Yao Lao

Biodata

Power Progression

Background

Yao Chen was born into a collateral branch of the Yao Clan. His exceptional alchemy talent threatened Yao Wangu's direct-line interests during the Medicine Assembly, prompting Yao Wangu to replace a key ingredient in his pill refinement. Afterward, Yao Wangu falsely accused him of stealing medicinal materials and expelled him from the clan. 2 20

After leaving the Yao Clan, Yao Chen established himself in the Central Plains through alchemy. He won the Pill Tower Pill Conference, became known as the Medicine Venerable, and founded Starfall Pavilion, eventually reaching peak eighth-rank alchemy and peak Nine-Star Battle Venerable cultivation. 7 19 108

He took in the orphan Han Feng as a disciple and raised him as his intended successor, teaching him alchemy, cultivation, and swordsmanship. Han Feng later coveted the Flame Mantra and betrayed him with others, leaving Yao Chen as a soul body. 34 89

Yao Xuan located him in Wu Tan City and addressed him as “Uncle Chen,” proving their shared Yao Clan origin with the clan-exclusive Myriad Veins Origin-Bearing Pill. Their identical experiences of expulsion gradually overcame Yao Chen's initial distrust. 19 20 21

Old Man Shennong had helped Yao Chen escape the Shennong Mountain Range after his expulsion, when Yao Wangu had sent pursuers after him. Years later, Yao Chen greeted Shennong with deep respect upon his arrival at Starfall Pavilion. 20 225

Appearance

Before his resurrection, Yao Lao usually appeared as a pale, illusory elderly soul projection emerging from a storage ring. After merging with the preserved Dou Saint body, he regained a gentle, handsome appearance from his youth and was seen in white robes. 19 78 174

• Pale, translucent soul form while bodiless. 19 78
• Often strokes his beard when judging alchemy or speaking approvingly. 23 34
• Restored to a youthful, refined appearance after resurrection. 174

Personality

Yao Lao is guarded and calculating, shaped by expulsion from the Yao Clan and Han Feng's betrayal. His original plan to pass the dangerous Flame Mantra to Xiao Yan was tied to his own need for resurrection, and he initially assessed others before trusting them. 21 25

Despite this caution, he is deeply appreciative of genuine loyalty. He openly praises Yao Xuan's ability, entrusts him with the Flame Mantra, and recognizes Yao Xuan's efforts to restore his body. He also remains protective of Xiao Yan, providing cultivation guidance, pills, and an Earth Rank technique. 23 25 78 175

His concern for Yao Xuan extends beyond their shared grievances: when the pill needed for his resurrection drew dangerous Nine-Colored Pill Lightning, Yao Lao was prepared to destroy it rather than risk Yao Xuan's life. After Yao Wangu's defeat, he again warned Yao Xuan to prepare for possible Yao Clan retaliation. 169 197

Abilities & Skills

Alchemy

Yao Lao was a peak eighth-rank alchemist in life and was publicly recognized as the foremost alchemist of the Central Plains. 19

• Developed the peak fifth-tier Purple Accumulation Fusion Pill to assist the absorption of the Companion Amethyst Source. 34
• Evaluated Yao Xuan's pill refinement with exacting standards, recognizing his control over three different flames and perfect pill patterns. 23 24
• Provided formulas and guidance for advanced pills, including the Bone-Fusing Blood-Melting Pill used in resurrection preparations. 61
• His reputation after resurrection attracted Battle Venerables seeking his services. 178
• Agreed to help Flame Valley refine a Fire Bodhi Pill for Tang Zhen's daughter, then entrusted the task to Yao Xuan while he stabilized his new Dou Saint cultivation. 178 179

Soul Body and Possession

Following Han Feng's betrayal, Yao Lao survived as a remnant soul, capable of projecting himself from a storage ring and possessing Yao Xuan's body. 19 34

• Formed a soul barrier around the Lava Secret Realm to contain the Green Lotus Core Flame during Yao Xuan's absorption. 42
• Could use Yao Xuan's body to unleash Half-Step Battle Venerable or true One-Star Battle Venerable strength. 46 54
• His usable strength was constrained by Yao Xuan's physical body; a Dou Wang body allowed only fifty to sixty percent of his power. 46
• Retained awareness during his resurrection process despite being unable to interfere directly in the battle outside. 175

Bone Chilling Flame

Yao Lao possesses the Bone Chilling Flame, which he can lend to others or wield through possession. 23 46

• Allowed Yao Xuan to temporarily use it as the third flame needed to refine a perfect Three-Pattern Azure Spirit Pill. 23
• Formed the flame into a massive ruler while controlling Yao Xuan's body against the Venerable puppets. 55
• Its appearance signaled Yao Lao's possession of Yao Xuan during the confrontation with Medusa's forces. 46

Flame Mantra

Yao Lao possesses the Flame Mantra, a dangerous technique capable of devouring multiple Heavenly Flames and evolving beyond Earth Rank. 24 25

