Yao Lao

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Yao Lao (药老)
Alias(es)	Medicine Venerable; Venerable Yao; Yao Chen
Gender	Male
Occupation/Role	Alchemist; Xiao Yan's teacher and mentor
Status	Soul entity seeking resurrection
Affiliation	Xiao Yan; allied with Xiao Li and the Thunder Sect
First Appearance	Chapter 15

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Soul entity possessing Xiao Yan	15	Guides Xiao Yan after inhabiting him; Xiao Yan resolves to catch up to Xiao Li. 15
Dou Zong	62	The Purple-Clear Spirit-Nurturing Vine restores enough strength for him to wield Dou Zong-level power. 62
Approximately two- to three-star Dou Zong	78	Protector Xuan identifies his current strength while confronting him during the assault on Han Feng. 78
Three-star Dou Zong	112	After consuming soul-restoring resources, he recovers sufficient strength to possess Xiao Yan and confront Protector Wu. 112

Background / History

Yao Lao resides within the ring worn by Xiao Yan and becomes his teacher, overseeing the younger man's cultivation, combat training, and alchemy. His harsh training is intended to strengthen Xiao Yan's resolve rather than simply increase his realm. 41 46 63

He is later introduced to Xiao Li and Xiao Ding when the brothers investigate a Strange Fire in Shimo City. Xiao Li provides the rare Tier 6 Purple-Clear Spirit-Nurturing Vine, allowing Yao Lao to regain Dou Zong-level strength. In return, Yao Lao agrees to support the Thunder Sect's reputation and occasionally refine Tier 5 pills. 62

Yao Lao's former disciple Han Feng betrayed him and cooperated with the Soul Hall. Upon learning that Han Feng is in Maple City, Yao Lao immediately seeks revenge; he joins Xiao Li's operation against Han Feng and later confronts Soul Hall protectors pursuing him. 77 78 112

His allies collect medicinal herbs, corpses, and other materials to restore him to a physical body. Yao Lao states that a low-rank Dou Saint corpse would be most suitable, while a stronger corpse risks overwhelming his soul with its residual consciousness. 80 87

Personality

Yao Lao is experienced, perceptive, and protective of the Xiao brothers. He recognizes Xiao Yan's loyalty and is moved by his disciple's determination to restore his physical body. 46 68 87

As a mentor, he can be stern and deliberately tests Xiao Yan's patience, criticizing rashness and demanding discipline. His warmth is most evident when he acknowledges Xiao Yan's progress or offers Xiao Li knowledge and guidance without reservation. 63 76 118

Han Feng and the Soul Hall provoke a markedly different side of him: his usual composure gives way to open rage and a determination to kill those who betrayed or threaten him. 77 78 112

Abilities & Skills

Soul Power

Yao Lao possesses exceptionally powerful soul perception and telekinetic control.

• Detects hidden chambers, Strange Fire, and unusual auras through soul perception. 41 62
• Removes vast quantities of sand to expose an underground tunnel leading toward the Green Lotus Core Flame. 64
• Maintains a protective soul-power passage through the underground tunnel with little apparent strain. 64
• Recognizes Qing Lin's Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils. 64

Alchemy

Yao Lao is described as a peak Tier 8 alchemist, making Tier 5 pill refinement a simple task for him. 62

• Refines pills for the Thunder Sect under his agreement with Xiao Li. 62 76
• Refines nine Dou-Spirit Pills for Xiao Li's contributing elders, though the effort consumes substantial soul energy. 76 80
• Refines the Imperial Extreme Pill that raises Xiao Li from the Dou Emperor realm to four-star Dou Emperor. 132 133
• Advises Xiao Li on purifying Dou Qi impurities and identifies Heavenly Flames, special cultivation sites, or Strange Lightning as possible solutions. 87
• Receives the Soul Fusion Pill formula from Fa Ma, which may assist his recovery once its ingredients are gathered. 115

Possession

Yao Lao can possess Xiao Yan to fight through his disciple's body.

