Yan

Biodata

Background

Yan was regarded as one of Spirit Hall’s outstanding younger-generation geniuses, but suffered repeated personal setbacks: Hu Liena rejected his confessions, his returned love letters piled up, and he believed he had performed poorly in the Pope Palace selection. The failures left him depressed and withdrawn before the selection results were announced. 124

He unexpectedly passed the preliminary selection as a Holy Son candidate. The result restored his confidence so dramatically that he publicly celebrated, then immediately renewed his proposal to Hu Liena. 124

After Hu Liena openly stated that she considered him unworthy, Yan declared that he would eventually surpass her and invoked the phrase, “Thirty years in Hebei, thirty years in Henan—don’t bully the poor young man.” Bibi Han took notice of this defiance, accepted Yan as a disciple, and made him Spirit Hall’s Holy Son. 125

Appearance

Yan is a broad, powerfully built young man with long crimson hair and a resolute face. During his period of depression, a persistent melancholy was visible between his brows. 124

• Long crimson hair worn loose over his shoulders. 124
• Strong, muscular build. 124
• Often projects intense emotion openly, from despondency to near-manic celebration. 124

Personality

Yan is emotionally volatile and deeply driven by validation. Romantic rejection and perceived career failure reduce him to despair, while recognition from the Holy Son selection quickly makes him boastful and overconfident. 124

He is persistent to the point of harassment in his pursuit of Hu Liena, repeatedly ignoring her explicit refusals. 124 125 Despite this, he can muster public defiance when humiliated, a quality Bibi Han interprets as backbone worthy of cultivation. 125

Abilities & Skills

Flame Lord Martial Soul

Yan possesses the Flame Lord martial soul, which he can summon in moments of agitation. 124

• Manifests behind him as he channels his emotions into violent clawing motions. 124
• His exact soul-ring configuration and named soul skills have not been documented.

Relationships

• Hu Liena — Yan is infatuated with her and repeatedly pursues her despite her rejection. She considers him unworthy; later, she challenges him to a four-year pact in which the loser of the Continental Advanced Youth Soul Master Tournament must forfeit their life or serve the victor. 124 125 126
• Bibi Han — His master and patron. Bibi Han was impressed by Yan’s public declaration, accepted him as a disciple, and appointed him Spirit Hall’s Holy Son. 125
• Xie Yue — Referred to as Yan’s brother-in-law. Xie Yue teases Yan over passing the preliminary selection and attempts to stop him from recklessly boasting about becoming Pope. 124
• Qian Renxue — Arrives to oppose Bibi Han’s treatment of Hu Liena; she briefly considers punishing Yan but refrains because he is not a fallen Soul Master. 125 126

Story Role / Major Arcs

Pope Palace Selection

Following romantic and professional disappointment, Yan learns he has passed the preliminary Pope Palace selection and becomes one of three Holy Son candidates. 124

Appointment as Holy Son

Yan publicly confronts Hu Liena after another rejection. Bibi Han endorses his refusal to yield, accepts him as a disciple, and elevates him to Holy Son. 125

Four-Year Pact

After Qian Renxue intervenes in the conflict surrounding Hu Liena, Hu Liena challenges Yan to settle their dispute through the Continental Advanced Youth Soul Master Tournament four years later. 126

Notable Quotes

“Thirty years in Hebei, thirty years in Henan! Don't bully the poor young man!” 125

“I passed... I passed! I really passed!” 124