Elder Boatman

Elder Boatman is a Black Hole Church Elder and Jack Rust’s master. He teaches Jack the Dao of Death, supplies the tools for his cultivation, and leads the Church’s forces through the war against the Hand and the Immortals.

Biography

Master, mentor, and commander

Boatman first appears as an Elder whose arrival commands respect. He and Elder Heavenstar welcome Jack and the other cultivators, and Boatman quickly becomes a blunt and powerful presence in their lives. He offers Jack discipleship because Jack’s developing understanding of Life and Death fits the dual path Boatman teaches. His terms are demanding: he will help Jack grow stronger but will not fight Jack’s battles for him. Boatman gives Jack the death cube and his crystallized insights, then later provides a clone to travel with him and Brock. The clone is an extension of the same person, created by splitting part of Boatman’s soul (Chapters 377–383, 479–481).

Boatman’s role extends beyond teaching. He maintains a portal during the Green Dragon Realm inheritance, personally helps protect Jack through dangerous breakthroughs, and advises him through the C-Grade and B-Grade transitions. As the Church’s conflict with the Hand grows into a wider war, Boatman commands troops, supports the Arch Priestess’s decisions, and appears beside Jack in major battles. He worries openly when Jack makes a dangerous duel declaration, but continues to trust his disciple’s judgment. His latest direct appearance has him leading a squad of A-Grades into the battlefield (Chapters 404, 428, 469–481, 499–501, 528, 549, 554).

Appearance and personality

Boatman is an elderly, hooded vampire whose face is usually concealed. His voice is hoarse and grave, and his manner is blunt; he speaks little when teaching but reacts strongly when Jack risks his life. He combines a mentor’s patience with a commander’s decisiveness, and he is willing to confront even a powerful Archon to protect his disciple (Chapters 381, 477, 499–501).

Abilities and cultivation

Boatman cultivates the Dao of Death and is an exceptionally powerful Church Elder. He can pierce spacetime to stabilize a collapsing portal, teleport long distances, and create a low-power clone by splitting part of his soul. His teachings and the death cube help Jack develop his own understanding of death, but Boatman insists that Jack must survive his own battles. He later leads Church armies and coordinates large-scale combat against the Immortals (Chapters 383, 404, 428, 479–481, 528).

Relationships

• Jack Rust: Boatman accepts Jack as his disciple, teaches him the Dao of Death, and provides a clone to accompany him. He respects Jack’s choices even when he fears their cost.
• Brock: Fellow disciple and Jack’s spiritual brother. Boatman discusses cultivation and their paths with both students.
• Arch Priestess: Church leader and ally. Boatman challenges her decision to accept Jack’s duel with Elder Hero, but continues to serve alongside her in the war.