“In a world where strength dictates destiny, a fallen genius’s journey from scorn to supremacy redefines the meaning of cultivation.”

What Is BTTH?

Battle Through the Heavens (often abbreviated as BTTH; Chinese: 斗破苍穹, Dòupò Cāngqióng) is a landmark Chinese xianxia franchise originating from Tiancan Tudou’s web novel. It chronicles the saga of Xiao Yan, a once-celebrated prodigy who loses his powers, only to claw his way back with the help of the enigmatic spirit Yao Chen. The series has spawned novels, manhua, donghua (animated adaptations), live-action dramas, and mobile games, captivating millions with its intricate cultivation system, morally complex characters, and themes of perseverance.

The Core of BTTH: Cultivation System

Cultivation in BTTH revolves around Dou Qi (battle energy), with practitioners advancing through ten major realms, each subdivided into 1-9 stars. Mastery enables feats like flight, spatial manipulation, and elemental control.

Key Cultivation Realms & Xiao Yan’s Progression:

Table: BTTH Cultivation Levels Explained

Xiao Yan’s journey is marked by forced breakthroughs—swallowing Heavenly Flames (like the Green Lotus Core Flame) and leveraging alchemy. His cultivation speed defies norms due to:

• Yao Chen’s Mentorship: An elite alchemist guiding his techniques 5.

• Emotional Triggers: Rage from humiliation (e.g., Nalan Yanran’s betrayal) fuels his resolve 11.

Main Characters: Pillars of the BTTH Universe

Xiao Yan (萧炎)

The protagonist of the novel/donghua is a genius who broke through in his younger years. At that time Nalan family’s elder along with Xiao’s elder fixed his marriage with Nalan Yanran. The later years were not kind and Xiao Yan’s cultivation stopped progressing etirely. Nalan Yanran was ambitious and found him useless and unworthy for his match – which later becomes a catalist in his growth.

Fate was cruel yet kind to him because his slow cultivation was a result of his qi absorbtion by his master Yao Chen who resided in this ring (given to Xiao Yan by his mother). Little did he know that same master led him to greatness.

• Role: Protagonist; alchemist and flame master.

• Arc: Falls from genius to “trash” after Yao Chen absorbs his Dou Qi, then rises to Dou Di.

• Signature Ability: Controls multiple Heavenly Flames; fuses them into devastating attacks 1.

DETAILED POWERS AND ABILITIES OF XIAO YAN HERE!!!

Yao Chen (药尘)

Betrayed by his deciple for the sake of Flame Mantra the genius alchemist Yao Chen is the master of Xiao Yan. He is one of the primary factors in the protagonist’s growth throughout the series. After his physical body was destroyed he resided in a ring which later found its way to Xiao Yan.

After a long journey of over a decade he got a new body and resumed his duties as the leader of Star Pavilion along with his old friends. His main enemies are the Soul Clan (Hun Clan) which are also the main antagonists of the series.

• Role: Xiao Yan’s mentor; spirit inhabiting his ring.

• Backstory: Former Dou Zun betrayed by disciple Han Feng.

• Legacy: Teaches Xiao Yan alchemy and the Flame Mantra technique 5.

DETAILED POWERS AND ABILITIES OF YAO CHEN HERE!!!

Cai Lin / Queen Medusa (美杜莎)

Hailed as the leader of Snake clan and one of the most power being Cai Lin was an enemy later turned closest ally and lover of Xiao Yan. If you check donghua she is unrivalled in Jia Ma Empire currently. They have a daughter together. In Donghua, Cai Lin saved Xiao Yan countless times helping him grow and follow his dreams.

Unfortunatly, despite having a huge following her screentime is no where to be seen despite the protests of fans. They want to see her, and her awesome powers ahmm etc. You know what I mean!

• Role: Queen of the Snake-People Tribe; Xiao Yan’s wife.

• Appearance: Transforms from snake-tailed ruler to human form with “snow-white legs” and “bewitching allure”—a popular subject for Cai Lin Medusa wallpaper 4k fan art 38.

• Power: Merges with Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python; wields flame-based combat skills.

• Relationship: Initially hostile, later bears Xiao Yan and Medusa’s child (Xiao Xiao) 6.

DETAILED POWERS AND ABILITIES OF CAI LIN (MEDUSA) HERE!!!

Xiao Xun’er (萧薰儿)

The sweetest yet fierce girl Xiao Xun’er is teh daughter of the leader of Gu Clan – one of teh ancient and most powerful clan. She is the main heroin of the series and loves Xiao Yan more than her life. She helped him through shadows countless times. She also spent her childhood and earlier years in Xiao Clan. Her powers due to her Dao Di bloodline are no joke and can be compared to the strongest in the entire battle though the heavens novel or donghua.

