Biodata
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Saint (圣人) |
| Alias(es) | Heavenly Dao Saint; Hunyuan Sage; Human Way Saint; Earth Way Saint |
| Occupation/Role | Supreme cultivators whose attainments, sects, and control of Destiny shape the Primordial World's order |
| Status | Multiple Saint positions are active across the Heavenly Dao, Earth Way, and Human Way |
| First Appearance | Chapter 1 |
Paths to Sainthood
| Path | Basis | Known result |
|---|---|---|
| Heavenly Dao Saint | Typically relies on Heavenly Dao power, merit, and Hongmeng Purple Qi. | Can wield Heavenly Dao authority within the Primordial World, but is bound to the Heavenly Dao's framework. |
| Hunyuan Sainthood | Achieved through one's own Dao, laws, and Hunyuan Dao Fruit rather than dependence on the Heavenly Dao. | Grants power independent of Heavenly Dao-based restrictions. |
| Earth Way Sainthood | Founded on authority over reincarnation, the Underworld, and the Earth Way. | Houtu establishes the Earth Way's authority and contends directly with Hongjun. |
| Human Way Sainthood | Founded on the Human Way's Destiny and its laws. | Hongyun attains Hunyuan Sainthood through the Human Way without a Heavenly Dao response. |
Nuwa recognizes that using Hongmeng Purple Qi to become a Saint immediately would cost her the chance to attain the Dao of the Origin; she instead pursues a path beyond dependence on Heavenly Dao power 4.
The Hunyuan Nine Revolutions Heavenly Technique is distinguished from conventional body- and Primordial Spirit-cultivation systems because it can surpass the Heavenly Dao's limitations and reach the Hunyuan realm 30.
Known Saints
| Saint | Path / Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hongjun | Heavenly Dao Saint; Dao-Merging Saint | Wields Heavenly Dao authority and acts to preserve its supremacy over rival paths 111 125. |
| Nuwa | Hunyuan Sage | Transcends Demon Race Destiny after severing her ties to the race 26. |
| Laozi | Heavenly Dao Saint | Receives Hongjun's assistance to attain sainthood after his own sect-founding effort fails to gain recognition 20. |
| Yuanshi | Heavenly Dao Saint | Attains sainthood after establishing the Chan Sect and spreading the Heavenly Dao's principles 14. |
| Tongtian | Saint | Becomes a Saint after following the opportunity revealed by Lin Fan and establishes the Jie Sect's connection with him 14. |
| Jieyin and Zhunti | Heavenly Dao Saints | Become Saints by borrowing merit through vows and later seek power and Destiny for the Western Teachings 15 89. |
| Houtu | Earth Way Saint | Establishes reincarnation, defeats Hongjun, and founds the Underworld and Yin Division system 52 89. |
| Lin Fan | Hunyuan Saint | Condenses three thousand Hunyuan Dao Fruits and enters the Saint realm through his own cultivation 79 80. |
| Hongyun | Human Way Saint | Uses Human Way resources, Great Dao Divine Breath, and Human Way Destiny to achieve Hunyuan Sainthood 134 135. |
| Xi He | Hunyuan Daluo Golden Immortal | Proves her Dao through Law and becomes the fourth Saint of the Human Religion 142. |
Authority and Limitations
- A Saint's power is treated as overwhelmingly superior to ordinary cultivators; the saying “without becoming a Saint, one is still an ant” is invoked during confrontations with Saint-level opponents 67.
- Heavenly Dao Saints may draw upon the Heavenly Dao's laws and authority, but this link also binds their cultivation to the Primordial World. A Heavenly Dao-based method leaves a cultivator disadvantaged outside the Great Desolation compared with one using Great Dao laws 154.
- Heavenly Dao Saints share an origin with the Heavenly Dao and can be reborn through it even if their physical bodies and souls are destroyed 140.
- Saintly status does not guarantee victory. Lin Fan repeatedly overpowers Saints, including Laozi, Yuanshi, Jieyin, and Zhunti, while Houtu defeats Hongjun through the Earth Way 73 89 94 130.
- Dao Ancestor Hongjun decrees that Saints should not interfere in the Witch–Demon conflict, though Saint factions continue to influence the conflict through schemes, alliances, and indirect intervention 23 25.
- Saint positions are closely connected to merit, Destiny, and the founding of sects or new cosmic institutions, as shown by the establishment of the Chan Sect, Western Teachings, reincarnation, and the Human Way 14 15 52 134.
History
After Hongjun's sermon at Zixiao Palace, Nuwa receives a wisp of Hongmeng Purple Qi and reaches the Quasi-Saint realm while seeking her own path to breakthrough 1. Her later refusal to rely solely on Purple Qi establishes the central divide between Heavenly Dao sainthood and independent Hunyuan attainment 4.
Tongtian and Yuanshi attain sainthood after Lin Fan identifies the opportunities behind founding and teaching through their respective sects 14. Jieyin and Zhunti subsequently become Saints by borrowing merit through vows, while Laozi requires Hongjun's direct intervention after his own teaching fails to receive Heavenly Dao recognition 15 20.
Houtu's establishment of the Six Paths of Reincarnation creates a new source of authority opposed to the Heavenly Dao. She becomes the Witch Race's first Saint, later defeats Hongjun, and establishes the Underworld's Yin Division system 52 53 89.
Lin Fan's Hunyuan breakthrough manifests three thousand Dao Fruits and causes the Heavenly Dao itself to tremble. His attainment demonstrates a Saint path founded on perfected Great Dao laws rather than Heavenly Dao sanction 78 79 80.
The Human Way later produces its own Saint when Hongyun transforms Heavenly Dao Merit into Human Way resources and proclaims his Hunyuan Sainthood. The event receives no response from the Heavenly Dao, confirming that his Saint position is independent of it 134 135.