Yuanshi

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Yuanshi (元始)
Alias(es)	Jade Clarity Yuanshi; Saint Yuqing; Venerable Yuanshi 1 3 4
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Heavenly Origin Sect (also called the Chan Sect); Mount Kunlun; the Three Pure Ones 1 4 14
Occupation/Role	Saint; Sect Master of the Heavenly Origin Sect; artifact-refining master 4 14 243
Status	Active 327
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Background / History

Yuanshi was one of the Five Saints who established their sects at the same time, shaking the Primordial World. He resided on Mount Kunlun alongside Laozi and Tongtian as one of the Three Pure Ones. 1

He held Xian Junyu in unusually high regard because of the latter's innate origin. Frustrated by Xian Junyu's slow Earth Immortal cultivation, Yuanshi repeatedly criticized Tongtian's teaching and attempted to recruit Xian Junyu into the Heavenly Origin Sect. His offer included the position of Vice Sect Master, access to sect resources, and the right to wield the Pangu Banner. 4

Yuanshi maintained strict standards for prospective disciples. He rejected Daoist Duobao and instructed Xian Junyu to turn away beings born from “wetness or eggs,” reflecting his prejudice against many non-innate cultivators. 5

Despite Xian Junyu refusing to change sects, Yuanshi personally taught him artifact refining. He provided the Jade Clarity Artifact Forging Technique, supervised his practical work for nearly three thousand years, and gifted him valuable innate materials after recognizing him as an established artifact refiner. 14

The growing conflict between the Heavenly Origin and Intercepting Sects placed Yuanshi against Tongtian and Xian Junyu. Their rivalry culminated in the Three Pure Ones' separation from Mount Kunlun after a major clash between their sects. 100 101

Appearance

Yuanshi is portrayed as an elderly Daoist with white hair and a white beard, unlike Tongtian's middle-aged appearance. 93

• Maintains the solemn, imposing bearing expected of a Saint.
• His grand and magnificent Mount Kunlun dojo reflects his concern with prestige and appearances. 3
• He may project his consciousness through disciples' bodies, as when he possessed Guang Chengzi during his clash with Xian Junyu. 239

Personality

Yuanshi is proud, status-conscious, and intensely competitive—particularly where Tongtian is concerned. He repeatedly asserts that he is Tongtian's superior, dismisses Tongtian's ability as a teacher, and envies the glory Xian Junyu brings to the Intercepting Sect. 4 35 204

He is demanding toward his own disciples and reacts harshly to their failures. After Nan Ji and Xuandu were defeated by Xian Junyu, Yuanshi knocked Nan Ji unconscious again and condemned his disciples as “useless trash.” 204

However, Yuanshi's treatment of Xian Junyu is notably more considerate. He continued to value him after being refused, taught him without reservation, and declined to forcibly pursue Xian Junyu's secret to attaining sainthood. 14 245 He later supported Xian Junyu as a possible hope for overturning Hongjun's control and establishing the Pangu Orthodox Lineage's rule. 253

Abilities & Skills

Saint Realm Cultivation

Yuanshi is a Saint whose aura and power can contend directly with Xian Junyu after the latter reveals his own Saint Realm cultivation. 243 244

• Can repel large-scale attacks with casual applications of Saint power. 245
• Can fight Tongtian and withstand pressure from the Immortal Slaying Sword Formation, though he considers the formation impossible to break alone. 97 246
• Was later surpassed by Xian Junyu, whose Saint Realm cultivation and accumulated power made Yuanshi unable to compel him. 244 327

Artifact Refining

Yuanshi is regarded as the foremost artifact refiner in the Primordial World and is capable of forging Houtian Spiritual Treasures. 4 14

• Created and taught the Jade Clarity Artifact Forging Technique. 14
• Personally trained Xian Junyu through foundational study and hands-on refinement. 14
• Provided Xian Junyu with innate refining materials after he became an official artifact refiner. 14

Dao Transmission and Tribulation Aid

Yuanshi can lecture on the Dao for centuries and directly assist cultivators through their breakthroughs. 34

• Preached to gathered disciples for three hundred years. 34
• Helped disciples disperse their tribulation clouds after their breakthroughs. 34
• Uses divination to discern others' intentions, including Xian Junyu's request to learn artifact refining. 14

