Xiao Yan

Biodata

Power Progression

Background / History

Cultivation Stagnation and Family Humiliation

Xiao Yan is Xiao Zhan's fourth son and was born three years after Xiao Ce. At his introduction, his cultivation remains at the Third Stage of Dou Qi despite continued training. Xiao Ce comforts him by joking that the brothers can endure the clan's mockery together 1.

He accompanies Xiao Ce to the meeting where Nalan Yanran dissolves her engagement to Xiao Ce, not Xiao Yan. After Xiao Zhan collapses and Xiao Ce challenges Nalan Yanran to a Three-Year Agreement, Xiao Yan blames his lost talent for worsening his father's burdens and leaving his brother vulnerable to humiliation 1 2.

Recovery under Yao Lao

After becoming Yao Lao's disciple, Xiao Yan borrows money from Xiao Ce to purchase ingredients for Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid. Xiao Ce gives him his accumulated savings; Xiao Yan reciprocates by leaving spirit liquid for his brother's cultivation 4.

When Xiao Ce disappears for a month while absorbing the Emperor Flame, Xiao Yan and Xiao Xun'er search the rear mountain for him. Upon reuniting, the brothers acknowledge that each has secrets without demanding explanations 6.

Rejecting the Flame Mantra

After reaching Dou Zhe, Xiao Yan seeks Xiao Ce's advice on choosing between an evolving Low Yellow Tier method and a fixed Low Earth Tier method. Xiao Ce warns that the Flame Mantra depends on rare Heavenly Flames and that absorbing them can be fatal 29 30.

Xiao Yan checks this advice with Yao Lao, who confirms the risks and admits that the Flame Mantra might provide a means of resurrecting him. Xiao Yan nevertheless promises to find another way to refine a body for his teacher and begins practicing the Earth Tier method 30.

Separately, Xiao Ce secures Yao Lao's agreement to train Xiao Yan without reservation, promising to refine Yao Lao a body in the future 31.

Jia Nan Academy Recruitment

Xiao Yan visits Xiao Ce after hearing that he was attacked by the Jia Lie Family, remaining worried until his brother reassures him. Later, he and Xiao Xun'er invite Xiao Ce to join Jia Nan Academy's recruitment, but Xiao Ce declines to concentrate on preparing for his Three-Year Agreement 33.

Xiao Yan and Xiao Xun'er pass recruitment. With no Three-Year Agreement of his own, no Flame Mantra, and no need to seek Heavenly Flames, Xiao Yan does not request leave to train elsewhere 33.

Appearance

• A youth who resembles Xiao Ce, though the narration describes him as somewhat less handsome 1.
• Wears a storage ring associated with Yao Lao; it is later identified as the Bone Flame Ring 1 30 31.

Personality

Xiao Yan is sensitive to his family's suffering. His cultivation stagnation leaves him dejected, and he privately holds himself responsible for the pressure on Xiao Zhan and the humiliation inflicted on Xiao Ce 1 2.

He responds to kindness with gratitude and practical help. After receiving Xiao Ce's savings, he resolves to share Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid even if doing so reveals part of his secret. His loyalty also extends to Yao Lao: rejecting the Flame Mantra does not diminish his commitment to restoring his teacher's body 4 30.

His relationship with Xiao Ce is affectionate and informal. He accepts his brother's guidance, respects their unspoken boundaries, and jokes that Xiao Ce forgets his brother whenever a pretty girl appears 6 30 33.

Abilities & Skills

Cultivation Aptitude

• Gains five stages of Dou Qi in one year using Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid, outpacing Xiao Ce despite the latter's additional flame-assisted cultivation 4.
• Yao Lao considers his cultivation talent and soul power sufficient to attempt a Low Earth Tier method at the Dou Zhe realm 30.
• Xiao Ce regards Xiao Yan's cultivation aptitude as superior to his own, while judging his own aptitude for Dou Techniques to be greater 28.

Earth Tier Cultivation Method

• Practices an unnamed Low Earth Tier cultivation method supplied by Yao Lao 30.
• Avoids the Flame Mantra's dependence on absorbing Heavenly Flames to evolve 30.
• Yao Lao offers a future transition to a High Earth Tier method; this remains a plan rather than a documented advancement 30.

Equipment / Items

• Bone Flame Ring — The storage ring associated with Yao Lao's soul. Xiao Yan addresses his teacher through it 30 31.
• Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid — Used during his recovery from cultivation stagnation; he also supplies portions to Xiao Ce 4.
• Earth Tier cultivation scroll — A fiery-red scroll containing the method he accepts from Yao Lao 30.

Relationships

• Xiao Ce — Third elder brother and trusted adviser. They share cultivation resources, respect each other's secrets, and maintain a teasing but protective bond 4 6 30 33.
• Xiao Zhan — Father and Xiao Clan leader. Xiao Yan feels guilty that his lost talent adds to his father's burdens 1 2.
• Yao Lao / Yao Chen — Teacher. Supplies cultivation guidance and the Earth Tier method; Xiao Yan promises to seek another means of restoring his body after rejecting the Flame Mantra 30 31.
• Xiao Xun'er — Clan companion and fellow successful Jia Nan Academy recruit. They search for Xiao Ce together and later invite him to attend the academy 6 33.

Trivia

• The present-day Xiao Yan should not be confused with the father-and-son figures also rendered as Xiao Yan in Xiao Ce's ancient artifact-refiner deployment. Their Dou Di breakthroughs belong to that historical storyline, not to Xiao Zhan's fourth son's documented progression 46 47 48 50.