Xiao Yan

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Xiao Yan (萧炎)
Alias(es)	Yan Xiao; Yao Yan
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Xiao Clan; Canaan Academy student; Starfall Pavilion trainee; Fourth Commandant of the Gu Clan's Black Annihilation Army; disciple of Yao Lao
Occupation/Role	Cultivator; sixth-tier 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.
Six-star Dou Shi	51	Before the Three-Year Agreement, he is a six-star Dou Shi and intends to use the Three-Pattern Green Spirit Pill to narrow the gap with Nalan Yanran.
Three Mysterious Changes of Heavenly Flame	51	Receives the complete Burning Flame Valley secret technique from Qin Chen after Yao Lao trades high-grade resources and pill formulas for it.
Four-star Da Dou Shi	54	Advances through two strength-enhancing pills before the Three-Year Agreement, then deliberately stops rather than force a further breakthrough and damage his foundation.
Temporary multi-level Da Dou Shi increase	55	Uses the Three Mysterious Changes of Heavenly Flame, supported by a medicinal pill prepared by Yao Lao, to explosively raise his strength during his duel with Nalan Yanran.
Eight-star Da Dou Shi	80	Has reached eight-star Da Dou Shi after entering Canaan Academy's Inner Academy.
Five-star Dou Ling	107	His cultivation advances steadily through pills, battle experience, and Heart Flame tempering.
Eight-star Dou Ling	113	Completely refines the Brand Poison and rises to eight-star Dou Ling after two months of training.
Peak Dou Ling	114	Completes Heart Flame Body Tempering, clearing the obstacles to a future Dou Wang breakthrough.
Five-star Dou Wang	156	Reaches five-star Dou Wang after nearly five months of cultivation at Starfall Pavilion under Venerable Feng's guidance.
Peak Dou Wang	178 179	Approaches the Dou Emperor realm while training at Starfall Pavilion under the concealed identity of Yao Yan.
Sixth-tier alchemist	179	Becomes a sixth-tier alchemist while at Starfall Pavilion.

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

After Yao Lao exhausts his soul power to evolve the Flame Mantra, Xiao Yan enters the Alchemist Grand Meeting as Yan Xiao to obtain resources for his teacher's recovery. His victory and subsequent treatment of Nalan Jie establish his rising reputation in the Jia Ma Empire. 41 47 50

Xiao Yan fights Nalan Yanran in the Three-Year Agreement at Misty Cloud Mountain. Although initially suppressed by her Earth-tier cultivation method and nine-star Da Dou Shi cultivation, he uses the Three Mysterious Changes of Heavenly Flame to close the gap. The confrontation ends in a draw, and his identity as Yan Xiao is publicly exposed. 54 55 113

Following the agreement, Xiao Yan returns to Canaan Academy and founds Pan's Gate. He develops his movement, flight, alchemy, and flame techniques while undertaking the Inner Academy's Heart Flame Body Tempering. 80 107 113 114

Soul Hall abducts Xiao Zhan and later captures Yao Lao during an ambush arranged by Mu Gu and Qin Tian. Xiao Yan survives with assistance from Venerable Feng, then trains at Starfall Pavilion while pursuing the strength needed to rescue both his father and teacher. 65 129 156 178

Gu Xun'er later informs Xiao Yan of the Xiao Clan's ancient heritage, Xiao Xuan, and the Dou Di bloodline. She gives him a portion of the Xiao Clan's Dou Di bloodline and the remaining seals of the Emperor Seal Technique, strengthening his resolve to rise despite the pressure of the Ancient Clans and Soul Hall. 180 181

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
• His characteristic pale white flame allows Nalan Yanran and the other spectators to identify Yan Xiao as Xiao Yan during the Three-Year Agreement. 55
• At Starfall Pavilion, he uses the alias Yao Yan to conceal his identity from Soul Hall and other hostile forces. 178 179

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

Xiao Yan remains proud and highly sensitive to insults against the Xiao Clan. He refuses to yield when Ling Quan disparages his origins and relationship with Gu Xun'er, defending his status as the Xiao Clan's young clan leader despite the clan's decline. 113 114

The capture of Yao Lao and disappearance of Xiao Zhan leave Xiao Yan burdened by guilt and anxiety, but they also deepen his resolve to become stronger. He commits himself to rescuing both men rather than surrendering to Soul Hall's overwhelming power. 129 156 178

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
• He later begins cultivating an Earth-tier cultivation method, greatly accelerating his growth below the Dou Zong realm. 178

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
• His Bone-Chilling Spirit Flame fragment serves as a key source of power for the Three Mysterious Changes of Heavenly Flame. 51 55

Three Mysterious Changes of Heavenly Flame

Xiao Yan learns the complete Three Mysterious Changes of Heavenly Flame, a treasured Burning Flame Valley secret technique obtained from Qin Chen. It can temporarily and explosively enhance his cultivation by drawing on the power of his flames. 51 55

• Uses it during the Three-Year Agreement to overcome several levels of disparity with Nalan Yanran. 55
• Yao Lao prepares a medicinal pill that protects Xiao Yan's meridians and stabilizes his battle qi while the technique is active. 55
• Later masters the complete technique and compensates for the lower quality of his flames with their quantity. 113

Movement and Flight

Xiao Yan improves his mobility after his draw with Nalan Yanran reveals the weakness of his previous fighting style. 113

