Old Yao

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Yao Chen
Alias(es)	Old Yao (药老); Alliance Leader Yao Chen
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Heavenly Mansion Alliance — leader; formerly associated with the Yao Clan 352 327
Occupation/Role	Alchemist, mentor to Xiao Yan, alliance leader 177 352
Status	Alive 352
First Appearance	Chapter 163 163

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Advanced Half-Saint	252	Reached the Advanced Half-Saint class after surviving as a soul body; his powerful soul force lets him sense formidable presences such as Zi Yan.
One-star Dou Sheng	310	Broke through after refining a drop of Demonic Sage Blood Essence supplied by Xiao Yan.

Background / History

Yao Chen was once connected to the Yao Clan, but Yao Wangui expelled him from the clan with a single judgment. Despite claiming to have no lingering attachment to the clan, Yao Chen still intends to fulfill his promise to his parents by having their names carved onto the Yao Clan Ancestral Tablet. 325 320

His former disciple Han Feng betrayed him after learning of an evolving cultivation method. Han Feng colluded with Yao Chen's enemies, ambushed him while he was refining pills, and stole half of the method. Mortally wounded, Yao Chen became a soul body and exhausted most of his soul strength escaping into a black ring, where he fell dormant. 177

Xiao Yan's cultivation energy eventually awakened him within the ring. After initially bargaining and teasing one another, Xiao Yan formally became Yao Chen's disciple; Yao Chen pledged to raise him into a true powerhouse. 176 177

Over the following years, Yao Chen supplied Xiao Yan with high-level cultivation methods and Dou Techniques, helping Xiao Yan strengthen both himself and the Xiao Family. 180

Appearance

Yao Chen is an elderly man who is frequently depicted stroking his beard. During his period of dormancy, he existed as a depleted soul body within a pitch-black ring. 163 176 177

• Elderly appearance and a beard he often strokes. 163 310
• Retained a soul-body form after Han Feng's ambush. 177
• Used a black ring as refuge while his soul was weakened and dormant. 176 177

Personality

Yao Chen is typically composed, good-natured, and willing to answer provocation with dry mockery rather than anger. His long rivalry with Old Monster Hou does not stop him from smiling through the latter's insults. 165 236

He takes immense pride in Xiao Yan's accomplishments. Xiao Yan's victories and eventual superiority as an alchemist and cultivator bring Yao Chen greater satisfaction than personal success. 170 266

Beneath his relaxed demeanor, Yao Chen carries deep resentment toward the Soul Hall and his former enemies. After years spent fleeing their pursuit, he is eager to repay that hatred alongside Xiao Yan. 310

Abilities & Skills

Alchemy

Yao Chen is a renowned master alchemist with extensive connections across the Central Continent.

• Was once a contender for the Alchemist Competition Champion title alongside Old Monster Hou. 165 270
• Senior alchemists of the Lesser Pill Tower sought him out after his return, allowing him to introduce Xiao Yan to influential figures. 165
• Assessed the difficulty of refining Ninth-grade precious pills and supported Xiao Yan's challenge against Old Monster Hou. 165 270
• Refined the Nine Yin Yellow Springs Pill with the Lesser Pill Tower Grand Elder to assist Xiao Yan in subduing the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame. 319
• Passed cultivation methods and Dou Techniques to Xiao Yan, contributing to the Xiao Family's rise. 180

Soul Force

Yao Chen possesses unusually formidable soul power for his level.

• Gu You judged that Yao Chen had likely reached the Heavenly Soul Realm, placing his spiritual strength among the Central Continent's strongest. 246 263
• His soul strength allowed him to recognize the danger posed by Zi Yan despite being an Advanced Half-Saint. 312
• His spiritual pressure made him a dangerous opponent even when facing Gu You alone. 246

Dou Qi Combat

After reaching the Dou Sheng class, Yao Chen fought directly against the Soul Hall.

