Hong Tiangan

Biodata

Power Progression

Background / History

Hong Tiangan serves as the dean of the Ninth Martial Arts University and maintains a secluded, relatively informal teaching environment. He accepted Jiang Fan as a disciple partly because his favored second disciple, Luo Xiuwu, made the request, and partly because Jiang Fan's rise to Level 3 within a month marked him as an exceptional prospect. He assigned Jiang Fan to Stone Path Cottage alongside Luo Feihuai and Xue Min. 262 485

When accepting Jiang Fan, Hong explained that Luo Xiuwu had never previously asked him for such a favor and that Luo's contributions and sacrifices for Huaxia also justified his support. Hong additionally hoped that Jiang Fan's enrollment would improve the struggling university's reputation. He had eight disciples before accepting Jiang Fan. 115

He is a committed advocate of the university's old cultivation method. Initially concerned that Jiang Fan's rapid growth was being driven by excessive gene serum and blood-replenishing potions, Hong urged him to build a stable foundation instead. After Jiang Fan's continued advancement made that explanation untenable, Hong openly admitted that he had misjudged him. 485 128 146

Hong concluded that Jiang Fan possessed an Extraordinary Physique after learning that he had advanced without using a Level 2 gene serum. He attributed Jiang Fan's unusually rapid cultivation, resistance to mental attacks, and other anomalies to that physique, while respecting Jiang Fan's choice not to disclose every personal secret. 547 147

This conclusion provided Jiang Fan with a convenient explanation for his abilities without revealing the Martial Arts Space. Hong continued to invoke the supposed physique when assessing Jiang Fan's multiple elemental abilities and superior spatial perception. Jiang Fan privately understood that the difference in their spatial perception instead arose from their different cultivation techniques. 147 364 366

Before accepting Fu Xingchen, Hong already had nine disciples, with Fu becoming his tenth. He took Fu in to repay an old friend's favor, but became increasingly dissatisfied with Fu's arrogance, impatience, and poor state of mind. 377

Hong had originally intended to stop accepting disciples after Jiang Fan, believing that Jiang would eventually surpass him and become a mainstay of Huaxia's martial artists. Fu Xingchen's apparent talent and his family's prior favor persuaded Hong to make an exception. 346

Following Jiang Fan's departure from Blue Star, Hong became a member of the Martial Arts Alliance. He remained informed about the instability caused by rumors of Jiang Fan's death, including challenges to the Alliance, the Jiang family, and the military's allocation of influence and resources. 772 773

Personality

Hong Tiangan is approachable in daily life despite his status. He gardens in his courtyard, brews tea for visitors, and tells students that the university does not need excessive formalities so long as they cultivate earnestly. 262

As a teacher, he is patient and analytical. He prefers students to establish foundations before learning advanced applications, explains principles in detail, and adapts his instruction to a disciple's circumstances. He also avoids excessive praise for exceptional students, believing encouragement should be directed toward those who need it most. 201 712 377

His calm manner conceals a fierce temper and strong sense of fairness. Hong will investigate before judging a dispute, but reacts sharply when a disciple blames him for injustice or disrespects their seniors. 385

Among fellow university leaders, he can be openly combative and mocking. He challenged peers who criticized Jiang Fan to settle their disagreement through sparring, called Han Shan a hypocrite, and openly celebrated the Ninth Martial Arts University's victory over its rivals. 150 152

He is intensely protective of his disciples. He repeatedly intervenes against stronger opponents and refuses to betray Jiang Fan even after suffering a severe injury at the hands of a Sacred Judge. 147 240 612

His protection is also practical and anticipatory: he prepared Jiang Fan's military enlistment before the Life and Death Duel escalated, creating a fallback route in case even his own intervention proved insufficient. Although he questioned Jiang Fan's decision to accept the duel, he respected his disciple's judgment and emphasized that survival mattered more than victory. 215 231

Despite his accomplishments, Hong expressed deep frustration with his own cultivation when facing death, describing his life as a failure because his pursuit of the old methods had left him behind his peers. This self-assessment did not weaken his determination to protect Jiang Fan. 535

Abilities & Skills

Old Cultivation Method Instruction

Hong is an accomplished teacher of the old cultivation method and emphasizes the connection between a cultivator and Heaven and Earth Energy.

