Jing Hongchen

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Jing Hongchen (镜红尘)
Alias(es)	Hall Master of Mingde Hall
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Mingde Hall; Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy; Sun Moon Empire 26 135
Occupation/Role	Master of Mingde Hall; Dean of the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy; ninth-rank Soul Engineer; Title Douluo 26 120
Status	Active 142
First Appearance	Chapter 10

Background / History

Jing Hongchen leads Mingde Hall and serves as dean of the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy, placing him among the Sun Moon Empire's most influential figures. He is a Title Douluo and ninth-rank Soul Engineer, with authority over Mingde Hall's personnel, security, resources, and student training. 23 26 120

When Ye Luochen arrived from the original Douluo kingdoms with exceptional soul-tool aptitude, Jing initially treated him as a potential security risk. He ordered a detailed investigation into Ye's childhood, education, and time at Shrek before allowing him access to Mingde Hall's deeper knowledge. The investigation cleared Ye, after which Jing began steadily increasing his investment in him. 14

Jing elevated Ye's internal authorization to Level 6 after observing his practical-class performance, citing Ye's rapid progress, diligence, and ability to defeat a fourth-level Soul Engineer despite being only second level himself. 17 He later arranged tutors, resources, a Level 9 Soul Engineer escort for Ye's soul-ring hunt, and a selection of captured soul beasts for Ye to choose from. 10 26 37

After Ye's Dark Iron Blade began evolving, Jing examined it personally and classified the change as a possible postnatal mutation. He ordered continued observation and was prepared to personally bring Ye to Shrek for further martial-soul research if necessary. 24

Appearance

Jing Hongchen is described as a slightly plump old man. Despite his ordinary, kindly appearance, his status and strength make even senior members of the imperial family wary of him. 135 138

• Often presents himself with composed authority as Mingde Hall's master. 17 120
• Became visibly excited and impatient when inspecting the recovered soul beast embryo, abandoning his usual dignified bearing. 109

Personality

Jing Hongchen is pragmatic and investment-minded. He directs substantial resources toward students whose ability and work ethic he considers worthwhile, but he first verifies their loyalty and background when state security is involved. 14 17

His support is not purely altruistic: he views Ye Luochen's growth as beneficial to Mingde Hall, the academy, and the Sun Moon Empire. Nevertheless, he consistently fulfills his commitments, protects favored students, and takes their safety and development seriously. 37 40 112

He is politically astute and understands the implications of public alliances. When Crown Prince Xu Tianran sought his opinion during an imperial dispute, Jing openly endorsed the prince, decisively shifting the balance of the factional struggle. 135

Abilities & Authority

Title Douluo Cultivation

Jing Hongchen possesses Title Douluo-level Soul Power, a level that gives him extensive knowledge of martial souls and allows him to intervene decisively in conflicts involving academy students. 23 119

• Personally sealed off the arena when Ye Luochen and Ji Juechen entered deep meditation after their duel. 119
• Could assess the danger of the soul beast embryo from its residual aura, which was strong enough to make even him uneasy. 110
• Rapidly retrieved Ye Luochen from the border and returned him to Mingde Hall using a flying Soul Tool. 109

Ninth-Rank Soul Engineering

As a ninth-rank Soul Engineer, Jing is one of the Sun Moon Empire's foremost authorities on Soul Tool development and deployment. 120

• Commands Mingde Hall's advanced equipment, mentors, secure facilities, and rare-material allocations. 17
• Assigned high-level Soul Tools, defensive equipment, Soul Guidance Cannons, and Milk Bottles to Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen following the danger they faced in the Evil Demon Forest. 65
• Recognizes the strategic importance of developing powerful Soul Masters alongside Soul Tool technology. 38 109

Resource Mobilization

Jing can commit Mingde Hall's resources on a scale unavailable to ordinary students.

