Xiao Yan

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Xiao Yan (萧炎)
Alias(es)	Third Young Master Xiao Yan; Destiny Protagonist
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Xiao Clan
Occupation/Role	Cultivator
Status	Active
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Third Stage Dou Qi	1	His Dou Qi has regressed for three years because Medicine Elder absorbed it through his Storage Ring.
Seventh Stage Dou Qi	19	Xiao Ze helps him rise from the sixth to seventh stage, completing a mission intended to strengthen the Xiao Clan.
One-Star Dou Zhe	28	Breaks through after Xiao Ze gives him Qi Gathering Powder.
Two-Star Dou Zhe	33	Continues cultivating independently after becoming a Dou Zhe.
Advanced two levels	39	Gains two further levels after consuming a pill from Xiao Ze; the exact resulting rank is not stated.

Background / History

Xiao Yan was once an exceptionally gifted youth, but his cultivation stagnated and continuously regressed for three years. At the beginning of the story, he retains only Third Stage Dou Qi and is ridiculed alongside his younger brother Xiao Ze, who initially tests at First Stage Dou Qi. Xiao Yan does not know that the Dou Qi he cultivates is being absorbed by Medicine Elder through the Storage Ring left by their mother. 1 5

When Xiao Ze asks for the Storage Ring, Xiao Yan entrusts it to him without hesitation. This transfers Medicine Elder’s residence and future mentorship away from Xiao Yan; once the ring is removed, Xiao Yan’s Dou Qi no longer leaks away and his talent begins recovering. 5 19

Nalan Yanran publicly seeks to annul her childhood engagement to Xiao Yan. Humiliated by the visit, he writes a letter of divorce and establishes the Three-Year Agreement with her. 9

Although he loses Medicine Elder’s direct guidance, Xiao Yan resumes cultivating through his own ability. Xiao Ze later assists him with pills and a Dou Technique, enabling him to recover from Seventh Stage Dou Qi to the Dou Zhe realm and beyond. 19 28 39

Personality

Xiao Yan remains supportive toward Xiao Ze despite their shared poor standing in the clan. When Xiao Ze tests at First Stage Dou Qi, Xiao Yan comforts him by comparing their misfortunes rather than belittling him. 1

He is determined to regain his former strength and refuses to surrender to the difficulty of breaking through. After seeing Xiao Ze’s rapid progress, he treats him as both an inspiration and a new goal to surpass. 28 34

Xiao Yan is deeply loyal to his family. He trusts Xiao Ze with their mother’s heirloom, expresses gratitude for his brother’s support, and wants to contribute to the revival of the Xiao Clan. 5 19 39

Abilities & Skills

Cultivation Talent

Xiao Yan’s natural talent remains notable despite losing Medicine Elder’s assistance.

• His cultivation resumes once the Storage Ring is removed and his Dou Qi stops draining. 8 19
• He recovers to Ninth Stage Dou Qi within several months and successfully becomes a One-Star Dou Zhe with Qi Gathering Powder. 28
• He reaches Two-Star Dou Zhe by the time Xiao Ze enters the Dou Ling realm. 33

Eight Desolation Dragon Art

A Fire-attribute Profound-tier High-grade Dou Technique given to him by Xiao Ze.

• Its peak power may rival an Earth-tier Low-grade Dou Technique. 39
• Xiao Yan begins cultivating it after receiving it. 39

Equipment / Items

• Storage Ring — An heirloom left by his mother; Xiao Yan gives it to Xiao Ze. It contains Medicine Elder’s soul. 5
• Qi Gathering Powder — Given by Xiao Ze to support his breakthrough from Ninth Stage Dou Qi to Dou Zhe. 28
• Eight Desolation Dragon Art — Fire-attribute Profound-tier High-grade Dou Technique gifted by Xiao Ze. 39

Relationships

• Xiao Ze — Younger brother and principal supporter. Xiao Yan trusts him with their mother’s Storage Ring, admires his achievements, and receives cultivation resources, pills, and a Dou Technique from him. 1 5 19 28 39
• Xiao Zhan — Father. Xiao Yan shares news of his own and Xiao Ze’s breakthroughs with him. 29 34
• Nalan Yanran — Former fiancée. Her public annulment of their engagement leads Xiao Yan to issue a letter of divorce and set the Three-Year Agreement. 9
• Medicine Elder (Yao Chen) — Previously absorbed Xiao Yan’s Dou Qi while residing in his Storage Ring. Xiao Yan unknowingly transfers the ring to Xiao Ze, after which Yao Chen becomes Xiao Ze’s teacher. 5 8
• Xiao Xun'er — Clan cousin. She is among the family members whose cultivation surpasses Xiao Yan’s during his recovery period. 19 32

Story Role / Major Arcs

Decline and Recovery

Xiao Yan begins as a fallen genius whose strength has regressed to Third Stage Dou Qi. His condition improves after he gives the Storage Ring to Xiao Ze, ending Medicine Elder’s covert absorption of his Dou Qi. 1 5 8

Engagement Annulment and Three-Year Agreement

Nalan Yanran’s visit humiliates Xiao Yan publicly. In response, he issues a letter of divorce and establishes a three-year challenge, making his return to strength a personal necessity. 9

Rebuilding His Strength

Xiao Yan steadily recovers through cultivation and Xiao Ze’s assistance. He reaches Seventh Stage Dou Qi, becomes a One-Star Dou Zhe with Qi Gathering Powder, receives the Eight Desolation Dragon Art, and later advances another two levels through a medicinal pill. 19 28 39

Trivia

• Xiao Yan is identified by the system as the “Destiny Protagonist.” 28 33
• He initially believes Xiao Ze’s promise that his cultivation can recover, then discovers that his newly cultivated Dou Qi truly remains in his body. 5 8
• After witnessing Xiao Ze’s advancement to Dou Ling, Xiao Yan replaces Nalan Yanran with Xiao Ze as the benchmark he hopes to surpass. 34