• Required Jiang Fan to reach Minor Accomplishment in the Heaven and Earth Natural Meditation Technique before teaching practical applications. 712
• Identified Jiang Fan's instant entry into meditation as the sign of Major Accomplishment, verifying it through a second demonstration after Xue Min reported his rapid progress. 118
• Taught the Blazing Sun Void-Breaking Fist after identifying Jiang Fan's fire-element affinity. 712
• Demonstrated precise control of fire-attributed energy inside his living room and supplied Jiang Fan with a technique manual containing key cultivation points. 119
• Explained that elemental energy can be applied for attack, control, enhancement, defense, and support. 162
• Compared old-method elemental comprehension with abilities obtained through exotic beast blood essence, teaching that both seek control of Heaven and Earth Energy but that self-comprehended abilities have greater long-term potential. 157
• Stressed that Blood Essence cultivation remains essential because it determines the capacity and potential ceiling of a Martial Artist. 162
• Personally guided Fu Xingchen through the Heaven and Earth Natural Meditation Technique when prior instruction failed, repeatedly correcting his unsettled mental state until he successfully drew energy into his body. 346

Formationcraft and Spatial Transit

Hong established a formation-linked route between the Ninth Martial Arts University and his secluded Qingyan Mountain training grounds.

• Created a spatial channel that allows travel between the university and Qingyan Mountain. 399
• Used a Formation Room to establish the channel and could transport himself and Jiang Fan between the two locations with a wave of his hand. 364 365
• Maintains formations and an energy barrier around Qingyan Mountain, allowing major battles and cultivation to occur away from civilians. 399 626
• Studied Jiang Fan's Flash technique and grasped its principles through their exchange of insights, though he found his own spatial perception less clear than Jiang Fan's. 400 366
• Stated that he had mastered Flash after Jiang Fan's explanation, but acknowledged that his comparatively obscure perception limited its effectiveness. He believed further practice could make him invincible among Level 8 martial artists; this was an expectation rather than a demonstrated achievement. 366

Combat Ability

Hong possesses combat strength beyond that expected of an ordinary Level 7 Martial Artist.

• His energy release dispersed Jiang Fan's linked Five Element Abilities during their sparring match. 401
• Formed a massive finger seal capable of overpowering Jiang Fan's sword light and Spiritual Energy interference. 401
• Restored his cracked seal with a circular motion of his fingertip before shattering Jiang Fan's giant sword. 365
• Retained the speed and reaction time to counter Jiang Fan's Flash-based attacks after initially being caught off guard. 401
• Fought Si Kongnan Tian, a Level 8 Martial Saint, to a stalemate while subtly holding the advantage. 240
• Dispelled Han Shan's attempt to seize Jiang Fan with a wave of energy produced by stamping his foot, gaining the advantage in their restrained exchange. 152
• Drove Si Kongyu and his investigation team out of the university without appearing in person, then promised to intervene personally if Si Kongran pursued Jiang Fan. 204
• Advocates seizing the initiative in battle, demonstrating this principle by attacking immediately when his sparring match with Jiang Fan began. 364
• Was described by Xiao Longyuan as strong enough to fight a Level 8 Peak expert. Nevertheless, the gap to Level 9 remained substantial, as the dark-skinned Sacred Judge seriously wounded him with one casual palm strike. 533 535

