Tongtian Cult Master

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Tongtian Cult Master (通天教主)
Alias(es)	Sage Tongtian; Saint Tongtian 25 49
Species/Race	Saint; later re-achieved the Primordial Unity realm 174 291
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Intercepting Sect
Occupation/Role	Master and leader of the Intercepting Sect; teacher of Li Xiao, Yunxiao, Duobao Daoist, and other sect disciples 20 21
Status	Active 646
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Heavenly Dao Saint	174	Li Xiao identifies him as a Saint constrained by the Heavenly Dao and urges him to relinquish the position to pursue a higher path.
Primordial Unity	291	Emerges from seclusion after crippling his Saintly position and re-proving Primordial Unity.
Foremost Saint / strongest among the Saints	292	Defeats Taishang Laojun and Primordial Heavenly Venerate alone through the Law of Strength, the Immortal Slaying Sword Formation, and borrowed Law of Destiny.

Background / History

Tongtian Cult Master resides at Biyou Palace on Golden Ao Island, the base of the Intercepting Sect. Li Xiao becomes his fifth direct disciple, immediately testing his patience through laziness, tardiness, and an apparent lack of discipline. 1

After Yunxiao reveals that Li Xiao knows the legendary Nine Revolutions Arcane Arts, Tongtian investigates Fifth Peak himself and witnesses Li Xiao cultivate it while manifesting the Pangu True Body. Shocked by the discovery, he conceals Yunxiao's ability to hear Li Xiao's thoughts by publicly attributing her attack on Dingguang Immortal to qi deviation. 7

Li Xiao's increasingly audacious schemes repeatedly leave Tongtian enraged, worried, or unable to locate him due to the Chaos Bead. Despite frequent reprimands and attempts to restrict him to Golden Ao Island, Tongtian consistently shields Li Xiao from Saint-level enemies and competing sects. 19 20 31 118

Yunxiao later informs him that the Intercepting Sect's eventual destruction may have been orchestrated by the Dao Ancestor. Though devastated by his inability to confront the Dao Ancestor directly, Tongtian concludes that Li Xiao may hold the sect's best hope. 63

At Li Xiao's urging, Tongtian chooses to abolish his Heavenly Dao Saintly position rather than remain bound by the Heavenly Dao. He eventually re-achieves Primordial Unity, then defeats Taishang Laojun and Primordial Heavenly Venerate in battle, establishing himself as the foremost Saint. 174 215 291 292

Appearance

Tongtian Cult Master is a Taoist immortal with long black hair, a long beard, and flowing Taoist robes. He is frequently seen riding his mount, Kui Niu. 38 291

• Carries the Qingping Sword, which reacts to his anger with ringing sword cries. 25
• His presence and Saintly pressure can cause heaven and earth to change color or overwhelm lesser cultivators. 1 154
• After re-achieving Primordial Unity, his three thousand black strands of hair are described as dancing behind him while he faces his rivals. 291

Personality

Tongtian is fiercely protective of his disciples and reacts violently when outsiders threaten them. He intervenes against Zhunti, Primordial Heavenly Venerate, the Demon Race, and other powerful figures whenever Li Xiao is endangered. 31 118 153 186

His temper is famously volatile. Li Xiao's schemes regularly drive him to roar about a “rebellious disciple,” throw shoes, or threaten punishment; however, his anger rarely outweighs his willingness to protect and trust Li Xiao. 1 20 169

Although a formidable combatant, Tongtian is comparatively direct in political matters. He openly acknowledges that Li Xiao is better at convoluted plans, preferring to leave strategy to his disciple while being summoned when force is required. 293 327

He values the unity and survival of the Intercepting Sect. The estrangement of the Three Pure Ones troubles him, and he ultimately resolves to resist the fate imposed on his sect and challenge the Heavenly Dao itself. 167 426

Abilities & Skills

Immortal Slaying Sword Formation

Tongtian's signature formation is formed from the Immortal Slaying Formation Diagram and the Four Immortal Slaying Swords. It produces overwhelming sword qi and is his primary means of confronting other Saints. 26 291

• Drives Primordial Heavenly Venerate away while defending the Primordial Violet Qi. 26
• Gravely injures Primordial Heavenly Venerate during their confrontation at Penglai Immortal Island. 118 119
• Holds back Taishang Laojun and Primordial Heavenly Venerate after Tongtian re-achieves Primordial Unity. 291 292
• Is deployed alongside the Myriad Immortals Formation against the Four Saints during the Investiture of the Gods conflict. 426 427 428
• Is powerful enough to devastate Mount Sumeru and decimate Buddhist disciples. 365 366

Swordsmanship

Tongtian wields the Qingping Sword with decisive, overwhelming force. He can strike from afar, destroy magical constructs, and use the sword to protect disciples from attacks by Saints and Saint-level avatars. 38 118 395

• Intervenes against Ancestor Minghe with a single sword strike that destroys his blood-body manifestations. 38
• Cuts apart Primordial Heavenly Venerate's whisk attack aimed at Li Xiao. 170
• Splits Mount Kunlun's boundary marker in retaliation for the tampering of Intercepting Sect fortune. 340

Law of Strength and Law Manipulation

Following his return to Primordial Unity, Tongtian commands the Law of Strength and can borrow or counter other laws in battle. 292

