Ling Tiannan

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Ling Tiannan (凌天南)
Alias(es)	True Man Tiannan 7
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Divine Sword Sect
Occupation/Role	Elder of the Divine Sword Sect; Ling An'an's Master and uncle 5
First Appearance	Chapter 5

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Nascent Soul	11	Previously remained at peak Golden Core for a century, then lived incognito among mortals for two years and broke through.
Peak Nascent Soul	6	Had remained at this stage for three hundred years, with fewer than one hundred years of Longevity left; Jing Pu's painting gave him a chance to reach Spirit Emergence.

Appearance

Ling Tiannan is an old, white-haired man who is first seen seated behind a desk reading a book in a magnificent palace. 5 7

• White hair. 7
• Usually carries himself as a composed elder, though his demeanor changes sharply when confronted with Jing Pu's works or power. 5 6 9

Personality

Ling Tiannan is initially skeptical of Ling An'an's claim that she met a Tribulation Crossing expert, reasoning that no such cultivator should exist in the Blazing Dynasty. His attitude reverses immediately after he examines Jing Pu's painting and experiences its profound Dao Intent. 5 6

He is intensely respectful and cautious toward Jing Pu, whom he believes may be a Mahayana cultivator or an Ascended Great Immortal. He strives to accommodate Jing Pu's apparent wish to live as a mortal, invites him into the Divine Sword Sect, and gives him exceptional lodging. 6 7 9

Despite his reverence, Ling Tiannan is strongly driven by cultivation. He privately admits that he might have taken Jing Pu's painting for himself if it had not belonged to his niece-disciple, Ling An'an. 6 He also values the sect's safety, becoming furious when Di Chen's challenge nearly provokes Jing Pu into unleashing his sword. 8 9

Abilities & Skills

Cultivation

Ling Tiannan is a peak Nascent Soul cultivator who once broke through from peak Golden Core after spending two years living as an ordinary wealthy merchant. 6 11

• His current goal is advancement to the Spirit Emergence stage. 6
• He recognizes the gulf between his own realm and a Tribulation Crossing cultivator, who would be two major realms above him. 2
• He can travel by Flying Sword. 39

Dao Comprehension

Jing Pu's art provides Ling Tiannan with extraordinary opportunities for insight.

• Opening only a tenth of Ling An'an's scroll reveals an image of countless changing Flying Swords and makes his Dao Heart tremble. 6
• He believes fully comprehending the scroll's Dao Intent could allow him to break through to Spirit Emergence. 6
• After studying Jing Pu's Longevity painting for a single night, he already feels the beginnings of another breakthrough. 18

Longevity Enhancement

Ling Tiannan gains Longevity while standing outside Jing Pu's study beside Di Chen.

• The Longevity ink-wash painting shows him visions of Penglai Island, Cloud Steps Moon Ground, and the Xuanxiao Pill Palace. 12
• His Longevity increases in repeated increments of three days while exposed to the painting. 12

Background / History

Ling Tiannan serves as an Elder of the Divine Sword Sect and as Ling An'an's Master and uncle. When she returns after delivering invitations to three princes, he receives her warmly before hearing her report about Jing Pu. 5

At first, he dismisses the possibility that Jing Pu is a Tribulation Crossing expert, since the Blazing Dynasty supposedly has no cultivator at that level. Ling An'an's account gains credibility when she presents Jing Pu's painting. The Dao Intent within it shakes Ling Tiannan's long-stagnant cultivation and leads him to speculate that Jing Pu is at least Mahayana—or perhaps an Ascended Great Immortal from the Upper Realm. 5 6

Ling Tiannan rushes with Ling An'an to find Jing Pu after the latter fails the Outer Disciple assessment. Taking Jing Pu's claim of having no Spirituality as part of his mortal disguise, Ling Tiannan invites him to remain at the Divine Sword Sect as a painter and personally arranges a luxurious courtyard for him. 6 7 9

After witnessing Jing Pu draw his sword during Di Chen's test, Ling Tiannan fears that a released strike could destroy half of the Blazing Dynasty. He thereafter treats Jing Pu with even greater caution and admonishes Di Chen for nearly endangering the entire sect. 8 9

Jing Pu later leaves the Longevity painting for Ling Tiannan as a gift. Its artistic conception increases Ling Tiannan's Longevity and renews his hope of breaking through from peak Nascent Soul to Spirit Emergence. 10 12 18

Relationships

• Ling An'an — His niece and disciple. He initially doubts her judgment regarding Jing Pu, then accepts her report after seeing the painting she received; he encourages her seclusion and planned Golden Core advancement. 5 6 9
• Jing Pu — Revered guest and benefactor. Ling Tiannan invites him into the Divine Sword Sect, provides him special accommodation, and receives the Longevity painting from him. 7 9 10 12
• Di Chen — Fellow Divine Sword Sect Elder. They disagree over Jing Pu's identity until Di Chen witnesses Jing Pu's sword aura; Ling Tiannan later leaves Di Chen behind to study Longevity. 6 8 9 12
• Ling Ju — An associate encountered through events surrounding Jing Pu and the Tribulation Crossing Demonic Creature. 38 39

Story Role / Major Arcs

Jing Pu's Arrival at the Divine Sword Sect

Ling Tiannan investigates Ling An'an's report of a mysterious senior and becomes convinced of Jing Pu's immense power after examining his painting. He retrieves Jing Pu after the Outer Disciple assessment and secures his residence within the sect. 5 6 7

Di Chen's Challenge

He opposes Di Chen's attempt to expose Jing Pu as a fraud and is terrified by the pressure released when Jing Pu draws his sword. Ling Tiannan concludes that Jing Pu bears no hostility toward the sect only because he chose not to strike. 8 9

The *Longevity* Painting

Ling Tiannan discovers Jing Pu's gifted painting, experiences its longevity-enhancing effects, and devotes himself to comprehending its Dao Intent. 12 18

Demonic Creature Incident

When Tribulation Crossing thunderclouds appear, Ling Tiannan and Di Chen immediately seek out Jing Pu to determine his intentions. They arrive to find the peak Spirit Transformation Demonic Creature You He kneeling and kowtowing before Jing Pu. 38

Notable Quotes

“Perhaps... this Senior... is... is at the Mahayana stage... or perhaps even a Great Immortal from the Upper Realm who has already Ascended...”
— 6

“I don't care what you're up to, but if this Senior leaves in the end, I'm not done with you!”
— 8