Old Man

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Old Man (老爷子); Lin Shuhai, also known as Lin Xiaotian
Gender	Male
Affiliation	The Empire; Imperial Capital University
Occupation/Role	President of Imperial Capital University; Su Ye's mentor and political adviser; administrator preparing Su Ye to succeed him
Status	Alive; ascended to godhood and became one of the Twenty-Four Heavens. He later reached the Main God level and announced his intention to enter seclusion to challenge the Taboo realm, though he remained active as Imperial Capital University's president afterward. He was affected by the Main World's large-scale memory rewrites and was unable to remember why he had sought Su Ye. 463 661 814 824 825 836

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Demigod	457	Before his recovery, his status identified him as a Demigod with the God-level talent Source of Life, Space Divinity, and the God-level barracks Spirit Nest of the Void. His origin was burdened by the Abyss Erosion, Void Demon, and Necromancy Curses. 457
God / Twenty-Four Heavens	463	The Glory of the Flawless cleared the three curses rooted in his origin. His Territory Heart merged with his godhead, his territory transformed into a golden Divine Kingdom, and he perceived his True Fate. 463
Main God	661	Having already been close to the Main God level despite his injuries, he was later explicitly described as a Main God. 514 661

Background / History

The Old Man was afflicted by three origin-rooted curses that should have killed him long before his ascension. His disciples prolonged his life in turn, and their arrival upon sensing his breakthrough demonstrates their loyalty to him. He considers nurturing these disciples his greatest accomplishment. 463 464

The three curses originated from his reckless younger exploits: he fought in the Abyss, traveled through the Void, and ventured into the World of Death in search of treasures. The curses—Abyss Erosion, Void Demon Curse, and Necromancy Curse—became fused with his origin and blocked his path despite his exceptional accumulated foundation. 457 463 464

After the Glory of the Flawless removed the curses, he completed the Mystic Side lord's path of merging the Territory Heart with the godhead and establishing a Divine Kingdom. Despite becoming one of the Twenty-Four Heavens, he retained his familiar, cunning manner. 463

He later became one of Su Ye's principal advisers, repeatedly warning him about the Imperial Capital's powerful families, internal instability, foreign dangers, and the consequences of reckless action. 405 514 566 637

As an administrator of Imperial Capital University, he handles matters such as school resource allocation and higher-level political affairs. He gradually introduces Su Ye to these responsibilities, expecting Su Ye to assume his current position when he himself advances within the academy's hierarchy. 604 762

The Old Man was selected to become the next president of Imperial Capital University, a position that granted him access to The Empire's inherited history and strategic secrets. By Chapter 836, he was acting as the university's president and attending high-level meetings of the Twenty-Four Heavens. 749 836

The Old Man possesses extensive knowledge of The Empire's inherited history and long-term strategy. He explains that The Empire preserves neighboring states as sources of external pressure, shields against outside threats, and test grounds for emerging systems, believing that The Empire's greatest danger is internal conflict rather than foreign enemies. 748

He further explains that The Empire's apparent historical “fault lines” disrupted its eras rather than eliminating its underlying population or accumulated foundations. Its hidden strength includes numerous ancient powerhouses, including a large but unspecified number of Genesis-level existences. 949 1003

Following the escalating crises of the Era War, he ultimately entrusts his responsibilities to Su Ye and prepares to enter seclusion in an attempt to challenge the Taboo realm. 814

Despite his stated seclusion, he continued to act as university president amid later crises. He was among the Main God-level figures whose memories were overwritten when the Future Body rewrote the Main World's history, leaving him unable to explain why he had come to see Su Ye. 824 825 836

Personality

The Old Man is experienced, politically cautious, and protective of The Empire's stability. He rejects actions that could create uncontrolled chaos, such as Su Ye's proposal to expand through slaughtering neighboring countries, and favors internal consolidation before external intervention. 514 605 615

He treats Su Ye with a mix of irritation, affection, and paternal concern. Although he scolds Su Ye for shamelessness or recklessness, he trusts him with sensitive matters, takes him to significant meetings, and repeatedly instructs him to remain low-key for his own safety. 531 566 630 657

