Xiao Yan

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Xiao Yan (萧炎)
Alias(es)	Xiao Fan (pre-transmigration identity); black-robed alchemist (disguise used with Yao Lao) 1 17
Gender	Male
Age	16 21
Affiliation	Xiao Clan; disciple of Yao Lao; enrolled at Jia Nan Academy on approved leave 5 23
Occupation/Role	Cultivator; alchemist; heir of the Xiao Clan patriarch
Status	Active
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Third-Stage Dou Qi	1	Xiao Fan transmigrates into Xiao Yan’s body while it is publicly tested at the third stage.
Fourth-Stage Dou Qi	7	Breaks through after half a month of secluded cultivation in Foundation-Building Spirit Liquid.
Fifth-Stage Dou Qi	8	Reaches the fifth stage through medicinal cultivation and Yao Lao’s Dou Qi Whipping.
Seventh-Stage Dou Qi	9	Achieves the advanced Dou Qi stages after months of whipping and technique practice.
Ninth-Stage Dou Qi	9	Reaches saturation and prepares to condense a Dou Qi Vortex.
Eighth-Stage Dou Qi	12	Officially recorded by the Xiao Clan’s Magic Stone Tablet during the coming-of-age ceremony.
One-Star Dou Zhe	14	Condenses a Dou Qi Vortex without Qi Gathering Powder after four months of extreme body training.
Five-Star Dou Zhe	20	Advances through three months of large-scale pill refinement while supporting the Xiao Clan.
Six-Star Dou Zhe	27	Breaks through after cultivating in an upgraded Foundation-Building Spirit Liquid bath.
Seven-Star Dou Zhe	30	Natural advancement following a month in Yao Lao’s Wood Stake Formation.
Eight-Star Dou Zhe	31	Advances after waterfall training and repeated Burning Blood treatments.
Peak Nine-Star Dou Zhe	36	Reaches the limit of the Dou Zhe realm after a month of continuous magical-beast combat.
Dou Master	38	Condenses his Dou Qi into liquid droplets, substantially increasing its quality and reserves.

Other Documented Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Late Mortal Realm soul	2	Consumes a Third-Grade Soul Fruit, greatly enhancing perception and cultivation efficiency.
Early Spirit State soul	14	His soul strengthens during the strain of condensing the Dou Qi Vortex.
Second-grade alchemist	20	Achieves the ability to refine first- and second-grade pills.
Second Tier, Level One physical body	30	Reached through injury-based skill-point enhancement during Wood Stake Formation training.
Second Tier, Level Eight physical body	35	Spends accumulated skill points after being injured by the Little Amethyst Winged Lion King.

Background / History

Xiao Yan was originally Xiao Fan, an overworked employee from Earth who died after collapsing at work. His soul transmigrated into the body of the fallen Xiao Clan genius Xiao Yan, whose cultivation had regressed to Third-Stage Dou Qi after three years of stagnation. He inherited the body’s memories and emotional attachments, including its resentment toward those who abandoned or mocked him. 1

Immediately after transmigrating, he was bound by the “Xiao Yan Must Die” System, which mistakenly identified Xiao Yan as a separate target and promised Dou Emperor-level cultivation for killing him. Xiao Yan deceived the system into accepting a side mission to “weaken Xiao Yan” instead, allowing him to gain rewards by altering the original Xiao Yan’s opportunities and circumstances. 1

He gradually stopped treating the identity as a disguise. After defending Xiao Zhan and the Xiao Clan during Nalan Yanran’s engagement dissolution, he accepted responsibility as Xiao Yan’s son and vowed to erase the humiliation inflicted on his father. 4

The system eventually recognized that its host and target were the same person. Its attempts to force Xiao Yan to kill himself and unbind caused severe soul pain, but it ultimately departed, leaving behind an incomplete interface that converts damage into skill points and permits attribute enhancement. 26

