Xu Yan

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Xu Yan (徐阎)
Alias(es)	Half-Immortal Xu 43
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Taiyuan Divine Sect; Talent Academy; Purple Star Palace; master of Miaoyuan Grotto-Heaven 46 119 120
Occupation/Role	Cultivator, alchemist, edict-script practitioner, and true inheritor 53 127
Status	Active 180
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Qi Exhalation, eighth level	1	Reached this stage after four years as an independent cultivator.
Qi Exhalation, ninth level	2	Advanced while adapting to the cultivation world around Dragon Spine Mountain.
Pulse Opening, first level	8	Broke through the throat's Tiantu Pass with the Eight-Nine Profound Art and Earth Spirit Spring water.
Pulse Opening, sixth level	51	Reached the sixth level before reuniting with Qin Yiren at Gold and Silver Terrace.
Pulse Opening, seventh level	60	Broke the Heavenly Threshold Pass after refining a high-grade Essence-Nurturing Pill.
Pulse Opening, ninth level	73	Opened the Niwan Palace after three months of cultivation, pill refinement, edict study, and divine-ability practice.
Dao Embryo, flawless Dao foundation	87 88	Formed a flawless Primordial Dao Embryo through the Primordial Foundation Establishment Method; his phenomenon persisted for more than twenty days.
Dao Embryo, second level complete	112	Improved during three months of seclusion in White Bone Madam's cave heaven; dantian expanded to 250 zhang.
Spirit Sea, first level	121	Formed a Spirit Sea one hundred zhang deep, marked by mysterious golden flowing light.
Spirit Sea, third level	139	Advanced after five days cultivating in the Golden Turtle Great Sage's nine-tiered pagoda.
Spirit Sea, fourth level	144	Advanced by refining the premium Purple Huan Treasure Pill.
Spirit Sea, sixth level	151	Reached the fifth and then sixth levels through extended cultivation in the Candle Breath Cauldron.
Spirit Sea, seventh level	157	Advanced during half a year of seclusion after obtaining the Yin Reversal and Yang Disruption ancient edicts.
Spirit Sea, eighth level	158	Reached the eighth level and further cultivated his Niwan Palace and divine consciousness.
Spirit Sea, ninth level	167	Broke through the final Spirit Sea layer, forming a nine-hundred-zhang Spirit Sea.

Background

Xu Yan was born in Green Ox Town, Sishui City, Yuanwu Kingdom, in Cang Province. His family had farmed for generations, and he was raised by village relatives after his parents died early. At sixteen, a wandering Daoist judged him to possess suitable aptitude, left him the Taicang Breathing Technique, Twelve Spell Divine Powers, and Plum Blossom Qimen, and directed him east toward the path of immortality. 1

He spent four years cultivating independently. His early use of the obscure Plum Blossom Qimen led the original owner of his body to offend cultivators through reckless divination and deception, leaving Xu Yan with enemies and a need to move frequently. Unlike that reckless predecessor, Xu Yan is defined by battlefield-honed caution and avoids opportunities he cannot safely seize. 1

At Langya Immortal Inn near Dragon Spine Mountain, Xu Yan encountered Yan Qihu and learned of the disturbance surrounding the Dragon Ridge Immortal Treasury. Though initially unwilling to rush into the danger, he eventually entered the treasury after preparing talismans, pills, and artifacts. 1 6

The treasury became the foundation of his rise. There, he opened his meridians, acquired the Eight-Nine Profound Art, fought Nine Star Kui Island disciples, formed connections with Qin Yiren and other independent cultivators, and obtained the Tianshu Bottle. 8 9 22 41

After leaving the treasury, Xu Yan joined the Talent Academy in the Dragon Ridge Hundred Academies under Gongsun Yan's guidance. His victory at the Startling Dragon Gathering and subsequent flawless Dao Embryo brought him recognition throughout the Hundred Academies and attracted the attention of the Taiyuan Divine Sect's major factions. 44 85 86 88

Purple Star Palace later granted him the Clear Micro Grotto-Heaven, which he renamed Miaoyuan Grotto-Heaven. He continued cultivating in the Divine Land, participated in the campaigns around Golden Turtle Sea and Mengqi Great Marsh, and became the leading Spirit Sea disciple in merit during the war. 119 120 166 180

Appearance

Xu Yan is a young man of about twenty with refined, handsome features, a steady gaze, and a composed bearing. He is frequently described as calm and dignified even when surrounded by stronger or hostile cultivators. 1 7 91