• Role: Xiao Yan’s childhood love; heir to the Gu Clan.

• Secret: Harbors the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame; protects Xiao Yan covertly.

DETAILED POWERS AND ABILITIES OF XIAO XUN’ER HERE!!!

Fairy Doctor (小医仙)

At start she was a doctor helping the poor though her unique medicine skills. It is where she got the name of Fairy Doctor. Xiao Yan met her and they became close friends when she took him to her special spot in the wild.

Later, we find that she is infected with a unique yet deadly physical condition which is a double edged sword for her. It makes her powerful but also harms her life. Xia Yan later cures her, and they are always together.

• Role: Poison master; Xiao Yan’s ally.

• Tragedy: Her “Woeful Poison Body” threatens those she touches.

DETAILED POWERS AND ABILITIES OF FAIRY DOCTOR HERE!!!

Yun Yun (云韵)

One of the most beautiful and another love interests of the Xiao Yan is Yun Yun. They met by accident when he helped her in curing her injuries. Some interesting things happened and they grew close. As the sect master and leader of Nalan Yanran’s Misty Cloud Sect she helped Xiao Yan even he was the harbinger of death for them.

• Role: Yunlan Sect leader; torn between duty and affection for Xiao Yan.

• Conflict: Battles Xiao Yan to protect her sect, creating Yun Yun BTTH’s most poignant arcs 5.

DETAILED POWERS AND ABILITIES OF YUN YUN HERE!!!

Top Five Clans: Power Structures of the Continent

These ancient families control resources and cultivation techniques, often clashing over territory and Heavenly Flames.

Clan	Specialty	Alliance	Key Member
Gu Clan	Space manipulation	Neutral	Xiao Xun’er
Hun Clan	Soul harvesting	Antagonist	Hun Tian
Yan Clan	Fire-element mastery	Xiao Yan	Xiao Yan (branch)
Lei Clan	Lightning cultivation	Rival	Lei Dong
Yao Clan	Alchemy supremacy	Neutral	Yao Chen (exiled)

Key Antagonists: Forces Opposing Xiao Yan

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Hall of Souls (魂殿) [Hun Clan]

Hall of Souls also known as Hun Clan is the main corrupt force of battle through the heavens donghua. They are wicked to the core. They can capture souls, torture them, and use them as fuel to enhace their powers. The leader Hun Tian is the main villain, and I hope the last fight between Xiao Yan Vs. Hun Tian will be something to remember.

• Leader: Hun Tian (Dou Venerate realm)

• Goal: Harvest powerful souls to revive ancient deity Hun Tiandi

• Tactics: Deploy Soul Banners to trap cultivators’ spirits

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Nalan Yanran (纳兰嫣然)

The main catalist to the Xiao Yan’s growth. Be it revenge, a thirst to prove, or something else she was exactly whe he needed to grow stronger with each passing day. Remember, later she turned into a friend so, let’s bygones be bygones!

• Role: Xiao Yan’s ex-fiancée

• Infamy: Publicly humiliates Xiao Yan in the “Three-Year Agreement” duel

• Redemption: Later aids Xiao Yan against Hall of Souls

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Han Feng (韩枫)

The traitorous diciple of Yao Chen who stabbed his master in the back. Later Yai Chen was avenged by Xiao Yan who defeated him and imprisoned his soul in a flask.

• Role: Yao Chen’s traitorous disciple

• Crime: Poisoned Yao Chen to steal alchemy manuals

• Fate: Killed by Xiao Yan in Sea Heart Flame battle

Adaptations: From Page to Screen

Donghua (Animated Series)

• Season 1: Covers Xiao Yan’s early training and Three-Year Agreement.

• Season 2-5: Expands into Central Plains conflicts; Medusa’s pregnancy revealed in Season 5 1.

• Episodes: 130+ (ongoing); praised for vibrant Heavenly Flame effects.

Manhua/Comic

• Art Style: Dynamic combat scenes; exaggerates characters’ allure (e.g., Medusa’s crimson hair).

• Chapters: 400+; available on platforms like Tencent Comics 4.

Live-Action Drama

• Stars: Leo Wu as Xiao Yan; Xin Zhilei as Medusa.

• Divergences: Condenses early arcs; introduces original characters like Hu Jia 11.

Why BTTH Resonates: Themes & Cultural Impact

• Cultivation as Metaphor: Xiao Yan’s journey mirrors self-redemption—hard work triumphs over innate talent.

• Female Agency: Characters like Cai Lin defy tropes; her evolution from antagonist to mother humanizes her.