Relationships

• Jiang Fan — Disciple. Hong personally taught and protected Jiang, arranged guards after an attack, defended him against powerful enemies, and regarded him as the foremost talent he had encountered. After Jiang's return, Hong informed him of the disorder that had emerged during his absence and expressed confidence that Jiang could resolve it. 547 158 240 400 773
• Luo Xiuwu — Second-oldest and favored disciple. Hong accepted Jiang Fan partly because Luo Xiuwu requested it. He praised Luo's sincerity and Pure Heart and respected his contributions to Huaxia. 262 115
• Xue Min — Senior disciple. Hong entrusted her with passing the Heaven and Earth Natural Meditation Technique to Jiang Fan and relied on her to help guide Fu Xingchen. 485 203 377
• Luo Feihuai — Senior disciple and resident of Stone Path Cottage. 485
• Yue Chuan — Second Senior Brother to Jiang Fan and one of Hong's disciples; he discussed Jiang Fan's military arrangements with Hong. Hong summoned him before Jiang's Life and Death Duel to prepare military protection against the anticipated escalation with the Si Kong Family. 250 231
• Fu Xingchen — Former disciple. Hong accepted him to repay an old favor, then expelled him after his disrespectful conduct and refusal to repent. 377 385 386
• Ma Ning — Jiang Fan's relative. Although she was not Hong's disciple, he looked out for her because of his relationship with Jiang; he was alarmed to learn that she had been out of contact for months. Hong had previously informed Jiang that she was a freshman at the Ninth Martial Arts University and that her family lived near the campus. 772 353
• Fei Ruoyun — Acquaintance from the Fei Supreme Family. Hong had met her during a visit to Emperor Fei's family and regretted being unable to accept her as a disciple. He recognized her when Fu Xingchen accused her of disrespect and later welcomed her to stay at the university with Jiang Fan. 351 352 353
• Han Shan — Rival dean of the First Martial Arts University. Hong openly mocked his hypocrisy and prevented him from seizing Jiang Fan after Zhuang Hui's defeat. 150 152
• Xiao Longyuan — Ally in concealing Jiang Fan's presence at Qingyan Mountain and later leader of the Martial Arts Alliance to which Hong belonged. Xiao supported Hong's cover story during the Sacred Judges' investigation. 533 534 772 773
• Si Kongnan Tian — Enemy combatant. Hong confronted him to prevent him from killing Jiang Fan. 240
• Lingxi and Huan Shan — Their cooperation with the Sacred Judges endangered Hong's effort to protect Jiang Fan. Huan Shan exposed Hong's connection to Jiang, while Lingxi discovered the Strange Stone powder that undermined his cover story. 533 535
• Dark-skinned Sacred Judge — Opponent from the Martial Arts Divine Hall who severely injured Hong after exposing his deception concerning Jiang Fan's cultivation site and attempted to execute him. 612 630

Story Role / Major Arcs

Jiang Fan's Enrollment and Early Guidance

Hong accepted Jiang Fan into his personal lineage, warned him against relying excessively on gene serum, and directed him toward the old cultivation method. He later tested Jiang Fan's progress, taught him elemental applications, and identified fire-element techniques suited to him. 262 485 201 712

After Xue Min reported that Jiang Fan had sensed Heaven and Earth Energy immediately and reached Minor Accomplishment within three days, Hong personally examined him. He discovered that Jiang could enter meditation instantly and confirmed that he had actually reached Major Accomplishment. Hong then taught him the Blazing Sun Void-Breaking Fist and explained that the year's Newcomer League would determine the universities' shares of Secret Realm regions. 118 119

Extraordinary Physique Revelation

After investigating Jiang Fan's unexplained rise to Level 4, Hong determined that Jiang had not used a Level 2 gene serum and concluded that he possessed an Extraordinary Physique. This belief greatly raised Hong's expectations for Jiang's future. 128 547

Hong explicitly assured Jiang Fan that he respected personal opportunities and was not seeking to pry into his secrets. His explanation allowed Jiang to conceal the Martial Arts Space. After later learning that Jiang was also a Psychic, Hong recognized that Psychic abilities explained his resistance to Song Xixi's mental attacks and encouraged him to seek instruction from her teacher in Luo City. 147 156

