Xiao Yan

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Xiao Yan (萧炎) 1
Alias(es)	Li Feiyu — a masked, wandering alchemist whom he also presents as his own teacher 12 15 39
Previous Identity	Han Li — a cultivator who reached the Nascent Soul stage before transmigrating 1 34
Gender	Male 1
Age	Twelve at his first encounter with Yao Lao; fifteen after three years of instruction; sixteen at his coming-of-age ceremony 1 3 4 16 17
Affiliation	Xiao Clan; Jia Nan Academy, admitted with a year's leave 1 20
Occupation/Role	Cultivator, alchemist, Yao Lao's disciple, and Xiao Zhan's youngest son 4
Origin	Reborn as Xiao Zhan's newborn son in Wutan City on the Dou Qi Continent 1
Status	Alive; last shown helping Queen Medusa pursue further bloodline evolution 58
First Appearance	Chapter 1 1

Power Progression

Cultivation

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Nascent Soul — previous life	34	Reached before transmigration. His former soul-cultivation methods remain usable as a reference on the Dou Qi Continent.
Six-Star Dou Zhe	1	Already attained at twelve. Publicly displays only third-stage Dou Qi.
Six-Star Dou Shi	4	Attained by fifteen despite Yao Lao absorbing his Dou Qi for three years. Reports sixth-stage Dou Power at the clan assessment.
Six-Star Da Dou Shi / Great Dou Master	16	Reached after another year of cultivation with Yao Lao's guidance and an ample pill supply.
Seven-Star Great Dou Master	25	Reached a month after leaving home, while cultivating in the secluded valley.
Eight-Star Great Dou Master	33	His starting realm when he begins consuming companion amethyst source. The breakthrough itself is not separately described.
Nine-Star Great Dou Master	33	Reached during the same seclusion; subsequently passes the nine-star peak.
Three-Star Dou Ling	33	Five bottles of companion amethyst source carry him through the remaining Great Dou Master stages and into Dou Ling over one month.
Peak Dou Ling	42	Reached during partial seclusion in Black Rock City, before exhausting the remaining companion amethyst source.
Three-Star Dou Wang	42	Absorbing the remaining ten bottles of companion amethyst source takes him across the Dou Wang threshold.
Nine-Star Dou Wang	49	Reached after six months in Stone Desert City using sixth-tier pills he refines himself. Publicly claims to be only a Nine-Star Great Dou Master.

His apparent One-Star Dou Zhe breakthrough during academy recruitment is a controlled display, not his true progression: he is already a Six-Star Da Dou Shi at the time 20.

Alchemy and Cultivation Technique

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Third-Rank Alchemist	4	Already attained at fifteen while his cultivation is Six-Star Dou Shi. Yao Lao credits his exceptional soul strength.
Fourth-Tier Alchemist	16	Attained before leaving Wutan City.
Flame Mantra: Yellow Tier Low Grade → Profound Tier Low Grade	35	Evolves after he refines the Purple Flame and circulates it through the technique for nine cycles. Improves Dou Qi circulation, capacity, and purity.
Fourth-Tier Alchemist — officially certified	42	Passes the first- through fourth-tier examinations as Li Feiyu and receives a badge and robe. This certifies an existing ability rather than a new tier.
Fifth-Tier Alchemist	42	Attained during partial seclusion in Black Rock City, before his Three-Star Dou Wang breakthrough.
Sixth-tier pill refinement	49	Confirmed by his use of self-refined sixth-tier pills to advance his cultivation.
Flame Mantra: Profound Tier High Grade → Earth Tier Low Grade	53	Evolves after absorbing the Green Lotus Core Flame. The intervening rise to Profound Tier High Grade is not detailed in the supplied passages.

Background / History

In his previous life, Han Li survived repeated crises in the cultivation world. Doctor Mo's attempt to take his body transformed him from an innocent boy into a cultivator who relied on discretion, preparation, and distrust of easy opportunities. After transmigrating, he retained those habits while growing up as Xiao Yan in Wutan City 1.

At twelve, he detected that his mother's ring was stealing his Dou Qi and attempted to destroy it. Yao Lao emerged from the ring, but his assurances failed to overcome Xiao Yan's fear of possession. Their cooperation began only after Yao Lao surrendered a portion of his soul origin, giving Xiao Yan a means to grievously injure him 1.

