Hu Tao

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Hu Tao (胡桃)
Alias(es)	Director Hu; Hall Master; 77th Generation Hall Master of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor 62 328 582
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Wangsheng Funeral Parlor; Liyue Harbor
Occupation/Role	Hall Master of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor; exorcist and grave warden; proprietor of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor Internet Cafe 74 115 257
First Appearance	Chapter 48

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Top Liyue combatant	84	Her spear and martial training under Zhongli allow her to suppress the Signora before Silver Wolf intervenes. 84
Archon’s Familiar-level (estimated)	105	Gains a Hydro Vision and combines it with her Pyro Vision to perform a Vaporize attack that reduces a wooden box to dust. 105
Emissary-level / described as Archon-level	228–229	Obtains the Spirit of the Phoenix, which grants control over Flames and raises her strength to Emissary-level; she subsequently seeks Osial as a sparring opponent. 228 229
Further major enhancement	231	A Golden Trash Can grants her the low-spec version of Nezha’s Three Treasures: the Wind Fire Wheels, Fire-tipped Spear, and Universe Ring. 231

Background / History

Hu Tao serves as the 77th Generation Hall Master of Liyue’s Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Zhongli works at the parlor as her “Guest,” and Hu Tao trusts him enough to ask for guidance on ancient burial rituals. When Rex Lapis’s longevity medicine reaches her, she immediately tries to split it with Zhongli; he secretly transfers his entire share to her cup. 48

Zhongli later introduces Hu Tao to Ye Yun’s interworld shop and the Astral Express. Her curiosity is immediately drawn to unfamiliar technology, including electric fans, teleportation portals, flying vehicles, computers, and games. 58 59 63

Using borrowed Credits, Hu Tao purchases a Flying Motorcycle, handheld fans, and an exorcism manual. Her return flight over Liyue Harbor draws public attention and connects Ningguang and Keqing with Ye Yun’s shop. 60 62 63

With Silver Wolf’s technical help, Hu Tao converts part of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor into an Internet Cafe. She later obtains 1,000 computers and seeks land beside the parlor for a larger venue; Ningguang offers the adjacent commercial building for the expansion. 74 115 123 125

Personality

Hu Tao is energetic, curious, and fearless about the unusual. She readily follows Zhongli through a portal to another world, embraces strange technology, and treats unexplained discoveries as opportunities for exploration rather than reasons for caution. 58 59 60

She is also mischievous. Hu Tao startles Xiangling from outside a kitchen window, joins Stelle in scaring Guinaifen and Sushang in Sui Garden, and later plays the Pelican role in a social-deduction game by swallowing numerous players. 62 119 120 304

Despite her antics, Hu Tao is kind-hearted and protective. Liyue residents recognize that she rescues people from monsters in the wilderness, and she takes responsibility for Huohuo’s safety, training, home, and adjustment to life in Liyue. 62 134 135 136

As Hall Master, Hu Tao respects the natural boundary between life and death. She declines to buy lottery tickets for a Revival Card Deck because she does not wish to revive her grandfather against that order. 255

Abilities & Skills

Funeral Arts and Exorcism

Hu Tao specializes in handling ghosts, resentment, and supernatural entities. Her work includes guiding spirits, catching ghosts, conducting burial rites, and ensuring disturbed dead receive proper resting places. 72 132 257

• Uses the Soul Soothing Secret Method to immobilize a will-o’-the-wisp. 131
• Detects Suiyang and other malevolent presences, then tracks and confronts them. 132 133
• Defeats the possessing Suiyang Fuyan with assistance from Old Man Tail. 133
• Directs Azhdaha and Huohuo in digging graves and making offerings for restless spirits at Wuwang Hill. 257

Wangsheng Butterflies

Hu Tao can create Wangsheng Butterflies, spiritual butterflies associated with her funeral arts.

• They guide the deceased toward the Underworld and lead living people lost there back to the Living World. 134
• Hu Tao uses them to navigate the Mirror World and guide her group to safety. 134
• She creates butterfly-like flames to reassure Huohuo and restore her confidence. 134

Elemental Combat

Hu Tao wields Pyro and later gains Hydro, enabling her to combine the two elements in battle.

• Uses Pyro to heat food and empower her attacks. 58 105
• Gains a Hydro Vision from a trash can and demonstrates self-generated Vaporize reactions. 105
• Acquires the Spirit of the Phoenix, granting control over Flames and heightened lethality against demons and monsters. 228
• Clears groups of Abyss monsters with massive flame attacks during Katheryne’s rescue. 434

Polearm and Martial Arts

Hu Tao fights with the Staff of Homa and has been trained in martial arts by Zhongli.

