Yao Lao

Biodata

Name	Yao Lao (Yao Chen; 药老)
Alias(es)	Venerable Yao; Old Pavilion Master of Starfall Pavilion
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Starfall Pavilion — co-founder and former Pavilion Master; Origin Return Manor — core figure and adviser; formerly the Yao Clan 1058 1104
Occupation/Role	Ninth-tier alchemist; soul-power expert; mentor
Status	Alive; resurrected in a Dou Sheng body
First Appearance	Chapter 5

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Dou Venerate	756	His peak strength before death was that of a Dou Venerate; he was also a peak eighth-tier alchemist.
High-star Dou Saint combat capability (temporary)	756	A boost from the Void Heavenly Emperor allowed his soul body to contend with high-star Dou Saints.
One-star Dou Sheng	788	Following his merger with a Dou Sheng body, he awakened amid a massive Dou Qi vortex and broke through.
Two-star Dou Sheng	913	His current realm upon the Yao Clan delegation's visit; his perfected Heavenly State Soul lets him contend with four-star Dou Shengs through soul power. 1079
Peak Heavenly State Soul	921	Briefly experienced the Imperial State Soul with the Void Heavenly Emperor's aid, then stabilized at the peak of the Heavenly State Soul.
Four-star Dou Sheng combat capability (soul power)	1030	His soul power alone rivals a four-star Dou Sheng, although fighting Hun Mang—a peak four-star Dou Sheng skilled in soul techniques—remains strenuous.
Ninth-tier alchemist (confirmed)	1112	Following his resurrection, he developed his alchemy further and devised a ninth-tier pill-fusion application of the Spirit-Raising Method alongside Xiao Yan. His ninth-tier status was already explicitly recognized before the Medicine Ceremony. 1083 1084

Background / History

Yao Chen was born into the Yao Clan but was treated as an abandoned child and later expelled. Yao Wangui falsely accused him of theft after Yao Chen competed with one of the elder's descendants; the accusation became a major cause of his expulsion. He left the clan for the Central Plains, where he met Venerable Wind and co-founded the original Starfall Pavilion. 913 1083 1104

As a young alchemist, Yao Chen won the Pill Convention and became publicly recognized as the continent's foremost alchemist. Upon reaching the seventh tier, he gave his sixth-tier alchemy notes to Pill Tower attendant Su Zhang, unintentionally setting him on the path to becoming a master alchemist. 14 290 1112

His own alchemy education involved considerable hardship, but he remembered studying beside his teacher with happiness. Elder Mu Gu was his junior brother from the same sect; their relationship was deeply antagonistic, and Mu Gu later became one of the principal masterminds behind the attack that killed him. 418 444

His greatest personal failure was trusting Han Feng as a disciple. Han Feng colluded with the Soul Hall to kill him, leaving Yao Chen as a severely injured soul body. While recovering inside Xiao Yan's ring, Yao Lao absorbed Xiao Yan's Dou Qi; after revealing the reason, he became Xiao Yan's teacher and introduced him to alchemy. 14 551

Yao Lao's disappearance also separated him from Xuan Yi before he learned that they had a daughter, Yao Qingyu. Neither Xiao Yan nor Venerable Wind initially knew of this child. Xiao Yan later explained these circumstances to Yao Qingyu, helping her reconsider her resentment toward her father. 508 544 551

Di Nian later warned that Yao Lao's continued presence beside Xiao Yan would harm his disciple's pure soul. He remained with the Void Heavenly Emperor's remnant consciousness in the Ten Thousand Beasts Space, awaiting Xiao Yan's growth and eventual resurrection. 128 290

Yao Lao returned as a soul body when the Ancient Clan threatened Xiao Yan and the Xiao Clan. He had delayed intervening to strengthen himself through the Void Heavenly Emperor's assistance, arriving with enough temporary power to face high-star Dou Saints. 750 756

