Zhao Gongming

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Zhao Gongming (赵公明)
Alias(es)	Martial Uncle Zhao; Senior Brother Zhao; Uncle Zhao
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Intercepting Sect
Occupation/Role	Senior Intercepting Sect disciple; defender of the Shang camp
Status	Alive; his predetermined death calamity was overturned 38
First Appearance	Chapter 30
Cultivation	Daluo Golden Immortal; a Daluo Realm combatant 30 31

Power Progression

Chapter	Development
30	Introduced as a Daluo Golden Immortal wielding the twenty-four Sea-Calming Pearls; tests Lin Yuan’s physical strength 30.
31	Demonstrates coordinated pearl attacks capable of driving back multiple members of the Twelve Golden Immortals 31.
33	Recalls a pearl targeted by the Treasure-Dropping Coin and captures the coin after Lin Yuan disrupts its wielder 33.
35–38	Survives the Nail-Head Seven-Arrows Book curse after his allies find and dismantle its altar; his predetermined death calamity is overturned 35 36 37 38.
47–51	Withdraws from the frontline on Tongtian’s orders and adopts the sect’s new rules favoring companions, retreat routes, and timely rescue 47 50 51.
79–82	Lends Lin Yuan the captured Treasure-Dropping Coin for Yu Yuan’s rescue; Lin Yuan uses it to disrupt the Immortal-Slaying Flying Knife’s aim 79 82.

Background / History

Zhao Gongming is a prominent and widely respected Intercepting Sect senior based at Luofu Cave on Mount Emei. Though he had not initially intended to enter the Shang–West Qi conflict, reports that the Twelve Golden Immortals had intervened against the Ten Heavenly Lords prompted him to go to the Shang camp personally. He arrived riding a black tiger, checked that the Four Sages of Nine-Dragon Island and the Ten Heavenly Lords had survived, and took an immediate interest in Lin Yuan’s unusually durable body and formation work 30.

At the battlefield, Zhao challenged the Twelve Golden Immortals alone, denouncing their claim that the Intercepting Sect should not involve itself while the Elucidation Sect had already entered the war. Using the twenty-four Sea-Calming Pearls, he overwhelmed multiple Golden Immortals at once before withdrawing voluntarily to avoid escalating the conflict into a life-or-death struggle 30 31.

West Qi later used Xiao Sheng’s Treasure-Dropping Coin to target the Sea-Calming Pearls. Lin Yuan kept Xiao Sheng occupied while Zhao forcibly recalled his endangered pearl, then seized the Treasure-Dropping Coin itself when Xiao Sheng lost control of it 32 33.

Lu Ya subsequently targeted Zhao with the Nail-Head Seven-Arrows Book. The curse caused fatigue, headaches, drowsiness, and spiritual unrest despite leaving his body and dharma power apparently unharmed. With Lin Yuan’s warning, Yao Bin’s soul arts, and the Ten Ultimate Linked Formation, Zhao’s allies located Lu Ya’s hidden altar; Zhao destroyed the straw effigy bearing his name after the curse’s soul tether was safely dismantled 34 35 36 37.

The destruction of the altar severed the curse and completely altered Zhao’s predetermined death, which would have seen his three souls and seven spirits decay under the Nail-Head Seven-Arrows Book. In gratitude, Zhao rewarded Lin Yuan with extensive cultivation resources and lent him a Sea-Calming Pearl for study 38.

Zhao’s near-death experience brought his three younger sisters down from Three Immortal Island to challenge the Elucidation Sect. He watched their Nine-Twist Yellow River Formation defeat the Twelve Golden Immortals, but took Lin Yuan’s warning about possible Saint-level intervention seriously. When Yuanshi Tianzun threatened the sisters, Zhao prepared to help despite the disparity in power; Lin Yuan instead summoned Tongtian. After the confrontation ended, Tongtian ordered Zhao and the sisters to leave the battlefield, and Zhao agreed 40 41 43 45 46 47.

Zhao later remained involved in sect affairs, including discussions of the changing Investiture calamity. He welcomed news that Wen Zhong had survived Dragon-Severing Ridge and saw the Intercepting Sect’s continued survival as a hopeful change. He also lent Lin Yuan the Treasure-Dropping Coin for a mission to rescue Yu Yuan from Lu Ya’s Immortal-Slaying Flying Knife 69 79 82.

Appearance

Zhao Gongming is a stern-featured Daoist whose bearing carries both boldness and authority. He usually keeps his overwhelming aura tightly restrained, making his Daluo-level pressure especially startling when released 30.

• Rides a black tiger 30.
• Possesses stern features and a bold, forthright presence 30.
• Can project pressure far beyond the Profound Immortal and Golden Immortal realms 30.
• His Sea-Calming Pearls emit five-colored divine radiance in combat 30 31.

