Yao Lao

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Yao Lao (药老)
Alias(es)	Venerable Yao 238 450
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Falling Star Pavilion (master); Xiao Yan's master
Occupation/Role	Eighth-tier alchemist; soul cultivator; mentor
Status	Active as a soul body; seeking a suitable body for resurrection 134 434
First Appearance	Chapter 4, residing within the Bone Flame Ring 4

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Soul injuries fully recovered	12	Years of absorbing Xiao Yan's exceptionally pure Dou Qi restored his damaged soul. Though still below his former peak, he could roam the Jia Ma Empire unhindered.
Corpse God's Seven Mysteries comprehended	113	Emerged from seclusion after developing a seven-form Spirit Plow soul technique whose completed form can rival a Heaven-tier Dou Technique.
Mid-stage Dou Zong	116	Xiao Yan acknowledges that he remains far from matching Yao Lao's mid-stage Dou Zong strength.
Enhanced soul-body strength	430 431	After years of travel and cultivation, he becomes strong enough that a peak two-star Dou Zun Soul Hall opponent would not withstand three moves if Yao Lao fought at full strength.
Dou Zun-level soul strength	450	Later accounts state that he had already regained Dou Zun-level strength in soul form more than a decade earlier and had continued improving since.

Background / History

Yao Lao's physical body was destroyed, after which the Soul Hall pursued and besieged him as a disembodied soul. He escaped only after suffering severe soul injuries, leaving him dependent on the Bone Flame Ring for survival. His fear of further Soul Hall pursuit drove his need to recover strength and settle old grudges. 80

Xiao Yan's mother placed the ring around Xiao Yan's neck while he was still young. Yao Lao remained conscious within it, waiting for Xiao Yan to reach the Dou Zhe realm and supply Dou Qi for several years; he intended to recover enough power to reveal himself and defend against Soul Hall agents if necessary. 4

He began absorbing Xiao Yan's Dou Qi during Xiao Yan's early cultivation. The process restored Yao Lao's soul while continuously expanding and tempering Xiao Yan's meridians; Yao Lao had to stop at the sixth stage of Dou Qi because his weakened remnant soul could not endure any more energy. 9

After his injuries recovered, Yao Lao manifested before Xiao Yan, disclosed his name, and offered his knowledge as the continent's foremost alchemist. Xiao Yan accepted him as his master. 12 13

Appearance

Yao Lao generally appears as an aged, white-robed man with a kindly face, deep eyes, and an aura of restrained wisdom and power. As a soul body, he can leave the Bone Flame Ring and manifest independently. 12 113 450

• White robes with broad, fluttering sleeves. 113 450
• Aged face and beard, though his soul pressure can violently disturb the surrounding winds and clouds. 12
• Temporarily uses an intricate hummingbird puppet body crafted by Xiao Yan. 50
• His Spirit Plow manifests as a ghastly white ancient sword with a skull-shaped hilt. 115

Personality

Yao Lao is proud of his alchemical standing and speaks dismissively of lesser alchemists and techniques. He initially doubts Xiao Yan's unconventional methods, particularly automated alchemy and puppet construction, but readily acknowledges results that surpass his expectations. 12 50 81

As a teacher, he balances praise with blunt criticism. He presses Xiao Yan to fight decisively, corrects flaws in his use of hidden force, and repeatedly revises his training plans in response to Xiao Yan's abnormal rate of growth. 15 16 43

He is also teasing and intrusive about Xiao Yan's relationships, yet remains deeply protective of his disciple and the Xiao Clan. He supplies Xiao Lin with high-grade cultivation resources, worries about Xiao Yan's future enemies, and retains intense resentment toward Han Feng and the Soul Hall. 13 50 80 483

Abilities & Skills

Eighth-Tier Alchemy

Yao Lao is an eighth-tier alchemist with a reputation strong enough to influence major factions even after years out of public view. 43 450

• Refines high-grade medicinal liquids such as Blood Burning, which accelerates Dou Qi consumption and regeneration while tempering the body. 41 51
• Possesses extensive pill formulas, medicinal knowledge, and experience assessing alchemical talent. 39 40
• His prior guidance was known even to prominent alchemists such as Fa Ma. 450
• His status as Venerable Yao causes Jia Nan Academy's elders to reassess Xiao Yan's background immediately. 450

Bone Chilling Flame

Yao Lao wields the pale-white Bone Chilling Flame, a Heavenly Flame closely connected to his soul and combat strength. 51 86

• Refines medicinal liquids and pills with the flame. 51
• Condenses the flame into barriers and massive weapons, including a ruler used against Xiao Yan's soul techniques. 86 87
• Gains a major combat advantage at the Dou Zun level through possession of the flame. 129
• The flame is too intrinsically linked to him to serve as material for his resurrection. 434

Soul Body and Spatial Manipulation

As a powerful soul entity, Yao Lao possesses exceptional perception, mobility, and spatial ability. 13 27

• Detects concealed experts such as Ling Ying and Qin Yueyao with a glance. 13
• Absorbs and refines Dou Qi to restore his soul strength. 9
• Transports himself and Xiao Yan across space using spatial power. 27
• Constructs and maintains spatial wormholes between the Jia Ma Empire, Chu Yun Empire, and Black-Corner Region. 431 450

Soul Techniques

Yao Lao learned to wield Spirit Plow after observing Xiao Yan's soul techniques and later developed his own advanced applications. 113 115

• Corpse God's Seven Mysteries — A seven-form soul technique performed through Spirit Plow; its complete form can rival a Heaven-tier Dou Technique. 113
• Bone Netherday Gloom — Uses rapid movement and layered sword shadows to trap and strike an opponent. 115
• Plow Soul Burying the Moon — A later technique used during his duel with Xiao Yan. 115
• A Spirit Plow weapon's shape and strength vary according to its user's soul and cultivation. 115

Cultivation and Combat Instruction

Yao Lao's collection and experience allow him to tailor training to Xiao Yan's changing needs.

