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.

The Wutan City family is the last surviving bloodline of the ancient Xiao Clan, formerly one of the Eight Great Emperor Clans. Its decline followed Xiao Xuan’s failed attempt to reach Dou Di using the clan’s Dou Di Bloodline and the Hun Clan’s subsequent assault 82.

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 87 88 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.

Yao Chen secured the Green Lotus Core Flame by offering Gu Yuena an Earth-Tier cultivation technique and a promise to refine a Dou Ancestor-Breaking Pill. Medusa subsequently attempted to seize the flame from Xiao Yan, but Yao Chen stopped her 126.

After the Three-Year Agreement, Xiao Yan witnessed Li Changqing capture Protector Wu and learned that the Hall of Souls had infiltrated the Cloud Mist Sect. The public revelation of Xiao Yan’s brotherly relationship with a Dou Zun caused the assembled experts to reassess the Xiao Family and seek closer ties with it. Before leaving, the Amethyst Winged Lion King entrusted his son to Xiao Yan 130 131 132.

Xiao Yan later entered Jia Nan Academy. During his second year there, Xiao Zhan was captured and sent to the Hun Clan. By the end of the subsequent three-year period described in the narrative, Xiao Yan had subdued the Fallen Heart Flame and reached peak Dou Wang while cultivating in the Inner Academy 166.

By the expedition to the Bodhi Ancient Tree, Xiao Yan had become Starfall Pavilion’s young pavilion master. He arrived at the Ancient Domain Platform with Medusa, Xiao Yixian, and Qing Lin, then joined Gu Xun’er and the Gu Clan’s party. Seeing Li Changqing among the Hun Clan’s people, he maintained his trust in him despite Gu Qingyang’s warning. At Li’s secret request, Xiao Yan instructed his companions to conceal their acquaintance with him 177.

During the expedition, Xiao Yan and his companions agreed to help Li Changqing if Fire Phoenix proved too strong. Xiao Yan subsequently helped overcome the Half-Saint puppets guarding the approach to the Bodhi Ancient Tree. When the tree drew the visitors into illusions, a Bodhi Seed helped him awaken. Li Changqing kept the others asleep and privately revealed his Two-Star Dou Sheng cultivation to him 180 184.

The Bodhi Ancient Tree showed Xiao Yan and Li Changqing that a slain Dou Di’s lingering resentment had corrupted it. They offered to cleanse the tree with Heavenly Flames in exchange for experiencing the Hundred-Life Reincarnation and began refining Bodhi Seeds for the process 184.

Before returning to the Soul World, Li Changqing told Xiao Yan that he had seen Xiao Zhan there but could not rescue him without jeopardizing his position. He promised to protect Xiao Zhan if danger arose. Gu Qingyang again cautioned Xiao Yan about Li’s high standing within the Hun Clan, while Xiao Yan turned his attention to distributing the Bodhi Seeds 187.

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 offers to give up the Qi Gathering Powder awarded after the engagement dispute so another talented family disciple can benefit from it if his cultivation remains unchanged for another year 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.

His trust in Li Changqing persists even after discovering his association with the Hun Clan. Rather than immediately assuming betrayal, Xiao Yan suggests that an unknown reason may explain Li’s involvement and respects his request for secrecy 177.

Xiao Yan frequently attributes his accomplishments to luck when praised. Gu Qingyang and his companions have heard this response often enough to find it familiar, and he gives the same answer when the Amethyst Winged Lion King praises his rapid advancement 182 187.

Despite his casual banter, he takes opportunities to study alchemy seriously, watching Li Changqing’s lengthy eighth-grade pill refinement without distraction 134.

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.
• By the Bodhi Ancient Tree expedition, Xiao Yan uses it to fuse five Heavenly Flames 183.

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.
• He successfully subdues the Fallen Heart Flame while cultivating at Jia Nan Academy 166.
• By the expedition to the Bodhi Ancient Tree, his fused flame incorporates five Heavenly Flames. Xiao Yan judges its might to be below that of Li Changqing’s Yin-Yang Flame despite the number of flames combined 183.
• He works with Li Changqing to cleanse the Bodhi Ancient Tree’s corrupting Dou Di resentment, using Heavenly Flames to refine Bodhi Seeds 184.

