Xiao Yan

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Xiao Yan (萧炎)
Alias(es)	Little Flame
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Xiao Clan; Starfall Pavilion (Young Pavilion Master) 265
Occupation/Role	Cultivator; alchemist; Yao Chen's direct disciple 265
Status	Alive
First Appearance	1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Third Stage Dou Force	1	Tested after three years of lost Dou Qi and publicly mocked as a fallen genius.
Seventh Stage Dou Qi	22 23	Restored his cultivation enough to pass the Xiao Clan assessment after one year of recovery.
Eighth Stage Dou Qi	34	Advanced another stage within roughly a month and a half.
One-Star Dou Zhe	48	Reentered the Dou Zhe realm after rebuilding from the third stage of Dou Qi.
One-Star Da Dou Shi	131	Reached this level over the three years following his departure from Wutan City.
Dou Ling	145	Reached the Dou Ling realm while cultivating through the Life-and-Death Gate under Yao Chen's guidance.
Dou Zong	212	Participated in the Four Pavilions Conference as a Dou Zong and revealed himself with the Three Thousand Lightning Movement.
Dou Zun	268	Broke through after successfully refining the Three Thousand Burning Flame.
Two-Star Dou Zun	273	Easily defeated the Ancient Clan gate guard Lingquan.
Three-Star Dou Zun	281	Advanced by absorbing energy cores in the Heavenly Tomb with Xiao Yi's help.
Five-Star Dou Venerate	290	Completed a Xiao Clan Dou Emperor bloodline replacement, mastered the complete Three Mysterious Changes of Heavenly Flame, and formed seven clan-pattern strokes.
Seven-Star Dou Venerate	292 309	Continued advancing after the Heavenly Tomb opportunity; later returned to the Xiao Realm at this level.
Peak Nine-Revolution Dou Venerate	343	Broke through using Yellow Springs Essence Blood.
Dou Saint	385	Advanced alongside Medusa after forming an alliance with the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe.

Background

Xiao Yan and his cousin Xiao Yi were once the Xiao Clan's paired prodigies, known as its “Twin Supremes.” Their Dou Qi vanished on the same day, reducing both to targets of ridicule; Xiao Yan remained at the third stage for three years. Despite his bitterness, he continued to yearn for the world beyond Wutan City and refused to accept his decline as permanent 1 2.

When Nalan Yanran arrived to dissolve their engagement, Xiao Yan rejected the Misty Cloud Sect's offer of admission and declared a three-year agreement. He later divorced Nalan Yanran himself, choosing humiliation and hardship over yielding the Xiao Clan's dignity 5 6.

Yao Chen awakened within Xiao Yan's black storage ring and accepted him as a disciple, restoring Xiao Yan's confidence and giving him a path in both cultivation and alchemy. Xiao Xuan subsequently arranged for Yao Chen to instruct Xiao Yan alongside Xiao Yi 8 19 20.

Personality

Xiao Yan is proud, resilient, and intensely sensitive to insults against himself and the Xiao Clan. Nalan Yanran's attempt to end their engagement drives him to commit to a three-year challenge rather than accept sect resources as compensation 5 6.

His early loss of Dou Qi leaves him bitter and subdued, but not defeated. Xiao Yi's encouragement and Yao Chen's mentorship restore his confidence; afterward, Xiao Yan approaches setbacks as reasons to grow stronger rather than retreat 2 8.

He remains loyal to those he considers family. Xiao Yan treats Xiao Yi as an elder brother, holds deep respect for Yao Chen, and rushes to Black-Yellow Fortress when Medusa and the Nine Harmonies Alliance are endangered 212 300.

Abilities & Skills

Flame Mantra & Heavenly Flames

Xiao Yan cultivates the Flame Mantra, a technique whose growth depends heavily on absorbing Heavenly Flames.

• Wields the Bone Spirit Cold Flame, first revealed when he confronted Xiao Yi while disguised outside the Mitre Auction House 19.
• Successfully refines the ninth-ranked Three Thousand Burning Flame, reaching the Dou Zun realm in the process 267 268.
• Accepts the Yin-Yang Twin Flame from Xiao Yi to accelerate his cultivation 316.
• Uses the Three Mysterious Changes of Heavenly Flame, later mastering its complete form after his Xiao Clan bloodline replacement 290.
• Heavenly Flame techniques can damage the user's meridians due to their violent energy and require a strengthened body to endure safely 104.

Alchemy

Yao Chen's direct disciple and a capable alchemist in his own right.

• Initially hides his identity while consigning pills through the Mitre Auction House 19.
• Receives alchemy instruction after Xiao Xuan assigns Yao Chen to teach both Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi 20.
• Is recognized by Xuan Kongzi as Yao Chen's disciple; Xiao Yi identifies Xiao Yan as the true specialist between them 265.
• His successful refinement of the Three Thousand Burning Flame earns Starfall Pavilion a favor from the Pill Tower 268.

Combat Techniques

Xiao Yan combines close-range weapon combat, Dou Qi techniques, and Heavenly Flame attacks.

