Lin Hai

Biodata

Background / History

In his youth, Lin Hai left Kaiyang City and joined the Four Seas Merchant Guild in Yunlan City for several years. He later became head of the Lin Family and one of Kaiyang City's foremost martial artists 3 23.

When his son Lin Chen prepared to enter the Spirit Martial Realm, Lin Hai checked his foundation, gave him an Essence Condensation Pill, and explained the breakthrough's key points. After Lin Chen succeeded, Lin Hai let him choose a family responsibility and advised him on a cultivation art without making the decision for him 3 5.

Lin Hai led Lin Family fighters in the joint assault on Blackwind Stronghold. He and Li Yuan fought its chief, Li Baichuan. Afterward, Lin Hai released Lin Chen from Herb Garden duties so he could concentrate on cultivation 17 20.

Lin Hai convened the family elders to support Lin Chen's advancement. More than half agreed to grant him a three-hundred-year-old Silvermoon Grass and two Crimson Flame Ginseng plants over two hundred and fifty years old. Lin Hai also sent Lin Chen to collect them from the Herb Garden alone, hoping to lure out Hu Yuan, a fugitive who had been attacking members of both the Lin and Li families. Lin Chen later returned and reported that he had killed Hu Yuan 24 26.

As the two families' disagreement over expanding the Black Iron Ore Vein grew, Lin Hai undertook to handle family affairs while Lin Chen attempted to enter the Profound Martial Realm. He celebrated his son's successful breakthrough and accepted his plan to invite the Li Family to discuss Kaiyang City's future. At the meeting, Lin Hai announced that the Li Family must submit to the Lin Family or leave the city. After Li Yuan pledged allegiance, Lin Hai took charge of the practical arrangements and welcomed cooperation between the families 27 28 29 30.

Before Lin Chen departed for Yunlan City, Lin Hai gathered Spirit Stones and rare forging materials from the two families for his son's Life-Bound Divine Artifact. He also informed Lin Chen that Li Yuan had entered seclusion to attempt a dangerous breakthrough 31.

Years later, Lin Hai was still practicing his palm techniques daily despite remaining at the tenth level of the Spirit Martial Realm. Through the Four Seas Merchant Guild, Lin Chen sent his parents two Earthfire Spirit Lotuses and the lower Profound Grade Azure Origin Art, hoping to improve Lin Hai's chances of advancing 53. The Lin Residence subsequently came to control three cities. On a later visit home, Lin Hai asked about expanding its influence into Cloudmist Territory, but Lin Chen declined 78.

Appearance

Lin Hai is described as looking to be in his thirties at his first appearance and as stern-looking and middle-aged when he visits the Herb Garden 3 20.

• Wears brocade robes, including dark teal and gray ones 3 5 21.
• Has a calm expression when first seen reading in the family council hall 3.

Personality

Lin Hai is attentive to both Lin Chen's progress and its risks. He verifies his son's preparation before supplying a breakthrough pill, respects his choice of family work, and later warns him not to exhaust himself in training 3 5 26. He is proud of Lin Chen's strength but recognizes when the family's resources can no longer support his growth, urging him to seek opportunities in Yunlan City 22 23.

As family head, Lin Hai weighs commercial risks as well as potential profits: he opposes expanding the Black Iron Ore Vein's operations without reliable buyers. He supports Lin Chen's plan to secure the family's position in Kaiyang City, presenting firm terms to the Li Family while leaving it a choice between submission and departure 27 28 29. He sharply rejects Li Yuan's suggestion of a marriage match for Lin Chen 30.

Abilities & Skills

Palm techniques

Lin Hai has spent decades honing his palm techniques and has studied a variety of martial arts while unable to advance beyond the tenth level of the Spirit Martial Realm 22 23. He continues to practice his palm techniques daily even after Lin Chen leaves Kaiyang City 53.

• His strikes can shift between deceptive attacks from difficult angles and simpler blows backed by overwhelming force 22.
• In a spar, he fought Lin Chen to a standstill while using ninth-level strength. At full tenth-level strength, he disarmed and defeated him, holding back his final blow 22.

Spiritual power control

• Lin Hai can suppress his power to match Lin Chen's seventh-level cultivation and raise it incrementally during their spar 22.
• His full tenth-level spiritual power overwhelmed Lin Chen's defenses despite the latter's Sword Intent 22 23.

Relationships

• Lin Chen — Son. Lin Hai supplies cultivation resources, tests his combat ability, and advises him to leave Kaiyang City when he needs more advanced methods. He later helps gather forging materials for Lin Chen's sword. Lin Chen sends him Earthfire Spirit Lotuses and a cultivation art in hopes of helping him advance 3 22 23 31 53.
• Liu Mubai — Lin Chen's mother; she sits beside Lin Hai when their son visits the family council hall. She supports Lin Hai's continued practice and shares the moment when Lin Chen's gifts arrive. She later reaches the Profound Martial Realm 3 53 78.
• Li Yuan — Head of the rival Li Family. They cooperate against Blackwind Stronghold, and Lin Hai later handles the terms of the Li Family's submission. Lin Hai welcomes their subsequent cooperation but rebuffs Li Yuan's suggestion that his daughter marry Lin Chen 20 30.
• Lin Song — Lin Family elder stationed at the Herb Garden. Lin Hai coordinates with him over Lin Chen's posting and later visits the garden alongside him. Lin Song supports the elders' decision to grant Lin Chen rare Spirit Herbs 5 20 24.

Notable Quotes

“For someone who has grasped Sword Intent, Kaiyang City is too small. It's a shallow pool.” 23