Xiao Yan

Biodata

Power Progression

Background / History

Xiao Yan was a gifted youth of the Xiao Family in Wu Tan City, but his Dou Qi began to regress because Yao Chen's sleeping soul within his black ring was drawing upon it. Han Feng identified the ring's secret and used soul-nourishing medicine to stop the regression, restoring Xiao Yan's ability to cultivate normally 12 14.

Han Feng accepted him on Yao Chen's behalf and brought him to Sacred City alongside Xiao Xun'er. After Yao Chen awakened, Xiao Yan formally became Yao Chen's second and final personal disciple 15 16 18.

Presented with a safe Earth-tier fire cultivation method or the perilous Flame Mantra, Xiao Yan chose the latter despite being warned that gaining Heavenly Flames would require competing with powerful enemies. His first major refinement created the Huasheng Flame from three Beast Flames, establishing the foundation of his Flame Mantra path 18 19.

As a descendant of the fallen Xiao Clan, Xiao Yan later sought out the Heavenly Tomb and the residence of his ancestor Xiao Xuan. Xun'er and Han Feng helped recover the Xiao Clan's entry quota from the Ancient Clan; Xiao Yan subsequently met Xiao Xuan inside the tomb 107 110 111 114.

After Han Feng discovered a path toward the Imperial Realm, Xiao Yan returned to the Heavenly Tomb with Xiao Chen to pursue his own breakthrough. He emerged as a Dou Di, then married Xun'er at a double wedding held alongside Han Feng and Medusa's ceremony 127 128 129.

Xiao Yan later ascended to the Great Thousand World. He established the Endless Fire Domain in its far north and became one of its two Saint Grade Heavenly Supreme protectors alongside Han Feng. The two returned to the Dou Qi Continent to reunite with their loved ones and bring them to the Great Thousand World 145 147 149 150.

Appearance

Xiao Yan is a black-clad youth with clear black eyes, a composed bearing, and a pride beyond his age. During his training, he develops bronze skin and is frequently seen carrying an oversized black ruler on his back 12 13 29.

• Usually wears black clothing 12 45
• Carries the pitch-black Profound Heavy Ruler 29 45
• His appearance grows more mature and sharp after extended training and travel 83

Personality

Xiao Yan is resolute and willing to endure extreme pain in pursuit of strength. He accepts the Flame Mantra's risks, survives the refinement of the Huasheng Flame, and repeatedly commits himself to harsh training rather than relying solely on the advantages provided by his teachers 18 19 29.

He is also compassionate and grounded. He offers food to the incapacitated Hai Bodong despite not knowing him, and he later accepts the annulment of his engagement to Nalan Yanran without demanding compensation or creating conflict 42 75.

His alternate-path dreams initially leave him confused over the easier life Han Feng has given him, but he ultimately recognizes that he must still temper himself through effort and hardship 28 29.

Xiao Yan remains composed when Ancient Clan youths challenge his relationship with Xun'er. He defeats Yang Hao decisively while initially avoiding damage to his foundation, though he responds more forcefully when Yang Hao attacks again after losing. As leader of the Endless Fire Domain, he likewise defeats Maha Tian but spares him after the Maha Clan concedes, pairing mercy with a warning against further attacks 102 104 105 147.

He values family and fellowship despite his growing power. He asks Han Feng to spare hostile Ancient Clan elders for Xun'er's sake, returns to the Dou Qi Continent to reunite with her, and later forms a friendship with fellow ascender Lin Dong 107 149 151.

Abilities & Skills

Flame Mantra

The Flame Mantra is Xiao Yan's central cultivation technique. It can devour and merge Heavenly Flames, evolving as it absorbs stronger fire sources; its ultimate potential may exceed Heaven Tier and reach Emperor Grade 18.

• Refines the Huasheng Flame from three Beast Flames, raising the technique to High Yellow Tier 19
• Devours the Fallen Heart Flame's origin, evolving the technique to Middle Earth Tier 74
• Successfully subdues the Sea Heart Flame during later training 83
• Subdues the Three Thousand Burning Flame through an arrangement with the Pill Tower; Han Feng subsequently gives him the Red Lotus Karmic Fire to nurture and eventually refine 100
• Refines the purified origin of the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame, whose resulting flame spirit he calls Xiao Yi 119 120 123
• Requires Xiao Yan to compete for dangerous and heavily coveted Heavenly Flames 18
• Flame fusion inflicts severe pain and threatens both his body and soul during refinement 19

True Flame Controlling Art

Han Feng gives Xiao Yan the True Flame Controlling Art, a flame-control method specialized for refining and manipulating flames rather than direct offense 19.