Appearance

Xiao Yan is a black-haired youth with a physique repeatedly tempered through medicinal baths, Dou Qi Whipping, heavy-weapon training, and injury-based enhancement. 21 25 30

• His body became muscular and bronze-toned during early whipping training. 9
• His skin later developed a jade-like appearance due to his extremely dense Dou Qi. 14
• Cultivating Purple Cloud Wings created black eagle-wing tattoos on his back. 30
• He is frequently recognized by the massive black Heavy Xuan Ruler carried on his back. 25

Personality

Xiao Yan is calculating, adaptable, and unusually composed under pressure. He exploits his knowledge of the original story, manipulates the system’s flawed logic, and conceals information from Yao Lao when revealing the truth would endanger him. 1 6 15

His ambition is tempered by practical caution. He pursues rare techniques and Heavenly Flames aggressively, but he also avoids unwinnable confrontations, conserves Dou Qi when necessary, and prioritizes long-term power over immediate revenge. 28 29 31

He is deeply protective of people he considers his own. He defends Xiao Zhan’s honor, secures the Xiao Clan’s finances before leaving, rescues Xiao Yi Xian from confinement, and accepts personal risk to assist Yun Yun despite her connection to Nalan Yanran. 4 20 36 33

Abilities & Skills

Residual System Interface

After the original system unbound, Xiao Yan retained an incomplete interface that records his attributes and allows him to use skill points to improve them. 26

• Skill points are gained by taking damage. 26
• He uses deliberate injury, boulder impacts, medicinal pain, and combat wounds to accumulate points. 26 31 35
• He primarily enhances his physical body rather than Dou Qi cultivation to avoid exposing the interface to Yao Lao. 30
• The original system also granted him Peerless Comprehension, the Myriad Flame Emperor Body, and a one-use Dou Qi Horse Transformation escape ability. 4 5 15

Peerless Comprehension

Peerless Comprehension allows Xiao Yan to learn techniques, cultivation methods, alchemy, and herbology with extraordinary speed. 5

• He learned Suction Palm to minor mastery within half a month. 7
• He rapidly mastered Fire-Blowing Palm, Eight Extremes Collapse, Burst Step, and foundational alchemy. 8 9 17 37
• His talent repeatedly shocks Yao Lao, particularly in flame control and medicine refinement. 17

Myriad Flame Emperor Body

A god-tier fire physique gained after intercepting the Flame Mantra. Xiao Yan fused with it after becoming a Dou Zhe. 15 16

• Commands and intimidates flames. 15
• Grants immunity to fire and the ability to move through flames. 15
• Provides perfect fire control, enabling exceptional alchemy. 15 17
• Awakens further when exposed to Bone Chilling Flame, allowing Xiao Yan to endure and grasp the Heavenly Flame safely. 39
• Its full transformation was initially concealed from Yao Lao. 15

Flame Mantra and Purple Flame

The Flame Mantra is a fire-attributed cultivation method that begins at Low Huang-tier but can evolve by devouring Heavenly Flames. 15

• Xiao Yan chose it over a safer Low Earth-tier fire cultivation method. 15
• Its limited initial grade restricts the amount of Dou Qi he can store. 24
• Absorbing Amethyst Companion Source strengthened his Purple Flame and evolved the Flame Mantra to Mid-Yellow Tier. 36
• He can manifest tangible Purple Flame outside his body despite this normally being associated with Dou Ling experts. 38

Soul Perception and Alchemy

Xiao Yan’s soul reached the early Spirit State, giving him exceptionally sharp perception and control. 14

• Detects different Dou Qi attributes, hidden items, souls, and nearby enemies. 2 6 30
• Subdued the Purple Cloud Vulture’s soul to cultivate Purple Cloud Wings. 30
• Can locate the faint wood attribute needed for alchemy and stabilize fire with it. 17
• Successfully refined Blood Coagulation Powder under Yao Lao’s instruction and later reached second-grade alchemist status. 18 20