• Uses the Law of Strength to overwhelm Taishang Laojun and Primordial Heavenly Venerate. 292
• Borrows Primordial Heavenly Venerate's Law of Destiny and manifests a River of Destiny to oppose Yuanshi's own technique. 292
• Creates three Saint clones to counter Taishang Laojun's One Qi Transforms into Three Pure Ones. 292

Restrictions, Divination, and Spatial Movement

Tongtian frequently establishes heavy restrictions around sensitive discussions, sealing even Kui Niu's senses when necessary. He also travels instantly across the Primordial World and can inspect events through divine means. 6 20

• Uses restrictions to protect Yunxiao's reports concerning Li Xiao's secrets. 6 14
• Cannot locate Li Xiao when the Chaos Bead shields him from Saint-level perception. 19
• Appears instantly at crisis sites, including the Sea of Blood, Penglai Immortal Island, and the Demon Race's Heavenly Court. 38 118 153

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Qingping Sword — Tongtian's immortal sword and personal weapon. 25 38
• Four Immortal Slaying Swords — Four swords used to establish the Immortal Slaying Sword Formation. 26
• Immortal Slaying Formation Diagram — Formation diagram paired with the Four Immortal Slaying Swords. 26
• Six Souls Banner — Entrusted to Li Xiao during the Investiture of the Gods conflict. 426
• Protective jade talisman — Given to Yunxiao after her nascent soul experiences sudden instability. 189
• Kui Niu — His bull-like mount. 38 97

Relationships

• Li Xiao — Fifth direct disciple. Tongtian alternates between fury at Li Xiao's reckless schemes and absolute confidence in him during critical moments. 1 169 293
• Yunxiao — Disciple and trusted informant who reports Li Xiao's thoughts and plans to him; Tongtian also arranges her marriage with Li Xiao. 7 63 119
• Duobao Daoist — Chief disciple of the Intercepting Sect. Tongtian becomes suspicious of Duobao's authority and later faces his betrayal. 21 443
• Taishang Laojun — First Senior Brother and fellow member of the Three Pure Ones; their relationship deteriorates into direct conflict. 291 292
• Primordial Heavenly Venerate — Second Senior Brother and recurring rival. Their disputes frequently escalate into clashes involving the Immortal Slaying Sword Formation. 26 118 291
• Dao Ancestor Hongjun — His teacher. Tongtian fears Hongjun's authority yet seeks to surpass the limitations imposed by the Heavenly Dao. 63 301
• Kui Niu — Mount. Tongtian disciplines him but ultimately supports his marriage to Rakshasa Girl. 97
• Empress Nuwa — Fellow Saint and junior sister. Their interactions range from negotiations to disputes caused by Li Xiao's schemes. 154 373

Story Role / Major Arcs

Li Xiao's Arrival and the Sect's Hidden Threats

Tongtian accepts Li Xiao as his fifth direct disciple, discovers his mastery of the Nine Revolutions Arcane Arts, and begins receiving secret reports from Yunxiao about Li Xiao's plans and the Intercepting Sect's future. 1 7 63

Protection of Li Xiao

Tongtian repeatedly intervenes when Saints and major powers target Li Xiao. He drives away Zhunti, confronts Primordial Heavenly Venerate, and storms the Demon Race's Heavenly Court after discovering its plot against his disciple. 31 49 118 153 154

Severing the Heavenly Dao Saintly Position

Realizing that his position as a Heavenly Dao Saint restricts his ability to oppose fate, Tongtian accepts Li Xiao's proposal to abandon the position and pursue Primordial Unity anew. 174 215

Re-Achieving Primordial Unity

Tongtian emerges from seclusion as a Primordial Unity cultivator and battles Taishang Laojun and Primordial Heavenly Venerate. By defeating both, he becomes the acknowledged foremost Saint and gains Xuanyuan Clan as a disciple. 291 292

Investiture of the Gods Conflict

Tongtian supports Li Xiao's plans for the Investiture of the Gods, establishes the Myriad Immortals Formation and Immortal Slaying Sword Formation, and leads the Intercepting Sect against the Four Saints. 327 426 427 428

Conflict with Buddhism

After learning that Zhunti orchestrated conflict between the Intercepting Sect and Heavenly Origin Sect, Tongtian attacks Mount Sumeru and devastates Buddhist forces with the Immortal Slaying Sword Formation. 365 366

Journey to the West Era

Following the shattering of the Primordial World, Tongtian is barred from entering it under an agreement between the Heavenly Dao and the Dao Ancestor. His reputation nevertheless continues to deter opponents from acting against Kui Niu and those associated with the Intercepting Sect. 587 646

Notable Quotes

“The Ren Sect, the Heavenly Origin Sect, and even Buddhism, the Heavenly Court, the entire Primordial World does not tolerate my Intercepting Sect. But I refuse to believe this fate. I will fight against the Heavenly Dao, are you all willing to accompany me?” 426

“If you dare to harm my Intercepting Sect disciples, this humble Taoist will hunt you two to the ends of the earth and fight you to the death!” 366

Trivia

• Tongtian is associated with formation arrays among the Three Pure Ones, while Taishang Laojun specializes in alchemy and Primordial Heavenly Venerate in artifact forging. 489
• He often rides Kui Niu into battle, a habit Li Xiao repeatedly mocks when Tongtian arrives late to rescue him. 38
• He occasionally throws his shoe at Li Xiao when angered, once accidentally striking Duobao Daoist in the face. 20
• Tongtian admits that Li Xiao's strategies allow him to focus on “brute force output” rather than planning. 293