Hongyun

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Hongyun (红云)
Species/Race	Innate lifeform
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Independent cultivator; temporarily resides at Five Villages Temple during the Witch-Demon Calamity
Occupation/Role	Quasi-Saint cultivator; ally in the defense of the Human Race
Status	Alive; Li Yu visits him after the Witch-Demon Calamity 45
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Golden Immortal Realm	2	Had already entered the realm long before Li Yu visited Mount Kunlun.
Perfected Golden Immortal	7	Reaches this level through Hongjun's first sermon at Purple Cloud Palace.
Quasi-Saint Realm	15	Discusses the Dao with Li Yu and Zhen Yuanzi as one of three Quasi-Saints.
Cultivation setback	19	Severe injuries from Minghe reduce him to a state comparable to a newly entered Quasi-Saint.
Beyond middle-stage Quasi-Saint	23	Recovers past the middle stage, though lingering injuries still bar progress to the late stage.

Background / History

Before the Dragon, Phoenix, and Qilin Clans rose to prominence, Hongyun and Zhen Yuanzi had already traveled widely across the Primordial World, gained considerable renown, and collected heavenly treasures. Hongyun later became one of Li Yu's two closest friends alongside Zhen Yuanzi. 2

Following the end of the three-clan conflict, Hongyun traveled with Li Yu to Mount Buzhou to visit his old friend Fuxi. Although he claimed to be visiting Fuxi, his disappointment at Nüwa's absence and his subsequent journey toward the Wu Clan revealed his concealed feelings for her. 2 3

At Purple Cloud Palace, Li Yu privately warned Hongyun not to surrender his front-row cushion. Hongyun refused Jieyin and Zhunti's emotional appeals and threats, preserving his place despite their attack. 6 8 Hongjun later declined to accept him as a disciple, but bestowed a red innate spirit gourd as compensation. 7

During his travels after the second sermon, Hongyun met Jin Shan. The two became Dao companions and had a son, Red Boy. 14 Though Li Yu and Zhen Yuanzi continued to tease him about Nüwa, Hongyun insisted that he and Nüwa were only ordinary friends. 15

Minghe later abducted Jin Shan, claiming she was a Blood Sea being who had fled without permission. Hongyun pursued him into the Blood Sea, where Minghe's connection to the sea allowed him to inflict grave injuries and force Hongyun to retreat. 19 Li Yu and Zhen Yuanzi joined Hongyun in seeking Jin Shan, but Minghe claimed she was already dead; the group withdrew after Li Yu seized the Yuantu Sword. 20

For Red Boy's safety and his own recovery, Hongyun accepted Zhen Yuanzi and Li Yu's proposal to relocate to Five Villages Temple. 21 He later aided Li Yu's coalition in protecting the Human Race from the Demon Race. 38

Appearance

Hongyun appears as a middle-aged Daoist with loose hair falling over his shoulders. He is usually depicted with a warm, smiling expression. 2

• Middle-aged male Daoist appearance. 2
• Long, loose hair. 2
• Known for a hearty laugh and an approachable demeanor. 2

Personality

Hongyun is cheerful, sociable, and fond of travel. Even during the devastating three-clan conflict, he continued roaming the Primordial World rather than remaining in seclusion. 2 He enjoys spiritual delicacies—particularly Zhen Yuanzi's Ginseng Fruits—and is shamelessly persistent about obtaining them. 2

His reputation for kindness makes him an expected target for manipulation at Purple Cloud Palace. However, after Li Yu's warning, he proves capable of firmness and refuses to surrender his seat to Jieyin and Zhunti. 6 He is also deeply devoted to those he considers family: he confronts Minghe despite their overwhelming disparity in the Blood Sea and remains determined to recover Jin Shan. 19 20

Abilities & Skills

Quasi-Saint Cultivation

Hongyun possesses Quasi-Saint-level cultivation and was among the powerful cultivators who attended all three sermons at Purple Cloud Palace.