After returning to Starfall Pavilion, he reunited with Venerable Wind and resumed his relationship with Xuan Yi. Yao Qingyu ultimately chose to understand his circumstances, allowing the family to enjoy a closeness they had previously lacked. 759 764

His resurrection was ultimately performed using a Dou Sheng corpse, high-grade medicinal resources, and Xiao Yan's Heavenly Flames. After his remnant soul merged with the body, he awakened as a one-star Dou Sheng. 784 786 788

Following Xiao Yan's wedding, Yao Lao helped formulate the alliance that would later become Origin Return Manor. He favored cooperation with other Central Plains powers rather than relying entirely on stronger Dou Di descendant clans, and personally participated in outreach to the Flower Sect and Burning Flame Valley. 915 916 917 936

At the Yao Clan Medicine Ceremony, Yao Lao sought to prove himself through ninth-tier alchemy and secure proper recognition for his late parents. He and Xiao Yan jointly applied Yao Lao's new pill-fusion method to create a ninth-tier Mystic Pill, after which Yao Dan apologized for the clan's past treatment. Yao Lao accepted the apology but firmly declined Yao Dan's invitation to return to the Yao Clan. 1103 1112 1115 1116

He continued advising Xiao Yan after the ceremony. When Xiao Yan considered absorbing the soul power collected by the Soul Hall, Yao Lao supplied a ninth-tier pill formula that could increase soul power while having comparatively mild medicinal effects. 1227

Appearance

Yao Lao initially exists as a soul form capable of emerging from Xiao Yan's ring. After resurrection, he possesses a reconstructed physical body and is commonly depicted in plain robes with an unhurried, composed bearing. 14 919 1057

• Soul body capable of emerging from and residing within Xiao Yan's ring. 14 128
• Pale-white Bone Chilling Flame manifests around him during combat and resurrection. 788 1044
• His Soul Avatar can create a second Yao Lao nearly indistinguishable from his true body. 920
• Yao Qingyu resembles him sufficiently that Xiao Yan noticed a sense of familiarity even before her identity was revealed. 508

Personality

Yao Lao is direct, observant, and deeply protective of those he accepts as family. He allows Xiao Yan to make dangerous choices after clearly explaining their consequences, then supports him wholeheartedly; Xiao Yan describes this as Yao Lao always having his back. 551

He is humble regarding his influence on others, dismissing Su Zhang's gratitude by emphasizing that Su Zhang's accomplishments came from his own effort. Yet Han Feng's betrayal remains a lasting wound and the source of considerable regret. 14

Despite being a legendary alchemist, Yao Lao is selfless with Xiao Yan. He declined a ninth-tier Mystic Pill in favor of his disciple's needs and later continued helping Xiao Yan select techniques and manage alliance affairs. 1058 1115

Though he accepts Yao Dan's apology with maturity, Yao Lao does not compromise his principles or return to the Yao Clan. His desire to gain standing at the Medicine Ceremony stems primarily from his wish to honor his deceased parents rather than a desire to reclaim clan status. 1103 1115 1116

His political judgment combines caution with confidence in his allies' eventual success. He recognizes the danger of being overshadowed by powerful clan allies and prefers building an alliance whose future leadership and benefits remain within their own reach. 915 916

He acknowledges how much he owes Yao Qingyu and therefore avoids deciding her future for her. In guiding her and Xiao Yan, he shows no favoritism between his biological daughter and the disciple he regards as his son. 764 921

Among older Central Plains experts, Yao Lao also has a reputation as a romantic. When Venerable Wind turns a public discussion toward his personal relationships, he deflects the teasing with humor rather than answering directly. 1063

Abilities & Skills

Alchemy

A former continent-wide alchemy champion, Yao Lao is a ninth-tier alchemist whose methods and legacy remain influential across the Central Plains. 290 913 1112

