Hongjun

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Hongjun (鸿钧)
Alias(es)	Dao Ancestor; Ancestor Master; Teacher
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Xuanmen; Purple Heaven Palace
Occupation/Role	Dao Ancestor; master of the Three Pure Ones; lecturer of the Dao
Status	Active; intends to merge with the Heavenly Dao after the next sermon, relinquishing personal thoughts and emotions 41
First Appearance	Chapter 26

Background / History

Hongjun presides over Purple Heaven Palace, where he delivers Dao lectures to the Great Desolation's powerful cultivators. During one such lecture, he responds to Kunpeng's mistreatment of his attendants Haotian and Yaochi by stripping Kunpeng of his destiny, making his authority unmistakable to the assembled listeners 26 27.

After lecturing on the realm beyond Da Luo and the path of severing the three corpses, Hongjun accepts Laozi, Yuanshi, and Tongtian as direct disciples. He also accepts Nuwa as a registered disciple and later takes Jieyin and Zhunti as nominal disciples 27 28.

Hongjun keeps Nan Ji behind after the lecture, revealing that he knows of Nan Ji's unusual origins. He recognizes Nan Ji as the third-generation eldest disciple of Xuanmen and his own grand-disciple, placing Xuanmen destiny upon him so that the Heavenly Dao no longer treats him as an anomaly 28 29. He subsequently gives Nan Ji nine years of personal instruction and allows him to remain at Purple Heaven Palace for three thousand years 29.

Before his planned merger with the Heavenly Dao, Hongjun becomes unusually affectionate toward Qiongxiao, whom he treats like a granddaughter. He gives her a jade token for Tongtian and arranges for Tongtian to protect her by accepting her as a personal disciple 41 42.

Appearance

Hongjun is an elderly Daoist who sits upon a cloud platform or cloud bed in Purple Heaven Palace, usually accompanied by Haotian and Yaochi. His true facial features cannot be clearly perceived by others, though the statue he grants Nan Ji bears a distinct likeness of him 27 29 32.

• Wears Daoist robes 32
• Wields a horsetail whisk when addressing or dismissing cultivators 28
• Is often attended by Haotian and Yaochi 26 27

Personality

Hongjun speaks with constant sarcasm, often delivering praise that is plainly a reprimand. His treatment of Kunpeng, Tongtian, Jieyin, Zhunti, Di Jun, and Tai Yi shows that his humor is backed by overwhelming power and an exacting sense of hierarchy 27 32 45.

Despite his stern and unpredictable manner, he is notably patient with Nan Ji. He acknowledges Nan Ji's position, gives him personal instruction, protects his standing within Xuanmen, and even helps him settle grievances against Di Jun and Tai Yi 28 29 45. His gentler side is especially apparent with Qiongxiao, whose affection he accepts without mockery 41.

Abilities & Authority

Dao Lectures and Cultivation Guidance

Hongjun's teachings reveal higher realms of cultivation and directly advance his listeners' understanding.

• Lectures on the realm beyond Da Luo and the method of severing the three corpses 27
• Gives Nan Ji a focused nine-year sermon, raising him to the late stage of Grand Unity Golden Immortal 29
• Leaves golden lotuses within Nan Ji that can support his cultivation through the late Quasi-Saint stage 29
• His divine presence and worship grant Laozi and Yuanshi clarity of mind for cultivation 30 32

Heavenly Dao Authority

Hongjun can impose consequences on cultivators and act across vast distances.

• Removes Kunpeng's destiny as punishment for disrespecting Haotian and Yaochi 27
• Teleports the three thousand guests of Purple Heaven Palace back to the Great Desolation with a flick of his whisk 28
• Draws Tongtian, Nan Ji, and Qiongxiao into Purple Heaven Palace through spatial means 31 40
• Announces his eventual merger with the Heavenly Dao, after which he will no longer retain personal thoughts or emotions 41

Jade Disc of Creation

Hongjun uses the Jade Disc of Creation to control the hostile conditions of Chaos.

• Manipulates earth, fire, wind, water, and chaotic currents against Di Jun and Tai Yi 45
• Allows Nan Ji to operate the disc temporarily and create obstacles throughout the chaotic void 45
• Refuses to give the disc to Nan Ji after joking that doing so would mean Nan Ji wished to merge with the Heavenly Dao in his place 45

Hongjun Statue

Hongjun creates a statue of himself for Nan Ji from a brick of Purple Heaven Palace.

