Zi Yan

Biodata

Power Progression

Background / History

Zi Yan hatched in the Black-Corner Region while her father, Zhukun, was trapped beneath Jia Nan Academy. After accidentally consuming Transformation Grass, she took the form of a human girl. Great Elder Su Qian found her and brought her to the academy, where she grew up 1181 1182.

At the Inner Academy, Xiao Yan befriended Zi Yan and arranged to refine palatable pills for her in exchange for daily sparring. Su Qian later permitted her to travel with Xiao Yan and Xun Er. Her senses helped the group find valuable medicinal herbs 8.

Zi Yan learned that she was an Ancient Void Dragon during the Ten Thousand Beasts Space expedition 85. As the first Ancient Void Dragon to enter that space, she received a portion of the bloodline power left by the Void Heavenly Emperor, who had a profound connection with her clan. This opportunity also allowed her to use certain functions of the space 85.

She later gained recognition within the dragon clan and became its Dragon Emperor, though the rulers of the other Dragon Islands resisted her claim 972 988 1182. The clan's division followed Zhukun's disappearance: only East Dragon Island supported Zi Yan unwaveringly, while the other three islands' rulers refused to surrender their authority. Wei Jiangyuan's gift of the Dragon-Phoenix Origin Fruit offered her a means to reunify the clan, but also prompted the rival Dragon Kings to attack before she could fully wield its power 888 972 973.

When Xiao Yan returned with her to Jia Nan Academy, she finally met Zhukun beneath the academy and learned why he had been absent throughout her childhood 1177 1181 1182. Their life essence blood fused perfectly, confirming their relationship. Zhukun explained that his search for Tou She Ancient God's cave mansion had left him imprisoned for more than ten thousand years 1181 1182.

Zi Yan and the Ancient Void Dragon Clan became part of Xiao Yan's faction, Origin Return Manor 1188. During the later war against the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan, Nine Phoenix severely wounded her and killed Elder Qingmu while he was helping her escape. After recovering, she grieved for Qingmu and supported Lei Jingxiao's efforts to grow stronger 1260 1268 1269. More than a year into Lei Jingxiao's seclusion, she was managing Origin Return Manor's strategic energy-crystal reserves. Upon his emergence, they agreed to avenge Elder Qingmu and Lei Miao together 1279.

Appearance

Zi Yan initially ordinarily appears as a petite girl with purple hair and purple eyes. Her transformation can give her an adult figure and visible dragon traits 28 150 646. After absorbing the Dragon-Phoenix Origin Fruit, she is described in human form as tall and slender, with loose purple hair falling past her shoulders and noble purple light in her pupils 988.

• Adult transformation — Her hair lengthens, purple scales appear on her arms and beside her eyes, and her nails become claws 150.
• True form — She can transform into an enormous Ancient Void Dragon 987 1023.

Personality

Zi Yan is playful, blunt, and eager to fight. She teases Xiao Yan, demands her daily pills with strict punctuality, and dislikes being kept out of a battle 8 15 144. She is also fiercely loyal: when Xiao Yan suggests that she return to Jia Nan Academy rather than risk accompanying him, she insists on staying to protect him 139.

As Dragon Emperor, she shows concern for her clan as well as her friends. She gives Elder Qingmu a Bodhi Seed to aid his recovery and shields Xiao Yan from elders seeking the bodies of dragon clansmen he defeated 991 995.

Despite accepting leadership, Zi Yan privately resents its restrictions. She tells Xiao Yan that she misses their carefree travels and does not truly want to command the clan, but cannot disregard the sacrifices made for her. The elders' expectations and comparisons with her father weigh heavily on her, making Xiao Yan an important confidant 992 993.

Her concern for others can also become self-reproach. After Xun Er goes missing following their separation, Zi Yan blames herself despite Xiao Yi Xian's reassurance and immediately seeks Zhukun's help 1190. By the battle with Nine Phoenix, she has become more discerning about her limits, recognizing that she cannot contend with an eight-star Dou Sheng even though she can defeat six-star opponents 1259.

