Old Daoist

Biodata

Background / History

The Old Daoist resides in Yunqi Temple (also known as Nanshan Daoist Temple) 1 1011. He rescues Wang Xian after a divine arrow strikes the Panlong Pillar and carries the severely injured scholar to his temple 1. Discovering that Wang Xian has miraculously survived 999 wounds and possesses a restored dantian after forty-four days, the Old Daoist takes him in as his second disciple 2. Over the years, he guides Wang Xian's cultivation, teaches him talisman and sword arts, and handles various visitors, including formidable martial siblings and rival sect elders seeking a legendary Divine Sword 4 5 13. Late in the narrative, after decades of rivalry and shared history, he and Dongfang Nishang gain enlightenment from the Heavenly Tome and become Dao Companions 1036.

Appearance

• Described as appearing down-and-out, often wearing unkempt or well-worn Daoist robes that look like those of a beggar 1247.
• Wields a peach wood sword and carries a storage ring 5 1254.

Personality

• Pragmatic and outwardly fond of spirit stones and fine wine, frequently complaining about his poverty 5 11.
• Calm, composed, and deeply perceptive, remaining entirely unfazed when facing powerful grand elders and fierce sword masters 13 1254.
• Protective and fiercely loyal toward his disciples, though he often adopts a hands-off approach to let them face their own trials and karmic tribulations 1011 1045.

Abilities & Skills

Talisman & Daoist Arts

• Accomplished in drawing and utilizing powerful peace talismans and defensive formations 3 13.
• Capable of burning special talismans to invoke heavenly phenomena, such as summoning lightning to carve messages across the sky 3.

Swordsmanship

• Possesses peerless, effortless sword mastery capable of effortlessly neutralizing devastating attacks from Deity Transformation Realm experts and ancient beasts with a single wave of a peach wood sword 65 1254.
• Can easily deflect complex sword qi and transform incoming assaults into harmless falling petals or peach blossoms 1254.

Relationships

• Wang Xian — Disciple. Rescued him from the wilderness, took him in as his second disciple, and guided his path 1 2.
• Dongfang Nishang — Martial sibling / Dao Companion. Former martial sister who initially engaged in friendly duels with him before they eventually became Dao Companions 5 6 1036.
• Donghuang Shuyu — First disciple 210.
• Nalan Ming — Rival. Grand Elder of the Tianshan Xuantian Sect who previously clashed with him at Tianchi 13.

Notable Quotes

"The Way of Heaven benefits all and harms none; the Way of the sage acts, yet does not contend." 2

"You know full well that I am poor. If a Divine Sword truly fell from the heavens, I would have taken it down the mountain long ago to trade for spirit stones." 5