Xiao Clan

Biodata

Organization

• Clan Leader: Xiao Zhan oversees the clan’s external disputes, council meetings, and defense. He is personally protective of his sons and refuses Jia Lie Bi’s demand that Xiao Meng be surrendered. 3 30
• Elders: The elders deliberate on strategy, supervise clan affairs, and fight alongside Xiao Zhan during the conflict with the Gale Clan. 32 35
• Direct descendants: Clan descendants are generally expected to focus on cultivation rather than assigned duties. Later, the elders entrust the clan marketplaces to younger disciples under Xiao Yan’s leadership. 3 45
• Guards: The clan maintains an armed guard force commanded by Xiao Po. 43
• Training facilities: The estate includes a Combat Arts Hall and a back mountain used for cultivation and training. 21 39

History

The Xiao Clan initially follows a harsh cultivation-based hierarchy. During its annual testing, Xiao Yan’s low Dou Qi result and Xiao Meng’s absence invite open ridicule from younger members, who label both brothers as burdens to the clan. 7 Xiao Meng’s subsequent defeat of numerous disciples despite possessing no detectable Dou Qi overturns this perception, though many members remain fearful rather than understanding his strength. 8 14

The clan suffers a public affront when the Cloudmist Sect arrives to dissolve an arranged marriage. Xiao Yan responds by issuing Nalan Yanran a letter of repudiation and setting a three-year challenge, framing the matter as an insult to the entire Xiao Clan’s dignity. 12 Xiao Meng then decisively defeats Nalan Yanran and intimidates both the Cloudmist Sect delegation and the clan elders, forcing the latter to reconsider their treatment of him. 14 15

Conflict with the Gale Clan

• Xiao Meng’s killing of Liu Xi and injury of Jia Lie Ao bring the Xiao Clan into direct confrontation with the Gale Clan. Xiao Zhan publicly defends his son and refuses Jia Lie Bi’s threats. 28 30
• With the support of Liu Xi’s master, third-tier alchemist Chang Shan, the Gale Clan captures most of the Xiao Clan’s business and substantially strengthens its fighters through medicinal pills. 35
• A major clash leaves Xiao Zhan, the elders, and other clan members injured. A black-robed Yao Chen intervenes to save the clan, but the elders do not know his identity. 35
• Xiao Meng’s return restores morale. He apologizes to the elders for his past conduct after learning that they had stood together in the clan’s defense. The elders, in turn, acknowledge their prior failings and commit to unity. 37
• To prevent the Gale Clan from producing Red Phosphorus Pills, Xiao Meng intercepts Jia Lie Nu’s medicinal-ingredient convoy and kills him. 39 41 42
• Xiao Zhan rejects an immediate annihilation of the Gale Clan, reasoning that an excessively decisive victory could draw the attention of larger forces, including the Cloudmist Sect. 37

Economy and Recovery

The clan’s marketplaces become a central front in its struggle with the Gale Clan. Chang Shan’s pills initially enable the Gale Clan to seize eighty to ninety percent of the Xiao Clan’s business. 35

Xiao Yan’s advancement as an alchemist reverses this decline. His first- and second-tier pills increase marketplace traffic, while medicinal pills refined by Yao Chen improve the cultivation of Xiao Zhan and the elders. The elders eventually transfer marketplace management to the younger generation, appointing Xiao Yan as their leader. 45

Relationships

• Xiao Zhan — Clan Leader and principal defender of the clan’s interests; seeks to protect Xiao Meng’s concealed strength from attracting dangerous attention. 30 37
• Xiao Meng — Third Young Master whose hidden body-cultivation strength transforms the clan’s internal power dynamic and repeatedly protects it from external threats. 14 37 42
• Xiao Yan — Direct descendant, alchemist, and later manager of the clan marketplaces; his challenge to Nalan Yanran is framed as repayment for the Cloudmist Sect’s humiliation of the clan. 12 17 45
• Xiao Xun'er — A prominent member of the younger generation whose ninth-stage Dou Qi test result surpasses the other clan youths shown at the annual assessment. 7
• Gale Clan — Long-standing rival whose alchemist-backed expansion triggers an economic and armed conflict with the Xiao Clan. 30 35
• Cloudmist Sect — Hostile sect whose attempted dissolution of the marriage arrangement leads to a three-year challenge and lasting enmity. 12 14
• Yao Chen — Secret benefactor who saves the clan while disguised in black robes; the elders initially speculate that he may be connected to the Mittel Auction House. 35

Notable Quotes

“Two Xiao characters can't be written with one stroke. We're family, so what is there to apologize for?” — Ninth Elder 37