Elder Mo

Biodata

Appearance

Elder Mo is an elderly man with sparse, snow-white hair combed back over a weathered, wrinkled forehead 3.

• Clothing: Black Daoist robes 3 17.
• Eyes: Initially described as resembling deep, deathly still pools 3.
• Bearing: His loose strands of hair and hands clasped behind his back give him an unrestrained, immortal-like elegance 4.

Background / History

Early Ambition and Recruitment Program

As a young cultivator, Elder Mo participated in the Heavenly Origin Grand Gathering but achieved little beside its outstanding prodigies. He vowed to make the Beast Taming Sect’s name resound throughout Heavenly Origin. After recognizing his own limitations and losing hope of reaching Nascent Soul, he turned to nurturing younger disciples 18.

Using information acquired from the Heavenly Secrets Tower, he pursued the possibility that a bloodline contract with a cultivator possessing a special physique could awaken a beast’s hidden bloodline and transform it into a treasure beast. He obtained substantial resources from the sect master to recruit such cultivators. Six pairings—including Ouyang Hao and his primordial yang body—failed before Lin Jing’s arrival. Despite the Black Bear Monster’s suspicion that the information was false, Elder Mo continued trying and prayed to the sect’s ancestors for success 6 18.

Welcoming Lin Jing

Following Lin Jing’s rescue from the Corpse Yin Sect, Elder Mo admitted him as an outer disciple entitled to inner-disciple cultivation resources. He made clear that preferential support did not exempt Lin Jing from earning promotion through missions and contributions. He also corrected Lin Jing’s proposal to lure demon beasts into enslavement, explaining that the sect had abandoned that path 3.

Elder Mo introduced Lin Jing to the sect’s basic bonded beasts and accompanied him to Pine Forest Peak. He emphasized that choosing a beast required mutual approval, then helped settle Lin Jing and the Pineleaf Squirrel into an Outer Court courtyard. Before leaving, he supplied a jade talisman that concealed Lin Jing’s special constitution from ordinary observers lacking special methods 3 4 5.

Protecting and Supporting the Pair

When the Corpse Yin Sect learned of Lin Jing’s longevity body, Elder Mo warned him not to leave the sect or accept outside missions while he investigated. His investigation produced no results, but a contact in the Demon-Slaying Bureau informed him that approaching crackdowns would likely leave the Corpse Yin Sect too occupied to pursue Lin Jing 11 18.

After returning, Elder Mo discovered the Pineleaf Squirrel’s unusual Red Flying Leaf during its bamboo-harvesting mission. Learning that it had become a treasure beast delighted him: Lin Jing and the squirrel were his recruitment program’s first successful pairing. He gave the exhausted squirrel a Spirit-Replenishing Pill, witnessed both partners’ breakthroughs, and tested a synthesized spirit bean by having the Black Bear Monster eat it—with explosive results 17 18.

He increased their disciple benefits and advised them to retain synthesized resources for personal use rather than divert cultivation time into sales. He encouraged a strong performance at the Rising Dragon Festival to secure further sect investment, with the longer-term goal of representing the sect at a future Heavenly Origin Grand Gathering 18 19.

Bodhi Heaven and Hidden Dragon Academy

Elder Mo was distressed when a grotto-heaven unexpectedly drew Lin Jing and the Pineleaf Squirrel away, beyond the sect’s protection. He was relieved when the disciples returned safely from Bodhi Heaven and subsequently directed the newly promoted inner disciples to choose their peaks 31 38.

When Hidden Dragon Academy invited Lin Jing, Elder Mo encouraged him to consider its superior Foundation Establishment methods, particularly those capable of developing acquired physiques. To address the danger of traveling with a longevity body and a treasure beast, he promised to request a suitable Nascent Soul ancestor as an escort once the sect master returned 39.

Spatial Treasure and Pagoda Trial

Elder Mo agreed to consult the other elders about granting Lin Jing a True Disciple’s life-bound beast-taming spatial treasure ahead of schedule. He explained that the True Disciple secret arts themselves required Foundation Establishment through the Beast Taming Art, although preparations could begin earlier 44 45.

After securing approval, he escorted Lin Jing to the Treasury Pavilion and guided him in refining the Hanging Gourd. He refused Lin Jing’s request for another spatial treasure upon reaching Foundation Establishment, treating the treasures as limited sect reserves rather than freely available rewards 46 47.