Though he is principled about The Empire's interests, he is also highly pragmatic. He recognizes that individuals do not necessarily represent The Empire's will, is willing to support Su Ye against those who overreach, and focuses on ensuring that Su Ye does not leave evidence or expose himself to retaliation. 653 666 688

He is willing to use harsh measures against threats to The Empire, regarding the dispatch of Main Gods from the Feng and Zhou Families to Purgatory as an appropriate warning against overreaching. 566

He has confidence in Su Ye's ability despite frequently criticizing him. His decision to groom Su Ye as his successor reflects both his trust in Su Ye and his belief that Su Ye must learn to shoulder the responsibilities of their lineage. 762 814

The Old Man is accustomed to suspecting Su Ye whenever extraordinary disasters occur nearby, but his primary concern remains Su Ye's safety rather than the fate of foreign states. He was prepared to arrange help to retrieve Su Ye from Island Country if necessary. 685 898

During the Era War, he remains ruthless but measured in defending Imperial order. He approves of using Su Ye as bait to expose hostile forces and supports a targeted crackdown on groups that exploit public opinion and spread destabilizing unrest, while distinguishing such actors from less harmful dissenters. 946

Abilities & Skills

Godhood and Divine Kingdom

Following his recovery, the Old Man possesses a godhead and a golden Divine Kingdom formed from his former territory. 463

• Before ascending, he possessed the God-level talent Source of Life, Space Divinity, and the God-level Spirit Nest of the Void barracks. 457
• His three origin-rooted curses were Abyss Erosion, Void Demon Curse, and Necromancy Curse. 457
• His Territory Heart merged completely into his godhead. 463
• He awakened perception of his True Fate. 463
• He was described as nearing the Main God level despite an injury. 514
• He later reached the Main God level. 661
• His Hero Unit was still only at the half-step Taboo level, as its path depended on developing beyond the laws the Old Man had derived from it. 602
• He intends to challenge the Taboo realm through seclusion. 814
• Even as a Main God, he was affected by the Future Body's large-scale rewriting of memories and history. 824 825

Spatial Movement

The Old Man can relocate himself and Su Ye through space.

• Upon hearing Su Ye's warning about the Fei Kingdom, he grabbed Su Ye and instantly transported them from his office to his superior's office. 604
• He captured Huang Lanlan and removed her in a spatial container following the banquet incident. 784
• His spatial ability has limits: he states that even a Main God of the spatial type could not simply extract Su Ye from the sealed and destabilized French Chicken situation. 728
• During The Empire's suppression of the Lone Heart Clan, he shut down the separate space-time containing the City of Lone Heart after the Imperial forces had gained control of the situation. 949

Political Knowledge and Judgment

He is deeply familiar with The Empire's history, military arrangements, internal factions, and international constraints.

• He explains that military teleportation arrays between empires exist for rapid reinforcement during crises. 535
• He knows of prior Imperial crises caused by a Taboo attack and a traitor who defected to the Warp. 535
• He recognizes that intervening in the Fei Kingdom without proof would violate international boundaries and risk wider turmoil. 605
• He identifies the need to stabilize surrounding smaller nations for at least half a year. 615
• He understands The Empire's policy of retaining other states as external pressure, shields, and experimental grounds for new systems. 748
• He monitors political developments across the Main World, including the internal conflict in Island Country following an attempted assassination of Su Ye. 671
• He explains that stealing an Old God's Authority requires defeating others of the same power system, receiving recognition from that system, and obtaining the Old God's origin. 759
• As president of Imperial Capital University, he attends high-level Imperial meetings involving the Twenty-Four Heavens and the Seven Divine Pillars. 836
• He brings abnormal developments, including Bear Country's unexpected Abyssal Rift, to Su Ye for insight when conventional intelligence is insufficient. 910
• He confirms that The Empire had already begun reckoning with those spreading destabilizing rumors and unrest. 945 946
• He identifies the previous generation's Seventh Divine Pillar during the Lone Heart Clan crisis and reveals that older Divine Pillars may still be conducting secret missions for The Empire. 948
• He explains that The Empire's historical breaks damaged its eras rather than destroying its deeper foundation, which includes hidden Genesis-level forces. 949 1003
• He explains that many Imperial Taboos cultivate in other worlds to compensate for weaknesses in their respective systems, while those who remain in the Main World do so to guard The Empire. 971

Protective Support

The Old Man provides Su Ye with both political backing and practical safeguards when threats arise.