Suction Palm and Fire-Blowing Palm

Suction Palm was upgraded from Low Profound Tier to Low Earth Tier after Xiao Yan intercepted its original opportunity. Fire-Blowing Palm later received the same upgrade. 6 9

• Suction Palm draws objects or enemies toward Xiao Yan; at perfection, it can affect souls. 6
• Fire-Blowing Palm releases powerful gusts and can be projected from any part of his body. 9
• Combining the two techniques lets him pull targets into a repelling blast, launch debris, redirect poison, and create short bursts of aerial mobility. 9 22 27
• Suction Palm is dangerous against stronger opponents if used alone, as it can pull them directly into striking range. 6 9

Eight Extremes Collapse

Originally a High-Level Xuan Tier close-combat technique, Eight Extremes Collapse was upgraded to High-Level Earth Tier. 7

• Generates layered hidden force within an opponent after impact. 7
• At major mastery, it can produce sixty-four layers of force; at perfection, seventy-two layers can rival a Low Heaven Tier battle skill. 7
• Requires extreme physical strength and can rupture the user’s muscles if forced prematurely. 7
• Xiao Yan used it to defeat Xiao Ning, seriously wound Mu Li, kill He Meng, and pressure Mentor Ruo Lin. 13 29 37 22

Flame Splitting Tsunami Ruler

An Earth Tier ruler technique taught by Yao Lao for use with the Heavy Xuan Ruler. 31

• Its four stages are gather qi and draw fire; build power and raise the ruler; swing and strike; erupt and devour. 31
• Its strength scales with Xiao Yan’s Dou Qi and becomes far more destructive when empowered by Heavenly Flames. 31
• Xiao Yan used it to kill Mu She and Gan Mu during the destruction of the Wolf Head Mercenary Group. 37

Purple Cloud Wings

A High-Level Xuan Tier flight Dou Technique acquired from the hidden cave in the Magic Beast Mountains. 28

• Requires a flying magical beast soul fused into the wing-scroll. 30
• Creates purple-black wings fueled by Dou Qi. 30
• Initially provides only brief lift due to Xiao Yan’s limited Dou Qi reserves. 30
• Later allows him to cross Soul-Breaking Ravine and travel through the Magic Beast Mountains. 31

Burst Step

A Mid Profound Tier movement technique left behind by Yun Yun. 37

• Propels Xiao Yan through explosive footwork.
• Used to rapidly defeat the Wolf Head Mercenary Group’s gate guards. 37

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Heavy Xuan Ruler — A unique Flame Meteoric Iron ruler with five seals, weighing from 3,000 jin at the first seal to one million jin at the fifth. It suppresses Dou Qi, trains Xiao Yan’s body, and conceals his true cultivation. 25
• Black Storage Ring — The ring that housed Yao Lao’s soul and was responsible for absorbing Xiao Yan’s Dou Qi for three years. 2 5
• Medicine Cauldron — Obtained through the Mittel Auction House in exchange for Qi Gathering Powder; used for Xiao Yan’s alchemy training. 17
• Purple Cloud Wings scroll — A consumed flight-technique scroll containing the soul of a Purple Cloud Vulture. 28 30
• Map fragment — A fragment connected to the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame, taken from Hai Bodong’s map shop; Xiao Yan agreed to refine medicine in exchange for the remaining half. 40

