Patriarch

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Ling Yi
Alias(es)	Patriarch (祖师); Patriarch Ling Yi
Species/Race	Human (formerly); Artifact Spirit of the Illusion Immortal Bead (current) 230
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Myriad Sword Pavilion
Occupation/Role	One of the Pavilion's three ancient Patriarchs; researcher, mentor, and guardian to Yun Shu 213 314
Status	Deceased; his soul merged with the Illusion Immortal Bead after the Pavilion's destruction and persists as its Artifact Spirit 230

Background

Ling Yi was one of the three Patriarchs whose brief era elevated the Myriad Sword Pavilion into a sacred land for the Way of the Sword. The three ancestors each pursued a different ultimate path—Body Cultivation, Mental Energy, and sword cultivation—yet were regarded as comparably formidable at the height of the Ten Mortal Provinces. 213 215

His cultivation focused heavily on the principles linking the human body, heaven and earth, Mental Energy, Talismans, and Formation Arrays. He attempted to recreate the functions of a living body through formations and vessels, but could not fully reproduce consciousness or thought before the Myriad Sword Pavilion was destroyed. 230

Ling Yi died roughly a thousand years before Yun Shu's era. His soul ultimately merged into the Illusion Immortal Bead, allowing him to remain in the mortal world as an Artifact Spirit so long as the immortal artifact endures. 216 230

At his peak, Ling Yi reached the Third Realm of Human Immortal. He described the Sword Ancestor as having been stronger, at the Fourth Realm, and believed the three Patriarchs might have avoided their fate had they reached the Sixth Realm. 571

Appearance

When manifesting from the Illusion Immortal Bead, Ling Yi appears as an exceptionally handsome young man despite his immense age and status.

• Black hair that appears to flutter around him. 288
• A nearly flawless, jade-like face; Yun Shu considers his appearance comparable only to the most breathtaking people he has encountered. 264 603
• Usually appears around twenty years old. 288
• His manifested form can be almost solid, though it remains faintly ethereal upon close inspection. 287
• Possesses a wild, domineering aura that contrasts with his youthful appearance. 288

Personality

Ling Yi is notably open-minded, direct, and free of elaborate schemes. Yun Shu considers all three ancient Patriarchs unusually pure in mindset, believing their clarity of thought suited their cultivation. 314

He is blunt and casually mocking, frequently belittling opponents or teasing Yun Shu. He dismisses many powerful cultivators as insignificant and has little patience for hesitation, but his criticism is generally paired with practical instruction or protection. 286 340 573

Despite his detached manner, Ling Yi is protective of the Myriad Sword Pavilion's remaining legacy and deeply invested in Yun Shu's growth. He does not intrude on Yun Shu's private thoughts unless summoned, respecting the younger cultivator's boundaries. 216

Abilities & Skills

Mental Energy and Deduction

Ling Yi's primary expertise is Mental Energy cultivation, including deduction, concealment, and resisting investigations.

• His deduction methods are described as nearly comparable to the strongest beings in existence. 371
• He can use the Illusion Immortal Bead to conceal Yun Shu's aura and obstruct attempts to trace him. 567 616
• He can perceive distant events and assess opponents' hidden injuries or approximate strength. 334
• His knowledge of Mental Energy allows him to identify flaws in spiritual techniques and provide annotations on Yun Shu's insights. 369
• Even after death, he cannot always determine whether an unknown presence is watching or locking onto Yun Shu's location. 702

Formation Arrays

Ling Yi is an ancient master of Formation Arrays and considers them essential to understanding the relationship between the human body and heaven and earth.

• He researched connecting Talismans and human bodies through formations. 230
• He created human avatars containing immeasurable numbers of Formation Arrays and sought to activate them through Split Souls. 230
• His secret technique enabled Yun Shu to refine a human body and create a Mental Energy clone. 230
• He can restore damaged formation diagrams and assist Yun Shu in developing formations into potential trump cards. 547
• He dispersed the Ancient Mine's mist, located a hidden formation eye, and opened a brief route into a sealed small world. 574

Body Cultivation Techniques

Ling Yi left behind several Body Cultivation methods, including techniques Yun Shu later uses to rapidly strengthen his physique.