• Global Fandom: BTTH wiki pages track cultivation milestones; Medusa snake tattoo designs celebrate her anti-heroine appeal 12.

• Gaming Legacy: RPGs like Battle Through the Heavens on now.gg integrate Dou Qi mechanics 5.

Where to Experience BTTH

I say just watch it on YouTube. It if free to watch. But if you want the new episodes ASAP you can purchase the subsription. Fortunately, the subtitles of BTTH on YouTube are well written unlike most donghua where english subtitles don’t make any sense.

• Donghua: Tencent Video (with English subs)

• Manhua: Bilibili Comics, Webnovel

• Live-Action: Viki, YouTube

FAQ: Your BTTH Questions Answered

1. What is Xiao Yan’s ultimate cultivation level?
   Dou Di (Battle God)—he reshapes reality and revives his bloodline. It happens right before the final fight with Hun Tian (The leader of Hall of Souls/Hun Clan). When everyone is holding him back so Xiao Yan can break through and fight with him.

2. How does Yao Chen help Xiao Yan?
   He teaches him all he know. Also, he refines body/soul-strengthening elixirs and teaches the Flame Mantra, crucial for controlling more than one Heavenly Flames.

3. Does Medusa love Xiao Yan?
   Initially hostile, she develops conflicted feelings. Post-intimacy, Medusa queens bond irrevocably to partners. According to the author it is in the nature of snake queens to serve the one who conqured them.

4. How many donghua seasons exist?
   Currently, they are in the Gu Clan arc and probably heading towards the 6th season’s finale. I am sure it will end in 2026 though.

5. What distinguishes BTTH’s cultivation system?
   Heavenly Flames: Rare elements that boost power but risk death if improperly absorbed. Also, only 9 to 10 simple cultivation relams make it even more attractive unlike other donguas with over 50 levels.

6. Is the live-action faithful to the novel?
   It streamlines early arcs but retains core relationships (e.g., Xiao Yan/Yun Yun). I would recommend wacthing the donghua.

7. Who is Xiao Yan’s strongest enemy?
   Hun Clan’s leaders—they manipulate factions like the Hall of Souls to target Xiao Yan. In the end Hun Tian is the one who faces him in the last battle.

8. What role does alchemy play?
   Alchemy creates cultivatin puills which are essentail to breakthough and heal. Pills enable breakthroughs (e.g., Three Lines Green Spirit Pill) and trade leverage making them richer and more influential than any other.

9. Can cultivators fly?
   Yes—Dou Wang and above gain flight via energy wings or spatial control. The real fun begins after Dao Zong when they can walk in air.

10. Why did Xiao Yan lose his powers?
    Yao Chen’s spirit, trapped in his ring, absorbed his Dou Qi to regenerate. However, it was a blessing for Xiao Yan in the longer game.

11. How does Xiao Xun’er hide her strength?
    Gu Clan techniques mask her Dou Emperor-level prowess early on. Also, she is not a show off but a well-mannered lady deserving of the Xiao Yan.

12. Is BTTH connected to The Great Ruler?
    Yes—Xiao Yan and Medusa appear in its later arcs as higher-plane beings.

13. What are Medusa’s powers post-evolution?
    Flame manipulation, venom strikes, and the Heaven Swallowing Python’s physical might.

14. Where can I find accurate lore?
    The BTTH wiki details timelines, techniques, and character profiles.

15. Will there be a Season 6?
    Confirmed—BTTH Season 6 will adapt Xiao Yan’s Dou Sheng trials in 2025-26.

“Cultivation is more than strength—it’s the will to turn ‘impossible’ into ‘I will.’” — Xiao Yan, Episode 103

My Thoughts on Battle Through the Heavens Donghua

Chinese donghua with the concept of cultivation are no more a joke. Especially, with the release of series like Battle through the Heavens, Soul land, swallowed star, immportality etc. The story is always deep, yet entertaining.

Take BTTH, you never know when a very important battle is going to take place. One minute characters are chilling and the next scene you see an overpowered attack or remark making its way towards them.

What I love about BTTH? It is not too long. Cultivation donghuas like A mortal’s Journey to Immortality are longer than the Great Wall of China. Although, they still keep it interesting.

BTTH is expected to wrap everything up in 2026 and the story is already in its final phase. The overall progress of Xiao Yan, his romance encounters, a broken yet genius master, the sacrifices, the pains, and the concept of awesome techniques is simply mind-blowing.

It doesn’t stop at that, I find the concept of heavenly flames and their ranking very interesting. And the way to get them through Flame Mantra is another level of genius. His Journey from rags to riches, from weak to powerful, and from nothing to everything is very refreshing and entertaining. What do you think?