Xiao Yan

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Xiao Yan (萧炎)
Alias(es)	Yan Xiao
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Xiao Clan; Canaan Academy student; disciple of Yao Lao
Occupation/Role	Cultivator; alchemist
Status	Alive
First Appearance	Chapter 4

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Third stage of Dou Qi → Dou Zhe	47	After losing his battle qi for three years, he regains his talent and reaches Dou Zhe in a little over a year.
Dou Zhe	23	At his first meeting with Qin Chen, his own aura is that of a Dou Zhe; Yao Lao temporarily possesses him to display Dou Huang-level power.
Low-star Dou Master	37	His stated realm while training in the Magical Beast Mountain Range; he remains far below Nalan Yanran's Grand Dou Master level.
Xuan-tier Flame Mantra	37 38	Absorbs a sub-flame of the Bone-Chilling Spirit Flame, evolving the Flame Mantra from Yellow-tier to Xuan-tier; Yao Lao falls into slumber from the strain of protecting him during the process.
Five-star Dou Shi	41	Qin Chen identifies his cultivation as five-star Dou Shi when Xiao Yan seeks help awakening Yao Lao.
Da Dou Shi	42	Xiao Yan refers to himself as a “mere Da Dou Shi” while doubting his ability to cure Nalan Jie's Brand Poison.

Background / History

Xiao Yan endured three years in which his battle qi vanished, yet continued cultivating without giving up. His persistence eventually draws the attention of Yao Lao, who becomes his teacher and guides his renewed growth. His engagement to Nalan Yanran is annulled in Wutan City, an insult that hardens his resolve to defeat her through the Three-Year Agreement. 4 23

Rather than immediately reporting to Canaan Academy after enrolling, Xiao Yan takes a year of leave to train. He travels under Yao Lao's instruction, carries the Black-Heaviness Ruler, and cultivates in the Magical Beast Mountain Range. 24

Xiao Yan first encounters Qin Chen after Yao Lao senses the latter's Heavenly Flame. The meeting reveals Yao Lao's identity as the legendary Venerable Yao, while Xiao Yan witnesses the vast gap between himself and Qin Chen's Dou Wang strength. Rather than despairing, he vows to surpass Qin Chen in the future. 23

Appearance

Xiao Yan is described as a handsome youth. During the Alchemist Grand Meeting, he conceals his face behind a mask while competing under the name Yan Xiao. 26 49

• Wields the heavy Black-Heaviness Ruler. 23
• Uses pale white flames associated with Yao Lao's Bone-Chilling Spirit Flame. 23 46
• Wears second-tier alchemist robes while acting as Yan Xiao. 46

Personality

Xiao Yan is notably tenacious. He continues cultivating through three years of lost battle qi and later endures harsh training because he refuses to be outpaced by Nalan Yanran or Qin Chen. 23 28

He is fiercely devoted to Yao Lao, whom he considers closer than blood relatives. When Yao Lao falls into slumber after helping evolve the Flame Mantra, Xiao Yan accepts Qin Chen's conditions to obtain the materials needed for his teacher's recovery. 38 41

Despite his resentment over the broken engagement, Xiao Yan insists on defeating Nalan Yanran fairly. He refuses Qin Chen's offer to interfere with Yun Yun's attempt to obtain the Purple Spirit Crystal, believing his own strength and Yao Lao's guidance should decide the agreement. 26

Abilities & Skills

Flame Mantra

Xiao Yan cultivates the Flame Mantra, originally a Yellow-tier technique with the potential to evolve through absorbing flames. 23 37

• Absorbs a sub-flame of the Bone-Chilling Spirit Flame, allowing the technique to evolve to Xuan-tier. 37
• The absorbed sub-flame coexists with the beast flames already within his body. 37
• Its evolution process requires Yao Lao to protect him with soul power, severely exhausting his teacher. 38

Heavenly Flame Control

Xiao Yan can wield pale white flame and later demonstrates refined control of a Heavenly Flame in alchemy. 46 50

• Uses the flame to treat Nalan Jie's Brand Poison. 42 47
• His flame control allows him to refine the Three-Pattern Green Spirit Pill despite a cauldron explosion during the Alchemist Grand Meeting. 49 50
• The exposed flame carries both intense heat and chilling properties. 42 46

Alchemy

Xiao Yan is identified as a third-tier alchemist and competes under the alias Yan Xiao. 47

