Chen Ku

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Chen Ku (陈苦)
Alias(es)	Holy Father of the Human Race 282 392
Species/Race	Top-grade Innate Spiritual Root; Innate Bitter Bamboo 2 58
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Western Buddhist Sect
Occupation/Role	Jie Yin's first disciple; cultivator of the Hunyuan path; teacher and leading figure of the Western Buddhist Sect 230 375
Status	Active 400
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Late-stage Taiyi Golden Immortal	5	Advanced from mid-stage Taiyi through ten thousand years of cultivation within the Myriad Year Dream technique.
Great Luo Golden Immortal	5	Continued breaking through several realms in succession and manifested nine grades of flowers, matching Jie Yin and Zhun Ti.
Peak Great Luo Golden Immortal	14	Reached the peak realm with nine petals manifested upon the Three Flowers.
Half-step Quasi-Sage	24	After Hongjun's three-thousand-year sermon, his aura approached that of a Quasi-Sage despite not formally breaking through.
Primal Chaos Golden Immortal	43	Broke through by following the Primal Chaos path, a realm stated to surpass the conventional Quasi-Sage path.
Sixth Revolution of the Nine Revolutions Profound Skill	62	Tempered his body with demonic energy; his physical body became comparable to a low-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure.
Late-stage Grand Golden Immortal	169	Condensed the final Manifestation Body and completed the Three-Bodies of the Buddha Technique.
Seventh Revolution of the Nine Revolutions Profound Skill	170	Absorbed Chaos-era malevolent energy from Buzhou Mountain; his body reached the level of a mid-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure.
Completed Nine Revolutions Profound Skill	259	Tempered himself in the Pangu Blood Pool and completed the body-refining method.
Peak Grand Golden Immortal	261	United the Three Lifetimes Buddha Bodies and reached the peak realm.
Mixed Origin Grand Luo Golden Immortal	316	Achieved the Dao after secluded cultivation, becoming a Hunyuan-level existence capable of overpowering Saint Yuanshi's techniques.

Background / History

Chen Ku transmigrated into the Primordial World as the Innate Bitter Bamboo. Though initially wary of Jie Yin and Zhun Ti's poor reputation and the Western Sect's barren condition, he became Jie Yin's disciple; Zhun Ti regarded him as both an exceptional recruit and a means of keeping the Six Roots Pure Bamboo in the West. 2

Jie Yin bestowed the Great Dream Heart Sutra and Sixteen-Foot Golden Body technique upon him. Chen Ku's exceptional comprehension soon allowed him to obtain the Nine Revolutions Profound Skill and Nine Revolutions Primordial Skill at Buzhou Mountain, then combine them with the Hundred Bitter Sutra to deduce the Primal Chaos Sutra. 3 13

He became a central force behind the Western Sect's revival. Chen Ku acquired spiritual treasures and resources, restored vitality to the West with the Eight Treasures Merit Pool, recruited and subdued powerful beings, and brought the Dragon Clan into the Western faction. 26 49 90 128

Having retained memories from two lifetimes, Chen Ku repeatedly acted on knowledge of future events. He aided Nuwa in the creation of the Human Race, compelled the Twelve Ancestral Witches to promise not to harm humanity, and came to be regarded as the Human Race's Holy Father. 172 183 282 392

After reaching Mixed Origin Grand Luo Golden Immortal, Chen Ku became one of the foremost powers of the Primordial World. Hongjun later recognized him as an ally and equal, rather than merely a junior disciple. 316 397

Personality

Chen Ku is calculating, opportunistic, and exceptionally bold. He openly seeks resources from stronger figures, exploits openings in negotiations, and treats valuable treasures as opportunities not to be wasted. His willingness to act pitiable before Hongjun, seize treasures at Treasure Distribution Rock, and pressure defeated enemies earned him a reputation for shamelessness. 24 26 35 217

Despite this reputation, he repays kindness and protects those he considers his own. He rewarded Yaochi for guiding him, repeatedly aided Hong Yun, rescued Changxi, and risked confronting the Demon Court to save Hong Yun from its ambush. 31 149 150 210

He prefers preparation and overwhelming advantages over pride. Chen Ku refuses unnecessary risks, relies on his masters' protection when appropriate, and will retreat rather than challenge a disadvantageous formation head-on. 6 317 378

Abilities & Skills

Heaven-Defying Comprehension

Chen Ku possesses extraordinary comprehension, allowing him to deduce new cultivation methods and acquire insights from opponents, locations, and techniques.