• Often wears Daoist robes, including a black Eight Trigrams robe during the Mystic Ancient Dao Field exposition. 126
• Possesses a rare Primordial Spirit Vein, later recognized as the basis of his flawless Primordial Dao foundation. 5 88
• His Primordial Mystic Qi is dark, domineering, and can manifest calamity-like wind, fire, thunder, and rain phenomena. 28 85
• After cultivating the Taihao Golden Body Art, faint golden patterns appear beneath his skin when he exerts physical strength. 124 130

Personality

Xu Yan is cautious, strategic, and difficult to provoke into acting rashly. He evaluates risks before pursuing opportunities, studies dangerous arrays instead of forcing his way through them, and prefers escape or preparation over reckless confrontation. 1 41 92

He is also pragmatic. Xu Yan accepts resources, compensation, and favorable alliances when they benefit his cultivation, while remaining alert to the motives behind others' generosity. 66 111 158

In battle, Xu Yan is calm and decisive rather than merciful. He kills enemies who seek his life, exploits openings without hesitation, and is willing to use deception when survival demands it. 10 112 141

Despite this ruthlessness, he values loyalty and repays kindness. He maintains ties with Yan Qihu, Fang Che, Gongsun Yan, Qin Yiren, Jiang Beixuan, and the Talent Academy disciples who supported him. 53 78 101

Abilities & Skills

Miaoyuan Edict

The golden edict marks on Xu Yan's palms are his defining treasure-seeking and treasure-controlling ability. It responds to his divine sense and becomes more effective as his cultivation advances. 2 9

• Identifies treasures by revealing their names and functions in his sea of consciousness. 2 3
• Initially sensed treasures within roughly twenty zhang; activating it consumes divine sense, with greater distance and higher-grade treasures costing more. 3
• Expanded its sensing range to fifty zhang after his first Pulse Opening breakthrough. 9
• Unlocks formations and restrictions, including the Eight Gates Celestial Cycle Array Disk and the Heavenly Master Treasure Talisman. 33 112
• Can draw spiritually charged objects toward Xu Yan and manipulate treasures from a distance. 158
• Its exceptional treasure affinity has repeatedly exposed Xu Yan to danger, as powerful cultivators recognize its value. 112

Eight-Nine Profound Art

A superior cultivation art suited to Xu Yan's Primordial Spirit Vein. It forms the basis of his dark Primordial Mystic Qi and his early Pulse Opening advancement. 8 9

• Breaks meridian barriers through an exceptionally painful, forceful cultivation method. 8 60
• Grants the superior divine powers Primordial Seven Resonances, Chaos Step, and Primordial Qi Force. 9
• Its high consumption makes sustained use difficult at lower cultivation levels. 9 28
• Supports Xu Yan's ability to evolve wind, fire, thunder, rain, and other phenomena through Primordial Mystic Qi. 28 85

Primordial Chaos Palm

A palm art originally called the Primordial Seven Resonances, which layers increasingly destructive resonances into a single strike. 9 28

• Reached three resonances shortly after Xu Yan opened his meridians, blasting a five-zhang-deep hole into a cliff. 9
• Reached five resonances by Chapter 28, becoming his strongest direct offensive divine ability at the time. 28
• Combines Primordial Mystic Qi with qi-and-blood force, producing overwhelming impact against opponents and artifacts. 9 57
• Consumes a substantial portion of Xu Yan's Mystic Qi when used at high output. 28

Northern Dipper Edict Traversal Art

A star-position movement art that allows Xu Yan to shift rapidly between prepared edict-script positions. 85

• Uses divine sense to establish shifting star positions across the battlefield. 85 92
• Enabled Xu Yan to evade Jiang E's attacks and dominate the Startling Dragon Gathering's Dharma-art contest. 85
• Reached the fourth level, Heavenly Authority, by the end of his White Bone Cave Heaven seclusion. 112
• Consumes divine sense heavily during repeated use and can strain his Niwan Palace. 94

Manifest Sage Dharma Eyes

A divine-sense cultivation path that improves Xu Yan's perception, analysis, and offensive spiritual consciousness. 74 112

• His opened Niwan Palace expanded his divine-sense range to 240 zhang. 74
• The second-stage Dharma Eyes can examine dantians, Spirit Seas, formations, and opponents' foundations in detail. 112 122
• Supports the Light Division Thought Transformation technique, allowing him to split and control divine sense with extraordinary precision. 126 127
• Manifest Sage Edict Scripts such as Slash and Set can project destructive divine consciousness or improve prediction and control. 160 168
• A Manifest Sage strike allowed Xu Yan to kill an Immortal Aperture demon general despite remaining in the Spirit Sea realm. 161 162

