Xiao Yan

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Xiao Yan (萧炎)
Alias(es)	Fourth Brother; Little Yan
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Xiao Clan; disciple of Yao Chen
Occupation/Role	Xiao Clan's Fourth Young Master; alchemist
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Dou Practitioner	12	Had reached this realm by age twelve before his cultivation began regressing.
Dou Qi, Third Stage	7	Tested at the clan assessment and publicly ridiculed for his low rank.
First-grade Alchemist	24	Refined medicine to repay Xiao Meng's loan and return Xiao Meng's previously used monthly allowance.
Dou Qi, Eighth Stage	32	Reached this level after Yao Chen began teaching him; he survived Jia Lie Ao's enhanced six-star Dou Practitioner strength despite severe injuries.
Dou Zhe	35	Broke through while recovering from his injuries, though Yao Chen considered his foundation vulnerable.
Second-tier Alchemist	45	His advancement boosts the Xiao Clan marketplace's popularity and earns him leadership over its marketplaces.

Background

Xiao Yan was born after his twin brother Xiao Meng, making him the Xiao Clan's fourth son despite sharing the same mother. Their father is Xiao Zhan, the Xiao Clan leader. Xiao Yan was once a celebrated prodigy who became a Dou Practitioner at twelve, but spent the following three years suffering cultivation regression and public humiliation. 1 12

His regression was caused by Yao Chen, a remnant soul residing in the ring left by Xiao Yan's mother, which intercepted the Dou Qi Xiao Yan absorbed. Xiao Meng exposed the cause and gave him Soul-Nourishing Wood to awaken Yao Chen. Although Xiao Yan initially wanted revenge, he accepted Yao Chen as his master after learning of his alchemy knowledge and Heaven-tier Dou Techniques. 17 19

During Nalan Yanran's visit to annul her engagement, Xiao Yan took responsibility for the ambiguous marriage arrangement to spare Xiao Meng. He then repudiated Nalan Yanran himself and set a three-year appointment to challenge her at the Cloudmist Sect. 12

Appearance

Xiao Yan is a young Xiao Clan descendant usually seen in black robes. When conducting business at the Temir Auction House, he disguises himself with a black cloak. 3 24

• Wears a ring inherited from his mother, which houses Yao Chen's remnant soul. 17 19
• Uses a palm-leaf-fan-sized flame formed after he swallowed a piece of Fire Essence. 37

Personality

Xiao Yan remains composed when humiliated, but possesses intense pride and a deep sense of responsibility toward the Xiao Clan. He accepts Nalan Yanran's challenge rather than submit to the Cloudmist Sect's pressure, declaring that he will return the clan's humiliation in three years. 12

He is fiercely protective of his family. Jia Lie Ao's attack on him and Xiao Zhan fuels his desire for revenge, though Yao Chen warns him not to let hatred dictate his path. Xiao Yan accepts that he must become strong enough to avenge his family himself rather than depend entirely on his master. 32 35

Xiao Yan can also be shrewd and opportunistic. He bargains aggressively with Yao Chen for teachings, borrows money from Xiao Meng to accelerate his cultivation, and works through the Mittel Auction House to cut the Gale Clan off from medicinal ingredients. 19 20 37

Abilities & Skills

Dou Qi Cultivation

Xiao Yan cultivates Dou Qi after Yao Chen stops intercepting his absorbed energy.

• His prior cultivation regression was not caused by lost talent, but by Yao Chen's absorption of his Dou Qi. 17
• He reaches the Dou Zhe realm after beginning formal training under Yao Chen. 35
• He aspires to become a Dou Di and views hardship as part of the path to strength. 35

Alchemy

Under Yao Chen's guidance, Xiao Yan becomes an alchemist and uses alchemy to support both himself and the Xiao Clan.

• Became a first-grade alchemist before repaying Xiao Meng's loan. 24
• Advanced to second-tier alchemist, increasing the Xiao Clan marketplace's standing. 45
• Uses a flame created from swallowed Fire Essence to refine first-grade pills despite having relied on it while still at the Dou Qi stage. 37
• Plans to use medicinal pills to strengthen Xiao Zhan and the Xiao Clan elders against the Gale Clan. 37

Yao Chen's Teachings

Yao Chen agrees to teach Xiao Yan alchemy and powerful Dou Techniques after becoming his master.

