Sect Master Tongtian

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Sect Master Tongtian (通天教主)
Alias(es)	Shangqing; Third Martial Uncle (to Li Yun) 62 142
Species/Race	Pangu Primordial Spirit Race (Advanced) 62
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Jie Teachings; the Three Pure Ones 14 68
Occupation/Role	Saint; Sect Master of the Jie Teachings; master of Sword Dao and Array Dao 32 58
Status	Active 960
First Appearance	Chapter 14

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Mid Saint Realm	62	Li Yun's Probe identifies Tongtian as a Mid Saint with 82% favorability toward him.
Perfected Saint Realm	839	While using the Immortal-Slaying Four Swords to support the Small Primordial World, Tongtian is described as already having reached the perfected Saint realm.
Saint Extreme	855	He gambles his life by absorbing the Immortal-Slaying Four Swords' slaughter qi while holding up the Small Primordial World, successfully breaking into Saint Extreme.
Strengthened Saint Extreme; late Saint avatar	857	Reconstituting his primordial spirit and forming a vertical eye multiplies his power without changing his realm. He also creates Lingbao Tianzun, a Second Primordial Spirit avatar that reaches the late Saint Realm.
Half-Step Dao Ancestor	906	After surrendering his Shangqing Origin to Laozi, he retains his cultivation at Half-Step Dao Ancestor despite becoming several times weaker.
Recovering through an exclusive Dao vessel	907	Binding Laozi's great seal does not establish a new realm, but rapidly restores much of Tongtian's depleted strength and provides a path for further cultivation.

History

Leadership of the Jie Teachings

Tongtian is one of the Three Pure Ones alongside Laozi and Yuanshi Tianzun. He initially resides at Kunlun Mountain, where he oversees the numerous disciples of the Jie Teachings while maintaining contact with his two brothers. He regards Li Yun—Laozi's inner disciple—as an exceptional talent and recognizes that the Human Teachings' treatment of him is effectively equivalent to that of a Direct Disciple. 14

Before the Three Teachings Exchange Conference, Tongtian personally gathers and tutors his Golden Immortal disciples. He warns them that Li Yun, despite not yet being a Golden Immortal, possesses combat power worthy of serious attention. 22 23

The conference exposes shortcomings among his disciples, particularly Duobao. Tongtian strips Duobao of his Senior Disciple status, later sends him into thirty thousand years of Back Mountain reflection, and removes him from the Jie Teachings' central structure. Duobao remains a Direct Disciple at this stage. 49 56 68

Tongtian also delivers a cultivation sermon spanning the Earth Immortal through Golden Immortal Realms. Its direct approach benefits disciples of all three teachings and helps several achieve breakthroughs. 65

Reformation of the Jie Teachings

Following the exchange, Tongtian restructures the Jie Teachings around four groups led by Kong Xuan, Gui Ling, Jin Ling, and Wudang. He establishes a Combat Tournament held every hundred thousand years, with advancement and eventual expulsion determined by performance. A thirty-percent elimination rule later keeps disciples under pressure to improve. 67 68 414

He also identifies more than thirty disciples with outstanding Array Dao talent—including Yunxiao, Bixiao, Qiongxiao, Qin Wan, Zhao Jiang, and Sun Liangtian—and personally teaches them, offering a route toward Direct Discipleship. 68

Tongtian's concern with competitive training extends to his brothers' sects: he suggests making the Chan Teachings' Twelve Golden Immortal positions open to competition so that their holders cannot grow complacent. 45

Duobao subsequently betrays the Jie Teachings and joins the Western Teachings as Zhunti's Direct Disciple. Tongtian offers rewards to Jie Teachings disciples who kill traitors, including Duobao. 400 480

Kong Xuan's Inheritance

After Kong Xuan reaches the Daluo Golden Immortal realm, Tongtian accepts him as the Jie Teachings' Inheritor of the Robe and Bowl. He chooses Kong Xuan both for his talent and because he believes Kong Xuan alone has the potential to contend with Li Yun. 178 179

Tongtian grants Kong Xuan the Seven Innate Yin-Yang Five-Elements Pearls and the Slaughter Sword, then transmits the Shangqing Sword Dao and Shangqing Array Dao inheritances. He later provides the Immortal-Slaying Four Swords for Kong Xuan's comprehension and seeks the Primordial Chaos Bead to further evolve Kong Xuan's divine light. 178 179 445 538

