Xiao Yan

Biodata

Name	Xiao Yan (萧炎)
Alias(es)	Yan Xiao
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Xiao Family; ally of Shen Shihuang and the Mite'er Family
Occupation/Role	Cultivator; alchemist; Alchemist Conference champion
Status	Alive
First Appearance	Chapter 5

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Dou Shi	15	Had risen from the third stage of Dou Qi over the preceding three years.
Great Dou Master	16	Revealed his true cultivation during the Three-Year Agreement duel with Nalan Yanran.
Dou Ling	91	Had only recently reached this realm before entering the Heavenly Burning Qi Refining Tower.
Peak Dou Wang / Dou King	91, 103	Reached peak Dou Wang after subduing the Fallen Heart Flame; later fought three-star Dou Zong Yun Shan while still described as being at the peak Dou King realm.
Dou Emperor	112	Returned to Mountains and Rivers Academy having advanced to Dou Emperor.

Background / History

Xiao Yan first appears in the Jia Ma Empire under the identity of Yan Xiao, meeting Nalan Yanran at the Nalan Clan to address Nalan Jie's poisoning. His distant manner initially unsettles Nalan Yanran, though Ya Fei explains that this is simply his temperament. 5

Three years after being regarded as a powerless member of the Xiao Family, Xiao Yan returns to Cloud Mist Mountain for his agreement with Nalan Yanran. He rejects the label of “trash,” reveals Great Dou Master cultivation, and defeats her by combining his purple flames with the Green Lotus Core Flame into a miniature Buddha Fury Fire Lotus. 15 16

The Cloud Mist Sect then identifies him as the alchemist Yan Xiao and accuses him of killing Mo Cheng. Xiao Yan refuses Yun Leng's attempt to detain him, defeats Yun Leng, and survives Yun Shan's intervention through the aid of Hai Bodong, Ling Ying, and Shen Shihuang. During this crisis, he recognizes Shen Shihuang as his big brother. 17 18 19

Personality

Xiao Yan is fiercely independent and unwilling to submit to coercion. He refuses to compromise with the Cloud Mist Sect, rejects Yun Leng's demand that he remain for “investigation,” and insists that his own fate—including his marriage agreement—must be decided by himself. 5 15 17

He is driven by a constant need to become stronger, particularly through alchemy and Heavenly Flames. After learning of the Fallen Heart Flame, he immediately commits to refining pills and raising his cultivation to Dou Ling before attempting to subdue it. 59 60

His loyalty is most evident in his relationship with Yao Lao. Even knowing Shen Shihuang would help, Xiao Yan initially avoids asking him to join the rescue at the Dead Soul Mountain Range because he does not want to drag his big brother into a conflict with the Soul Hall. Yao Lao's capture leaves him enraged enough to kill Yun Shan despite Yun Yun's plea for mercy. 104 141

Abilities & Skills

Alchemy

Xiao Yan is a highly capable alchemist who competed under the alias Yan Xiao.

• Qualified for the pill-refining stage of the Alchemist Conference. 10
• Refined a Three-Pattern Spirit Pill despite attempted interference from another competitor. 13
• Produced the top-grade, three-ring version of the Three-Pattern Spirit Pill by controlling three flames. 14
• Was publicly identified as the Alchemist Conference champion and as a Tier 4 alchemist. 16 17

Heavenly Flames and Flame Fusion

Xiao Yan's combat strength and alchemy are closely tied to his control of multiple flames.

• Green Lotus Core Flame — used in battle and fused with other flames. 16 75
• Bone Chilling Flame — accessed with Yao Lao's assistance; Xiao Yan initially admits that he is not yet proficient in controlling it. 14
• Fallen Heart Flame — subdued within the Heavenly Burning Qi Refining Tower, enabling his rise to peak Dou Wang. He left behind its Origin Flame Seed energy so the tower could remain functional. 91
• Three Thousand Burning Flame — possessed after the later rescue of Yao Lao and aids his recovery from severe injuries. 141 144
• Glazed Lotus Heart Flame — a new flame formed by fusing the Green Lotus Core Flame and Fallen Heart Flame. 103
• Buddha Fury Fire Lotus — used first as a miniature two-flame lotus against Nalan Yanran, then as a three-colored fire lotus against Yun Shan. 16 104

Combat Techniques

• Eight Extremities Collapse — close-range explosive strike used to defeat Nalan Yanran and deliver the finishing blow against Yun Shan. 16 104
• Flame Splitting Wave-Devouring Ruler — ruler technique used against Yun Leng during Xiao Yan's attempted escape from the Cloud Mist Sect. 17
• Heavenly Fire Three Mysterious Changes: Glazed Transformation — secret technique that boosts his aura through the Glazed Lotus Heart Flame. 103
• Three Thousand Lightning Movement — movement technique used to rapidly close the distance on Yun Shan. 104

