Hongjun

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Hongjun (鸿钧)
Alias(es)	Daoist Hongjun; Saint Hongjun; Dao Ancestor; Heavenly Dao Hongjun
Species/Race	Innate God 79
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Purple Heaven Palace; the Heavenly Dao
Occupation/Role	Dao Ancestor; preacher of the Dao; ruler and controller of the Primordial World's Heavenly Dao 66 110
Status	Active; continues his conflict with Chen Xuan and his allies after transforming into a half-demon, half-human being 698
First Appearance	Chapter 17

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
One step from Sainthood	45	During the final clash with Luohu, Hongjun states that he is only one step away from the Saint realm and uses the Jade Plate of Creation to repel the God-Slaying Spear.
Saint	66	Formally announces his attainment of Dao and Sainthood, becoming the Primordial World's first Saint.
Harmonized with the Dao / Heavenly Dao	110	Ascends into the Heavenly Dao; Saint Hongjun ceases to be, leaving Dao Ancestor Hongjun as the ruler of the Primordial World.
Near Great Dao Saint	690	With the Six Saints in place, his power rises to an unprecedented level, described as infinitely close to a Great Dao Saint.
Complete Heavenly Dao control	697	Merges the Heavenly Dao into the Jade Plate of Creation and commands the Nine Saints through the Nine Palaces formation.
Half-demon, half-human state	698	Absorbs Chaos Demon Gods after the collapse of his formation, greatly increasing his power while entering the Demonic Path.

Appearance

Hongjun's appearance changes constantly, reflecting his association with the ever-changing Heavenly Dao. He is seen as an elegant old man after Harmony with the Dao, but can also appear as a vigorous young Daoist or a middle-aged man. 69 79 108

• Possesses white hair, a beard, and an immortal bearing in one of his forms. 79
• Undergoes three hundred and sixty-five transformations each day, surpassing the eighty-one daily transformations attributed to other Innate Gods. 79
• After harmonizing with the Dao, appears ethereal and ambiguous—simultaneously real and illusory. 69
• Often manifests with three thousand Heavenly Dao divine lights surrounding him. 586
• Later becomes half-demon and half-human after absorbing Chaos Demon Gods. 698

Personality

Hongjun is calculating, cautious, and intensely possessive of control. He regards the Primordial World, its Saints, and its great trends as parts of a larger arrangement under his authority. When Chen Xuan's arrival creates an unknowable variable, Hongjun does not act immediately; instead, he observes, investigates through Tianjun Daoist, and attempts to keep the anomaly within his reach. 49 69 189

He is capable of presenting himself as a benevolent teacher. He preaches cultivation methods, grants opportunities for Sainthood, distributes treasures, and permits the Twelve Ancestral Witches to establish the Twenty-Four Solar Terms. 68 109 However, his generosity is closely tied to his goal of preserving and directing the Heavenly Dao.

Hongjun is also openly arrogant toward opponents. He calls even Saints “ants” beneath the Heavenly Dao and believes himself to be the eternal protagonist of heaven and earth. 275 660 His confidence weakens when faced with forces beyond his deduction, especially Chen Xuan, the modern world, and the disappearance of those bound to his Saint positions. 69 280 698

Abilities & Skills

Heavenly Dao Authority

After harmonizing with the Dao, Hongjun becomes inseparable from the Heavenly Dao and exercises authority over the Primordial World's laws, destinies, and Saints. 109 110

• Suppresses opponents through the power of the Heavenly Dao, including Saints such as Nuwa. 274
• Uses the Heavenly Dao's origin, embodied in Primordial Violet Qi, to influence or control Saint-level figures. 277 696
• Draws strength from Saints occupying Heavenly Dao positions; the Six Saints' return greatly amplifies his power. 690
• His authority can be weakened when Saint positions or Primordial Violet Qi are severed. The Three Pure Ones' severance reduces his effective control from ninety percent to sixty percent. 436
• Cannot fully deduce Chen Xuan, whom he identifies as a variable beyond his understanding. 23 69