Although she finds managing Origin Return Manor's energy crystals boring, she diligently remains at her post because mishandling their immense stored energy could cause serious trouble 1279.

Abilities & Skills

Physical Strength and Combat

Zi Yan's innate strength makes even ordinary punches formidable. Absorbed essence blood further enhances that strength 8 29.

• Defeats Yang Lingyan, a four-star Dou Huang, with a punch after evading his attacks 29.
• Can pressure Dou Zong opponents in close combat, though Xie Biyan's hardened scorpion form withstands her initial strikes 149.
• Her early absorption of essence blood increases her innate strength by approximately thirty percent in addition to improving her Dou Qi 29.
• During the Spirit Realm battle, her combat skills and control improve rapidly as she fights Ling Xuanmo, even after he activates his Clan Mark 1032.
• With Zhukun's guidance and the complete absorption of her dragon-phoenix bloodline, she can suppress a peak six-star Dou Sheng Heavenly Demon Phoenix while herself at six-star Dou Sheng 1259.

Spatial Control

Her Ancient Void Dragon bloodline grants her exceptional sensitivity to and control over space 29 651.

• Vanishes and reappears behind opponents to attack 29 149.
• Uses spatial power to break through a gap in Holy Pill City's formation, then activates a jade token to open a passage for reinforcements 650 651.
• Opens a spatial vortex to let Lei Jingxiao evade attacks he cannot withstand 1128.
• Instinctively enters a spatial passage to evade Nine Phoenix's initial ambush 1259.
• Maintains a small storage space for Origin Return Manor's energy-crystal reserves and brings scattered crystals under control when Lei Jingxiao's emergence disrupts them 1279.

Her spatial affinity also helps her withstand hazardous environments. In her adult, scaled form, she shields four people with a purple Dou Qi barrier while entering a spatial storm; the barrier's radiance blunts the cutting force of the surrounding spatial energy 204.

Dragon Bloodline and Transformations

Zi Yan's dragon bloodline can exert pressure on other magical beasts and suppress fellow Ancient Void Dragons 129 150 1000.

• An adult, scaled transformation raises her displayed aura from one-star to five-star Dou Zong during her fight with Xie Biyan 150.
• In her true dragon form, she overcomes Xie Biyan's poisonous battlefield and later battles the North Dragon King 150 987 988.
• After absorbing the Dragon-Phoenix Origin Fruit, she gains greatly improved recovery and displays phoenix flames alongside her dragon power 1024 1180.
• Her pure imperial bloodline suppresses the North Dragon King's strength and induces fear even after he reaches four-star Dou Sheng 988.
• The Dragon-Phoenix Origin Fruit continues aiding her growth after her initial breakthrough rather than expending all its benefits immediately 1003 1020.
• Purple-gold radiance rapidly repairs her damaged dragon scales during battle and provides sufficient defense for her to disregard ordinary attacks while fighting Huang Tian 1024 1128.
• Her dragon power drives back the lizardlike guardians in the Underground Magma World 1178.

Zi Yan can also provide potent life essence blood to others. She gives Lei Jingxiao three drops to help him survive absorbing the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame. After his seclusion, he manifests purple-gold scales associated with the Ancient Void Dragon imperial bloodline, and the two sense a faint connection between their bloodlines 1279.

Medicinal Senses and Digestion

Zi Yan can locate high-grade medicinal herbs and consume large quantities of medicinal energy 8 149.

• Xiao Yan refines herbs into pills for her because she dislikes eating raw herbs 8.
• She uses Xiao Yan's pills to expel Xie Biyan's poison, though his later poisonous mist still restricts her senses and movement 149 150.
• After absorbing the Dragon-Phoenix Origin Fruit, she no longer needs pills to make up for insufficient energy intake, but continues eating them out of habit 1056.
• Although she can control her appetite, she remains strongly attracted to high-grade pills and the spiritual energy involved in the Yao Clan's Spirit Bestowal technique 1108.