Mobility

• Purple Cloud Wings — flight Dou Technique that allowed Xiao Yan to take to the air before reaching the Dou Wang realm. 12
• True Dou Qi Wings — gained upon becoming a genuine Dou Wang after subduing the Fallen Heart Flame. 91

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Heavy Profound Ruler — Xiao Yan's signature heavy weapon; used throughout his duel with Nalan Yanran and in battles against the Cloud Mist Sect. 16 17
• Purple Cloud Wings — flight Dou Technique used for aerial mobility. 12
• Soul Jade — a jade linked to Shen Shihuang's soul, given to Xiao Yan for use if he encounters an unresolvable danger. 112
• Dragon-Phoenix Origin Fruit — obtained in the Ancient Ruins and later used in the effort to resurrect Yao Lao. 151 154 155

Relationships

• Shen Shihuang — sworn big brother and powerful ally. Shen Shihuang repeatedly protects and supports Xiao Yan, while Xiao Yan regards his presence as a place of safety and rest. Their alliance began as a transaction involving Heavenly Flame origin energy but became genuine mutual support. 19 58 59 100
• Yao Lao / Yao Chen — mentor and teacher. Yao Lao guides Xiao Yan's alchemy and cultivation, lends him the Bone Chilling Flame, and is the person Xiao Yan risks his life to rescue from the Soul Hall. 59 103 141 155
• Hai Bodong — senior ally who supports Xiao Yan against the Cloud Mist Sect and fights its experts to help him escape. Xiao Yan later returns in time to save him from two Dou Emperor opponents. 17 18 96
• Nalan Yanran — opponent in the Three-Year Agreement. Her initial confidence is overturned by Xiao Yan's growth, and she acknowledges that he is no longer the powerless young master she once knew. 5 16
• Yun Yun — Xiao Yan's former love interest. Their reunion at the Misty Cloud Sect is strained by Yun Shan's crimes against the Xiao Family and Yun Yun's planned marriage to Gu He. 99 100 104
• Yun Shan — leader of the Cloud Mist Sect and Xiao Yan's principal enemy in the Jia Ma Empire. Xiao Yan ultimately kills him after their decisive battle. 18 102 104
• Xiao Yi Xian — acquaintance and ally. She intervenes to protect Xiao Yan in the Ancient Ruins when Soul Hall experts attempt to kill him. 112 152
• Gu He — Yun Yun's intended husband and Xiao Yan's opponent at the Misty Cloud Sect. Gu He agrees not to interfere if Xiao Yan defeats him. 99 100

Story Role / Major Arcs

Alchemist Conference

Xiao Yan enters the Alchemist Conference as Yan Xiao, qualifies for the pill-refining stage, withstands sabotage with Shen Shihuang's covert assistance, and successfully refines a three-ring Three-Pattern Spirit Pill. 10 13 14

Three-Year Agreement and First Cloud Mist Sect Conflict

Xiao Yan defeats Nalan Yanran, but the victory is immediately overshadowed by the Cloud Mist Sect's accusation over Mo Cheng's death. He refuses detention, defeats Yun Leng, and escapes Cloud Mist Mountain after Shen Shihuang confronts Yun Shan. 16 17 18 19

Jia Nan Academy and the Fallen Heart Flame

At Jia Nan Academy, Xiao Yan reunites with Shen Shihuang, learns the location of the Fallen Heart Flame, and refines pills to strengthen himself. He eventually subdues the Fallen Heart Flame, reaches peak Dou Wang, and leaves its Origin Flame Seed energy behind to sustain the Heavenly Burning Qi Refining Tower. 58 59 60 91

Return to the Jia Ma Empire

Xiao Yan returns with powerful support as the Misty Cloud Sect attacks the Mite'er Family. He saves Hai Bodong, kills two Dou Emperor enemies, gathers allies, and declares a fight to the death against the Misty Cloud Sect. 95 96 97

Decisive Battle at Misty Cloud Sect

Xiao Yan leads numerous Dou Kings to the Misty Cloud Sect, challenges Gu He, and confronts Yun Shan. Although Yao Lao is captured by Blood Mist Venerable during the battle, Xiao Yan uses a three-colored fire lotus and Eight Extremities Collapse to kill Yun Shan. 100 102 103 104

Rescue of Yao Lao

After gaining the Three Thousand Burning Flame, Xiao Yan leads a rescue attempt at the Dead Soul Mountain Range. He severely injures a five-star Dou Zun but is left critically wounded and later taken to Starfall Pavilion, where Yao Lao believes his condition may allow a breakthrough to Dou Zun. 141 142 144 145

Ancient Ruins

Xiao Yan protects the Dragon-Phoenix Origin Fruit and the Dou Sheng Skeleton against the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan and Soul Hall. When cornered by multiple Dou Zuns, he receives aid from Tang Zhen and Xiao Yi Xian. 151 152 153

Notable Quotes

“My legs belong to me. If I wish to leave, no one can stop me!” 17

“If you want my, Xiao Yan's, life, then let's see what you're capable of!!” 151