Yao Lao

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Yao Lao (药老)
Alias(es)	Venerable Yao; “Old Yao”
Gender	Male
Occupation/Role	Alchemist; prospective mentor to Xiao Yan
Status	Soul body residing within Xiao Yan’s black ring 1
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Background / History

Yao Lao concealed himself within the black ring left to Xiao Yan by Lan Suyin. For three years, he absorbed Xiao Yan’s Dou Qi, causing Xiao Yan’s cultivation to regress; when confronted, he argued that Xiao Yan had also grown during that time. He offered to make Xiao Yan a Dou Zhe within a year if Xiao Yan accepted him as master. 1

His identity is deliberately withheld at first, though he dismisses Pill King Gu He as insignificant and is later identified in narration as Venerable Yao. He possesses the Bone Chilling Flame and considers Xiao Yan and Xiao Ni promising candidates for alchemical disciples. 1 2

Xiao Ni’s sudden possession of enhanced versions of the Flame Mantra, Eight Extremes Collapse, Flame-Splitting Wave-Shattering Ruler, Black Heavy Rulers, and multiple Heavenly Flames repeatedly unsettles Yao Lao. He is particularly shaken when Xiao Yan safely absorbs three Heavenly Flames almost instantly. 1 2

Yao Lao remains in Xiao Yan’s ring after Xiao Ni vouches for him. He later agrees to teach Xiao Ni the Fire-Blowing Palm in exchange for Xiao Ni’s promise to use Heavenly Flames to refine him a body within three years. 2 6

Appearance

Yao Lao manifests as a transparent elderly man with an aged voice and a beard. In his current state, he exists without a physical body and normally returns to Xiao Yan’s black ring. 1 2

• Transparent soul-body manifestation. 1
• Elderly voice and demeanor. 1
• Often strokes his beard when displaying confidence. 2
• Cannot safely survive long without shelter while in soul form. 28

Personality

Yao Lao is proud of his alchemy, knowledge, and former strength. He is easily provoked when Xiao Ni’s resources or improved formulas challenge his expertise, yet he tries to preserve the composure expected of “Venerable Yao.” 1 2 7

He is shrewd and transactional. Rather than freely giving Xiao Ni the Fire-Blowing Palm, he secures a three-year commitment to create a body for himself. He also uses his ability to refine fourth-grade pills as leverage in trying to make Xiao Yan his disciple. 5 6

Despite his irritability and vanity, Yao Lao provides practical guidance to Xiao Yan, warns him not to pry into Xiao Xun’er’s dangerous background, and offers Xiao Ni the chance to observe his pill refinement. 5 12 31

Abilities & Skills

Alchemy

Yao Lao developed the original Foundation Elixir formula and can identify the substantial improvements made to the version obtained by Xiao Ni. 7 31

• Plans to refine a peak fourth-tier medicinal pill, requiring materials worth roughly three million gold coins. 20 31
• Offered to refine two perfect fourth-grade pills to prove his superiority to Gu He. 5
• Can alter the grade of Dou Techniques; the versions auctioned through the Mittel Auction House were lower versions of techniques Xiao Ni had given Xiao Yan. 28 31
• Views ordinary low-grade pills dismissively as “candy.” 28

Heavenly Flame Control

Yao Lao possesses the Bone Chilling Flame, which he reveals while preparing to refine pills. Xiao Ni’s version of the same flame appears more powerful, deeply shocking him. 1 31

• Understands the nature, number, and alchemical value of Heavenly Flames. 2
• Intends to use Heavenly Flames in the process of reconstructing a physical body. 6
• Cannot explain how Xiao Ni possesses a stronger Bone Chilling Flame or allows Xiao Yan to absorb multiple flames without harm. 1 2

Soul Perception

As a soul body, Yao Lao can sense and assess Dou Qi cultivation through others’ technique use. 1 7

• Detected Xiao Ni’s unusual soul perception before revealing himself. 1
• Estimated Xiao Ni’s cultivation from his use of Siphon Palm. 7
• Remains concealed in the black ring while observing events around Xiao Yan. 17 31

Martial Knowledge and Instruction

Yao Lao possesses knowledge of multiple cultivation methods and Dou Techniques, though some are inferior to the enhanced versions held by Xiao Ni. 2 20 31

• Teaches Xiao Ni the Low Xuan Tier Fire-Blowing Palm. 6
• Explains that Eight Extremes Collapse contains eight layers of hidden force. 18
• Advises Xiao Yan on cultivation, including use of the Black Heavy Ruler and the limitations of high-tier techniques at low cultivation. 5

Equipment / Items

• Xiao Yan’s black ring — Yao Lao’s residence and concealment vessel. 1 2
• Bone Chilling Flame — Yao Lao’s Heavenly Flame. 1 31
• Dou Technique scrolls — Includes the lower versions of Eight Extremes Collapse and Flame-Splitting Wave-Shattering Ruler auctioned through Xiao Yan. 20 28 31

Relationships

• Xiao Yan — Host of the black ring and Yao Lao’s intended disciple. Yao Lao previously absorbed his Dou Qi, then offered him cultivation and alchemical guidance in repayment. 1 2 5
• Xiao Ni — A source of repeated disbelief and rivalry for Yao Lao due to his overwhelming resources and improved formulas. They later make a deal: Fire-Blowing Palm in return for Xiao Ni refining Yao Lao a body within three years. 1 6 7
• Gu He — An alchemist Yao Lao openly disparages, using him as a benchmark to impress Xiao Yan. 1 5
• Xiao Xun’er — Yao Lao warns Xiao Yan that her origins are dangerous to investigate and believes neither Xiao Yan nor Xiao Ni can be with her. 12

Notable Quotes

“My name is Yao Lao. As for my background, I won't tell you now to avoid distracting you.” 1

“You only need to know that someone like that so-called Pill King is actually... actually just a fart.” 1

“I want you to use the power of Heavenly Flames to help me refine a perfect body within three years.” 6