Xiao Yan

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Xiao Yan (萧炎)
Alias(es)	Little Yan; Young Master Xiao Yan
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Xiao Household; Canaan Academy
Occupation/Role	Alchemist; cultivator; Canaan Academy student
Status	Deceased — killed by Lei Luo, who used Heavenly Flames and destroyed his soul to prevent resurrection 192
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Four-Star Dou Practitioner	10	Assessed as an A-rank talent during Canaan Academy recruitment.
Dou Master	75	Had only recently broken through in Rock Desert City.
Ordinary Da Dou Shi	94	His combat strength was stated to be around that of an ordinary Da Dou Shi; losing the Green Lotus Core Flame prevented the Flame Mantra's first evolution.
Dou Zong	206	Yao Chen later states that Xiao Yan had reached the Dou Zong realm by the time of his death.

Background / History

Wutan City and the Heavenly Flame

Xiao Yan lived as the Xiao Household's young master in Wutan City. When the Yin-Yang Twin Flames manifested near the Mite'er Auction House, he immediately recognized the phenomenon as a Heavenly Flame and wished to investigate it with his soul mentor, Yao Chen. Yao Chen cautioned that the flame was beyond their ability to claim at the time. 1

He remained outwardly composed when Liu Xi and Jia Lie'ao provoked the Xiao Household at the market. However, he became hostile toward Lei Luo after witnessing the latter's treatment of the two men and learning that Lei Luo possessed the newly manifested flame. 2 3

That night, Xiao Yan infiltrated the Mite'er Auction House in a black robe to seize the Heavenly Flame. Yao Chen took control of his body during the confrontation, but Lei Luo and the arriving Mite'er experts forced the pair to withdraw. 3 4

Canaan Academy and desert journey

Xiao Yan was admitted to Canaan Academy as a four-star Dou Practitioner, though he immediately requested a year of leave rather than reporting with the other recruits. 10 11

In the Tagore Desert, he reunited with Xiao Ding and Xiao Li and learned of the Green Lotus Core Flame. He reached the flame's location within a magma pool, only for Lei Luo to seize it first while Hai Bo Dong restrained him. 51 55 59

Xiao Yan and Yao Chen attempted to escape after being overwhelmed by Lei Luo and Hai Bo Dong. Yao Chen expended his remaining soul power to save him, falling into a deep slumber; Xiao Yan survived but was badly wounded and swore revenge on Lei Luo. 60

Three-Year Agreement and ambush

Xiao Yan ascended Misty Cloud Mountain to fulfill his Three-Year Agreement with Nalan Yanran, seeking to avenge the humiliation suffered by the Xiao Household. He fought with the Heavy Profound Ruler, Eight Extremes Collapse, Flame Splitting Tsunami, and other techniques, but his weaker Yellow Tier Flame Mantra left him at a disadvantage. 93 94

After the event, Lei Luo confronted and ambushed Xiao Yan with multiple Dou Emperor-level allies. Xiao Yan was severely injured and nearly executed, but a masked protector intervened and removed him from the battlefield. 97 98

Final battle and death

Xiao Yan later encountered Lei Luo again in the Pill Realm. Having grown considerably stronger, he challenged Lei Luo with techniques including Eight Extremes Collapse, Mountain Splitting Seal, and a powerful ruler art. 191

Lei Luo ultimately overwhelmed him with multiple Heavenly Flames. Xiao Yan lost his right arm, failed to escape with a teleportation token, and was killed; Lei Luo then shredded his soul to ensure that he could not return. 192

Appearance

Xiao Yan is first seen wearing a black short-sleeved shirt. During covert operations and major battles, he commonly conceals himself in a wide black hooded robe. 1 3 93

• Carries the massive Heavy Profound Ruler in battle. 59 93
• Uses a black robe and hood to conceal his identity while pursuing Heavenly Flames. 3 93
• His body can be overtaken by Yao Chen, often accompanied by bone-chilling white flames. 4 59

Personality

Xiao Yan is ambitious and intensely drawn to Heavenly Flames, viewing them as crucial opportunities for growth even when pursuing them places him in severe danger. 1 3 55

