Xiao Fan

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Xiao Fan (萧凡)
Alias(es)	Old Xiao
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Xiao Family; Armament Hall; Shadow Pivot Court's Black-Clad Guard
Occupation/Role	Martial artist; Grade A Black-Clad Guard and Left Tiger Attendant
Status	Alive
First Appearance	Night Erosion 1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Minor breakthrough, unspecified	1	Survives a near-fatal Night Erosion event and notes that he has broken through a minor realm.
Martial Path: Qi Refining Realm, ninth rank	10	Confirmed as a ninth-rank martial artist during the confrontation with Zhang Bin.
Sovereign True Dragon Heart Seal, First Realm — Dormant Dragon Awakens	42	Unlocks Hidden Dragon Scales and Manifest Dragon Scales; completes Qi Refining and enters Iron Bone Realm.
Martial Path: Iron Bone Realm, early stage	42	Breaks through with cultivation recorded at 82/500.
Martial Path: Iron Bone Realm, late stage	113	Reaches the late stage through nightly cultivation and sparring.
Art Path: Spirit Guiding Realm, early stage	113	Achieves an early-stage cultivation level in the arcane path.
Martial Path: Spirit Tempering Realm, seventh rank	161	Uses Dongfang Yunxi's God-Tempering Pill to break through; his Calamity Poison limit rises from 100 to 200.
Sovereign True Dragon Heart Seal, Second Realm — True Breath Transforms into Dragon	161	Unlocks Stir Heaven and Earth and the ability to sense willpower, fortune, and opportunity.

Background

Xiao Fan is a transmigrator who arrived in this world after being “sent” there by a mud truck and inherited the body and identity of a martial artist with the same name. He possesses the Calamity Poison System, which lets him endure more Calamity Poison than ordinary cultivators and converts accumulated poison into spiritual essence at midnight. 1

While traveling through Golden Glow Mountain, he survives bandits, Night Erosion, and an attack by a black-clad woman. He rescues Ji Xuanyuan, conceals that he used Ji's blood to mislead his pursuer, and presents himself as Ji's heroic savior. The two become sworn brothers. 3 4

During the attack connected to his father Xiao Wu's coffin-escort mission, Xiao Fan carries the severely injured Xiao Wu back to the capital despite his own wounds and spreading Calamity Poison. He hides his contact with Xun Huan, the Soul-Capturing Porcelain, and the golden scales growing into his chest from the Armament Hall and Shadow Pivot Court. 32 35

Xiao Fan later suspects that he may not be Xiao Wu and Ye Shu's biological son, as he alone can ignite Blood-Burning Flame and wield the Miao saber without being rejected. He chooses not to force the issue, valuing the Xiao family's care over a possible blood connection. 73

Appearance

Xiao Fan is a tall, lean young man with refined features, large peach-blossom eyes, and a deceptively gentle appearance. His hands are callused and scarred from martial training. 4 97

• Often presents himself with a sunny smile and the bearing of an upright young hero. 4 53
• Keeps the unusually long Miao saber at his waist because its Killing Intent is unsafe to store with other items. 32
• Golden dragon-scale patterns can spread beneath or across his skin when he activates the Sovereign True Dragon Heart Seal. 42 52
• Following his tournament victory, he becomes known throughout the capital as a promising young prodigy. 183

Personality

Xiao Fan is adaptable, observant, and theatrically persuasive. He often disarms others with humility, humor, or a carefully constructed heroic image, including manipulating his mother into blaming Xiao Wu and Xiao Jinlan for his harsh training. 4 78 He is also politically cautious: after the Hidden Valley incident, he deliberately maintains a consistent false account and conceals the artifacts and powers that could endanger him. 32 35

In combat, Xiao Fan favors analysis, deception, and exploiting an opponent's weakness rather than simple force. He can appear merciful—offering Yu Hao a chance to concede—yet becomes exceptionally ruthless when confronting threats such as Shi Ping and Mu Sha. 52 117 151 His loyalty to Ji Xuanyuan and protectiveness toward his family are central motivations. 21 160