• After Gu Xin's assassination attempt, he gives Su Ye a Substitute Death Puppet and immediately recognizes the implications of Su Ye's knowledge regarding the assassin's identity. 646
• He intervenes when a hostile figure attempts to conduct a soul search on Su Ye in the Imperial Capital. 705
• He arranges for Ling Haotian to help extract Su Ye from the collapsing situation in Island Country. 685 687
• He authorizes Su Ye to act against inhuman threats seeking him out, while ordering him to maintain a bottom line. 666
• When he suspects Su Ye may be connected to another Island Country calamity, he verifies that Su Ye is safe before leaving the matter alone. 898
• He confirms that The Empire is deliberately using Su Ye as bait to draw hostile factions into exposing themselves, while using the resulting pretext to act against destabilizing elements. 946

Relationships

• Su Ye — Mentor, adviser, paternal protector, and designated successor. He warns Su Ye about political danger, accompanies him abroad, trusts him with sensitive Imperial matters, and prepares him to inherit his university responsibilities. 405 531 604 657 762 814
• His disciples — Former students, including Main God-level existences. They helped extend his life while he was cursed and gathered immediately when he ascended. 463 464
• Meng Jingtian / Old Old Man / Grandmaster — His superior and master within Imperial Capital University. The Old Man brought Su Ye to report the suspected fall of the Fei Kingdom, and his superior's impending advancement set off the succession arrangements within their line. 604 762
• Ling Haotian — A higher-ranking Imperial Capital University figure. He was present with the Old Man when Su Ye displayed dangerous items obtained from his trials, and assisted in removing Su Ye from Island Country during its collapse. 654 687
• Karian — An old friend and dying Demigod. The Old Man introduced Karian to Su Ye's Holy Grail of Immortality gamble, allowing Karian to survive and regain the possibility of further advancement. 488 496 497

Story Role / Major Arcs

Imperial Capital Adviser

Upon Su Ye's return to the Main World, the Old Man warns him against arrogance and involvement with the Imperial Capital's inner circles and powerful families. 405

Commercial Guidance

He advises Su Ye on navigating Imperial Capital University's political environment and the pharmaceutical industry, including the appropriate price for selling Su Ye's products to incoming foreign medical conglomerates. 426

Recovery and Ascension

The removal of his three curses allows him to recover his origin, establish a Divine Kingdom, and ascend as one of the Twenty-Four Heavens. 463

Gu Family Transaction

He provides Su Ye with a list of possible recruits, limits Su Ye to taking one-third of them, and agrees to handle Su Ye's Strange Crystal transaction with the Gu Family. He also orders Su Ye not to provoke that family for six months. 467

Holy Grail Connections

The Old Man helps Su Ye present the Cursed Holy Grail to desperate demigods as a chance to gamble for survival. He brings his old friend Karian to undergo the trial, and Karian survives, gaining renewed vitality and a path toward future godhood. 488 496 497

He later accompanies Su Ye in handling additional voluntary Holy Grail applicants and assures Su Ye that anyone attempting to cause trouble over a consensual gamble can be brought to him. 523 524

White Eagle Visit

He brings Su Ye to the White Eagle Empire under the name of an exchange, shares information about Imperial defense arrangements and past crises, then advises Su Ye to return to his Main Territory when the White Eagle situation becomes chaotic. 531 535 544

Fei Kingdom Warning

When Su Ye reports a prophecy that the Fei Kingdom has fallen, the Old Man takes the warning seriously and brings him before his superior. He ultimately accepts that there is insufficient proof for The Empire to intervene and orders Su Ye not to spread the information. 604 605

Imperial Internal Crisis

He informs Su Ye of threatened front lines, possible Taboo betrayal, and hostile forces operating both outside and within The Empire. He entrusts Su Ye with guarding Imperial Capital University while warning him of an approaching storm. 630 637 657