Personality

Zhao is direct, confident, and protective of fellow Intercepting Sect disciples. He does not tolerate what he sees as one-sided bullying by the Elucidation Sect, but he distinguishes between a demonstration of strength and a conflict that would needlessly become fatal 30 31.

He is also capable of reflection. His near-death experience under Lu Ya’s curse teaches him that unmatched open-combat strength cannot prevent covert threats, leading him to support Lin Yuan’s later emphasis on teamwork, preparation, and retreat 39 50.

Zhao becomes willing to recount his own near-death experience to correct younger disciples who consider traveling with companions cowardly. His exchanges with Lin Yuan and his sisters often turn teasing, though he grows irritated when his curse is repeatedly used as an example of what not to do 47 51 79. After Xue Ehu attacks Lin Yuan from behind during a duel, Zhao praises Lin Yuan for responding decisively and reflects that excessive hesitation can also cost lives 103.

Abilities & Skills

Daluo Golden Immortal Cultivation

Zhao is an elite high-realm cultivator whose direct combat ability greatly exceeds that of ordinary Golden Immortals.

• Faced several of the Twelve Golden Immortals without being overwhelmed 31.
• His speed and attacks were difficult for Lin Yuan to follow even while using advanced perception abilities 31.
• Retained sufficient fighting power to lead the assault on Lu Ya’s concealed altar despite the curse’s mental exhaustion 36.

Twenty-Four Sea-Calming Pearls

Zhao’s signature treasure set consists of twenty-four immensely powerful pearls under his coordinated control.

• A single pearl destroyed a Golden Immortal’s magical hand and blasted away both the cultivator and his defensive treasure 31.
• He can divide the set into separate groups to suppress multiple opponents simultaneously 31.
• Consecutive waves of pearl strikes break divine abilities, disrupt spiritual treasures, and force enemy cultivators back 31.
• He used the pearls to destroy Lu Ya’s concealing formation and later the straw effigy linked to his curse 36 37.
• The pearls are most effective as a complete set; Zhao only lent one to Lin Yuan for study rather than gifting it permanently 38.
• The Treasure-Dropping Coin can interfere with Zhao’s control over an individual pearl, creating a critical weakness when used at the right moment 32 33.

Daluo-Level Combat Judgment

Zhao displays refined control over timing, treasure deployment, pursuit, and escalation.

• Held back from killing direct Elucidation Sect disciples even after decisively defeating them, recognizing that doing so would worsen the wider conflict 31.
• Recalled the Sea-Calming Pearls rather than pursue his defeated opponents once his goal of defending the Intercepting Sect’s dignity had been achieved 31.
• His accumulated battle experience became the basis of Lin Yuan’s inherited Daluo Combat Insight after Zhao’s fate reversal 38.

Resistance and Vulnerability

Zhao is extremely difficult to defeat in direct Dao combat but remains vulnerable to indirect soul-affecting methods.

• Lu Ya evaded Zhao rather than confront him head-on, apparently studying the Sea-Calming Pearls and preparing a hidden plan 34.
• The Nail-Head Seven-Arrows Book bypassed his physical defenses and normal dharma-power circulation by attacking his soul from afar 35.
• After the altar was destroyed, Yao Bin confirmed that Zhao’s soul stabilized and the curse’s karmic tether had been severed 38.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Twenty-Four Sea-Calming Pearls — Zhao’s primary offensive treasure set 30 31.
• Black Tiger — His mount during travel and battlefield appearances 30.
• Treasure-Dropping Coin — Captured from Xiao Sheng after the attempt to suppress the Sea-Calming Pearls failed 33. Zhao later lends it to Lin Yuan, who uses it to interfere with Lu Ya’s Immortal-Slaying Flying Knife during Yu Yuan’s rescue 79 82.
• Storage jade ring — Given to Lin Yuan as repayment; contained spirit herbs, immortal fruits, refining materials, and high-grade spirit stones 38.
• Life lamp — Zhao leaves one in the Intercepting Sect’s Life Lamp Hall as part of its new system for detecting disciples in danger 87.

