Xiao Yan

Biodata

Power Progression

Background / History

Lost Talent and the Broken Engagement

Xiao Yan was once a Xiao Clan prodigy, but three years of inexplicable cultivation loss left him subject to ridicule. When Nalan Yanran arrived with Ge Ye to end their arranged engagement, he rejected the offered Qi Gathering Powder and challenged the clan elders' willingness to accept compensation. His central objection was the humiliation the public rejection would bring upon his father, Xiao Zhan 2 4.

He accepted Nalan Yanran's challenge to fight at the Misty Cloud Sect in three years. After Xiao Chen intervened, Xiao Yan wrote a blood-signed writ of divorce expelling her from the Xiao Clan rather than accepting her terms. He then knelt before his father and promised to personally erase the humiliation 2 3.

Two Teachers and Restored Cultivation

Xiao Chen exposed Yao Lao, the soul inhabiting the black ring left by Xiao Yan's mother, as the cause of his lost Dou Qi. Initially furious, Xiao Yan calmed once he learned that the drain would stop. At Xiao Chen's direction, he formally became Yao Lao's disciple: Xiao Chen would oversee cultivation, while Yao Lao would teach alchemy 4 5.

Xiao Chen selected him as a future leader of the clan's younger generation and supplied an Eternal Rank cultivation art and abundant resources. After recovering the Dou Zhe realm, Xiao Yan was urged to look beyond both the Jia Ma Empire and his rivalry with Nalan Yanran 8 9.

Leaving Wutan City

Following the defeat of the invading Jia Lie and Ao Ba families, Xiao Chen ordered Xiao Yan to lead clansmen against their remaining members and leave no survivors. Xiao Yan accepted the principle that sparing enemies could endanger the clan 11 12.

He later departed Wutan City with Xiao Chen and Little Gold for practical training. During their journey, Tang Chengxuan discovered that his Eye of Insight could not see through Xiao Yan and privately ordered attendants to monitor him. Xiao Yan wondered whether this obscurity was connected to his transmigration 19 20 21.

Magical Beast Mountain Range

In the mountain range, Xiao Yan defeated magical beasts, helped gather Blood Lotus Pill ingredients, and explored a hidden treasure chamber with Xiao Chen. When Mu Li and his mercenaries attempted to seize their finds, Xiao Yan defeated the attackers and killed Mu Li with a single punch 22 23 24.

After absorbing companion amethyst source, he remained behind while Xiao Chen and Xiao Yi Xian left for Poison Cloud Mountain. Yao Lao assigned him to hunt at least five Tier 2 Magical Beasts daily for a month and would intervene only against mortal danger. Their next planned step was to test whether absorbing the Purple Flame could evolve the Flame Mantra 30 31.

Appearance

• Face: Described as delicate and youthful 2.
• Eyes: Black 2.
• Build and silhouette: Carries a Heavy Xuan Ruler disproportionately large for his frame, drawing attention in Qingshan Town 22.

Personality

Xiao Yan is fiercely protective of his father's dignity. During the engagement dispute, he resists both Nalan Yanran's condescension and his own elders' pressure, even before he has reliable backing. Although capable of intense anger, he regains control quickly enough to unsettle Ge Ye and Nalan Yanran 2.

His years of ridicule fostered patience and an acute awareness of strength's importance. He acknowledges that hardship helped develop his forbearance, but remains skeptical of Yao Lao's attempt to present his forced emergence from the ring as voluntary 4 17.

He is eager to prove himself and accepts dangerous training as necessary. After defeating Mu Li, he looks for Xiao Chen's approval; later, he readily accepts Yao Lao's demanding hunting assignment. His enthusiasm for cultivation resources can also override caution: he licks spilled amethyst source from a stone platform rather than waste it, leaving Yao Lao to manage the dangerous energy 19 24 30 31.

Abilities & Skills

Northern Darkness Supreme Profound Art

An Eternal Rank cultivation method taught directly by Xiao Chen 8.

• Allows multiple cultivation methods to be practiced simultaneously.
• Removes Xiao Yan's concern that learning it would prevent him from studying the Flame Mantra.
• Accompanies Xiao Chen's pills and spirit liquids during his rapid recovery to Dou Zhe 8 9.

Flame Mantra

A cultivation method associated with Yao Lao and capable of evolution through flame absorption 5 22 31.

• Xiao Chen specifically directs Yao Lao to teach it to Xiao Yan 5.
• Absorbing the Purple Flame is proposed as a test of its evolution 31.
• That absorption and any resulting evolution remain planned rather than completed in the supplied account 31.

Soul Perception and Internal Vision

Xiao Yan possesses spiritual strength above that of his peers and exceptional Soul Perception 8 17.

• Senses the concentrated energy within Yao Lao's Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid 17.
• Uses internal vision after regaining Dou Zhe to inspect his vortex and direct Dou Qi through his body 9.

Alchemy Training

Xiao Yan meets the requirements to become an alchemist and formally studies under Yao Lao, an eighth-tier alchemist 5.

• Observes Yao Lao refining Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid with Bone Spirit Cold Flame 17.
• Receives instruction on ingredient compatibility, controlling magic-core energy, and the risks of failed refinement 17.
• No personal alchemist rank or successful independent pill refinement is documented in these passages.

Combat and Dou Techniques

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Heavy Xuan Ruler — Carries it on his back; drives it into the ground hard enough to spread cracks before fighting Mu Li's mercenaries 22 24.
• Black ring — A keepsake from his mother and Yao Lao's dwelling. Its hidden occupant absorbed Xiao Yan's Dou Qi for three years 4.
• Storage Ring — Used to carry supplies, including Qi Recovery Pills during his journey 20.
• Qi Recovery Pills — Consumed to recover from exhausting travel 20.
• Recovered technique collections — Receives storage rings collected by the Amethyst Winged Lion King. Xiao Chen encourages him to study their contents as groundwork for eventually creating his own Dou Techniques 29.

Relationships

• Xiao Zhan — Father and Xiao Clan leader. Xiao Yan prioritizes protecting his reputation and vows to avenge the humiliation caused by the engagement dispute 2 3.
• Xiao Chen — Clan ancestor and cultivation mentor. Restores his prospects, equips him with resources, and chooses him as a future generational leader 4 8 9.
• Yao Lao / Yao Chen — Master and alchemy teacher. Initially responsible for his cultivation loss, later guides his training, protects him from dangerous energy, and supervises his independent wilderness experience 4 5 30 31.
• Nalan Yanran — Former fiancée and opponent in the Three-Year Agreement. Xiao Yan rejects her compensation, issues a writ of divorce, and promises to challenge her at the Misty Cloud Sect 2 3.
• Xiao Yi Xian — Traveling companion and Xiao Chen's disciple. Xiao Yan witnesses the explanation of her Woeful Poison Body and congratulates Xiao Chen upon accepting her 26 27.

Notable Quotes

“Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west. Do not scorn a youth for his poverty!” 2

“Father, three years from now, I will go to the Misty Cloud Sect and personally wash away today's humiliation for you!” 3

“Wasting things is shameful, you know.” 30