Xiao Yan

Biodata

Power Progression

Background

Xiao Yan is a transmigrator who retains memories of an earlier life as an ordinary person. Those memories give him experience, but no special abilities or system. His rapid development instead depends heavily on Yao Chen’s cultivation guidance and alchemy instruction 869.

Originally the Xiao Clan’s leading genius, Xiao Yan regressed to a few stages of Dou Zhi Qi because of Yao Chen’s influence. During this period, clan members mocked and mistreated him, while his father continued to support him. He eventually recovered his standing and again became the clan’s foremost young talent 842 869 910.

Nalan Yanran’s cancellation of their engagement helped set his conflict with the Mist Yun Sect in motion. Before entering Jia Nan Academy, he had already used a large Buddha’s Fury Fire Lotus against the sect, nearly destroying it 856 972.

Appearance

Xiao Yan is a tall young man with average looks, a muscular build, and a distinctive bearing 846.

• Wears fitted martial attire when he first meets Qian Ye 846.
• Carries the large Heavy Xuan Ruler strapped to his back, making him recognizable from behind 846 961.
• Initially flies using Zi Yun Wings; by his final appearance, he can form wings from Dou Qi 854 1013.

Personality

Xiao Yan is confident in his talent and accustomed to defeating opponents above his cultivation level. Even repeated losses to Qian Ye do not extinguish his belief that he can eventually surpass him. During the tournament final, he refuses to concede after Qian Ye neutralizes his strongest attack 855 857 961.

His loyalty to Yao Chen becomes a major driving force. He follows Qian Ye to recover his teacher, offers his own life in exchange for Yao Chen’s release, and continues cultivating toward a rescue attempt. He can also restrain himself when Yao Chen warns that acting impulsively would endanger him 895 898 926.

Xiao Xun’er’s changed affections provoke jealousy, anger, and suspicion. Nevertheless, when she challenges his criticism, he remembers his own romantic involvement with Yun Yun and recognizes that he has little right to condemn her 859 871.

Abilities & Skills

Heavenly Flames

Heavenly Flames are Xiao Yan’s principal combat advantage, allowing him to fight beyond his ordinary cultivation realm 854.

• Green Lotus Core Flame: Explicitly used while resisting Qian Ye’s freezing technique, though it cannot melt the sealed ice 857.
• Weapon enhancement: Channels blue-green flame through the Heavy Xuan Ruler to strengthen its attacks 854.
• Temporary enhancement: Raises his effective strength from Six-Star Da Dou Shi to One-Star Dou Ling during the advancement tournament 854.
• Limits: Cannot overcome Qian Ye’s freezing and sealing abilities. He also fails to obtain the Fallen Heart Flame after Qian Ye takes control of it 857 896.

Buddha’s Fury Fire Lotus

A destructive Heavenly Flame technique used in both large-scale battles and controlled tournament combat 856.

• A large version nearly destroys the Mist Yun Sect 856.
• The miniature version has a smaller attack range and is described as capable of fighting ten opponents at the same cultivation level 856.
• Qian Ye seals the miniature lotus before it can erupt, then swallows it, rendering the attack ineffective 857.

Heavy-Ruler Techniques

Xiao Yan handles his cumbersome weapon with speed and precision, combining footwork with attacks from multiple directions 854.

• Uses Flame Splitting Tsunami Ruler during his match against Qian Ye 854.
• Has repeatedly killed opponents above his level with the Heavy Xuan Ruler 854.
• Cannot land a ruler strike on Qian Ye during their tournament final 854.

Close-Quarters Combat

Xiao Yan possesses well-developed footwork, explosive strength, and close-combat techniques 854.

• Eight-Level Collapse: Listed among the skills he has honed extensively 854.
• Octane Blast: Described as rivaling a low Earth-Class Dou Technique and as one of his early signature methods for defeating formidable opponents 855.

Flight

Xiao Yan gains aerial mobility before reaching the realm normally required for Dou Qi Wings 854.

• Zi Yun Wings: A high-level Xuan-class flying Dou Technique, rather than wings formed from Dou Qi 854.
• Altitude limit: Cannot reach Qian Ye’s height during their tournament battle; high-altitude pressure forces him to fall 856.
• Dou Qi Wings: Demonstrated at Nine-Star Dou Zong during his final confrontation 1013.

Alchemy

Yao Chen’s teaching accelerates Xiao Yan’s development as an alchemist and helps him avoid dangerous mistakes 869.

• Searches the Alchemist Association’s trading area for medicinal ingredients and pill formulas to support cultivation 961.
• Yao Ye identifies him as a fourth-tier-or-higher alchemist based on their earlier acquaintance. Her suggestion that he may have reached the fifth tier is speculation, not a confirmed rank 972.

Equipment & Items

• Heavy Xuan Ruler: Given to him by Yao Chen. Forged from flame meteorite xuan iron, it is exceptionally heavy, bears mysterious patterns, and suppresses Dou Qi to help build a firm cultivation foundation 854.
• Yao Chen Ring: A ring Xiao Yan identifies as his mother’s keepsake and which houses Yao Chen’s soul. It disappears from his possession at Jia Nan Academy and is subsequently shown in Qian Ye’s hands 850 859 898.
• Diluted Core Quenching Body Milk: Collected from the Snow Demon Sky Ape’s cave. Xiao Yan leaves without discovering the purer liquid concealed inside a crystal pillar 891.