Before Jiang's departure, Hong warned him not to accept unreasonable demands in exchange for a Psychic cultivation technique and promised to find another teacher if necessary. Upon Jiang's return, he watched a demonstration of his Level Four Psychic skills and encouraged him to develop them as a major combat trump card. 170 202

Newcomer League Protector

Hong supported Jiang Fan throughout the Collegiate Newcomer League, intervening when First Martial Arts University personnel attempted to retaliate against Jiang after a match. He also arranged covert protection for Jiang following an attack connected to Si Kongyingjie. 147 158

After Jiang defeated Zhuang Hui, Hong broke Han Shan's attempt to restrain him and insisted that Jiang had acted within the competition's rules. Jiang's championship secured the greatest benefits for the Ninth Martial Arts University and returned the right to organize the Newcomer League to the school. Hong openly celebrated the result and invited the other university representatives to meet three days later. 152

Hong later explained that he had stationed protectors near Jiang immediately after Zhuang Hui's defeat. Although they did not need to intervene when Jiang dispatched his attackers, the arrangement reflected Hong's concern about retaliation. 156

Conflict with the Si Kong Family

When Si Kongnan Tian attempted to kill Jiang Fan after the Life and Death Duel, Hong confronted him directly and made his position unmistakable: Jiang Fan was his disciple, and Hong would save him. He later helped ensure Jiang's military enlistment, giving him protection from further immediate retaliation. 240

Earlier, Hong had driven Si Kongyu's investigation team out of the university and assured Jiang that he would respond if Si Kongran appeared personally. He initially questioned whether accepting Si Kongming's Life and Death Duel was wise, but supported Jiang's decision after learning that he had concealed sufficient strength of his own. 204 214 215

Hong exchanged dozens of blows with Si Kongnan Tian and emerged evenly matched, with a slight advantage. He rejected the suggestion that Jiang's damaged foundation made him unworthy of protection, then invoked the Eastern War Zone's intention to enlist Jiang to deter further immediate attacks. He warned Jiang afterward that his meridian injuries threatened his foundation. 230

The military route had been arranged in advance: Hong had anticipated the possibility that the Si Kong Family's senior experts would intervene and summoned Yue Chuan to prepare Jiang's enlistment as a fallback. Hong and Yue Chuan subsequently heard Jiang's account identifying Jiang Qinian as his father and considered the implications for his military future. 231 234

Qingyan Mountain Sparring and Flash Exchange

Hong brought Jiang Fan to Qingyan Mountain for a serious sparring match, where Jiang revealed five elemental abilities, a sixth water-element ambush, Spiritual Power, and Flash. Impressed by Flash's potential, Hong exchanged spatial insights with Jiang and considered the lesson a favor worth repaying. 399 401 400

The concealed water attack left a small scratch on Hong's neck, prompting him to fight more seriously. Although Jiang briefly gained the initiative through Flash, Hong adapted and repeatedly blocked or countered his attacks. He ended the duel before Jiang tested his Gravity Field and concluded afterward that Jiang could already contend with an ordinary Level 8 Initial Stage expert. 365 366

During their exchange, Hong grasped Flash's principles after a single explanation. He acknowledged that his spatial perception was less clear than Jiang's but believed the ability would still greatly improve his combat strength. In return, he shared his own understanding of Space Power and declared that he owed Jiang a favor. 366

Fu Xingchen's Expulsion

Hong initially sought to resolve Fu Xingchen's conflict with Jiang Fan and Fei Ruoyun leniently, but changed course when Fu proved disrespectful and unrepentant. Hong severed their master-disciple relationship and chose to owe Fu's father another favor rather than compromise his own standards. 385 386

Before the confrontation, Hong had hoped Jiang Fan could temper Fu's competitive and unstable temperament. After finding Fu injured, he stabilized his condition but remained skeptical of his embellished accusations. He first attempted to end the dispute as a misunderstanding, then listened to Xue Min's account and concluded that Jiang and Fei Ruoyun had already shown restraint. 346 350 351 352

