Deng Rusong

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Deng Rusong (鄧如松)
Alias(es)	Sect Leader Deng; Headmaster Deng
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Danxia Sect — 29th Sect Leader; later leads its merger as an affiliated sect of the Myriad Dreams Sect 195 197
Occupation/Role	Sect Leader; Eighth-Rank Alchemist 120 195
Status	Dies during the Danxia Sect succession crisis in one documented continuity; remains active as Sect Leader in later simulation records 66 194 197
First Appearance	Chapter 31

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Eighth-Rank Alchemist	120	Confirmed as an Eighth-Rank Alchemist; his inability to enter ninth rank stems from lacking the innate Insightful Observation talent. He receives the Spirit Evolution Art to remedy this limitation. 120
Insightful Observation — Introductory	138	After studying the Spirit Evolution Art for more than a year, he attains introductory Insightful Observation. 138
Mortal Spiritual Root	196	Identified during He Yiming's Spiritual Root test as possessing a Mortal Spiritual Root. 196

Background / History

Deng Rusong is the Sect Leader of the Danxia Sect and the biological elder brother of Deng Wanshu. When Wanshu remains unconscious for decades, he joins Xie Huide in mobilizing the sect's resources to acquire an Earth Source and refine the Grade Eight Returning Yang Paste needed to save her. 42

He and Xie Huide recognize He Yu's potential early. Deng Rusong approves making He Yu a direct disciple, later proposes him as the Danxia Sect's next Sect Leader, and keeps the intended succession secret to avoid destabilizing the sect. He also supplies He Yu with a more complete True Explanation of Elixir Dao and obtains the sect-level Stellar River Saber Art for him. 31 45 46

As his health worsens, Deng Rusong becomes preoccupied with the sect's succession. Though Shen Dingyuan's faction holds more support, he selects Ruan Bai—You Yun's direct disciple—as successor because he considers Ruan Bai more broad-minded and better suited to preserve the sect. He continues suppressing Shen Dingyuan's faction while he can, but fears turmoil after his death. 61 63 64

By age 107, Deng Rusong is bedridden and often unconscious. During a final lucid moment, he asks He Yu whether the Danxia Sect is well and whether Deng Wanshu has awakened. He dies shortly afterward, leaving Ruan Bai's succession to be secured by Hu Zhongxuan. 65 66

Later simulation records

In a later recorded continuity, Deng Rusong remains alive when the Danxia Sect loses an Earth Source to Bao Liyan. Unlike Xie Huide, he remains composed, consoles his junior brother, and focuses on the sect's broader position. He also summons Supreme Grandmasters as potential reinforcements against the Eastern Sea Pavilion. 104 105

After Deng Wanshu is revived, Deng Rusong receives the Spirit Evolution Art from Shangguan GouSheng in gratitude for his care of He Yu. The manual gives him a path toward Insightful Observation and, potentially, ninth-rank alchemy; he becomes so absorbed in its study that He Yu later fails to meet with him. 106 120 130 138

When the Danxia Sect faces pressure from the nearby Blood Demon Sect and lacks an Immortal Cultivation Method, Deng Rusong accepts He Yiming's aid: a Nascent Soul cultivation method, Spirit Pill formulas, and Spirit Fire. In return, Danxia Sect pill refiners assist the Myriad Dreams Sect in training alchemy disciples. The Danxia Sect later becomes an affiliated sect of the Myriad Dreams Sect. 194 195 197

Personality

Deng Rusong is restrained, pragmatic, and highly conscious of institutional stability. Even when the Earth Source meant to save his sister is stolen, he controls his anger, comforts Xie Huide, and considers the consequences for the Danxia Sect rather than acting impulsively. 104

He is candid about his limits. When Yan Zhixue's hostility places He Yu in danger, Deng Rusong admits he cannot protect someone she truly intends to kill, but promises to bury He Yu beside Xie Huide even at the cost of his own life. 58

Despite his seriousness, he has a playful rivalry with Xie Huide and is susceptible to embarrassment where Yan Zhixue is concerned. His longstanding feelings for her lead him to rekindle their relationship after outliving his father, who had opposed the match. 42 57

Abilities & Skills

Alchemy

Deng Rusong is an Eighth-Rank Alchemist and one of the Danxia Sect's principal alchemy authorities. 120

• Plans to refine the Grade Eight Returning Yang Paste with Xie Huide, though only Deng Rusong can perform the refinement. 42
• Provides He Yu with a more complete edition of the True Explanation of Elixir Dao. 46
• Possesses Rank Eight pill formulas and gives five to He Yu after being blackmailed over his relationship with Yan Zhixue. 57 58
• Receives the Spirit Evolution Art to overcome his lack of natural Insightful Observation and pursue ninth-rank alchemy. 120 138

Sect Administration

As Sect Leader, Deng Rusong manages the Danxia Sect's resources, political factions, and external relations.

