Xiao Yan

Biodata

Power Progression

Background

Xiao Yan had been the Xiao Household's celebrated young genius, reaching Dou Zhe at eleven. A year before Qin Yu awakened his Trait Extraction System, Xiao Yan lost all of his Dou Qi overnight. His cultivation subsequently stagnated at Third-Stage Dou Qi for two years despite his continued efforts. 1 4 41

Qin Yu first saw Xiao Yan in the Xiao Household Market, where the black-clad youth shielded Xun'er from Jia Lie Ao and his group despite being heavily outnumbered. Xiao Yan remained composed and summoned the market guards to surround Jia Lie Ao's group; Jia Lie Ao ultimately withdrew after noticing Qin Yu among the spectators. 38 39

After learning of Qin Yu's extraordinary rise in strength, Xiao Yan initially rejected it as unbelievable. He later attempted to eavesdrop on Qin Yu, was caught, and suffered a humiliating beating from Xiao Yu. The following morning, he sincerely sought Qin Yu's guidance, explaining that his Dou Qi kept vanishing; Qin Yu declined to reveal the cause but told him to continue cultivating. 39 40 41 42

Yao Chen awakened within Xiao Yan's ring shortly afterward and offered to teach him alchemy if Xiao Yan accepted him as his master. Xiao Yan learned that Yao Chen had been absorbing his Battle Qi for three years, causing his prolonged stagnation. Although initially furious, he accepted the opportunity to become Yao Chen's disciple. With Yao Chen's guidance and Foundation-Building Spirit Liquid, Xiao Yan resumed making rapid progress. 110 112 115 146

Nalan Yanran and Yun Yun privately visited the Xiao Household to dissolve his engagement shortly after Yao Chen appeared. Xiao Yan struggled with his anger, but Yao Chen reminded him that their discreet visit had preserved the household's dignity. The encounter resulted in the Three-Year Agreement, giving Xiao Yan a goal for his renewed cultivation. 111 112

At the Ten Thousand Beasts Bone Pit, Xiao Yan successfully refined the young Myriad Beast Spirit Flame. The process required Yao Chen's Bone Chilling Flame, a fifth-tier pill, and Xiao Yan's own endurance of the Heavenly Flame's pain, but it elevated him from Eight-Star Fighter to One-Star Battle Master. 186

After the refinement, Xiao Yan briefly feared that Qin Yu intended to seize his Heavenly Flame. Qin Yu reassured him that he had no such intention and congratulated him. Xiao Yan admitted that he envied Qin Yu's strength and freedom, but reaffirmed his determination to follow his own path. 186

Before the Three-Year Agreement, Xiao Yan chose to visit the Nalan Family to help remove Nalan Jie's poison. His purpose was to obtain medicinal ingredients capable of restoring soul power for Yao Chen, whose strength he wished to replenish. 220

Three years after Nalan Yanran privately ended their engagement, Xiao Yan faced her in a formal match overseen by Yun Yun. Both had reached the Da Dou Shi realm, and the battle was intended to settle their past grievances. 223

Despite Nalan Yanran's two-star cultivation advantage, Xiao Yan overwhelmed her final wind attack with the Buddha's Fury Fire Lotus, formed by merging the Myriad Beast Spirit Flame with a Beast Flame. Yun Yun intervened to protect her disciple and acknowledged Xiao Yan's victory. Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran then agreed to go their separate ways in peace. 223

After the duel, Xiao Yan departed for Jia Nan Academy. On the way, unclear directions led him into the depths of the Black-Corner Region, where his difficult experiences further matured him. He attended the Black Mark Auction House to sell pills for gold before continuing to the academy, while Yao Chen concealed his aura from outside detection. 224 234

At Jia Nan Academy's Inner Academy, Xiao Yan led Pan's Gate. When the Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower closed, he investigated at Yao Chen's request and learned that the elders were reinforcing the seal on the Fallen Heart Flame. Although he hoped to obtain that Heavenly Flame eventually, he accepted that the strengthened seal would require him to wait. 240 241

Qin Yu subsequently exchanged the Flame Manipulation Formula for instruction from Yao Chen in the Soul Imprisonment Technique. Xiao Yan eagerly received the formula, which offered a way to develop his existing flames while access to the Fallen Heart Flame remained blocked. He later witnessed Qin Yu test the resulting Soul Restraint Method on Yao Chen and continued his own secluded cultivation, breaking through to Dou Ling. 252 253 256 257

Qin Yu later supplied the Six Directions Wandering Body Ruler in another exchange with Yao Chen. After Xun'er left the academy with Ling Quan, Xiao Yan struggled to regain his focus and repeatedly returned to the place where they had parted. During this period, Yao Chen brought him to observe Qin Yu refining a seventh-rank pill and explained the accompanying Pill Lightning. 266 270 271

By the conclusion of the Inner Academy's Strong List tournament, Xiao Yan had fought Liu Qing and reportedly used two Earth Tier Dou Techniques in succession. Qin Yu identified the likely techniques as Flame Splitting Tsunami and Six Directions Wandering Body Ruler. 276

