Yao Chen

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Yao Chen (药尘)
Alias(es)	Venerable Yao; Old Yaozi; White-Haired Old Man
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Starfall Pavilion (former master); Yao Clan
Occupation/Role	Eighth Grade Alchemist; soul-body combatant; Qi Yan'er's disciple
Status	Active; exists as a soul body and requires a host or vessel
First Appearance	Chapter 17

Background

Yao Chen was once a Dou Zun expert, a renowned Eighth Grade Alchemist, and the master of Starfall Pavilion, one of Central State's Four Directions Pavilions. Xiao Xun'er identifies him as a member of the Yao Clan and a continental alchemist comparable to the Pill Tower's leading figures 75 246.

He was reduced to a soul body after betrayal by his personal disciple Han Feng, together with Mu Gu the Elder and the Hall of Souls. Unable to safely return to Starfall Pavilion while pursued by the Hall of Souls, he concealed himself inside a black ring 75.

The ring eventually came into Xiao Yan's possession. Yao Chen absorbed Xiao Yan's Dou Qi to awaken, later agreeing to guide him and teach him alchemy, though he initially refused to formally accept Xiao Yan as a disciple 71 73. He repeatedly sought to recruit Qi Yan'er instead after recognizing that her Soul Power, cultivation talent, and alchemical ability surpassed Xiao Yan's 17 25 29.

Qi Yan'er refused his offer to become his disciple, correctly identifying that he hoped to use her connection to Qi Fan to restore his body and regain his strength. After Yao Chen surrendered the Bone Spirit Cold Fire to her and learned of the possible arts Borrowing Corpse to Revive Soul and Impure World Reincarnation, he began treating her as a daughter and seeking her assistance 77 78.

Their relationship reversed in the Snake-People Race's territory: Yao Chen formally knelt and acknowledged Qi Yan'er as his teacher in return for learning her Pill-Stirring Method 210. He thereafter addresses her as “Teacher Yan'er” and serves as one of her principal alchemists and advisers 213.

Appearance

Yao Chen usually manifests as an illusory, aged white-haired man. His soul body becomes visibly weaker after expending power or losing the Bone Spirit Cold Fire 74 79 212.

• White hair and an elderly appearance.
• Typically appears as a translucent soul projection.
• Can conceal himself inside a black ring or within a host's body.
• His manifested aura has been identified as peak Dou Huang level 74.

Abilities & Skills

Alchemy

Yao Chen is an Eighth Grade Alchemist with extensive knowledge of medicinal ingredients, pill formulas, Heavenly Flames, and Soul Power 174 213.

• Developed the Foundation Establishment Liquid, which accelerates cultivation for those below the Dou Zhe realm 76.
• Can identify rare medicinal ingredients and determine that they can produce the Heavenly Soul Blood Fusion Pill 263.
• Offered to refine a Rank 6 Huang Ji Dan for the Snake-People Race within one day if supplied with materials 206 207.
• Successfully refined three Huang Ji Dan using Qi Yan'er's Pill-Stirring Method 212.
• Acknowledges that Qi Yan'er's method and results exceed his traditional refinement techniques 76 77.

Soul Body and Possession

As a soul body, Yao Chen can reside in objects or temporarily enter another person's body to use their physical form in battle.

• Used Xiao Yan's body as a host on multiple occasions, allowing “Xiao Yan” to display Yao Chen's combat experience and power 172 232.
• Can leave a host as a white mist-like soul projection 207.
• Uses his soul vessel, formerly a black ring, to remain anchored; the ring was later auctioned away for 2.5 million gold coins 245.
• His status as a soul body limits his ability to use Dou Qi against the Hall of Souls 235.

Soul Fusion

Yao Chen can fuse his Soul Power with a powerful host to temporarily amplify their combat ability.

• Entered Ling Ying's body with Ling Ying's consent during the Black-Corner Region conflict 270.
• The fusion of Ling Ying's Eight-Star Dou Huang strength and Yao Chen's soul produced power comparable to a Dou Zong 270.

Heavenly Flame Knowledge

Yao Chen was formerly the wielder of the Bone Spirit Cold Fire, the eleventh-ranked Heavenly Flame.

• Used the Pale White Flame for alchemy before surrendering it to Qi Yan'er 72 77.
• Recognized Qi Yan'er's Sea Heart Flame and was shocked by her ability to use Heavenly Flames for pill refinement 24 76.
• Confirmed that refining a Heavenly Flame does not normally cause an immediate increase in Dou Qi 79.
• No longer possessed the Bone Spirit Cold Fire after Qi Yan'er absorbed it 175.

Combat Techniques

Despite his weakened condition, Yao Chen remains a dangerous combatant with extensive battle experience.

