Xiao Yan

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Xiao Yan (萧炎)
Alias(es)	Third Young Master; Yan'er
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Xiao Clan
Occupation/Role	Xiao Clan alchemist; disciple of Yao Lao
First Appearance	Chapter 1 (mentioned) 1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Third-stage Dou Qi → seventh-stage Dou Qi	26	His Dou Qi rose four stages over a year before he became a Dou Zhe. 26
Dou Zhe	8	Regained his talent and broke through to Dou Zhe again after losing his Dou Qi for three years. 8 21
Four-Star Dou Zhe	26	His cultivation fluctuation is identified during the Wu Tan City pill-refining competition. 26

Background

Xiao Yan endured three years of lost Dou Qi, during which he faced ridicule within the Xiao Clan and the annulment of his engagement to Nalan Yanran. After recovering his talent, he became determined to leave Wu Tan City, grow stronger, and uphold their three-year agreement. 21

He became the disciple of the mysterious alchemist Yao Lao. Under Yao Lao's instruction, Xiao Yan resumed cultivation, learned alchemy, and began refining Blood-Clotting Powder to sustain the Xiao Clan's marketplace before his departure. 8 21

Before Wang Teng arrived in Wu Tan City, Xiao Yan killed Liu Xi after Xun'er had beaten Liu Xi to the brink of death. The death removed the Jia Lie Clan's original alchemical support, but Wang Teng's arrival renewed the clan's commercial threat to the Xiao Clan. 1 8

Personality

Xiao Yan is deeply loyal to the Xiao Clan despite the neglect he experienced during his years of weakness. He voluntarily spends his remaining time in Wu Tan City refining medicine for the clan rather than placing all responsibility on its elders. 21

He can be impulsive and narrowly focused on immediate threats, particularly where Wang Teng and the Jia Lie Clan are concerned. Yao Lao repeatedly pushes him to consider the wider consequences of attacking a talented alchemist and to prioritize his own long-term growth. 12 14

After losing the alchemy competition, Xiao Yan recognizes that his recent successes made him complacent. Rather than abandoning his goal, he resolves to work harder and defeat Wang Teng in a future encounter. 31

Abilities & Skills

Dou Qi Cultivation

Xiao Yan is a four-star Dou Zhe during the Wu Tan City alchemy competition. 26

• Regained his cultivation after three years of lost Dou Qi. 8 21
• His available Dou Qi is limited by his low-grade Yellow-tier cultivation technique; prolonged alchemy can nearly exhaust him. 26 27
• Can form the protective Dou Qi gauze characteristic of the Dou Zhe realm. 30

Alchemy

Xiao Yan learns pill refinement under Yao Lao and represents the Xiao Clan in its public competition against Wang Teng. 26

• Refines Blood-Clotting Powder to support the Xiao Clan's market after he leaves Wu Tan City. 21
• Successfully refines two Realm-Breaking Pills during the competition. 26 29
• The Realm-Breaking Pill can raise a Dou Practitioner by one star and uses a long-lost first-grade formula. 29
• His refinement remains less stable than Wang Teng's; he nearly loses control of his cauldron after being distracted and relies on Yao Lao's guidance to complete the pill. 26 27

Yao Lao's Guidance

Yao Lao provides Xiao Yan with alchemical instruction, strategic advice, and support in dangerous situations. 12 14

• Helps stabilize Xiao Yan's pill flame and guides him through critical refining stages. 26 27
• Warns him against provoking Wang Teng without evidence, citing the danger of retaliation from Wang Teng's alchemist teacher and connections. 14
• Assists the Xiao Clan's retreat during its failed night raid on the Jia Lie Clan. 13
• Is vulnerable to soul-targeting forces; an unknown attack during the competition injures him when he releases his soul power. 27

Equipment / Items

• Crimson medicinal cauldron — used during the pill-refining competition against Wang Teng. 26
• Ring containing Yao Lao — Yao Lao returns to this pitch-black ring after speaking with Xiao Yan. 13
• Realm-Breaking Pill formula — supplied through Yao Lao and used in the competition. 29

Relationships

• Yao Lao — teacher and mentor; guides Xiao Yan's cultivation, alchemy, and judgment. 12 14 31
• Xiao Zhan — father and Xiao Clan Head; worries about Xiao Yan's burdens and supports his decisions. 21 22
• Xun'er — close companion who encourages him before the competition and reacts protectively when others insult him. 24 26
• Wang Teng — alchemy rival and Jia Lie Clan supporter; Xiao Yan loses to him in the first-grade pill competition. 26 29 31
• Nalan Yanran — annulled her engagement to Xiao Yan; their three-year agreement is a major reason for his determination to leave Wu Tan City and become stronger. 21
• Xiao Clan Elders — clan elders who place heavy expectations on him after his recovery; Xiao Yan openly clashes with them over the challenge against Wang Teng. 12 22

Story Role / Major Arcs

Xiao Clan Marketplace Crisis

As Wang Teng's pills allow the Jia Lie Clan to dominate Wu Tan City's healing-medicine market, Xiao Yan helps maintain the Xiao Clan's position by refining Blood-Clotting Powder. He balances this responsibility against his need to depart for training and fulfill the three-year agreement. 19 21

Jia Lie Clan Night Raid

When the Xiao Clan elders plan to assassinate Wang Teng, Xiao Yan relays Yao Lao's warning against the attempt. He nevertheless secretly asks Yao Lao to intervene if the raid goes wrong, leading to the Xiao Clan's eventual retreat. 12 13

Pill-Refining Competition

Xiao Yan proposes a first-grade pill competition with two marketplaces at stake, intending to secure resources for the Xiao Clan before leaving Wu Tan City. He refines two Realm-Breaking Pills, but Wang Teng's ten perfect-grade Combined-Strength Pills prove superior when Hao Qiang breaks through to Dou Master after testing one. 22 26 27 29 30

Resolve After Defeat

Following his loss, Xiao Yan accepts Yao Lao's criticism that he lacks experience and renews his commitment to surpass Wang Teng through hard work. 31

Notable Quotes

“Teacher, I will definitely go to the Cloud Sect!” 21

“If there's another chance to compete, I won't lose again!” 31