Possession and Combat Techniques

Yuanshi can possess a disciple's body and wield power far beyond that vessel's ordinary cultivation. He possessed Guang Chengzi to confront Xian Junyu, who had possessed Luofeng. 239 240

• Deflected Xian Junyu's manifested immortal swords with rapid hand techniques. 239
• Used the Heaven-Overturning Seal while fighting through Guang Chengzi's body. 239
• Tested Xian Junyu while deliberately limiting himself to roughly half his strength. 240

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Pangu Banner — A supreme treasure Yuanshi offered to entrust to Xian Junyu if he joined the Heavenly Origin Sect. 4
• Three Treasures Jade Ruyi — Used to meet Xian Junyu's Immortal Slaying Sword in their Saint Realm clash. 245
• Heaven-Overturning Seal — Employed during his possession of Guang Chengzi. 239
• Jade Clarity Artifact Forging Technique — His artifact-refining manual, used to instruct Xian Junyu. 14

Relationships

• Laozi — Elder brother and fellow member of the Three Pure Ones. Laozi frequently mediates between Yuanshi and Tongtian, though Yuanshi sometimes breaks with his brothers' position for his own alliances. 73 148
• Tongtian — Younger brother and principal rival. Yuanshi belittles Tongtian's teaching, contests influence over the Heavenly Court and Human Race, and repeatedly clashes with him over their sects. 4 72 101
• Xian Junyu — Martial nephew whom Yuanshi wished to claim as his own disciple. He taught Xian Junyu artifact refining and treated him favorably, but later stood against him in conflicts involving their respective sects. 4 14 239 245
• Nan Ji — First disciple of the Heavenly Origin Sect. Yuanshi is openly dissatisfied with his defeat at Xian Junyu's hands. 13 204
• Guang Chengzi — Disciple whose body Yuanshi possessed to fight Xian Junyu through Luofeng. 13 239
• Yun Zhongzi — Disciple of Yuanshi encountered by Xian Junyu at the Heavenly Origin Sect's sanctuary. 13
• The Twelve Golden Immortals of Kunlun — Core disciples of Yuanshi's sect, deployed in the Human Race's conflicts and repeatedly involved in clashes with Xian Junyu's faction. 34 238 278
• Jieyin and Zhunti — Western Saints Yuanshi attempted to draw closer by supporting their claim to an Imperial Tutor position, further straining his relationship with Laozi and Tongtian. 148
• Ying Long and the Dragon Clan — Yuanshi intervened on their behalf after Ying Long sought him as external aid, asking Xian Junyu to spare the clan. 326 327

Story Role / Major Arcs

• Recruitment of Xian Junyu — Attempts to lure Tongtian's eldest disciple into the Heavenly Origin Sect with exceptional authority, treasures, and resources. 4
• Artifact-Refining Mentor — Trains Xian Junyu for three thousand years and enables his entry into artifact refinement. 14
• Kunlun Sect Rivalries — Preaches to the Three Teachings' disciples, competes with Tongtian over status and Heavenly Court positions, and becomes increasingly hostile toward the Intercepting Sect. 34 72 77
• Division of the Three Pure Ones — Battles Tongtian amid the conflict between their sects and remains at Mount Kunlun after the Intercepting Sect departs. 97 100 101
• First Disciple Competition — Watches Xian Junyu defeat Nan Ji and Xuandu in one move, responding by harshly condemning his own disciples. 204
• Conflict with Xian Junyu — Intervenes through Guang Chengzi, later confronts Xian Junyu directly after Randeng's death, and discovers that his martial nephew has already attained the Saint Realm. 239 243 244
• Resistance to Hongjun — Supports Xian Junyu as a potential force against Hongjun, despite the Three Pure Ones' internal disputes. 253
• Dragon Clan Mediation — Acts as Ying Long's outside support and asks Xian Junyu to spare the Dragon Clan, but lacks the leverage to force a concession. 326 327

Notable Quotes

“Junyu, Tongtian is not a good teacher. Why don't you switch sides and come here, join my Heavenly Origin Sect, and take me as your Master!” 4

“If you join my Heavenly Origin Sect, I promise you the position of Vice Sect Master, and you will wield the Pangu Banner.” 4

“Your secret to becoming a Saint is something no one would be uninterested in. But don't worry, if you're willing to tell me, I, your Martial Uncle, will never force you!” 245