soul-searching to identify the Fallen Soul Mountain Range as Yao Chen's prison location. 110 111

Notable Quotes

“Sir, I would like to ask you to act and help me rescue my teacher.” 107

“Brother Chen, I owe you again.” 111