Tongtian

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Tongtian (通天)
Alias(es)	Shangqing Tongtian; Saint Tongtian; Sect Master Tongtian
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Three Pure Ones; Intercepting Sect / Jie Teachings
Occupation/Role	Founder and Sect Master of the Intercepting Sect; Qin Mu's master
Status	Active; severed his Heavenly Dao Saint position and karmic connection to the Heavenly Dao
First Appearance	1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Quasi-Saint	1	Identified as one of Kunlun Mountain's Three Pure Ones and accepts Qin Mu as his first disciple.
Heavenly Dao Saint / Second Saint of the Primordial Era	71	Establishes the Intercepting Sect through merit, using the Four Swords of Zhu Xian to suppress its destiny.
Primordial Grand Luo Golden Immortal, Eighth Heaven	197	The Intercepting Sect's greatly increased fortune following the Underworld's operation feeds back into Tongtian's cultivation, which breaks through to the eighth heaven.
Primordial Grand Luo Golden Immortal, Eighth Heaven	488	After severing his Saint position, Tongtian's cultivation is described as rising rather than falling, reaching the eighth heaven while freeing him from the Heavenly Dao's restraints.
Enhanced Four Swords of Zhu Xian	810	After absorbing Chaos source qi and era opportunities supplied by Qin Mu, the four swords transform into supreme killing weapons capable of slaying era Demon Gods.
Primordial Grand Supreme Luo Golden Immortal	893 894 899	After severing his Heavenly Dao restraints, Tongtian recultivates through the slaughtering Dao of the Four Swords of Zhu Xian and Pangu's Heaven-Opening Slaughter Dao.
Strengthened Immortal Slaying Sword Formation	900	His Hunyuan killing path and Heaven-Shattering Malevolent Energy make the formation more powerful than its ancient version.

Background / History

Tongtian is one of the Three Pure Ones of Kunlun Mountain and belongs to Pangu's Orthodox Lineage. While Qin Mu was still in his original Nine-Leaf Sword Grass form, Tongtian periodically visited him; after Qin Mu transformed, Tongtian accepted him as his first disciple and presented him with the Fire Spirit Pearl as an initiation gift 1 3.

At Hongjun's lecture, Tongtian received a strand of Hongmeng Purple Qi and the Four Swords of Zhu Xian. He notably questioned Hongjun over who could become a Saint, demonstrating an early focus on the Saintly path 7.

Tongtian and Yuanshi later opened Kunlun Mountain to disciples. Their differing approaches to discipline escalated when Tongtian exposed Juliu Sun's deception with a time-reversal technique and personally reduced Juliu Sun's cultivation; the dispute helped drive the Three Pure Ones apart 29 36 37. Tongtian left Kunlun Mountain and established Golden Ao Island as his Dao field 37.

Qin Mu's advice that a sect should teach the myriad beings helped Tongtian recognize his opportunity for sainthood. Tongtian entrusted Golden Ao Island and the Qingping Sword to Qin Mu before entering seclusion to comprehend this path 58 59. He subsequently founded the Intercepting Sect, declaring its purpose to be giving living beings a “sliver of hope for survival” and accepting all who possessed a heart for the Dao 71.

Tongtian continued to place exceptional trust in Qin Mu's leadership after becoming a Saint. When Qin Mu established three sect rules, Tongtian sent an incarnation to endorse them and declared that Qin Mu's words carried his own authority, securing Qin Mu's standing among the Ten Thousand Immortals 101. He also supported Qin Mu's decision to give a newly acquired strand of Hongmeng Purple Qi to Duobao rather than use it himself 129.

As the sect's fortune remained unstable, Tongtian accepted Qin Mu's proposal to relocate its Dao field from Golden Ao Island to Penglai Immortal Island. The island's Innate Dao Rhyme could suppress the fortune of a great sect, and Tongtian later moved the sect there himself 126 127 135. He established the Immortal Slaying Sword Formation as the sect's protective grand array over Penglai Immortal Island 136.

Tongtian repeatedly defended Qin Mu and the Intercepting Sect in external conflicts. During the Taiyin Star incident, he was prepared to confront the Demon Race on Qin Mu's behalf and descended personally when the dispute escalated 154 156. He later helped Qin Mu's arrangement with Candle Dragon by removing the Heavenly Dao shackles binding the ancient Dragon Race expert 269.