Later, Qin Yu informed Feng Xian at Starfall Pavilion that Yao Chen had accepted Xiao Yan as his new disciple. Feng Xian became eager to meet them, arranged to watch for Xiao Yan, and planned to search the Northern Region while attending the Four Pavilions Assembly. 333

Appearance

Xiao Yan was first described as a handsome black-clad youth of roughly fourteen or fifteen, with eyes carrying a steadiness beyond his age. 38

• Initially wore black clothing while defending Xun'er in Wutan City. 38
• Later appeared in gray clothes, with refined features and a lingering gloom between his brows. 109
• Carries the Heavy Xuan Ruler across his back in combat. 180 223
• Uses a pair of brown flying wings after acquiring a flying technique. 252

Personality

Xiao Yan is proud and sensitive to the humiliation caused by his lost cultivation, initially refusing to believe that Qin Yu could have advanced so far in a single year. 39 Despite this, he does not retreat from stronger opponents and was willing to confront Jia Lie Ao's group while protecting Xun'er. 38

His prolonged stagnation leaves him desperate for answers, but it also strengthens his perseverance. Even when convinced that his newly cultivated Dou Qi would vanish again, he resolves to keep cultivating for as long as necessary rather than accept being useless. 41 42

Under Yao Chen's tutelage, Xiao Yan becomes more mature and purposeful. He recognizes Qin Yu's overwhelming lead without surrendering his ambition, instead treating it as motivation to work harder. 224 257

He recognizes that his years of humiliation tempered his former arrogance. After recovering some strength, he reflects that without his setbacks he would probably have remained conceited and satisfied with the Xiao Household's dominance over Wutan City. 146

Xiao Yan frequently talks back to Yao Chen and eagerly seeks new techniques, but his attachment to his master is sincere. His decision to help Nalan Jie was motivated by the opportunity to obtain soul-restoring ingredients for Yao Chen rather than merely by his relationship with the Nalan Family. 112 186 220 266

He can set aside personal resentment when a conflict is fairly resolved. After Yun Yun rescued Nalan Yanran during their duel, he accepted her intervention as a master's understandable desire to protect her disciple, especially since she acknowledged his victory. 223

His affection for Xun'er can also disrupt his concentration. Following her departure from the academy, he repeatedly returned to their parting place despite Yao Chen's efforts to redirect him toward cultivation. 270 271

Abilities & Skills

Myriad Beast Spirit Flame

Xiao Yan possesses a young seed of the Myriad Beast Spirit Flame, a Heavenly Flame ranked twenty-second on the Heavenly Flame Ranking and condensed from the souls of myriad beasts. 186

• Refined it with Yao Chen's assistance, enduring its flames personally. 186
• The refinement immediately raised his cultivation to One-Star Battle Master. 186
• Its presence makes Xiao Yan a target of comparison with Qin Yu, who possesses two stronger Heavenly Flames. 224
• Manifests as crimson flames, with the apparent roars of countless savage beasts within them. 186
• Can be forcibly merged with his Beast Flame to form the Buddha's Fury Fire Lotus. 223

Alchemy

Yao Chen identifies Xiao Yan as having the qualifications to become an Alchemist and accepts him as a disciple. 110

• Uses Foundation-Building Spirit Liquid refined by Yao Chen to aid cultivation. 115 146
• Studies the Flame Manipulation Formula, which Yao Chen believes could help him combine the Myriad Beast Spirit Flame with other Beast Flames. 251 253
• Relies on Yao Chen's instruction and resources while developing his own abilities. 110 220
• Possesses pills to auction for travel funds during his journey through the Black-Corner Region; his precise Alchemist tier is not specified in that account. 234
• Observes Qin Yu's seventh-rank pill refinement and learns from Yao Chen that mid-tier seventh-grade pills produce Pill Lightning. 271

Combat Techniques

• Flame Splitting Tsunami — one of Xiao Yan's Earth Tier offensive techniques. 257 276
• Buddha's Fury Fire Lotus — a powerful offensive trump card, though it does not replace his need for mobility. By the Three-Year Agreement, he can create it by forcibly merging the Myriad Beast Spirit Flame with an earthy-yellow Beast Flame. Its power overwhelms Nalan Yanran's final attack and threatens even peak Da Dou Shi cultivators. 223 257
• Six Directions Wandering Body Ruler — an Earth Tier Mid-Rank ruler technique traded to him by Qin Yu; he later uses it in the Inner Academy's Strong List tournament. Yao Chen provided a Soul Art scroll and a Sea Demon Heartstone in exchange. Xiao Yan had not yet grasped its basics when Xun'er departed the academy, but later reports of his battle with Liu Qing indicate progress in its use. 266 270 276
• Flying technique — grants him brown wings for aerial travel. 252
• Movement technique — Yao Chen offers to teach him an additional movement technique, which Xiao Yan anticipates will be Earth Tier Low-Rank. The offer precedes his Dou Ling breakthrough and is intended to address the mobility disadvantages he suffers despite his powerful offensive techniques. 256 257