• Diagnoses refinement flaws with exceptional precision, as shown when he identified Su Zhang's insufficient Dou Qi during pill coalescence. 14
• Performs Cauldronless Extraction, purifying medicinal ingredients directly with flame; while controlling Xiao Yan's refinement, he used this technique to prepare a top-tier sixth-tier Qi Sea Spirit Returning Pill. 11 12
• Designed the complete Fire Gathering Method for Xiao Yan, enabling separate control of multiple Heavenly Flames within one cauldron and greatly accelerating medicinal refinement. 588 589
• Created the Spirit-Raising Method, which Xiao Yan later used to increase a pill's spirituality and produce five-colored pill lightning. 592
• Developed an improved ninth-tier application of the method: fusing pills so that one ninth-tier pill's spirituality can raise another's. 1112
• Applied this pill-fusion method in concert with Xiao Yan during the Yao Clan Medicine Ceremony; Xiao Yan completed the final fusion and refined the ninth-tier Mystic Clear Subtle Revival Pill. 1112
• Possesses the Myriad Beast Cauldron, ranked thirteenth on the Heavenly Cauldron Ranking. 1106
• Devoted much of the three years before the Medicine Ceremony to expanding his medicinal knowledge and developing his refinement methods, then studied with Xiao Yan and Xiao Qingqing during their preparations. 1090
• Supplied Xiao Yan with a ninth-tier pill formula for gently increasing soul power when his disciple sought advice about the Soul Hall's accumulated soul resources. 1227

Soul Power

Yao Lao's perfected Heavenly State Soul is his defining combat advantage. His soul power can take tangible form and rival opponents above his Dou Qi realm. 751 921 1079

• Soul Avatar — Divides fundamental soul power into a combat-capable duplicate rather than a simple decoy. 920
• Soul-Shaking Mind Seal — A Heaven-tier soul skill that deprives a target of their senses and severs their connection with the outside world. 1030
• Created Soul-Sealing Consciousness Suppression for Xiao Yan, a technique that can instantly seal and suppress an opponent's soul power once the user fully controls the Heavenly State Soul. 921
• Can perceive movements throughout Starfall Pavilion through his soul senses. 919
• Demonstrates the distinction between passive Mortal State soul growth and Spiritual State cultivation by gathering the surrounding spiritual energy into his palm. 920
• Drew on his experience of the Soul Hall's methods when developing Soul-Sealing Consciousness Suppression; the technique also trains its user to release and control soul power naturally during battle rather than relying on a separate buildup. 921
• His soul power alone can contend with four-star Dou Shengs, but this advantage is less decisive against opponents such as Hun Mang, whose realm and soul expertise are both formidable. 1030 1079

Bone Chilling Flame

Yao Lao's original Heavenly Flame combines extreme cold with destructive force. It was intended to pass to Xiao Yan after Yao Lao's resurrection. 20

• Destroys and freezes the connecting points of Hun Mang's soul-web technique. 1044
• Burns away soul-attack constructs while Yao Lao defends himself through his Heavenly State Soul. 1044
• Blazed at the center of Yao Lao's awakening vortex during his resurrection. 788
• Remained accessible to Xiao Yan when the Ten Thousand Beasts Space initially prevented communication with Yao Lao. Xiao Yan could manipulate it without absorbing it and inferred that his teacher had deliberately left it available for him. 32 35

Possession and Combat Guidance

Before Xiao Yan surpassed his need for protection, Yao Lao could take control of his disciple's body and elevate his combat ability. 5 919

• Possessed Xiao Yan to confront a Soul Hall Dou Zong when Xiao Yan lacked experience with the Soul Hall's techniques. 5
• Used his restored soul strength to defeat threats and teach Xiao Yan how to respond to future Soul Hall encounters. 5
• Personally blocked Gu Yu's massive attack with a tangible pillar of soul power. 751
• During Lu Chen's assassination attempt, attached his soul power to Xiao Yan without taking control of his body, raising his disciple's aura to the level of a seven- or eight-star Dou Zong. This allowed Xiao Yan to retain his superior control of the Crimson Lotus Karma Flame. 103

