Xiao Lin

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Xiao Lin (萧林)
Alias(es)	Lin Xiao; Elder Lin; Supreme Elder Lin
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Xiao Household; Jia Nan Academy; Myriad Formation Spirit Palace
Occupation/Role	Xiao Household Clan Chief; former Jia Ma Empire general; Jia Nan Academy Supreme Elder; Spirit Array Master
Status	Alive
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Da Dou Shi → Dou Ling	1	After joining the Jia Ma Empire army as a Da Dou Shi, he spent five years rising from a common soldier to a general commanding 30,000 men and broke through to Dou Ling.
Four-Star Battle Spirit; initial Heavenly Realm Soul Power	3	Awakening Past-Life Wisdom grants him initial Heavenly Realm Soul Power; this lets him contend with initial- or mid-stage Dou Zongs without defeat.
Four-Star Dou Emperor	6	Reaches Four-Star Dou Emperor within a year of creating the Earth Rank mid-level Star Codex.
Concealed Six-Star Dou Emperor; apparent One-Star Dou Wang	41	After another year, his hidden cultivation rises from Four-Star to Six-Star Dou Emperor, while the strength he publicly displays reaches One-Star Dou Wang.
Concealed Seven-Star Dou Emperor	41	Advances another star during the following year.
Eight-Star Dou Emperor; Heavenly Realm Soul Power	63	Reveals his true strength while killing Ying Changkong.
Peak Nine-Star Dou Emperor; Second-Level Spirit Array Master	65	Creates the Spirit-Gathering Formation after a year of cultivation and formation study.
Dou Zong; Third-Level Spirit Array Master	67	Emerges from seclusion as a Dou Zong and raises his Spirit Array Mastery to Level Three.
Two-Star Dou Zong	86	Breaks through while arranging Spirit-Gathering Formations in the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower.
Three-Star Dou Zong	88	Advances after two months of cultivation in the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower.
Nine-Star Dou Zong	153	Breaks through at the Heavenly Water Cold Pool before withdrawing unnoticed from the conflict between the Heavenly Serpent Imperial Family and Heavenly Serpent Mansion.
One-Star Dou Venerable	171	Devours part of Fallen Heart Flame’s origin and spends three months cultivating beneath the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower.
Mid-Heavenly Realm Soul Power; Five-Rank Spirit Array Master	172 177 178	His soul power advances after his Dou Venerable breakthrough; he is also confirmed as a Five-Rank Spirit Array Master.
Two-Star Dou Venerable	206	Breaks through while preparing for the Sect Tournament of the Four Great Empires.
Three-Star Dou Venerable	229	Enters emergency seclusion after Xiao Zhan’s marriage stirs memories of Wen Lingyun.
Four-Star Dou Venerable	241	Breaks through after recovering from and digesting the gains of his battle with Mang Tianchi.

Background / History

Xiao Lin served in the Jia Ma Empire’s army after reaching the Da Dou Shi realm. Over five years, he rose from an ordinary soldier to a general commanding 30,000 troops, becoming a Dou Ling in the process. He later fought in the war against the Cloud Empire while his wife, Wen Lingyun, was pregnant with their child. 1

Wen Lingyun died after a difficult birth before Xiao Lin could return from the front. Her death awakened Xiao Lin’s memories of a previous life on Blue Star and gave him Heavenly Realm Soul Power. Devastated by guilt, he kept vigil beside her coffin for days until Xiao Dongcheng brought him their newborn son, Xiao Zhan, and reminded him of his responsibilities to the living. 2 3

After recalling that he was a minor background figure from Battle Through the Heavens, Xiao Lin realized that Xiao Yan would be his future grandson. Knowing that his original fate was to die from grave injuries before the main story began, he resolved to survive until the finale, initially intending to rely on Xiao Yan’s eventual rise as the Flame Emperor. 3 5