Dao Preaching and Cultivation Guidance

Hongjun conducts the three Purple Heaven Palace sermons, establishing himself as the principal teacher of the Primordial World's great powers. 68 79 108

• First sermon covers the Dao of Great Luo, Half-Saints, Saints, and the path of perfecting one's personal Great Dao. 68
• Second sermon teaches the Path of the Quasi-Saint and the Heavenly Balance. 79
• Third sermon explains methods of attaining Sainthood. 108
• Enforces the principle that “the Dharma is not transmitted to the six ears,” punishing the Six-Eared Macaque for eavesdropping. 68

Saint-Making and Treasure Bestowal

Hongjun can grant Primordial Violet Qi and distribute powerful treasures to shape the Primordial World's hierarchy. 109

• Gives Primordial Violet Qi to Laozi, Yuanshi, Tongtian, Nuwa, Jieyin, and Zhunti as opportunities to attain Sainthood. 109
• Bestows the Taiji Diagram upon Laozi and the Pangu Banner upon Yuanshi. 109
• Later recruits new allies by granting Primordial Violet Qi, including Tathagata. 446
• Extracts Nuwa's Primordial Violet Qi and uses it to elevate Jesus to the Saint realm. 696

Three Corpses and Clones

Hongjun employs incarnations to act beyond Purple Heaven Palace. His Self-Corpse, Tianjun Daoist, investigates Chen Xuan and later recruits powerful figures on Hongjun's behalf. 49 446

• Tianjun Daoist is Hongjun's Self-Corpse. 49
• Tianjun Daoist can act convincingly as an independent Daoist and interact with the Primordial World's factions. 49
• Hongjun later dispatches three clones to the lower realm as part of his preparations against Chen Xuan and Luohu. 660
• Chen Xuan notes that a Three Corpses incarnation possesses Heavenly Dao power but lacks Hongjun's full Saint fruit position. 586

Deduction and Manipulation

Hongjun is a formidable planner who studies heavenly secrets, directs calamities, and exploits the ambitions of others. 189 402

• Deduces great trends and identifies changes caused by Chen Xuan, though the Great Tribulation and Chen Xuan's nature limit his insight. 30 69
• Arranges Saint positions and cultivates loyal allies to reinforce his command of the Heavenly Dao. 446 696
• Orchestrates the Nirvana Great Tribulation as a staged performance to reveal and consolidate the Nine Saints. 696
• Uses the conflict between factions and Demon Gods as part of his plans against Chen Xuan. 685

Equipment / Treasures

• Jade Plate of Creation — A shattered treasure containing the Three Thousand Great Daos and the method of attaining Sainthood; Hongjun uses it to suppress powerful opponents and later merges it with the Heavenly Dao. 23 45 697
• Primordial Tai Chi — Wielded alongside the Jade Plate of Creation in his battle with Chen Xuan. 697
• Primordial Violet Qi — Heavenly Dao origin power used to create, bind, and replace Saints. 109 696
• Golden Grain Ear — Offered to Chen Xuan in an attempt to prevent his interference in the Journey to the West Calamity. 586

History

Dao-Demonic Conflict

Hongjun first appears as a powerful independent cultivator during the Dragon-Han Calamity. Nuwa's public transmission of the Golden Core Dao alarms him because it grants enlightenment and merit to all beings before he has attained the Dao himself. 17

He acquires the Jade Plate of Creation, a treasure carrying the laws of the Three Thousand Great Daos and knowledge of the path to Sainthood. 23 When Luohu threatens the Primordial World, Hongjun forms an alliance with Yang Mei, Qiankun, and Yin Yang, promising to let them study the Jade Plate after the calamity. 26

The alliance enters Luohu's Immortal Slaying Sword Formation at Mount Sumeru. Yin Yang and Qiankun eventually conclude that they have been led into a death trap and self-destruct, devastating the Western land. 45 Hongjun survives Luohu's final self-destruction, though he is badly injured by the God-Slaying Spear. 45

Sainthood and the Purple Heaven Palace Sermons

Hongjun attains Sainthood and declares that he will preach once every thousand years. His ascension is accompanied by purple qi, heavenly flowers, golden lotuses, and auspicious manifestations across the Primordial World. 66

