Xiao Yan is the main protagonist of the BTTH donghua. At the start, he is considered trash, but later that turns out to be a blessing in disguise, as he was powering Yao Chen’s (his teacher’s) soul. After a few years of humiliating struggles, he finally meets his teacher, and from that point, his progress becomes ten times faster, aided by world-shattering techniques and alchemy.

The Rise of a Fallen Prodigy

Xiao Yan (萧炎), the protagonist of Battle Through the Heavens (BTTH), embodies resilience in a world where strength defines destiny. Once hailed as a genius for reaching the Dou Practitioner realm by age 11, he plummeted to Dou Disciple Level 3 after Yao Chen‘s spirit absorbed his Dou Qi to regenerate. This humiliation fueled his three-year pact with ex-fiancée Nalan Yanran—a vow that ignited his journey from outcast to Dou Di (Battle God).

Cultivation System: The Framework of Power

Cultivation in BTTH revolves around Dou Qi (battle energy). Practitioners advance through ten realms, each with 1-9 stars. Xiao Yan’s path defied conventions due to:

• Yao Chen’s Mentorship: The trapped alchemist refined body-strengthening elixirs and taught the Flame Mantra, enabling Heavenly Flame fusion.

• Heavenly Flames: Sentient fires that amplified his power at mortal risk.

Xiao Yan’s Cultivation Journey: Key Breakthroughs

Table: Xiao Yan’s Cultivation Milestones

Heavenly Flames: The Engines of Xiao Yan’s Ascent

Xiao Yan’s dominance stems from absorbing Heavenly Flames, sentient fires granting universe-altering power:

His self-created Angry Buddha Lotus Flame fused 2-3 flames to annihilate mountain ranges, while the Extermination Fire Lotus (4+ flames) threatened Dou Venerates.

Signature Techniques: Beyond Raw Power

1. Flame Mantra (Yao Chen’s legacy):

   • Evolved from Huang-Class to Tian-Class by absorbing flames.

   • Enabled flame fusion without self-destruction.

2. Three Thousand Lightning Movement:

   • Lightning-speed evasion; critical against Dou Emperors.

3. Skyfire Three Mysterious Change:

   • Temporarily boosted strength using flame energy.

4. God Seal Technique:

   • Spatial crushing via five layered hand-seals.

Defining Battles: Power in Practice

• Dou Master vs. Nalan Yanran (Season 1):
  Victorious with Octane Blast and Flame Splitting Tsunami, reclaiming his clan’s honor.

• Dou King vs. Fallen Heart Flame (Season 5):
  Survived a year of spiritual incineration to absorb the sentient flame.

• Dou Emperor vs. Hall of Souls:
  Unleashed Yellow Spring Divine Anger to erase soul armies.

• Dou God vs. Hun Tiandi:
  Reshaped reality using the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame, ending the Great War.

Relationships: Catalysts for Growth

• Yao Chen: Restored Xiao Yan’s cultivation and trained him as an alchemist. Their bond deepened when Xiao Yan resurrected him physically.

• Cai Lin (Queen Medusa): Initially enemies, their forced alliance during her evolution led to marriage. Her serpentine prowess complemented his flame attacks in battles like the Central Plains War.

• Xiao Xun’er: Her Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame secretly protected him during his weakest years.

Season 5 Spotlight: In battle through the heavens 5th season 147, Xiao Yan achieves 5-Star Dou Venerate after absorbing the Bone Chilling Flame in the Void Lightning Pool.

Weaknesses: The Human Behind the Hero

1. Emotional Triggers: Rage over his father’s capture or Yao Chen’s imprisonment caused reckless moves.

2. Dou Qi Depletion: Techniques like Extermination Fire Lotus left him vulnerable for days.

3. Soul Vulnerability: Early-stage soul strength made him susceptible to spiritual attacks.

Legacy & Cultural Impact

• Donghua Adaptation: The 2022 reboot showcased Xiao Yan’s journey with cinematic flame effects, driving medusa battle through the heavens 4k hot fan edits.

• Gaming: BTTH mobile games replicate his flame fusion mechanics.

• Symbolism: His fall-and-rise arc inspired phrases like “Xiao Yan’s Tenacity” in cultivation communities.

Where Is Xiao Yan Now?

In the latest episode of the donghua, we see Xiao Yan breaking through to Dou Sheng, a monumental leap that even surpasses Yao Chen’s Ban Sheng level. During this arc, the Star Pavilion is attacked by the enemy alliance along with the Soul Hall, and just when the situation seems hopeless, Xiao Yan appears and turns the tide, effortlessly taking down a Ban Sheng powerhouse and saving Yao Chen.

Currently, Xiao Yan is consolidating his newfound Dou Sheng power while preparing for the challenges ahead. In the last scene, we see him standing alongside Yao Chen as he competes for the position of Elder in the ongoing Pill Tower competition, showing that his journey is far from over.

FAQ: Your Xiao Yan Questions Answered

1. What’s Xiao Yan’s strongest form?
Dou Di (Battle God)—reality-warping abilities and bloodline revival.

2. How did Yao Chen help Xiao Yan?
He provided elixirs, taught alchemy/flame control, and sacrificed himself against the Hall of Souls.

3. Does Xiao Yan appear in The Great Ruler?
Yes—as a higher-plane protector with Medusa and Xun’er.

4. Which Heavenly Flame was hardest to absorb?
Fallen Heart Flame—it nearly incinerated his soul during the year-long refinement.

5. How old was Xiao Yan when he became a Dou God?
36 years old (end of novel).

6. What distinguishes Xiao Yan’s fighting style?
Hybrid tactics: close combat (Heavy Black Ruler) + ranged flame fusion + spatial manipulation.

7. Did he reconcile with Nalan Yanran?
Yes—she aided him against the Hall of Souls, earning his forgiveness.

8. Why is Cai Lin called “Medusa”?
Pre-evolution, she ruled the Snake-People Tribe with a petrifying gaze.

9. Where to start the donghua?
Battle Through the Heavens Season 1 (2017) covers his early redemption arc.

“Talent is a spark. Persistence is the flame that forges legends.”

Here is a similar video about Xiao Yan’s powers and abilities on YouTube by Dongua Hub.

To read in detail about BTTH world, here is another article.