Reconstructed Body

Yao Lao's resurrected body was prepared from a Dou Sheng corpse rather than the Dou Zong body required by his original plan. Taking control required him to circulate his own cultivation method through a body whose former realm exceeded his pre-death strength. 784 786

• Xiao Yan incorporated Fire Essence Demon Ginseng into the body to improve Yao Lao's affinity for flames. 786
• Yao Lao relied on his powerful soul to withstand the ginseng's remaining demonic nature and noted that he had encountered the herb in his youth. 786

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Myriad Beast Cauldron — Yao Lao's treasured alchemy cauldron; thirteenth on the Heavenly Cauldron Ranking. 1106
• Bone Chilling Flame — His Heavenly Flame and a central component of his combat strength. 20 1044
• Storage Ring — His refuge while he existed as a soul body and the place from which he first emerged to Xiao Yan. 14 128
• Black Demon Cauldron — A medicinal cauldron he gave Xiao Yan, remaining his disciple's best cauldron during his early independent sixth-tier refinements. 141 452
• Alchemy Notes and Pill Formulas — His written legacy includes the sixth-tier notes given to Su Zhang and numerous formulas left to Xiao Yan. Among the latter was the ancient Bodhisattva Enlightenment Pill formula, which Yao Lao possessed but had never attempted to refine. 14 413

Relationships

• Xiao Yan — His principal personally taught disciple and the person Yao Lao treats as a son; Xiao Yan devoted years to securing Yao Lao's resurrection. Yao Lao continues providing techniques, alchemy instruction, and soul-cultivation advice even after Xiao Yan approaches or surpasses him in particular fields. 15 551 921 1057 1227
• Yao Qingyu — His biological daughter with Xuan Yi. He did not know of her existence before Han Feng's betrayal and his subsequent separation from Xuan Yi. He regrets what he owes her, later guides her alongside Xiao Yan, and supports her future choices; she ultimately comes to understand his circumstances. 508 544 764 919
• Venerable Wind — Sworn friend and co-founder of Starfall Pavilion; Venerable Wind searched for Yao Lao throughout his disappearance. They remain close enough to tease one another publicly, and Yao Lao's return helps resolve Venerable Wind's reluctance to pursue his relationship with Mu Zi'er. 247 290 1083 1063
• Xuan Yi — Old friend, romantic partner, and mother of Yao Qingyu. She retained deep affection for Yao Lao through his disappearance and witnessed his resurrection. Their relationship quickly returned to its former closeness after his return to Starfall Pavilion. 417 544 764 786
• Fairy Qing — A close companion with whom he shares a loving, teasing dynamic; Yao Lao introduces her to Xiao Yan as “Mistress Qing Yao.” She personally tends to him while he recovers from injuries. 933 1057
• Han Feng — Former disciple whom Yao Lao once regarded as a son; Han Feng betrayed him alongside the Soul Hall. After Xiao Yan defeated Han Feng, Yao Lao confronted him in soul form with profound disappointment and rage. 6 14 759
• Su Zhang — Former Pill Tower attendant whose career began with Yao Lao's gifted alchemy notes; later accepted Yao Lao as teacher. Yao Lao counted his earlier receipt of the notes as entering the school before Xiao Yan, making him Xiao Yan's senior brother, although his earlier learning was through written inheritance rather than sustained personal instruction. 14 15 290
• Xiao Qingqing — Xiao Yan's daughter and Yao Lao's pupil. After agreeing to teach her cultivation, he begins instructing her in alchemy; she studies alongside her father during preparations for the Medicine Ceremony. 788 1084 1090
• Yao Wangui — Yao Clan Great Elder responsible for falsely framing Yao Lao and contributing to his expulsion. Xiao Yan later killed and captured his soul in retribution; Yao Wangui was subsequently restored through Xiao Yan's Soul Rebirth Technique and fled in fear. 1104 1117 1118 1124
• Yao Dan — Yao Clan patriarch who later apologizes to Yao Lao for the clan's past wrongs; Yao Lao accepts with maturity but refuses Yao Dan's invitation to return to the clan. 1115 1116
• Elder Mu Gu — Junior brother from the same sect and one of the masterminds behind Yao Lao's death. Yao Lao regards him with deep hostility and told Xiao Yan to kill him if it could be done safely. 418 444
• Void Heavenly Emperor / Di Nian — The remnant consciousness with whom Yao Lao stayed in the Ten Thousand Beasts Space. His assistance enabled Yao Lao's temporary high-star Dou Saint combat power and brief experience of the Imperial State Soul. 128 756 921
• Wei Jiangyuan — A talented alchemist whose abilities Yao Lao appreciates. Yao Lao brought him into the effort to improve the resurrection plan while respecting Yao Qingyu's right to make her own choices concerning him. 764
• Hun Mang — Soul Clan opponent who sought to capture him at the request of an unnamed extraordinary figure within the clan. Their battle tested Yao Lao's soul power against a peak four-star Dou Sheng specializing in similar methods. 1030 1044 1045
• Bai Xun — An alchemist who falsely claimed to have inherited Yao Lao's legacy after his supposed death. Xiao Yan challenged the claim and revealed that his teacher was still alive. 290 296

