Zhu Rong

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Zhu Rong (祝融)
Alias(es)	Third Ancestor Witch; Third Brother
Species/Race	Ancestor Witch
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Witch Tribe
Occupation/Role	Ancestor Witch of Fire; Witch Tribe chieftain
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Fifth Revolution of the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Origin Technique	63	Reached after fifty years of combining cultivation with plowing; his enhanced physique allowed him to overwhelm Ru Shou even without using his laws. 63
Middle Sixth Revolution of the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Origin Technique	100	Cultivated on the Fusang Wood of the Solar Star with Zhu Jiuyin's Time Law; further progress required gradual cultivation or fire-element materials. 100
Hunyuan Dao / Hunyuan Grand Unity	245	Refined Di Jun's essence blood to strengthen his Fire Law, then successfully achieved Dao and descended from the heavens. 237 238 245

Background

Zhu Rong is the third of the Ancestor Witches, beings who manifested through the Pangu Hall and Pangu's heart blood after the twelve streams of turbid qi gained form. He guards the Ancestor Witch Hall and is the first to report hearing a voice from Pangu's heart. 1 2

When Li Hao emerges as the Thirteenth Ancestor Witch, Zhu Rong initially criticizes his humanoid Dao body, then seeks his recognition and offers to handle any future opponents for him. He reluctantly accepts the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Origin Technique after seeing the other Ancestor Witches benefit from it. 7 8

His early actions repeatedly establish him as the Witch Tribe's most direct combatant. He confronts the Three Pure Ones over the Creation Green Lotus, severely beats Tongtian, and shoves Hong Yun out of the Purple Cloud Palace after Hong Yun asks him to make room. 18 20 27 36

After discovering that farming complements the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Origin Technique, Zhu Rong's body advances sharply. He returns after fifty years strong enough to reverse his previous disadvantage against Ru Shou, defeating him despite Ru Shou's Metal Law. 62 63

Zhu Rong's fire cultivation accelerates on the Solar Star, where he uses the Solar True Fire environment and Fusang Wood to reach the middle stage of the Sixth Revolution. 92 100

Li Hao and Dijiang later identify Zhu Rong's extreme yang Fire Law as complementary to the West Queen Mother's extreme yin nature. Although initially embarrassed and resistant to the proposed match, Zhu Rong directly expresses his interest in her and wins her acceptance. 145 146 153 168

To advance his Fire Law further, Zhu Rong refines essence blood extracted from Di Jun. Despite objecting to its origin, he eventually accepts Li Hao's persuasion, completes his breakthrough, and achieves Hunyuan Dao. 234 237 245

Appearance

Zhu Rong is a burly Ancestor Witch distinguished by his fiery coloration and imposing physical presence.

• Red beard, red hair, and red robes. 35 36
• His original Dharma Body manifests crimson-red scales that appear close to bleeding as his aura rises. 238
• Possesses a naturally thunderous voice; even his attempts to speak quietly can leave nearby listeners' heads ringing. 3 18
• His loud, recognizable voice makes disguising his identity particularly difficult. 363

Personality

Zhu Rong is hot-tempered, impulsive, and eager for a fight. He reacts fiercely when the Witch Tribe's honor is questioned, and once enraged, he pursues victory or death until Houtu or Dijiang restrains him. 19 20

He is blunt to the point of social disaster. Zhu Rong frequently exposes plans, blurts out sensitive information, and mistakes his own “quiet” voice for actual discretion. 19 104 280 297

Despite his rough manner, he is deeply attached to his siblings and tribe. He immediately follows Li Hao's orders, worries when Li Hao may be endangered, and is protective of the Human Race when asked to intervene. 30 51 360 400

His relationship with the West Queen Mother gradually makes him more capable of yielding, admitting mistakes, and retreating from arguments. He remains prone to provoking trouble, but no longer treats backing down as a personal defeat. 274

Abilities & Skills

Law of Fire

Zhu Rong is the Ancestor Witch who controls the Law of Fire, an extremely yang and aggressive law noted for its formidable offensive power. 2 17

• Can erupt into sky-reaching flames when enraged. 19
• Shields the Ancestor Witches while entering the Solar Star and thrives in fire-element environments. 92
• Uses fire-element cultivation resources, including Di Jun's essence blood, to advance his law. 234 237
• His Law of Fire is highly destructive, but his defense is weaker than his offense; Houtu's Earth Law and physical strength can overpower him in a direct clash. 16 17

Nine Revolutions Mysterious Origin Technique

Zhu Rong cultivates the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Origin Technique to strengthen his physical body.

• Initially rejects the technique because of its appearance before joining the others after witnessing its effects. 8
• Combines the technique with plowing, reaching the Fifth Revolution and dramatically improving his physical strength. 63
• Reaches the middle stage of the Sixth Revolution through Solar Star cultivation. 100

Close-Quarters Combat

Zhu Rong specializes in direct physical combat and is regarded as one of the Ancestor Witches' strongest attackers.

