Xiao Yan

Biodata

Power Progression

Background and History

Xiao Yan is Xiao Zhan’s son and a member of the Xiao Family of Wutan City. Though once considered a cultivation genius, he spent three years losing the Dou Qi he cultivated and became an object of ridicule. The hidden cause was Yao Chen’s disembodied soul, which had been absorbing energy from within Xiao Yan’s ring 82 86 88.

When Nalan Yanran came with Cloud Mist Sect representatives to end their engagement, Xiao Yan refused to accept the rejection on her terms. He wrote a blood-marked letter casting her out of the Xiao Family, then agreed to face her at the sect in three years. He vowed to erase the humiliation suffered by his father and family 82 84.

Li Changqing later identified an outside cause for Xiao Yan’s cultivation loss and drew Yao Chen out of hiding. Xiao Yan confronted Yao Chen over the harm he had caused, but accepted him as his teacher after learning of his alchemical expertise. Xiao Yan and Li also discovered that they shared an origin beyond the Dou Qi Continent; unlike Li, who crossed over physically, Xiao Yan believes only his soul crossed over 86 89.

During his training, Xiao Yan obtained the Amethyst Winged Lion King’s Purple Flame through a trade, then acquired Han Feng’s Sea Heart Flame and Gu Yuena’s Green Lotus Core Flame. His Flame Mantra evolved as he absorbed flames. He eventually returned to the Cloud Mist Sect and defeated Nalan Yanran in three moves, without using his full strength 103 104 114 126 129.

Appearance

Xiao Yan is described as a boy with a somewhat youthful face. By the time he encounters Yun Yun in the Magic Beast Mountain Range, he appears about fifteen or sixteen. At the Three-Year Agreement, he carries a massive black ruler on his back 82 105 127.

Personality

Xiao Yan is proud and defiant when publicly humiliated, but remains loyal to the Xiao Family despite years of contempt from some of its members. He gives up the Qi Gathering Powder awarded after the engagement dispute so another family disciple can benefit from it 82 84 85.

He questions Yao Chen’s excuses for draining his cultivation, yet seeks advice before choosing him as a teacher. Later, he comforts Yao Chen after the confrontation with Han Feng. He is also willing to take risks for cultivation resources, including using his one promised favor from Li Changqing to pursue a Heavenly Flame 88 107 115.

Abilities & Skills

Flame Mantra

Yao Chen chooses the Flame Mantra as Xiao Yan’s cultivation method because it can evolve by devouring flames 93.

• Absorbing the Amethyst Winged Lion King’s Purple Flame causes it to evolve 104.
• It evolves twice more after Xiao Yan devours the Sea Heart Flame and Green Lotus Core Flame 126.

Heavenly Flames

• Xiao Yan possesses the Sea Heart Flame and Green Lotus Core Flame, which he can fuse into a blue-green flame 126 133.
• Devouring them was dangerous and painful; he needed pills to help survive the process 134.
• He and Yao Chen create the Flame Lotus of the Buddha’s Fury, which Xiao Yan uses to kill Mo Cheng 126.

Combat and Alchemy

• Flame Splitting Tsunami Ruler — A ruler technique Xiao Yan uses against Nalan Yanran while holding back enough to avoid killing her 128.
• Physical strength — Nearly knocks Nalan Yanran out of the arena with a palm strike that uses no Dou Qi 128.
• Alchemy — Refines third-grade pills while training in Maple City; he later watches Li Changqing refine an eighth-grade pill to learn from the process 111 134.

Equipment and Items

• Bone Flame Ring — A keepsake from his mother and Yao Chen’s refuge 88.
• Black Heavy Ruler — The weapon he carries into the Three-Year Agreement and uses for Flame Splitting Tsunami Ruler 127 128.
• Purple Cloud Wings — Used to fly toward the disturbance at the Cloud Mist Sect 129.
• Li Changqing’s jade talisman — Holds a trace of Li’s Soul Power and allows Xiao Yan to call on his promised help 107.

Relationships

• Xiao Zhan — His father and Xiao Family clan leader. Xiao Zhan uses Li Changqing’s favor to seek a cure for him and funds his renewed cultivation 85 86 91.
• Yao Chen — His teacher. Yao Chen caused his three-year cultivation decline but later guides his recovery, alchemy, and pursuit of Heavenly Flames 88 89 93.
• Li Changqing — A fellow Otherworlder whom Xiao Yan calls Brother Qing. Li helps expose the cause of his cultivation loss and later helps him pursue Han Feng’s Sea Heart Flame 87 90 108 114.
• Xiao Xun’er — His childhood friend and steadfast supporter. She tends his injured hand and chooses not to report his Otherworlder identity to her family 82 84 92.
• Nalan Yanran — His former fiancée. Their broken engagement leads to the Three-Year Agreement, which Xiao Yan wins 82 129.
• Xiao Ding and Xiao Li — His elder brothers, who instinctively shield him when Li Changqing suddenly appears at their mercenary-group headquarters 108.
• Amethyst Winged Lion King’s son — A young magical beast entrusted to Xiao Yan’s care after the Three-Year Agreement 132 134.

Notable Quotes

“Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river—never look down on a poor young man!” 82

“Father, three years from now, I will go to the Cloud Mist Sect myself and wash away today’s humiliation—for you and for the entire Xiao Family!” 84