Yao Lao

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Yao Chen 20
Alias(es)	Yao Lao (药老)
Gender	Male
Age	Over 100 years old 20
Occupation/Role	Alchemist; Xiao Yan’s teacher and protector. Known during his lifetime as the continent’s greatest alchemist 13 53
Status	Survives as a soul body residing in Xiao Yan’s ring 16 53
First Appearance	Mentioned as the cause of Xiao Yan’s lost Dou Qi 7; speaks to Xiao Yan 13; manifests before Han Chen 19

Background / History

Xiao Yan’s Hidden Teacher

Yao Lao absorbed Xiao Yan’s Dou Qi for three years, contributing to the young cultivator’s prolonged stagnation. He subsequently becomes Xiao Yan’s concealed teacher, advising him from within his ring and monitoring people whose strength or intentions might threaten him 7 13 16.

At the Wutan City market, he recognizes that Han Chen has grown stronger and warns Xiao Yan that the boy is far from ordinary. When Jia Lie Ao threatens Han Chen, Yao Lao agrees to help if the confrontation becomes serious 13 14.

During the Mittel Auction House sale, he helps Xiao Yan pursue the Foundation Establishment Pill. He encourages using the black card supplied by Xiao Yan’s “little girlfriend,” but criticizes his conspicuous bidding and urges him to leave after winning the pill for 1,200,001 gold coins 16 17.

Discovery and Trade with Han Chen

When Xiao Yan is caught by Han Chen’s Blood Jade Spiders, Yao Lao recognizes that the creatures are domesticated and chooses not to kill them. After Han Chen returns, he calls for Xiao Yan’s hidden supporter to reveal himself. Yao Lao manifests and questions how his presence was discovered; Han Chen attributes his deduction to Xiao Yan’s sudden confidence and rapid recovery 19.

Their first agreement concerns the iron fragment containing Suction Palm. Han Chen gives it to them without immediate payment, requesting access to a future outward-pushing technique that could complement it. Yao Lao agrees to seek one or provide another technique instead 19.

Yao Lao then exchanges the Poison Pill Method for a millennium spirit herb. He deliberately offers the obscure method to test whether Han Chen has a specific objective. Han Chen’s immediate acceptance convinces him that the boy possesses unusual knowledge, and he warns Xiao Yan to limit contact until reaching Dou Emperor strength 20.

Magical Beast Mountain Range

Yao Lao guides Xiao Yan’s wilderness training while remaining cautious about revealing himself. He explains that acting near an unconscious Xiao Xun’er could allow her Heavenly Flame to sense his own, exposing his presence behind Xiao Yan 21 24.

In Qingshan Town, he warns Xiao Yan about both the unsettled town and the physician Shang Xinci—actually Han Chen in disguise. Rather than decide whether Xiao Yan should accept her treasure-hunting proposal, he leaves the choice to his disciple. In the cave, he notices something unusual about the skeleton, prompting the investigation that apparently yields the Demonic Flame Remnant Map 31 32 33.

When danger escalates near the Amethyst Winged Lion King’s cave, Yao Lao possesses Xiao Yan and flies him to safety. Han Chen witnesses his protection and envies Xiao Yan’s dependable backup 38.

Tagor Desert and Seventh-Tier Alchemy

At Hai Bodong’s map shop, Yao Lao directs Xiao Yan’s attention to Han Chen’s distinctive ring, exposing the Xiao Cha disguise. He also examines Han Chen’s deep-blue flame but cannot identify it, finding its soul-like aura troubling 47.

After Qing Lin’s Jade Spirit Three-Flower Eyes awaken, he identifies them and explains why the Heavenly Snake Mansion might pursue her. His assessment distinguishes the Mansion’s rumored Dou Zun from confirmed strength and considers how regional alliances and a sixth-tier alchemist’s influence could support resistance 49.

Han Chen later offers a Demonic Flame Remnant Map fragment for an Earth-Tier Dou Technique, a seventh-tier pill, and a promise. Yao Lao rejects the excessive price, then accepts a reduced bargain centered on a pill to repair an unstable cultivation foundation. He cautions that he cannot guarantee restoration of the recipient’s full combat strength 52 53.

He refines a low-tier seventh-rank pill in a secluded desert cave using the Black Demon Cauldron. Han Chen handles its three-bolt lightning tribulation, but the refining process severely drains Yao Lao’s Soul Power. When Queen Medusa approaches, he possesses Xiao Yan and carries both young men away; his strength eventually fails, forcing Han Chen to continue their escape aboard the Divine Wind Boat 54 55 56.

Green Lotus Core Flame Expedition

Yao Lao shields Xiao Yan and Han Chen with the Bone Spirit Cold Flame while guiding them through underground lava. Using the sensitivity between Heavenly Flames, he follows residual traces of the Green Lotus Core Flame and concludes that Queen Medusa likely took it after defeating the injured Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake 58 59.

He agrees to refine Hai Bodong’s sixth-grade Calamity-Breaking Pill after Han Chen offers millennium spirit herbs. During a later encounter with Medusa, he attempts to seize Han Chen and escape, but her attack prevents the rescue. He retreats with Xiao Yan, arguing that avoiding a second capture preserves their chance to organize a rescue 59 60 61.