• Wins the Jia Ma Empire Alchemist Grand Meeting by refining the Three-Pattern Green Spirit Pill. 50
• Uses the Seven-Illusion Green Spirit Saliva as payment and material in the effort to awaken Yao Lao. 47 48
• Learns the Ice Spirit Cold Spring technique before Yao Lao's slumber. 38

Combat

Xiao Yan uses direct, forceful combat supplemented by his flame techniques and the Black-Heaviness Ruler. 23 46

• Fights Mu Zhan at the Nalan Family banquet and initially matches him blow for blow. 46
• Temporarily manifests Dou Huang-level power when Yao Lao possesses his body during the encounter with Qin Chen and the Seven-Colored Heaven-Devouring Python. 23
• His temporary strength is not his own cultivation; it depends on Yao Lao's possession. 23 44

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Black-Heaviness Ruler — Xiao Yan's heavy weapon during his training in the Magical Beast Mountain Range. 23
• Ancient Flame Ring — The ring in which Yao Lao resides. 48
• Seven-Illusion Green Spirit Saliva — Obtained from the Nalan Family after treating Nalan Jie; used to help restore Yao Lao's soul strength. 47 48
• Associated Amethyst Source — Received from Qin Chen in exchange for information related to Yao Lao's resurrection method. 30

Relationships

• Yao Lao (Yao Chen) — Teacher and mentor. Xiao Yan's loyalty to him is absolute, and he regards Yao Lao as closer than family. 23 38 41
• Qin Chen — Powerful acquaintance, negotiator, and occasional ally. Qin Chen repeatedly aids Xiao Yan's preparations while also using his needs to secure valuable exchanges. 23 30 41 48
• Nalan Yanran — Former fiancée and opponent in the Three-Year Agreement. Xiao Yan remains outwardly indifferent toward her, though her remorse and concern complicate their relationship. 42 43 46 47
• Gu Xun'er — A person Xiao Yan deeply values; his desire to surpass Qin Chen is partly motivated by her. Xun'er remains highly protective of him. 23 31
• Xiao Ding — Xiao Yan's brother, who worries about his well-being during their search in the Tagore Desert. 32
• Yun Yun — Nalan Yanran's teacher. Xiao Yan refuses to use underhanded means against her, preferring to settle matters with Nalan Yanran through the Three-Year Agreement. 26

Story Role / Major Arcs

Broken Engagement and Training

After Nalan Yanran annuls their engagement, Xiao Yan commits himself to becoming strong enough to erase the humiliation suffered by the Xiao Clan. He trains under Yao Lao rather than immediately attending Canaan Academy. 4 24

Meeting Qin Chen

Xiao Yan meets Qin Chen in the Magical Beast Mountain Range after the latter's Heavenly Flame draws Yao Lao's attention. The encounter exposes Yao Lao's identity and pushes Xiao Yan to work even harder. 23 28

Flame Mantra Evolution

Facing the prospect of fighting the stronger Nalan Yanran, Xiao Yan accepts Yao Lao's dangerous plan to absorb a sub-flame of the Bone-Chilling Spirit Flame. The Flame Mantra evolves, but Yao Lao is left dormant. 37 38

Nalan Family and Yao Lao's Recovery

To obtain the Seven-Illusion Green Spirit Saliva needed to awaken Yao Lao, Xiao Yan treats Nalan Jie's Brand Poison. He receives the ingredient from Nalan Yanran, then works with Qin Chen to refine it into medicinal liquid for Yao Lao. 42 47 48

Alchemist Grand Meeting

Competing as Yan Xiao, Xiao Yan appears to lose when his medicinal cauldron explodes. He ultimately wins the Alchemist Grand Meeting by completing a superior Three-Pattern Green Spirit Pill through his flame control. 49 50

Notable Quotes

“Thirty years in the east of the river, thirty years in the west. Never bully a poor young man.” 24

“I want to defeat Nalan Yanran fair and square during the three-year agreement.” 26

“Teacher, I believe I will surpass him someday, whether for Xun'er's sake or yours.” 23

Trivia

• Xiao Yan's public alias during the Alchemist Grand Meeting is Yan Xiao. 49 50
• Qin Chen considers Xiao Yan's persistence through three years of lost battle qi to be the true basis of his success rather than mere luck. 23
• Xiao Yan's unusual growth and Yao Lao's presence make him a target of Soul Hall's Protector Wu. 44 48