Dragon Slayer Sword

Zi Yan can summon the Dragon Slayer Sword, a Dou Skill exclusive to the Dragon Emperor. She uses it to kill the West Dragon King 988.

The sword forms from purple-gold Dou Qi and greatly suppresses Ancient Void Dragon clansmen who face it 988. During her joint attack with Xiao Yan against Ling Xuanmo, an unexplained force guides her into using the technique. Her power flows into Xiao Yan, their auras fuse, and he wields a purple-gold sword while standing upon her dragon form. The attack kills Ling Xuanmo but places an enormous burden on Zi Yan. She later identifies the sword as the Dragon Slayer Sword, though neither she nor Elder Qing Shan can explain why the combination occurred 1037 1056.

Void Heavenly Emperor's Inheritance

Zi Yan receives part of the Void Heavenly Emperor's remaining bloodline power in the Ten Thousand Beasts Space, not his complete inheritance. It contributes to her advance to Dou Zong and grants limited access to the space's functions 85 149.

• Can command a bird within the Ten Thousand Beasts Space 85.
• Can transmit her voice across thousands of miles within the space 85.
• The emperor's Di Nian considers her to have already received what is most suitable for her and declines to interfere further with her own path 129.

Purple-Gold Seal

Zi Yan uses the Purple-Gold Seal as a decisive offensive technique. At six-star Dou Sheng, she brings it down on a peak six-star Dou Sheng Heavenly Demon Phoenix and kills the opponent 1259.

Relationships

• Xiao Yan — Close friend, longtime sparring partner, and the alchemist who supplies her pills. They repeatedly fight alongside and protect one another 8 139 987 1036. She trusts him enough to confess her reluctance to be Dragon Emperor and her frustration with the clan's expectations; he encourages her to share the burden with the elders 992 993.
• Su Qian — Jia Nan Academy's Great Elder, who found Zi Yan, raised her at the academy, and welcomed her return 1182 1177.
• Xiao Xun Er — Friend and frequent companion; Xun Er asks Zi Yan to keep an eye on Xiao Yan 15 123. Xun Er later encourages Zi Yan to support Lei Jingxiao during the Thunder Clan successor contest 1094.
• Zhukun — Her father. Zi Yan meets him beneath Jia Nan Academy after growing up without knowing why he was absent 1181 1182. Their matching life essence blood confirms their relationship 1181. He later guides her cultivation and recognizes the concern she tries to hide for Lei Jingxiao 1214 1259.
• Elder Qingmu — Loyal East Dragon Island elder whose recovery Zi Yan supports with a Bodhi Seed 979 991. Nine Phoenix kills him while he is helping Lei Jingxiao evacuate the unconscious Zi Yan. She grieves for him and later resolves to avenge him alongside Lei Jingxiao 1260 1268 1279.
• Elder Qing Shan — East Dragon Island elder who supports her imperial authority, accompanies her to alliance talks, and handles formal discussions on her behalf. He is deeply protective of her safety and worries over her reckless fighting 1003 1010 1056.
• Lei Jingxiao — Fellow battle enthusiast who develops feelings for her. Their relationship grows closer over several years 991 1057 1094. Although she initially rejects his confession, she later becomes accustomed to his presence, encourages him before his contest, and shows concern during Zhukun's sparring guidance 998 1094 1214. He carries her away after Nine Phoenix leaves her unconscious and later vows to gain the strength to protect her 1260 1269. She contributes three drops of life essence blood to his flame absorption, worries through his long seclusion, and agrees to pursue revenge with him after he emerges 1279.
• Wei Jiangyuan — Friend and benefactor who obtains the Dragon-Phoenix Origin Fruit with Yao Qingyu and gives it to Zi Yan. He also works to protect her during the attack on East Dragon Island 888 972 974.
• Xiao Yi Xian — Ally within Origin Return Manor. She comforts Zi Yan over Xun Er's disappearance and later entrusts her with the manor's dangerous strategic energy-crystal reserves 1190 1279.
• North Dragon King — Rival claimant whose forces target Zi Yan; her superior bloodline gives her the advantage when they fight 979 988. His later association with the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan particularly enrages her because of the two clans' longstanding enmity 1127.
• Nine Phoenix — Enemy who specifically targets her because of her position as Dragon Emperor, her acquisition of the Dragon-Phoenix Origin Fruit, and her role in attacking the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan. He severely wounds her and kills Elder Qingmu, making him a target of her and Lei Jingxiao's revenge 1259 1260 1279.

