Xiao Zhan

Biodata

Power Progression

• Before Xiao Yan leaves Wutan City, Xiao Zhan receives a pill refined by Bodhi to help him cross the final barrier to Dou Ling. Xiao Yan later tells his brothers that they must await news to learn whether the breakthrough succeeded 24 35.

Background / History

Supporting Xiao Yan

Xiao Zhan’s wife has died before the story begins. When eleven-year-old Xiao Yan becomes a Dou Zhe, Xiao Zhan celebrates his achievement while regretting that the boy’s mother cannot witness it. He checks Xiao Yan’s foundation, promises cultivation resources, and offers to handle any objections from the elders 1.

The clan’s limited ready cash makes those promises difficult to fulfill. Xiao Zhan offers money reserved for his own medicine to purchase additional qi-nourishing ingredients for Xiao Yan. After overhearing the arrangement, Xiao Yan insists that his father retain the money and continues using his usual allotment 3.

Injury and Recovery

An earlier Magical Beast attack left Xiao Zhan with a lingering injury around his left ribs. He conceals the pain, although coughing and reaching for objects sometimes expose it. Bodhi’s assessment finds obstructed meridians but a sound foundation, making recovery possible with suitable medicine and recuperation 3 11 12.

Xiao Yan’s first batch of pills—three Second-Rank Origin-Restoring Meridian-Nourishing Pills—is made for his father. After taking one, Xiao Zhan experiences noticeably reduced pain and freer movement within an hour. He agrees to rest and offers to fund future ingredients 12.

Xiao Yan subsequently brings home his alchemy earnings, repaying his initial expenses and giving the remainder to Xiao Zhan to ease the clan’s financial pressure. Xiao Zhan initially tries to return the gold card so his son can retain it for cultivation 15.

Strengthening and Expanding the Clan

When Xiao Yan proposes medicinal baths for the guards, Xiao Zhan consults the elders and authorizes a small trial rather than immediately treating everyone. Its success leads to an organized program with shared preparation duties and treatment tailored to individual needs 17.

He also supports giving Origin Condensation Pills to Xiao Hong, Xiao Shi, and Xiao Yue, recognizing their years of service and improved readiness for advancement. All three become Dou Shi, strengthening the clan’s available manpower 18.

The Jia Lie and Ao Ba families later hire Han Kui to intercept Xiao Zhan during a planned midnight assault. Xiao Yan discovers the plot and kills the attackers’ leaders before the raid begins. Xiao Zhan waits in the front courtyard with the elders and, after his son returns, assumes the mysterious teacher helped secure the victory 20 21.

Following the rivals’ destruction, Xiao Zhan integrates their holdings into the Xiao Clan’s operations. He retains useful stewards and assigns surrendered personnel to caravans, marketplaces, and shops, allowing the acquired businesses to resume work quickly 22.

The Misty Cloud Sect Invitation

Xiao Zhan receives the Misty Cloud Sect’s invitation for Xiao Yan, which invokes the longstanding engagement to Nalan Yanran. He initially objects to his son’s plan to dissolve it, fearing that newfound strength might make him disregard the families’ old friendship 22 23.

After hearing Xiao Yan’s reasoning and warning about the sect, he accepts the decision but insists on courtesy toward the Nalan family and responsibility for the consequences. His written approval accompanies Xiao Yan to the sect 23 26.

He remains uneasy about Xiao Yan traveling without guards, but the assurance that his teacher will accompany him eases his concern. Later, Xiao Yan urges Xiao Ding and Xiao Li to return home because their father needs trusted help overseeing the expanded businesses, guards, and caravans 24 25 36 37.

Appearance

• Build: Burly, broad-shouldered, and physically imposing 1.
• Age: Middle-aged 1.
• Facial features: A pronounced brow 1.
• Presence: When he stands before Xiao Yan’s lamp, his frame appears to block half its light 1.

Personality

Xiao Zhan expresses affection through practical care: bringing congee after a missed dinner, noticing bare feet, supplying breakfast, and reminding Xiao Yan to change out of sweat-soaked clothes before eating. He encourages cultivation without treating it as an excuse to neglect health 1 3 6.

His willingness to postpone his own treatment shows how readily he puts his son’s needs first. As clan leader, however, he remains cautious with collective expenses, requiring evidence before expanding the guards’ medicinal-bath program 3 17.

He values loyalty, proper conduct, and respect for teachers. Although concerned about the engagement’s dissolution, he ultimately recognizes that being Xiao Yan’s father does not entitle him to decide his son’s entire life 12 23 25.

Abilities & Skills

Dou Qi Cultivation

• Assesses Xiao Yan’s foundation after the boy becomes a Dou Zhe 1.
• Produces solid Dou Qi Armor at Nine-Star Great Dou Master 22.
• His old injuries initially hinder his cultivation; recovery and gentle medicinal support allow renewed advancement 3 22.

Clan Administration

• Reviews caravan accounts and manages cultivation-resource expenses 3 12 22.
• Coordinates with elders when approving new clan programs 17.
• Reorganizes acquired businesses while retaining experienced staff rather than replacing every worker 22.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Origin-Restoring Meridian-Nourishing Pills — Xiao Yan’s first batch; used to relieve the stagnation around Xiao Zhan’s ribs 12.
• Profound Origin Pills — Third-Grade pills with a formula adjusted by Bodhi for Xiao Zhan; gently nourish his meridians and help accumulate Dou Qi 22.
• Dou Ling breakthrough pill — A faintly golden pill refined by Bodhi and delivered by Xiao Yan before his departure; its eventual result is not confirmed 24 35.

Relationships

• Xiao Yan — Son. Xiao Zhan initially provides protection and cultivation funds; Xiao Yan later heals him, contributes money, and strengthens the clan to reduce his burdens 1 3 12 15 17.
• Xiao Ding and Xiao Li — Sons living in Stone Desert City. Xiao Yan asks them to return to Wutan City to assist their father with the clan’s expanded responsibilities 35 36 37.
• Late wife — Xiao Yan’s mother. Her absence saddens him during their son’s early breakthrough celebration 1.
• Xun’er — Shares family meals with him and addresses him as “Uncle Xiao.” They discuss Xiao Yan’s recovery work and the risks of his journey to the Misty Cloud Sect 12 25.
• Bodhi — Xiao Yan’s teacher and an indirect benefactor. Xiao Zhan has never met him and incorrectly estimates that he is at least a Dou Wang and a high-ranked alchemist 25.
• Xiao Hong, Xiao Shi, and Xiao Yue — Long-serving clan members whose efforts he acknowledges when distributing their breakthrough pills 18.

Notable Quotes

“Does being a Dou Zhe mean you don't need shoes?” 1

“Since that senior is willing to teach you, you must honor your master and respect his teachings. If you need anything, just tell me.” 12

“But since Yan'er has thought it through, I can't live his whole life for him just because I'm his father.” 25