• Promises to subdue any opponent who threatens Li Hao. 8
• Overwhelms Tongtian and forces Laozi to intervene with the Heaven and Earth Mysterious Yellow Exquisite Pagoda. 27
• Defeats Ru Shou after his Fifth Revolution advancement. 62 63
• Easily incapacitates Amaterasu and Tsukuyomi, prevents Orochi's escape, and beats the Eight-Headed Serpent unconscious. 453 454
• Lacks useful travel-oriented abilities compared with several other Ancestor Witches. 46

Hunyuan Dao

After refining Di Jun's essence blood, Zhu Rong breaks through and achieves Hunyuan Dao. 237 245

• His aura and crimson-scaled Dharma Body intensify with each refined drop of essence blood. 238
• His tribesmen celebrate his breakthrough by bringing captured cultivators and demons as offerings. 246
• Even after surpassing Dijiang in strength, he remains deferential to his eldest brother. 245

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Plain Colored Cloud Realm Banner — Used to block Jieyin and Zhunti's Mind-Capturing Spell; its shared Five Directions Banner property repels evil and resists magic. 400
• Kui Drum — Created from Kui Niu's hide and bones to aid Xuanyuan's war effort. Kui Niu's spirit remains attached to the drum, allowing it to gain merit and continue growing. 360 362
  • Its strikes release wind and thunder, capable of repelling, injuring, or killing Jiuli warriors. 364

Relationships

• Dijiang — Eldest brother and leader of the Ancestor Witches. Dijiang frequently disciplines Zhu Rong for his recklessness, yet later praises him after his breakthrough. 2 139 245
• Li Hao — Thirteenth Brother. Zhu Rong is loyal to him and regularly follows his instructions, though Li Hao's schemes and teasing sometimes leave Zhu Rong resentful or embarrassed. 30 153 200 364
• Houtu — Younger sister whom Zhu Rong cherishes and fears. She is one of the few people able to physically stop his rage. 16 17 20
• Gong Gong — Longtime rival associated with the opposition between fire and water. Their daily quarrels eventually ease, and they are later seen peacefully drinking tea together. 1 48 266 319
• West Queen Mother — Dao companion and wife. Their extreme yin-yang compatibility brings them together, and her teachings make Zhu Rong more tactful and willing to concede when necessary. 145 168 274
• Xuanming — Sister. Zhu Rong supports her and the West Queen Mother's cultivation partnership by gathering cultivation materials, though he argues with Xuanming over her witch-arts path. 233 245
• Kui Niu — Initially targeted so its hide could become a war drum. Zhu Rong acknowledges Kui Niu's courage, hears its regrets, and ultimately allows its spirit to remain with the completed drum. 361 362

Story Role / Major Arcs

Early Witch Tribe Conflicts

Zhu Rong serves as a loud, volatile enforcer for the Witch Tribe in its confrontations with the Three Pure Ones and the great powers attending Hongjun's sermon. His clashes with Tongtian and Hong Yun establish the Tribe's physical dominance. 27 36

Solar Star Cultivation

He eagerly enters the Solar Star to cultivate Fire Law power, using the Fusang Wood and the Solar Star's flames to push the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Origin Technique to the middle Sixth Revolution. 92 100

Courtship of the West Queen Mother

Though initially distressed by the prospect of marriage, Zhu Rong wins the West Queen Mother's favor through a direct confession. Their union changes his behavior over tens of thousands of years as she teaches him how to acknowledge mistakes and withdraw from disputes. 146 168 274

Dao Achievement

Zhu Rong refines Di Jun's essence blood to improve his Fire Law and achieves Hunyuan Dao. His first reaction is boastful celebration, but Dijiang immediately reins him in and praises him for his success. 237 245

Human Race Assistance

Seeking to raise the Human Race's morale against the Jiuli, Zhu Rong acquires Kui Niu and creates the Kui Drum. He secretly delivers the weapon to Xuanyuan under the name “Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden,” causing widespread rumors and conflict with the West Queen Mother. 360 362 363 364

Later Protector of the Human Race

Zhu Rong protects a Human Race youth from Jieyin and Zhunti's forced recruitment, using the Plain Colored Cloud Realm Banner to break their spell and drive them away. 400

Eastern Ying Campaign

Sent by Li Hao to inspire fear in Eastern Ying, Zhu Rong overwhelms Amaterasu and Tsukuyomi, prevents Orochi's retreat, and later incapacitates the Eight-Headed Serpent. 453 454

Notable Quotes

“Third Brother might not be good at much else, but when it comes to fighting, I'm absolutely reliable.” 8

“Come, come, come, follow Brother. Brother will show you gold... Ptooey! Show you some good stuff!” 163

Trivia

• Zhu Rong is considered one of the strongest offensive Ancestor Witches, but is described as among the frailer members in raw physical resilience. 17 36
• Houtu can calm him simply by taking his hand when he is enraged. 20
• He once returned from hunting without realizing that the prey he had been carrying had fallen off along the way. 3
• He cannot keep a secret reliably; his distinctive voice and tendency to speak before thinking repeatedly expose his own or his brothers' plans. 104 280 363