Xiao Yan

Biodata

Power Progression

Appearance

• Youthful face — Delicate, handsome features and a fresh-faced appearance 36 44.
• Clothing — Wears black robes, sometimes with his hood raised 36 44 45.
• Eyes — Dark pupils; these temporarily turn bone-white when Yao Lao controls his body 39.
• Recognizable equipment — Carries a Heavy Ruler on his back and wears the black ring housing Yao Lao 36 37.

Personality

Xiao Yan is determined to improve without relying on a powerful faction. Before leaving for the Alchemist Grand Meeting, he confidently declares that he can defeat the Misty Cloud Sect’s privileged disciples despite lacking their backing. His search for a Heavenly Flame nevertheless exposes his impatience: finding the Green Lotus Core Flame’s birthplace empty leaves him distraught until Yao Lao steadies him 39 56.

He balances ambition with caution and gratitude. Although suspicious that Lin Chen intends to use him, he declines an invitation politely rather than provoking a stronger alchemist. He also refuses to contest the flame’s accompanying treasures because Lin Chen cleared the dangers and provided a lead. His loyalty to Yun Zhi is more immediate: he offers a personal favor to save her from execution 39 54.

Abilities & Skills

Alchemy

Xiao Yan studies under Yao Lao and identifies himself as a Second-Rank Alchemist 37.

• Recognizes the Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill as a peak fourth-grade pill and explains that it can raise his father’s cultivation by one star 37.
• Carries an alchemist badge marked with two rippling lines 37.
• Plans to compete at the Alchemist Grand Meeting to broaden his experience after acquiring a Heavenly Flame 56.

Flame Mantra

Yao Lao encouraged Xiao Yan to cultivate the Flame Mantra, whose evolution gives him a strong incentive to obtain Heavenly Flames 38.

• The opportunity beneath the Magma Lake is important enough that Yao Lao reveals himself rather than let Xiao Yan abandon it 38.
• Refining the Green Lotus Core Flame greatly benefits the cultivation method and raises Xiao Yan from Two-Star to Seven-Star Dou Shi 55.

Green Lotus Core Flame

Xiao Yan acquires and successfully refines the Green Lotus Core Flame through the exchange negotiated between Yao Lao and Lin Chen 48 55.

• Refines it in seclusion while Yun Yun keeps watch 55.
• Emerges with a much stronger aura and noticeable scorching heat rising from his body 55.
• Receives its energy without the depletion caused by Queen Medusa using it to evolve 55.

Combat and Movement

• Uses repeated palm thrusts to generate air currents and slow his descent into the underground passage 38.
• Spars successfully with Xiao Li, who praises his strength; Xiao Ding observes that he has withheld trump cards 42.
• Trains by hunting magical beasts in the Magical Beast Mountain Range 56.

Yao Lao’s Assistance

Yao Lao can possess Xiao Yan’s body with his consent. The resulting power and Bone Spirit Cold Flame belong to the teacher, not Xiao Yan himself 38 39.

• Allows him to descend through magma that his Dou Shi cultivation cannot withstand unaided 38.
• Provides protection during the underground expedition; Yao Lao states that he can keep Xiao Yan safe unless they encounter a Dou Zong 37.
• During their journey to the Snake-People Holy City, Yao Lao controls his body to silently kill a guard and conceal the wound 49.

Equipment / Items

• Heavy Ruler — Large weapon carried on his back during his desert travels 36 38.
• Bone Flame Ring — Black ring containing Yao Lao’s soul; enables their private communication and Yao Lao’s possession of his body 37 38.
• Storage Ring — Holds his Second-Rank Alchemist badge before he displays it to Lin Chen 37.
• Antidote — Gives it to Yun Yun after she awakens from Lu Man’s poisoning 54.

Relationships

• Yao Lao — Teacher, protector, and negotiator. Teaches him alchemy and the Flame Mantra, then trades valuable legacies and methods to secure his first Heavenly Flame 37 38 48.
• Lin Chen — Senior acquaintance and initial competitor for the Green Lotus Core Flame. Their rivalry becomes cooperation through Yao Lao’s bargain; Xiao Yan later owes him a favor for sparing Yun Yun 39 48 54 55.
• Xiao Ding — Eldest brother. Accompanies him to investigate the reported Heavenly Flame and checks that he is unharmed after the expedition 36 39.
• Xiao Li — Second brother and sparring partner; praises Xiao Yan as a worthy successor to their clan 42.
• Yun Yun / Yun Zhi — An old friend who faced life-and-death danger alongside him. He pleads for her release and later refines his Heavenly Flame under her watch 54 55.
• Nalan Yanran — Opponent in the Three-Year Agreement, which Xiao Yan intends to fulfill after the Alchemist Grand Meeting 15 56.
• Xun’er — Their bond is weak in this altered timeline. In an early simulation, she describes him unfavorably and sends Ling Ying after him in revenge for his childhood attempt to enter her room 4 5.
• Xiao Yi Xian — Has not met or heard of her despite passing through Qingshan Town 56.

History

Training and the Tagor Desert

Before meeting Lin Chen in the main timeline, Xiao Yan passes through Qingshan Town, joins an herb-gathering expedition, and continues into the Magical Beast Mountain Range to train. While in town, he exposes the fraudulent practices of a physician named Wu Ji 56.

He later visits Lin Chen with Xiao Ding while investigating reports of a Heavenly Flame near Stone Desert City. Lin Chen invites him into the underground passage but explicitly refuses to yield any flame they discover. When the journey reaches magma, Xiao Yan relies on Yao Lao’s possession to continue 36 37 38.

The lotus platform is empty: Queen Medusa has already taken the flame. Xiao Yan accepts Lin Chen’s information without demanding the accompanying treasures and initially declines to join the search for Medusa 39.

Acquiring His First Heavenly Flame

After seeing Lin Chen recruit Bai Ya and Lu Man, Xiao Yan fears that obtaining the flame will become impossible. He returns for a late-night meeting, allowing Yao Lao to negotiate an exchange on his behalf 44 48.

Xiao Yan accompanies the expedition to the Snake-People Holy City. When Lin Chen’s allies capture Yun Zhi and the other intruders, he offers a favor to prevent her execution. Her release also leads to an awkward exchange in which both conceal their identities: she denies being the Misty Cloud Sect Master, while he claims that “Xiao Yan” is an alias 49 53 54.

He subsequently refines the Green Lotus Core Flame, reaches Seven-Star Dou Shi, and renews his promise to help Lin Chen if needed. He then leaves for the Imperial Capital, intending to compete at the Alchemist Grand Meeting before facing the Misty Cloud Sect 55 56.

Events in Simulated Timelines

These outcomes belong to Lin Chen’s simulations rather than the main timeline.

Notable Quotes

“I will find a Heavenly Flame!” 39

“Even without a powerful faction backing me, I, Xiao Yan, can still beat those people whose eyes sit atop their heads!” 56