Wharton

Biodata

Power Progression

Appearance

Wharton has a square face, straight nose, thick black eyebrows, and a much bulkier build than Linley 169 213.

• At twelve: Stands a head taller than his fellow students, with heavily developed arms and muscles that fill out his training clothes 169.
• At fifteen: Exceeds 180 centimeters in height, with broad shoulders and a squarer jaw than his elder brother 213.
• At twenty-two: Stands 220 centimeters tall, with thick shoulders, a relatively narrow waist, and long, powerful legs. His formal clothing must be custom-made 236.
• By year 10023: Wears a short beard and has acquired a steadier, more reserved expression 249.
• Dragonblood form: Gains jade-green scales, backward-curving horns, a thick green tail, and slit pupils with a green sheen. After reaching Rank 9, his transformed body stands approximately 250 centimeters tall 172 239.

Personality

Wharton is hardworking and receptive to correction. Despite dominating his classmates, he responds to Loa's superior technique with enthusiasm rather than discouragement. He immediately begins incorporating corrections into his movements and remembers lessons he cannot yet understand for later study 170 172.

His early combativeness gradually gives way to composure. After receiving Loa's river painting, he studies it for hours, sometimes late into the night. By adulthood, his formerly violent aura has become tranquil and steady, although his capacity for explosive force remains 173 236.

Wharton is courteous but firm about his commitments. He recognizes the political purpose behind Joanne O'Brien's marriage proposal and refuses it rather than betray his promise to Mia. In private, he is an attentive companion who listens seriously to Mia's stories and magical explanations, even when he does not understand the theory 236 237.

History

Childhood in Wushan Town

Wharton grew up as Linley's younger brother in the Baruch household. During the Saint-level battle above Wushan Town, Linley shielded him from falling debris, and Hiri threw himself over both boys as the storehouse collapsed. They survived and were pulled from the rubble 25.

When Loa visited before leaving town, the young Wharton was initially shy around him. Loa gave him a small wooden sword, which Wharton accepted only after looking to Linley for permission 27.

Wharton's successful bloodline test offered the declining Baruch Clan a renewed prospect of producing a Dragonblood Warrior. Hogg decided to send him to O'Brien Academy because neither he nor Hillman had the expertise to guide his development. Linley contributed 9,900 gold coins toward his education 58.

O'Brien Academy

Wharton became a prominent student at O'Brien Academy, winning his year's tournament and receiving a private courtyard in the senior students' area. When Loa visited at Linley's request, Wharton initially mistook him for an unfamiliar academy teacher 169 171.

Their sparring exposed weaknesses concealed by Wharton's physical superiority: unstable footing, excessive forward commitment, and predictable attacks. Once Loa revealed his identity, Wharton demonstrated his Dragonblood transformation and accepted guidance on developing a more fluid fighting style 170 172.

Wharton later won the academy's seventh-year tournament and received an earldom, with the emperor signing the decree and the headmaster presenting his certificate. He remained at the academy after graduation to continue cultivating and occasionally traveled for practical experience 226 236.

Refusal of the Imperial Marriage

Emperor Joanne O'Brien sought to retain Wharton in her empire by offering him the hand of her seventh daughter, Nina. Wharton understood that marriage into the imperial family would make leaving difficult. He first asked to consult Linley as clan head, then disclosed that he had already pledged himself to someone else 236.

After the refusal, Wharton expected that remaining in the empire would invite trouble. He resolved to say farewell to Headmaster Fein, who had cared for him over the years, and join Linley 236.

Romance and Marriage

Wharton and Mia grew close through her holiday visits to Baruch Mansion. Their friendship developed into love, and Wharton proposed privately on the mansion's back steps. They kept their engagement secret from their families 237.

Bebe discovered the relationship and demanded twenty meals in exchange for silence. Loa independently noticed their meeting through his Spiritual Force, leading to a family confrontation. After hearing their account, he approved the marriage on the condition that Wharton reach Rank 9 within four years, qualifying him to become both Mia's husband and the empire's next head of state 237 238.

Wharton met the cultivation requirement within three years. He married Mia in Republic Square on January 1, year 10013—the Xunzhen Republic Empire's tenth anniversary—with Loa declaring them husband and wife 239.

Head of State and Family Life

Wharton succeeded Loa as the empire's second Head of State. He personally oversaw preparations for Linley and Delia's wedding in year 10013. In winter 10014, Mia gave birth to their son, whom Wharton named Xini Baruch 249.

By year 10023, Wharton and Mia were Saints. As Linley prepared to confront the Radiant Church, they joined Bob, Wangcai, and Wuzhui in preparations to attack the Dark Church 249.