Separation from Kunlun

When Laozi leaves Kunlun Mountain to become the Humanity Dao Spokesperson, Tongtian continues the apparent division among the Three Pure Ones. He demands the Primordial Chaos Bead from Yuanshi as compensation for withdrawing from Kunlun, then leads the Jie Teachings to Jin'ao Island. 445 446

Although the separation creates real tension and independent sect interests, Tongtian and Yuanshi continue cooperating in major matters, including the protection of their disciples and efforts against the Heavenly Dao's influence. 855 871

Freedom from the Heavenly Dao

Tongtian uses the Immortal-Slaying Four Swords to support the Small Primordial World and absorb its innate slaughter qi. Rather than retreat when the process becomes dangerous, he manifests his Dharma body, pushes himself to Saint Extreme, and repairs his evolving primordial spirit through Dao runes. 838 855 856

His reconstituted primordial spirit undergoes an ancestral reversion tied to the Pangu Primordial Spirit. This transformed, independent primordial spirit enables its damaged portions to be restored rather than reclaimed from the Heavenly Dao. A vertical eye forms on the restored primordial spirit, multiplying his strength without advancing his cultivation realm. 857

Tongtian also places a fragment of his divine soul into the Qingping Sword, creating the Second Primordial Spirit avatar Lingbao Tianzun. Heavenly Dao power enters the avatar, whose cultivation rises to the late Saint Realm. 857

This transformation allows him to break substantially free from the Heavenly Dao and Hongjun's control. He remains within the Heavenly Dao's Saint sequence, but declares that it can no longer forcibly command him. 860

After gaining this freedom, Tongtian seeks out Li Yun and proposes taking him into Chaos. Xuanming initially interprets the proposal as a scheme that would expose Li Yun to Hongjun's territory, though Tongtian maintains that she has misunderstood his intent. 861

Later, Tongtian chooses to abandon his Shangqing Origin and inheritance so that it cannot be used to absorb him or incite future fratricidal conflict. Laozi extracts the origin, leaving Tongtian severely weakened but still at Half-Step Dao Ancestor. Laozi compensates him with a Limitless Pill, a jade talisman containing One Qi Transforms into Three Pure Ones, and a great seal. 905 906

Laozi subsequently explains that the great seal can serve as Tongtian's exclusive Dao vessel, under his own control and capable of growing with his cultivation. After binding and refining it, Tongtian's condition rapidly recovers. 907

Personality

Tongtian is direct, decisive, and fiercely protective of those he recognizes as his disciples or allies. He is willing to threaten Saint-level enemies over Kong Xuan, intervene personally when Da Peng's ascension is obstructed, and shelter Hongyun in Biyou Palace in exchange for the False Hongmeng Purple Qi. 220 241 697

He combines this protectiveness with practical strategic judgment. He reforms the Jie Teachings after the exchange conference, removes Duobao from the sect's core, creates a competitive advancement system, and cultivates Array Dao specialists to strengthen the sect's future. 67 68

Tongtian is also exceptionally willing to take dangerous risks for progress. His pursuit of Saint Extreme and freedom from the Heavenly Dao places his life and primordial spirit at risk, yet he refuses to withdraw until he succeeds. 855 856

His decision to surrender his Shangqing Origin shows a willingness to sacrifice power to safeguard his independence and avert conflict with his brothers. 905 906

Abilities & Skills

Sword Dao

Tongtian is regarded as the foremost Sword Dao practitioner of the Primordial World after acquiring the Immortal-Slaying Four Swords and their formation diagram. 58

• Transmits the Shangqing Sword Dao to Kong Xuan and Wudang. 179 538 658
• Uses the Zhuxian Sword's sword-qi threads to suppress the demonized Zhurong. 668
• Employs the Immortal-Slaying Four Swords to eradicate an Inner Demon and accelerate Li Mo's Demon Transformation. The swords absorb the Inner Demon's essence, revealing a potential route for their evolution. 670 677
• Uses the four swords to slice away a Heavenly Dao tentacle blocking Da Peng's breakthrough. 697
• Draws innate slaughter qi into himself to nourish his Slaughter Law. 838

Array Dao

Tongtian is the Three Pure Ones' foremost formation expert. Yuanshi specifically defers to him when formations are required. 32