Taihao Golden Body Art

An ancient body-tempering method derived from the Great Vast Huangtian Golden Body Dao Book. 103 124

• First layer, Light Tempering, draws heavenly light into the body rather than relying on qi-and-blood medicines. 124
• Reached one-arm strength of ten thousand jun during Light Tempering. 130
• Completed the first layer after cultivating in the Golden Turtle Great Sage's pagoda, increasing one-arm strength to twenty thousand jun. 139
• Allows Xu Yan to contend physically with powerful Spirit Sea cultivators and withstand attacks beyond his realm. 156 157

Alchemy and Edict Scripts

Xu Yan is a capable alchemist and a dedicated student of ancient edict scripts. His alchemy supplies both cultivation resources and battlefield support. 52 53

• Refined sixty mid-to-upper-grade Origin Nurturing Pills in seven days, including superior-grade pills. 53
• Earned spirit stones and merit by refining Essence-Nurturing, Heavenly Creation, and other high-grade pills. 60 166
• Refined top-grade and superb-grade Heavenly Creation Pills during the Mengqi Great Marsh campaign, placing first among Spirit Sea disciples in merit. 166
• Studies edict scripts through the Gongsun Clan's Wanxiang Edict rubbing and can decipher Dao Evolution script. 53 112
• Uses edict knowledge to unlock arrays, control artifacts, stabilize qi mechanisms, and improve divine-sense precision. 33 41 126

Heavenly Master Treasure Arts

Xu Yan seized and refined a Heavenly Master Treasure Talisman from Senior Brother Jing. 112

• Grafting — one of the talisman's three extraordinary treasure arts. 112
• Star Shift — redirects an opponent's attack; Xu Yan used it to turn Huangfu Xiu's lightning art back upon him. 112 178
• Earth Fiend Hundred Transformations — disguises Xu Yan's appearance and aura; he used it to impersonate another cultivator and frame Kui Island disciples for Lu He's death. 112 141
• The Miaoyuan Edict destroyed the talisman's original restrictions, allowing Xu Yan to use it without the Heavenly Palace's controlling method. 112

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Miaoyuan Edict — palm-borne edict capable of treasure identification, restriction-breaking, and object manipulation. 3 112 158
• Tianshu Bottle — an imitation of the primordial Creation Bottle containing the Spirit-Devouring Grand Array; condenses Embryonic Pills and can refine spiritual essence and primordial spirits. 41 98 101
• Primordial Nine-Section Spear — a Primordial artifact forged from five-element embryo artifacts, Ao Jade, and the Crimson Nightmare Spear as its fire-element foundation. 142 144
• Heavenly Master Treasure Talisman — a Spirit Soul Stone talisman containing Grafting, Star Shift, and Earth Fiend Hundred Transformations. 112
• Golden Dao Books — Ancient Sun Records, Emperor-Building Contemplation, and Great Vast Huangtian Golden Body; they entered Xu Yan's dantian after the Golden Dao Palace collapsed. 99
• Candle Breath Cauldron — ancient alchemy cauldron used for pill refinement and later intensive cultivation. 47 151
• Ziwei Star Sword — carried alongside the Primordial Nine-Section Spear before Xu Yan departed to seek the Dao Palace. 180
• Qiankun Box — a palm-sized storage artifact containing a thirty-zhang internal space. 69

Relationships

• Qin Yiren — trusted companion and fellow cultivator. Xu Yan helped her recover from injuries in the Immortal Treasury, and the two cooperated to obtain Great Teleportation Tokens; she later gave him pills, warned him of ambushes, and remained concerned for his safety. 22 33 66 130
• Gongsun Yan — Xu Yan's mentor and the presiding master of Talent Academy. He taught Xu Yan edict scripts, gave him movement-art guidance, protected his Foundation Establishment, and supported his future cultivation. 50 73 87
• Nangong Wenqiu / Ziwei Dharma King — early benefactor and powerful patron. She identified Xu Yan's Primordial Spirit Vein, granted the Eight-Nine Profound Art, and later arranged his connection to Purple Star Palace. 5 9 104 119
• White Bone Madam — former enemy whose primordial spirit Xu Yan refined into the artifact spirit of the Crimson Nightmare Spear. She later assists him with ancient knowledge, artifact matters, and inheritance comprehension. 98 101 112 172
• Jiang Beixuan — respected ally and sparring partner. The two fought demons together, discussed cultivation, and maintained mutual respect despite their differing backgrounds. 101 104
• Yan Qihu — Xu Yan's first notable acquaintance at Langya Immortal Inn and a continuing friend among the independent cultivators. 1 43 53
• Fang Che — independent cultivator ally who fought alongside Xu Yan against Nine Star Kui Island disciples and later remained part of his circle. 19 53
• Tushan Jiuyuan — Celestial Fox cultivator Xu Yan first encountered over an Earth Spirit Spring. Their relationship remains guarded but generally non-hostile. 7 91
• Murong Ziyao — divine maiden of the Murong Clan and Xu Yan's principal rival among the Three Clans of Kui Island. Their enmity intensified after Xu Yan killed Murong Yan, fought her in White Bone Abyss, and humiliated her at the Spirit Seizing Dharma Assembly. 93 95 115 128
• Jianjia and Bailu — Fish Maiden sisters purchased by Xu Yan at the Thousand-Gold Treasure Exchange; he later teaches them edict scripts and oversees their cultivation. 138 144
• Xi Wanlu — sword cultivator and artifact forger who assisted Xu Yan's return from Golden Turtle Sea and helped arrange the forging of the Primordial Nine-Section Spear. 139 142

