Born into an ancient family of primarily black wolves in the mountainous stronghold of Hēishān, Xiao was trained in combat from an early age. As the oldest of three sisters, she took it upon herself to ensure their safety once her mother became sick and father more distant than ever. She took to Fang, a once-outcast warrior, in their absence who mentored her further. During a conflict with a neighbouring clan, Xiao watched her mother slaughtered on her deathbed by an enemy wolf. Shaken, she departed the mountain later that winter in an effort to regain her sense of self.