Xiao Yan

Biodata

Power Progression

Background / History

Xiao Yan is Xiao Zhan’s youngest son and the younger brother of Xiao Ding and Xiao Li. When Chen Cang joins the Xiao Clan as a Guest Elder, the three brothers live in the courtyard beside his. Chen Cang first sees Xiao Yan practicing simple fist techniques there 22.

At Xiao Zhan’s encouragement, the brothers begin visiting Chen Cang for cultivation advice. Xiao Yan initially tags along with his older brothers, but his eagerness to cultivate grows from spending time around them and Chen Cang. After sensing Dou Qi, he visits both Chen Cang and his father to show off his success 23.

Xiao Zhan asks Chen Cang to become Xiao Yan’s teacher, hoping to secure guidance for his son and strengthen the Guest Elder’s ties to the clan. Chen Cang refuses the formal relationship but agrees that his existing position is sufficient to provide cultivation advice 23.

Appearance

• Childhood stature: Barely over a meter tall when first seen, shortly before his fourth birthday 22.
• Initial presentation: A small child practicing immature fist techniques in his family courtyard 22.

Personality

Xiao Yan is more mature in his thinking than other children his age. Although his cultivation earns him a growing reputation as a genius, Chen Cang’s much greater strength prevents him from becoming complacent. He redoubles his efforts and shifts his ambitions from competing with clan peers to following Chen Cang’s footsteps 26 29.

He appreciates guidance but dislikes constant surveillance. During Xiao Yu’s supervision, he remains grateful for Chen Cang’s expectations while repeatedly asking for freedom from her scrutiny. Once released, he happily gives his cousin a provocative glance 31 32.

He is also quick-witted in social situations: when Chen Cang announces his departure, Xiao Yan redirects the conversation toward travel plans and offers his family’s local knowledge, easing the mood 35.

Abilities & Skills

Cultivation Talent

• Senses Dou Qi within one day of beginning Qi Refining 23.
• Advances to third-stage Dou Qi in eight months 26.
• Chen Cang believes that, with normal cultivation, he should have no difficulty eventually surpassing Xiao Zhan 23.

Basic Martial Practice

• Practices fist techniques before beginning formal Qi Refining; no named combat technique is documented for him in the supplied chapters 22 23.

Equipment / Items

• Storage Ring — Houses the dormant soul of Yao Chen. At this point, Yao Chen shows no activity and is not yet documented teaching Xiao Yan 24 30.

Relationships

• Xiao Zhan — Father and Xiao Clan leader. Recognizes his talent and seeks a formal teacher because clan responsibilities leave him little time to guide his son 23.
• Xiao Ding and Xiao Li — Elder brothers. Visit Chen Cang with him for advice and support the arrangements intended to keep him cultivating diligently 23 32.
• Chen Cang — Neighbor, informal cultivation adviser, and personal benchmark. Xiao Yan calls him “Brother Cang”; Chen Cang deliberately curbs his budding arrogance without accepting him as a disciple 23 26 29.
• Xiao Yu — Cousin and temporary cultivation supervisor. Her relentless monitoring becomes so uncomfortable that Xiao Yan asks Chen Cang to end it 31 32.
• Xiao Xun’er / Gu Xun’er — A girl staying with the Xiao Clan whom he addresses as “Cousin Xun’er.” Chen Cang’s courtyard lies between theirs, disrupting the proximity they would otherwise have had 26 35.
• Yao Chen — Dormant soul within his Storage Ring and the prospective teacher whose disciple Chen Cang refuses to take for himself 23 30.
• Nalan Family — Connected to Xiao Yan through a marriage agreement disclosed by Xiao Zhan 35.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Early Wutan City Events

• Xiao Yan accompanies his brothers and Chen Cang to watch Jia Nan Academy’s recruitment. He is only an observer: he has just sensed Dou Qi, while admission requires eighth-stage Dou Qi before age eighteen 24.
• When Chen Cang disappears from the recruitment gathering, the brothers search for him, prompting Xiao Zhan to send clan members out as well 25.

Xiao Yu’s Supervision

Before traveling to the Imperial Capital, Chen Cang appoints Xiao Yu to watch Xiao Yan closely. For more than ten days, she follows him whenever he goes out and reacts even when he rises at night. On Chen Cang’s return, Xiao Yan rushes to greet him and secures a promise that the supervision will stop 30 31 32.

Chen Cang’s Departure

After roughly two years of Chen Cang’s residence with the clan, Xiao Yan and his brothers reluctantly accept his departure. Xiao Yan asks where he intends to travel and suggests that Xiao Zhan could offer useful advice about the Jia Ma Empire 33 34 35.

Connection to the Original Course of Events

• Timeline marker: Chen Cang uses the absence of the Desert Iron Mercenary Group to conclude that Xiao Yan’s cultivation troubles have not begun. In the original course of events, those troubles prompted Xiao Ding and Xiao Li to leave and establish the group 20.
• Reason for refusing discipleship: Chen Cang anticipates Xiao Yan’s future troubles and conflict with the Soul Hall, which would interfere with his own plans to obtain an identity within that organization 23.
• Changed childhood circumstances: Chen Cang recalls that the original Xiao Yan spent three years soothing Xun’er’s meridians with Dou Qi. This is a recollection of the original storyline, not an established action by Xiao Yan in the current timeline 28.

Notable Quotes

“Brother Cang, could you please stop having Cousin Xiao Yu supervise me from now on? I promise I’ll work hard at my cultivation. With the two of you constantly staring down my neck, I can’t relax at all—it’s just too uncomfortable.” 32