Xiao Yan

Biodata

Power Progression

Background / History

Xiao Yan is the son of Xiao Zhan, patriarch of the Xiao Clan in Wutan City. He reached Dou Zhe at eleven and was celebrated as a cultivation prodigy seen only once in a century. His early talent made his engagement to Nalan Yanran attractive to the Nalan Family 11 18.

At twelve, the Dou Qi he cultivated began disappearing. Despite relentless training, he remained at Third-Stage Dou Qi for three years. His former acclaim turned into ridicule, and he increasingly withdrew to the mountains behind the clan estate to cultivate and vent his frustration 11 12 16.

The cause remained unknown even to Xiao Zhan until Yao Lao revealed himself from Xiao Yan’s Ancient Black Ring. The remnant soul admitted that he had unconsciously absorbed Xiao Yan’s Dou Qi to sustain himself 16 17.

Appearance

• Build: A slender young man 11 15.
• Eyes: Pitch-black, with his stubbornness evident even during the clan test 16.
• Clothing: Black robes during the cultivation test and the Misty Cloud Sect’s visit 15 16 18.

Personality

Xiao Yan is exceptionally persistent. Xiao Zhan regards him as the clan’s hardest-working and most tenacious young cultivator, although his training produces no visible improvement during his three-year decline. Beneath his restrained public manner, he carries resentment, shame, and anxiety over being surpassed by Xiao Yuan. His ambition includes becoming strong enough to support the Xiao Clan 11 12 15.

His humiliation does not extinguish his pride. He accepts Yao Lao’s mentorship only after warning that he will demand an accounting if deceived, and he answers Nalan Yanran’s rejection with a repudiation letter and a formal challenge. He also shows concern for Xiao Yuan’s safety, urging him to be careful when leaving for the Magical Beast Mountain Range 17 19 22.

Abilities & Skills

Cultivation

• Reached Dou Zhe at eleven before his unexplained decline 18.
• Continued cultivating throughout three years of stagnation 11.
• Recovered to Seventh-Stage Dou Qi after six months under Yao Lao’s guidance 22.

Flame Mantra

• Yao Lao offers to teach him this evolving cultivation method as compensation for absorbing his Dou Qi 17.
• Their arrangement requires Xiao Yan to find medicinal ingredients that can restore Yao Lao’s soul 17.
• The supplied passages do not depict Xiao Yan using the method or evolving it.

Gilded Flame Canon — Later Authorship

The copy found in Xiao Yuan’s inheritance credits the Flame Emperor of the Endless Fire Domain as its creator. Xiao Yuan identifies that creator as Xiao Yan, even though the present Xiao Yan has not yet regained Dou Zhe 39.

• Rank: Upper-grade Spirit-level fire-control method 39.
• Purpose: Harmonizes and tames foreign flames, stabilizes outside fire seeds within the body, and reduces flame backlash 39.
• Chronological distinction: Its existence leads Xiao Yuan to infer that the inheritance’s original owner lived after Xiao Yan became an emperor and entered the Great Thousand World 39.

Equipment / Items

• Ancient Black Ring — A black Storage Ring housing Yao Lao’s remnant soul. Xiao Yan clutches it after the clan test; Yao Lao subsequently speaks directly into his Consciousness Sea from within it 16 17.
• Repudiation letter — Written during Nalan Yanran’s public rejection to declare that Xiao Yan is ending their engagement himself 19.

Relationships

• Xiao Zhan — Father and Xiao Clan patriarch. Comforts Xiao Yan during his lowest moments, refuses to blame him for his stagnation, and promises unwavering belief in his future 11 12.
• Yao Lao / Yao Chen — Master and the cause of his lost cultivation. Offers restitution through guidance and the Flame Mantra; Xiao Yan formally becomes his disciple despite lingering distrust 17.
• Xiao Yuan — Adoptive younger brother, initially distant. Quietly helps preserve Xiao Yan’s resources, defends his right to a fair duel, and later parts with him on warm, encouraging terms 3 14 19 20 22.
• Xiao Ning — Cousin who persuades the Great Elder to preserve Xiao Yan’s monthly cultivation allotment at the Dou Zhe level despite his stagnation 14.
• Xiao Xun’er — Shows concern during his public test and anger at the prospect of the Misty Cloud Sect humiliating him 16 18.
• Nalan Yanran — Former fiancée and opponent in the Three-Year Agreement. Her public rejection provokes his repudiation letter and challenge 19.
• Misty Cloud Sect — Supports Nalan Yanran’s rejection and witnesses the agreement. Its representative accepts Xiao Yuan’s condition that the future duel remain free from sect interference 19 20.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Stagnation and the Clan Test

• Fails again to advance beyond Third-Stage Dou Qi while Xiao Yuan reaches Two-Star Dou Zhe 11.
• Receives reassurance from Xiao Zhan and agrees to cultivate patiently rather than belittle himself 12.
• Endures another public third-stage result, contrasting sharply with Xiao Yuan’s Five-Star Dou Zhe achievement 15 16.

Becoming Yao Lao’s Disciple

• Discovers that the soul inside his ring caused his three-year setback 17.
• Nearly throws the ring away in anger, but chooses mentorship over remaining powerless 17.
• Kneels to accept Yao Lao as his master after receiving promises of restored cultivation and instruction 17.

The Three-Year Agreement

Nalan Yanran publicly announces the dissolution of their engagement and calls Xiao Yan a cripple. He responds by repudiating her himself and challenging her to a duel at the Misty Cloud Sect in three years 19.

Recovery and Xiao Yuan’s Departure

• Reaches Seventh-Stage Dou Qi through six months of training with Yao Lao 22.
• Worries about Xiao Yuan’s expedition but recognizes that his own strength is insufficient to accompany him 22.
• Promises to await Xiao Yuan’s return after receiving encouragement for the future confrontation on Misty Cloud Mountain 22.

Notable Quotes

“I don't want to remain the useless wretch everyone talks about. I want to grow stronger too, to hold up the Xiao Clan...” 12

“Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west! Never scorn a youth for being poor!” 19