• Overpowered Five-Star Dou Wang Hua She'er while possessing Xiao Yan 172.
• Used the Flame Splitting Wave Severing Ruler against a Hall of Souls Protector 232.
• Constructed a powerful firestorm through Soul Power against Bai Ya, though the effort visibly strained him 217.
• Recognized and exploited the fear Han Feng's allies held toward his name and former influence 183.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Black Ring — His longtime soul vessel; later auctioned off in the Black-Corner Region 192 245.
• Mysterious Heavy Ruler — A heavy weapon that suppresses Dou Qi; Qi Yan'er claimed it as a gift for use in pill stir-frying and discipline 210 211.
• Bone Spirit Cold Fire — Former Heavenly Flame; gifted to and absorbed by Qi Yan'er 77 78.
• Flame Mantra — A cultivation method sought by Han Feng; Yao Chen retains control over who receives it and offered it to Xiao Yan in exchange for assistance against Han Feng 175.

Relationships

• Qi Yan'er — Initially Yao Chen's intended disciple and later his teacher. He seeks her aid in restoring his body, learns her Pill-Stirring Method, and pledges himself as her disciple 75 77 210 213.
• Xiao Yan — Former ring host and reluctant trainee. Yao Chen absorbed his Dou Qi to awaken, taught him the basics of alchemy, and repeatedly possesses his body in combat, but regards him with open contempt 73 72 172 207.
• Han Feng — Former personal disciple and betrayer. Han Feng helped cause Yao Chen's fall, seeks the Flame Mantra, and remains one of Yao Chen's principal enemies 75 175.
• Qi Fan — Qi Yan'er's father. Yao Chen believes Qi Fan may possess the means to restore his physical body and return him to his peak 77 78.
• Ling Ying — Ally and temporary fusion partner. Their combined power temporarily reached the level of a Dou Zong 270.
• Snake-People Race Elders — Beneficiaries of his alchemy. He offered Fourth Elder a Huang Ji Dan and refined three pills for the elders after learning Qi Yan'er's method 206 212.
• Heavenly Serpent Mansion Lord — An old acquaintance whom Yao Chen claims is deeply enamored with him; he used this connection to persuade Qi Yan'er to spare Lü Man 219.
• Pill Tower Old Ancestor — A figure Yao Chen suspects to be a legendary Dou Sheng. He treats the possibility of meeting him with caution and fear 243.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Wu Tan City

Yao Chen hides within Xiao Yan's ring and initially considers Xiao Yan a potential disciple. After encountering Qi Yan'er, he shifts his attention to her because of her exceptional Soul Power, talent, Heavenly Flames, and family background 17 24 25.

He reveals himself after Qi Yan'er exposes his presence and acknowledges that he absorbed Xiao Yan's Dou Qi. His identity as Venerable Yao, former Dou Zun and master of Starfall Pavilion, is subsequently revealed 73 75.

Failed Recruitment of Qi Yan'er

Yao Chen repeatedly attempts to take Qi Yan'er as a disciple, offering alchemical instruction and eventually the Bone Spirit Cold Fire. Her superior pill refinement and awareness of his ulterior motives leave him with little leverage 75 77.

After Qi Yan'er accepts the Bone Spirit Cold Fire and reveals the possibility of restoring souls through secret arts, Yao Chen becomes increasingly devoted to earning her favor 78.

Snake-People Race

Yao Chen aids Qi Yan'er in the Tagor Desert, using Xiao Yan as a host in combat and assisting against the Heavenly Serpent Mansion and Hall of Souls 216 219 232.

He offers to refine a Huang Ji Dan for the Snake-People Race, then formally becomes Qi Yan'er's disciple so he can learn the Pill-Stirring Method. Under her direction, he refines three Huang Ji Dan in a wok 206 210 212.

Black-Corner Region

Yao Chen accompanies Qi Yan'er to the Black-Corner Region, identifies powerful pills, techniques, and ingredients at the Blood-Ink Auction House, and reacts bitterly to the sale of his former soul vessel 245 251 263.

He confronts Han Feng and openly confirms that Qi Yan'er is his teacher, turning the former master-disciple conflict into a wider factional battle 267. During the conflict, he fuses with Ling Ying to reach temporary Dou Zong-level power 270.

Trivia

• Qi Yan'er has called him “White-Haired Old Man” and “Old Yaozi” 73 210.
• Yao Chen once considered Foundation Establishment Liquid his signature achievement, only for Qi Yan'er's Emerald Spirit to directly raise Xiao Yi Xian by two stages of Dou Qi 76 77.
• He was visibly distraught when his black-ring residence was auctioned away 244 245.