Xiao Yan

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Xiao Yan (萧炎)
Alias(es)	Yan Xiao — his identity during the alchemy tournament; “Little Yanzi” — Yun Congxin’s familiar nickname for him 3 17 35.
Gender	Male 4.
Age	In his teens during the Three-Year Agreement 4.
Affiliation	Xiao Clan; Misty Cloud Sect Guest Elder 5 17.
Occupation/Role	Cultivator, fourth-rank alchemist, and defender of the Xiao Clan 13 25 35.
Status	Alive; reaches Black Seal City with his traveling companions 45 46.
First Appearance	Mentioned in Chapter 1; appears directly during the duel with Nalan Yanran in Chapter 2 1 2.

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Da Dou Shi / Great Dou Master	2 7	Already at this realm during the Three-Year Agreement. Yun Congxin describes him as having only recently attained it; the breakthrough itself is not shown in the supplied chapters.
Fourth-tier / Fourth-rank Alchemist	13 16 35	Recognized as a fourth-tier alchemist after the duel. His acquisition of a Fourth-Rank Alchemist badge is celebrated when the Xiao Clan establishes itself in Lin City.

Background / History

Broken Engagement and Training

Three years before the duel at Misty Cloud Mountain, Nalan Yanran broke off her engagement to Xiao Yan. He wrote a divorce letter in anger and sought a later victory to recover the dignity lost through her treatment of him and the Xiao Clan—not to force her into marriage. His preparation included dangerous training in the Magical Beast Mountain Range and extensive practice with his signature Dou Techniques 2 3 4.

Under the identity Yan Xiao, he won the alchemy tournament and defeated Yan Li, preserving the reputation of the Jia Ma Empire and its Alchemist Guild. Nalan Yanran recognizes his disguised identity during their duel 3 35 37.

Three-Year Agreement

Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran initially fight evenly at close range, damaging one another’s Dou Qi Armor. His Small Buddha’s Fury Fire Lotus then overpowers her Extreme Wind: Setting Sun Radiance. With victory secured, he stops his final blow short and knocks her down with a gust rather than inflicting a decisive injury 2 3.

When Nalan Yanran attempts suicide, Xiao Yan catches her sword, releases her from the wager that would have made her his servant, and burns the divorce letter. Yun Leng subsequently tries to keep him on the mountain, but Yun Congxin intervenes, publicly apologizes for the sect’s conduct, and gives Xiao Yan a Guest Elder Jade Slip 4 5.

Defense and Relocation of the Xiao Clan

In Black Flame City, Xiao Yu explains that Xiao Yan’s rising fame has made the comparatively weak Xiao Clan a target. He admits that he failed to consider this danger and thanks Yun Congxin for exposing the schemes against his family and arranging a safer settlement 17.

Xiao Yan helps prepare the counterattack against the Jia Lie and Ao Ba families by recruiting outside fighters through his alchemist status. Returning to the besieged Xiao Family Market, he distributes healing medicines, confronts Liu Qianjin, and displays the Green Lotus Core Flame before Xiao Zhan and the reinforcements arrive. The Xiao Clan wins the overnight battle, while Xiao Yan refines medicine to pay the helpers rather than participating in the financial settlement 25 26.

The clan subsequently takes control of Lin City. At its celebratory banquet, Yun Congxin promotes Xiao Zhan from the promised Outer Sect Steward position to Elder, publicly crediting Xiao Yan’s exposure and elimination of Mo Clan traitors 35 36 37.

Journey to the Black-Corner Region

Yao Lao arranges for Yun Congxin to accompany them to the Black-Corner Region, linking the removal of Yun’s Hall of Souls secret technique to Xiao Yan’s acquisition of another Heavenly Flame. Their intended target is the Fallen Heart Flame, ranked fourteenth, and preparations require ingredients for a sixth-grade Earth Spirit Pill 32 37.

At a tribal settlement, Xiao Yan and three companions are trapped by bandits after paying a toll. He kills the man threatening them and seriously wounds the settlement’s Dou Ling with the Flame Splitting Wave Ruler, forcing a surrender 41 42 43.

Although eager to reach Jia Nan Academy and see Xun’er, he agrees to visit Black Seal City for its auction, hoping to sell pills and obtain medicinal herbs for Hai Bodong. He escorts a merchant caravan with Nalan Yanran, Yao Ye, and Yao Yue; after six major attacks and repeated raids over three days, they reach the city exhausted 43 45.

Appearance

Xiao Yan appears in Black Flame City as a black-robed youth carrying an enormous black ruler on his back 17.

• Heavy Xuan Ruler: His conspicuous weapon is carried on his back when not in use 4 17.
• Purple Cloud Wings: Spread behind him during aerial combat 3 42.

Personality

Xiao Yan is determined and disciplined. Yun Congxin contrasts his thoroughly practiced techniques with Nalan Yanran’s less controlled execution. Even before a largely hostile audience, Xiao Yan explains that his purpose is to erase his old humiliation, not to win the spectators’ approval 2 4.

His restraint is selective rather than indiscriminate. He spares Nalan Yanran further humiliation and saves her life, but responds lethally when a bandit threatens his companions. His treatment of opponents depends on their conduct rather than a blanket refusal to kill 4 42.

He values family obligations and the repayment of kindness. He acknowledges the danger his personal feud created for the Xiao Clan, pays his recruited helpers with medicine, and feels uncomfortable when Yao Lao maneuvers Yun Congxin into accompanying them after Yun has helped his family 17 26 32.