• Four Symbols Hegemonic Body Art — among the most advanced techniques created by Patriarch Ling Yi. 437
• Indestructible Body of Heavenly Tribulation — a Body Cultivation method personally created by Ling Yi, accompanied by matching martial techniques capable of wielding thunder. 267
• His teachings helped Yun Shu develop Body Cultivation into a primary safeguard while maintaining Immortal Path cultivation as his foundation for ascension. 268 314

Artifact-Spirit Existence

As the Artifact Spirit of the Illusion Immortal Bead, Ling Yi can act through or emerge from the immortal artifact.

• He appears when Yun Shu calls upon him, but otherwise avoids interfering. 216
• He can manipulate the bead to absorb or expend Yun Shu's Spiritual Energy, Mental Energy, and Blood Qi for major operations. 561 575
• His continued existence depends on the Illusion Immortal Bead remaining intact. 230
• He can materialize beside Yun Shu and interact with physical objects, including items stored in Yun Shu's Storage Bag. 288

Equipment / Items

• Illusion Immortal Bead — Ling Yi's soul vessel and current form as an Artifact Spirit; an immortal artifact connected to the former Sword Pavilion. 216 230
• Illusion Immortal Bead's concealment and deduction functions — used to mask Yun Shu's presence, resist heavenly-secret investigations, and locate distant targets. 567 616
• Patriarch Ling Yi's inherited cultivation methods — a collection of techniques, including the Four Symbols Hegemonic Body Art and Indestructible Body of Heavenly Tribulation. 267 437

Relationships

• Yun Shu — Mentor, advisor, and protector. Ling Yi guides Yun Shu's cultivation, shares ancient techniques and knowledge, assists with formations, and entrusts him with reviving the Myriad Sword Pavilion. 264 314 547
• Sword Ancestor — Fellow ancient Patriarch and close associate. Ling Yi speaks of the Sword Ancestor with familiarity and emotion, and identifies Yun Shu as the Sword Ancestor's registered disciple. 313 340
• The other two ancient Patriarchs — Ling Yi fought alongside the other founders during the Pavilion's peak era; all three ultimately perished while leaving their inheritances behind. 215 571
• Surviving Myriad Sword Pavilion elder — An elderly survivor recognizes Ling Yi immediately and kneels before him, offering his own body in the hope that the Patriarch might be restored. Ling Yi refuses and instead asks about the elder's life after the Pavilion's fall. 288

Story Role / Major Arcs

Yun Shu's Inheritance

After Yun Shu inherits the Illusion Immortal Bead, Ling Yi becomes an intermittent presence in his sea of consciousness. He explains the Pavilion's past, offers guidance on cultivation, and gradually becomes Yun Shu's most reliable source of ancient knowledge. 216 313

Reconstruction of the Myriad Sword Pavilion

Ling Yi encourages Yun Shu after he succeeds the Pavilion Master, placing the responsibility for the Myriad Sword Pavilion's revival upon him. Yun Shu initially prioritizes survival and personal strength, while Ling Yi remains confident that his cultivation speed will eventually let him contend with major sects. 264

Ancient Mine Expedition

Ling Yi provides key reconnaissance during Yun Shu's exploration of the Ancient Mine. He warns Yun Shu about its immortal-level dangers, analyzes the formations surrounding a sealed small world, and uses the Illusion Immortal Bead to create an opening for Yun Shu to seize an Immortal Artifact fragment. 573 574

Support During Yun Shu's Rise

Ling Yi continues to advise Yun Shu as his disciple surpasses the power Ling Yi possessed in life. Although he eventually admits he can offer less direct help, he remains a trusted companion in Yun Shu's efforts to preserve the Pavilion's inheritance and face threats from the wider cultivation world. 707 721

Notable Quotes

“If anything happens, I'll protect you.” 287

“What are you afraid of? You have the Patriarch watching your back.” 340

“You child, you are always so stubborn. However, since you have made your choice, your Patriarch will accompany you on this path.” 721