Xiao Yan

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Xiao Yan (萧炎)
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Xiao Family of Wutan City
Occupation/Role	Xiao Family’s Third Young Master; cultivator
First Appearance	1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Second stage of Dou Zhi Qi	1	His stated cultivation level when Gu Yuan visits the Xiao Family.
Fifth stage of Dou Force	10	Reaches this level at age six during the Xiao Family’s annual Dou Qi test, becoming the family’s celebrated prodigy.

Background / History

Xiao Yan was born as the son of Xiao Zhan, the Xiao Family head, and secretly retains memories as a transmigrator. He spent his early years struggling to sense Dou Qi, finally doing so at age four and devoting himself to cultivation thereafter. 5

When Gu Yuan brought Gu Xun'er to the Xiao Family, Xiao Zhan asked Xiao Yan to guide her around the clan. Xiao Yan declined because it conflicted with his cultivation plans, allowing Xiao Chen to take the role instead. 1

During a simulation of Gu Xun’er's life, Xiao Yan secretly entered her room at night after deciding to test whether his Dou Qi could be used on her. Xiao Chen, immersed in the simulation as Xun'er, struck him with a book and had Ling Ying apprehend him. Xiao Yan claimed it was a misunderstanding and that he intended to test his Dou Qi, but could not provide a convincing explanation. 3

Xiao Chen later simulated Xiao Yan’s own life and observed his future setback: Xiao Yan loses his Dou Qi and the status of a genius before meeting Yao Chen, who explains the cause and offers to train him. Xiao Yan chooses the Burning Mantra cultivation method. 6

Personality

Xiao Yan is intensely focused on cultivation. He rejects an opportunity to accompany Gu Xun'er because he considers training more important, and his early inability to sense Dou Qi does not deter him from continuing to cultivate. 1 5

He remains composed amid praise for his talent at the annual test. After seeing Xiao Chen revealed as a one-star Dou Zhe, however, he recognizes the gap between them and resolves to catch up. 10

His conduct toward Gu Xun'er in the simulation is explicitly portrayed as dishonorable: he chooses her as a target for testing Dou Qi, sneaks into her room by picking the lock, and attempts to flee once discovered. 3 5

Abilities & Skills

Dou Qi Cultivation

Xiao Yan demonstrates exceptional early cultivation talent, reaching fifth-stage Dou Force at six years old. 10

• Initially cannot sense Dou Qi despite beginning cultivation at age three. 5
• Finally senses Dou Qi at age four through persistent effort. 5
• Is considered capable of condensing a Dou Qi vortex and becoming a Dou Zhe within three years based on his early progress. 10

Burning Mantra

In Xiao Chen’s simulation of his life, Xiao Yan chooses the Burning Mantra after Yao Chen becomes his teacher. 6

• Yao Chen offers the technique after revealing the reason for Xiao Yan’s cultivation problems. 6
• Its future development is associated with Xiao Yan’s rise, though Xiao Chen considers Yao Chen’s support the more decisive advantage. 9

Relationships

• Xiao Zhan — Father and Xiao Family head. Xiao Zhan is proud of Xiao Yan’s cultivation talent and publicly declares that he has the potential to become a Dou Sheng. 1 10
• Xiao Chen — Fellow Xiao Family member and rival in cultivation. Xiao Yan vows to catch up after Xiao Chen reveals one-star Dou Zhe cultivation. 10
• Gu Xun'er / Xiao Xun'er — A guest of the Xiao Family whom Xiao Yan was initially asked to accompany; he declined. In simulated events, he intrudes into her room and is captured by Ling Ying. 1 3
• Yao Chen / Yao Lao — Future teacher encountered after Xiao Yan loses his Dou Qi. Yao Chen offers him training and gives him the Burning Mantra in the simulation. 6

Story Role / Major Arcs

Gu Xun'er's Arrival

Xiao Yan declines Xiao Zhan’s request to show Gu Xun'er around the Xiao Clan, citing his need to cultivate. Xiao Chen takes his place and forms the connection with Xun'er instead. 1

Simulated Intrusion Incident

Within Xiao Chen’s simulation of Gu Xun'er, Xiao Yan enters Xun'er's room at night to test his Dou Qi. He is discovered, struck, captured by Ling Ying, and handed over to Xiao Zhan for discipline. 3 4

Xiao Family Talent Test

At the annual test, Xiao Yan displays fifth-stage Dou Force at age six and becomes the Xiao Family’s new prodigy. Xiao Chen’s superior one-star Dou Zhe result motivates Xiao Yan to train harder. 10

Simulated Fall and Apprenticeship

A later simulation shows Xiao Yan losing his Dou Qi and genius status before Yao Chen awakens and takes him on as a disciple. He selects the Burning Mantra and seeks a way to obtain funds for medicinal materials. 6

Trivia

• Xiao Yan is secretly a transmigrator, a fact known only to himself within the simulation of his life. 5
• Xiao Chen identifies him as a future figure whose achievements are “destined to be limitless,” despite his current childhood cultivation level. 1
• Xiao Chen later reassures Xiao Zhan that Xiao Yan’s three-year decline is only a period of tempering and that he will eventually shake the Dou Qi Continent. 19