• Combined three major cultivation methods to create the Primal Chaos Sutra. 13
• Comprehended opponents' laws during battle with the Twelve Ancestral Witches, including the Law of Space and time-reversal methods. 181 183
• Derived the Eight Nine Arcane Art from the Nine Revolutions Profound Skill. 193
• Comprehended the Law of Force and incorporated it into the Tathagata Divine Palm. 316

Primal Chaos Sutra

A cultivation method deduced from the Hundred Bitter Sutra, Nine Revolutions Profound Skill, and Nine Revolutions Primordial Skill. It integrates body refinement, Dharma power, divine sense, and the effects of the Hundred Bitter Sutra. 13 14

• Enhances Chen Ku's physical body, magical power, and cultivation foundation simultaneously. 14 62
• Can influence emotions and evoke sympathy through the Hundred Bitter Sutra's effect. 24 39
• Allows the absorption and refinement of demonic and Chaos-era malevolent energy. 62 170
• Its emotional influence could not fully control a Quasi-Sage-level opponent such as Corpse Puppet Daoist. 39

Nine Revolutions Profound Skill

A body-refining method derived from Pangu's legacy and incorporated into the Primal Chaos Sutra. 13

• Raised Chen Ku's body to the level of Innate Spiritual Treasures. 62 170
• Lets him withstand Quasi-Sage attacks and contend with Innate Spiritual Treasures bare-handed. 100
• Reached completion after he tempered himself in the Pangu Blood Pool. 259
• Gives him physical strength comparable to, or exceeding, that of the Ancestral Witches. 178 259

Three-Bodies of the Buddha Technique

Chen Ku cultivated the Dharma Body, Reward Body, and Manifestation Body, collectively known as the Three Lifetimes Buddha Bodies. 45 169 212

• Each Buddha Body possesses consciousness and can wield Chen Ku's laws and techniques. 212
• The Manifestation Body can transform into innumerable forms and avatars. 169
• The three bodies effectively provide Chen Ku with four combatants when combined with his true body. 45
• Their combined strength greatly exceeds conventional Three-Corpse cultivators. 212

Tathagata Divine Palm

A supreme palm technique Chen Ku comprehended after learning Buddha's Palm Paradise. 6

• Severely injured Corpse Puppet Daoist, Old Toad Ancestor, Panlong, Yunlong, and other Quasi-Sages. 39 44 76
• Can be empowered by the Law of Force to overwhelm even Saint Yuanshi's Jade Purity Dao techniques. 316
• Forms massive golden palms covered in Buddhist light and swastika patterns. 76 252

Buddha's Palm Paradise

A Buddhist divine ability that creates and expands Chen Ku's Buddha Land Pure Soil. 6 77

• Captures, assimilates, and converts defeated enemies into forces within the Buddha Land. 77 105 118
• Can imprison Quasi-Sages, including Panlong, Yunlong, Corpse Puppet Daoist, and Old Toad Ancestor. 77 87
• Grows stronger as more enemies are assimilated. 77 105
• Can be damaged by sufficiently powerful treasures, as Duke of the East's Shepherd Immortal Staff destroyed it during their clash. 114

Laws and Six Superpowers

Chen Ku commands multiple laws and fully mastered the Western Sect's Six Superpowers. 168 212

• Law of the Heavenly Dao — suppresses foes burdened by karma, particularly the Dragon Clan. 77 87
• Law of Space — enables Space Jump and augments his evasive movement. 104 183
• Law of Time — includes time-reversal techniques gained through battles with the Ancestral Witches. 183
• Law of Force — drastically increases the destructive power of the Tathagata Divine Palm. 316
• Six Superpowers — Clairvoyance, Clairaudience, Telepathy, Karmic Vision, Nirvana Perception, and Divine Speed. 168

Movement Techniques

Chen Ku possesses exceptional speed and escape abilities.

• Flight of Concealment — combines concealment with spatial movement, allowing him to evade multiple Quasi-Sages' attacks. 104 112
• Star Chasing Moon Grasping — used for rapid pursuit and traversal. 44 149
• His speed was considered comparable to Di Jun and Taiyi's Golden Crow transformation and Kunpeng's extreme speed. 112

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• God-Slaying Spear — Chen Ku's foremost offensive treasure after his exchange with Hongjun. 35
• Twelfth Grade Black Lotus of Destruction — a top-tier destructive spiritual treasure acquired alongside the God-Slaying Spear. 35
• Hongmeng Measuring Heaven Ruler — a merit treasure and unparalleled offensive weapon capable of severely injuring high-level Quasi-Sages. 107 112
• Green Lotus Treasured Banner — a top-grade defensive Innate Spiritual Treasure. 69 76
• Six Roots Pure Bamboo — used to bind and temporarily incapacitate powerful opponents. 76 100
• Limitless Bracelet — wielded by Chen Ku's Dharma Body to destroy the Good Corpses of Quasi-Sages. 44
• Plantain Fan / Wind Banana Leaf Fan — used to unleash destructive winds against Old Toad Ancestor. 43 44
• Eight Treasures Merit Pool — taken from Treasure Distribution Rock and used to restore vitality and purify the Western lands. 26 49
• Ancestor Dragon Pearl — a Dragon Clan supreme treasure used to secure the Black Dragon's submission and negotiate with Zhu Long. 90 124 125
• Cosmos Cauldron — borrowed from Hongjun and used to refine Innate Spiritual Swords into the Myriad Swords Diagram. 265 374
• Karma Fire Red Lotus — the Twelfth Grade Karma Fire Red Lotus obtained from Old Ancestor Ming He. 224
• Town Heaven Coffin and Earth Book — treasures found during his visit to the Pangu Blood Pool. 259
• Myriad Wonders Gate — a spatial gate used for long-distance traversal, including travel to Buzhou Mountain and the Western World. 170 185
• Chaos Pearl and Time Tower — Chaos-era treasures Chen Ku refines and uses during seclusion. 328 345 348