Relationships

• Xiao Zhan — Father and Xiao Clan patriarch. Xiao Yan’s growing filial attachment leads him to defend Xiao Zhan’s honor and secure the clan’s future before departing. 2 4 20 23
• Yao Lao — Teacher, alchemy mentor, and soul residing in Xiao Yan’s ring. Their relationship began as compensation for Yao Lao draining Xiao Yan’s Dou Qi, then developed into mutual trust and harsh mentorship. 5 14 19
• Xiao Xun’er — Childhood companion and primary romantic interest. She remained beside him during his decline, supports his cultivation, and worries over his departures. 1 8 20 21
• Nalan Yanran — Former fiancée and rival in the Three-Year Agreement. Xiao Yan publicly rebuked her engagement dissolution and vowed to defeat her at the Misty Cloud Sect. 4 15 24
• Xiao Yi Xian — Healer, poison user, and ally from Qingshan Town. They discover the hidden cave together, cooperate against the Wolf Head Mercenary Group, and form a close bond during their time in the valley. 27 28 37 38
• Yun Yun — Misty Cloud Sect leader who initially hides her identity as “Yun Zhi.” Xiao Yan rescues and treats her, then aids her against the Amethyst Winged Lion King despite her connection to Nalan Yanran. 33
• Ya Fei — Mittel Auction House representative and Xiao Yan’s god-sister. Their alliance ensures auction-house support for the Xiao Clan after his departure. 19 23
• Mentor Ruo Lin — Jia Nan Academy instructor who grants Xiao Yan leave after he survives twenty exchanges against her. 22 23
• Little Zi — The Little Amethyst Winged Lion King, subdued by Xiao Yan and treated as a pet, mount, and magical-beast companion. 35 36 39
• Hai Bodong — Former Dou Emperor and mapmaker. Their confrontation over a map fragment becomes an agreement involving medicine for Hai Bodong’s Snake Seal. 40

Story Role / Major Arcs

Return of the Fallen Genius

Xiao Yan begins as a publicly scorned Third-Stage Dou Qi cultivator, but gains system rewards through altered fate, deepens his bond with Xun’er, and conceals his awareness that Yao Lao is draining his cultivation. 1 2

Engagement Dissolution and Three-Year Agreement

When Nalan Yanran arrives to dissolve their engagement, Xiao Yan condemns her conduct before the Xiao Clan, accepts her three-year challenge, and promises to restore Xiao Zhan’s honor. 4

Apprenticeship and Restoration

After exposing Yao Lao’s role in his lost cultivation, Xiao Yan becomes his disciple, gains Peerless Comprehension, acquires upgraded techniques, and rebuilds himself through brutal cultivation. 5 7 8

Xiao Clan’s Commercial War

Xiao Yan learns alchemy, refines Blood Coagulation Powder, helps the Xiao Clan overwhelm the Jia Lie Clan in Wu Tan City’s medicine market, and has Yao Lao possess his body to kill the rival alchemist Liu Xi. 18 19

Jia Nan Academy Leave

After reaching Five-Star Dou Zhe and receiving S-Grade potential, Xiao Yan defeats Ge Ci and survives twenty exchanges against Ruo Lin to secure leave from Jia Nan Academy. 20 21 22

Magic Beast Mountains and System Unbinding

Seeking opportunities in the mountains, Xiao Yan trains with the Heavy Xuan Ruler, meets Xiao Yi Xian, obtains Purple Cloud Wings, and loses the original system when it finally recognizes him as its own target. 25 26 28 30

Wolf Head Mercenary Group Conflict

Xiao Yan rescues Xiao Yi Xian from the Ten Thousand Medicine House, then attacks the Wolf Head Mercenary Group with her poison support and annihilates its leadership. 36 37

Search for Heavenly Flames

After reaching Dou Master, Xiao Yan travels toward the Tagor Desert with Little Zi, proves his resistance to Bone Chilling Flame, and confronts Hai Bodong over a map linked to the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame. 38 39 40

Notable Quotes

“Wu Tan City, Xiao Clan, Xiao Yan!” 33

“It’s still not enough. I need to become stronger—stronger, and fast.” 27

Trivia

• Xiao Yan’s original system designated Xiao Yan as both its host and assassination target, creating the contradiction that forced its unbinding. 26
• The Heavy Xuan Ruler suppresses his aura enough that a Five-Star Dou Zhe appears to outsiders as only a One-Star Dou Zhe. 25
• He deliberately avoids using skill points to raise his Dou Qi realm because Yao Lao could notice sudden cultivation advances, while physical growth is easier to conceal. 30