When Su Ye identifies that the rules restricting the Level 3 Frontline had silently failed, the Old Man recognizes that an outside force had influenced everyone into ignoring the anomaly and urgently reports it to his master. 628

He also responds to repeated threats against Su Ye, including Gu Xin's assassination attempt and the long-term infiltration of God-level Bugmen within The Empire. 646 713

Imperial History and Succession

The Old Man reveals The Empire's policy of preserving weaker neighboring empires for strategic pressure, protection, and experimentation with new systems. He further permits Su Ye to access The Empire's true inherited history through Su Ye's status as warden of the Prison of Heaven. 748

As changes in the Main World accelerate, he begins training Su Ye in administrative work and informs him that he will soon occupy the Old Man's current seat. 762

Old God Authority Crisis

When Tang Yun seeks to kill an Old God and seize Its Authority, the Old Man explains the extreme requirements and risks of the process. He reports the matter to The Empire, recognizing that an Old God's return and the potential theft of Its Authority require a state-level decision. 759

Gu Yue Family Support

The Old Man sends Su Ye to represent Imperial Capital University's support for the declining Gu Yue Family. He instructs Su Ye to protect the family from opportunists while remembering the sacrifices its members made on the front lines. 782

Scarlet Old One Incursion

During the Scarlet Old One's appearance at Imperial Capital University, the Old Man stands with Ling Haotian and other Imperial figures before an existence far beyond their ordinary standing. He later discusses the danger posed by the being's absent past and considers Su Ye's theory that it may be waiting for something. 775 778 791

Taboo Seclusion

After the return of ancient powers and the intensification of the Era War, the Old Man hands his responsibilities to Su Ye and prepares to enter seclusion to challenge the Taboo realm. 814

University Presidency

As president of Imperial Capital University, the Old Man participates in a high-level meeting of the Twenty-Four Heavens alongside one of the Seven Divine Pillars, receiving assignments and returning to the university with renewed urgency. 836

Memory Rewrite Aftermath

When Su Ye's Future Body erases memories across the Main World and rewrites recent history, the Old Man is left confused after arriving to see Su Ye, unable to remember his purpose despite his Main God-level cultivation. 824 825

Later Era Crisis Response

The Old Man remains an active source of intelligence and authority as new anomalies emerge. He consults Su Ye over Bear Country's abnormal Abyssal Rift, monitors the threat posed by the Hundred-Winged Angels, and confirms that The Empire has begun reckoning with destabilizing actors. 910 945 946 956 957

Public-Opinion Crackdown

The Old Man confirms that The Empire has positioned Su Ye as bait to draw out hostile factions. The resulting controversy gives The Empire grounds to suppress corporate, online, and social groups that have been manipulating public opinion and escalating instability during the crisis. 946

Lone Heart Clan Suppression

During the battle over the City of Lone Heart, the Old Man watches the conflict with Su Ye and identifies the previous generation's Seventh Divine Pillar as part of The Empire's hidden foundation. He explains that the Imperial historical fault lines did not erase its people or deeper power, then closes the isolated space-time after the Lone Heart Clan's defeat. 948 949

Imperial Hidden Foundations

As the Era War continues, the Old Man explains that many Imperial Taboos are stationed in other worlds to cultivate supplementary systems, while the ones who remain in the Main World guard The Empire. He also confirms that The Empire possesses a large number of Genesis-level existences despite the current era's lord system being poorly suited to producing them. 971 1003

Trivia

• The Old Man is addressed as “Old Man” by Su Ye, who is comfortable enough to openly bargain and joke with him. 604
• His status identifies him as Lin Shuhai, with Lin Xiaotian as an alias. 457
• He once rapped Su Ye on the head hard enough to make him crouch in pain. 604
• Although he calls himself an old man, he is described as “cunning to the core” even after becoming one of the Twenty-Four Heavens. 463
• Su Ye's customary loud arrival at his office is frequently described as a “Dragon Roar,” much to the Old Man's irritation. 604 621 762
• He was left perplexed when the Main World's rewritten history caused him to forget why he had gone to find Su Ye. 824 825
• While observing the Hundred-Winged Angels, he remarked that their tendency to stir up trouble felt similar to Su Ye's style. 956 957