He concealed his rapid advancement to avoid exposing his secrets or drawing the Hun Clan’s attention. Although he publicly revealed enough strength to establish the Xiao Household as a Dou Wang family, his true cultivation remained far higher. 7 27

Following the Secret Realm expedition, Xiao Lin killed Ying Changkong, took the latter’s resources for the Xiao Household, and began studying formations under Formation Old Man, becoming the remnant soul’s disciple and inheritor of the Myriad Formation Spirit Palace. 49 63 65

Xiao Lin later travelled under the identity “Lin Xiao,” entering the Black-Corner Region and joining Jia Nan Academy as an elder. His formation expertise earned him access to the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower, where he cultivated, strengthened the academy’s formations, and eventually became its Supreme Elder. 73 78 82 238

After reaching Dou Venerable, he returned to the Jia Ma Empire, disclosed part of his true strength to Xiao Dongcheng, and formally succeeded him as Xiao Household Clan Chief. He reorganized the household, established a protected Scripture Pavilion, expanded its elder structure, and restrained reckless expansion in favor of stable development. 178 186 193 194

Appearance

Xiao Lin is introduced as a handsome youth, though his cultivation preserves his natural appearance around his late twenties. Nearing forty, he deliberately alters his appearance to seem older when returning to the Jia Ma Empire. 1 73 175

• Uses Astral Dou Qi to reshape his face into that of an unrelated middle-aged man while travelling. 73
• Wears black, head-to-toe clothing and alters his voice when concealing his identity during the Sect Tournament. 218
• Can conceal his cultivation so thoroughly that, unless facing a mid-level Dou Venerable or stronger, observers perceive only the level he chooses to display. 7

Personality

Xiao Lin is cautious, strategic, and intensely focused on survival. His concealment of his true cultivation is driven by fear that his abnormal growth will attract the Hun Clan or endanger the Xiao Household. 7 27

He is also a cultivation fanatic. Even the mental fatigue caused by the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower only makes him rest briefly before returning to cultivate; he considers raising troublesome children more painful than eighty-one consecutive days of tower cultivation. 88

Despite his pragmatism, Xiao Lin is deeply devoted to his family. Wen Lingyun’s death remains his greatest emotional wound, and he never seeks another partner because he feels there is no room in his heart for anyone else. He devotes substantial effort to Xiao Zhan’s upbringing, protects Yang Xiyue as his daughter-in-law, and prioritizes the Xiao Household’s long-term stability over expansion. 3 229 232 234

His schemes can be ruthless when directed at enemies. Su Qian considers Xiao Lin’s plan to weaken the Black-Corner Region so villainous that he is relieved Xiao Lin is an ally rather than an enemy. 97

Abilities & Skills

Heavenly Realm Soul Power

Xiao Lin’s awakened soul is his defining advantage. It grants extraordinary perception, suppression, concealment, and offensive power far beyond his apparent Dou Qi cultivation. 3 62

• Can conceal his cultivation and prevent most opponents from discerning his true realm. 7
• Can block an area from external perception and silently restrain weaker opponents. 62 63
• Used soul power to kill four ambushing Dou Lings and drive hidden observers from the Black-Corner Region. 74
• Can overpower low-star Dou Emperors such as Ying Changkong with overwhelming ease. 62 63
• Leaves a Mid-Heavenly Realm soul attack within Xiao Zhan as a life-saving measure. 222
• His soul power reaches Mid-Heavenly Realm after advancing to Dou Venerable. 172 178

Astral Dou Qi

Xiao Lin cultivates Astral Dou Qi through the Star Codex, an Earth Rank mid-level cultivation method he created. 6

• Can reshape his appearance for covert travel. 73
• Strongly suppresses Poison Dou Qi, enabling him to dominate Xie Biyan while using only Two-Star Dou Zong power. 220 221
• Has a known “Ten Thousand Arts Immunity” trait, though Xiao Lin believes its full potential remains undeveloped. 240
• Supports star-based Dou Techniques such as Seven-Star Void Step, Starlight Heaven-Suppressing Seal, and Star-Devouring Wall. 67