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.
• Half-Saint puppet battle — Helps defeat the Half-Saint puppets encountered on the approach to the Bodhi Ancient Tree 184.

Soul Force and Illusion Resistance

• Xiao Yan possesses Soul Force and uses it to activate Li Changqing’s jade talisman 107.
• After Yao Chen explains the Mortal, Spirit, Heaven, and Emperor realms of Soul Force, Xiao Yan assesses his own soul as likely being in the Mortal Realm 133.
• A Bodhi Seed helps him awaken from the Bodhi Ancient Tree’s illusion; this awakening is assisted by the seed rather than presented as unaided immunity 184.

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.
• Purple Spirit Crystal — Obtained together with a wisp of Purple Flame in exchange for a low Earth-Tier cultivation method 103.
• Bodhi Seeds — A seed helps him escape the Bodhi Ancient Tree’s illusion. He and Li Changqing refine seeds during the cleansing process, and Xiao Yan later attends to dividing the seeds among his companions 184 187.

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. He is later captured during Xiao Yan’s second year at Jia Nan Academy. Xiao Yan asks Li Changqing about his whereabouts and learns that he is being held in the Soul World 85 86 91 166 187.
• Yao Chen — His teacher. Yao Chen caused his three-year cultivation decline but later guides his recovery, alchemy, and pursuit of Heavenly Flames. Xiao Yan promises to keep his existence secret and eventually take revenge on the Hall of Souls for him 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. Xiao Yan continues to trust him after their reunion at the Ancient Domain Platform, conceals their acquaintance from the Hun Clan at his request, and cooperates with him at the Bodhi Ancient Tree. Li later provides news of Xiao Zhan and promises to look after him if danger arises 87 90 108 114 177 184 187.
• Xiao Xun’er / Gu Xun’er — His childhood friend and steadfast supporter. She tends his injured hand and chooses not to report his Otherworlder identity to her family. Her affection is unchanged by learning his secret. They reunite with their respective parties at the Ancient Domain Platform, where she alerts him to Li Changqing’s presence among the Hun Clan and warns him against pursuing more women 82 84 92 177 179.
• 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. Xiao Yan promises to care for him, although the young lion initially refuses his attempt to coax him into serving as a mount. By their later reunion with the father, Xiao Yan reports that the son has reached Five-Star Dou Zong and is safe at Starfall Pavilion 132 134 187.
• Amethyst Winged Lion King — Initially trades Purple Flame and a Purple Spirit Crystal to Xiao Yan for a cultivation method. Later entrusts his son to him and expresses satisfaction upon hearing of the young lion’s growth and safety 103 132 187.
• Medusa — Initially seeks to seize the Green Lotus Core Flame from him, but is stopped by Yao Chen. By the Bodhi Ancient Tree expedition, she accompanies Xiao Yan as part of Starfall Pavilion’s party. He reminds her to restrain her reaction upon seeing Gu Yuena 126 177.
• Xiao Yixian and Qing Lin — Companions who accompany him to the Ancient Domain Platform as members of Starfall Pavilion’s party 177.
• Gu Qingyang — Welcomes Xiao Yan’s party into the Gu Clan’s group at the Ancient Domain Platform. He repeatedly urges caution regarding Li Changqing’s Hun Clan connections and praises the extraordinary talent of both men 177 182 187.
• Yun Yun — Unlike the course of events in the original Battle Through the Heavens, no romantic feelings develop between them. The Cloud Mist Sect does not form a feud with Xiao Yan or disband, and Yun Yun remains outside the Flower Sect, leaving Xiao Yan without that particular connection to it 177.

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

“Brother Qing has helped me a great deal. I believe he won't do anything to harm me. Perhaps there's some unknown secret behind his being with the Hun Clan.” 177

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