• Uses possession to confront Han Feng, wielding the Bone-Chilling Cold Flame and the Heavy Profound Ruler. 78
• Possesses Xiao Yan again to face Protector Wu when the Soul Hall intervenes. 112
• Possession and prolonged combat heavily consume his soul energy, requiring medicinal herbs and other restorative resources afterward. 79 115

Heavenly Flames and Combat

Despite lacking a physical body, Yao Lao can fight as a Dou Zong and employ multiple Heavenly Flames.

• Subdues the Dou Ling-level Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake while maintaining the underground passage. 64
• Severely wounds peak Dou Emperor Medusa with the Earth-tier Flame Splitting Wave Devouring Ruler. 66 67
• Uses the Bone-Chilling Cold Flame to overwhelm Han Feng, whose techniques and combat knowledge largely originated from Yao Lao himself. 78
• Cycles among different Heavenly Flames through formidable soul control, frustrating Soul Hall protectors in battle. 113
• Forms a fire seal from three Heavenly Flames to confine Protector Wu and Protector Qi. 114

Equipment / Items

• Bone Flame Ring — The ring in which Yao Lao resides while in soul form. 79
• Heavy Profound Ruler — Wielded by Xiao Yan and Yao Lao during possession; Yao Lao also keeps a spare black heavy ruler in his Storage Ring. 66 78
• Purple-Clear Spirit-Nurturing Vine — Tier 6 soul-restoring herb supplied by Xiao Li. 62
• Bone-Chilling Cold Flame — Heavenly Flame used prominently in his battles. 78 112

Relationships

• Xiao Yan — Teacher and disciple. Yao Lao trains, guides, protects, and occasionally possesses Xiao Yan; Xiao Yan is unwaveringly committed to restoring his teacher's body. 41 46 68 87
• Xiao Li — Ally and trusted junior. Xiao Li restores Yao Lao's strength with a Tier 6 herb, supports his revenge against Han Feng, and gathers materials for his resurrection. 62 77 80 87
• Xiao Ding — Xiao Yan's elder brother and one of the Xiao siblings Yao Lao comes to regard as family. 62 118
• Han Feng — Former disciple who betrayed Yao Lao and colluded with the Soul Hall; Yao Lao seeks his death and the return of the Burning Mantra. 77 78
• Queen Medusa — Initially an enemy whom Yao Lao severely wounds; she later assists Yao Lao and Xiao Yan against Protector Xuan. 67 79
• Fa Ma — Fellow alchemist who provides the Soul Fusion Pill formula and receives Yao Lao's guidance in return. 115
• Wind Venerable — Has a prior connection with Yao Lao, evidenced by Wind Venerable's reaction to the Yin Yang Profound Dragon Pill and Yao Lao's name. 136

Story Role / Major Arcs

Xiao Yan's Early Training

Yao Lao guides Xiao Yan's cultivation after taking residence in his ring, helping him develop rapidly through harsh training, battle experience, and alchemy. 15 41 46

Search for the Green Lotus Core Flame

He helps locate the underground route to the Green Lotus Core Flame, protects the group during the descent, subdues the Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake, and supports Xiao Yan's successful absorption of the flame. 64 68

Alliance with the Thunder Sect

After meeting Xiao Li, Yao Lao accepts the Purple-Clear Spirit-Nurturing Vine and enters an alliance that gives the Thunder Sect access to a high-level alchemist while providing him resources for recovery. 62 76

Revenge Against Han Feng

Yao Lao's personal enmity with Han Feng drives the assault on Maple City. He confronts his former disciple directly, then battles Protector Xuan when the Soul Hall intervenes. 77 78 79

Conflict with the Soul Hall

Yao Lao repeatedly emerges to defend Xiao Yan from Soul Hall protectors. His recovered strength and control of several Heavenly Flames become decisive assets in the conflict around the Misty Cloud Sect. 112 113 114

Preparation for Resurrection

Yao Lao's allies continue seeking herbs, a suitable body, and soul-recovery methods. He shares information about the wider continent and Strange Lightning to prepare Xiao Li for his journey toward the Central Plains. 87 115 118

Notable Quotes

“As long as your Soul Hall hasn't been wiped out, it is impossible for this old man to die.” 112

“You unfilial disciple, colluding with the Soul Hall—today, you shall surely die!” 78

“Foolish disciple, have you forgotten what your second brother taught you? If you don't pull up the weeds by the roots, you'll have endless trouble later!” 76