Tongtian

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Tongtian (通天)
Alias(es)	Shangqing Tongtian; Master Tongtian; Third Brother
Species/Race	One of the Three Pure Ones; transformed from Pangu's Primordial Spirit 15 20
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Pangu Orthodox Lineage; Three Pure Ones; founder and leader of the Interception Sect
Occupation/Role	Sage; sect master; instructor of Interception Sect disciples
Status	Active 146
First Appearance	Chapter 2

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Primordial Great Luo Golden Immortal, first grade; Sage	14 15	Attained the Dao through the Great Dao Sword Array Law rather than Merit or Primordial Purple Qi. He fused his Three Corpse Incarnations through the Zhu Xian Formation and Four Swords of Zhu Xian.

Background / History

Tongtian formed a brotherly bond with Lu Xuan after the Pangu World-Opening Map absorbed his blood and revealed Pangu's alliance with the Chaos Demon Ape. They agreed to address one another as elder brother in private, while presenting Tongtian as the elder brother before outsiders due to the sensitivity of their respective identities. 2

After learning that Laozi and Primordial Heavenly Venerable had fused with Primordial Purple Qi, Tongtian initially wished to bring them back from what he believed was the Heavenly Dao's deceptive path. Lu Xuan persuaded him to first cultivate strength through the Sword-Formation Law, so Tongtian could eventually oppose the Heavenly Dao rather than expose himself prematurely. 3

Following more than ten thousand years of closed-door cultivation, Tongtian attempted to attain the Dao through the Zhu Xian Formation. With Laozi and Primordial Heavenly Venerable concealing Kunlun Mountain, he manifested his good, evil, and self Three Corpse Incarnations, fused them with the Four Swords of Zhu Xian, and stabilized the formation with essence-blood talismans. He then declared his attainment through the Great Dao Sword Array Law, becoming a Sage through a path distinct from the other Heavenly Dao Sages. 13 14

Hongjun subsequently ordered Tongtian to establish the Interception Sect. Though Tongtian suspected the order was part of the Heavenly Dao's design, he complied to conceal his intentions and gain time to improve his cultivation. He declared the sect open to all beings with the heart to seek the Dao, framing its purpose as seizing “a sliver of vitality” for living beings. 15

Tongtian later discovered and refined Golden Ao Island in the Eastern Sea, establishing it as the Interception Sect's main court. Its acquisition substantially increased the sect's Karmic Fortune. 20

Personality

Tongtian is deeply attached to his fellow Three Pure Ones. His first response to learning of Laozi and Primordial Heavenly Venerable's connection to Primordial Purple Qi was concern for their Dao paths, even at the risk of exposing himself to the Heavenly Dao. 3

He is receptive to Lu Xuan's counsel and consistently trusts him with sensitive matters, including the hidden control mechanism within Primordial Purple Qi and the Heavenly Dao power extracted from it. 24 27 31

Despite a reputation for simplicity, Tongtian can be evasive and calculating. He deliberately established the Interception Sect without an oath to the Heavenly Dao or a treasure suppressing its fortune, intending to appear compliant while cultivating independently. He also secured the Northern Sea Giant Ao as a disciple while presenting the arrangement as a costly sacrifice. 15 79

Tongtian is protective of his disciples and intolerant of outside interference. During the Investiture of the Gods Calamity, he openly opposed the Western Sect's attempts to recruit or harm Interception Sect members, while privately seeking to keep his disciples from becoming names on the Investiture of the Gods List. 143 146

Abilities & Skills

Great Dao Sword Array Law

Tongtian's primary Dao is the Sword-Formation Law inherited from Pangu. He used it to reach Sagehood through the Zhu Xian Formation rather than relying on Merit-based cultivation. 3 14

• Formed the Zhu Xian Formation through the Zhuxian Formation Diagram, Four Swords of Zhu Xian, and gathered baleful aura. 13
• Fused his Three Corpse Incarnations into the formation and its four gates. 14
• Used essence-blood talismans to stabilize the formation when the Four Swords and Three Corpses became unstable. 14
• His attainment released Great Dao pressure powerful enough to compel beings across the Primordial World to bow. 14

Zhu Xian Formation

A lethal formation centered on the Four Swords of Zhu Xian and their formation diagram.

• The Four Swords guard the eastern, southern, western, and northern formation gates. 13
• The swords can merge into a single enormous treasured sword. 14
• Daoist Duobao later deployed phantoms of the Four Swords to counter the Heaven-Flipping Seal. 94
• Its reputation is such that it is considered unbreakable without four Sages. 24

One Qi Transforms into Three Pure Ones

Tongtian cultivated the technique with the support of Three Lights Divine Water, Primordial Enlightenment Tea, and Abbot Island's spiritual energy. 32

• Reached initial mastery in approximately one hundred years. 32
• Created Three Pure Ones Incarnations using life-bound essence blood. 32
• The technique was considered as a means to contain extracted Heavenly Dao power without alerting Hongjun. 31

Sect Teachings

Tongtian possesses and transmits cultivation methods suited to his disciples' individual strengths.

• Passed the Interception Sect Body-Refining Secret Method to Yang Jiao, whose temperament suited formations and strength-based arts. 129
• Agreed to condense a Merit Golden Wheel for Zhao Gongming so he could use the Treasure-Dropping Coin with reduced risk. 51
• Dispatched Turtle Spirit Holy Mother to assist Cangjie in creating writing, providing a carving knife as a gift. 111

Sage Combat

Tongtian is an active combatant who directly intervenes against threats to the Interception Sect and Pangu Orthodox Lineage.

