Taiyi Zhenren

Biodata

Background / History

The Spirit Pearl Assignment

Taiyi Zhenren was entrusted with bringing the Spirit Pearl to Chentang Pass so that it could reincarnate as Li Jing’s third son, Nezha. Shen Gongbao secretly exchanged it for the Demon Pill and arranged for the real Spirit Pearl to reincarnate as Ao Bing. Consequently, Nezha was born as the Demon Pill’s reincarnation, with the Heavenly Tribulation Curse limiting his life to three years 462.

To save Nezha, Taiyi accompanied Li Jing to seek Primordial Heavenly Venerate’s intervention. Their journey took only a day in heaven, but an entire year passed in Chentang Pass. The Heavenly Venerate was in seclusion and did not receive them; instead, Longevity Cloud provided the Life-Exchanging Talisman as an alternative way to address the curse 462 464.

Return to Chentang Pass

After sensing a disturbance, Taiyi hurried back with Li Jing on his flying pig. Nezha’s changed appearance alarmed him: he feared that the Heaven and Earth Circle had been removed and the Demon Pill’s consciousness had taken control. Nezha reassured both men that the circle remained on his wrist and that he had not lost his sanity 464.

Nezha subsequently trained under Taiyi for two years within the Depiction of Nature and Society. Lin Yu’s earlier lessons in strength control made this period happier for Nezha, who could now play with his parents without seriously injuring them 467.

Heavenly Tribulation and Disappearance

During Nezha’s third-birthday crisis, Taiyi fought fiercely against Shen Gongbao. Their battle stopped when Nezha and Ao Bing’s City Entry Tokens engulfed the children in light and carried them away, along with the thunderclouds overhead 467.

Each master blamed the other for his disciple’s disappearance. Taiyi demanded an explanation from Shen Gongbao, who retaliated with the same accusation, and their fight resumed. Taiyi withdrew when Ao Guang manifested his dragon soul above them 470.

After the children returned safely, Taiyi recognized that the dispersed tribulation meant Nezha was no longer in immediate danger. He urged the reunited family to address the crisis surrounding Chentang Pass. When Nezha explained Myriad Worlds City, Taiyi was particularly astonished that the Heavenly Venerate’s curse had been dispelled so easily 470 471.

East Sea Alliance

Taiyi initially resisted Ao Bing’s proposal for an alliance because it included Shen Gongbao. Beyond their recent battle, he still resented Shen Gongbao’s substitution of the Spirit Pearl, which had caused him to fail his master’s assignment 472.

Nevertheless, Ao Bing’s sincerity and Nezha’s wishes persuaded him to accept. The agreement did not resolve his personal hostility toward Shen Gongbao: at the ensuing gathering, the two remained deeply uncomfortable with one another and restrained themselves for their disciples’ sake 472.

Appearance

• Build: Fat and broad, with a prominent belly 464.
• Clothing: Wears a Daoist robe with his chest and stomach exposed 464.
• Accessories: Carries a fly whisk and rides a wide-bodied flying pig 464.

Personality

Taiyi is deeply attached to Nezha. He seeks a remedy for the boy’s fatal curse, reacts anxiously to signs that the Demon Pill may have taken control, and rejoices at his safe return. His concern for his disciple ultimately outweighs his reluctance to cooperate with Shen Gongbao 462 464 470 472.

He openly despises Shen Gongbao’s underhanded methods and does not easily forgive the sabotage of his assignment. Even so, he can set aside personal resentment when Nezha’s interests require it 472.

Abilities & Skills

Magical Combat

• Fights Shen Gongbao in sustained aerial battles above Chentang Pass 467 470.
• Withdraws from their duel when Ao Guang’s dragon soul appears overhead 470.

Supernatural Perception

• Senses a disturbance while at the Void Gate and immediately returns to check on Nezha 464.
• Examines the Heaven and Earth Circle after Nezha assures him that it remains in place 464.

Instruction

• Trains Nezha for two years within the Depiction of Nature and Society 467.

Equipment / Mount

• Fly whisk — Carried during his return from heaven 464.
• Flying pig — His broad-bodied mount, used to transport himself and Li Jing back to Chentang Pass 464.
• Life-Exchanging Talisman — Obtained jointly with Li Jing from Longevity Cloud after their unsuccessful attempt to meet Primordial Heavenly Venerate 464.

Relationships

• Primordial Heavenly Venerate — Master who entrusts him with the Spirit Pearl’s reincarnation 215 462.
• Nezha — Beloved direct disciple and a third-generation member of the Chan Sect 469 472.
• Li Jing and Lady Yin — Nezha’s parents; Taiyi works with them to protect their son and considers the proposed dragon alliance alongside them 462 470 472.
• Shen Gongbao — Fellow disciple and bitter rival. Taiyi condemns his methods, while Shen Gongbao resents receiving less recognition despite believing himself more diligent and magically stronger 472.
• Ao Bing — Martial nephew through Shen Gongbao. His respectful appeal helps persuade Taiyi to accept cooperation with the East Sea Dragon Clan 472.

Identity Distinction

• Taiyi Heavenly Venerate is a separate figure. The text explicitly distinguishes Nezha’s master from the Great Emperor of the Eastern Pole, describing the latter as vastly superior in both magical power and divine rank 215.