• Allows Nan Ji to communicate with him 29
• Can suppress beings of the Great Desolation and briefly trap Saints 29
• Cannot be used against the protagonists of a Calamity and must act in accordance with the Heavenly Dao 29
• Receives offerings at Nan Ji's Changsheng Hall, where worship of the statue attracts vast Heavenly Dao merit 30

Equipment / Items

• Jade Disc of Creation — A Heavenly Dao-linked treasure used to direct the evolution and destruction of forces within Chaos 45
• Haotian Mirror — Used to observe Di Jun and Tai Yi's passage through Chaos 44 45
• Horsetail Whisk — Used when dismissing the Purple Heaven Palace guests 28
• Hongjun Statue — A statue bestowed upon Nan Ji that provides communication and suppression functions 29

Relationships

• Nan Ji — Grand-disciple and Xuanmen's third-generation eldest disciple. Hongjun acknowledges Nan Ji's special status, teaches him privately, and gives him a statue for communication and protection 28 29.
• Laozi — Direct disciple and eldest of the Three Pure Ones 27.
• Yuanshi — Direct disciple and Nan Ji's master 27.
• Tongtian — Youngest direct disciple; Hongjun frequently mocks and disciplines him, particularly over his conduct and disciples 27 32 41.
• Nuwa — Registered disciple 27.
• Jieyin and Zhunti — Nominal disciples accepted despite their shallow master-disciple connection 28.
• Haotian and Yaochi — Loyal attendants who have served Hongjun since their transformations; Hongjun punishes Kunpeng for disrespecting them 26 27.
• Qiongxiao — Treated with grandfatherly affection. Hongjun gives her a jade token and instructs Tongtian to protect her 41 42.
• Di Jun and Tai Yi — Hongjun covertly torments them in Chaos for their earlier conflict with Nan Ji, then permits the establishment of the Demon Court through Nan Ji's imitation of his voice 45.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Purple Heaven Palace Lecture

Hongjun begins his lecture after the dispute over seating in Purple Heaven Palace. He settles Haotian and Yaochi's grievance against Kunpeng, teaches the higher cultivation path, and formally takes disciples 26 27.

Recognition of Nan Ji

After sending away the other listeners, Hongjun questions Nan Ji about the general and minor trends, recognizes him as his grand-disciple, and personally instructs him. His recognition shields Nan Ji's existence beneath the destiny of Xuanmen's third generation 28 29.

Changsheng Hall and Discipline of Tongtian

Hongjun's statue becomes the center of worship at Changsheng Hall, attracting merit and transforming the hall into a Post-Heaven Merit Supreme Treasure. When Tongtian mishandles the offerings, Hongjun summons and lectures him directly 30 31 32.

Protection of Qiongxiao

Hongjun summons Qiongxiao and Nan Ji to Purple Heaven Palace, forms a bond with Qiongxiao, and gives her a jade token carrying instructions for Tongtian. This directly leads to Tongtian accepting Zhao Gongming and the Three Xiaos as personal disciples 40 41 42.

Demon Court Scheme

Hongjun brings Nan Ji into his realm, lets him observe Di Jun and Tai Yi, and uses the Jade Disc of Creation to make their journey through Chaos perilous. He then has Nan Ji imitate his voice to approve Di Jun's request to establish the Demon Court 44 45.

Notable Quotes

“You are the third-generation eldest disciple of my Xuanmen, and this Grand-master will naturally not mistreat you.” 28

“Since you like that spot, you shall sit there from now on.” 27

“When the next sermon is over, Grandpa will merge into a part of the Heavenly Dao. I won't be able to have personal thoughts or emotions anymore.” 41

Trivia

• Hongjun's inscription gives Nan Ji's hall the name Changsheng Hall; its calligraphy matches the plaque of Purple Heaven Palace 30.
• Nan Ji's offerings of Enlightenment Tea repeatedly become a point of Hongjun's attention and teasing 28 45.
• Hongjun's sarcasm is feared even by Tongtian, who finds Hongjun's lectures more distressing than arguing with Yuanshi 32 42.