Relationships

• Yao Chen — Teacher and chief benefactor. Despite causing Xiao Yan’s early regression, he later guides his cultivation, alchemy, and survival. Recovering him from Qian Ye becomes Xiao Yan’s central objective 869 898 961.
• Qian Ye — Initially his dormitory roommate, later his rival and eventual killer. Xiao Yan connects the loss of his ring, the Heaven Swallowing Python, and Xiao Xun’er’s affection to Qian Ye 846 859 1013.
• Xiao Xun’er / Gu Xun’er — Former romantic attachment. She spends three years awaiting him at Jia Nan Academy, but transfers her affection to Qian Ye after his check-in and eventually confronts Xiao Yan on Qian Ye’s behalf 830 840 871 872.
• Yun Yun — Former romantic interest whom he had kissed. She rejects him during his return to the Mist Yun Sect, after which he declares their relationship severed 871 911.
• Nalan Yanran — Former fiancée. Her decision to break their engagement contributes to his feud with the Mist Yun Sect 907 972.
• Queen Medusa — Hostile associate who resents his interference with the Green Lotus Core Flame and his use of promises concerning a Spirit Fusion Pill to secure her assistance 849 895.
• Han Feng — Senior fellow disciple and enemy. Xiao Yan learns that Han Feng murdered Yao Chen and attacks him for disrespecting their teacher 896 901.
• Ya Fei — Former business partner and close friend with unresolved romantic feelings for him. Her attachment helps motivate her protection of the Xiao Clan 972 978 983.
• Hai Bodong — Friend despite their age difference. Promises Xiao Yan to protect his clansmen and refuses to surrender them to the Mist Yun Sect 978.
• Xiao Ding — Eldest brother, sheltered with other Xiao Clan members by the Mittel Clan 978.
• Xiao Yu, Xiao Mei, and Xiao Ning — Older female cousin, younger female cousin, and older male cousin, respectively. Xiao Mei distances herself during his decline, later reconciling with him on familial terms 829.
• Bai Shan — Romantic rival over Xiao Xun’er, who resents Xiao Yan before meeting him and openly celebrates his humiliation 839 872.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Jia Nan Academy Arrival and Tournament

After taking three years of leave, Xiao Yan arrives late for the Outer Academy advancement tournament. He defeats Nine-Star Da Dou Shi Xue Beng in three moves, then meets Qian Ye in their shared dormitory. His reunion with Xiao Xun’er is strained because her feelings have already shifted toward Qian Ye 845 846.

Xiao Yan defeats Xiao Xun’er, Hu Jia, Wu Hao, and Bai Shan before facing Qian Ye. His ruler attacks, flight, and miniature Buddha’s Fury Fire Lotus all fail. When he refuses to surrender, Qian Ye freezes and seals him, winning first place. Xiao Yan collapses after the seal is withdrawn 854 856 857.

Inner Academy and Lost Opportunities

Xiao Yan joins Wu Hao, Hu Jia, Bai Shan, and Xiao Xun’er for the new students’ forest trial. He later confronts Qian Ye outside the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower, where Xiao Xun’er openly takes Qian Ye’s side 861 871 872.

His opportunities diminish further as Qian Ye obtains the Fallen Heart Flame and the pure Core Quenching Body Milk. Xiao Xun’er also gives the Gu Clan’s secret Dou Techniques to Qian Ye rather than Xiao Yan. By the confrontation with Han Feng, Xiao Yan has reached only peak Dou Ling and cannot defeat him 891 896.

Following Qian Ye and Seeking Yao Chen

Knowing Qian Ye possesses Yao Chen’s ring, Xiao Yan follows him away from the academy. Yao Chen advises him to avoid a direct confrontation and wait for a safer chance to act 895 898.

Qian Ye subsequently brings him to the Mist Yun Sect and seals his Dou Qi and Heavenly Flames to prevent interference. During this stay, Yun Yun rejects Xiao Yan’s attempt to reconnect with her 901 911.

Xiao Yan later offers his life for Yao Chen’s freedom. Qian Ye refuses the exchange but releases his seal, telling him to become strong enough to rescue his teacher. At their next encounter in the Alchemist Association, Xiao Yan has reached Seven-Star Dou Wang and renews his promise to defeat Qian Ye 926 927 961.

Central Plains and Death

A malfunction in a teleportation tunnel throws Xiao Yan into the Central Plains, where the Han Clan convoy finds him unconscious. He awakens to discover Qian Ye in the carriage and, now a Nine-Star Dou Zong, challenges him for Yao Chen and the ring 1013.

The two leave the convoy to fight on a sand dune. Xiao Yan attacks with the Heavy Xuan Ruler, but Qian Ye kills him with the Void Devouring Flame and destroys Yao Chen’s ring 1013.

Notable Quotes

“We have nothing to say to each other. I only hope you won't hurt my teacher. One day, I'll defeat you and rescue him.” 961

“How would I know without trying?” 1013