At Purple Heaven Palace, he teaches the gathered Great Luo guests the paths of Great Luo, Half-Saint, and Saint cultivation. 68 His later sermons establish the Quasi-Saint path and the methods of becoming a Saint. 79 108

During the final sermon, Hongjun reveals that the six front futons represented Saint positions. He grants Primordial Violet Qi to the Three Pure Ones, Nuwa, Jieyin, and Zhunti, then distributes major treasures to selected disciples. 109

Harmony with the Dao

After the sermons and treasure distribution, Hongjun ascends into the Heavenly Dao. From that point onward, Dao Ancestor Hongjun governs the Primordial World's order and its larger destinies. 110

His relationship with Chen Xuan becomes increasingly central to his plans. Hongjun cannot deduce Chen Xuan's future, calls him a variable, and initially chooses observation over elimination. 69 189 He later considers Chen Xuan his greatest threat and regrets allowing him to grow. 402

Conflict with Chen Xuan and the Human Dao

Hongjun eventually acts against Chen Xuan during the Investiture of the Gods conflict, identifying anomalies as threats to the Primordial World's stability. Nuwa openly defies him, while Chen Xuan gains support from Tongtian, the Human Race's rulers, Xiwangmu, Zhen Yuanzi, and numerous other powers. 274 275

Houtu's Harmony with the Earthly Dao disrupts Hongjun's plans and establishes a rival source of authority against the Heavenly Dao. 275 276 Nuwa later discovers and severs the consciousness hidden inside her Primordial Violet Qi, depriving Hongjun of a concealed means of control over her. 280

The Nine Saints and Final Conflict

Hongjun rebuilds his influence by distributing further Saint opportunities to figures such as Tathagata and Kunpeng. 446 690 He also commands Haotian to investigate Chen Xuan's connection to the Great Tang's rising destiny. 519

After Luohu returns and challenges the Heavenly Dao, Hongjun defeats him with the Six Saints in place. Luohu's final act plants a Demonic Seed within Hongjun's Dao Heart, leaving Luohu's consciousness capable of influencing him. 690

Hongjun later reveals his plan to assemble the Nine Saints and seize complete control of the Heavenly Dao. He extracts Nuwa's Primordial Violet Qi, raises Jesus to Sainthood, and declares Chen Xuan's death to be his final objective. 695 696 Though he becomes his strongest form and commands the Nine Saints, Chen Xuan counters his Heavenly Dao power and causes the Nine Palaces formation to collapse. 697 698

Relationships

• Chen Xuan — An unknowable variable whom Hongjun first observes with suspicion, later treats as his greatest threat and final opponent. 23 69 696
• Nuwa — Former recipient of Hongjun's Primordial Violet Qi; becomes one of his foremost opponents after defending Chen Xuan and wielding the Human Dao. 109 274 696
• Luohu — Long-standing enemy and rival from the Dao-Demonic Conflict; Luohu ultimately plants a Demonic Seed in Hongjun's Dao Heart. 45 689 690
• Great Immortal Yang Mei — Former ally against Luohu, later a wary rival who fears Hongjun's schemes and eventually fights against him. 26 402 697
• Tianjun Daoist — Hongjun's Self-Corpse, used to investigate Chen Xuan and recruit allies. 49 446
• Haotian and Yaochi Golden Mother — His attendants and subordinates; Hongjun grants Haotian authority but criticizes his lack of boldness. 68 650
• The Three Pure Ones — Early disciples and recipients of Saint positions and treasures; their severance from Primordial Violet Qi significantly weakens Hongjun's control. 109 436
• The Nine Saints — Hongjun's later Saint alliance: Jieyin, Zhunti, Kunpeng, Tathagata, Sun Wukong, Yaochi, Kong Xuan, Lu Ya, and Jesus. 696

Notable Quotes

“I am Hongjun. Today, I attain Dao and become a Saint.” 66

“Those who follow me prosper, those who oppose me perish...” 696

“There are eternal protagonists, and that is me, Hongjun.” 660