Story Role / Major Arcs

Mentor of Xiao Yan

Yao Lao restores Xiao Yan's path after years of declining Dou Qi, trains him for the three-year agreement, introduces him to alchemy, and protects him against early Soul Hall threats. 5 551

His influence extends beyond direct instruction: the Fire Gathering Method and Spirit-Raising Method become key parts of Xiao Yan's performance at the Pill Convention, demonstrating his teacher's continuing legacy during their separation. 588 589 592

He also accepts Su Zhang as a disciple after their reunion in Tianlan City, formally connecting Su Zhang and Xiao Yan as senior and junior brothers. 14 15

Separation in the Ten Thousand Beasts Space

Di Nian's warning forces Yao Lao to separate from Xiao Yan and remain in the Ten Thousand Beasts Space, making Xiao Yan's future strength and Yao Lao's resurrection a central long-term goal. 128 551

During his absence, his reputation continues to shape events in the Central Plains. Venerable Wind protects Xiao Yan as his old friend's disciple, while Bai Xun attempts to exploit Yao Lao's disappearance through a false inheritance claim. Xiao Yan eventually begins openly identifying himself as Yao Lao's disciple once concealment no longer offers meaningful protection from the Soul Hall. 266 290 296 375

Return Against the Ancient Clan

Yao Lao returns during the Ancient Clan's attack on Xiao Yan and the Xiao Clan, declaring his protection of both master and disciple's family. 750 756

His intervention includes facing Gu Yu head-on through extraordinarily pure, tangible soul power. Xiao Yan recognizes him as the decisive reinforcement who arrived when he was most needed. 751 755

Resurrection and Return to Starfall Pavilion

With Xiao Yan, Wei Jiangyuan, Old Man Shennong, and others preparing the necessary materials, Yao Lao merges with a Dou Sheng body and returns to life as a one-star Dou Sheng. 784 786 788

The final plan substantially improves upon his original requirements, combining Xiao Yan's four Heavenly Flames, upgraded medicinal ingredients, and Yao Lao's strengthened soul. Fire Essence Demon Ginseng is added to improve the reconstructed body's flame affinity. 784 786

His return also reunites him with Venerable Wind, Xuan Yi, and Yao Qingyu, restoring both his place at Starfall Pavilion and his interrupted family relationships. 759 764

Alliance Formation and Administration

After Xiao Yan's wedding, Yao Lao contributes to discussions about how their forces should respond to the continent's impending turmoil. He argues for alliances with Central Plains factions, where they have a chance to retain leadership, rather than depending solely on stronger Dou Di descendant clans. 915 916

He travels with Xiao Yan and Yao Qingyu to negotiate with the Flower Sect and uses the journey to instruct both younger alchemists about soul realms. He also gives Xiao Yan the newly created Soul-Sealing Consciousness Suppression technique. Burning Flame Valley's alliance negotiations are subsequently entrusted to him. 917 919 920 921 936