He is resilient under pressure: after being grievously wounded and losing Yao Chen's active support, he continued cultivating and pursued revenge against Lei Luo. 60 92 94 His grudge against Lei Luo eventually became all-consuming, driving him to confront a vastly stronger opponent despite repeated defeats. 94 98 191

Abilities & Skills

Flame Mantra and flame control

Xiao Yan cultivated the Yellow Tier Flame Mantra for much of the story. Its lower grade limited his Battle Qi reserves, especially during extended fights, and the loss of the Green Lotus Core Flame prevented its first evolution. 55 92 94

• Pursued the Green Lotus Core Flame, ranked nineteenth among Heavenly Flames. 55
• Could wield Bone Chilling Flame through Yao Chen's intervention. 4 59 94
• Used white flame to oppose Nalan Yanran's Extreme Wind: Setting Sun Brilliance. 94
• Relied on alchemical pills to replenish depleted Battle Qi during the Three-Year Agreement. 94

Combat techniques

Xiao Yan employed direct, high-impact techniques centered on his fists and Heavy Profound Ruler.

• Eight Extremes Collapse — a close-range punching technique used against Nalan Yanran and Lei Luo. 93 191
• Flame Splitting Tsunami — a Heavy Profound Ruler technique that releases intense heat and a massive ruler phantom. 93 97
• Explosive Step — used for rapid evasive movement during Nalan Yanran's Wind Spirit Sword Formation. 93
• Mountain Splitting Seal — a powerful hand seal carrying earth-attributed force. 191
• Ruler techniques — later demonstrated a rapid series of ruler strikes capable of splitting large boulders. 191

Alchemy and soul-based methods

Xiao Yan is recognized as an alchemist and possessed knowledge of high-level pill requirements, including the difficulty of refining the Calamity-Breaking Pill. 52 94

• Used a powerful soul-based technique during his escape from Lei Luo and Hai Bo Dong. 60
• His connection to Yao Chen gave him access to Yao Chen's experience, soul power, and flame techniques. 4 60
• These borrowed advantages carried a major risk: Yao Chen's soul power was depleted while saving him, leaving his teacher dormant. 60

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Heavy Profound Ruler — Xiao Yan's signature oversized weapon. 59 93
• Black hooded robe — used to hide his identity during his pursuit of Lei Luo's Heavenly Flame. 3 4
• Pills — used to restore Battle Qi and sustain himself after receiving injuries. 94 192
• Teleportation token — held during his final attempt to flee Lei Luo. 192

Relationships

• Yao Chen / Yao Lao — mentor and soul companion. Yao Chen repeatedly possessed Xiao Yan's body to protect him, exhausted his soul power to enable Xiao Yan's escape, and later sought revenge after learning of Xiao Yan's death. 4 60 206
• Lei Luo — mortal enemy. Their conflict began over Heavenly Flames, escalated through Lei Luo's theft of the Green Lotus Core Flame and successive ambushes, and ended with Xiao Yan's death. 59 97 192
• Nalan Yanran — former fiancée and opponent in the Three-Year Agreement at Misty Cloud Mountain. Their duel was fueled by the prior humiliation surrounding their marriage agreement. 74 93 94
• Xiao Xun'er — supporter who confronted Lei Luo with murderous intent after believing he had tried to kill Xiao Yan. 117
• Xiao Yu — Xiao Household relative whose connection to Lei Luo complicated her ability to protect Xiao Yan. She concealed that she recognized Xiao Yan at Tianmu Mountain Blood Pool to keep Lei Luo from targeting him. 121 187
• Xiao Ding and Xiao Li — Xiao Household members who reunited with Xiao Yan in the desert and learned that his talent had recovered. 49 51
• Cao Ying — observed Xiao Yan's final battle from hiding and was spared by Lei Luo afterward. 192

Notable Quotes

“Heavenly Flame, I, Xiao Yan, have come!” 3

“The agreement from three years ago—I, Xiao Yan, have come.” 93

“Bastard, I, Xiao Yan, have recorded today's grudge; one day, I will surely tear you into ten thousand pieces!” 60