Xiao Zhan

Biodata

Power Progression

Background / History

The Xiao Clan’s Retreat

More than a decade before the main events, Xiao Lin died from injuries sustained in an ambush. The attacker’s son subsequently pursued revenge against the Xiao Clan, while unidentified masked men plundered its reserves. With most of its principal fighters dead or wounded, the clan withdrew from the Imperial Capital toward Wutan City 15.

During the journey, the pursuing enemy attacked the convoy. Xiao Zhan confronted him despite being an Eight-Star Dou Shi against a One-Star Da Dou Shi and was badly wounded. Xiao Yan’s mother also sustained injuries that left her chronically ill and eventually caused her death when Xiao Yan was four 15.

Xiao Ping arrived to save Xiao Zhan and killed the attacker through a mutually fatal battle. After the survivors settled in Wutan City, Xiao Zhan formally became clan leader and raised Xiao Ping’s son, Xiao Yu, as his own 15.

Raising Xiao Yu

When Xiao Yu proved unable to cultivate, the clan proposed sending him to an outer-clan business to be raised elsewhere. Xiao Zhan opposed the decision because he feared losing the ability to protect his elder brother’s only son. He retained Xiao Yu within the clan grounds, although the boy lived in a secluded courtyard on the Back Mountain 1 15.

Xiao Zhan supplied food, clothing, and other necessities, with servants attending Xiao Yu until he turned twelve. Nevertheless, he regarded his nephew’s decade of isolation as a personal failure and felt that he had let Xiao Ping down 1 2.

His protection of Xiao Yu also weakened his political standing. Elders concerned with the clan’s reputation waited for an opportunity to remove him, limiting his freedom to secure cultivation resources for Xiao Yan after the latter lost his talent 1.

Appearance

• Age group: Middle-aged 2.
• Facial hair: A beard, which he strokes while laughing or teasing Xiao Yu 13 18.

Personality

Xiao Zhan places family obligations above political convenience. He protects Xiao Yu despite opposition from influential clan members and remains deeply troubled by the hardships suffered by both his nephew and Xiao Yan. Although both boys appreciate his efforts, he believes he has not done enough for them 1 2.

He is affectionate and playful in private. He urges the boys to marry, recalls their embarrassing childhood misbehavior, and briefly pretends to be furious about Xiao Yu’s concealed cultivation before revealing that he is teasing him 5 13 18.

His protectiveness does not prevent him from recognizing when Xiao Yu needs independence. Once convinced of his nephew’s strength and restraint, he supports his departure and explicitly refuses to pry into the source of his talent 18 22.

Abilities & Skills

Dou Qi Cultivation

• Holds the rank of Five-Star Da Dou Shi 14.
• Earlier fought a stronger attacker head-on to defend the Xiao Clan, but could not overcome the difference between Dou Shi and Da Dou Shi 15.
• Senses Xiao Yu arriving outside his residence before opening the door 13.

Clan Leadership

• Announces the preliminary assessment rules: reaching seventh-stage Dou Qi qualifies a candidate, while unsuccessful candidates may pass by defeating someone who qualified 16.
• Maintains ties with prominent Wutan City figures, inviting Ya Fei and Gu Ni to the coming-of-age ceremony and introducing the younger generation to them afterward 19 20.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Financing Xiao Yu’s Alchemy

The Coming-of-Age Assessments

• Preliminary assessment: Celebrates Xiao Yan’s recovery to seventh-stage Dou Qi 16.
• Xiao Yu’s revelation: Defends his nephew during an argument with the Second Elder, then laughs and weeps with joy when Xiao Yu displays Three-Star Dou Zhe strength 17.
• Private guidance: Praises Xiao Yu’s restraint, advises him to protect his greatest secret, and approves his plan to travel after the ceremony 18.
• Ceremonial retest: Receives congratulations when Xiao Yu displays Four-Star Dou Zhe strength. Afterward, he introduces Xiao Yu, Xiao Yan, and Xiao Xun’er to Ya Fei and Gu Ni 19 20.

Xiao Yu’s Departure and the Threat Ahead

• Continues visiting Xiao Yu with necessities and cultivation resources before his departure 21.
• Sees him off outside Wutan City, warning him against misplaced trust. Xiao Yu promises to return within two years 22.
• Becomes a central motivation for Xiao Yu’s cultivation: Xiao Yu anticipates the disaster that could lead to Xiao Zhan’s imprisonment by the Soul Palace 2.
• By Chapter 50, Xiao Yu identifies saving Xiao Zhan from Yun Ling after the three-year agreement as a goal that would bring him into conflict with the Soul Palace and Protector Wu. This remains an anticipated danger, not an abduction already shown 50.

Relationships

• Xiao Ping — Elder brother whose sacrifice saved Xiao Zhan and the clan. Xiao Zhan’s care for Xiao Yu is bound to his gratitude and enduring sense of debt 1 15.
• Xiao Yu — Nephew and ward, raised as his own son. Xiao Zhan’s affection gives the transmigrated Xiao Yu a renewed sense of family and the resolve to protect him 2 15.
• Xiao Yan — Youngest son. Xiao Zhan worries over his lost cultivation and spends heavily on spirit liquid to support his recovery; Xiao Yan hopes his assessment result will relieve his father’s burden 13 14 15.
• Xiao Ding and Xiao Li — Older sons, identified as Xiao Yu’s older cousins 1.
• Second Elder — Disagrees sharply with Xiao Zhan over keeping Xiao Yu in the clan. After the cultivation test, the elder acknowledges that Xiao Zhan’s decision appears to have been correct 17.
• Ya Fei and Gu Ni — Important Mittel Auction House contacts whom he encourages the younger generation to befriend 19 20.

Notable Quotes

“Remember, no matter who it is—even me—you must never reveal your greatest secret. It could bring you endless trouble, or even get you killed.” 18

“Never harbor the intent to harm others, but never let down your guard against them either.” 22