Xiao Family

Biodata

Background / History

The Xiao Family is based in Wutan City. Its patriarch, Xiao Zhan, is the only son of Xiao Lin, a former Dou Wang expert of the Xiao Family in the imperial capital. Xiao Zhan married Yang Chen's elder sister, linking the family to the Yang Clan through their three sons: Xiao Ding, Xiao Li, and Xiao Yan 39 82.

During Xiao Yan's three-year decline in cultivation, many clansmen openly mocked and marginalized him. At the annual test, he was treated as a disgrace despite being the patriarch's son; at the reception hall, the elders did not even reserve him a seat 2 5.

Yang Chen's arrival transformed the family's treatment of Xiao Yan. After revealing himself as Xiao Yan's maternal uncle and casually defeating the Second Elder, Yang Chen made it clear that insults toward Xiao Yan would have consequences. The elders subsequently treated Xiao Yan with conspicuous respect, including personally tending his injury and offering family resources 7 9 35.

The family later faced an economic crisis when the Jia Lie Family monopolized Wutan City's healing-medicine market with an alchemist. Rather than seek Yang Chen's aid, Xiao Yan revealed himself as a first-tier alchemist and began refining medicine for the family. The Xiao Family regained its market position, absorbed some Jia Lie businesses, and became Wutan City's leading family after the Jia Lie Family departed 86 87 88.

Organization

Influence and Reputation

• Yang Chen's visits and his status as a Dou Wang caused the Xiao Family's standing in Wutan City to surge, though observers recognized that his loyalty was chiefly to Xiao Yan rather than the family as a whole 35 86.
• Xiao Yan's rise from the third stage of Dou Qi to a Dou Zhe restored his reputation within the family and made him the only Dou Zhe among that year's coming-of-age participants 72 81.
• Xiao Yan's alchemy became a decisive family asset during the trade conflict with the Jia Lie Family, allowing the Xiao Family to contest and reclaim the healing-medicine market 86 88.
• The Soul Hall ordered Yun Shan to investigate the Xiao Family's origins, particularly when it entered the Jia Ma Empire and where it came from 52.
• Yang Chen later learned that the Misty Cloud Sect had secretly sent people to investigate the Xiao Family despite Yun Yun's agreement not to trouble Xiao Yan 84.

Major Arcs

Annual Test and Engagement Dispute

Xiao Yan's humiliation during the annual test exposed the family's poor treatment of him. The elders' neglect continued during Nalan Yanran's visit, when they excluded him from the reception hall seating 2 5.

Yang Chen's intervention during the dispute over Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran's engagement shifted the internal balance of power. His effortless defeat of the Second Elder forced the family to recognize both Xiao Yan's protection and Yang Chen's authority 7.

Xiao Yan's Restoration

After Xiao Yan regained his ability to cultivate, his position within the family rapidly improved. Formerly dismissive elders began providing medical care, resources, and deference because of Yang Chen's backing 4 9 35.

At the coming-of-age ceremony, Xiao Yan publicly demonstrated one-star Dou Zhe cultivation. The family recognized his return as a genius, while Yang Chen's attendance further elevated the event's importance 79 80 81.

Healing-Medicine Trade War

The Jia Lie Family's hired alchemist nearly monopolized Wutan City's healing-medicine trade, reducing the Xiao Family's income and prompting the elders to seek help 86.

Xiao Yan instead supplied the family with medicines as a first-tier alchemist. The resulting competition ended with the Jia Lie Family losing access to medicinal ingredients and leaving Wutan City; the Xiao Family emerged as the city's sole leading family 86 88.

Relationships

• Yang Chen — Xiao Zhan's brother-in-law and maternal uncle to Xiao Ding, Xiao Li, and Xiao Yan. His protection of Xiao Yan greatly increased the family's influence, though he openly disdains Xiao Zhan's leadership 2 7 82.
• Xiao Yan — patriarch's third son and the family's foremost young talent. His cultivation and alchemy restore the family's standing and resolve its medicine-market crisis 80 86 88.
• Xiao Zhan — current patriarch; criticized by Yang Chen and Yao Chen for failing to protect Xiao Yan and for avoiding responsibility during the family's crisis 2 86.
• Xiao Ding and Xiao Li — Xiao Yan's elder brothers, who operate the Desert Iron Mercenary Group in Rock Desert City and train under experts arranged by Yang Chen 29 32.
• Jia Lie Family — commercial rival defeated in Wutan City's healing-medicine trade conflict 86 88.
• Misty Cloud Sect — connected to Nalan Yanran's attempted dissolution of Xiao Yan's engagement and later conducts covert inquiries into the Xiao Family 6 84.
• Soul Hall — orders Yun Shan to investigate the family's origins and movements in the Jia Ma Empire 52.