Story Role / Major Arcs

• Ten Thousand Beasts Space — Reveals her Ancient Void Dragon heritage and reaches Dou Zong, helping turn the conflict against Lu Zhi and the opposing factions 85. Her advancement follows receipt of part of the Void Heavenly Emperor's bloodline power, which also gives her limited control over the space 85.
• Battle against Xie Biyan — Transforms to overcome his poison-filled battlefield and kills him 149 150 151. She later kills Qin Huan after his resolve falters, avenging Queen Medusa 165.
• Journey to the Central Plains — Remains with Xiao Yan rather than returning to the Ancient Void Dragon Clan 123 138. She attacks Yan Di when he apparently betrays Xiao Yan to the Soul Hall, but is knocked down; Yan Di subsequently reveals the handover as a feint and attacks the Soul Hall himself 191 192. Later, she protects the group with a scaled transformation and Dou Qi barrier inside a spatial storm 204.
• Holy Pill City conflict — Breaks through a weakness in the city's formation and activates a spatial token, opening the way for Dou Sheng reinforcements 650 651.
• War for Dragon Island — Escapes the Dragon-Transforming Demonic Array with Xiao Yan's help, fights the North Dragon King, and asserts her power as Dragon Emperor 982 987 988. She kills the West Dragon King with the Dragon Slayer Sword, but conceals her exhaustion until the enemy withdraws 988. After stabilizing at late-stage four-star Dou Sheng, she prepares to pursue the remaining rebellious islands 992.
• Alliance formation — Travels to Starfall Pavilion with Elder Qing Shan after reaching a compromise with East Dragon Island's elders. She attends the initial alliance discussions while Qing Shan is assigned the later negotiations 1003 1010.
• Spirit Realm battle — Fights Ling Xuanmo and joins Xiao Yan in the strike that kills him; neither can initially explain the strange power and purple-gold sword involved 1032 1037 1056. She recognizes the sword as the Dragon Slayer Sword, but cannot explain the force that induced their combined attack 1056.
• Thunder Clan successor contest — Encourages Lei Jingxiao before his battle at Xun Er's suggestion, reflecting the growing closeness between them 1094.
• Battle against Huang Tian — As a five-star Dou Sheng, fights the six-star Dou Sheng Huang Tian alongside Lei Jingxiao. Her defensive radiance and spatial vortices allow them to delay him while Xiao Yan prepares a six-flame Fire Lotus 1128.
• Return to Jia Nan Academy — Accompanies Xiao Yan and Qing Lin beneath the academy, where she discovers her father's identity and the reason she grew up alone 1176 1181 1182. Before their reunion, the group drives past the magma world's guardians and discovers Tou She Ancient God's cave mansion 1178 1179.
• Later war against the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan — At six-star Dou Sheng, kills a peak six-star opponent before Nine Phoenix ambushes her 1259. Lei Qingyue and Jiang Yunyan interrupt his pursuit, but he subsequently wounds Lei Jingxiao, pierces Zi Yan through the middle, and leaves her unconscious. Elder Qingmu dies helping them escape, followed by Lei Miao's sacrifice to protect Lei Jingxiao 1259 1260 1261.
• Recovery and preparation for revenge — Visits Lei Jingxiao after grieving for Qingmu, reads Lei Miao's letter, and helps unseal the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame with Zhukun 1268 1269. She provides life essence blood for Lei Jingxiao's absorption and manages Origin Return Manor's energy-crystal reserves during his seclusion. When he emerges after more than a year, the two reaffirm their intention to avenge Qingmu and Lei Miao 1279.