Xiao Yan

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Xiao Yan (萧炎)
Alias(es)	Little Yanzi 3
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Xiao Clan; disciple of Yao Chen 1 2
Occupation/Role	Dou Qi cultivator; second-grade Alchemist 66
Status	Alive; continues training for the Three-Year Agreement 72
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Third-stage Dou Qi	1	His cultivation had regressed and stagnated because Yao Chen's soul absorbed his Dou Qi through the storage ring.
Fourth-stage Dou Qi	3	Broke through after several days of cultivation aided by Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid.
Fifth-stage Dou Zhi Qi	4	Advanced rapidly with Yao Chen's medicinal support.
Sixth-stage Dou Qi	5	Reached the stage after seven days of intensive training.
Seventh-stage Dou Qi	6	Advanced after two months of secluded cultivation in the Xiao Clan's back mountain.
Eighth-stage Dou Qi	13	Continued closing the gap to the Dou Zhe/Fighter realm under Yao Chen's guidance.
Ninth-stage Dou Qi	24	Reached the final Dou Qi stage before condensing a Dou Qi cyclone.
Fighter	24	Condensed a Dou Qi cyclone and formally entered the Fighter rank.
Three-star Fighter	33	Rose from two-star to three-star Fighter after a further half-month of training.
Five-star Fighter	37	Advanced through persistent cultivation, alchemy study, and Yao Chen's pills.
One-star Master Fighter	47	Reached Master Fighter level by the time he arrived in Shi Mo City.

Background / History

Three years before the story, Xiao Yan was an unmatched cultivation genius. His Dou Qi subsequently began leaking away, reducing him to the third stage and making him the target of ridicule throughout the Xiao Clan. Nalan Yanran's public annulment of their engagement further humiliated him, prompting the Three-Year Agreement in which he vowed to challenge her at the Cloud Mist Sect. 1

Xiao Yan discovered that the source of his regression was Yao Chen, a soul-form elder residing in the black storage ring on his finger and absorbing his Dou Qi. Though initially furious, Xiao Yan accepted Yao Chen as his master after being offered guidance in cultivation, Dou Skills, and alchemy. He resolved to honor Yao Chen as a father and later vowed to help restore his teacher's body and settle the wrongs done to him. 1 2 3

Yao Chen's instruction rapidly restored Xiao Yan's cultivation. His progress attracted attention within the Xiao Clan, while the clan elders placed pressure on Xiao Zhan over the danger posed by the Three-Year Agreement. Xiao Yan overheard their criticism and trained harder to avoid disappointing his father. 3 5

When Xiao Yu challenged him, Yao Chen briefly possessed Xiao Yan's body and defeated her with Dou Spirit-level power. The victory left Xiao Yan physically drained and convinced Xiao Yu that an unknown powerhouse stood behind him. 6 7

After becoming a five-star Fighter, Xiao Yan left Wutan City with Yao Chen to gain practical experience in the Magical Beast Mountain Range. He later traveled to Shi Mo City, where he reunited with his elder brothers, Xiao Ding and Xiao Li. 37 45 47

Personality

The humiliation of his cultivation regression tempered Xiao Yan's former impulsiveness. By Xiao Yu's return, he had become notably calmer and more restrained, choosing not to react to her provocations despite their history. 6

He is intensely driven by the Three-Year Agreement and trains for long periods with little regard for rest. Yao Chen repeatedly has to caution him that destroying his health would make defeating Nalan Yanran impossible. 44 72

Xiao Yan is deeply loyal to those who support him. He treasures his father, brothers, Xiao Xun'er, and Yao Chen as the few people who genuinely care for him, and he views repaying Yao Chen's kindness as a personal obligation. 3 47 57

Abilities & Skills

Dou Qi Cultivation

Xiao Yan possesses exceptional cultivation talent, which resurfaces once Yao Chen stops draining his Dou Qi and begins providing instruction and medicinal assistance. 3 37

• Progressed from third-stage Dou Qi to one-star Master Fighter within the documented period. 1 47
• Relies on sustained training, medicinal liquids, and pills rather than Yao Chen's power alone. 3 45
• His apparent Dou Spirit-level defeat of Xiao Yu was produced by Yao Chen's possession, not his own cultivation; the strain left Xiao Yan exhausted. 7