Xini became the empire's heir and took on official paperwork. Wharton also helped Mia arrange a marriage for their son, despite Xini's preference for cultivating rather than inheriting the office of Head of State 268.

Wharton remained part of the family's later gatherings, bidding farewell to Loa before his departure for a Higher Plane and to Linley before his journey to Hell. He and Mia later celebrated Wangcai and Selena's union; after their wedding festivities, he carried his sleeping wife home 289 346 355 358.

Abilities & Skills

Dragonblood Warrior Transformation

Wharton's naturally awakened bloodline allows him to assume a draconic combat form with greatly increased physical power 172.

• Raises his demonstrated strength from Rank 5 to Rank 7 during his early spar with Loa 172.
• Adds claws and a flexible tail to his close-quarters attacks; he also uses the tail to regain balance 172.
• Grants Saint-level strength and flight once his normal cultivation reaches Rank 9 239.
• Does not compensate for inferior technique: Loa redirects his transformed attacks, while Rank 9 Wangcai initially overwhelms him during conditioning 172 213.

Dragonblood Battle Qi

Wharton cultivates the Dragonblood Secret Manual, developing azure Dragonblood Battle Qi 213 232.

• His Rank 7 breakthrough requires strengthening his body and dantian enough to withstand further compression of battle-qi 213.
• Wangcai's physical attacks and controlled lightning stimulation improve his conditioning and recovery during this process 213.
• His bloodline is described as fully awakened by the time he reaches peak Rank 8 236.

Unarmed Combat and Saberplay

Wharton practices O'Brien Academy's close-quarters techniques and favors the saber over the sword because its weight better suits his fighting style 170.

• Uses fists, elbows, knees, and kicks in normal form, adding claws and tail strikes after transforming 170 172.
• Initially relies on broad, forceful cuts and straightforward pressure 170.
• Learns to vary attack angles, change techniques mid-motion, and avoid committing all his strength predictably 170 172.

Water-Element Path and Force Training

Loa guides Wharton toward the Laws of the Water Element, emphasizing accumulated momentum, flowing strength, and emotional stillness rather than constant explosive release 170 172 236.

• Studies the natural force of flowing water preserved in Loa's Yulan River painting 172 173.
• Develops a fighting rhythm compared to storm waves, combining ferocity with rises, falls, and unpredictable changes 173.
• Receives instruction in Heavy as Light, Light as Heavy, and force; these lessons are documented as instruction rather than confirmed mastery 213.
• Experiences Loa's Nine Heavens Wind-Thunder Sword Force firsthand, but is not shown learning that technique himself 172.

Equipment / Items

• Childhood wooden sword — Carved by Old Jack and given to Wharton by Loa. He played with it extensively but could no longer find it when he grew older 27 172.
• Yulan River painting — Loa's depiction of the river contains his understanding of flowing water's natural force. Wharton studies it using Spiritual Force 172 173.
• Battle saber — His preferred weapon; he carries a large saber strapped to his back when meeting Mia outside the city 170 237.
• Earl's formal attire — A custom black velvet suit with silver edging and a golden earl's badge 236.

Relationships

• Linley Baruch — Elder brother and clan head. Protects Wharton during the destruction of Wushan Town and helps fund his academy education 25 58 236.
• Hogg — Father. Confirms Wharton's bloodline qualification and arranges his enrollment at O'Brien Academy 58.
• Mia Bob — Wife and childhood friend. Their secret engagement leads to Wharton's departure from the O'Brien Empire, intensive training, and eventual marriage 236 237 239.
• Xini Baruch — Son and imperial heir, born in winter 10014. Inherits Wharton's Dragonblood Warrior bloodline and Mia's elemental affinity 249 268.
• Loa — Mentor and brother-in-law. Corrects Wharton's combat habits, directs him toward water, and sets the cultivation condition for his marriage 170 172 238.
• Hiri — Family housekeeper and caregiver. Protects the brothers during the storehouse collapse and accompanies Wharton during his academy years 25 169 172.
• Hillman — Family retainer who helps arrange Wharton's education, accompanies him at the academy, and reports his tournament success to Linley 58 225 226.
• Fein — O'Brien Academy headmaster. Recognizes Wharton's talent and supports him sufficiently that Wharton insists on a personal farewell before leaving 171 236.
• Wangcai — Training partner whose controlled beatings and lightning stimulation help Wharton overcome cultivation bottlenecks 213 239.
• Bob — Father-in-law. Initially angry over the concealed romance, but approves of Wharton's honesty, diligence, and treatment of Mia 238 239.
• Nina and Joanne O'Brien — Princess and emperor involved in the proposed political marriage that Wharton refuses 236.