Yao Lao

Biodata

Power Progression

Background and History

Life and Betrayal

Yao Chen was expelled from the Yao Clan, an experience that remained one of his deepest fears. Despite this rejection, he became a powerful Dou Zun and an accomplished Alchemist. He later described his desire regarding the clan as wanting to prove something to it 96 113 244.

He invested heavily in his first disciple, Han Feng, claiming to have prepared a path that could carry him to Dou Sheng. Han Feng nevertheless plotted against him over the Flame Mantra—the dangerous cultivation method Yao Lao had withheld. Recognizing the betrayal, Yao Lao left him only half of the text 159 164.

Han Feng and Mu Gu worked together to kill him, with the Hall of Souls operating behind the attack. Its real target was his soul, with the Bone Spirit Cold Flame an additional prize. Yao Lao escaped as a remnant soul inside a Storage Ring, which eventually reached Xiao Yan after passing through other hands 113 132 164 257.

Becoming Xiao Yan’s Master

While concealed in Xiao Yan’s ring, Yao Lao absorbed his Dou Qi for three years, causing his cultivation to decline. When he revealed himself, Xiao Yan angrily threw away the ring before regretting the loss of his mother’s keepsake 44.

Yao Lao subsequently intervened when Xiao Yan recklessly consumed Soul Solution, intercepting excess soul energy and sealing it in the ring. He then accepted Xiao Yan as his disciple, partly as repayment, but also because he admired the boy’s sincerity and straightforward nature 45 46.

After Xiao Yan reached Dou Zhe, Yao Lao offered him a choice between the Flame Mantra and an Earth-tier middle-grade fire cultivation method. He disclosed both the Flame Mantra’s dangers and his own wish for resurrection rather than forcing a decision. Xiao Yan chose the Flame Mantra 58.

Alliance with Sun Buxiao

Yao Lao initially distrusted Sun Buxiao’s unfamiliar treasures, powerful soul perception, and knowledge of his past. Their first open meeting took place in Stone Desert City, where Sun Buxiao demonstrated that he knew about Han Feng and Gu Ling 45 50 94.

Trading for Fear Solution stabilized Yao Lao’s soul and began easing his suspicions. Their cooperation expanded into pill-refining commissions, assistance securing Heavenly Flames for Xiao Yan, and a private partnership concerning Sun Buxiao’s larger plans 96 97 102 135.

Sun Buxiao also told him that the Ancient Eight Clans were implicated in his death, while specifically assuring him that the Yao Clan had not attacked him. Unable to contact Gu Ling directly, Yao Lao entrusted Sun Buxiao with a soul imprint, a trace of Bone Spirit Cold Flame, and a message confirming his survival 113.

Confronting Han Feng

After Han Feng’s defeat at Jia Nan Academy, Yao Lao faced his former disciple with grief and regret. He wanted Han Feng dead, but described his strongest feeling as sorrow over the sincerity and resources he had wasted on him 162 164.

Sun Buxiao stopped him from killing Han Feng immediately, preserving both the Sea Heart Flame and the opportunity to study Han Feng’s Inner Demon. Yao Lao instead helped Xiao Yan absorb the Myriad Beast Spirit Flame, then assisted in extracting the Sea Heart Flame from Han Feng 166 174 175.

Inner Demon and Han Shanshan

Fear Solution caused Yao Lao to see a weeping woman within the Bone Spirit Cold Flame, although he could not remember her identity. Sun Buxiao later warned him never to let Xiao Yan merge with that flame: it contained the last hope of someone important to him 96 97 135 177.

Determined to recover the truth himself, Yao Lao swallowed a Heart Demon Seed and entered an unresponsive sleep. Within the resulting confrontation, he repeatedly sought the woman’s name and resisted an imitation of Han Feng that accused him of harming everyone around him 177 185.

He eventually recognized Han Shanshan. Upon awakening, however, he remembered almost nothing of the nearly three-year struggle. He knew he had won and that an unidentified helper had used most of the power to awaken her final wisp of true spirit within the Bone Spirit Cold Flame 225 226.

Return to Activity

After waking, Yao Lao offered to help fight Mu Gu and reported that his soul had recovered to an overflowing Spirit Realm state. He continued advising Xiao Yan, discussing resurrection with Sun Buxiao, and appearing openly among the Heavenly Poison Gate’s trusted inner circle 228 235 243 244.

Sun Buxiao later delivered his recorded message to Gu Ling in the Central Plains. Gu Ling learned the truth about his apparent death and agreed to wait for his likely arrival with Xiao Yan rather than immediately departing for the Northwest 257.

Appearance

• Elderly manifestation: Appears in the aged form he possessed while alive 94.
• Spectral body: First manifests as an old man’s shadow hovering above Xiao Yan’s ring; later appears as an illusory soul figure 44 121.
• Beard: Frequently strokes or rubs his beard while speaking and teaching 94 158.