Relationships

• Jie Yin — Chen Ku's master. Jie Yin accepted him as a disciple, repeatedly supported his cultivation, and remains fiercely protective of him. 2 114 276
• Zhun Ti — Chen Ku's martial uncle and co-mentor. He bestowed cultivation resources, guided Chen Ku, and treats him with deep trust and pride. 3 134 276
• Hong Yun — Close friend and Western ally. Chen Ku repeatedly protects him, including entering the Demon Court to rescue him, while Hong Yun remains deeply grateful for Chen Ku's aid. 210 267
• Black Dragon — Former Dragon Clan leader subdued by Chen Ku; later his master-servant and mount. 90 128 185
• Xihe — Fellow Western cultivator and ally. Chen Ku aided her against Yue Lao's scheme and gave her the Cold Moon Hook. 147 150 153
• Changxi — Fellow Western cultivator rescued by Chen Ku from Howling Moon Ancestor's stomach-space; she received Taiyin Power and the Star Binding Lock. 149 150 153
• Nuwa — Ally and collaborator in the Human Race's creation. Nuwa later supported Chen Ku against the Three Pure Ones to repay a favor. 172 251
• Twelve Ancestral Witches — Initially rivals whom Chen Ku defeated in succession; they later agreed to protect the Human Race under the terms of his wager. 181 183
• Luo Hou — A dangerous but pragmatic collaborator. Chen Ku worked with Luo Hou to establish the Inner Demon Realm and clear demonic energy from the West. 198 200
• Hongjun — Dao Ancestor who bestowed treasures upon Chen Ku and ultimately recognized him as an ally on equal standing. 24 35 397

Story Role / Major Arcs

Early Cultivation and the Primal Chaos Sutra

Chen Ku joins the Western Sect, rapidly reaches Great Luo Golden Immortal, and gains the Nine Revolutions methods at Buzhou Mountain. His deduction of the Primal Chaos Sutra establishes the unique path that separates him from conventional cultivators. 2 5 13 14

Purple Cloud Palace and Treasure Accumulation

During Hongjun's lectures, Chen Ku uses the Western Sect's hardship to obtain treasures, then secures the God-Slaying Spear and Twelfth Grade Black Lotus of Destruction through an exchange. He later takes further treasures from Treasure Distribution Rock and rewards Yaochi for her help. 24 26 31 35

Western Revival and Dragon Clan Subjugation

Chen Ku defeats Old Toad Ancestor and Corpse Puppet Daoist, converts their forces into assets for the West, and restores the Western lands with the Eight Treasures Merit Pool. He then defeats and subdues the Black Dragon, Panlong, Yunlong, and other Dragon Clan forces, making the Dragon Clan a key Western ally. 45 49 77 90 128

Human Race Protector

Chen Ku assists Nuwa during the creation of the Human Race, confronts the Twelve Ancestral Witches, and wins their pledge not to harm humanity. He later protects the Human Race through the Witch-Demon conflict and is revered as its Holy Father. 172 183 239 282

Conflict with the Demon Court

Chen Ku enters the Demon Court to save Hong Yun, refuses Di Jun's recruitment offer, and battles Di Jun, Taiyi, and numerous Demon Saints using the Three Lifetimes Buddha Bodies and his vast collection of treasures. 210 212 214 217

Achievement of the Hunyuan Dao

After reaching peak Grand Golden Immortal, Chen Ku enters secluded cultivation and returns as a Mixed Origin Grand Luo Golden Immortal. He defeats Yuanshi's attack with a Law of Force-enhanced Tathagata Divine Palm and escapes Tongtian's Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation. 300 316 317

Western Teacher and Primordial Power

Chen Ku becomes the Western Buddhist Sect's chief instructor, leaving behind a divine fetus to teach disciples while he continues cultivating. He later gathers Great Dao laws, suppresses Xing Tian, mends the heavens, and is acknowledged by Hongjun as an equal ally. 365 375 396 397

Notable Quotes

“Heh, I've come precisely to save you, Fellow Daoist Hong Yun.” 210

“Trying to leave? Not so easy!” 217

“Heh heh... it was merely by chance!” 316