Abilities & Skills

Calamity Poison System

Xiao Fan's system displays his Calamity Poison Value, absorbs part of the poison he accumulates, and clears the stored value at midnight, converting it into usable spiritual essence. 1

• Grants greater resistance to Calamity Poison than ordinary cultivators. 1
• Does not make him immune to mutation; exceeding the system's limit still causes corruption and scale growth. 1 140
• His poison limit rises from 100 to 200 after entering Spirit Tempering Realm. 161
• Can draw Calamity Poison from others, as demonstrated when he purifies Hao Lang. 140

Sovereign True Dragon Heart Seal

The imperial secret art transforms Xiao Fan's martial roots and grants dragon-based physical and spiritual abilities. 42 72

• Hidden Dragon Scales — Forms internal scale armor that greatly reinforces his body and lets him endure powerful attacks. 52 151
• Manifest Dragon Scales — Exposes golden scales for stronger physical defense and resistance to spells; prolonged use increases Calamity Poison. 42 52
• Dragon sinews and dragon bones — Give him exceptional strength, durability, and explosive speed beyond ordinary Iron Bone Realm warriors. 51 52
• Stir Heaven and Earth — Allows him to perceive and potentially influence fortune and opportunities, though his current cultivation cannot support large-scale feats such as summoning rain. 161 162
• Willpower sensing — Lets him perceive wishes, collective willpower, and the emotional currents surrounding living beings. 161 162

Flame Dance Nine Forms

Xiao Fan's core martial art is the Xiao family's inherited saber technique, Flame Dance Nine Forms. 51

• Swift Blade — The first form and foundation of his saber style. 73
• Dazzling Step — A high-burden movement technique that produces near-teleportation-like bursts of speed through precise coordination, breathing, and explosive force. 80
• Flame Slash — A destructive saber strike used to defeat Hao Lang's final Seven Sword Kill. 126
• Void Break — The fourth form, which uses divine intent to guide saber qi and strike from a distance. 162
• Repeated use of Dazzling Step heavily strains his body, particularly his legs and knees. 126

Fire Element Art and Heartfire

After obtaining the complete Five Elements Art, Xiao Fan begins cultivating its Fire Element Art through sunlight and fire-element spiritual qi. 67 73

• Stabilizes pure-white heartfire in a mental “heart furnace.” 78
• Uses his blood as an effective ignition medium for Blood-Burning Flame. 78
• Can refine ordinary flames toward a white Sacred Flame by removing Calamity Poison. 78
• Warm Heart Furnace — Uses controlled fire to save Yao Yuxiang and Xu Ge from severe injuries. 109
• Uses blood ignited within Mu Sha's body to bypass the latter's armor and regeneration. 151

Combat Judgment

Xiao Fan combines physical strength with rapid tactical assessment.

• Identifies weaknesses in Hao Lang's seven-sword offense and exhausts his opponent by forcing him to sustain both attack and defense. 125 126
• Uses the Beast-Controlling Bell to sever Mu Sha's connection to the Aura-Devouring Demon Viper. 151
• Exploits Mu Sha's blood-refining regeneration by feeding him blood that can be ignited from within. 151

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Miao saber — A spiritually aware saber with intense Killing Intent. It recognizes Xiao Fan as its master, burns other wielders, and repeatedly demands his blood. 32 73 78
• Black-gold suppressive nameplate — Given by Duan Yifei for installation in a future scabbard to restrain the Miao saber's Killing Intent. 32
• Soul-Capturing Porcelain — A dangerous artifact Xiao Fan keeps concealed in an Essence-Storing Pouch; he uses it to pursue Shi Ping within the Black Domain. 35 117
• Beast-Controlling Bell — A seventh-rank magical artifact lent by Yu Hao and later used against Mu Sha's demon-viper transformation. 136 151
• Black military steed — A government-issued horse formerly assigned to Xiao Wu; Xiao Fan later retrieves it from Liu Jiashan's barracks. 68 171

