Xiao Yan

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Xiao Yan (萧炎)
Alias(es)	Black-robed old gentleman (disguise)
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Xiao Clan
Occupation/Role	Dou Qi cultivator; disciple of Yao Lao
Status	Active
First Appearance	Chapter 3

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Battle Practitioner	8	States that he had reached this realm at age twelve; his recent improvement is widely attributed to Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid, though he credits his own talent and effort. 8

Background

Xiao Yan is Xiao Zhan's son and a member of the Xiao Clan of Wutan City. His father remains deeply invested in preparing him for the future, particularly the upcoming three-year agreement with the Cloud Mist Sect. To support Xiao Yan's fire affinity, Xiao Zhan gives him the high-grade Profound Rank Dou Technique Profound Flame Palm, sacrificing his own right to cultivate it first. 10 11

He cultivates under Yao Lao's guidance. Yao Lao assists him in assuming the identity of a black-robed elderly alchemist, through which Xiao Yan acquires an alchemy cauldron, a Storage Ring, and medicinal ingredients for refining Qi-Gathering Powder. 20

Appearance

Xiao Yan is a handsome youth in black clothing, roughly Meng Chen's age, though he retains a trace of boyishness. 6

• Often appears alongside Xiao Xun'er in Wutan City. 3 6
• Uses a black robe to impersonate an elderly alchemist with Yao Lao's help. 20

Personality

Xiao Yan is outgoing and hospitable. When Meng Chen is unfamiliar with Wutan City's marketplace, Xiao Yan introduces himself, offers to guide him, explains local goods, and later pays for their meal without hesitation. 6 7

He is proud of his talent and diligent cultivation, readily provoking Xiao Ning when challenged. His confidence can become boastful, but he also displays perceptiveness: he recognizes Meng Chen's unusual bearing, seeks to maintain their connection, and warns him about Jialie Ao's interest in Qing Yanjing. 8 9 12

Despite his teasing rapport with Yao Lao, Xiao Yan is devoted to his father and understands the sacrifice behind Xiao Zhan's gift of Profound Flame Palm. He is visibly moved by Xiao Zhan's concern for his future. 11

Abilities & Skills

Dou Qi Cultivation

Xiao Yan possesses fire-attributed Dou Qi and had reached the Battle Practitioner realm by age twelve. His cultivation improves significantly after receiving Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid, though he insists that his progress rests on his own talent and effort. 8 10

• His fire affinity makes Profound Flame Palm particularly suitable for him. 10 11
• He regards Meng Chen's rapid cultivation and Heavenly Flames with a mixture of curiosity and envy. 51

Profound Flame Palm

A high-grade Profound Rank, fire-element Dou Technique bought at auction by Xiao Zhan for 360,000 gold coins and given to Xiao Yan. 10 11

• Xiao Zhan obtains it specifically to improve Xiao Yan's prospects in the three-year agreement. 10 11
• The Small Pagoda insignia on its scroll releases an aura potent enough to suppress Yao Lao's soul body. 11

Alchemy

With Yao Lao's guidance, Xiao Yan presents himself as an elderly alchemist at the Mittel Auction House and offers to refine Qi-Gathering Powder in exchange for supplies. 20

• Uses a black-robed disguise and Yao Lao's voice to maintain the identity. 20 21
• Acquires a medicinal cauldron, Storage Ring, and ingredients for alchemy. 20
• Is eager for Yao Lao to accept Meng Chen's offer of a low-level Earth-Rank battle skill in exchange for refining a Blood Lotus Pill. 21

Equipment / Items

• Profound Flame Palm scroll — High-grade Profound Rank fire-element Dou Technique gifted by Xiao Zhan. 10 11
• Medicinal cauldron — Acquired from the Mittel Auction House while disguised as an elderly alchemist. 20
• Storage Ring — Acquired alongside his alchemy supplies. 20
• Black robe — Used for his elderly-alchemist disguise. 20

Relationships

• Xiao Zhan — Father and Xiao Clan patriarch. Xiao Zhan purchases Profound Flame Palm for Xiao Yan and entrusts it to him for the three-year agreement. 10 11
• Xiao Xun'er — Close companion with a playful, affectionate dynamic. She becomes jealous when he appears to stare at Qing Yanjing, while he later admits he was focused on Meng Chen's familiar appearance. 3 7
• Yao Lao — Mentor and alchemical guide. Their relationship includes practical cooperation, teasing arguments, and disputes over the value of Meng Chen's proposed trade. 11 20 21 23
• Meng Chen — Friend and emerging rival. Xiao Yan guides him through Wutan City, warns him of danger, thanks him for destroying the Jialie Clan, and promises to meet him again “at the summit.” 6 12 54
• Xiao Ning — Clan rival. Xiao Yan openly taunts him over cultivation and challenges him to spar. 8
• Jialie Ao — Member of the rival Jialie Clan. Xiao Yan recognizes that Jialie Ao is courting disaster by leering at Qing Yanjing and later learns that his actions against Qinglin led to the Jialie Clan's destruction. 9 53
• Yafei — Mittel Auction House representative. She conducts business with Xiao Yan while he is disguised as an elderly alchemist. 20

Story Role / Major Arcs

First Encounters in Wutan City

Xiao Yan first notices Meng Chen and Qing Yanjing upon their arrival in Wutan City, causing a humorous misunderstanding with Xiao Xun'er. 3 He later approaches Meng Chen at the Xiao Clan marketplace, offers to serve as his guide, and develops a friendly connection over a shared meal. 6 7

Mittel Auction House

He attends the Mittel Auction House auction with the Xiao Clan, reunites with Meng Chen, and introduces him to Xiao Zhan. Xiao Yan observes Jialie Ao's disrespect toward Qing Yanjing and concludes that the latter has provoked someone far beyond his station. 8 9

Xiao Zhan wins Meng Chen's consigned Profound Flame Palm and subsequently gives it to Xiao Yan, believing it will help him face the three-year agreement. 10 11

Neighbor and Ally of Meng Chen

After Meng Chen purchases a residence near the Xiao Clan, Xiao Yan welcomes him as a neighbor and offers the Xiao Clan's protection against Jialie Ao. Yao Lao also senses Meng Chen's pure, sacred aura and warns Xiao Yan that he is extraordinary. 12

When Meng Chen later leaves Wutan City, Xiao Yan thanks him for eliminating the Jialie Clan's threat. Though reluctant to part, he accepts Meng Chen's challenge to meet again at the summit and treats their separation as motivation to cultivate harder. 53 54

Trivia

• Xiao Yan initially claims that his attention was fixed on Meng Chen rather than Qing Yanjing, a claim bystanders interpret as an absurd excuse. 3
• He notices that Meng Chen's original clothing seems strangely familiar. 3 6 7
• Meng Chen's habit of calling him “Uncle Xiao Yan” in front of Qinglin makes Xiao Yan break into a cold sweat over sounding old. 51