One of the biggest mysteries in Battle Through the Heavens revolves around the whereabouts of Xiao Yan’s father, Xiao Zhan. After his sudden disappearance and the later revelation that he was captured by powerful enemies, many fans have wondered: Is he being held at the Soul Hall headquarters, or is he in the custody of the Soul Clan?
Why Was Yao Lao Captured?
To understand Xiao Zhan’s situation, it’s helpful to first examine the case of Yao Lao, also known as Yao Chen, who was once Xiao Yan’s teacher. Yao Lao was captured by the Soul Hall due to his incredible alchemy skills. The leader of the Soul Hall, Hun Miesheng, held great admiration for his talents and wanted to exploit them for his own benefit. As a result, Yao Lao was imprisoned in Central Plains — a region under the influence of the Soul Hall. His capture, although tragic, had a very specific and practical motive: harnessing his alchemical knowledge.
Why Was Xiao Zhan Captured?
The case of Xiao Zhan is quite different. He was not taken because of any specific skill or threat he posed, but rather because of his identity. Xiao Zhan was personally targeted by Hun Tiandi, the patriarch of the Soul Clan and one of the most terrifying figures in the Dou Qi Continent. Xiao Zhan’s capture was a strategic move, orchestrated to help the Soul Clan gain access to a powerful relic: the Tou She Ancient Emperor’s Jade, which belonged to the Xiao family.
This jade is no ordinary item. It is one of the keys to unlocking the legendary Dou Di (Battle Emperor) Mansion — a place rumored to contain immense power and knowledge. Hun Tiandi viewed Xiao Zhan as a valuable bargaining chip, one he could use to force the Xiao Clan into handing over their piece of the jade. Therefore, unlike Yao Lao who was held by the Soul Hall, Xiao Zhan was considered too valuable to be left in the hands of subordinates. Instead, he was taken directly by Hun Tiandi and kept by his side.
Where Is Xiao Zhan Being Held?
Given the importance of Xiao Zhan to Hun Tiandi’s plans, it is highly unlikely that he was imprisoned in the Soul Hall’s regular facilities. Instead, all signs point to him being held within the Soul Realm — the domain of the Soul Clan, one of the Eight Ancient Clans in the Battle Through the Heavens universe. This secretive and highly protected realm is inaccessible to outsiders, which explains why no one, including Xiao Yan, has been able to locate his father for so long.
Not only is the Soul Realm well-hidden, but it is also heavily guarded. Being the stronghold of the Soul Clan, its defenses are impenetrable to most, making any rescue mission nearly impossible — especially for someone who has not yet reached the peak of power.
Just How Powerful Is the Soul Clan?
To understand the danger Xiao Zhan is in — and the immense challenge Xiao Yan faces — we need to grasp the terrifying strength of the Soul Clan. As one of the Eight Ancient Clans, the Soul Clan holds immense power and influence. Hun Tiandi himself reached the peak of the Nine-Star Dou Sheng level (the pinnacle of known power in the series) thousands of years ago. But he is not the only powerhouse within the clan.
The Soul Clan also harbors another fearsome existence — the Void Devouring Flame, a Nine-Star Dou Sheng at the early stage. In total, the Soul Clan possesses not one, but two Nine-Star Dou Shengs. For context, even the mighty Gu Clan, led by Gu Yuan, does not have such a lineup of monstrous strength.
This makes the Soul Clan arguably the strongest faction in the entire Dou Qi Continent. Their overwhelming power dwarfs other forces, and their ambition makes them even more dangerous.
To put things into perspective, even the Dragon Emperor Zhu Kun, the leader of the ancient Taixu Dragon Clan, is merely seen as a nuisance by Hun Tiandi — not a legitimate threat. That tells you just how invincible the Soul Clan believes itself to be.
Why Has No One Rescued Xiao Zhan?
With this level of power, it’s easy to see why no one has been able to locate or rescue Xiao Zhan. He’s not in some prison cell or remote fortress — he’s in the heart of the Soul Realm, likely under direct watch by Hun Tiandi himself. Any attempt to infiltrate or attack the Soul Clan would be suicide without sufficient strength or planning.
Moreover, the Soul Clan’s secrecy makes them almost invisible. Their realm is hidden, their movements are subtle, and their influence runs deep across the continent.
What Does This Mean for Xiao Yan?
For Xiao Yan, the path to rescuing his father is one fraught with nearly insurmountable challenges. He will need to grow far stronger — perhaps even surpass the level of a Dou Sheng — if he is to face the Soul Clan head-on. And even then, he’ll need allies, strategy, and luck.
But knowing Xiao Yan’s determination, it’s not a question of if he will try, but when.