• Delivers an extended sermon on the Dao of Formations to disciples of all three teachings. 66
• Personally trains Jie Teachings disciples with exceptional Array Dao talent. 68
• Passes the Shangqing Array Dao inheritance to Kong Xuan. 179
• Relies on the Myriad Immortals Formation as Jin'ao Island and the Jie Teachings' principal defense. 959
• Orders his Direct Disciples to seal the formation's entrances when tribulation power reaches Jin'ao Island. 959

Primordial Spirit Reconstitution and Dao Independence

Tongtian can use Dao runes and the evolved nature of his Pangu-derived primordial spirit to restore the portions of his primordial spirit previously constrained by the Heavenly Dao. This reconstruction establishes him as a more independent existence while preserving his Saint status. 856 857 860

• His primordial spirit's ancestral reversion is the basis of his ability to repair it without recovering the original portion held by the Heavenly Dao. 857
• The restored primordial spirit forms a vertical eye with world-destroying power, greatly increasing his strength without changing his realm. 857
• Creates Lingbao Tianzun as a Second Primordial Spirit avatar through a fragment of divine soul and the Qingping Sword. 857
• By binding Laozi's great seal, he establishes an exclusive Dao vessel under his own control, allowing his cultivation and condition to recover after the loss of his Shangqing Origin. 907

Saintly Protection and Suppression

Tongtian can project Saint-level barriers and suppress threats that overwhelm his disciples.

• Creates a barrier around Li Yun while he refines the Heavenly Dimension Fruit; Tongtian states that even a Saint of the same realm would struggle to break it quickly. 142
• Warns Zhunti against targeting Kong Xuan after Zhunti shows interest in the Seven-Colored Divine Light. 220
• Shields Kong Xuan and Da Peng when they are defeated by the demonized Zhurong. 668
• Pursues the Heavenly Dao tentacle after protecting Da Peng's ascension. 698

Sect Administration and Mentorship

Tongtian uses competition, inheritance, and carefully chosen rewards to build stronger successors.

• Institutes the once-per-hundred-thousand-years Jie Teachings Combat Tournament and a thirty-percent elimination rule. 67 68 414
• Selects Kong Xuan as Inheritor of the Robe and Bowl and cultivates him as the sect's future leader. 178 179
• Guides Da Peng in Attaining Dao through Destiny and warns him to stabilize his Dao Heart. 661 662
• Supports Wudang's pursuit of a Sword World and Quasi-Saint cultivation. 658 663
• Accepts Zhu Yan'er as a disciple after examining her unique Yin-Yang-oriented physique. 667

Equipment / Treasures

• Immortal-Slaying Four Swords — Tongtian's defining sword treasures; used for suppression, formation deployment, slaughter-qi absorption, and supporting the Small Primordial World. They absorb an Inner Demon's essence, demonstrating the potential to evolve. 538 670 838 855
• Qingping Sword — A sword summoned after Tongtian's primordial spirit transformation at Saint Extreme; a fragment of his divine soul merges with it to form Lingbao Tianzun. 857
• Great Seal — A Dao vessel created by Laozi; Tongtian binds it as its master to establish an exclusive Dao and restore his condition. 907
• Limitless Pill and One Qi Transforms into Three Pure Ones jade talisman — Compensation Laozi gives Tongtian after extracting his Shangqing Origin. 906
• Heavenly Dimension Fruit — A Chaos-derived fruit Tongtian condenses and gives to Li Yun for cultivation. 134 142
• Primordial Chaos Bead — Obtained from Yuanshi as compensation for leaving Kunlun; intended to help Kong Xuan evolve his Seven-Colored Divine Light. 445 446
• Seven Innate Yin-Yang Five-Elements Pearls — Bestowed upon Kong Xuan to strengthen his divine light, foundation, and origin. 178
• Slaughter Sword — A Supreme Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure containing the Slaughter Law, bestowed upon Kong Xuan as a protective artifact. 178
• Qian Kun Mirror — A Supreme Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure given to Da Peng; can create two non-sentient avatars based on its master's strength. 662
• Light Sword and Darkness Sword — Paired High-Grade Innate Spirit Treasures Tongtian gives Ye Qingcheng. Once fully refined at the Quasi-Saint Realm, they can become the Supreme Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure known as the Light-Dark Divine Sword. 808 809

