Sect Master

Biodata

Power Progression

History

A gifted Sword Path cultivator, Long damaged his foundation through sect affairs. He spent years in seclusion to heal, rarely appearing in public while Shangguan Yi handled much of the sect’s business. His absence also helped obscure the extent of his injuries from opponents 76 127 158 169.

After Qin Lingyu’s death, Long discussed the sect’s future with the Grey-robed Elder. He wanted to relinquish the burden of leadership but judged Shangguan Yi unable to support the entire sect 147 148. On meeting Yun Shu, he recognized Sword Intent in him despite Yun Shu’s concealment art. He then entrusted Yun Shu with the Sect Master’s Golden Seal, the methods for controlling the grand formations, and restricted sect inheritances. Yun Shu was to issue orders in Long’s name while serving as a Deacon Disciple 158 161 162.

Long later gave Yun Shu resources from his personal collection and stepped down when Yun Shu formally took over 202 263 264. He remained available in a crisis. During an attack on the pavilion, he fought with the aid of its grand formation; later, having burned most of his cultivation, he described himself to visiting sect leaders as a reclusive Elder rather than the Sect Master 263 333 338.

Appearance

Long is a handsome, dignified middle-aged man. His injuries initially give him a sickly pallor; later, he has silver hair and a healthier complexion 147 158 338.

• Wears white robes when receiving Shangguan Yi and Yun Shu 147 158.
• Appears in a purple robe when intervening at a sect contest 200.
• Retains an imposing bearing after his cultivation falls below Foundation Establishment 338.

Abilities & Skills

Swordsmanship

• Was regarded as a peerless Sword Path genius; he says his swordsmanship remains stronger than Shangguan Yi’s even after his Immortal Path cultivation declines 148 158.
• Perceives a profound aura of Sword Intent in Yun Shu despite Yun Shu’s use of the Breath Concealing Art 158.

Sect Formations

• Passes the methods for controlling the pavilion’s grand formations to Yun Shu. The surviving formations require vast quantities of Spirit Stones to operate 162.
• Uses the grand formation and Golden Seal to bolster himself against a late-stage Nascent Soul attacker, though the formation can no longer match its former power 333.

Items & Inheritances

• Sect Master’s Golden Seal — a symbol of office and the key to activating the sect’s grand formations; entrusted to Yun Shu during the leadership transition 161 162.
• Sect Master inheritances — gives Yun Shu the Myriad Sword Art, formation-control methods, and a record of secrets reserved for successive Sect Masters 162.
• Personal resources — offers Yun Shu roughly 300,000 Spirit Stones, Spiritual Objects worth around 200,000 Spirit Stones, and materials for several cultivation crafts 202.

Relationships

• Yun Shu — chosen successor. Long entrusts him with authority, inheritances, and personal cultivation resources, then steps down in his favor 161 162 202 263.
• Grey-robed Elder — fellow senior of the pavilion; they discuss succession and the sect’s survival together 148 162 311.
• Shangguan Yi — subordinate who managed sect affairs during Long’s seclusion. Long doubts his suitability as successor and fears an open confrontation could drive him toward the Golden Cauldron Sect 148 162 169.
• Liu Chuan — trusted Deacon Disciple whose assessment of Yun Shu helps inform Long’s choice of successor 127 162.
• Qin Lingyu — promising disciple whose reported death shakes Long; he later examines evidence that Qin Lingyu had dealt with the Golden Cauldron Sect 147 159.

Notable Quotes

“I am no Sect Master, just a reclusive Elder.” 338

“I can only give you my own collection. I am a useless man. The sect will have to rely on you from now on.” 202