After the alliance's establishment, he assists with administration and offers to select high-grade Dou Techniques for Xiao Yan from the Spirit Clan's Library Pavilion, helping reduce his disciple's burdens. 1058

Battle Against Hun Mang

In the Spirit Realm conflict, Yao Lao confronts Hun Mang in a battle focused heavily on soul power. Although his perfected Heavenly State Soul allows him to rival four-star Dou Shengs, Hun Mang's peak four-star strength and expertise in soul techniques make the confrontation difficult. 1030

Yao Lao moves to stop Hun Mang from collecting fragments of the Spirit Emperor's remnant soul, criticizing his willingness to attack even his allies. Hun Mang later uses the remnant soul's power in black mist that draws in both Xiao Yan's flame attacks and Yao Lao's soul power, putting their group in danger as allied reinforcements arrive. 1044 1045

Yao Lao is subsequently shown recovering from injuries under Fairy Qing's care. Xiao Yan visits and carefully checks his condition, reaffirming their familial master-disciple bond. 1057

Yao Clan Medicine Ceremony

Yao Lao returns to the Yao Clan to settle old grievances and seek recognition for his late parents. At the ceremony, his alchemy surpasses even Patriarch Yao Dan's expectations and earns the acclaim he once sought as a youth. 1084 1103 1114

His specific goal is to secure his parents' entry into the Yao Clan ancestral hall. Because they had been treated as ordinary branch clansmen, he chooses to establish sufficient prestige through his own alchemy rather than expose his wish to another humiliating refusal. 1103

Before the ceremony, he spends two months studying alchemy with Xiao Yan and Xiao Qingqing. When Yao Wangui intercepts and insults them on the way to the venue, Yao Lao entrusts the confrontation to Xiao Yan while reminding him to leave the clan some dignity. 1090 1104

Yao Lao and Xiao Yan jointly use his newly developed ninth-tier pill-fusion method, allowing Xiao Yan to complete the Clear Subtle Revival Pill, a ninth-tier Mystic Pill. Although Yao Dan later apologizes and invites him back to the clan, Yao Lao declines to return. 1112 1115 1116

Continued Soul-Cultivation Guidance

When Xiao Yan obtains the Soul Hall's accumulated soul power, he consults Yao Lao and Wang Yun before attempting to absorb it. Yao Lao provides a comparatively mild ninth-tier soul-strengthening pill formula, supporting his disciple's cautious approach to further advancement. 1227

Notable Quotes

“Kid, your teacher has returned. With me here, the sky will not fall today!” 750

“Soul power is the foundation of our existence, a part of how we sense heaven and earth.” 920

“If possible, kill him—provided you can ensure your safety!” 444

“Be careful. This is the Yao Clan after all, so you should still leave them a little dignity.” 1104

Trivia

• Yao Lao's original resurrection plan only required three Heavenly Flames and a Dou Zong body, but Xiao Yan's later resources made a Dou Sheng body possible. 20 784
• He briefly reached the Imperial State Soul with the Void Heavenly Emperor's help, though he ultimately stabilized at the peak of the Heavenly State Soul. 921
• Yao Lao considers Han Feng the only person whose character he disastrously misjudged. 759
• His ninth-tier refinement innovation uses the spirituality of one ninth-tier pill to elevate another, overcoming the material limitations of the original Spirit-Raising Method at that level. 1112
• Su Zhang's seniority over Xiao Yan comes from receiving Yao Lao's alchemy notes earlier, not from being formally accepted as a disciple first. 15
• Xiao Qingqing sensed his impending awakening as a three-year-old child, correctly distinguishing his soul fluctuation from Xiao Yan's despite the absence of a visible change in the vortex. 788
• His original use of the Spirit-Raising Method shook the Central Plains alchemy world and marked the beginning of an ambiguous romantic connection with Xuan Yi. 592

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