Lin Taoshu

Biodata

Power Progression

The documented ranks concern two separate disciplines; no on-page breakthrough is shown.

Background and History

Pill Hall Authority

Lin Taoshu held overlapping positions as an elder and leading alchemist of the Lin Lineage and as Blood Dragon City Academy’s specially appointed Pill Hall chief master. Zhou Wan’en selected him for his genuine alchemical ability, which ranked second only to the headmaster’s in Blood Dragon City 23 30 33.

His control over Pill Hall assessments became a source of personal profit and abuse. He accepted bribes and subjected female students to sexual exploitation. His lineage connections and professional standing encouraged him to act as though the Pill Hall were beyond outside interference 30.

Conflict with Bu Wuchen

Lin Taoshu refused Bu Wuchen an opportunity to take the Pill Hall entrance examination. Zhou later connected this treatment to Bu Wuchen’s lawful killing of a Lin Lineage student in a blood-contract duel 23 31.

Bu Wuchen secured Song Hechuan and Xia Nuoyi’s assistance, then returned to demand an examination. Lin Taoshu again refused, telling him to return the Lin Lineage’s two unique manuals, kneel, and apologize before he would even consider granting an opportunity 29 30.

When Xia Nuoyi intervened, Lin Taoshu challenged her authority as honorary deputy headmaster and invoked his knowledge of the Great Xia Merchant Alliance’s troubles. He correctly judged that she would hesitate to create further difficulties for her family 30.

Song Hechuan brought Zhou Wan’en to witness the confrontation as part of Bu Wuchen’s plan. After hearing Lin Taoshu’s remarks, Zhou condemned his abuse of authority, crushed him beneath Divine Communion Realm pressure, destroyed his chief-master armband, and dismissed him from the academy 31 32.

Alchemy Duel

Refusing to accept his dismissal, Lin Taoshu accused Bu Wuchen and his allies of deceiving the academy. He challenged Bu Wuchen to demonstrate his supposed mastery in an alchemy duel 32.

Lin Taoshu completed his first batch after roughly one-fifth of the allotted time. His confidence faltered when Bu Wuchen displayed exceptional fire control and the rare Pill Fire Cauldron Scouring technique. Hearing the result of Bu Wuchen’s refinement caused his hand to tremble and his flames to surge, triggering an explosion 34 35 36.

He insisted the duel was not over and began again with a spare cauldron. As Zhou publicly recounted his misconduct and the crowd condemned him, Lin Taoshu lost control a second time. Another explosion followed, and he spat blood from shame and fury 36.

Public Humiliation and Revenge

After declaring Bu Wuchen the winner, Zhou permanently barred Lin Taoshu from academy employment. Lin Taoshu tried to flee rather than acknowledge a teenager as his ancestral master, fearing disgrace for both himself and the Lin Lineage. Xia Nuoyi froze his legs before he could escape 37.

Lin Yunba arrived and freed him, but could not persuade Bu Wuchen to waive the blood pact’s humiliating terms. Faced with the threat of legal action and wider public disgrace, Lin Yunba ordered Lin Taoshu to comply. Lin Taoshu knelt, kowtowed, and addressed Bu Wuchen as grandmaster. Bu Wuchen then mockingly expelled him from his “school,” provoking him into coughing blood and fainting 37 38.

Lin Yunba carried him away after the confrontation. Later, Lin Taoshu demanded Bu Wuchen’s death, convinced that revenge would remove the heart demon created by his defeat. He enthusiastically approved Lin Liang’s proposed assassination scheme 39 42.

Personality

Lin Taoshu is arrogant toward students and those he believes cannot threaten his position, but markedly deferential toward stronger authorities. He mocked Xia Nuoyi while relying on political leverage, then immediately surrendered his seat and stammered when Zhou Wan’en appeared 30.

His professional pride makes him unwilling to accept an opponent he has already dismissed as inferior. He treated Bu Wuchen’s declining martial cultivation as proof that he could not be an accomplished alchemist, then attributed his superior performance to luck even after witnessing it 31 32 36.

Despite threatening severe consequences for Bu Wuchen, Lin Taoshu attempted to escape his own contractual obligations. His eventual submission did not bring acceptance: the defeat became an obsession, and he regarded killing Bu Wuchen as the means to recover his confidence and future prospects 33 37 42.

Abilities and Skills

Alchemy

Lin Taoshu is a Mortal Realm Ninth Layer alchemist whose technical ability is recognized even by Zhou Wan’en 33 37.

• Rapid batch refinement: Produced seven excellent-quality Mortal Rank Middle Grade Qi Recovery Pills after approximately one-fifth of the duel’s time had elapsed 34.
• Technical judgment: Recognized the sophistication of Bu Wuchen’s fire control and understood the significance of Pill Fire Cauldron Scouring 35 36.
• Emotional vulnerability: Shock and anger disrupted his fire control, contributing to repeated cauldron explosions 36.
• Blocked advancement: His defeat left a heart demon that prevented further alchemical progress unless resolved. Lin Yunba had hoped he would eventually enter the Mystic Realm and strengthen the lineage’s position 42.

Mystic Cultivation

Lin Taoshu possesses Seventh Layer Qi Control Realm cultivation, built up with medicinal resources rather than exceptional martial aptitude 32 37.

• Uses mystic force during pill refinement and can amplify his voice to address a crowd 34 36.
• Is overwhelmed by Zhou Wan’en’s Divine Communion Realm pressure 31 32.
• Cannot break Xia Nuoyi’s ice restraint without Lin Yunba’s intervention 37.

Relationships

• Bu Wuchen — Enemy and alchemy-duel opponent. Lin Taoshu’s attempt to bar him from the Pill Hall led to dismissal, defeat, and a forced acknowledgment of Bu Wuchen as grandmaster 30 37 38.
• Lin Yunba — Patriarch and protector. Valued Lin Taoshu’s potential to become a Mystic Realm alchemist, rescued him at the academy, and supported retaliation 37 38 42.
• Lin Liang — Lin Lineage young master. Proposed the assassination scheme that restored Lin Taoshu’s enthusiasm after his defeat 42.
• Zhou Wan’en — Former superior. Appointed him chief master for his skill, then dismissed and permanently barred him for misconduct 32 33 37.
• Xia Nuoyi — Adversary who defended Bu Wuchen and prevented Lin Taoshu from fleeing the duel’s consequences 30 37.
• Song Hechuan — Alchemist and workshop owner who helped expose his obstruction of Bu Wuchen and openly rebuked his belittling treatment of the student 29 31.