Definition
A group of four immensely powerful Daofathers and sworn brothers, with Elder Yuan as their leader. Their neutrality makes them a pivotal political force in the Three Realms.
Four Ancestors of the River Yuan
A group of four immensely powerful Daofathers and sworn brothers, with Elder Yuan as their leader. Their neutrality makes them a pivotal political force in the Three Realms.
Story context
This chapter serves up a colossal, delicious slice of *schadenfreude* as Ji Ning returns to his island home only to find a small army of Seamless Gate elites waiting to assassinate him... and they promptly run into the biggest, baddest iron wall in the entire Three Realms. The mysterious old gardener sheds his disguise to reveal himself as none other than **Elder Yuan**, a top-tier Daofather who has been chilling on the island for months. What follows is a masterclass in the power hierarchy of Xianxia: the arrogant hunters become the helpless prey, frozen mid-air like insects in amber, before being casually snipped out of existence by a pair of ordinary-looking gardening shears. It’s a brutal, hilarious, and immensely satisfying reminder that in the world of immortals, there is *always* a bigger fish.
Why it matters
Get ready, fellow Daoists, because Ji Ning is about to get his hands on the ultimate cheat code: a mentor who is actually a *specialist* in his weakest area. For all of Ji Ning's insane talent with a sword, his defensive and escape capabilities have always lagged behind his offense. Elder Yuan isn't just a powerful patron; he is the key to unlocking an entirely new dimension of Ji Ning's power. This chapter is a turning point that transitions Ji Ning from a regional genius with a sword into a terrifyingly well-rounded combatant who will soon be untouchable. Watch how the tone shifts from the cold, clinical fear of the Seamless Gate assassins to the warm, playful, and deeply rewarding dynamic between a doting (and eccentric) grandmaster and his new, brilliant student.
Quick facts
Source novel
Desolate Era
First appearance
The Iron Shears of Elder Yuan
Chapter references
1
Type hints
ji ning, elder yuan, true immortal flowing hua
Guide tags
New Mentor, Power Display, Satisfying Revenge
Appears in chapters
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