• Yao Chen possesses knowledge of Heaven-tier Dou Techniques. 19
• Xiao Yan possesses an earth-tier combat technique whose origin remains unknown to Yao Chen. 31 36
• His master repeatedly stresses that he must personally overcome opponents of his own generation. 35

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Mother's ring — Xiao Yan's inherited ring; Yao Chen's remnant soul resides inside it. 17 19
• Fire Essence flame — A flame created when Xiao Yan swallowed a fiery-red crystal found in the Xiao Clan's back mountain. 37
• Soul-Nourishing Wood — Given to him by Xiao Meng to restore Yao Chen's soul; Yao Chen later retains it for continued recovery. 17 19
• Black cloak — Used to conceal his identity while entering the Temir Auction House. 24

Relationships

• Xiao Meng — Elder twin brother. Their relationship mixes rivalry, bickering, financial disputes, and genuine support; Xiao Meng reveals the cause of Xiao Yan's regression, helps him obtain Yao Chen as a master, and provides resources for the Xiao Clan. 17 20 37
• Xiao Zhan — Father and Xiao Clan leader. Xiao Yan defends his family's dignity during the annulment dispute and is enraged when Jia Lie Bi injures Xiao Zhan. 12 35
• Xiao Xun'er — Romantic partner and close companion. She remains determined to wait for Xiao Yan despite the obstacles posed by her Ancient Clan background. 1 18
• Yao Chen / Yao Lao — Master and former source of Xiao Yan's cultivation regression. Xiao Yan initially hates him, but accepts discipleship to gain alchemy instruction and powerful techniques. 17 19
• Nalan Yanran — Cloudmist Sect Young Sect Master and three-year rival. Xiao Yan repudiates her after she seeks to annul their marriage arrangement, then vows to defeat her at the Cloudmist Sect. 12
• Jia Lie Ao — Rival from the Gale Clan. Jia Lie Ao gravely injures Xiao Yan, but Xiao Yan insists on settling the score personally; he later cripples Jia Lie Ao. 32 45
• Jia Lie Bi — Gale Clan leader and enemy who injures Xiao Zhan, intensifying Xiao Yan's determination to protect and avenge his family. 35
• Han Feng — Yao Chen's traitorous former disciple. After learning that Han Feng caused Yao Chen's downfall, Xiao Yan vows to purge Yao Chen's sect himself. 38

Story Role / Major Arcs

Cultivation Regression and Clan Assessment

Xiao Yan endures mockery after testing at only the third stage of Dou Qi. His situation mirrors Xiao Meng's own status as an apparent failure within the Xiao Clan. 7

Three-Year Agreement

When Nalan Yanran comes to annul the Xiao Clan marriage agreement, Xiao Yan voluntarily assumes responsibility for it. He repudiates Nalan Yanran and establishes a three-year challenge at the Cloudmist Sect, transforming the family's humiliation into a personal goal. 11 12

Awakening Yao Chen

Xiao Meng reveals that Yao Chen has been absorbing Xiao Yan's Dou Qi. With Soul-Nourishing Wood restoring the remnant soul, Xiao Yan gains Yao Chen as a master and begins rebuilding his cultivation through alchemy and Dou Techniques. 17 19

Alchemy and the Gale Clan Conflict

Xiao Yan becomes an alchemist, uses the Temir Auction House to earn resources, and helps the Xiao Clan contend with the Gale Clan's alchemist-backed expansion. After Jia Lie Ao injures him, he survives, recovers, and refuses to let others take his personal revenge. 24 32 35 37

Marketplace Leadership

After becoming a second-tier alchemist, Xiao Yan's reputation helps revive the Xiao Clan's marketplace. The elders entrust the marketplaces to the younger generation with Xiao Yan as their leader. 45

Notable Quotes

“Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river. Do not bully the poor youth!” 11

“Three years from now, I will reclaim double the humiliation your Cloudmist Sect has inflicted upon my Xiao Clan.” 12

“No matter how high his cultivation is or how strong his alchemy is, one day, I will personally purge the sect for Master.” 38