Zhao Hong

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Zhao Hong (赵洪)
Gender	Male
Age	119 at the time of his Foundation Establishment breakthrough 26
Affiliation	Zhao Household of Azure Moon City; Lu Chen’s retinue 24 26
Occupation / Role	Master of the Zhao Household’s Divine Armory Pavilion in Hehuan Town; Lu Chen’s servant, steward, and guard 26 33
Status	Alive; Foundation Establishment cultivator 26
First Appearance	Chapter 24

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Qi Refining Tenth Layer	24	Had been stuck at this level for over a decade; his three spiritual roots and near-exhausted lifespan led his family to abandon him rather than provide a Foundation Establishment Pill.
Foundation Establishment Realm	25–26	Swallowed Lu Chen’s Foundation Establishment Pill in exchange for his life, successfully broke through, regained youthful vitality, and extended his lifespan. His Golden Armor Profound Art activated during the breakthrough.

Background

Zhao Hong began cultivating at age eight and spent 101 years pursuing Foundation Establishment. By age 119, he had remained at Qi Refining Tenth Layer for more than a decade. Possessing Wind, Lightning, and Earth Spiritual Roots, he was judged to have poor prospects; the Zhao Household’s main line abandoned him and left him to fend for himself in Hehuan Town. His lifespan was nearly exhausted when he encountered Lu Chen in the marketplace 24 26.

Desperate for one final chance, Zhao Hong offered his life in exchange for Lu Chen’s Foundation Establishment Pill. He disregarded public claims that the pill was fake, swallowed it immediately, and successfully established his foundation before the gathered crowd 24 25.

The breakthrough restored much of his youth, greatly extended his lifespan, and transformed his standing. He then honored his pledge by kneeling before Lu Chen and accepting service under him. Lu Chen retained him as a servant and trusted helper 26.

Appearance

Following Foundation Establishment, Zhao Hong sheds his frail, aged appearance and regains substantial vitality.

• His white hair becomes salt-and-pepper.
• Much of the deep wrinkling on his face fades.
• His skin becomes rosy and translucent after the breakthrough.
• His body turns golden when he activates the Golden Armor Profound Art. 25 26

Personality

Zhao Hong is resolute in the face of desperation. With only a few years left to live and no support from his family, he accepts the risk of Lu Chen’s pill rather than wait passively for death 24.

After his breakthrough, he is intensely grateful and loyal to Lu Chen, readily serving as his guard, intermediary, and manager of practical affairs. He is also protective of his position as Lu Chen’s foremost servant, driving away cultivators who seek to replace him 26 30 33.

His past abandonment leaves him bitter toward opportunism. He angrily rejects Madam Chun’s attempt to reconcile after she previously left him when he seemed incapable of Foundation Establishment 27 42.

Abilities & Skills

Foundation Establishment Cultivation

Zhao Hong’s breakthrough grants him renewed lifespan, a powerful aura, and a markedly higher status among local cultivators.

• His Foundation Establishment aura is sufficient to force back crowds of mostly Qi Refining cultivators. 30
• He publicly challenges the Lin Household’s contempt after his advancement. 31
• He remains far weaker than Foundation Establishment Great Perfection cultivators such as Lin Yue, who easily slaps him aside. 31

Golden Armor Profound Art

A Zhao Household low-grade Yellow-rank body-refining technique activated during his breakthrough.

• Causes his body to emit a golden radiance. 25
• At its limit, can form golden armor said to be resistant to blades, spears, water, and fire. 25
• Can augment the Zhao Household’s spell cultivation techniques when used together. 25

Administration and Stewardship

Zhao Hong manages Lu Chen’s affairs in Hehuan Town.

• Oversees the Divine Armory Pavilion, a Zhao Household establishment. 33
• Registers pill customers, manages requests, and arranges meetings for Lu Chen. 42 45 46
• Handles the sale of Lu Chen’s restored Foundation Establishment Pills. 47 48
• Arranges protection and work for Little Xixi’s parents at the Divine Armory Pavilion. 33

Relationships

• Lu Chen — Master and benefactor. Zhao Hong traded his life for Lu Chen’s Foundation Establishment Pill, then became his servant and devoted follower 24 26.
• Madam Chun — Former wife. She left Zhao Hong when he seemed unable to advance and later sought reconciliation after his breakthrough; he rejects her completely 27 42.
• Little Xixi’s parents — Charges placed under his protection and employed through his Divine Armory Pavilion at Lu Chen’s request 33.
• Lin Tianhe — Hostile. Zhao Hong defends Lu Chen and Xixi against the Lin Household elder after reaching Foundation Establishment 31.
• Lin Yue — Overwhelmingly stronger opponent who humiliates Zhao Hong and takes Xixi away during the dispute at the House of Ten Thousand Beauties 31.
• Yun Ao and Yun Feier — Zhao Hong acts as Lu Chen’s gatekeeper, refusing to let them disturb his master while they seek forgiveness 28.

Story Role

Zhao Hong’s successful Foundation Establishment serves as the first public proof that Lu Chen’s pills are genuine, destroying Lin Daoyun’s accusations of fraud and establishing Lu Chen’s reputation as a mysterious pill-refining master 25 26.

After pledging himself to Lu Chen, he becomes the operational backbone of Lu Chen’s activities in Hehuan Town. He guards Lu Chen’s rooms, controls access to pill commissions, manages sales, assists with disguises, and protects the interests of Lu Chen’s followers 27 33 37 45.

His rise also reverses his personal fortunes: the Zhao Household collateral descendant once discarded as a dying failure becomes a Foundation Establishment cultivator with direct access to Lu Chen’s resources and influence 24 26 33.