Su Qian

Biodata

Power Progression

Background / History

Su Qian intervenes when Fire Elder and Hu Gan argue over whether Xiao Yan should devote himself to alchemy or Dou Qi cultivation. Drawing on the example of the Medicine Venerable, he rules that Xiao Yan may pursue both disciplines under an exceptional arrangement of individual instruction, provided he can sustain the workload. 12

As Grand Elder, he monitors Xiao Yan’s unusually rapid development with admiration and caution. He approves of Xiao Yan’s perseverance and recognizes the value of his high-grade fire cultivation method, while initially opposing Wu Protector’s plan to expose the eleven-year-old to the Black-Corner Region. 15

After observing Xiao Yan refuse to exploit Hu Gan’s gratitude and request recognition for Wu Hao’s contribution, Su Qian praises his integrity, loyalty, and gratitude toward Canaan Academy. He later rewards Xiao Yan’s performance in cultivation and alchemy with entry to the Library Pavilion. 22 29

Su Qian personally escorts Xiao Yan to the Library Pavilion and gains the approval of its guardians, Hundred Elder and Thousand Elder. When Xiao Yan obtains the rare Mid-Earth Tier Nether Dragon Prison-Suppressing Song, Su Qian recognizes that Canaan Academy can no longer adequately foster his alchemical potential and begins arranging his path to the Pill Tower in the Central Plains. 29 30 31

He accompanies Xiao Yan and Xun’er to the Central Plains, teaches Xiao Yan the Nether Dragon Prison-Suppressing Song during their journey, and introduces him to his longtime friend Ye Zhong of the Ye Clan. After ensuring that Ye Zhong can support Xiao Yan’s next stage of development, Su Qian returns to Canaan Academy. 33 34 35 39

After receiving Ye Zhong’s report that Xiao Yan had met with an unfortunate end, Su Qian is devastated. He personally travels to Wutan City to deliver the news to Xiao Zhan and the Xiao Clan, struggling to speak before finally informing them of the report. 60

As Canaan Academy’s First Elder, Su Qian later oversees preparations for the increasingly dangerous entity sealed beneath the Inner Academy. Though Xiao Yan comes to mind as a possible alchemist capable of helping, Su Qian refuses to involve him, judging the danger posed by Heavenly Flames too great for a youth with such exceptional potential. 217

Personality

Su Qian is measured, perceptive, and willing to make exceptions when merit justifies them. He values Xiao Yan’s character as much as his talent, repeatedly emphasizing that exceptional potential requires proper guidance rather than simple praise or possession. 22 30

Beneath his authority, he has a playful and nostalgic side. He lightly teases Xiao Yan, banters freely with Ye Zhong, and privately considers accepting Xiao Yan as a personal disciple. 31 34 39

His concern for Xiao Yan is deeply personal as well as institutional. Su Qian is grief-stricken by the report of Xiao Yan’s death, and later prioritizes safeguarding Xiao Yan’s future over using his talent to resolve Canaan Academy’s Inner Academy crisis. 60 217

Abilities & Skills

Spatial Movement

Su Qian can rapidly move himself and others through space.

• Transported Xiao Yan from his study to the secluded Library Pavilion valley in an instant. 29
• Flies unaided when departing the Ye Clan. 39
• Guides Xiao Yan and Xun’er through the Central Plains’ spatial-wormhole travel network. 34

Dou Sect Cultivation

• Possesses the cultivation of a Dou Sect, placing him above Canaan Academy’s Vice Principal Hu Gan. 29 34
• Transmits his voice across Ye City with sufficient force to alert the Ye Clan and activate the clan manor’s defenses. 34

Leadership and Talent Cultivation

• Mediated the dispute between Fire Elder and Hu Gan, authorizing Xiao Yan’s dual path in alchemy and Dou Qi. 12
• Reviews Xiao Yan’s progress and considers both his potential and the risks created by his age and inexperience. 15
• Arranged access to the Library Pavilion and sought superior alchemical instruction for Xiao Yan at the Pill Tower. 29 30
• Persuaded Hundred Elder and Thousand Elder to resume academy responsibilities while he travelled to the Central Plains. 30
• Coordinates Canaan Academy’s response to the sealed entity beneath the Inner Academy while resisting reliance on outside alchemists or the premature involvement of Xiao Yan. 217

Relationships

• Xiao Yan — Grand Elder, benefactor, and increasingly personal mentor. Su Qian secures Xiao Yan’s dual-training arrangement, Library Pavilion reward, and journey to the Pill Tower; he later hints that he lacks a personal disciple. He is devastated by the report of Xiao Yan’s death and later declines to expose him to the Inner Academy’s Heavenly Flame-related crisis. 12 29 31 60 217
• Hu Gan — Fellow Canaan Academy senior. They jointly assess Xiao Yan’s development and discuss the academy’s responsibility toward him. 12 15 22
• Fire Elder — Fellow elder and Xiao Yan’s alchemy instructor. Su Qian mediates Fire Elder’s dispute with Hu Gan and supports Fire Elder’s decision not to formally restrict Xiao Yan’s growth as a disciple. 12 22
• Ye Zhong — Old friend and Seventh-Grade Alchemist of the Ye Clan. Su Qian brings Xiao Yan to Ye Zhong for assistance entering the Pill Tower. 34 35
• Hundred Elder and Thousand Elder — Guardians of the Library Pavilion. Su Qian respectfully requests their approval for Xiao Yan’s entry and later enlists them to help oversee Canaan Academy. 29 30
• Xun’er — Travels with Su Qian and Xiao Yan to the Central Plains; Su Qian recognizes that her explanation of the region’s major factions understates their true strength. 33
• Canaan Academy Elders — As First Elder, Su Qian leads their deliberations concerning the deteriorating seal beneath the Inner Academy and the danger of seeking external assistance. 217

Notable Quotes

“Come to think of it, this old man still lacks a personal disciple...” 31

“Xiao Yan possesses extraordinary talent and is bound to be a figure who leaves his name in history.” 217