• Sealed Nether River Ancestor's senses with the Chaos Bell alongside Laozi and Primordial Heavenly Venerable's containment measures. 60
• Declared that Interception Sect disciples could kill Demon Race members on sight after Taiyi attacked Lu Xuan. 46
• Repelled Daoist Zhunti when he injured Golden Spirit Holy Mother during the Northern Sea conflict. 143
• Threatened the Western Sect with merciless sword action if it interfered further in the Investiture of the Gods Calamity. 143

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Four Swords of Zhu Xian — Immortal-Slaying, Immortal-Killing, Immortal-Severing, and Immortal-Trapping Sword; the core weapons of the Zhu Xian Formation. 13
• Zhuxian Formation Diagram — Formation diagram used to establish and control the Zhu Xian Formation. 13 14
• Azure Duckweed Sword — Sword used when Tongtian issued his decree against the Demon Race. 46
• Chaos Bell — Used to seal Nether River Ancestor's senses during the Blood Sea crisis. 60
• Golden Ao Island — Refined by Tongtian as the Interception Sect's main court and cultivation ground. 20
• Purifying World White Lotuses — Received multiple plants from Lu Xuan for use among his disciples; he also promised to use one in forging a new body for the Northern Sea Giant Ao. 35 52 79

Relationships

• Lu Xuan — Sworn brother and trusted adviser. Tongtian credits Lu Xuan's guidance for directing him toward attainment through the Sword-Formation Law. 2 3 21
• Laozi — Eldest brother among the Three Pure Ones. Laozi protected Tongtian's attempt to attain the Dao and later worked with him on plans against Hongjun's control. 13 14 31
• Primordial Heavenly Venerable — Second brother among the Three Pure Ones. Though they later take opposing public positions in the Investiture of the Gods Calamity, Tongtian remains involved in shared planning and family matters. 13 32 140
• Hongjun — Master who ordered Tongtian to establish the Interception Sect; Tongtian privately suspects Hongjun and the Heavenly Dao of manipulation. 15 27
• Daoist Duobao — Eldest disciple and chief disciple of the Interception Sect. Tongtian entrusts him with major matters and discusses sect infiltration with him privately. 18 146
• Golden Spirit Holy Mother — Second disciple. Tongtian intervened personally when Daoist Zhunti injured her. 18 143
• Holy Mother Wudang — Third disciple and one of Tongtian's original three disciples. 18
• Zhao Gongming — Disciple entrusted with the Treasure-Dropping Coin; Tongtian condensed a Merit Golden Wheel for him at Lu Xuan's request. 51
• Turtle Spirit Holy Mother — Disciple transformed from the true spirit of the Northern Sea Giant Ao; Tongtian sent her to aid Cangjie in creating writing. 79 111
• Yang Jiao — Disciple personally taught the Interception Sect Body-Refining Secret Method. 129
• Daoist Zhunti — Western Sect rival. Tongtian opposed his interference in the Northern Sea and warned him against further involvement in the Investiture of the Gods Calamity. 143
• Vairocana Immortal — Disciple whom Tongtian knows to be a Western Sect infiltrator; Tongtian chooses not to expose him immediately. 146 147

Story Role / Major Arcs

Attainment of the Dao

• Accepts Lu Xuan's advice to cultivate the Sword-Formation Law rather than establish a sect for Merit. 3
• Attains the Dao through the Zhu Xian Formation and becomes a Sage through the Great Dao Sword Array Law. 13 14
• Establishes the Interception Sect at Hongjun's command while concealing his doubts about the Heavenly Dao. 15

Establishment of Golden Ao Island

• Leads Daoist Duobao, Golden Spirit Holy Mother, and Holy Mother Wudang into the Eastern Sea in search of a sect foundation. 20
• Refines Golden Ao Island and establishes it as the Interception Sect's main court. 20
• Builds Azure Wandering Palace, where he hosts cultivators for Dao discussions. 21

Pangu Orthodox Lineage and Heavenly Dao Resistance

• Offers Lu Xuan his Primordial Purple Qi after suspecting Hongjun's hidden safeguard within it. 27
• Joins the Three Pure Ones in extracting Heavenly Dao power from Primordial Purple Qi and creating incarnations to contain it. 31 32
• Learns the Pangu Art alongside the Three Pure Ones and Twelve Ancestral Witches. 33

Defense of the Interception Sect

• Orders Interception Sect disciples to kill Demon Race members after the conflict at Wuyi Mountain. 46
• Helps contain Nether River Ancestor during the Blood Sea crisis. 60
• Makes preparations for the Investiture of the Gods Calamity, placing disciples at Chaoge and the Northern Sea. 132
• Rescues Golden Spirit Holy Mother from Daoist Zhunti and drives the Western Sect out of the Northern Sea conflict. 143
• Reveals to Daoist Duobao and Golden Spirit Holy Mother that he has long known of Western Sect infiltrators within his sect. 146

Notable Quotes

“The Interception Sect exists to seize that sliver of vitality for the living beings of the Primordial World.”
— Tongtian, upon founding the Interception Sect 15

“What is there to fear? When soldiers come, generals block them; when water comes, earth dams it.”
— Tongtian 125

“All I seek is to protect the disciples of the Interception Sect and keep them from throwing away their lives for nothing.”
— Tongtian 146

Trivia

• Tongtian initially disguised himself as a Golden Immortal when meeting Lu Xuan. 2
• In private, Tongtian calls Lu Xuan “elder brother”; before outsiders, they reverse the form of address to avoid exposing their unusual bond. 2
• Although he advised Lu Xuan regarding the Heaven and Earth Mystical Technique, Tongtian declined to cultivate it himself because he did not want to endure its painful bodily reconstruction. 35 50
• Tongtian's supposed honesty is directly questioned after he gains the Northern Sea Giant Ao as a disciple through the Sky-Supporting Pillar arrangement. 79