Old Man Zhao

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Old Man Zhao (赵老头)
Alias(es)	Great Wheel Bright Venerable; Venerable Ming 168 230
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Great Wheel Bright Palace, Central Continent 230
Occupation/Role	Venerable-rank cultivator; Lu Ming's protector, mentor, and later master 168 471
Status	Alive; his lifespan was reduced to only a few decades after overexerting himself during the war against the Evil Race 631
First Appearance	Chapter 6

Background / History

Old Man Zhao initially lived in seclusion beside Lu Ming's rented courtyard in Shuofeng City. He appeared to be an ordinary white-haired elder who spent his days sunbathing, reading, and drawing water, while claiming to have served as a scribe in the City Lord's Mansion for roughly a decade. His home contained a large private library. 6 8

He took an interest in Lu Ming after meeting him as a destitute former beggar. Zhao taught him to read, gave him access to his books, recognized the Heavenly Saber Technique shortly after Lu Ming began practicing it, and quietly monitored his growth. 8 13

Although he hid his identity, Zhao protected Lu Ming from the shadows. He chose not to eliminate every threat around Lu Ming, believing that a genius needed hardship to be tempered properly. 24

His true standing was revealed when he intervened against the Zhu Family: he was the Great Wheel Bright Venerable, a Heavenly Human Realm expert from the Great Wheel Bright Palace. He publicly referred to Lu Ming as his descendant and provided him with a jade slip containing a Martial Dao Nascent Soul for emergencies. 168

After Lu Ming arrived at the Great Wheel Bright Palace, Zhao formally passed on the Way of Light and accepted him as a disciple, though he insisted that Lu Ming continue calling him “Old Man.” 471

Appearance

Old Man Zhao is an elderly man with white hair and a white beard. During his early seclusion in Shuofeng City, he usually wore an unassuming appearance and lounged in a chair beneath the sun. 6

• In his true form, he is a robust elder dressed plainly but possessing an overwhelming celestial presence. 168
• He frequently strokes his beard when amused, assessing others, or concealing his thoughts. 8 13
• His manifestations can radiate immense golden light and appear as a sun-like figure in battle. 308 566

Personality

Old Man Zhao is relaxed, teasing, and deliberately unceremonious with Lu Ming. He often calls him “brat” or “kid,” jokes about his appearance and circumstances, and prefers their relationship to remain informal despite eventually becoming his master. 8 18 471

Beneath this casual demeanor, he is perceptive and deeply protective. He recognizes Lu Ming's potential early, offers guidance without demanding repayment, and repeatedly intervenes when stronger cultivators try to oppress him. 13 168 230

He believes cultivation requires real adversity rather than constant shelter. While willing to provide a final safeguard, he deliberately allows Lu Ming to face manageable dangers and make his own decisions. 24 168

Abilities & Skills

Venerable-Rank Cultivation

Old Man Zhao is a Venerable-rank Heavenly Human cultivator whose true strength vastly exceeds ordinary Sea Transformation Realm experts. He later identifies himself as a peak False Supreme. 168 592

• Collapses and tears through space to travel or arrive at distant locations. 24 168
• A single finger strike reduced the mid-stage Sea Transformation Realm Eight Gates Iron Fan to a bloody mist. 230
• His Martial Dao Nascent Soul, sealed in a jade slip, possesses roughly Lower Heavenly Human Realm strength. 168
• His presence alone deterred cultivators from approaching Lu Ming during his Sea Transformation Realm breakthrough. 315

Light Power and Light Law

Zhao wields the Power of Light, later shown as the Law of Light. Its purifying nature is especially effective against dark and evil powers. 308 566

• Purified and destroyed the Master of Geek Tower's Death Profound Meaning manifestation. 308
• His Light Law restrained Blood Sun Evil Venerable's Blood Sun Law during the Evil Race war. 566
• Used the Aurora Realm to resist simultaneous attacks from Blood Sun Evil Venerable and another powerful opponent. 566

Life-Consuming Secret Technique

During the war against the Evil Race, Zhao used a life-consuming technique to hold back stronger enemies. 567

• Continued fighting despite his body cracking under repeated attacks from two opponents. 566
• Burned a substantial portion of his remaining lifespan, leaving him with only a few decades afterward. 631

Medical and Martial Insight

Zhao possesses broad knowledge of cultivation methods, martial arts, medicine, artifacts, and higher realms.

• Removed aberrant True Qi from Lu Ming's body after his battle with Li Chonghu. 20
• Taught Lu Ming literacy and allowed him to study from his extensive book collection. 8
• Taught Lu Ming the Human-tier Mid-grade Soaring Dragon Palm, including its circulation routes and hidden strength. 18
• Gave Lu Ming a peak Earth-grade sword technique centered on Wind and Fire Artistic Conceptions. 172
• Identified the Wind Lightning Spirit Pearls as artifacts made from Star Void Origin Stones and deduced their connection to the Four Symbols Emperor Scripture. 316
• Explained that the Heavenly Human Realm has lower, middle, and upper levels, while Venerable-rank Heavenly Humans stand at the False Supreme realm. 467

Items

• Martial Dao Nascent Soul Jade Slip — A protective jade slip given to Lu Ming; it can unleash power comparable to a Lower Heavenly Human and alerts Zhao when activated. 168

Relationships

• Lu Ming — His descendant, ward, disciple, and closest protégé. Zhao taught him literacy and martial arts, protected him throughout his growth, and later passed on the Way of Light. 8 168 471
• Sage Venerable Qianyuan — Long-standing friend and fellow Venerable. They jointly investigated Geek Tower and fought alongside one another against the Evil Race. 308 585
• Nie Yunyou — His eldest disciple. She introduces Lu Ming to life at the Great Wheel Bright Palace and addresses Zhao as Master. 466 511
• Zhu Ningyun — A talented junior Zhao encourages to cultivate diligently; he declines to interfere with her existing lineage. 168

Story Role / Major Arcs

Shuofeng City Mentor

Zhao becomes Lu Ming's first major guide after Lu Ming rents the neighboring courtyard. He teaches him to read, shares his books, recognizes his inherited saber art, and gives him the Soaring Dragon Palm. 8 13 18

Hidden Protector

While Lu Ming enters the martial world and joins the Wuji Sect, Zhao watches from afar. He protects him from fatal interference but deliberately leaves lesser enemies for Lu Ming to overcome himself. 24

Great Wheel Bright Venerable Revelation

Zhao reveals his identity while confronting the Zhu Family and openly establishes himself as Lu Ming's powerful backer. He gives Lu Ming a Nascent Soul jade slip and invites him to seek refuge at the Great Wheel Bright Palace if necessary. 168

Defender Against Geek Tower and the Evil Race

He manifests to destroy the Master of Geek Tower, then works alongside Sage Venerable Qianyuan to confront the larger threat behind Geek Tower. 308

During the Evil Race invasion, Zhao serves as one of the Nine Provinces World's foremost defenders. He battles Blood Sun Evil Venerable, uses a life-consuming secret technique, and continues commanding the defense despite severe injuries. 566 567 585

Remaining Guardian of the Nine Provinces World

When Lu Ming leaves the Nine Provinces World, Zhao refuses to accompany him. Despite his shortened lifespan, he remains behind to guard the realm and provide Lu Ming with a stable rear. 595 631