• Her spear techniques allow her to pressure the Signora in direct combat. 84
• She fights powerful enemies such as Beisht, the Strife Titan, and Feng. 232 328 519
• She develops a technique that detonates a Fire-tipped Spear embedded in an enemy. 328

Nezha’s Three Treasures

After obtaining the Three Treasures, Hu Tao gains a major increase in mobility, restraint capability, and firepower. 231

• Wind Fire Wheels — Allow high-speed aerial movement and keep Hu Tao airborne. 231 232
• Fire-tipped Spear — A flame-producing spear used to pierce, destroy, and later recreate weapons made of fire. 231 328
• Universe Ring — Binds targets; Hu Tao uses it to drag Beisht from the sea. 231 232

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Staff of Homa — Hu Tao’s primary polearm. 59 84
• Flying Motorcycle (Smart Edition) — A flying vehicle with automatic navigation, fingerprint activation, and a novice-driving tutorial. 60
• Hydro Vision — Allows Hydro manipulation alongside her Pyro abilities. 105
• Spirit of the Phoenix — Grants flame control and substantially enhances her combat ability. 228
• Nezha’s Three Treasures — Wind Fire Wheels, Fire-tipped Spear, and Universe Ring. 231
• RV / Motorhome — Used to transport friends around Liyue and to travel to Jueyun Karst. 93
• Red Wolf Operator — Her selected Delta operative; its skills include a three-shot grenade launcher and a speed-boosting ultimate that grants damage immunity and HP recovery on eliminations. 485

Relationships

• Zhongli — Her “Guest” and Wangsheng Funeral Parlor employee; he raised and trained Hu Tao, quietly watches over her, and eventually entrusts more of Liyue’s protection to her. 48 72 84 228
• Huohuo — Hu Tao’s trainee and adoptive younger sister figure. Hu Tao mentors her confidence and exorcism work, gives her a home at the parlor, and later sees her off when she returns to the Ten-Lords Commission. 134 135 136 137 583
• Xiangling — A close friend with a teasing, sibling-like dynamic. Hu Tao gives her a handheld fan, frequently eats at Wanmin Restaurant, and invites her on interworld outings. 62 93 106 136
• Silver Wolf — Technical partner who helps establish Hu Tao’s Internet Cafe and protects it during the Signora incident. 74 84
• Stelle — A frequent adventuring and prank partner. The two explore ruins, enter dungeons, play games, and fight together. 72 119 133 150 519
• Asmoday — Hu Tao offers her food and a room at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor when she appears stranded in Liyue; they later become gaming companions. 106 115
• Hanya — A Ten-Lords Commission judge who asks Hu Tao to mentor Huohuo after witnessing Hu Tao’s influence on her. 134 135
• Cloud Retainer — Their relationship is strained after Cloud Retainer dismantles Hu Tao’s Flying Motorcycle and cannot reassemble it. 74 93
• Qiqi — Hu Tao regrets trying to bury Qiqi after learning that Qiqi is no longer a zombie; Qiqi eventually forgives her. 162

Story Role / Major Arcs

Internet Cafe Development

Hu Tao establishes an Internet Cafe within Wangsheng Funeral Parlor with Silver Wolf’s assistance. After acquiring 1,000 computers, she pursues a major expansion and earns Ningguang’s investment support. 74 115 123 125

Sui Garden and Huohuo’s Training

Hu Tao’s ghost-catching experience proves vital in Sui Garden. She identifies Suiyang, defeats Fuyan, guides companions out of the Mirror World, and helps Huohuo overcome her fear of exorcism. Hanya subsequently permits Huohuo to train under Hu Tao. 132 133 134 135

Defender of Liyue

After being eliminated from the tournament, Hu Tao resolves to become stronger for Liyue’s sake. The Spirit of the Phoenix and Nezha’s Three Treasures transform her into one of Liyue’s foremost defenders; she defeats Beisht alone before Zhongli intervenes to take the sea beast alive. 228 231 232

Interworld Adventures

Hu Tao participates in expeditions across multiple worlds, including Omphalos and Natlan. She assists against the Strife Titan, joins the rescue of Katheryne from the Night God’s Country, and battles Feng alongside Stelle’s team. 328 434 519

Huohuo’s Graduation

Huohuo’s time under Hu Tao turns her from a fearful exorcist into a confident worker capable of handling Wangsheng Funeral Parlor duties. When Huohuo returns to the Ten-Lords Commission, Hu Tao awards her an “Outstanding Graduate” certificate and promises that the parlor will always have a place for her. 308 582 583

Notable Quotes

“If Liyue is ever in danger from now on, let me charge in first.” 228

“There can only be one ultimate victor.” 622

Trivia

• Hu Tao flips a frog back over before following Zhongli through the portal to the Astral Express. 59
• She prefers drinking tea in large gulps rather than savoring it, despite Zhongli’s attempts to teach her proper tea appreciation. 58
• Hu Tao sold one of Zhongli’s favorite vases to Aventurine for 6 million Credits. 81
• Her Flying Motorcycle was dismantled by Cloud Retainer, then repaired by Clara. 74
• Hu Tao names her champion cricket General Youyou. 389 390