Yao Lao subsequently helps Xiao Yan infiltrate the Snake-People Royal City, conceals a private conversation with Han Chen, and explains the risks of Medusa’s Heavenly Flame-assisted evolution. He scouts for hidden passages and later speeds their flight across the desert. When Yun Yun pursues them, he leaves Han Chen with her rather than expose more of Xiao Yan’s abilities 66 67 68 69.

Afterward, Xiao Yan begins refining the Heavenly Flames with pills Yao Lao prepared in advance 72.

Appearance

Yao Lao manifests as a bearded elderly man, appearing before Han Chen with his hands clasped behind his back 19.

• Beard: Frequently stroked while thinking or teasing; he pulls out strands when startled by Han Chen’s deductions or demands 19 53.
• Expressions: Shifts between solemn scrutiny, appreciative amusement, and openly mischievous grins 19 33 68.

Personality

Yao Lao is protective but pragmatic. He repeatedly takes over Xiao Yan’s body to escape danger, yet refuses confrontations that would expose his identity or exhaust his remaining strength. His retreat after Han Chen’s capture reflects his preference for preserving a rescue opportunity over risking two prisoners 24 55 57 61.

As a teacher, he combines stern cultivation advice with persistent teasing. He mocks Xiao Yan’s romantic interests, exchanges insults with him, and raps his forehead when irritated. He also encourages independent judgment, declining to decide whether Xiao Yan should trust Shang Xinci 24 32 33 34.

He is perceptive without being infallible. Han Chen’s apparent foreknowledge alarms him, and the unfamiliar soul-like aura of Han Chen’s flame remains beyond his identification. Rare medicinal ingredients can quickly soften his bargaining stance, especially millennium spirit herbs 20 47 59.

Abilities & Skills

Alchemy

Yao Lao retains extensive alchemical knowledge despite existing only as a soul, successfully refining a low-tier seventh-rank pill 53 54.

• Identifies a formula capable of stabilizing a foundation damaged by a forced breakthrough 53.
• Supplies the Poison Pill Method for addressing the Woeful Poison Body; its requirements include three Heavenly Flames and a magic core 20 29.
• Prepares medicinal support for Xiao Yan’s Heavenly Flame refinement 72.
• Limit: Seventh-tier refining consumes enormous Soul Power, while its pill lightning exceeds what his soul body and Xiao Yan’s Dou Zhe strength can safely withstand unaided 53 56.

Spirit Possession

Yao Lao can take control of Xiao Yan’s body, temporarily increasing his combat and movement capabilities 38 55.

• Produces pale Dou Qi wings and carries Xiao Yan and Han Chen through the air 55 60.
• Accelerates their retreat when pursued across the desert 69.
• Limit: Possession cannot sustain prolonged combat or flight indefinitely, particularly after exhausting Soul Power through alchemy 55 56 57.

Bone Spirit Cold Flame

His Heavenly Flame provides specialized protection and aids the search for other Heavenly Flames 24 58.

• Envelops Xiao Yan and Han Chen to isolate them from underground lava 58.
• Detects lingering Green Lotus Core Flame traces through the mutual sensitivity of Heavenly Flames 58.
• Limit: Using it near Xiao Xun’er risks allowing her Heavenly Flame to sense him, even while she is unconscious 24.

Soul Power and Perception

Yao Lao uses spiritual perception for reconnaissance, concealment, and appraisal 38 53 66 68.

• Scans an area for nearby magical beasts 38.
• Verifies a map fragment’s authenticity 53.
• Conceals Xiao Yan and shields private conversations from eavesdropping 21 66.
• Searches the Snake-People palace for hidden passages 68.
• Limit: His experience does not let him identify every unfamiliar power; Han Chen’s flame remains unrecognized 47.

Equipment / Items

• Bone Flame Ring — The ring associated with his residence beside Xiao Yan; returns to Xiao Yan’s hand after the desert pill-refining session 16 55.
• Black Demon Cauldron — Used to refine the seventh-rank pill in the secluded desert cave 54.
• Poison Pill Method scroll — Traded to Han Chen for a millennium spirit herb 20.

Relationships

• Xiao Yan — Disciple and principal beneficiary of his teaching, strategic advice, medicinal preparation, and emergency possession. Their bond includes frequent teasing and arguments 13 24 34 55 72.
• Han Chen / Xiao Cha — Initially a suspicious outsider, later a trading partner and expedition companion. Yao Lao bargains with him, protects him in the lava, and cooperates with his escape tactics 20 53 55 58.
• Xiao Xun’er — Her hidden Heavenly Flame makes Yao Lao reluctant to act openly around her, lest she discover him 24.
• Qing Lin — Recognizes her awakened Jade Spirit Three-Flower Eyes and explains the danger posed by the Heavenly Snake Mansion 49.
• Queen Medusa — A pursuer whose strength repeatedly forces him to prioritize retreat over direct combat 55 57 60 61.
• Feng Xian — Someone he remembers with concern when Xiao Yan and Han Chen’s camaraderie evokes two figures from his past 59.

Notable Quotes

“Until you have the strength of a Dou Emperor, don't have too much contact with him.” 20

“However precious a heavenly flame may be, you still need to be alive to claim it. You can't rush this.” 57