Yao Chen

Biodata

Power Progression

Background / History

Yao Chen was renowned as the continent's number one alchemist and had longstanding ties to the Pill Tower; his identity alone commands immediate respect from its stewards and elders. He raised Han Feng from infancy, feeding him medicinal pills, teaching him to read, and passing on his knowledge without reservation. Han Feng regards him as both master and father. 2 15

While seeking the Nine-Pattern Soul-Nurturing Lingzhi for Han Feng, Yao Chen accepted old friend Gu You's invitation to explore an ancient ruin. The expedition was a Soul Hall trap: four Dou Venerable elders surrounded him, and Gu You stabbed him with a bone spike coated in Soul-Dissolving Saliva. After killing two attackers and badly wounding a third, Yao Chen destroyed his own body to avoid capture; his remnant soul escaped within a black ring. 20

His disappearance left Falling Star Pavilion, the Pill Tower, and Feng Xian unable to trace him, with the Soul Hall identified as the prime suspect. Han Feng eventually located the ring carried by Xiao Yan, reunited with his teacher's soul, and brought him to Sacred City to recover. 3 13 15 16

After recovering enough strength to act as a mentor again, Yao Chen accepted Xiao Yan as his second and final personal disciple, personally guiding Xiao Yan, Yaoxin, and Qing Lin. Han Feng later gathered the materials for Yao Chen's rebirth, including the Heavenly Soul Saint-Melding Pill and two Dou Sheng-grade bodies. Yao Chen chose the Creation Saint's skeleton rather than a Soul Hall Venerable's body, and was successfully reborn. 18 19 38 66 68

During Soul Hall's invasion of Sacred City, Yao Chen fought alongside Feng Xian and the city's defenders. After Hun Miesheng fled, he prevented the surviving Soul Hall forces from escaping. Three years later, he publicly appeared at the first Four-Pavilion Grand Tournament as a Dou Saint, greatly increasing Falling Star Pavilion's standing in the Central Plains. 72 74

Yao Chen later took part in the human alliance's defense against the Ancient Wilds. When Hun Miesheng and Profound Abyss Ancient Kui launched a surprise attack on him during the fighting, a protective jade talisman from Han Feng formed a barrier that blocked their killing blows. Yao Chen survived and confronted them without fear. 97

Following the defeat of the Soul Clan, the Yao Clan invited Yao Chen to its Medicine Canon and restored his parents' names to its ancestral stele, fulfilling a promise he had made after his exile. He chose to attend with Feng Xian rather than have Han Feng accompany him. 120 128

Appearance

Yao Chen first appears as an illusory soul body emerging from a black ring. Despite his damaged condition, he retains the bearing of an experienced grandmaster. 15

• Plain white robes. 15
• Long snowy-white hair and an aged, wise face. 15
• Spectral eyes containing dancing soul flames. 15
• His soul form becomes increasingly solid during recovery, eventually appearing nearly corporeal before his physical rebirth. 20 38

Personality

Yao Chen is patient, insightful, and deeply protective of his disciples. He insists that Xiao Yan choose his own path despite recognizing the Flame Mantra's potential, and he focuses on building sound foundations rather than pursuing reckless advancement. 17 22

He carries the pain of Gu You's betrayal but counsels restraint rather than impulsive vengeance against the Soul Hall. His relationship with Han Feng is affectionate and informal; he scolds and jokes with him while remaining openly proud of the disciple Han Feng has become. 16 17 21

Yao Chen remains composed in danger: after Han Feng's protective talisman foiled an ambush by two Five-Star Dou Sheng experts, he faced the attackers with calm contempt. He also takes evident pride in Xiao Yan's achievements, congratulating him after his Bodhi Ancient Tree enlightenment and praising him upon his advancement to the Imperial Realm. 97 99 128

Abilities & Skills

Alchemy

Yao Chen is recognized as the continent's foremost alchemist and possesses the technical precision to oversee extremely dangerous medicinal and cultivation procedures. 2 20

• Identified the Profound Nether Poison Pearl as a supreme treasure suited to Yaoxin's Calamity Poison Body. 26
• Maintained the critical balance between life force and poison qi during Yaoxin's Poison Pill formation. 27
• Assessed the requirements and risks of reconstructing a body with Heavenly Flames and the Heavenly Soul Saint-Melding Pill. 17 66