He also has a mischievous streak: he outsources his father’s request to Xiao Yu and deliberately teases her about Yun Congxin. At the Lin City banquet, he seizes an opportunity to escape the formal gathering under the pretext of packing 18 36.

Abilities & Skills

Green Lotus Core Flame

Xiao Yan possesses the Green Lotus Core Flame, a Heavenly Flame sought unsuccessfully by Gu He 36.

• Burns the divorce letter after the Three-Year Agreement 4.
• Serves as a threat against the attackers at the Xiao Family Market 25.
• Coats the Heavy Xuan Ruler during his lethal attack on a bandit 42.
• Can assist in hunting down Yun Congxin’s implanted secret technique under Yao Lao’s proposed three-flame treatment 32.

Small Buddha’s Fury Fire Lotus

A dangerous offensive technique that Xiao Yan forms and releases with practiced control. Yun Congxin assesses the demonstrated version as having power at the peak of the Mysterious Tier 2.

• Overwhelms Nalan Yanran’s Extreme Wind: Setting Sun Radiance 2.
• Produces a shock wave powerful enough that Yun Congxin reinforces the spectators’ protective barrier 2 3.

Flame Splitting Wave Ruler

An Earth Tier Dou Technique executed through the Heavy Xuan Ruler. Its use draws surrounding energy into the weapon before releasing a powerful arc of ruler light 42.

• Demolishes half a tribal settlement’s wall with one strike 42.
• Seriously injures a Dou Ling despite Xiao Yan being a Da Dou Shi 43.

Dou Qi Armor and Aerial Combat

• Forms Dou Qi Armor for close-range protection; Nalan Yanran’s sword attacks leave cuts and cracks in it during their duel 2.
• Uses Purple Cloud Wings to fight and maneuver in the air 3 42.

Alchemy

Xiao Yan’s fourth-rank alchemy gives him influence beyond his cultivation realm. Yun Congxin considers his alchemical potential even greater than his cultivation talent 15 16.

• Recruits fighters to defend the Xiao Clan and refines medicine as payment 26.
• Prepares pills for sale to fund his travels and supply purchases 43.
• Respects the convention against stealing another alchemist’s techniques, remaining in his own courtyard while Gu He refines a pill 46.

Potential to Possess Multiple Heavenly Flames

Yao Lao states that Xiao Yan has the potential to possess multiple Heavenly Flames, making him central to the proposed treatment for Yun Congxin 32.

• The Fallen Heart Flame is a future acquisition goal, not a confirmed possession in the supplied chapters 37.
• Preparation requires an Earth Spirit Pill made from earth core fire ganoderma, Dragon-Beard Ice-Fire Fruit, azure wood immortal vine, and a sixth-tier water-attribute magic core 37.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Heavy Xuan Ruler — Large black weapon used for direct attacks and the Flame Splitting Wave Ruler technique 17 42.
• Storage Ring — Houses Yao Lao; Xiao Yan also supplies a Storage Ring containing healing medicines to Xiao Wugou 25 31.
• Guest Elder Jade Slip — Personally engraved with his name by Yun Congxin; allows him to seek Yun’s help at the Misty Cloud Sect 5.
• Fourth-Rank Alchemist badge — His newly obtained certification is celebrated in Lin City 35.
• Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python — A small creature he feeds and carries in his sleeve 18.

Relationships

• Yao Lao — Teacher who resides in his Storage Ring. Guides his alchemy, expedition preparations, and pursuit of another Heavenly Flame 31 32 37.
• Yun Congxin / Yun Shan — Ally and benefactor. Their initially wary acquaintance develops into friendship after Yun protects the Xiao Clan; Xiao Yan feels indebted to him 5 17 32.
• Xiao Zhan — Father and Xiao Clan patriarch. Xiao Yan supports the clan’s defense and helps him manage an awkward welcome at the Lin City banquet 25 36.
• Xiao Yu — Older cousin. Their combative relationship softens as he notices her feelings toward Yun Congxin; she accompanies the journey toward Jia Nan Academy 18 36 37.
• Nalan Yanran — Former fiancée and Three-Year Agreement opponent. He defeats her, saves her from suicide, and formally ends their obligations to one another; they later travel in the same group 4 45.
• Hai Bodong — Protector and ally whom Xiao Yan calls “Elder Hai.” Xiao Yan intends to obtain medicinal herbs for him in Black Seal City 16 43.
• Xun’er — The person Xiao Yan is eager to see at Jia Nan Academy 43.
• Liu Qianjin — Hostile third-grade alchemist and teacher of Liu Xi, whom Xiao Yan admits killing. Xiao Yan confronts him for participating in the assault on the Xiao Clan 25.

Story Role

• Focus of Yun Congxin’s investment strategy: Yun intends to secure his own future by supporting Xiao Yan’s rise, preferring an alliance with the entire Xiao Clan over becoming Xiao Yan’s permanent bodyguard 9 16.
• Target of imperial manipulation: Jia Ma Imperial Family agents encourage attacks on the Xiao Clan to deepen its feud with the Misty Cloud Sect, with the possibility of recruiting Xiao Yan afterward 13.
• Key to the Heavenly Flame expedition: His capacity to obtain another flame aligns Yao Lao’s goals with Yun Congxin’s need to remove the Hall of Souls technique 32 37.

Notable Quotes

“I wanted to win to wash away the humiliation of three years ago, not for them.” 4

“Nalan Yanran, from this day forward, you and I have nothing to do with each other. You're free. Congratulations.” 4

“Elder Yun has done the Xiao Clan a great kindness. Scheming against him really does make me feel... uncomfortable...” 32