Xiao Xuan (萧玄) is the last leader of the ancient Xiao clan in Battle Through the Heavens – ancestor of Xiao Yan and the strongest of the five great experts of a thousand years ago. In donghua episode 215 his remnant soul appears for the last time and burns itself away to help Xiao Yan – one of the most emotional scenes of the season.
⚠️ Spoiler warning: this article covers recent episodes and novel details about the Xiao clan.
Who is Xiao Xuan?
- Status: last leader of the Xiao clan, one of the eight ancient clans.
- Power: half-step Dou Di, the strongest of the five experts of his era (see cultivation levels).
- Creation: the Heavenly Flame Three Mysterious Changes.
- Heavenly Flames: once held three of them.
- Relations: close friend of Gu Yuan (Gu clan leader); his cousin Xiao Chen was known as “Blood Axe”.
The failed breakthrough
In Xiao Xuan’s age the road to Dou Di was nearly closed. He gathered the bloodline of his entire clan into himself to break through, but failed because the world lacked origin qi. At his weakest moment the Soul Clan of the Soul Heaven Emperor surrounded him. Xiao Xuan self-destructed and gravely wounded the Soul Heaven Emperor – but the Xiao clan fell into decline, leaving only a small branch that survived until Xiao Yan’s time.
The remnant soul in the Heaven Tomb
Xiao Xuan’s remnant soul stayed in the Heaven Tomb of the Ancient Realm. At their first meeting he returned the unified Xiao bloodline to Xiao Yan – at the same time Xun’er received the Gu clan bloodline and Zi Yan the Dragon Phoenix bloodline – and gifted him the Ancient Insect Emperor Robe.
At their second meeting (episode 215) he burned his remnant soul to lift Xiao Yan’s soul to the Emperor realm, then disappeared completely. His farewell, “I have no regrets”, closes a thousand years of carrying the clan.
Why Xiao Xuan matters
- He is the root of the Xiao–Soul Clan feud, the main conflict of the late story.
- The bloodline and Emperor-level soul he leaves are what allow Xiao Yan to face the Soul Heaven Emperor.
- His fall explains why the Soul Clan hunts the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor jade pieces held by the eight clans.
FAQ
Is Xiao Xuan a Dou Di?
No – he was half-step Dou Di and failed to break through for lack of origin qi.
How is Xiao Xuan related to Xiao Yan?
He is Xiao Yan’s ancestor, the last leader of the ancient Xiao clan.
When does Xiao Xuan disappear?
His remnant soul vanishes completely in donghua episode 215.
Read next: Who is Xiao Yan · Cultivation levels