Spirit Array Mastery

Xiao Lin inherited formation knowledge from Formation Old Man of the Myriad Formation Spirit Palace. He can derive formations from the Nine Fundamental Formations, create formation disks, and seize control of existing arrays. 49 65 156

• Created the Spirit-Gathering Formation to improve cultivation efficiency. 65
• Established more than a hundred small Spirit-Gathering Formations in the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower. 86
• Developed the Void Locking Spirit Formation, a Third-Level Spirit Formation useful even at his level. 127 157
• Seized the Heavenly Serpent Imperial Family’s palace formation after studying it for half an hour, then used it against the palace guards. 156
• Obtained and learned the Fourth-Level Spirit-Transforming Feather Serpent Formation. 157
• Reached Five-Rank Spirit Array Mastery by the time he became a Dou Venerable. 173 177

Spatial Manipulation

His time travelling with Zi Yan significantly improved his understanding of spatial power, allowing him to advance through the Dou Zong realm without bottlenecks. 91 127

• Can travel through spatial passages with little discomfort. 93
• After reaching Dou Venerable, can open spatial passages directly. 172
• Successfully constructs a Spatial Wormhole, though his first version is crude and potentially unsafe for cultivators below Dou Venerable. 175
• His early attempt to construct a Spatial Wormhole beneath the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower had to stop because it threatened the Fire-Sealing Formation. 172

Combat Techniques

• God-Slaying Finger — Defeats Five-Star Dou Wang Yan Bohong with a single counterattack. 43
• Rock-Shattering Arm — Earth-element technique enhanced to roughly mid-level Profound Rank power; breaks Yan Penghong’s Flying Swallow Slash. 212
• Earth Dragon Roll — Earth-element technique used in battles against Yan Penghong and Kuang Feiyu. 67 124 212
• Mountain-Breaking Seal and Vast Earth Rock Barrier — Earth-element Dou Techniques created during his post-Dou Zong seclusion. 67
• Seven-Star Void Step — Movement technique that can reach any visible location within seven steps; at Three-Star Dou Zong, Xiao Lin can only use five steps. 67 124
• Starlight Heaven-Suppressing Seal — Star-based offensive technique. 67
• Star-Devouring Wall / Star-Devouring Jade — Defensive star-based technique capable of absorbing weakened lightning attacks. 67 240

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Tou She Ancient God Jade — Xiao Household heirloom linked to a Dou Emperor; blocks all perception and is extremely difficult to detect. 193
• Formation disks — Xiao Lin crafts First-, Second-, and Third-Rank disks, improving his control over Dou Qi through the process. 222
• Spirit-Transforming Feather Serpent Formation diagram — Fourth-Level formation acquired after the Heavenly Serpent Empire operation. 157
• Mithril Essence — Rare material recovered from the Xiao Household’s Mithril Vein and intended for weapon forging. 222 223
• Ying Changkong’s Storage Ring — Given to Xiao Dongcheng to strengthen the Xiao Household after Ying Changkong’s death. 65
• Lei Clan token — Given by Mang Tianchi; may be used to seek assistance from the Lei Clan in the Central Plains. 242