• Arranges for You Yun to oversee sect affairs during the year-long preparation and month-long seclusion to refine Returning Yang Paste. 46
• Weighs both succession factions before appointing Ruan Bai, prioritizing vision and stability over popularity. 61 63
• Calls on Supreme Grandmasters for reinforcements when the Danxia Sect is threatened by the Eastern Sea Pavilion. 105
• Negotiates the Danxia Sect's incorporation as an affiliated sect of the Myriad Dreams Sect. 195 197

Insightful Observation

Deng Rusong initially lacks the innate talent required for Insightful Observation, leaving him unable to progress beyond eighth-rank alchemy by conventional means. 120

• Studies the Spirit Evolution Art, which can grant Insightful Observation to those without the natural talent. 120
• Reaches the introductory level after more than a year of study. 138

Relationships

• Deng Wanshu — Biological younger sister. Her decades-long unconsciousness drives Deng Rusong's efforts to acquire an Earth Source and refine Returning Yang Paste; he is overjoyed when she awakens. 42 106
• Xie Huide — Junior martial brother and close friend. They share a teasing rivalry, cooperate to save Deng Wanshu, and jointly mentor and support He Yu. 42 45 105
• Hu Zhongxuan — Martial brother. Deng Rusong relies on Hu Zhongxuan's status and strength to stabilize the Danxia Sect as his own health fails. 54 63 64
• Yan Zhixue — Former lover and later rekindled romantic partner. Deng Rusong abandoned their relationship because his father opposed her status as the Extinction Sect's Holy Maiden; after his father's death, he resumes pursuing her. 57 117 119
• He Yu / He Yiming — A valued Danxia Sect disciple and intended successor. Deng Rusong supplies him with cultivation resources, confides in him over succession, and later accepts extensive support for the Danxia Sect from him. 45 46 63 195
• Ruan Bai — Chosen successor as Sect Leader. Deng Rusong selects Ruan Bai for her broader vision and prioritization of sect stability. 61 63
• Shen Dingyuan — Fifth Elder and leader of the rival succession faction. Deng Rusong repeatedly suppresses Shen's attempts to undermine Ruan Bai. 58 63

Story Role / Major Arcs

Returning Yang Paste

Deng Rusong works with Xie Huide to save Deng Wanshu, making the Earth Source campaign a personal family matter as well as a Danxia Sect undertaking. 42

He Yu's Recruitment

He helps bind He Yu to the Danxia Sect through direct-disciple status, resources, and the offer of eventual succession. He provides the Stellar River Saber Art after using his connections to obtain it. 31 45 46

Danxia Sect Succession Crisis

Deng Rusong delays declaring a successor while judging the competing factions of You Yun and Shen Dingyuan. He ultimately names Ruan Bai, then struggles to safeguard her transition as his health declines. 61 63 64

Reconciliation with Yan Zhixue

His past relationship with Yan Zhixue resurfaces when she visits Danxia Sect. Their renewed connection is complicated by Yan's position and by Deng Rusong's concern over He Yu's relationship with Wan Qingluan. 57 117 120

Myriad Dreams Sect Alliance

In later simulation records, Deng Rusong receives the Spirit Evolution Art, an Immortal Cultivation Method, and Spirit Pill formulas through He Yiming. He subsequently leads the Danxia Sect into affiliation with the Myriad Dreams Sect. 120 138 195 197

Notable Quotes

“I have decided that the next sect leader of the Danxia Sect will be Ruan Bai, the direct disciple of Village Elder You Yun!” 63

“He Yu, how is the Danxia Sect?” 65

Trivia

• Deng Rusong never married after being forced to abandon Yan Zhixue in his youth. 57
• He is the 29th Sect Leader of the Danxia Sect. 195
• While disguised as Apex Grandmaster Shangguan GouSheng, He Yu successfully unsettles Deng Rusong with an intentionally unreasonable demand for pills; Deng Rusong nonetheless handles the encounter cautiously and without open confrontation. 108 109