Xiao Yan

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Xiao Yan (萧炎)
Alias(es)	Young Master Xiao Yan 1
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Xiao Household; disciple of Yao Chen 68 76
Occupation/Role	Cultivator; second-tier alchemist 108
Status	Alive
First Appearance	Chapter 1, “Xiao Qing” 1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Third-Stage Dou Qi, Low Level	1	Tested at age six; his result makes him the Xiao Household’s celebrated young genius. 1
Third-Stage Dou Qi	54	His cultivation regresses after his Dou Qi is secretly drained through the ring on his finger. 54
Fourth-Stage Battle Qi	59	After the leakage stops, he resumes cultivation and recovers to the fourth stage. 59
Dou Zhe	75	Regains the Dou Zhe realm after more than six months of arduous cultivation. 75
Four-Star Dou Zhe	108	Reaches this level nearly a year after becoming a Dou Zhe, despite assistance from medicinal pills. 108
Eight-Star Dou Zhe	123	Advances after refining the Peach Blossom Flame, which raises his Flame Mantra to the mid-Yellow Tier. 123
Four-Star Battle Master	139	Prepares to refine the Furywind Dragon Flame to avoid falling further behind Xiao Qing. 139

Background / History

Childhood

At six years old, Xiao Yan tests at Third-Stage Dou Qi, Low Level after only two years of cultivation. The Xiao Household treats him as an extraordinary prodigy and a possible key to restoring its former position in the Imperial Capital. The acclaim feeds his pride; he openly accepts Xun’er’s praise as the household’s number-one genius. 1

Xiao Qing’s sudden emergence as an even younger Eight-Stage Dou Qi cultivator overturns Xiao Yan’s standing within the household. Hearing clan members compare them, Xiao Yan feels bitter and humiliated, while Xun’er remains at his side and promises that he will surpass Xiao Qing someday. 5

Loss and Recovery of Dou Qi

Years later, Xiao Yan’s Dou Qi begins disappearing without explanation, reducing him to the Third Stage again. Xiao Zhan secretly spends resources seeking treatment and eventually asks Xiao Qing, now a sixth-grade alchemist, to examine him. 54

Xiao Qing gives Xiao Yan a mild fifth-grade Soul-Nourishing Pill. The pill strengthens Xiao Yan’s foundation, vitality, and soul, but does not itself cure the leakage; Xiao Qing uses the treatment to pressure Yao Chen, the soul within Xiao Yan’s Bone Flame Ring, into stopping the absorption of Xiao Yan’s Dou Qi. 55 Xiao Yan can cultivate again after an hour of meditation and resolves to repay Xiao Qing through diligent cultivation. 54 55

Yao Chen’s Disciple

Yao Chen admits that he had been absorbing Xiao Yan’s Dou Qi to temper him and had intended to accept him as a disciple. Xiao Yan later becomes Yao Chen’s disciple, gaining a mentor who guides his cultivation, alchemy, and pursuit of Heavenly Flames. 55 68

Yao Chen’s guidance helps Xiao Yan recover from his setback, but Xiao Yan remains conscious of the widening gap between himself and Xiao Qing. Rather than surrender to discouragement, he turns that comparison into motivation. 108 118

Journey for Greater Strength

Xiao Yan secretly leaves the Xiao Household under Yao Chen’s cover to seek opportunities beyond the Imperial Capital. 108 While exploring the Ten Thousand Poisons Marsh, he discovers the Netherworld Poison Flame but is forbidden from refining it because he is far below the required Dou Wang realm. Yao Chen captures and seals the flame for later use. 123

After refining the Peach Blossom Flame, Xiao Yan’s Flame Mantra reaches the mid-Yellow Tier and his cultivation rises to Eight-Star Dou Zhe. 123 He later decides to attempt the far more dangerous Furywind Dragon Flame at the Four-Star Battle Master realm, driven by his wish not to fall too far behind Xiao Qing and to return stronger for Xiao Zhan and Xun’er. 139

Personality

Xiao Yan is initially proud, boastful, and eager for recognition. His early talent and the Xiao Household’s praise encourage him to see himself as exceptional. 1

His loss of cultivation humbles him and exposes his determination. He trains relentlessly after Xiao Qing’s rise, is deeply affected by Xiao Zhan’s sacrifices on his behalf, and sincerely remembers Xiao Qing’s assistance. 20 54 55

He is competitive but resilient. Learning of Xiao Qing’s increasingly overwhelming achievements does not crush his ambition; instead, he resolves to work harder and eventually surpass him. 118 He also shows caution when corrected by Yao Chen, accepting that his desire to refine a Heavenly Flame must wait until his strength is sufficient. 123

Abilities & Skills

Dou Qi Cultivation

Xiao Yan possesses notable cultivation talent, though his development is disrupted when Yao Chen absorbs his Dou Qi.

• Reached Third-Stage Dou Qi at age six after two years of training. 1
• Recovered from a regression to Third Stage and resumed progress after Yao Chen stopped draining his Dou Qi. 54 55
• Reaches Four-Star Battle Master by Chapter 139. 139

Flame Mantra

Xiao Yan cultivates the Flame Mantra under Yao Chen’s guidance.

• Initially considers its Yellow Tier low-level form too slow for his ambitions. 108
• Refining the Peach Blossom Flame advances it to the mid-Yellow Tier. 123
• The technique is intended to grow through refining flames, but Yao Chen forbids Xiao Yan from attempting a Heavenly Flame before reaching Dou Wang. 123

Alchemy

Xiao Yan is a developing alchemist under Yao Chen’s instruction.

• Identified as a “half-baked” second-tier alchemist. 108
• Benefits from medicinal pills refined by Yao Chen during his recovery and training. 108

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Bone Flame Ring — Storage Ring worn on Xiao Yan’s right index finger; houses Yao Chen’s soul. 52 76
• Peach Blossom Flame — Flame refined by Xiao Yan, advancing his Flame Mantra to the mid-Yellow Tier. 123
• Furywind Dragon Flame — A flame Xiao Yan resolves to refine while at the Four-Star Battle Master realm. 139

Relationships

• Xiao Zhan — Father and Xiao Household head. Xiao Zhan secretly exhausts resources trying to cure Xiao Yan’s disappearing Dou Qi and remains fiercely protective of him. 20 54
• Xiao Qing — Cousin, former point of comparison, and benefactor. Xiao Qing’s rise deeply affects Xiao Yan’s confidence, but Xiao Yan remains grateful when Xiao Qing helps end his Dou Qi leakage. 5 54 55
• Xun’er — Close childhood companion and emotional supporter. She admires Xiao Yan’s early talent, comforts him when Xiao Qing eclipses him, and worries that his growth may not be enough to keep them together. 1 5 57
• Yao Chen — Mentor residing in Xiao Yan’s Bone Flame Ring. Although Yao Chen initially drains Xiao Yan’s Dou Qi, he later accepts him as a disciple, trains him, and protects him during his search for flames. 55 68 123

Notable Quotes

“I will remember this kindness, Cousin Xiao Qing. If I gain the ability someday, I will surely repay you with all my strength!” 54

“Teacher, I beg of you. I do not want to fall too far behind cousin Xiao Qing, and Xun’er and my father are still waiting for me!” 139