Hongjun

Biodata

Appearance

Hongjun appears as a youthful-faced Daoist with crane-white hair and a profound aura 37.

• Wears a gray Daoist robe with billowing sleeves 37.
• Appears surrounded by golden light during later confrontations 89 122.

Background and History

Hongjun sought the Ren Water Flat Peach Spiritual Root at West Kunlun under the guidance of the Heavenly Dao, but Xie Fang had already taken it. Even with the Jade Disc of Creation, Hongjun could not divine the thief's identity because the heavenly secrets were obscured 12. Later, he emerged to fight his old adversary Luohu when Luohu attempted to seize a treasure 37.

During another confrontation with Luohu, Hongjun protected Xie Fang and the injured Zhao Gongming with a halo. After Xie Fang defeated Luohu's clone, Hongjun stopped him from pursuing the World-Destroying Millstone, fearing his ambition might lead him astray 53. He subsequently told Xie Fang that their connection to Luohu was fated and promised to hand over the sought-after item after dealing with Luohu 54.

Hongjun joined Xie Fang and the leaders of the three clans against the reappearing Four Ferocious Beasts 60 64. He later gave his first sermon at Purple Cloud Palace and appointed Eastern King Duke and Western Queen Mother as leaders of the male and female immortals 105 106.

His authority came under increasing challenge from Xie Fang, Demon Emperor Di Jun, and Tian Zhenzi 117 118 120. Tian Zhenzi confronted him with the genuine Rhapsody of the Luo River, and its music penetrated Hongjun's defenses 122. In the final confrontation, Hongjun's Wuji Apricot Yellow Banner turned black and exploded; afterward, Xie Fang took the title of Dao Ancestor 123.

Personality

Hongjun maintains a calm, authoritative public manner, but he also conceals his strength and intentions. While fighting Qiongqi, he appeared to struggle despite secretly using his full strength 66. He entrusted Zhao Gongming's safety to Xie Fang, yet later ordered Zhao Gongming to monitor Xie Fang and report his movements 53 89.

His composure faltered amid Tian Zhenzi's rise: he angrily scolded Hongyun in private, then returned to a calm demeanor when Hongyun offered useful information 120.

Abilities and Skills

Divination

• Uses the Jade Disc of Creation to calculate hidden matters; he could not identify who had taken the Ren Water Flat Peach Spiritual Root when the heavenly secrets were obscured 12.
• Predicted an attempt to infiltrate Zhao Gongming's home and arranged for him to stay with Xie Fang 61.

Combat and Protective Arts

• Fought Luohu using divine powers and later struck him with a hand seal while chanting the Great Compassion Mantra 37 53.
• Created a halo that protected Xie Fang and Zhao Gongming; Xie Fang later retained it 53 54.
• Set up an array that absorbed the resentment of sacrificed victims into the ground 66.

Equipment and Items

• Jade Disc of Creation — used for divination; the pendant Hongjun held had a gap matching the fragment in Xie Fang's possession 12.
• Whisk — carried at West Kunlun and held during his conversation with Hongyun 12 120.
• Prayer beads — brought out while chanting during Tian Zhenzi's challenge 122.
• Wuji Apricot Yellow Banner — in his possession near the end of the story 121 123.

Relationships

• Xie Fang — occasional ally and growing rival. Hongjun protected him against Luohu, later had him monitored, and ultimately lost the Dao Ancestor title to him 53 89 123.
• Luohu — old adversary whom Hongjun fought repeatedly 37 52 90.
• Zhao Gongming — disciple whom Hongjun protected and later tasked with monitoring Xie Fang 52 53 89.
• Hongyun — disciple entrusted with palace duties and reprimanded over the dispute involving Kunpeng 106 120.
• Kunpeng — disciple sent on Hongjun's orders, though Kunpeng later voiced dissatisfaction with him 110 111 114.
• Tian Zhenzi — challenger who plotted to overthrow Hongjun and fought him with the genuine Rhapsody of the Luo River 120 122.