Relationships

• Wen Lingyun — Late wife. Her death during childbirth awakens Xiao Lin’s past-life memories and remains his deepest regret. 2 3 229
• Xiao Zhan — Son. Xiao Lin personally guides his cultivation, gives him protective treasures, and appoints him young clan leader before leaving for the Central Plains. 27 222 235
• Yang Xiyue — Daughter-in-law. Xiao Lin welcomes her into the family, gives her valuable protective resources, and commits to avenging the destruction of her family. 229 230 234
• Xiao Dongcheng — Former Xiao Household Clan Chief and father figure. He supports Xiao Lin after Wen Lingyun’s death, entrusts him with the Tou She Ancient God Jade, and eventually passes the clan leadership to him. 3 28 186 193
• Yun Shan — Misty Cloud Sect leader and political ally. Their relationship develops from mutual caution to cooperation, private deals, and Yun Shan’s protection of the Xiao Household during Xiao Lin’s absence. 60 197 235
• Formation Old Man — Master. The remnant soul accepts Xiao Lin as a disciple and passes on the Myriad Formation Spirit Palace’s inheritance. 49
• Su Qian — Jia Nan Academy First Elder and collaborator. He recognizes Xiao Lin’s value as a Formation Master, entrusts Zi Yan to him, and works with him to weaken the Black-Corner Region. 82 91 97
• Zi Yan — Ward and ally. Xiao Lin cares for her while seeking to learn from her innate spatial abilities; she comes to regard him as a powerful backer. 91 96 238
• Mang Tianchi — Jia Nan Academy headmaster and mentor. He battles Xiao Lin to guide his growth, promotes him to Supreme Elder, and accompanies him toward the Central Plains. 238 240 242
• Xiao Yan — Future grandson. Xiao Lin’s knowledge that Xiao Yan will become the Flame Emperor initially motivates his goal of surviving until the story’s end. 3 5

Story Role / Major Arcs

Awakening and the Xiao Household’s Rise

Following Wen Lingyun’s death, Xiao Lin awakens his past-life knowledge, learns his place in the future history of the Xiao Household, and begins concealing his true power while building the family into a recognized Dou Wang lineage. 2 3 27

Secret Realm Expedition

Xiao Lin enters the Secret Realm, becomes Formation Old Man’s disciple, kills Yan Bohong and Ying Changkong, and secures resources that greatly strengthen the Xiao Household. 43 49 63 65

Jia Nan Academy and the Black-Corner Region

Under the alias Lin Xiao, he enters the Black-Corner Region, becomes a Jia Nan Academy elder, establishes formations in the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower, mentors Zi Yan, and helps dismantle the Black Hell Alliance. 78 82 91 97 126

Heavenly Serpent Empire Operation

Xiao Lin exploits the war between the Heavenly Serpent Imperial Family and Heavenly Serpent Mansion, reaches Nine-Star Dou Zong, infiltrates the imperial palace, and takes control of its defensive formation. 153 156

Dou Venerable Breakthrough and Clan Succession

After resolving Fallen Heart Flame’s crisis, Xiao Lin becomes a Dou Venerable and a Five-Rank Spirit Array Master. He returns to the Xiao Household, succeeds Xiao Dongcheng as clan chief, and reforms the clan’s structure and development. 171 173 178 186 194

Sect Tournament

Xiao Lin conceals himself as a Four-Star Dou Wang, defeats three Falling Goose Empire Dou Wangs in succession, then appears disguised in the Dou Zong match and overwhelms Xie Biyan. His victories secure first place and significant border resources for the Jia Ma Empire and Xiao Household. 213 218 220 221

Journey Toward the Central Plains

After accepting Yang Xiyue as his daughter-in-law and pledging to avenge her family, Xiao Lin prepares the Xiao Household for his absence. He later returns to Jia Nan Academy, becomes a Supreme Elder, reaches Four-Star Dou Venerable, and departs toward the Central Plains with Mang Tianchi. 234 235 238 241 242

Trivia

• Xiao Lin chose the alias Lin Xiao by reversing his own surname and given name, copying the naming approach of his future grandson, Xiao Yan. 78
• He initially considers “survive until the finale and rely on Xiao Yan” his safest route to the Greater World. 5
• He openly considers himself poor at naming things. 78
• Xiao Lin calls his protection of Zi Yan a long-term investment because of her Ancient Void Dragon lineage and connection to Zhukun. 91
• Although he publicly maintains the image of a Dou Wang for much of the story, he once defeats a Dou Zong while limiting himself to Two-Star Dou Zong strength. 175 221