Xiao Yan

Biodata

Name	Xiao Yan (萧炎)
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Xiao Clan; formerly associated with the Desert Iron Mercenary Group 33 60
Occupation/Role	Cultivator; alchemist 33
Status	Alive; fled from the Jia Ma Empire to the Black-Corner Region 60
First Appearance	Chapter 15

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
One-star Dou Zhe	15	Became the youngest Dou Zhe in Xiao Clan history at age eleven, earning recognition as Wutan City's foremost young genius. 15
Third stage of Dou Qi	17	His cultivation declined from Dou Zhe to the third stage over three years because Old Yao absorbed his Dou Qi while dormant in his ring. 17
Seventh stage of Dou Qi	19	His cultivation began recovering after Old Yao awakened and accepted him as a disciple. 19
Dou Zhe	33	Restored his cultivation and traveled alone from Wutan City to Stone Desert City. 33
Dou Emperor-level combat power	56	Fought Jia Xing Tian using cultivation borrowed from Old Yao; this strength was not his own permanent realm. 56

Background

Xiao Yan was once the Xiao Clan's celebrated prodigy in Wutan City. His engagement to Nalan Yanran, arranged by their grandfathers, was dissolved amicably when Nalan Su visited the Xiao Clan; Xiao Yan did not oppose the decision. 15 17

Soon afterward, his cultivation inexplicably collapsed. Once the youngest Dou Zhe in the clan's history, he remained at the third stage of Dou Qi for three years and endured ridicule from those who had formerly praised him. He initially suspected that pills left by the Nalan family had caused the decline. 17

The true cause was Old Yao, a soul residing in Xiao Yan's ring who had absorbed his Dou Qi to awaken. After an initially hostile exchange, Xiao Yan accepted Old Yao as his master and began recovering his strength. 17

Personality

Xiao Yan is driven, proud, and unwilling to accept humiliation passively. His years of decline embittered him, but did not break his resolve; after regaining his cultivation, he immediately sought to leave Wutan City and gain experience in the wider world. 17 19

He is intensely persistent in pursuing strength and rare resources, particularly Heavenly Flames for alchemy. This determination led him into the Tagore Desert and later into direct conflict with Wu Changqing over the Green Lotus Core Flame. 33 45 49

His loyalty to family becomes his central motivation after the Xiao Clan is attacked and Xiao Zhan is abducted. He confronts Jia Xing Tian in rage, then continues toward Jia Nan Academy with the intention of growing stronger and rescuing his father. 53 55 60

Abilities & Skills

Alchemy

Xiao Yan identifies himself as an alchemist and regards obtaining a Heavenly Flame as vital to improving his craft. 33

• Pursued the Green Lotus Core Flame in the Tagore Desert. 35 45
• Continued seeking the flame even after discovering its original location was empty. 45
• His alchemical goals are a key reason for his willingness to enter dangerous territories. 33 45

Old Yao's Guidance and Possession

Old Yao trains Xiao Yan after awakening from the ring and can temporarily take control of Xiao Yan's body in battle. 17 50

• Old Yao's awakening enabled Xiao Yan's cultivation to recover. 17 19
• When facing Wu Changqing, Old Yao took control after Xiao Yan was overwhelmed, greatly improving the use of Xiao Yan's borrowed power. 50
• Xiao Yan can wield Dou Emperor-level strength borrowed from Old Yao, though it is not his own cultivation. 56

Flame Splitting Wave-Devouring Ruler

A powerful ruler technique used with the Black Heavy Ruler. 50 56

• Blocked four of Wu Changqing's simultaneous sword attacks while reinforced by Old Yao's power. 50
• Was used against Jia Xing Tian during their battle in Jia Ma Imperial City. 56
• Its effectiveness is limited against opponents whose attacks can absorb or overwhelm its force. 50

Bone Spirit Cold Flame

A pale white Heavenly Flame wielded through Old Yao's power. 50 56

• Enhances Xiao Yan's ruler attacks when Old Yao takes control. 50
• Was partially refined and absorbed by Wu Changqing's Green Lotus Core Flame during their confrontation. 50

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Black Heavy Ruler — Xiao Yan's primary weapon, used to perform Flame Splitting Wave-Devouring Ruler. 33 50
• Ring containing Old Yao — The ring in which Old Yao slept and from which he emerged after absorbing Xiao Yan's Dou Qi. 17

Relationships

• Xiao Zhan — Father and Xiao Clan leader. Xiao Yan returns home after learning of the clan's attack and later seeks to rescue him after his abduction. 19 53 55 60
• Xiao Ding and Xiao Li — Elder brothers and leaders of the Desert Iron Mercenary Group. They welcome him to Stone Desert City and support his search for the Heavenly Flame. 33 35
• Old Yao — Master and soul residing in Xiao Yan's ring. Old Yao caused his three-year cultivation loss, then became his teacher and battle support. 17 50
• Nalan Yanran — Former fiancée. Their engagement was dissolved peacefully, and Xiao Yan did not resist the decision. 15 17
• Qinglin — Assisted Xiao Yan's search for the Green Lotus Core Flame by sensing a powerful aura in the Tagore Desert. 35 45
• Wu Changqing — Rival who claimed and absorbed the Green Lotus Core Flame before Xiao Yan could obtain it. Wu Changqing decisively defeated Xiao Yan and Old Yao's combined efforts. 48 49 50
• Ling Ying — Ally who intervened during Xiao Yan's battle with Jia Xing Tian and helped him escape the Jia Ma Empire. 56 57

Story Role / Major Arcs

Fall from Genius

After the dissolution of his engagement to Nalan Yanran, Xiao Yan's cultivation fell from Dou Zhe to the third stage of Dou Qi. The Xiao Clan's treatment of him changed from admiration to mockery until Old Yao revealed the reason for the loss and accepted him as a disciple. 17

Desert Training and the Green Lotus Core Flame

Having recovered enough strength to travel, Xiao Yan joined his brothers in Stone Desert City and began searching the Tagore Desert for a Heavenly Flame. He traced the Green Lotus Core Flame to an underground magma world and then pursued it into Snake People territory. 33 35 45

Wu Changqing reached the flame first and absorbed it. Xiao Yan challenged him for possession of the flame but was defeated despite Old Yao taking control of his body. 48 49 50

The Xiao Clan's Destruction

While Xiao Yan was away, Wu Protector attacked the Xiao Clan in search of the Tou She Ancient God Jade, devastated the clan, and captured Xiao Zhan. Xiao Yan immediately returned upon receiving the distress message. 53

Believing Jia Xing Tian responsible for aiding the search for the Xiao Clan, Xiao Yan stormed Jia Ma Imperial City. With Ling Ying's intervention, he wounded Jia Xing Tian and split the imperial city in half before escaping. 55 56 57

Flight to the Black-Corner Region

After leaving the Jia Ma Empire, Xiao Yan entered the Black-Corner Region. He intends to study at Jia Nan Academy, improve his cultivation, and eventually return to rescue Xiao Zhan and take revenge on the Jia Ma Imperial Family. 60