Hong ultimately judged Fu's conduct incompatible with his minimum standards for a disciple and feared that his behavior could bring trouble upon the university. He severed their teaching relationship but allowed Fu to choose whether to remain enrolled or withdraw. Fu left threatening revenge, while Hong undertook to explain his decision to Fu's father and honor any remaining obligation. 353

Defiance of the Martial Arts Divine Hall

Hong allowed Jiang Fan to use Qingyan Mountain as a hidden cultivation location and attempted to conceal evidence of his presence from the Sacred Judges. When exposed, he was severely injured but still refused to reveal Jiang Fan's whereabouts, accepting the risk of execution to protect his disciple. Jiang Fan arrived in time to destroy the execution attack and save him. 626 612 630

With Xiao Longyuan supporting his account, Hong claimed that his own cultivation had caused the disturbance on the mountain. The explanation nearly persuaded the Sacred Judges to leave, even after Huan Shan revealed his connection to Jiang Fan. Lingxi then found Strange Stone powder beneath a crooked tree, and Hong mistakenly described it as ordinary dust. The dark-skinned Sacred Judge used the discrepancy to expose his deception, arguing that a Level 8 cultivator could not have pulverized the stones. 533 534 535

The Sacred Judge seriously wounded Hong, prevented his attempted suicide, and prepared to execute him to force Jiang Fan to appear. When Jiang arrived and shattered the descending finger attack, Hong urged him to flee using Spatial Shuttle rather than risk his life. Jiang refused to purchase his own safety through the sacrifice of his companions and subsequently defeated all three Sacred Judges. 535 536 537

Jiang Fan's Return and the Martial Arts Alliance Crisis

After Jiang Fan returned following years away, Hong explained that the Martial Arts Alliance had preserved global order under Xiao Longyuan's leadership, but had faced growing internal and external challenges after rumors of Jiang's death spread. Though stunned by Jiang's overwhelming Level 14 aura, Hong placed his confidence in Jiang's ability to settle the resulting threats against the Alliance and Jiang family. 773

Hong learned from Jiang about the vast world beyond Blue Star, but their reunion turned to Ma Ning's unexplained loss of contact. Neither Su Qingwan nor Xiao Longyuan had informed him of her situation. He explained that a Level 10 overseas Supreme and domestic factions had challenged Xiao's authority and suspected that hostility toward Jiang's family had extended to Ma Ning's military service. Jiang's anger briefly released pressure that Hong, despite reaching Level 9 Supreme, could scarcely endure. Jiang immediately withdrew it, apologized, and departed to investigate. 772 773

Notable Quotes

“You want to kill my disciple, and I want to save my disciple! Isn't that clear enough?” 240

“There aren't that many rules here. Our Martial Arts University isn't like other schools with all that flashy stuff! You're here to cultivate. As long as you cultivate well, everything else can be discussed!” 262

“Jiang Fan is my student, and if he is my student for a day, he is my student for life! How could a teacher sell out his student to save his own life?” 612

“Remember one thing: whether you win or lose, staying alive is the most important!” 215

“Battle doesn't concern itself with methods, only victory and defeat!” 364

Trivia

• Hong enjoys gardening and was first seen tending soil in his courtyard. 262
• He treats Qingyan Mountain as both a private cultivation ground and a secure battlefield, having connected it to the university through formations. 399
• Hong considered Jiang Fan the fastest and most exceptional talent among his disciples in sensing and cultivating Heaven and Earth Energy. 201 377
• His stated teaching principle is to encourage weaker students more and spur stronger students onward, explaining why he praised Fu Xingchen's modest progress more readily than Jiang Fan's extraordinary achievements. 346
• He jokingly stopped Jiang Fan from practicing the Blazing Sun Void-Breaking Fist in his living room because the beginner might burn down his house. 119