Xiao Yan initially refused to promise that he would gather the dangerous materials needed for Yao Lao's resurrection. He eventually agreed to help if Yao Lao proved trustworthy, while explicitly reserving the right to abandon an excessively dangerous search. After three years of observing his character, Yao Lao accepted him as a disciple and committed to teaching him fully 2 3 4.

Appearance

By fifteen, Xiao Yan has a gradually filling-out frame, sword-like brows, and star-bright eyes 3.

• Li Feiyu disguise: A black robe, mask, and disguised voice separate his alchemist persona from his public identity 39.
• Concealed face: Refuses to show Yun Yun his face while acting as Li Feiyu, claiming that he is too ugly 30.

Personality

Xiao Yan values survival over prestige. He conceals his strength, avoids conspicuous weapons, and prefers cultivating in seclusion to competing for clan leadership. When Xiao Xun'er's bodyguard discovers his cultivation, his immediate concern is not her background but whether the surveillance threatens his safety 4 5 26.

His caution is accompanied by strong personal principles. He refuses commitments he cannot reasonably fulfill, worries that sharing the Bone Spirit Cold Flame might damage Yao Lao's essence, and recognizes when he has taken unfair advantage of his teacher's kindness. Yao Lao ultimately judges him calculating but good-hearted 3 4.

Family loyalty can override his preference for remaining unnoticed. He reveals more strength to reassure Xiao Zhan and publicly confronts the Misty Cloud Sect when his father is humiliated. He is also vindictive: after securing favorable terms, he still resolves to repay the insult and intensifies his training 4 8 11.

He initially regards romance as a distraction from cultivation and struggles with the misunderstandings surrounding several women. Nevertheless, he insists that he does not toy with feelings and accepts responsibility for his relationship with Yun Yun rather than simply abandoning her 18 21 30.

Abilities & Skills

Soul Cultivation and Perception

• His previous cultivation experience gives him a soul several times stronger than the original Xiao Yan's, allowing him to detect Yao Lao's hidden absorption of Dou Qi 1.
• Retains a private soul-cultivation method unknown even to Yao Lao, emphasizing condensation and quality, not merely greater soul volume 34.
• Estimates that, at equal volume, his soul quality is roughly one hundred times an ordinary person's and thirty to forty times a Soul Clan member's. These are his own assessments, not demonstrated combat results 34.
• Uses soul power to conceal the aura of Yun Yun's stolen Storage Ring 27.
• Plans to strengthen his soul by hunting and absorbing villainous Soul Clan members; the supplied chapters do not show him carrying out that plan 45.

Alchemy

• Possesses fire- and wood-attributed Dou Qi, the combination Yao Lao identifies as suitable for alchemy 1.
• Combines precise soul control with an obedient refined flame to outperform other alchemists of his tier 42.
• During certification, extracts medicinal essence in midair while simultaneously preheating the cauldron with a thin, evenly shaped layer of Purple Flame 42.
• Produces pills at least ten times faster than Foklan expects from a fellow Fourth-Tier Alchemist, while still holding back 42.
• Uses alchemy to finance cultivation, support allies, and produce advancement pills 21 24 49.

Safer Flame Refinement

Xiao Yan adapts a method familiar from his previous cultivation world instead of following the local practice of taming a violent flame inside the meridians 33 34.

• First wears away the flame's violent spiritual nature with soul power, preserving its inner true spirit 33 34.
• Only then feeds the docile flame into his meridians; his Purple Flame refinement finishes without scorching pain or a violent flare-up 34.
• Produces a Purple Flame whose pressure rivals a low-star Dou Emperor's, despite his own cultivation still being Dou Ling 35 41.
• Considers selling the method rather than distributing it freely; Yao Lao recommends negotiating with the Pill Tower for the best return 35.

Flame Mantra and Flame Control

• Evolves the Flame Mantra through absorbed flames, first reaching Profound Tier Low Grade and later Earth Tier Low Grade 35 53.
• Bone Spirit Cold Flame: Masters a wisp of essence gifted by Yao Lao as a defensive trump card 4.
• Purple Flame: Refines the flame obtained from companion amethyst source and uses it for both alchemy and deterrence 33 34 41 42.
• Green Lotus Core Flame: Successfully refines it in an hour, then uses it to temper Queen Medusa's body and strengthen her bloodline 53 58.
• Eventually plans to collect all twenty-three Heavenly Flames to build a larger reserve of trump cards; this remains an ambition 45.