Eight Extremities Collapse

A high-tier Profound-grade Dou Technique taught by Yao Chen. At full mastery, its force can rival a low-tier Earth-grade technique. 4

• Successfully executed it after roughly half an hour of Yao Chen's instruction. 4
• Continued refining the technique throughout his Fighter-stage training. 33
• His early execution had notable flaws compared with Yao Chen's demonstration of its true power. 33

Purple Cloud Wings

A flight-type Dou Skill discovered in a cave within the Magical Beast Mountain Range. 39

• Allows flight before reaching the Dou Wang realm. 39
• Learned its basic techniques after several hours of Yao Chen's instruction. 39
• Successfully gained the ability to fly through the technique. 39

Alchemy

Yao Chen trains Xiao Yan in alchemy alongside Dou Qi cultivation. 2 37

• Began refining first-grade pills in Green Mountain Town. 26
• Passed the Tier 2 Alchemist examination, becoming a second-grade Alchemist. 66

Equipment / Items

• Black storage ring — The ring in which Yao Chen's soul resided and from which he had absorbed Xiao Yan's Dou Qi for three years. 1
• Qi Recovery Pills — Used during magical-beast hunts to replenish depleted Dou Qi. 45

Relationships

• Yao Chen — Master and mentor. Yao Chen caused Xiao Yan's initial regression by absorbing his Dou Qi, but Xiao Yan accepts him as his teacher, vows to honor him as a father, and wants to help resurrect him. 1 2 3
• Xiao Zhan — Father and Xiao Clan patriarch. Xiao Zhan consistently believes in Xiao Yan and worries that the Three-Year Agreement places too much pressure on him. 3 4
• Xiao Xun'er — Childhood sweetheart and confidante. She lent Xiao Yan money for the Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid ingredients and investigated his sudden recovery out of concern. 2 3 4
• Nalan Yanran — Former fiancée and opponent in the Three-Year Agreement. Her annulment of their engagement is Xiao Yan's central motivation for becoming stronger. 1 59
• Xiao Yu — Cousin and hostile rival. Their past conflict led to her challenging Xiao Yan, only to be defeated while Yao Chen possessed his body. 6 7
• Xiao Ding and Xiao Li — Elder brothers and founders of the Desert Iron Mercenary Group. Xiao Yan eagerly reunites with them in Shi Mo City. 45 47
• Little Doctor Immortal — Friend encountered in Green Mountain Town. She accompanies Xiao Yan and Yao Chen during their Magical Beast Mountain Range expedition. 39 41

Story Role / Major Arcs

Recovery in Wutan City

After learning the reason for his three-year regression, Xiao Yan becomes Yao Chen's disciple and begins rebuilding his strength to challenge Nalan Yanran. His rapid advancement restores his confidence and changes the Xiao Clan's view of him. 1 3 5

Conflict with Xiao Yu

Xiao Yu uses the Three-Year Agreement to accuse Xiao Yan of endangering the Xiao Clan, then challenges him to prove he is unfit to face Nalan Yanran. Yao Chen's possession decisively defeats her, leaving the clan uncertain of Xiao Yan's hidden backing. 6 7

Magical Beast Mountain Range Training

Xiao Yan leaves Wutan City as a five-star Fighter to seek experience. In Green Mountain Town, he joins Yao Chen and the Little Doctor Immortal on a cave expedition, obtains Purple Cloud Wings, and trains by hunting magical beasts. 37 39 44 45

Shi Mo City Reunion

Xiao Yan travels to Shi Mo City to reunite with Xiao Ding and Xiao Li. His brothers learn that Yao Chen is his teacher and recognize how drastically Xiao Yan's circumstances have changed since the broken engagement. 47 49

Continued Preparation for the Three-Year Agreement

Despite the growing prestige of Yao Chen and the Nalan Family's attempts to repair relations, Xiao Yan continues training with the goal of defeating Nalan Yanran rather than relying on his master's status. 57 72

Notable Quotes

“There are plenty of good women on the Dou Qi Continent; I, Xiao Yan, am not forced to marry Nalan Yanran.” — Xiao Yan 3

“Do not look down on a youth for being poor!” — Xiao Yan 6

Trivia

• Xiao Yan is described as a transmigrator who has lived two lifetimes. 47
• Nalan Yanran initially refused to believe that Yao Chen had accepted Xiao Yan as a disciple, considering Xiao Yan too weak to merit such a master. 46