Elder Mo later caught the Pineleaf Squirrel after its failed ascent at Squirrel Leaping to Heaven. Initially refusing them access to the Demon-Suppressing Pagoda because of its dangerous mental pressure, he reconsidered after Lin Jing’s Buddha illusion resisted his Golden Core pressure. He brought the pair to Clear Pool Peak, obtained Patriarch Wang Batian’s permission, and explained the trial’s restrictions before they entered 48 49.

Personality

Elder Mo combines generosity toward promising disciples with clear expectations of character and service. He insists that strength should be used righteously, that rescued disciples should help others in turn, and that special constitutions do not remove the obligation to contribute to the sect 3.

His reserved appearance conceals considerable emotional investment in his recruitment program. He becomes anxious enough to burn incense and pray after repeated failures, then laughs exuberantly when the Pineleaf Squirrel finally mutates. His ambition is directed toward the sect’s reputation rather than his own advancement 6 17 18.

He is protective without rejecting opportunities outright: he worries over the dangers of Bodhi Heaven, supports Lin Jing’s academy prospects with plans for an escort, and permits the pagoda trial only after testing Lin Jing’s resistance. His humor can also be mischievous, particularly when involving the Black Bear Monster in dangerous food experiments 17 31 39 45 48.

Abilities & Skills

Golden Core Magical Power

Elder Mo uses substantial magical power for transportation, retrieval, and pressure tests.

• Summons clouds and mist to carry Lin Jing and the Pineleaf Squirrel away from the bamboo grove 17.
• Rapidly transports the pair to Squirrel Leaping to Heaven and later to Clear Pool Peak 48 49.
• Catches the falling Pineleaf Squirrel without difficulty 48.
• Releases Golden Core pressure, though it has little effect on Lin Jing’s Buddha illusion 48.

Beast-Taming Knowledge

He instructs disciples in beast classification, compatibility, bloodline contracts, and treasure-beast abilities 3 4 18.

• Assesses bonded-beast choices according to temperament, elemental affinity, and a disciple’s circumstances 3.
• Explains special-physique-induced mutation and compares the Pineleaf Squirrel’s abilities with those of treasure beasts held by major powers 18.
• Summons and puts away his pet beast, the Black Bear Monster 17 18.
• Explains the sect’s three True Disciple secret arts and ten core beast-taming arts 44.

Treasure Refinement Guidance

He teaches Lin Jing how to refine a life-bound beast-taming spatial treasure 46 47.

• Explains blood recognition, limited growth potential, and improved cultivation within the treasure 46.
• Clarifies that living occupants must be beasts contracted to the owner 46.
• Advises Lin Jing about the Hanging Gourd’s rarity and suitability for the Pineleaf Squirrel 47.

Relationships

• Lin Jing — Recruited disciple and protégé. Elder Mo provides preferential resources, protection, and access to opportunities while expecting eventual service to the sect 3 18 39 46.
• Pineleaf Squirrel — The first treasure beast produced by his special-physique recruitment program; he supports its cultivation and mental training 17 18 48.
• Black Bear Monster / Elder Black Bear — His long-serving pet beast, which addresses him as “Master.” Elder Mo uses it to test synthesized food, but explicitly asks Lin Jing to leave it alive during a later fierce-plant experiment 3 17 45.
• Ouyang Hao — A special-physique disciple he brought to the sect. Elder Mo agrees to approach the Heavenly Feather Crane clan about arranging Ouyang’s future pet beast 5 18 44.
• Elder Yu — Fellow elder and frequent bantering partner. Elder Mo asks him to look after Lin Jing and later ensures that the bamboo-harvesting rewards are not shortchanged 16 17 19.
• Wang Batian — Sect guardian patriarch whom Elder Mo greets with a deep bow; he seeks the patriarch’s approval for Lin Jing’s pagoda trial 49.

Notable Quotes

“Only with strength can you determine your own fate. But once you have that strength, you must also put it to righteous use.” 3

“As I grew old, I realized that my own talent would make that goal difficult to achieve. So, once I had no hope of forming a Nascent Soul, I retreated behind the scenes and began nurturing disciples, hoping to raise more outstanding juniors for the sect.” 18