Dou Techniques and Combat

• Eight Extremes Collapse: A Mystic-tier High-grade technique whose mastered Eightfold Hidden Force can rival an Earth-tier Low-grade technique. He uses it with Bone Spirit Cold Flame to free the crystal pool in the Lion King's lair 3 31.
• Fire-Blowing Palm: A Profound Tier Low Grade technique that generates repelling force 17.
• Suction Palm: A paired suction technique; its use during the match with Xiao Mei accidentally pulls her into his embrace 17 18.
• Purple Cloud Twin Wings: A Flying Dou Technique that allows flight before Dou Wang; he practices it in the valley and later uses it to visit Xiao Yi Xian 24 25 36.
• Trains against magical beasts near the limits of his strength, adapting from his former spell-based habits to Dou Qi combat. Some battles leave him seriously injured despite Yao Lao's support 26.

Concealment and Borrowed Strength

• Precisely controls released Dou Qi to produce misleading assessment results 4 17.
• Uses disguises, Concealment Breath Pills, and carefully separated identities to limit exposure 12 31 39.
• Allows Yao Lao to possess him temporarily for movement and combat support; this borrowed power is distinct from his own cultivation 39 51 52.
• During the expedition for the Green Lotus Core Flame, uses Yao Lao's possession to knock out two Snake-People Dou Wangs before entering their guarded cave 52.

Scheming and Negotiation

• Turns Nalan Yanran's engagement dispute into a compensated agreement allowing him to bring up to five helpers 10.
• Uses planted evidence and manipulation of hostile parties to create an opening to assist Xiao Yi Xian 21 22.
• Trades a forged flame-map fragment to Hai Bodong, then secretly observes him to expose the concealed half of the genuine fragment 50.
• Secures lethal leverage over Queen Medusa through her surrendered soul origin; unlike Yao Lao's token pledge, destroying this amount could kill her 56.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Mother's ring — Houses Yao Lao's remnant soul; originally absorbs Xiao Yan's Dou Qi 1.
• Ordinary longsword — Chosen instead of the Heavy Xuan Ruler because an identifiable weapon would compromise his anonymity 26.
• Black robe and mask — The central pieces of his Li Feiyu disguise 39.
• Concealment Breath Pills — Used to infiltrate the Lion King's lair and support his identity changes 31 39.
• Storage Rings — Used to transport treasure; he takes rings from Yun Yun and Hai Bodong 26 31 51.
• Purifying Lotus Demon Flame map fragments — Obtains one from the cliffside treasure and investigates another at Hai Bodong's shop 24 50.
• Companion amethyst source — Looted from the Lion King's lair and consumed to advance through Dou Ling into Dou Wang 31 33 42.
• Fourth-Tier Alchemist badge and robe — Awarded to his Li Feiyu identity in Black Rock City 42.
• Soul-origin pledges — Holds portions from Yao Lao and Queen Medusa, with nonlethal and lethal consequences respectively 1 56.
• Green Lotus Platform — Identifies it as a valuable source of pure fire energy and resolves to take it; Yao Lao recommends cultivating on it to accelerate advancement toward Dou Emperor 56.