• Heavy Xuan Ruler — his primary weapon during the three-year battle with Nalan Yanran 121.
• Eight Extremes Collapse — used alongside the Heavy Xuan Ruler against Nalan Yanran 121.
• Dou Qi Armor — forms azure Dou Qi armor for defense and stronger output 121.
• Buddha's Fury Lotus — his decisive trump card against Nalan Yanran, securing victory in their three-year agreement 122.
• Three Thousand Lightning Movement — a speed technique whose use at the Four Pavilions Conference exposes his identity 212.

Vajra Glazed Body

A low-grade Heaven-class body-strengthening Dou Skill with demanding physical requirements.

• Xiao Yan can presently condense a seven-zhang Dharma Body.
• He has not yet reached its nine-zhang-nine peak due to the technique's extreme bodily requirements 319.

Xiao Clan Bloodline

Xiao Yan undergoes a blood replacement using the Xiao Clan's remaining Dou Emperor bloodline within Xiao Xuan's Tomb Mansion.

• Gains seven strokes of the Xiao Clan pattern.
• Raises his cultivation from two-star to five-star Dou Venerate during the process.
• Receives guidance from Xiao Xuan while mastering the complete Three Mysterious Changes of Heavenly Flame 290.

Equipment

• Heavy Xuan Ruler — weapon used in his duel with Nalan Yanran 121.
• Black storage ring — formerly houses Yao Chen's soul and conceals Xiao Yan's connection to alchemy 19.
• Dragon Emperor's Dragon Seal — a seal placed on his palm through Xiao Yi's borrowed Dragon Seal, helping him attempt to subdue the Three Thousand Burning Flame 267.

Relationships

• Xiao Yi — Cousin and brother-like companion since childhood. The two endured the loss of their Dou Qi together, support one another's cultivation, and repeatedly defend the Xiao Clan side by side 1 2 212.
• Yao Chen / Yao Lao — Master and direct alchemy teacher. Yao Chen awakens in Xiao Yan's storage ring, takes him as a disciple, and guides his cultivation through major breakthroughs 8 19 145 265.
• Xiao Zhan — Father and Xiao Clan leader. He persistently seeks methods to restore Xiao Yan's lost Dou Qi and remains proud of his eventual recovery 7 34 48.
• Xiao Xuan — Ancestor of the Xiao Clan. He recognizes Xiao Yan as a descendant, arranges his alchemy instruction, and guides his bloodline replacement 20 290.
• Xiao Xun'er — Childhood clan companion who addresses him as cousin. She accompanies him and Xiao Yi in the Ancient Realm and Heavenly Tomb 2 275 281.
• Nalan Yanran — Former fiancée. Their engagement ends in hostility, culminating in Xiao Yan's victory through Buddha's Fury Lotus after three years 5 6 122.
• Medusa / Cai Lin — Wife and mother of his daughter, Xiao Xiao. Xiao Yan returns to defend her during the conflict at Black-Yellow Fortress, and they later hold a wedding 300 309.
• Xiao Xiao — Daughter with Medusa. Xiao Yan introduces her to Xiao Yi upon returning to the Nine Harmonies Alliance 308.
• Qing Lin — Former acquaintance from Stone Desert City; Xiao Yi brings her to reunite with Xiao Yan in the Central Plains 250 251.

Story Role / Major Arcs

• Fallen Genius of the Xiao Clan — Loses his Dou Qi, endures three years of scorn, and relies on Xiao Yi's support while awaiting a chance to recover 1 2.
• Three-Year Agreement — Rejects Nalan Yanran's terms, ends their engagement himself, and vows to face her at the Misty Cloud Sect after three years 5 6.
• Yao Chen's Disciple — Gains Yao Chen as his master, begins pursuing alchemy, and rebuilds his cultivation from the third stage of Dou Qi 8 19 48.
• Misty Cloud Sect Duel — Defeats Nalan Yanran with Buddha's Fury Lotus, settling the grievance that began with her visit to the Xiao Clan 121 122.
• Four Pavilions Reunion — Reunites with Xiao Yi after three years and reveals himself as a Dou Zong during the Four Pavilions Conference 212.
• Pill Tower and Three Thousand Burning Flame — Attempts the Heavenly Flame with Xiao Yi's support, successfully refines it, and enters the Dou Zun realm 267 268.
• Ancient Realm and Heavenly Tomb — Demonstrates his strength before the Ancient Clan, advances through the Heavenly Tomb, and receives the Xiao Clan's remaining Dou Emperor bloodline 273 281 290.
• Nine Harmonies Alliance — Marries Medusa, becomes Xiao Xiao's father, and prepares to return with his family to the Xiao Realm 309 310.
• Alliance with the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe — Helps establish the alliance and ultimately reaches the Dou Saint realm with Medusa 385.

Notable Quotes

“Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river. Do not look down on the poor young man!” 5

“Brother Yi, you said it yourself—we shouldn't fear failure. What we should fear is losing the courage to try again!” 8