Story Role / Major Arcs

Dragon Ridge Immortal Treasury

• Arrived at Langya Immortal Inn, met Yan Qihu, and chose caution over immediately entering the Dragon Ridge Immortal Treasury. 1
• Used the Miaoyuan Edict to identify and sell the Primordial Yin Treasure Jade, funding his initial artifacts, talismans, pills, and supplies. 2 3 6
• Opened his first meridian, learned the Eight-Nine Profound Art, and began using Primordial divine powers. 8 9
• Killed robbers from Nine Star Kui Island, beginning his long conflict with the Three Clans of Kui Island. 10
• Partnered with Qin Yiren, acquired teleportation treasures, and obtained the Tianshu Bottle from the Heaven and Earth Furnace. 33 39 41

Dragon Ridge Hundred Academies

• Joined Talent Academy after several Dao Masters sought to recruit him for his Primordial Spirit Vein and exceptional aptitude. 44 46
• Developed his alchemy, accumulated spirit wealth, and advanced through the Pulse Opening realm. 53 60 73
• Defeated Murong Yan in a life-and-death duel, further escalating the Nine Star Kui Island feud. 56 57
• Won the Startling Dragon Gathering, defeating Jiang E, Chen Luoyun, and Jiang Qingcheng before claiming the championship. 85 86
• Formed a flawless Primordial Dao Embryo, creating a phenomenon that shook the Hundred Academies for over twenty days. 87 88

Blood Oath Demon Expedition

• Entered White Bone Abyss, escaped ambushes by Tuoba Yunzheng's group, and became entangled in a deadly pursuit by Murong Ziyao. 92 93 94
• Found the Golden Dao Palace, captured White Bone Madam's primordial spirit, and obtained the three Golden Dao Books. 96 98 99
• Refined White Bone Madam into the Crimson Nightmare Spear's artifact spirit and ranked tenth in the expedition's performance merits. 101 102
• Acquired the Heavenly Master Treasure Talisman and used White Bone Madam's cave heaven for a major period of cultivation. 112

Divine Land and Miaoyuan Grotto-Heaven

• Received a grotto-heaven from Purple Star Palace and renamed it Miaoyuan Grotto-Heaven. 119 120
• Formed his Spirit Sea and defeated Lu Caiwei of Upper Yin Grotto-Heaven despite her higher cultivation. 121 122
• Studied the Mystic Ancient Dao Field's methods, defeating Han Xiao in Light Division Thought Transformation after only three days of practice. 126 127
• Defeated and captured Huangfu Xiong and three Murong Clan disciples after they ambushed him. 128

Golden Turtle Sea and Mengqi Great Marsh

• Completed the first layer of the Taihao Golden Body Art in the Golden Turtle Great Sage's pagoda and obtained the materials needed for a Primordial artifact. 139
• Had Lu Yanhui forge the Primordial Nine-Section Spear, then advanced to the fourth level of the Spirit Sea realm. 142 144
• Defeated Luo Yangtian and Yin Hua of the Ten Thousand Serpents Divine Sect despite their superior cultivation. 156 157
• Developed the Manifest Sage Edict Scripts and killed an Immortal Aperture demon general in less than half an hour. 160 161 162
• Ranked first among Spirit Sea disciples in the Golden Turtle Sea campaign, receiving fifty thousand high-grade spirit stones, one hundred superior Foundation-Nurturing Pills, and ten ten-thousand-year heavenly treasures. 180

Notable Quotes

“With these lands of opportunity and blessed grounds, you need the fate to enjoy them.” 1

“Your life will not last much longer. Why should you know my name?” 156