• Raised Ye Luochen's Mingde Hall authorization to Level 6 and increased his rare-metal quota fivefold. 17
• Assigned Mingde Hall tutors to instruct Ye and arranged for Xuan Ziwen to continue as his mentor. 10 24
• Sent a Level 9 Soul Engineer to lead Ye's Fourth Soul Ring expedition. 26
• Had numerous compatible soul beasts captured within Mingde Hall so Ye could freely select a Fourth Soul Ring. 37
• Retrieved and safeguarded the Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast embryo after Ye returned it from Star Luo City. 109

Relationships

• Ye Luochen — Favored student and major long-term investment. Jing investigates Ye before trusting him, then grants him access, resources, protection, tournament placement, and the opportunity to fuse with the soul beast embryo. 14 17 40 125 142
• Xiao Hongchen — Grandson. Jing supports his development heavily but rebukes his arrogance and reminds him not to underestimate Shrek. 38 65 139
• Meng Hongchen — Granddaughter. Jing entrusts her with high-level resources and includes her in major academy decisions alongside Xiao and Ye. 38 65 142
• Xuan Ziwen — Mingde Hall researcher and Ye Luochen's mentor. Jing approves their mentor-disciple arrangement and instructs Xuan to monitor Ye's evolving martial soul. 24
• Elder Ma — Senior Mingde Hall figure who discusses Ye's authorization upgrade, tournament matters, and academy security with Jing. 17 67
• Xu Tianran — Crown Prince of the Sun Moon Empire. Jing publicly supports Xu during the award ceremony, effectively aligning Mingde Hall with the Crown Prince's faction. 135

Story Role / Major Arcs

Ye Luochen's Admission to Mingde Hall

Jing verifies Ye Luochen's background because of the threat of espionage from the original Douluo kingdoms. Once satisfied that Ye is not a spy, he begins granting him increasing access to Mingde Hall's teaching and resources. 14 17

Dark Iron Blade Evolution

When Ye's martial soul consumes a stamping machine and evolves, Jing personally investigates the anomaly. Unable to determine its cause, he identifies it as a likely postnatal mutation and orders ongoing monitoring. 24

Fourth Soul Ring and Tournament Recruitment

Jing supplies Ye with compatible soul beasts and supports his decision to absorb a twelve-thousand-year Thorn Vine soul ring. After Ye succeeds, becoming the academy's first student with a ten-thousand-year Fourth Soul Ring, Jing recruits him into the reserve team for the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament. 39 40

Soul Beast Embryo

Jing personally receives Ye after the latter smuggles the soul beast embryo back to the Sun Moon Empire. He determines that its true strength likely exceeds the advertised hundred-thousand-year level and intends for Ye to attempt fusing with it, believing Ye's recovery ability may make the dangerous process possible. 109 110 111 125

Imperial Power Struggle

At Xu Tianran's award ceremony, Jing endorses the Crown Prince's authority before high-ranking imperial figures. His support effectively announces Mingde Hall's political alignment and gives Ye Luochen additional protection within the Empire's emerging factional conflict. 135

Shrek Exchange Proposal

After Shrek proposes an exchange of core disciples, Jing considers sending Xiao Hongchen, Meng Hongchen, and Ye Luochen but is reluctant to expose them to Shrek amid worsening political tensions. He decides to delay the request while redirecting Ye's focus toward martial-soul and Soul Power development for the planned embryo fusion. 139 142

Notable Quotes

“If someone like him isn't worth investing in, then I truly don't know who would be.” 17

“Mingde Hall invests in you because it sees your value.” 40

“This is truly an excellent strategy.” 135

Trivia

• Jing considers Ye Luochen and Ji Juechen to have entered an unusually valuable enlightenment-type deep meditation after their duel. 120
• He notes the shared “Chen” in the names Ye Luochen, Ji Juechen, Xiao Hongchen, Meng Hongchen, and himself. 120
• Jing's reluctance to risk Xiao and Meng on high-age soul rings stems partly from their status as his grandchildren, whereas he is more willing to support Ye's dangerous ten-thousand-year Fourth Soul Ring attempt. 38