• Used to draw in, temper, compress, and merge the three Beast Flames that form the Huasheng Flame 19
• Serves as a supporting art for Xiao Yan's Flame Mantra cultivation 19

Heavy-Ruler Training

Xiao Yan trains with the Profound Heavy Ruler, forged from Heavenly Flame-Meteor Profound Iron. Its immense weight and suppression of Dou Qi circulation continuously temper his physical foundation and improve the purity of his Dou Qi 22 29.

• Carries the ruler during daily Dou Technique practice 29
• Builds endurance through repeated weighted training 29
• Develops enough close-range force to defeat Mo Xing with a single palm strike 47

Heavenly Flames and Combat Techniques

Xiao Yan can call upon multiple Heavenly Flames in battle. He uses them to purge the Nightmare Sky Mist from his mind and combines their essences into Buddha's Fury Fire Lotus, which tears through the Blood God Clan's vanguard after his ascent to the Great Thousand World 117 131.

• Defeats the peak Five-Star Dou Venerable Yang Hao through speed and precisely controlled close-range strikes, without needing an elaborate Dou Technique 104
• Manifests the Flame Emperor Body and wields a vast ruler formed from Supreme Emperor Flame; his Reincarnation Emperor Flame burns through the yin-yang laws sustaining Maha Tian's attack 147
• Uses Buddha's Fury Fire Lotus to overcome the defenses of Maha Tian's Maha Yin-Yang Bottle 147

Equipment / Items

• Profound Heavy Ruler — An enormous black ruler used for weighted training and foundation tempering 22 29
• Black ring — Originally contains Yao Chen's sleeping soul and causes Xiao Yan's early Dou Qi regression; it is returned to Xiao Yan after Yao Chen awakens 13 15
• Pure Lotus Demon Flame Fragment Map — A hidden parchment fragment obtained from Hai Bodong's map, recognized by Yao Chen as part of a map connected to the Pure Lotus Demon Flame; Xiao Yan later obtains the final fragment during the Northern Region beast tide 43 100
• Yin-Yang Profound Dragon Pill — A seventh-tier pill gifted by Han Feng to aid Xiao Yan's cultivation and serve as a life-saving resource 38 68
• Xiao Family ancient jade — An heirloom given to Xiao Yan by Xiao Zhan, bearing a soul imprint meant to warn him if his father meets with misfortune 75
• Bodhi Seeds — Numerous seeds bestowed upon Xiao Yan by the Bodhi Ancient Tree after his reincarnation enlightenment 99
• Red Lotus Karmic Fire — Han Feng's former Heavenly Flame, given to Xiao Yan to nurture for future refinement 100
• Xiao Yi — The flame spirit formed from the purified origin of the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame 120 123

Relationships

• Yao Chen — Teacher; Xiao Yan becomes Yao Chen's second and final personal disciple, receiving the Flame Mantra from him 15 18.
• Han Feng — Senior brother and primary early mentor; accepts Xiao Yan on Yao Chen's behalf, restores his cultivation, provides flame-refinement resources, and arranges much of his training 14 19 29. He later gives Xiao Yan the Red Lotus Karmic Fire, supports his pursuit of the Imperial Realm, and helps defend the Endless Fire Domain 100 127 147.
• Xiao Xun'er — Childhood companion who leaves Wu Tan City to accompany him to Sacred City and on later journeys; Han Feng openly teases them about marriage 15 16 68. She publicly affirms their relationship before the Ancient Clan, helps secure his Heavenly Tomb entry, and eventually marries him 102 110 111 129.
• Xiao Zhan — Father; encourages Xiao Yan to leave Wu Tan City and later entrusts him with an ancient jade heirloom bearing his soul imprint 15 75.
• Xiao Ding — Eldest brother and leader of the Desert Iron Mercenary Group; supports Xiao Yan's search for the Green Lotus Core Flame 45.
• Xiao Li — Second elder brother and vice leader of the Desert Iron Mercenary Group; warmly reunites with Xiao Yan and joins the desert expedition 45.
• Yaoxin — Fellow disciple and traveling companion; accompanies Xiao Yan during training expeditions 38 45.
• Qing Lin — Fellow disciple and traveling companion; fights alongside Xiao Yan against the Sand Mercenary Group 38 47. She later shows deep concern for him while he remains within the Bodhi Ancient Tree 99.
• Yao Tianhuo — Dou Venerable protector assigned to accompany Xiao Yan and Xun'er after Xiao Yan reaches Dou Wang 74.
• Xiao Xuan — Xiao Clan ancestor whose tomb residence Xiao Yan seeks within the Heavenly Tomb; Xiao Yan later meets him there 107 111 114.
• Xiao Chen — Long-lost Xiao Clan ancestor whom Xiao Yan helps after discovering him in the Demon Flame Space; he later joins Xiao Yan's return to the Heavenly Tomb 117 127.
• Xiao Lin and Xiao Xiao — His son and daughter with Xun'er. Despite his formidable cultivation, Xiao Yan initially needs Han Feng's advice on how to hold the young Xiao Lin comfortably 150.
• Lin Dong — Fellow ascender and founder of the Martial Realm; their brief meeting in a planar passage leads to a later spar and lasting friendship 151.