• Gu Xun'er obtains an Earth-tier low-level movement technique for him, substantially improving his speed and agility. 113
• Acquires the Thunder Bat Wings flight technique through Canaan Academy's Fire Energy exchange system. 113
• Combines his enhanced movement with his ruler techniques to contend with stronger opponents, including Dou Wang-ranked Liu Qing. 113

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
• Advances to a sixth-tier alchemist while training at Starfall Pavilion under the alias Yao Yan. 179

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
• Uses the Flame Splitting Wave-Cleaving Ruler to clash with Liu Qing's Great Fissure Rock, ending their battle in a draw despite Xiao Yan's lower cultivation. 113
• Receives the final three seals of the Emperor Seal Technique from Gu Xun'er, gaining access to a powerful future combat art. 180

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Black-Heaviness Ruler — Xiao Yan's heavy weapon during his training in the Magical Beast Mountain Range and the Three-Year Agreement. 23 55
• Ancient Flame Ring — The ring in which Yao Lao formerly resided; it remains Xiao Yan's link to his teacher's legacy after Yao Lao's capture by Soul Hall. 48 178
• 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
• Thunder Bat Wings — A flight technique acquired through Canaan Academy's Fire Energy exchange system. 113
• Tou She Ancient God Jade — Xiao Yan originally possesses the Xiao Clan's ancient jade heirloom and can sense that Xiao Zhan remains alive through it. Qin Chen later secretly replaces it with an imitation while taking the genuine jade. 65 188
• Xiao Clan Dou Di Bloodline — A drop of ancestral bloodline given by Gu Xun'er to strengthen Xiao Yan's foundation and future cultivation. 181

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. After Soul Hall captures Yao Lao, rescuing him becomes Xiao Yan's foremost objective. 23 38 41 129 178
• 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. Their relationship grows more complicated after Qin Chen secretly takes the genuine Tou She Ancient God Jade while leaving Xiao Yan with an imitation. 23 30 41 48 188
• 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. Their duel ends in a draw after she discovers that he is Yan Xiao. 42 43 46 47 55 113
• 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, supports him with techniques and ancestral bloodline, and attempts to shield him from the Gu Clan's hostility. 23 31 113 180 181
• Xiao Ding — Xiao Yan's brother, who worries about his well-being during their search in the Tagore Desert. 32
• Xiao Zhan — Xiao Yan's father. His abduction by Soul Hall becomes one of Xiao Yan's greatest burdens and motivations, though Xiao Yan knows through the Ancient God Jade that he remains alive. 53 65
• 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
• Venerable Feng — Yao Lao's old friend and Xiao Yan's temporary mentor at Starfall Pavilion. Feng provides Xiao Yan with resources and guidance after Yao Lao's capture. 156 178
• Mu Gu — Yao Lao's hostile former disciple and Xiao Yan's martial uncle. Mu Gu participates in the ambush that results in Yao Lao's capture and claims the Flame Mantra should have belonged to him. 178
• Ling Quan — A Gu Clan deputy commander who belittles Xiao Yan's background and relationship with Gu Xun'er. Xiao Yan regards his humiliation by Ling Quan as a debt to be repaid through future strength. 113 114

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

Three-Year Agreement

With Yao Lao's preparations, two strengthening pills, and the Three Mysterious Changes of Heavenly Flame, Xiao Yan ascends Misty Cloud Mountain to fight Nalan Yanran. Although Nalan Yanran's Earth-tier method and nine-star Da Dou Shi cultivation initially overwhelm him, Xiao Yan forces the battle into a draw and exposes himself as Yan Xiao. 51 54 55 113

Return to Canaan Academy

Xiao Yan returns to Canaan Academy's Inner Academy, establishes Pan's Gate, and uses Heart Flame tempering, alchemy, combat, and improved movement techniques to rise from Da Dou Shi to the peak of Dou Ling. He is able to draw with Dou Wang-ranked Liu Qing despite his lower realm. 80 107 113 114

Soul Hall Crisis and Starfall Pavilion

Soul Hall's pursuit of Yao Lao escalates into the abduction of Xiao Zhan and the capture of Yao Lao. Xiao Yan survives the ambush with Venerable Feng's help, enters Starfall Pavilion under the alias Yao Yan, and trains toward the Dou Emperor realm while seeking a path to rescue his teacher and father. 65 129 156 178 179

Ancient Clan Pressure

After reuniting with Gu Xun'er, Xiao Yan learns of the Ancient Eight Clans, Xiao Xuan, and the Xiao Clan's dormant Dou Di bloodline. While Gu Xun'er attempts to protect him from the Gu Clan's pressure, Xiao Yan resolves to improve his own strength rather than remain dependent on others. 180 181 183 185

Tou She Ancient God Jade

Xiao Yan unknowingly reveals the Tou She Ancient God Jade to Qin Chen while under the influence of Mirror Flower, Water Moon. Qin Chen replaces it with a convincing imitation and retains the genuine jade, leaving Xiao Yan unaware that the heirloom in his Storage Ring is false. 188 189

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
• His identity as Yan Xiao is exposed when Nalan Yanran recognizes the pale white flame he uses during the Three-Year Agreement. 55
• He later uses the alias Yao Yan while residing at Starfall Pavilion. 178 179
• Although Xiao Yan believes he still possesses the Tou She Ancient God Jade, Qin Chen has secretly substituted it with an imitation. 188