Personality

Yao Lao combines pride in his expertise with teasing and theatrical self-importance. He initially tries to assume the air of an otherworldly master despite feeling awkward about draining Xiao Yan’s cultivation, and dismisses Pill King Gu He as insignificant beside him 44 46.

His affection for Xiao Yan is considerably gentler than his outward manner suggests. He values gratitude and sincerity, refuses to sacrifice Xiao Yan’s safety merely to advance his own resurrection, and regrets exposing him to the Flame Mantra’s life-threatening trials 46 58 113 185.

Betrayal makes him cautious about strangers and protective of sensitive information. Nevertheless, he can commit decisively once trust is earned: he joins Sun Buxiao’s private partnership and voluntarily faces an Inner Demon to recover memories of Han Shanshan 45 94 135 177.

Abilities and Skills

Alchemy

An experienced Alchemist whose former standing far exceeds Gu He’s 46.

• Can reliably refine pills below sixth grade while in soul form; sixth-grade refinement remains possible but uncertain 102.
• Identifies the Barrier-Breaking Pill and Purple Spirit Recovery Pill requested by Sun Buxiao 102.
• Supplies formulas and prepares support for Xiao Yan’s Heavenly Flame absorption, including agreeing to refine a Blood Lotus Pill 166 177 235.
• Finds the Black Demon Cauldron difficult to activate without a physical body 102.

Soul Perception and Manipulation

Retains considerable soul sensitivity despite losing his body 45.

• Intercepts and seals excess soul energy to protect Xiao Yan 45.
• Recognizes Sun Buxiao’s distinctive Soul Power and detects his location in Jia Ma Holy City 122.
• Creates a barrier to conceal the group’s presence and contain a Heavenly Flame’s escaping power 111.
• Uses spatial perception to extract the Sea Heart Flame from Han Feng 175.
• Can wield Dou Zong-level strength in soul form before his prolonged Inner Demon confrontation 177.

Bone Spirit Cold Flame

Possesses the Heavenly Flame ranked eleventh on the Heavenly Flame Ranking 95.

• Protects Xiao Yan from magma with a coating of flame 106.
• Combines its essence with Soul Power to form deathly white defensive armor 129.
• Cannot freely lend out its essence or provide an independent Child Flame while it remains bound to his soul 95 102.
• Houses Han Shanshan’s final true spirit, making its preservation personally essential 226 236.

Cultivation Instruction

Teaches Xiao Yan alchemy, combat techniques, and the handling of Heavenly Flames 46 58 93.

• Named the Flame Mantra and passed its complete form to Xiao Yan; he obtained it after subduing his own Heavenly Flame and had not personally tested its multiple-flame progression 58 175.
• Taught Eight Extremes Collapse, a Profound-tier high-grade Dou Technique, and Flame Splitting Wave Ruler, an Earth-tier Dou Technique 58 93.
• Can provide materials and soul protection during flame absorption, but cannot directly assist the Flame Mantra’s subsequent evolution 116.
• Explains resurrection as rebuilding a body in the soul’s image through Heavenly Flame tempering, with the soul preserving the individual’s identity 244.

Equipment and Items

• Storage Ring refuge — Shelters his remnant soul and stores resources and formulas for Xiao Yan 45 177.
• Black Demon Cauldron — His medicinal cauldron, difficult to operate in his current state 102.
• Heavy Black Ruler — A treasure he supplied to Xiao Yan for training and combat 93.
• Dragon Chi Poison Canon — His only Earth-tier poison cultivation method; traded to Sun Buxiao for Fear Solution 96.
• Soul Solutions — Used to stabilize and replenish his soul, allowing him to expend power more freely without immediately risking slumber or dissipation 97 129 135.

Relationships

• Xiao Yan — Second disciple and intended partner in his resurrection. Yao Lao treasures his gratitude; Xiao Yan resolves to resurrect him and avenge his death 134 185.
• Han Feng — Former cherished disciple and betrayer. Yao Lao mourns his wasted devotion but ultimately wants him killed 159 164.
• Sun Buxiao — Initially distrusted, later a trusted trading partner and ally. His warning preserves Han Shanshan’s chance of survival within the Bone Spirit Cold Flame 94 135 236.
• Han Shanshan — His beloved, whose identity had been erased from his memory. Her remaining true spirit becomes a central reason to preserve his flame 135 177 226.
• Gu Ling / Venerable Feng — Old friend who suspected Han Feng after Yao Chen’s apparent death. Receives proof of his survival through Sun Buxiao 113 257.
• Mu Gu — Senior brother from his Pill Tower days, longstanding enemy, and accomplice in his death. Yao Lao readily supports killing him 228 257.
• Yao Tianhuo / Heavenly Fire Venerable — Fellow surviving soul seeking resurrection; acknowledges Yao Lao as stronger both before and after death 227.

Notable Quotes

“Don't worry, Little Yanzi... no matter what, I'll train you into the finest Alchemist!” 58

“If I were still alive, how could I possibly have let your journey be so hard, child?” 164

“And that is a heart that knows contentment and gratitude.”
— Explaining what separates Xiao Yan from Han Feng 185