Xiao Yan

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Xiao Yan (萧炎)
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Xiao Family
Occupation/Role	Cultivator; disciple of Yao Chen
Status	Alive as of Chapter 31
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Third Stage Dou Qi	1	His cultivation had regressed for three years; Nalan Yanran dismisses him as “trash” during the annulment ceremony.
Seventh Stage Dou Qi	28	Arrives at the Ancient Clan for his marriage proposal to Gu Xun'er; despite his lower cultivation than the Ancient Clan youths, he competes against them in comprehension and temperament trials.

Background / History

Xiao Yan's cultivation regresses for three years because Yao Chen's soul absorbs his Dou Qi. During Nalan Yanran's visit to annul their engagement, Xiao Yan refuses to accept her contempt and declares that she should not look down on a poor young man. Lin Yang, his uncle, defends him and forces Nalan Yanran and Ge Ye to crawl out of the Xiao Family hall after defeating Ge Ye. 1

On the Xiao Family's rear mountain, Xiao Yan confronts Yao Chen after learning the truth behind his regression. Following Yao Chen's explanation and promises, Xiao Yan accepts him as his master. Lin Yang instructs Yao Chen to train Xiao Yan to the peak Dou King realm within three years, so that Xiao Yan can personally confront Nalan Yanran. 3

Under Yao Chen's guidance, Xiao Yan trains in Dou Techniques including the high-level Xuan-class Eight Extremes Collapse. He also assists with matters in the Xiao Family courtyard, observing Little Fairy Doctor's early attempts at pill refinement and receiving an eight-star Dou Saint captive from Lin Yang for eventual puppet refinement. 5 8 9

After Yao Chen's soul recovers, Xiao Yan begins taking diluted Fuling Green Pills to repair his damaged foundation and improve his cultivation speed. 16 18

Xiao Yan later accompanies Lin Yang, Xiao Zhan, and Yao Chen to the Ancient Clan to seek Gu Xun'er's hand in marriage. To overcome objections from the Ancient Clan's younger generation, he enters two trials testing comprehension and temperament. He wins both, earning approval for a wedding scheduled for the following day. 27 28 31

Personality

Xiao Yan is proud and unwilling to submit to humiliation. Even while only at the third stage of Dou Qi, he openly challenges Nalan Yanran's contempt and refuses to let his current weakness define his future. 1

He remains composed when facing stronger or more prestigious opponents. At the Ancient Clan, he does not react to the youths' mockery of his cultivation level and calmly accepts Gu Yuan's proposed trials. 28

Xiao Yan is confident in his own comprehension and tends to conceal the full extent of his progress rather than show off prematurely. While the other competitors practice openly, he quietly deduces the assigned Dou Technique alone. 30

Abilities & Skills

Dou Technique Comprehension

Xiao Yan possesses exceptional insight and learns techniques faster than the Ancient Clan youths competing against him.

• Learns the low-tier Xuan-class Through-the-Back Fist within a single day. 28 30
• Produces six echoes when demonstrating the technique, surpassing every Ancient Clan competitor. 31
• Reaches a level of comprehension beyond his peers through self-deduction rather than sparring practice. 30
• His experience of “living two lives” is stated to give him insight and comprehension beyond the other youths present. 30

Illusion Resistance

Xiao Yan's soul power and temperament allow him to overcome the Thousand-Illusion Demon-Eyed Beast trial ahead of the Ancient Clan youths.

• His soul power is described as stronger than that of the competing Ancient Clan youths. 28
• He is the first contestant to emerge from the beast's illusion, securing victory in the second trial. 31
• The illusion reflects his deepest attachments, including the concern and affection of his parents. 31

Cultivation Training

Yao Chen trains Xiao Yan in both cultivation and alchemy-related knowledge under a deliberately harsh regimen.

• Practices the high-level Xuan-class Eight Extremes Collapse under Yao Chen's supervision. 5
• Takes diluted Fuling Green Pills over seven days to restore his damaged foundation. 18
• Is expected to recover to the Dou Practitioner realm after further cultivation following the pill treatment. 16

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Emperor-grade saber — selected by Lin Yang from the Artifact Emperor's hidden treasure vault for Xiao Yan. 26
• Heaven-tier soft armor — selected by Lin Yang for Xiao Yan alongside the Emperor-grade saber. 26
• Ring containing Yao Chen's soul — Yao Chen resides within Xiao Yan's ring while acting as his master. 3 8

Relationships

• Lin Yang — His uncle and chief protector. Lin Yang defends Xiao Yan during the annulment, arranges his training under Yao Chen, and supports his marriage proposal to Gu Xun'er. 1 3 27 28
• Yao Chen — His master. Yao Chen caused Xiao Yan's cultivation regression but becomes responsible for training him in cultivation and alchemy. 3 5 16
• Gu Xun'er — His intended wife. Xiao Yan travels to the Ancient Clan to seek her hand and wins both trials required for their wedding. 27 28 31
• Xiao Zhan — His father and the head of the Xiao Family. Xiao Zhan is initially unable to intervene during the annulment confrontation but later accompanies Xiao Yan to the Ancient Clan. 1 27
• Nalan Yanran — His former fiancée. Their engagement is annulled after she disparages him and the Xiao Family; Lin Yang sets a three-year deadline for Xiao Yan to confront her personally. 1 3
• Little Fairy Doctor — Referred to by Xiao Yan as his aunt after Lin Yang brings her to the Xiao Family and places her under Yao Chen's instruction. 4

Story Role / Major Arcs

Engagement Annulment

Xiao Yan refuses to be cowed by Nalan Yanran during her attempt to annul their engagement. His declaration of future resolve becomes the catalyst for Lin Yang's intervention against the Cloud Mist Sect. 1

Yao Chen's Disciple

He learns that Yao Chen caused his regression, then accepts the Medicine Venerable as his master. Lin Yang establishes a three-year cultivation objective for him: reaching the peak Dou King realm and confronting Nalan Yanran himself. 3

Xiao Family Training

Xiao Yan trains under Yao Chen, practices Eight Extremes Collapse, and undergoes treatment intended to repair the foundation damaged during his years of regression. 5 16 18

Ancient Clan Marriage Trials

To marry Gu Xun'er, Xiao Yan competes against nine Ancient Clan youths in technique comprehension and illusion resistance. He produces six echoes with the Through-the-Back Fist and emerges first from the Thousand-Illusion Demon-Eyed Beast's illusion, winning both rounds. 28 30 31

Notable Quotes

“Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river. Never look down on a poor young man.” 1

“Uncle, I have no objections. I'll do my best to pass the trials and make them shut up.” 28