Tongtian

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Tongtian (通天)
Alias(es)	Sect Leader Tongtian; Sage Tongtian 4 11
Gender	Male 110
Origin	Born from Pangu’s Primordial Spirit; has existed since the dawn of World Creation 314
Affiliation	Jie Sect, also called the Interception Sect; originally one of the Three Pure Ones alongside Laozi and Yuanshi 9 110 314
Occupation/Role	Jie Sect Leader; Xuandu’s master; Sword Dao cultivator 4 500
Residence	Biyou Palace, Golden Ao Island 16 330
Cultivation	Seventh Heaven Sage Realm—the latest explicitly documented realm 509 510
Status	Alive; continues cultivating and receives Xuandu upon his return to the Great Wilderness 611
First Appearance	Appears in Chapter 3; mentioned in Chapter 2 2 3

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Sage	3	Already a Sage when he confronts Laozi over Xuandu’s choice of sect. His initial attainment is not shown.
Fifth Heaven Heavenly Dao Sage	453 500 505	Confirmed realm before the exchange with Taixu. Despite prolonged stagnation, he has accumulated an exceptionally deep Sword Dao foundation.
Sixth Heaven Mid-Stage	509	Taixu’s pure Sword Intent awakens his accumulated foundation, breaking the Fifth Heaven bottleneck and carrying him into the Sixth Heaven.
Sixth Heaven Late-Stage	509	Continues advancing as his long-suppressed accumulation is released.
Sixth Heaven Peak	509	Reaches the peak of the Sixth Heaven during the same uninterrupted breakthrough.
Seventh Heaven Sage Realm	509 510	Completes the breakthrough after ages of preparation. Taixu credits Tongtian’s own foundation, describing his sword strike as only the final catalyst.

Background / History

Origin and Sect Philosophy

Tongtian was born from Pangu’s Primordial Spirit and became one of the Three Pure Ones. The three established separate lineages after disagreements over their ideals. Tongtian’s Jie Sect follows “Teach Without Discrimination” and “Seize a Thread of Life,” accepting sincere seekers of the Dao regardless of species or pedigree 4 9 314.

His recruitment policy brings him into recurring conflict with Yuanshi, who considers many Jie Sect disciples inferior because of their origins. Tongtian rejects this judgment and maintains that all beings are equal before the Great Dao 21 22.

Accepting Xuandu

When Xuandu reaches Golden Ao Island, Laozi claims that the young human is destined to enter the Human Sect. Tongtian instead supports Xuandu’s expressed desire to join the Jie Sect. After Laozi withdraws, Tongtian accepts him, praising his refusal to abandon his resolve even beneath Saintly Might 3 4.

Xuandu’s subsequent pedigree transformation attracts Tongtian’s attention. He observes the formation of eight-petal Three Flowers, enters Xuandu’s cave to examine him, and later defends his place in the Jie Sect against Laozi’s renewed interest 17 18 20.

Protecting Xuandu’s Cultivation

During Xuandu’s Hunyuan Lightning Tribulation, Tongtian realizes that he has not provided his disciple with a suitable protective treasure. He lends the Qingping Sword, which independently destroys all eighty-one Chaos Divine Thunders and allows Xuandu to stabilize his Primordial Dao Fruit 29.

Tongtian subsequently urges Xuandu to consolidate his foundation and temper his Dao Heart. After another rapid breakthrough, he provides the sword that Xuandu names the Intercepting Heaven Sword. He later permits Xuandu to face Ran Deng as a trial, while secretly preparing Sword Intent to save him if necessary 56 58 60 63.

When Yuanshi attempts to rescue Ran Deng, Tongtian blocks the intervention with Sword Intent. Xuandu—not Tongtian—delivers the killing strike 72.

Breaking with the Three Pure Ones

Tongtian publicly shields Xuandu before Hongjun and the other Sages after the conflict with the Demon Court. He argues that Xuandu’s retaliation followed the slaughter of humans and the killing of Jie Sect disciples, rather than being an unprovoked disruption of the tribulation 99.

The rupture becomes explicit when Yuanshi invokes Heavenly Dao authority against the nascent Martial Dao and Laozi insists that its survival must be decided by the Heavenly Dao. Tongtian draws the Qingping Sword, denounces their willingness to destroy humanity’s cultivation hopes, and declares that his brotherly affection for Yuanshi has ended 109 110 111.

Opening a New Path for the Sect

Concerned that his disciples might remain trapped at Quasi-Saint Peak because of the scarcity of Sage positions, Tongtian asks whether Xuandu’s independent Hunyuan path can be reproduced. He approves the use of Martial Dao as a foundation and assigns Xuandu to teach the personal and core disciples first 156 157.

During the transmission to a thousand disciples, Tongtian seals Golden Ao Island with the Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation. The formation conceals the inheritance and its fate fluctuations while the disciples refine their origins and achieve widespread breakthroughs 164.

Countering the Sage Ambush

Before the decisive Witch-Demon battle, Tongtian coordinates with Xuandu and interrupts Yuanshi’s formation deductions through provocative Sword Intent. The distraction draws attention toward Golden Ao Island while Xuandu acts elsewhere 182 184.

