Xiao Yan

Biodata

Power Progression

Background / History

Xiao Clan Prodigy

Xiao Yan is a transmigrator born into the Xiao Clan as Xiao Zhan’s second son. While his elder brother Xiao Tian initially struggles to awaken Dou Qi, Xiao Yan earns recognition as Wutan City’s greatest young genius. Xiao Zhan announces that the young clan leader position will pass to him 2 28.

Despite the contrast in their reputations, Xiao Yan supports his brother. For three years, he gives Xiao Tian saved Qi Gathering Powder before the annual cultivation test. He also rebukes Xiao Mei when she disparages Xiao Tian 3.

After a four-year interval, Xiao Yan remains the clan’s leading genius in public, but has spent more than half a year unable to break through to Dou Zhe. Suspecting that something is consuming his gathered Dou Qi, he lends his ancient ring necklace to Xiao Tian. His subsequent breakthrough convinces him that the necklace is dangerous, and he urges his brother to discard it 5 6.

Nalan Yanran’s Duel Agreement

During the Nalan family’s visit, Xiao Yan becomes disgusted with Nalan Yanran’s contempt for the Xiao Clan. When she challenges Xiao Tian, he offers to fight in his brother’s place, revealing his One-Star Dou Zhe cultivation 8.

He opposes the proposed marriage between Xiao Tian and Nalan Yanran, then rejects Nalan Jie’s attempt to pair her with him instead. The dispute becomes an agreement to duel after coming of age. Nalan Jie initially declares that Yanran must marry Xiao Yan if she loses, then assures Xiao Yan that winning will free him from having to marry her 11 12.

Xiao Yan later describes the contest as a duel in three years and makes avoiding the marriage an explicit reason to cultivate harder 34.

Apprenticeship and Beast Flame Refinement

At Xiao Tian’s request, Yao Lao agrees to teach Xiao Yan alchemy and the Flame Mantra. Xiao Yan calmly accepts the appearance of Yao Lao’s soul body and proves an alchemy talent comparable to his brother’s 28 29.

The brothers seek their father’s financial support to purchase a Frenzied Flame Fire Wolf’s Beast Flame, but the auction price exceeds what the clan can comfortably spend. Xiao Tian and Yao Lao subsequently obtain the flame outside Wutan City and bring it back for Xiao Yan 29 30 32 33.

Under Yao Lao’s supervision, Xiao Yan endures severe pain and forcibly refines the Beast Flame. Although the process injures him internally and externally, he reports that the Flame Mantra is supplying self-healing Dou Qi 33.

Xiao Tian’s Apparent Death

Xian’er returns the soul ring necklace to Xiao Yan with news that Xiao Tian jumped from Blue Eagle while fleeing a powerful enemy. After thanking her, Xiao Yan shuts himself in his room and furiously confronts Yao Lao 50.

Yao Lao identifies the enemy as a Dou Huang expert of the Misty Cloud Sect and promises to train Xiao Yan into a renowned powerhouse. Believing his brother must be avenged, Xiao Yan leaves with him to begin training. He does not yet know that Xiao Tian has survived and escaped after refining the Heavenly Flame 49 50.

Appearance

• Childhood appearance: Described as good-looking, composed, and cold, contrasting with Xiao Tian’s sunny manner 7.
• Typical bearing: Frequently maintains an impassive expression, including while receiving praise or observing the Nalan family’s visit 3 7.

Personality

Xiao Yan is reserved and outwardly aloof. He responds minimally to Xiao Mei’s enthusiasm and introduces himself to Nalan Yanran with only his name. Even after reaching Two-Star Dou Zhe, he remains neither arrogant nor impatient 3 7 21.

His loyalty to Xiao Tian overrides that detachment. He supplies cultivation medicine, challenges insults against his brother, worries about Xiao Tian’s risky actions, and erupts in grief and anger upon hearing of his apparent death 3 30 31 50.