Bone Spirit Cold Flame

Yao Chen wields the pale-white Bone Spirit Cold Flame, a famed Heavenly Flame. 27

• Combined it with Han Feng's Red Lotus Karmic Fire and Nine Yang True Flame to suppress and condense Yaoxin's Calamity Poison Qi. 27
• Its control must remain extremely precise during treatment; excessive force could damage Yaoxin's meridians. 27

Flame Mantra

Yao Chen possesses the Flame Mantra, a cultivation method capable of merging multiple Heavenly Flames and evolving beyond its initial grade. 17

• Chose to pass it to Xiao Yan because it offered the means to reconstruct Yao Chen's body and gave Xiao Yan a path powerful enough to face future obstacles. 17
• Warned that its cultivation is dangerous and ultimately must be Xiao Yan's own choice. 17 18

Mentorship

Yao Chen serves as Sacred City's principal cultivation guide while Han Feng handles broader plans and external affairs. 22 29

• Taught Yaoxin to identify, neutralize, and control the toxins of her Calamity Poison Body through the Seven-Colored Poison Scripture. 19
• Guided Qing Lin in communicating with snake-type Magical Beasts and passed on an art to strengthen her soul and Three-Flower Jade Serpent Eyes. 19
• Devised Xiao Yan's weighted training with the Profound Heavy Ruler to temper his Dou Qi and physical foundation. 22
• Led Xiao Yan, Yaoxin, and Qing Lin on an expedition to the Tagor Great Desert to seek the Green Lotus Core Flame and gain practical experience. 38
• Guided Xiao Yan's cultivation through his later advancement and arranged for him and Han Feng to represent Falling Star Pavilion at the Ancient Clan's coming-of-age ceremony. 74 99 100
• Guided Yaoxin toward the inheritance of another Calamity Poison Body possessor, after which she reached the Seven-Star Dou Venerable realm. 100

Equipment / Items

• Black ring — The vessel to which Yao Chen's remnant soul was attached after he destroyed his physical body; it was later carried by Xiao Yan. 13 20
• Creation Saint's skeleton — The Dou Sheng-grade remains Yao Chen chose as the foundation for his reconstructed body. 65 66
• Heavenly Soul Saint-Melding Pill — Ninth-Grade Treasure Pill used in the body-reconstruction process. 65 66
• Protective jade talisman — A safeguard given to him by Han Feng. It activated during Hun Miesheng and Profound Abyss Ancient Kui's ambush, shielding Yao Chen from their attacks. 97
• Summoning jade slip — Given to him by Han Feng before his visit to the Yao Clan; it could summon Han Feng immediately if the clan mistreated him. 128

Relationships

• Han Feng — Chief disciple and adoptive-son-like figure. Yao Chen raised him from infancy and remains immensely proud of his strength, loyalty, and accomplishments. Han Feng continues to safeguard him, even abandoning an imminent breakthrough when a protective talisman signaled that Yao Chen was in danger. 15 16 21 97
• Xiao Yan — Second and final personal disciple; Yao Chen entrusted him with the Flame Mantra and directs his cultivation. He proudly witnessed Xiao Yan reach the Imperial Realm. 17 18 128
• Feng Xian — Old friend and staunch ally. Their reunion after thirty-two years is emotional, and Feng Xian immediately supports efforts to investigate Gu You and the Soul Hall. Yao Chen later chose him as his companion for the Yao Clan's Medicine Canon. 21 128
• Gu You — Former confidant of nearly a century who betrayed Yao Chen to the Soul Hall out of jealousy. 20
• Yaoxin — Mentee whose Calamity Poison Body Yao Chen helps transform from a curse into a controllable cultivation path. 19 27
• Qing Lin — Mentee instructed in the use and cultivation of the Three-Flower Jade Serpent Eyes. 19 22
• Xuan Yi — Pill Tower elder with longstanding affection for Yao Chen. She helped Han Feng investigate his disappearance, and Yao Chen permitted Han Feng to address her privately as “Aunt Xuan.” 2 3
• Yao Clan — The clan that exiled him. After the Soul Clan's defeat, it invited him to the Medicine Canon and restored his parents' names to its ancestral stele. 120 128

Notable Quotes

“His path must ultimately be walked by him alone.” 17

“With me at home, rest assured.” 22