• Reached Perfected Golden Immortal cultivation after Hongjun's first sermon. 7
• Achieved Quasi-Saint cultivation by the period following the second sermon. 15
• His cultivation was severely damaged after Minghe exploited the Blood Sea's power against him. 19
• Continued recovering at Five Villages Temple, but lingering injuries delayed his advance to the late Quasi-Saint stage. 23

Soul-Scattering Gourd

Hongyun wields the Soul-Scattering Gourd, an innate spiritual treasure.

• Releases crimson red sand capable of sweeping up enemies. 20
• Captured and destroyed numerous Blood Sea creatures during his confrontation with Dafantian. 20
• Originated from the red innate spirit gourd bestowed by Hongjun after the first Purple Cloud Palace sermon. 7

Formations and Spiritual Nourishment

Hongyun maintains protective measures for his cave abode and possesses divine water useful for nurturing spiritual roots.

• Reinforced the formations around his former cave abode before relocating to Five Villages Temple. 21
• Used divine water from a Pure Jade Bottle to nourish Bitter Bamboo after it was transplanted beside the Ginseng Fruit Tree. 21

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Soul-Scattering Gourd — Innate spirit treasure that releases crimson red sand. 7 20
• Pure Jade Bottle — Contains divine water used to nourish Bitter Bamboo. 21

Relationships

• Li Yu — Close friend. Li Yu warns him about the Purple Cloud Palace seat struggle, helps preserve his altered fate, and joins the attempt to rescue Jin Shan. 6 19 22
• Zhen Yuanzi — Longtime friend and fellow traveler. Zhen Yuanzi offers Hongyun and Red Boy refuge at Five Villages Temple and later becomes Red Boy's instructor. 2 19 21
• Fuxi — Old friend whom Hongyun visits at Wa Palace. 2 3
• Nüwa — Friend and former object of Hongyun's concealed affection; he repeatedly denies any romantic relationship with her. 2 3 15
• Jin Shan — Dao companion and mother of Red Boy. Minghe abducts her, and Hongyun ultimately accepts that she was likely killed. 14 19 20
• Red Boy — Son. Hongyun is protective of his safety and concerned when Li Yu sends him to protect the Human Race. 18 23 28
• Minghe — Enemy responsible for Hongyun's injuries and Jin Shan's abduction. 19 20
• Jieyin and Zhunti — Attempted to exploit Hongyun's kindness and seize his Purple Cloud Palace seat; Hongyun refused them. 6

Story Role / Major Arcs

Purple Cloud Palace Seat Dispute

Hongyun's refusal to yield his front-row cushion prevents Jieyin and Zhunti from exploiting his reputation for kindness. Li Yu, Zhen Yuanzi, and Fuxi defend him when the western cultivators resort to force. 6

Altered Saint-Fate Outcome

Hongyun receives no Primordial Purple Qi at Hongjun's final sermon. Li Yu recognizes this as evidence that Hongyun's previously anticipated tragic fate has been changed. 22

Blood Sea Conflict

After Minghe abducts Jin Shan and defeats Hongyun, Li Yu and Zhen Yuanzi accompany him to the Blood Sea. Hongyun attacks Dafantian with the Soul-Scattering Gourd and personally demands Jin Shan's release, but Minghe's power within the Blood Sea forces the group to withdraw. 19 20

Refuge at Five Villages Temple

Still injured and vulnerable to Minghe's retaliation, Hongyun moves with Red Boy to Five Villages Temple. There, Zhen Yuanzi assumes responsibility for Red Boy's instruction while Hongyun focuses on healing and cultivation. 21

Defense of the Human Race

When the Demon Race threatens humanity, Hongyun immediately answers Li Yu's request for aid. He joins the wider defense force that protects scattered human communities from demon attacks. 38

Trivia

• Hongyun's desire to see Nüwa was strong enough that Li Yu used it to persuade him to protect his Purple Cloud Palace seat. 8
• He had a habit of using visiting guests as an excuse to urge Zhen Yuanzi to serve more Ginseng Fruits. 2
• His son calls Li Yu “Third Uncle” and Zhen Yuanzi “Uncle.” 18