When the hostile Sages believe they have isolated Xuandu, Tongtian reveals that he has already been present on the battlefield. He summons the Immortal-Slaying Four Swords and traps Laozi, Yuanshi, Jieyin, and Zhunti, reversing their ambush 198.

Learning of the Jie Sect’s Predetermined Fate

For ages, Tongtian knows that the Jie Sect lacks a treasure capable of stabilizing its fortune. The Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation excels at slaughter but cannot perform that function; its killing nature can instead attract karma and calamity. Xuandu resolves this weakness by placing the Chaos Bell at the sect’s Fortune Hub 241 242 243.

In a private discussion, Xuandu explains his deduction that Heavenly Dao deliberately diverted the Chaos Bell to Taiyi and that Hongjun knowingly allowed the Jie Sect’s weakness to persist. Tongtian’s shock and anger turn into determination to resist the sect’s intended destruction. He recognizes Xuandu’s earlier recruitments and acquisitions as parts of a long-term plan to escape that fate 244 245.

The Investiture of the Gods

Hongjun proposes that the Jie Sect supply the overwhelming majority of the beings required for the Investiture of the Gods List. Tongtian challenges the allocation and demands that the Sages themselves share the risk 374 375 376.

He signs first, and all Six Sages ultimately sign. Tongtian then instructs Duobao to tell Xuandu to protect the Five Emperors and the three Humanity Sage Fruit Positions, taking responsibility for the remaining danger himself 377 378.

During Xuandu’s coordinated offensive, Tongtian is assigned to trap Nuwa with the Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation. He intercepts her attempt to leave, preventing her from freely responding to the wider battle 440 453.

Taixu’s Visit and Later Cultivation

After the Heavenly Dao collapses and Hongjun is banished, Tongtian remains at Biyou Palace while Xuandu ventures into the Chaos Depths. Xuandu recommends him to Taixu as a swordsman whose unwavering sword heart can offer guidance despite a much lower cultivation realm 500 504.

Tongtian initially approaches Taixu as a possible threat, refusing to retreat before the Half-Step Hunyuan Taiji expert. Once Taixu explains his purpose, their encounter becomes a respectful Sword Dao exchange. Tongtian helps expose Taixu’s obsession with advancement, while Taixu’s Sword Intent catalyzes Tongtian’s rise from the Fifth to the Seventh Heaven 505 507 508 509.

Taixu stays at Biyou Palace to continue their discussions. Much later, their Sword Intents still resonate as both cultivate. Tongtian receives Xuandu respectfully upon his return and learns that his disciple has reached the Transcendence Realm 510 511 611.

Appearance

Tongtian has a lean, refined face, at times described as handsome or coldly stern 118 453 504.

• Clothing: Usually green robes; his robes are described as blue during the encounter with Taixu 184 506.
• Eyes: Frequently contain flowing Sword Light, with a gaze likened to lightning 184 409.
• Sword aura: Often restrained and flowing around him like water rather than openly displaying killing intent 198 330 504.

Personality

Tongtian is free-spirited and fiercely protective of his disciples. He values determination and sincerity over inherited pedigree, and refuses to treat a disciple’s lowly birth as proof of limited worth 4 21 22 156.

His protection does not exclude hardship. He lets Xuandu face Ran Deng to develop combat experience, but prepares to intervene if the encounter becomes fatal. He is similarly attentive to the danger of rapid advancement outpacing a cultivator’s state of mind 58 63.

Tongtian increasingly trusts Xuandu’s judgment and respects his privacy. He recognizes that Xuandu conceals information about a Chaos treasure but does not interrogate him; later, he lends the sect’s most important sword formation without asking its purpose or return date 156 330.

His later defiance of Hongjun is calculated rather than merely impulsive. He refuses pressure to enter a battle beyond his level, yet protects the Great Wilderness from its aftermath. During the Investiture negotiations, he stakes his own safety to prevent the Jie Sect alone from bearing the burden 268 376 378.

Abilities & Skills

Sword Dao and Sword Intent

Tongtian’s swordsmanship rests on an unwavering sword heart cultivated across hundreds of millions of epochs. He distinguishes the sword formation as a technique from the sword heart as the Dao itself 500 507.

• Destroys the probing Spiritual Senses of Jieyin and Zhunti, injuring both Western Sages 22.
• Blocks Yuanshi’s attempt to intervene in Xuandu’s battle with Ran Deng 72.
• Counters descending Jade Purity Divine Thunder with a slash from the partially drawn Qingping Sword 109.
• Uses distant Sword Intent to interrupt Yuanshi’s deductions at Kunlun 184.
• Demonstrates sword strikes without overwhelming force or killing intent, conveying perseverance and purity directly to Taixu 507 508.

Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation

The formation combines four swords with a formation diagram. It is a supreme instrument of slaughter that cannot be broken by fewer than four Sages 198 330.

