Medicine Elder

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Yao Chen (药尘)
Alias(es)	Medicine Elder; Venerable Yao
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Xiao Yan’s mentor
Occupation/Role	Alchemist; cultivation mentor
Status	Active as a disembodied soul; his physical body was lost 36
First Appearance	Chapter 3

Background and History

Earlier Life

Yao Chen was a member of the Yao Clan with a thin Dou Di bloodline. In his prime, he was a peak Dou Zun and a celebrated alchemist whose reputation reached the Pill Tower and Starfall Pavilion. 3

Known as Venerable Yao and reputedly the continent’s foremost alchemist, he won the Pill Tower’s continent-wide alchemy competition and became a candidate for one of its Three Giants. 115

His supposed death in a cauldron explosion is implied to have concealed foul play. His adopted son, Han Feng, is identified as the traitor responsible for killing his teacher. 3 56 115

Meeting Yang Chen and Xiao Yan

While concealed within Xiao Yan’s storage ring, Yao Chen secretly absorbed Xiao Yan’s Dou Qi for three years. Yang Chen confronted him, revealed detailed knowledge of his past and connection to Han Feng, and compelled him to agree to train Xiao Yan while keeping their meeting secret. 3 10

Yao Chen later emerged before Xiao Yan, admitted to absorbing his Dou Qi, and accepted him as his final disciple. He promised to devote himself to nurturing Xiao Yan, while demanding that his origins remain secret—even from Yang Chen. 10

Training Xiao Yan

Yao Chen oversees Xiao Yan’s cultivation through painful body-tempering, pill refinement, formation training, and practical combat experience. His methods are deliberately harsh, but he provides encouragement, medical preparations, and intervention when Xiao Yan faces genuine mortal danger. 35 36 104

He guides Xiao Yan in cultivating the Flame God Art and prepares him to refine the beast flame gifted by Yang Chen. He also directs Xiao Yan toward alchemy as a means of acquiring cultivation resources independently. 36 72 73

Appearance

Medicine Elder usually manifests as an aged, floating spiritual figure after emerging from Xiao Yan’s storage ring. 10 72

• Elderly appearance and beard, which he frequently strokes while speaking. 72
• Exists without a physical body and has not recovered his soul to its former peak. 36
• Can conceal himself within Xiao Yan’s ring and communicate directly with him. 10 99

Personality

Yao Chen initially presents himself as proud, theatrical, and evasive. He uses his former status and broad knowledge to impress Xiao Yan, while sidestepping responsibility for having drained the boy’s Dou Qi. 10

As Xiao Yan’s teacher, he is patient and perceptive but intentionally provocative. He withholds information or pushes Xiao Yan into dangerous situations to develop improvisation, resolve, and combat instincts, though he insists he does not intend to let his disciple die. 72 104

Despite his teasing and occasional scheming, he genuinely worries about Xiao Yan’s development. He becomes concerned when Xiao Yan underestimates Nalan Yanran or faces dangers beyond his present ability. 98 99

Abilities & Skills

Alchemy

Yao Chen is a legendary alchemist, recognized as Venerable Yao and formerly regarded as the foremost alchemist on the continent. 115

• Refines cultivation pills from medicinal ingredients acquired by Xiao Yan. 35
• Recognizes the Ten Thousand Beast Cauldron as a cauldron from the Heavenly Cauldron Ranking. 79
• Identifies rare fire-attributed treasures, including Earthfire Lotus Seeds and Companion Amethyst Source. 101 105
• Teaches Xiao Yan to obtain resources through pill refinement and sales rather than relying solely on his family. 72 73

Flame God Art and Flame Control

Yao Chen instructs Xiao Yan in the Flame God Art, a cultivation method that tempers the body with flames and enables its user to devour powerful flames. 36 72 99

• His study of the art improves his own control over the Bone Spirit Chilling Flame despite his weakened soul state. 36
• Introduces Xiao Yan to Solar True Fire, whose power exceeds most Heavenly Flames and grows alongside the user’s cultivation and comprehension. 36
• Believes a cultivator trained from the Dou Qi stage in the Flame God Art could contend with a Da Dou Master at the peak of the Dou Practitioner realm. 36

Soul Possession and Protection

As a soul, Yao Chen can temporarily take control of Xiao Yan’s body and supplement his disciple’s abilities. 105

• Controls Xiao Yan’s Purple Cloud Wings at far greater speed than Xiao Yan can manage alone. 105
• Uses soul power to shield Xiao Yan from the energy fluctuations of battles between major experts. 105
• Intervenes to guide Xiao Yan’s escape from the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King’s territory. 107
• His limits stem from his lost body and incomplete soul recovery. 36

Cultivation and Field Guidance

Yao Chen uses his experience to assess threats, devise opportunities, and train Xiao Yan through real danger. 99 104

• Identifies Medusa Queen as a transformed Seven-Colored Heaven-Swallowing Python and deduces her interest in Companion Amethyst Source. 104
• Advises Xiao Yan on entering the Magic Beast Mountain Range, training with mercenary teams, and seeking a Heavenly Flame in the Tagore Desert. 99
• Guides Xiao Yan through the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King’s lair and identifies the Purple Spirit Crystal’s role in obtaining the Companion Amethyst Source. 106 107

Equipment / Items

• Bone Flame Ring — Storage ring associated with Medicine Elder; Xiao Yan stores the Ten Thousand Beast Cauldron within it. 79
• Bone Spirit Chilling Flame — Heavenly Flame under Yao Chen’s control; his command of it improves through studying the Flame God Art. 36
• Purple beast flame — The beast flame Yang Chen gifted Xiao Yan, later produced by Yao Chen for Xiao Yan’s refinement training. 72

Relationships

• Xiao Yan — Final disciple. Yao Chen initially drained his Dou Qi, then became his teacher and primary guide in cultivation and alchemy. 10 35
• Yang Chen — A powerful figure who knows Yao Chen’s history and forced his cooperation in training Xiao Yan. Yao Chen remains wary of Yang Chen’s strength and mysterious Heavenly Eye. 3 10
• Han Feng — Adopted son and traitorous disciple implicated in Yao Chen’s death. 3 56 115
• Fa Ma — Former student of Yao Chen; Fa Ma later recognizes Xiao Yan’s exceptional alchemical potential. 115
• Nalan Yanran — Xiao Yan’s rival in the Three-Year Agreement; Yao Chen treats her rapid growth as a serious reason to intensify Xiao Yan’s training. 36 99

Notable Quotes

“Besides, once you become this old man's disciple, could I possibly hide anything from my final disciple? Naturally, I will devote all my effort to nurturing you.” 10

“I make you train for your own good, not because I truly want to send you to your death.” 104