The elder was none other than the Supreme Elder of Dragon Martial Mountain, Nie Shentong, who was at the late stage of Embracing Elixir cultivation.
The previous Sect Leader, Nie Qiuzhen, was Nie Shentong's sworn brother with whom he had grown up. They were always equally matched in cultivation, and their brotherly bond was profound. However, Nie Qiuzhen met his heroic end when he fell into an ambush set by several Golden Core bandit cultivators during an expedition, leaving the heavy burden of Dragon Martial Mountain entirely on Nie Shentong's shoulders.
But Nie Shentong was a man of leisure who had no interest in succeeding as the Sect Leader. He eventually passed the position to Nie Qiuzhen's disciple, Nie Qinghe, and enjoyed the leisurely life of a Supreme Elder who disengaged from worldly affairs.