Relationships

• Ji Xuanyuan — Sworn brother, Fifth Prince, and political ally. Xiao Fan saves him, pledges to act as his eyes within the Shadow Pivot Court, and repeatedly schemes to raise Ji Xuanyuan's standing. 4 21 100
• Xiao Wu — Father and Armament Hall member. Xiao Fan risks his life to rescue him after the coffin-escort ambush, while concealing the Miao saber's origin and his own dragon-related powers. 32 71
• Ye Shu — Mother. Fiercely protective of Xiao Fan and easily moved by his deliberate displays of weakness. 78 160
• Xiao Jinlan — Elder sister, trainer, and fellow martial artist. She harshly tempers his body, while Xiao Fan later vows that he will be the one to protect her. 71 160 174
• Xiao Jinyu — Younger sister. Xiao Fan indulges her playful requests, including letting her ride his horse. 78 173
• Duan Yifei — Xiao Wu's former disciple and a protective senior-brother figure to Xiao Fan. He supplies Xiao Fan with the saber's suppressive nameplate; his death deeply affects Xiao Fan. 32 125
• Yu Hao — Former duel opponent turned martial arts student and transactional ally. Yu Hao gives Xiao Fan the Five Elements Art and lends him the Beast-Controlling Bell. 53 67 136
• Yao Yuxiang — Fellow Great Liang tournament representative. Xiao Fan saves her with Warm Heart Furnace, softening her otherwise cold demeanor toward him. 109
• Xu Ge — Temporary ward of the Xiao household and an unpredictable sparring partner whose claws and wild fighting style help temper Xiao Fan's physique. 110 113
• Liu Jiashan — Shadow Pivot Court official who first interrogates Xiao Fan, later provides him a contact token, and remains a recurring official acquaintance. 35 82 171
• Dongfang Yunxi — Sacred Fire Sect figure whose blood exchanges with Xiao Fan suppress her Killing Intent backlash; she provides the God-Tempering Pill used for his seventh-rank breakthrough. 161 171
• Chi Yu — Fading spiritual guide whose final bequest includes purification knowledge, a breakthrough opportunity, and the Heaven-Burning Art. 160 161

Major Arcs

Golden Glow Mountain and the Fifth Prince

Xiao Fan survives the disasters around Golden Glow Mountain, escapes a black-clad assassin through improvisation, and brings Ji Xuanyuan safely back to the capital. His rescue creates the bond that draws him into imperial politics. 3 4 10

Hidden Valley Conspiracy

While saving Xiao Wu from the coffin-escort ambush, Xiao Fan encounters the Soul-Capturing Porcelain and Xun Huan. He returns to the capital with his father, conceals crucial evidence, and begins suspecting that the escort mission hid a larger conspiracy. 32 35 66

Nine Provinces Martial Tournament

As Ji Xuanyuan's direct-entry representative, Xiao Fan rises from an unknown contestant to one of Great Liang's leading hopes. He defeats Zou Li with Dazzling Step, overcomes Hao Lang's Flowing Sorrow Sword, and ultimately kills Mu Sha in the Star of Nine Luminaries contest. 97 126 152 His victory earns him first place in the Nine Provinces Martial Tournament and widespread recognition in the capital. 183

Chi Yu's Bequest and Black-Clad Guard Service

After Chi Yu's final disappearance, Xiao Fan uses the God-Tempering Pill to reach seventh-rank Spirit Tempering Realm and begins cultivating the second realm of the Sovereign True Dragon Heart Seal. 160 161 He chooses the Black-Clad Guard over the Heaven Listening Platform because its field authority better serves his investigations, becoming a Grade A officer and Left Tiger Attendant. 169 171 176

Notable Quotes

“I, Xiao Fan, shall be the pair of eyes Your Highness plants within the Shadow Pivot Court! So long as I, Xiao Fan, draw breath, I will never allow Your Highness to suffer any misfortune!” 21

“You always still protect me as though I were that frail little brother from when we were children... but I've grown up. Now, it's my turn to protect you, Sis.” 160