Relationships

• Daoist Tongtian — Zhao’s master. Tongtian later orders Zhao to withdraw from the frontline conflict and return with the Three Cloud Sisters, warning him not to repeat the mistakes that nearly got him killed 39 47.
• Lin Yuan — A junior nephew whom Zhao comes to trust deeply. Lin Yuan helps preserve the Sea-Calming Pearls, detects the curse, and coordinates the effort that saves Zhao’s life; Zhao repays him with resources, access to a Sea-Calming Pearl, and open support 33 38 39. Their familiar banter continues as Zhao supports Lin Yuan’s sect reforms, lends him the Treasure-Dropping Coin, and later praises his decisive self-defense 50 79 87 103.
• Yunxiao, Qiongxiao, and Bixiao — His three younger sisters, collectively known as the Three Cloud Sisters. Their anger over his near-death drives them to descend the mountain and confront the Elucidation Sect 39 40. Zhao accompanies them away from the battlefield after their formation contest and Tongtian’s intervention 46 47.
• The Four Sages of Nine-Dragon Island — Fellow Intercepting Sect disciples whose survival Zhao credits in part to Lin Yuan. They join the expedition to destroy Lu Ya’s altar 30 36.
• The Ten Heavenly Lords — Fellow disciples whose linked formations help locate Lu Ya’s hidden altar and protect Zhao from the curse 35 36.
• Lu Ya — The architect of Zhao’s curse through the Nail-Head Seven-Arrows Book. Zhao confronts him after discovering the altar and destroys the effigy tied to his soul 34 37.
• The Twelve Golden Immortals — Opposing Elucidation Sect cultivators whom Zhao defeats in open combat with the Sea-Calming Pearls 30 31.
• Wen Zhong — A fellow disciple with whom Zhao is on good terms. Zhao expresses relief when Wen Zhong survives his death calamity at Dragon-Severing Ridge 69.
• Yu Yuan — A fellow Intercepting Sect immortal whose rescue Zhao supports by lending Lin Yuan the Treasure-Dropping Coin; Zhao welcomes Yu Yuan’s safe return 79 84.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Arrival at the Shang Camp

Zhao’s arrival immediately changes the balance of power between Shang and West Qi. He publicly challenges the Elucidation Sect, showing that the Intercepting Sect possesses fighters capable of confronting the Twelve Golden Immortals directly 30.

Battle Against the Twelve Golden Immortals

Using the twenty-four Sea-Calming Pearls, Zhao defeats multiple Golden Immortals and forces their side to retreat. He stops short of killing anyone, treating the engagement as a warning rather than the opening of an irreversible war 31.

Treasure-Dropping Coin Incident

Xiao Sheng and Cao Bao attempt to neutralize Zhao by targeting the Sea-Calming Pearls with the Treasure-Dropping Coin. Lin Yuan’s intervention lets Zhao reclaim his pearl and capture the enemy treasure instead 32 33.

Nail-Head Seven-Arrows Crisis

Lu Ya secretly curses Zhao through an altar and straw effigy. Zhao’s survival depends on the allies Lin Yuan had previously saved: the Four Sages, Ten Heavenly Lords, and Yao Bin work together to trace, expose, and dismantle the curse 35 36 37.

Return to Golden Turtle Island

After his death calamity is reversed, Zhao reports the full incident to Tongtian and supports Lin Yuan’s warning that the Intercepting Sect’s pattern of isolated interventions makes its disciples easy to target 39.

Three Cloud Sisters’ Formation Contest

Zhao returns to the Shang–West Qi battlefield with Lin Yuan after learning that his sisters intend to challenge the Elucidation Sect. He welcomes their victory in the Nine-Twist Yellow River Formation but remains alert to Lin Yuan’s warning that Yuanshi Tianzun may intervene. When that danger materializes, Zhao is ready to stand with his sisters; after Tongtian resolves the confrontation, Zhao obeys his order to withdraw with them 40 43 45 46 47.

Sect Reforms

Zhao accepts Lin Yuan’s proposed survival rules after personally experiencing the danger of fighting alone and relying solely on overwhelming strength. He agrees that important disciples should travel in groups and retain a means of retreat 50.

He reinforces the rules by telling overconfident disciples how close he came to death despite his cultivation and treasures. Zhao also leaves a life lamp in the sect’s new warning system, which is designed to alert fellow disciples when someone faces grave danger 51 87.

Later Fate Reversals

Zhao follows the growing number of fellow disciples who escape their expected deaths, expressing particular relief over Wen Zhong’s survival. When Yu Yuan is captured, Zhao lends Lin Yuan the Treasure-Dropping Coin for the rescue mission; its interference helps prevent Lu Ya’s flying knife from killing Yu Yuan 69 79 82.

After Han Dulong becomes an Elucidation Sect casualty of the changing calamity, Zhao observes that the Investiture of the Gods does not spare a faction merely because of its allegiance. Following Xue Ehu’s attempt to kill Lin Yuan during a duel, Zhao supports Lin Yuan’s decision to defend himself rather than hesitate out of fear of further conflict 97 103.

Notable Quotes

“If you wish to bully my Intercepting Sect disciples again in the future, first ask whether these twenty-four pearls of mine agree.” 31

“You couldn't beat me head-on. So you resorted to this?” 37

“Now if anyone tells me to go solve it alone again—I'll first ask whether he's planning to collect my corpse for me.” 50