He can be ruthlessly pragmatic. Fearing a future catastrophe, he tells Xiao Tian to destroy the clan himself if its annihilation becomes inevitable, believing the resulting trauma could evolve the Sharingan and give his brother the strength to take revenge 14.

His determination also extends to enduring pain. During Beast Flame refinement, he refuses to yield, reasoning that someone unable to subdue a Beast Flame cannot hope to control a Heavenly Flame 33.

Abilities & Skills

Flame Mantra

A cultivation method passed down by Yao Lao that can advance through devouring Beast Flames and Heavenly Flames 24 28.

• Uses it to forcibly refine the Frenzied Flame Fire Wolf’s Beast Flame 33.
• Experiences self-healing Dou Qi while circulating it after refinement 33.
• Shares the method with Xiao Tian; Yao Lao warns that the brothers may eventually compete for limited Heavenly Flames 28.

Alchemy

Xiao Yan possesses the soul attributes necessary to become an alchemist. Yao Lao judges his talent in pill refinement to be no worse than Xiao Tian’s 16 29.

• Studies pill refining directly under Yao Lao 28 29.
• Joins Xiao Tian in presenting Qi Gathering Powder and Rejuvenation Powder to their father 29.
• No formal alchemist rank is established in the provided chapters.

Dou Techniques

• Explosive Steps — Uses this movement technique when responding to Jia Lie Wang’s ambush 31.
• War Tiger Fist — Attacks while attempting to protect Xun’er from Jia Lie Wang 31.
• Receives additional Dou Techniques and ancient books from Yao Lao for continued study 29 34.

Knowledge from Transmigration

• Recognizes Xiao Tian’s Sharingan, identifies genjutsu, and considers possible connections to Uchiha ancestry and chakra 10.
• Knows of the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, though his proposed method of awakening it is not demonstrated 14.
• Recognizes the reference to Annie and her teddy bear during Xiao Tian’s conversation with Xun’er 6.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Ancient soul ring necklace — A family keepsake housing Yao Lao. His absorption of Xiao Yan’s Dou Qi impedes cultivation until Xiao Tian takes the necklace; Xian’er returns it to Xiao Yan after Xiao Tian’s apparent death 3 5 6 50.
• Frenzied Flame Fire Wolf’s Beast Flame — A flame extracted from a second-tier magical beast, obtained by Xiao Tian and Yao Lao and successfully refined by Xiao Yan 30 33.
• Dou Technique texts and ancient books — Materials supplied by Yao Lao for independent study while the teacher accompanies Xiao Tian 34.

Relationships

• Xiao Tian — Elder brother and fellow transmigrator. Their teasing relationship is backed by mutual support: Xiao Yan supplies medicine, while Xiao Tian arranges his apprenticeship and obtains his Beast Flame 3 28 29 33.
• Xiao Zhan — Father and clan leader. Regards Xiao Yan as an exceptional talent and supports his attempt to purchase a Beast Flame 2 30.
• Yao Lao — Teacher in cultivation, alchemy, and Dou Techniques; originally the hidden cause of his disappearing Dou Qi. Becomes his traveling mentor after Xiao Tian’s apparent death 3 28 29 50.
• Nalan Yanran — Unwanted prospective marriage partner and agreed duel opponent. Xiao Yan is determined to surpass her and avoid marriage 11 12 34.
• Xiao Xun’er — Clan companion whom he addresses as “Big Sister Xun’er.” Attempts to defend her during Jia Lie Wang’s ambush 31.
• Xiao Mei — Admires him as the clan’s best young talent; he coldly rebukes her insults toward Xiao Tian 3 4.
• Xian’er — Returns his soul ring necklace and reports Xiao Tian’s apparent fate. He offers her three hundred gold coins in thanks, which she declines 50.

Notable Quotes

“Father, just call off this marriage. Don’t ruin someone’s life.” 11

“That duel in three years—I absolutely cannot lose! I can’t marry Nalan Yanran!” 34

“So what if they’re a Dou Emperor! … Even if they’re a Dou Di! If I’m willing to have the flesh flayed from my bones, I’ll drag them off their horse!” 50