• Traps Laozi, Yuanshi, Jieyin, and Zhunti during their failed ambush 198.
• Conceals Golden Ao Island’s inheritance transmission and suppresses its fate fluctuations 164.
• Isolates private discussions from Heavenly Secrets and karma 243.
• Protects the Great Wilderness from the aftermath of Hongjun’s battle with Yang Mei 268.
• Limit: Cannot stabilize sect fortune; its excessive killing nature can attract karma and calamity 241 242.

Spiritual Sense and Deduction

Tongtian monitors cultivation phenomena, sect fortune, and rival movements through Sage-level perception 17 181.

• Observes Xuandu’s cave remotely during the formation of his Three Flowers 17.
• Detects Ran Deng’s departure and understands the intended attack on Xuandu 63.
• Recognizes traces of Chaos Origin that Xuandu attempts to conceal 156.
• Extends his Sword Intent through Golden Ao Island’s restrictions as an invisible defensive net 152 181.
• Limit: The Chaos Bead can mask presence and Heavenly Secrets even from Sages, surprising Tongtian with its concealment 182.

Teaching and Dao Guidance

Tongtian’s instruction benefits both ordinary sect disciples and cultivators far above his own realm 27 508.

• Conducts a hundred-year Dao lecture that produces widespread breakthroughs among the Jie Sect 27 29.
• Guides Xuandu toward foundation consolidation and Dao Heart tempering 56 58.
• Diagnoses the flaw in Taixu’s sword heart as obsession with power and reaching Hunyuan Taiji 508 510.
• Advises Taixu to find something worth protecting rather than wielding the sword only for personal advancement 511.

Treasure Refinement

Tongtian refines the future Intercepting Heaven Sword from a Chaos Strange Stone and uses the Qiankun Cauldron to transform it from acquired to innate 60.

• The finished weapon is a top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure containing a trace of Chaos Origin.
• It can evolve different sword intents according to its wielder’s will.
• Tongtian keeps it sealed in Biyou Palace’s treasury until bestowing it on Xuandu 60.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Qingping Sword — Tongtian’s personal Dao-attaining treasure. Its ancient scabbard bears Green Lotus patterns. When lent to Xuandu, it independently severs all eighty-one Chaos Divine Thunders without requiring Xuandu’s mana to activate it 29.
• Immortal-Slaying Four Swords and Formation Diagram — The Immortal-Slaying Sword, Slaying Immortal Sword, Trapping Immortal Sword, and Absolute Immortal Sword form his principal sword formation. Tongtian lends the complete set to Xuandu, who uses it to awaken Luohu and later returns it intact 330 334.
• Intercepting Heaven Sword — Formerly an unnamed sword in Tongtian’s treasury; refined by him and given to Xuandu, who names it 60.
• Guardian Tokens — Grant Jie Sect guardians access to some Golden Ao Island restrictions and a protective wisp of the Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation’s Sword Intent 142.

Relationships

• Xuandu — Disciple and Jie Sect Vice Sect Master. Their relationship develops from acceptance and protection into strategic partnership and nearly wordless trust. Tongtian calls taking Xuandu as a disciple his greatest achievement; Xuandu continues honoring him even after reaching Transcendence 4 107 255 409 611.
• Laozi — Elder brother among the Three Pure Ones. Their dispute begins over Xuandu’s allegiance and becomes a break over Laozi’s support for Heavenly Dao suppression of Martial Dao 3 20 109 110.
• Yuanshi / Primordial Heavenly Venerate — Elder brother and ideological opponent. His contempt for the Jie Sect’s disciples and attempts against Xuandu lead Tongtian to renounce their brotherly affection 21 72 110.
• Hongjun — Dao Ancestor whose authority Tongtian increasingly challenges. Revelations about Heavenly Dao’s plans for the Jie Sect erode his reverence, culminating in resistance to the proposed Investiture allocation 244 245 374 375.
• Daoist Duobao — Chief disciple and trusted subordinate. Duobao initially worries about offending Laozi through Xuandu’s recruitment and later carries Tongtian’s Investiture instructions to Xuandu 4 378.
• Taixu — Visiting swordsman and Dao discussion partner. Tongtian helps him recover purity of purpose; Taixu’s Sword Intent provides the catalyst for Tongtian’s Seventh Heaven breakthrough 507 508 509 510 511.
• Houtu — Allied protector of the Great Wilderness. She joins Tongtian when Taixu’s unfamiliar aura approaches and observes their exchange 505.
• Jieyin and Zhunti — Rival Western Sages. Tongtian injures them for spying and later traps them alongside Laozi and Yuanshi 22 198.
• Kunpeng — Jie Sect Guardian accepted under Tongtian’s inclusive doctrine. Tongtian grants him protection and warns Di Jun and Taiyi against retaliation 79.
• Nether River — Jie Sect Guardian whom Tongtian formally assigns to guard the Blood Sea 156.
• Nuwa — Hostile Sage whom Tongtian contains during the Jie Sect’s coordinated Investiture offensive 440 453.

Notable Quotes

“Since he is my Jie Sect disciple, even if he acts against heaven... Master will still protect him.” 60

“The sword formation is a technique. The sword heart is the Dao.” 507

“I can be without the sword formation, but I cannot be without the sword heart.” 507