• Intended to use the technique's ability to gather multiple Heavenly Flames as the foundation for reconstructing his body. 21 25
• Passed the genuine Flame Mantra to Yao Xuan after judging him more suited to its risks than Xiao Yan. 23 25
• Kept a hand-copied version of the technique, which he had initially given to Xiao Yan by mistake. 25

Dou Saint Combat Power

After resurrection, Yao Lao became a One-Star Dou Saint with an Initial Heavenly Soul Realm soul. 175

• Defeated the returning Half-Saint Yao Ye, destroying Yao Ye's physical body and leaving only his soul. Yao Xuan intervened before Yao Lao could destroy the soul. 175
• His restoration elevated Starfall Pavilion into the ranks of first-rate Central Plains powers. 175

Relationships

• Yao Xuan — Fellow Yao Clan outcast whom he calls his nephew by seniority. Yao Xuan earned his trust, inherited the Flame Mantra, settled Han Feng's debt, and orchestrated Yao Lao's resurrection. They later agreed to seek alliances to protect Starfall Pavilion from threats including the Yao Clan and Soul Hall. 19 25 89 174 197
• Xiao Yan — Disciple. Yao Lao guides his cultivation, provides pills and an Earth Rank technique, and asks him not to repeat Han Feng's betrayal. He continues to support Xiao Yan's efforts to grow strong enough to rescue his father from Soul Hall. 25 78 91 226
• Han Feng — Former disciple and betrayer. Yao Lao raised him from an orphan and taught him without reservation, but Han Feng plotted against him for the Flame Mantra; Yao Lao ultimately severed their master-disciple bond and destroyed him after Han Feng refused to repent. 34 88 89
• Venerable Feng (Feng Xian) — Lifelong friend and acting Pavilion Master of Starfall Pavilion. Feng Xian maintained the pavilion during Yao Lao's disappearance and assisted Yao Xuan in protecting and reviving him. 91 99 108 170
• Yao Wangu — Yao Clan enemy responsible for Yao Lao's rigged Medicine Assembly loss and expulsion. Yao Xuan later killed Yao Wangu and refined his remains into a Dou Saint puppet. 2 20 195 197
• Yao Ye — Yao Clan Half-Saint who attempted to exploit Yao Lao's vulnerable resurrection; Yao Lao destroyed his body after returning to life, but Yao Xuan asked him to spare Yao Ye's soul. 171 175
• Old Man Shennong — Senior who helped Yao Lao escape the Shennong Mountain Range after his expulsion and later became Yao Xuan's teacher. Yao Lao bowed to him in gratitude when they reunited at Starfall Pavilion. 20 225
• Xuan Kongzi — Longtime acquaintance with whom Yao Lao compared notes on alchemy. Xuan Kongzi expressed envy that Yao Lao had reached the Dou Saint realm before him. 199

Story Role

• Yao Lao's first direct encounter with Yao Xuan establishes their shared history as expelled Yao Clan collateral descendants and begins their alliance against Yao Wangu. 19 20
• He tests Yao Xuan's alchemy, recognizes his ability to control three flames, and entrusts him with the Flame Mantra as both a path to revenge and a means of eventual resurrection. 23 25
• He reveals Han Feng's betrayal after Yao Xuan finds the Companion Amethyst Source originally sought for Han Feng. 34
• After Han Feng's defeat, Yao Lao personally confronts his former disciple and declares their bond and debts ended. 88 89
• He reunites with Venerable Feng and returns to Starfall Pavilion, where Yao Xuan begins gathering the materials and vessel needed for his restoration. 91 108 140
• Yao Xuan uses the Nine-Revolution Soul-Sculpting Life Pill and a preserved Dou Saint body to restore Yao Lao; despite Yao Clan interference, the process succeeds and returns him as a One-Star Dou Saint. 170 174 175
• Following his resurrection, Yao Lao defeats Yao Ye when the Half-Saint returns to attack Yao Xuan. Yao Xuan stops him from destroying Yao Ye's surviving soul. 175
• Yao Lao and Yao Xuan confront Yao Wangu when he comes to Starfall Pavilion. After Yao Xuan defeats Yao Wangu, Yao Lao supports strengthening the pavilion through alliances in anticipation of further conflict. 190 195 197
• He welcomes Yao Xuan and Old Man Shennong to Starfall Pavilion, renewing his acquaintance with the senior who once aided his escape from the Yao Clan. He later discusses Xiao Yan's seclusion, Soul Hall's threat, and the expedition to the Ancient Dou Saint Ruins with Yao Xuan. 225 226

Notable Quotes

“For more than a decade, we lived together day and night. I taught you swordsmanship, alchemy, and cultivation, holding nothing back. My conscience was clear!” — Yao Lao to Han Feng 89

“Today, the bond between master and disciple ends here... The grudges between us are settled...” — Yao Lao to Han Feng 89

“Yao Xuan... You have worked hard during this time...” — Yao Lao after his resurrection 175