• Entered battle against Gu You and Old Demon Tian Ming despite being outnumbered. 246 263
• Was severely injured when he became distracted by Qing Lin's defeat and was struck from behind. 263
• Following his breakthrough to One-star Dou Sheng, he confronted Gu You during the assault on the Soul Hall's Human Hall. 310 315

Alliance Strategy

Yao Chen played a central role in expanding the forces opposing the Soul Hall.

• Identified the Pill Tower as essential to any alliance capable of challenging the Soul Hall. 163
• Personally traveled with Xiao Yan to persuade the Pill Tower, recognizing that delegates would not be sufficient. 163 271
• Used his reputation among the Lesser Pill Tower's senior alchemists to strengthen Xiao Yan's position before the elder election. 165

Equipment / Items

• Black ring — The vessel in which Yao Chen's weakened soul hid after escaping Han Feng's ambush; its radiance signaled his awakening to Xiao Yan. 176 177

Relationships

• Xiao Yan — His disciple and the person on whom Yao Chen placed his final hope after falling into despair. Their relationship develops from teasing negotiation into deep mutual loyalty and pride. 177 266 352
• Han Feng — Former disciple who betrayed Yao Chen, ambushed him during pill refinement, and stole half of his evolving cultivation method. 177
• Yao Wangui — Yao Clan elder who expelled Yao Chen from the clan; their encounter reignites Yao Chen's resentment toward the Yao Clan. 325 327
• Old Monster Hou — Long-standing alchemy rival who repeatedly sought to surpass Yao Chen. Xiao Yan's victory over him becomes a point of pride for Yao Chen. 165 170
• Xuan Kongzi — Old acquaintance and Pill Tower leader who welcomes Yao Chen's return and works with him on the alliance. 253
• Xuan Yi — Lesser Pill Tower leader and longtime acquaintance whose emotional response to Yao Chen's return suggests a close past connection. 253
• Gu You — Soul Hall opponent whom Yao Chen battles after reaching the Dou Sheng class. 315
• Yao Dan — Yao Clan chief who acknowledges that the clan failed to recognize Yao Chen's worth. 394

Story Role / Major Arcs

Awakening and Taking Xiao Yan as a Disciple

Awakened by Xiao Yan's cultivation, Yao Chen reveals that he is a soul inside the ring and offers to accelerate Xiao Yan's growth. Xiao Yan accepts him as master after securing the promise of valuable guidance. 176 177

Pill Tower Alliance and Elder Election

Yao Chen recognizes that the Pill Tower is indispensable in opposing the Soul Hall. He brings Xiao Yan to Pill Tower Mountain, introduces him to senior alchemists, and supports Xiao Yan's pill-refining contest against Old Monster Hou. Xiao Yan's victory earns him a Lesser Pill Tower elder position and advances the alliance negotiations. 163 165 170

Star Realm Defense

Yao Chen fights alongside Starfall Pavilion's forces against Soul Hall enemies but is badly injured after being distracted during battle. Xiao Yan's emergence as a Dou Sheng saves the situation, and Yao Chen openly acknowledges that his disciple has surpassed him. 263 266

Breakthrough and Assault on the Human Hall

Xiao Yan gives Yao Chen Demonic Sage Blood Essence, enabling him to break through to One-star Dou Sheng. Yao Chen then joins Xiao Yan and Zi Yan in infiltrating the Soul Hall's Human Hall and battles Gu You during the assault. 310 315

Return to the Yao Clan

The Yao Clan's arrival during the competition for the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame forces Yao Chen to face Yao Wangui, the elder responsible for his expulsion. Xiao Yan publicly defends his teacher's dignity against Yao Tian and Yao Wangui. 325 327

Pill Codex

As leader of the Heavenly Mansion Alliance, Yao Chen returns to the Yao Clan with Xiao Yan for the Pill Codex. The event places him before the clan that cast him out, while Xiao Yan's alchemy forces the Yao Clan elders to confront the magnitude of Yao Chen's legacy as a teacher. 387 394 401

Notable Quotes

“Now that you have taken me as your master, I will do my utmost to teach you and raise you into a true powerhouse.” — Old Yao 177

“You have finally surpassed your teacher...” — Old Yao 266