Story Role / Major Arcs

• Recruitment in Wu Tan City — Han Feng discovers Xiao Yan's connection to Yao Chen, stops his Dou Qi regression, and recruits him for Sacred City 12 14 15.
• Formal apprenticeship and Flame Mantra choice — Xiao Yan becomes Yao Chen's final disciple and chooses the dangerous Flame Mantra over the Red Flame Heart Sutra 18.
• Huasheng Flame refinement — He survives the fusion of three Beast Flames, gaining the Huasheng Flame and advancing to Two-Star Dou Practitioner 19.
• Foundation training — Following unsettling dreams of an alternate life, he recommits to cultivation with the Profound Heavy Ruler 28 29.
• Tagor Great Desert expedition — Travels with Yao Chen, Xun'er, Yaoxin, and Qing Lin; aids Hai Bodong, obtains a Pure Lotus Demon Flame map fragment, reunites with his brothers, and confronts the Sand Mercenary Group 42 43 45 47.
• Fallen Heart Flame inheritance — Han Feng secures the Fallen Heart Flame's origin for Xiao Yan, allowing him to become a Dou Wang and evolve the Flame Mantra 74.
• Return to Wu Tan City — Handles the annulment of his engagement to Nalan Yanran peacefully and receives a warning jade from Xiao Zhan 75.
• Sea Heart Flame expedition — Is sent to seek the Sea Heart Flame and returns as a Two-Star Dou Emperor after subduing it 76 83.
• Ancient Wilds beast tide — Breaks through to Dou Venerable while fighting alongside Qing Lin and other young cultivators against the beast tide 97.
• Bodhi Ancient Tree — Remains within the tree after other entrants are expelled, experiences a hundred lifetimes of reincarnation, completes nine Dou Qi transformations, and receives Bodhi Seeds 99.
• Ancient Clan and Heavenly Tomb — Travels to the Ancient Realm to reunite with Xun'er and seek Xiao Xuan's tomb. He defeats hostile Black Annihilation Army commanders, regains access to the Xiao Clan's Heavenly Tomb quota with Xun'er and Han Feng's help, and meets Xiao Xuan inside 101 104 105 110 111 114.
• Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame — Enters the Demon Flame Space with Han Feng and Xun'er, survives its illusions, and becomes the temporary vessel of the Purifying Lotus Saint's lingering consciousness. After the Saint purifies the flame, Xiao Yan refines its origin in seclusion 117 118 119 120.
• Path to the Imperial Realm — Returns to the Heavenly Tomb with Xiao Chen after Han Feng identifies a path to becoming an Emperor. He emerges as a Dou Di and marries Xun'er at a double wedding shared with Han Feng and Medusa 127 128 129.
• Endless Fire Domain — Ascends to the Great Thousand World, seeks spiritual flames in its far north, and establishes the Endless Fire Domain. He defeats Maha Tian's invasion and spares him after the Maha Clan agrees to withdraw; Han Feng's intervention helps secure the domain's position as a major power 134 145 146 147.
• Homecoming and family — Returns to the Dou Qi Continent with Han Feng and brings their loved ones to the Great Thousand World. He and Xun'er later have twins, Xiao Lin and Xiao Xiao 149 150.
• Friendship with the Martial Ancestor — Accepts Lin Dong's invitation to meet in the void. Their spirited spar gives way to a shared meal and lasting friendship 151.

Notable Quotes

“Disciple Xiao Yan greets Teacher!” 18

“We're already here, after all. I have to see it for myself before I can be satisfied.” 45

“Teacher, your disciple has not failed you. I have also reached the Imperial Realm.” 128

“The Endless Fire Domain will not start a conflict, but neither will we fear any ancient power.” 147