• Gives Xiao Yan the evolving Flame Mantra, warning that its early-stage Dou Qi endurance is poor despite its potential to devour Heavenly Flames and advance. 14
• Teaches Eight Extremes Collapse, a high-level Xuan-class offensive Dou Technique focused on hidden force. 15 16
• Provides the Black Heavy Ruler as Xiao Yan's constant weight and Dou Qi-suppressing training weapon. 17
• Gives Xiao Lin the high-grade Earth-class Heavenly Astral Wind-Splitting Formula, the Storm Otherworld Dou Technique, and Dou Huang breakthrough experience. 50

Equipment / Items

• Bone Flame Ring — His original refuge while severely injured; later gifted to Xiao Yan. It contains numerous secret manuals. 4 133
• Hummingbird puppet body — An ornate avian puppet Xiao Yan made for him after successfully creating alchemy puppets. 50
• Black Demon Cauldron — The eighth-ranked cauldron on the Heavenly Cauldron Ranking, identified as an item belonging to Venerable Yao. 238
• Blood Moon Sword — A weapon used during his sparring battle with Xiao Yan. 116
• Spirit Plow sword — His soul-forged ancient sword, formed through his own Spirit Plow technique. 115

Relationships

• Xiao Yan — Master and disciple. Yao Lao recovered by absorbing Xiao Yan's Dou Qi, then formally accepted him as his disciple and supplied techniques, alchemical instruction, training, and protection. 9 13 14 50
• Han Feng — Former disciple. Han Feng cultivated a half-volume of the Flame Mantra, acquired the Sea Heart Flame, and demanded Yao Lao's Bone Chilling Flame, earning Yao Lao's hatred and desire for revenge. 477 478 483
• Xiao Lin — Xiao Yan's grandfather. Yao Lao provides him with an Earth-class cultivation method, an Earth-class Dou Technique, and breakthrough guidance so he can better support Xiao Yan. 50
• Xiao Yi Xian — Xiao Yan's ally and fellow cultivator. Yao Lao works with her and Xiao Yan on interrogation, travel, and spatial-wormhole plans. 132 431
• Soul Hall — Hostile enemy. The organization hunted Yao Lao after his body was destroyed, grievously injured his soul, and remains tied to the grudges he intends to settle. 80

Story Role / Major Arcs

Ring-Bound Mentor

Yao Lao observes Xiao Yan's growth from the Bone Flame Ring, becomes convinced of his alchemical potential, and recovers through the Dou Qi Xiao Yan produces. Once restored, he reveals himself and becomes Xiao Yan's master. 5 9 12 13

Early Training and Alchemy

He supplies Xiao Yan with the Flame Mantra, Eight Extremes Collapse, the Black Heavy Ruler, alchemical equipment, and medicinal formulas. His repeated astonishment at Xiao Yan's cultivation, combat, and alchemy comprehension leads him to accelerate Xiao Yan's training. 14 15 17 39 43

Puppet Body and Family Support

After Xiao Yan proves that puppets can automate low-grade medicine refinement, Yao Lao accepts a hummingbird puppet body. He then privately strengthens Xiao Lin with elite cultivation resources, hoping the Xiao Clan can become a future support for Xiao Yan. 50

Soul Hall Conflict

Yao Lao explains the Soul Hall's practice of hunting powerful disembodied souls and interrogates captured agents alongside Xiao Yan. He treats Xiao Yan's Spirit Plow techniques as both a formidable answer to Soul Hall methods and a danger to soul bodies like himself. 80 86 87

Seclusion and Master–Disciple Duel

He emerges from seclusion after comprehending Corpse God's Seven Mysteries, then duels Xiao Yan to test both his new soul art and Xiao Yan's progress. The battle confirms the depth of Yao Lao's technique mastery and Xiao Yan's rapid growth. 113 114 115

Later Reunion and Spatial Network

After traveling and strengthening his soul, Yao Lao reunites with Xiao Yan near the Black-Corner Region. He agrees to build spatial wormholes linking allied regions and later arrives at Jia Nan Academy, where his identity as Venerable Yao elevates Xiao Yan's standing. 430 431 450

Confrontation with Han Feng

Yao Lao reappears when Han Feng assaults Jia Nan Academy for a Heavenly Flame. Han Feng's betrayal, demand for the Bone Chilling Flame, and use of the Flame Mantra turn the encounter into a direct reckoning between master and former disciple. 477 478

Notable Quotes

“My name is Yao Lao. As for my origins, I won't tell you yet, lest it distract you.” 12

“For an alchemist, strength is not the most important thing. With my alchemy alone, my influence remains terrifying even though I have not appeared in public for many years.” 450