Relationships

• Xiao Zhan — Father and one of the few people he deeply trusts, ranked even above Yao Lao in his heart. Protecting his dignity motivates Xiao Yan's public stand against the Misty Cloud Sect 6 8.
• Yao Lao / Yao Chen — Teacher, protector, and traveling companion. Their guarded bargain becomes a deep bond, though Yao Lao frequently teases him about romance 1 3 4 18 21.
• Xiao Ding and Xiao Li — Elder brothers and founders of the Desert Iron Mercenary Group. Xiao Yan reunites with them in Stone Desert City and plans to strengthen them for the clan's future 38 43 44.
• Xiao Xun'er — Admires his composure and adopts his habit of concealing strength. Her bodyguard's surveillance makes him uneasy, while she mistakenly attributes his talent to an awakened Dou Di bloodline 5 17.
• Nalan Yanran — Betrothed adversary whose attempt to dissolve their engagement leads to the three-year agreement. He retains the right to bring five helpers 6 8 10.
• Yun Yun — Cultivation partner who knows him romantically as Li Feiyu but believes Xiao Yan is Li Feiyu's disciple. They agree to spend two years together before deciding on formal Dao companionship 30 37.
• Xiao Yi Xian — Companion and prospective powerful ally whose cultivation he funds. She initially refuses sworn siblinghood, although he later introduces and addresses her as his sworn younger sister 21 26 38 43.
• Qing Lin — Young maid whom he refuses to exploit sexually. Supports her choice to identify with the Snake-People and intends to help her gain acknowledgment through strength 46 47.
• Gu Ni — Disciple of the fictional teacher Li Feiyu, making Xiao Yan his publicly acknowledged senior brother. Promises to protect the Xiao Clan after Li Feiyu leaves Wutan City 15 16.
• Xiao Mei and Xiao Yu — Clan peers entangled with him through embarrassing encounters. He later includes both in his plans to cultivate a stronger Xiao Clan leadership 18 38.
• Hai Bodong — Rival schemer and potential recruit. Xiao Yan offers to break his seal but demands payment and takes his ring before leaving 50 51.
• Queen Medusa — Defeated rival turned controlled ally. He offers bloodline evolution in exchange for her strength, then helps her reach Dou Zong while retaining lethal leverage through her soul origin 54 56 58.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Engagement Dispute and Clan Standing

Xiao Yan refuses to let the engagement dispute become a simple purchase of the Xiao Clan's honor. He ultimately accepts five portions of Qi Gathering Powder and 250,000 gold coins in exchange for reducing his proposed helpers from ten to five. The future match is set at the Misty Cloud Sect in three years 8 10.

Revealing his alchemy aptitude transforms his standing within the clan. He then establishes Li Feiyu as a supposed independent teacher, a cover strengthened when Gu Ni publicly acknowledges Xiao Yan as his senior brother 9 11 12 15.

Academy Admission and Departure

At his coming-of-age ceremony, Xiao Yan reports ninth-stage Dou Power despite already being a Six-Star Da Dou Shi. After the embarrassing match with Xiao Mei, he becomes still more eager to leave. He secures Jia Nan Academy admission, defeats Luo Bu, and obtains a year's leave after sparring with Instructor Ruo Lin without showing off 17 18 20.

Magical Beast Mountain Range

Xiao Yan befriends Xiao Yi Xian as a mutually beneficial ally, helps retrieve the cliffside treasure, and pays for the Flying Dou Technique and flame-map fragment rather than taking advantage of her vulnerability 21 23 24.

His later expedition brings him into contact with Yun Yun and the Amethyst Winged Lion King. He rescues the injured Yun Yun but steals her ring, then cooperates with her to raid the Lion King's lair for crystals, companion amethyst source, and its cub 26 31.

Misty Cloud Sect Takeover Plan

His relationship with Yun Yun changes his intended revenge. Rather than simply destroying the sect if it resists, he plans to strengthen the Xiao Clan and make it the power behind the institution. He obtains Yun Yun's promise to help the clan settle securely in the imperial capital 38.

The later plan places Xiao Zhan at the center: Xiao Yan intends to raise his father to Three-Star Dou Emperor, support him as Li Feiyu, and have him contend for the Sect Master's position. These are preparations for the three-year agreement, not completed achievements 43.

Desert Expedition and Queen Medusa

After cultivating in Stone Desert City, Xiao Yan investigates Hai Bodong and obtains the location of a Heavenly Flame. He follows the lead beneath the Tagor Desert, confronts Queen Medusa, and refines the Green Lotus Core Flame 49 50 51 52 53.

He then bargains for Queen Medusa's future strength through the prospect of restoring her clan's lost bloodline and helping her evolve. His flame tempering awakens her seven-colored bloodline and advances her to Dou Zong; she agrees to remain under his control to pursue a nine-colored bloodline 54 58.

Notable Quotes

“Unless you also hand over something that lets me threaten your life. Only with mutual restraint might I trust you a little.” 1

“If I feel the danger is simply too great and the task cannot be accomplished, then, for my own safety, I will still abandon the search for the materials. Please understand!” 3

“Though I, Xiao Yan, am devious and cunning, I never toy with anyone's feelings.” 30