Relationships

• Laozi — Eldest brother and fellow member of the Three Pure Ones. Laozi aids Tongtian in extracting his Shangqing Origin and compensates him with a Limitless Pill, a secret-art talisman, and the great seal that becomes Tongtian's exclusive Dao vessel. 905 906 907
• Yuanshi Tianzun — Second brother, rival, and long-term collaborator. Their apparent split includes staged conflict, but Yuanshi remains prepared to save Tongtian during his Saint Extreme breakthrough. 445 855
• Li Yun — Martial nephew whom Tongtian values highly and treats much like an heir. He protects Li Yun during cultivation, gives him the Heavenly Dimension Fruit, proposes taking him into Chaos, and later supports his plan to escape the Primordial World temporarily. 142 861 960
• Kong Xuan — Direct disciple and Inheritor of the Robe and Bowl. Tongtian invests heavily in his Sword Dao, Array Dao, Seven-Colored Divine Light, and future leadership of the Jie Teachings. 178 179 538
• Da Peng — Direct disciple and later Phoenix Clan Master. Tongtian guides his destiny-based cultivation, gives him the Qian Kun Mirror, and removes the Heavenly Dao's obstruction to his breakthrough. Da Peng retains his place in the Jie Teachings after assuming clan leadership. 661 662 697
• Wudang — Direct disciple focused on Sword Dao. Tongtian provides her the complete Shangqing Sword Dao and brings her to the Phoenix Clan to perfect her path toward a Sword World. 658
• Gui Ling — Direct disciple entrusted with leading one branch of the reformed Jie Teachings and consulting the Mystic Turtle Lineage about becoming the sect's new foundation. 67 480
• Duobao — Formerly Tongtian's favored Senior Disciple. Tongtian loses faith in him after his conduct at the exchange conference, strips his senior status, and sends him into Back Mountain seclusion. Duobao later defects to the Western Teachings and becomes Zhunti's Direct Disciple. 56 68 400
• Hongyun — Protected guest of Biyou Palace. Tongtian accepts Hongyun's False Hongmeng Purple Qi in exchange for safeguarding him during his Tribulation. 241 446
• Lingbao Tianzun — Tongtian's late Saint Realm Second Primordial Spirit avatar, formed using the Qingping Sword. Tongtian later dispatches him to investigate Yuanshi's position after Yuanshi becomes the Heavenly Dao Spokesperson. 857 958 960
• Ye Qingcheng — Li Yun's disciple, who addresses Tongtian as Third Grandmaster. He gives her the paired Light Sword and Darkness Sword while directing her to Laozi for a suitable Sword Dao inheritance. 809

Story Role / Major Arcs

• Three Teachings Exchange Conference — Tutors the Jie Teachings' Golden Immortals, recognizes the need for a true successor, delivers cultivation and formation sermons, and reacts to his disciples' failures by demoting Duobao. 22 23 49 56 65 66
• Jie Teachings Reformation — Divides the sect into four factions, establishes a recurring combat tournament, and begins personally cultivating array specialists. Duobao later defects to the Western Teachings. 67 68 400
• Kong Xuan's Succession — Names Kong Xuan Inheritor of the Robe and Bowl, grants him key treasures, and transmits the Sword Dao and Array Dao inheritances. 178 179
• Kunlun Separation — Secures the Primordial Chaos Bead from Yuanshi and relocates the Jie Teachings to Jin'ao Island. 445 446
• Phoenix Clan and Devil Crisis — Supports Kong Xuan and Da Peng, suppresses Zhurong's Devil transformation, assists Li Mo's transformation, and enables Da Peng's ascension to Quasi-Saint Perfection. 668 670 677 697
• Small Primordial World Breakthrough — Uses the Immortal-Slaying Four Swords to hold up the world, reaches Saint Extreme, reconstitutes his primordial spirit, creates Lingbao Tianzun, and becomes substantially independent from the Heavenly Dao. 838 855 857 860
• Chaos Expedition Proposal — Seeks Li Yun after his Heavenly Dao liberation and proposes taking him into Chaos, prompting Xuanming to challenge his motives over the danger posed by Hongjun. 861
• Shangqing Origin Severance — Voluntarily gives up his Shangqing Origin to prevent its use against him and his brothers, then binds Laozi's great seal as a new, exclusive Dao vessel. 905 906 907
• Jin'ao Island Defense — Responds to the spread of Investiture of the Gods tribulation power by mobilizing his Direct Disciples to secure the Myriad Immortals Formation. He sends Lingbao Tianzun to learn Yuanshi's intentions as the Heavenly Dao Spokesperson. 958 959 960