Flame Mantra and Flame Manipulation

Xiao Yan cultivates the Flame Mantra under Yao Chen's guidance. After discovering Qin Yu's two Heavenly Flames, he wonders whether Qin Yu practices the same method, but Yao Chen rejects this possibility and explains that only one complete Flame Mantra exists on the continent. 224

• Beast Flame — acquired in the Tagor Desert, where Yao Chen protected him during a dangerous confrontation over it. Xiao Yan later combines this flame with the Myriad Beast Spirit Flame in the Three-Year Agreement. 223
• Flame Manipulation Formula — an Earth Tier Mid-Rank technique acquired through Qin Yu's exchange with Yao Chen. It offers the possibility of combining the Myriad Beast Spirit Flame with Beast Flames to condense a purer, stronger Life Creation Flame. Its acquisition is confirmed, but his successful creation of that flame is not established in the supplied accounts. 251 252 253
• Fallen Heart Flame — a desired future acquisition rather than a confirmed possession. Xiao Yan and Yao Chen investigate its seal, but the academy's reinforcement of that seal delays their plans. Yao Chen also warns that Xiao Yan's strength is still insufficient to seize an opportunity merely because one appears. 240 241 253

Equipment

• Heavy Xuan Ruler — his primary weapon, carried diagonally across his back. 180 223
• Storage Ring — the ring inhabited by Yao Chen. 110 185
• Myriad Beast Spirit Flame — a young Heavenly Flame seed refined into his body. 186
• Beast Flame — an additional flame obtained in the Tagor Desert and used alongside the Myriad Beast Spirit Flame to form his fire lotus. 223

Relationships

• Yao Chen / Yao Lao — Master and mentor. Yao Chen trains Xiao Yan in cultivation, alchemy, and combat techniques, while frequently using Qin Yu's accomplishments to motivate him. Yao Chen's absorption of his Battle Qi caused his three-year stagnation, a revelation that initially enraged Xiao Yan. Their relationship develops into sincere mutual care: Xiao Yan seeks soul-restoring ingredients for him, and Yao Chen trades valuable knowledge and resources to obtain techniques suited to his disciple. 110 146 220 252 257 266
• Qin Yu — Initially an intimidating senior figure whose growth Xiao Yan struggles to accept; later a friendly rival and benchmark for his own progress. Qin Yu trades him high-tier techniques, while Xiao Yan increasingly addresses him as “Brother Qin Yu.” The unusually suitable techniques Qin Yu provides also leave Xiao Yan curious about his origins and possible hidden background. 39 224 253 266
• Xun'er — Close companion and Xiao Yan's “little girlfriend.” He protects her in Wutan City, while her family background remains a source of pressure motivating his cultivation. She lends him money for the ingredients needed to resume cultivation with Foundation-Building Spirit Liquid. Her later departure from Jia Nan Academy deeply affects him. 38 115 257 270 271
• Xiao Yu — His cousin. Their relationship is strained by Xiao Yan's earlier treatment of her and her loyalty to Qin Yu; she beats him after he is caught eavesdropping. He later asks her about the Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower's unexpected closure, though she has no explanation. 40 41 240
• Xiao Zhan — His father and the Xiao Household's clan leader. Xiao Zhan is distressed by Xiao Yan's earlier inability to progress and remains concerned for his future. 42 110
• Nalan Yanran — His former betrothed. Their private broken engagement leads to a Three-Year Agreement, culminating in a Da Dou Shi-level match intended to end their grievances. Xiao Yan defeats her with the Buddha's Fury Fire Lotus, after which both agree to live separately in peace. 111 223
• Nalan Jie — Nalan Yanran's grandfather. Xiao Yan chooses to help remove his poison in pursuit of ingredients that can restore Yao Chen's soul power. Before the Three-Year Agreement, Nalan Jie assures him that the Nalan Family will not trouble the Xiao Household. 220 223
• Yun Yun — Nalan Yanran's master, who accompanies her to privately dissolve the engagement and later oversees the Three-Year Agreement. Xiao Yan accepts her rescue of Nalan Yanran during the duel because she fairly acknowledges his victory. 111 223
• Hu Jia — An academy companion involved with Pan's Gate. She criticizes Xiao Yan for neglecting his responsibilities as leader when he abruptly leaves to investigate the tower closure. 240
• Feng Xian — Yao Chen's associate at Starfall Pavilion. After learning of Xiao Yan's discipleship from Qin Yu, Feng Xian becomes eager to meet him and makes arrangements to search for him; a meeting between them is not established in that account. 333

Notable Quotes

“If two years were not enough, then five years. If five years were not enough, then ten.”

— Xiao Yan, refusing to abandon cultivation despite his disappearing Dou Qi 42

“But it's fine. I'm only just getting started. He has his path, and I have mine. Sooner or later...”

— Xiao Yan, reaffirming his determination after comparing himself with Qin Yu 186

---