An older man and the canonical founder of Taoism as well as a former fangshi warrior and competent scientist. Due to the time bending properties of Fusang, we see him in these two stages of life throughout the game when entering the limitless realm. When Yi runs into Lear's younger self it's so they can master a new technique together. When Yi runs into Lear's older self, Lear acts as a wise teacher, providing both cryptic insight and help to Yi. 

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1SgKSP-v9Slgzs_HNZtK2TxPIQ6k5P0G0

Line Context and Tone: 

Line 1: This conversation happens within the limitless realm entered from the secret tomb within the Grotto of Scriptures. Yi has just learned about the corrupt sages and subsequent disbanding of the Fangshi Guild. During this conversation, the final one Lear will have with Yi, Lear tells this story of the Fangshi Guild through the metaphor as a means to ask Yi what he thinks the right option is in his own story. (Old)

Line 2: This mysterious fangshi warrior, later revealed to be Lear, is occasionally come across within the limitless realm attempting to develop a new technique, this is one of those times. As Lear struggles to understand the concepts he's eventually able to come to an epiphany, finally realizing how to execute on his idea, this is what happens here. (Young)

Line 3: After Yi returns to the Four Seaons Pavillion after escaping Jiequan's prison and enters the limitless realm, he meets an older version of Lear for the second time. The first time Yi met Lear, Lear gave him the horn that allows him to travel between root nodes, which got broken in the fight with Jiequan. Upon fixing the horn, Lear also upgrades it which Yi acknowledges as him hiding the function originally. This prompts Lear to respond humbly, though a bit embarrased as he laughs off Yi's comment. (Old)