During the struggle over the Underworld, Tongtian firmly backed Qin Mu's claim to its authority. He refused Yuanshi's proposal to share the Underworld, deployed the Immortal Slaying Sword Formation, and fought Yuanshi, Nuwa, Jie Yin, and Zhun Ti simultaneously 181 182. Though Qin Mu ultimately broke the formation, Tongtian was pleased that his disciple secured Underworld Authority for the Intercepting Sect 187. Once the Underworld began operating, its fortune flowed into the Intercepting Sect and raised Tongtian's cultivation 197.

Later, Qin Mu gave Tongtian the Meteorite-Shattering Pill, enabling him to attempt severing his Heavenly Dao Saint position without losing his cultivation. Tongtian endured Heavenly Dao Punishment Lightning, invoked Pangu's Power through the Four Swords of Zhu Xian, and successfully cut his karmic bond with the Heavenly Dao 483 486 487. His realm reached the eighth heaven of Primordial Grand Luo Golden Immortal, establishing him as free from the Heavenly Dao's restraints 488 490.

Following his transcendence, Tongtian refused to disclose the Meteorite-Shattering Pill's role to Laozi, Yuanshi, Nuwa, Jie Yin, and Zhun Ti, allowing them to believe that his success arose from a heart capable of defying heaven 491 492 493. He remained a central defender of the Eastern Heavenly Court and the Human Race, but his Immortal Slaying Sword Formation was eventually broken by Yuanshi and three other Saints during the conflict for Hongmeng Purple Qi, leaving him injured alongside Di Zun 661 663.

When Yang Jian marched upon Peach Mountain to rescue his mother, Tongtian ordered the entirety of the Intercepting Sect to support his grand-disciple against the Heavenly Court 749. He later welcomed Lu Ya as an outer sect Dharma Protector Elder and celebrated Duobao's attainment of sainthood, which made the Intercepting Sect a sect with two Saints 810 816.

After recultivating his slaughter path and entering the Primordial Grand Supreme Luo Golden Immortal realm, Tongtian met privately with Qin Mu. He took pride in his disciple's achievements and, reassured of their bond, departed with the Four Swords of Zhu Xian to defend Duobao, Great Shang, and the Intercepting Sect at Sishui Pass 893 894. His arrival reversed the sect's desperate position: he severely injured Jie Yin and Zhun Ti, then trapped Xiqi's forces inside the Immortal Slaying Sword Formation 899. He cut apart Jie Yin's White Jade Divine Banner and devastated Zhun Ti's many-headed Dharma form, refusing to spare the Western leaders because of their past persecution of his disciples 901.

Guangchengzi, Randeng, Ji Fa, and the Nine-Tailed Fox subsequently entered the formation to aid the Western leaders, leaving Tongtian besieged by six Saint-level opponents 904. The Intercepting Sect's Ten Thousand Immortals entered to protect him and briefly reinforced the formation, but suffered severe casualties. As its defenses failed, Tongtian prepared to detonate the formation and perish with his enemies rather than allow his disciples to be destroyed 905 906. He later stood against the Dark Night Monarch after the latter released Heavenly Dao Realm power. The formation's gates ultimately collapsed under a demonic strike, and Tongtian suffered grave injuries while refusing to yield 911 913.

After Xiqi's defeat and the settlement of the Investiture conflict, Tongtian cautioned Qin Mu against immediately visiting Kunlun Mountain to retrieve the Investiture List and God-Striking Whip. He feared the recovering Primordial Heavenly Demon and Qin Mu's exhaustion from battle, but recognized the importance of the treasures to both his disciple's path and the sect's victory 928.

Appearance

Tongtian is depicted as a black-haired man in flowing green robes. When manifesting his Saintly presence, chaotic energy surrounds him and even the laws of the Heavenly Dao tremble under his aura 71.

• Flowing green robe 32 71
• Black hair, often described as flying in the wind 71 483
• Sword-like brows and eyes compared to rotating galaxies 32
• Has also appeared in a purple robe and jade crown while seated in Biyou Palace 57
• Carries the Qingping Sword, a cyan longsword with a black blade and scabbard entwined by green lotuses 59
• Displays Pangu Dao Patterns and chaotic eyes when wielding Pangu's Power 487

Personality

Tongtian is decisive, protective of his disciples, and willing to confront stronger opposition for their sake. He accepts Qin Mu's guidance on matters such as founding the Intercepting Sect and stabilizing its fortune, while repeatedly placing trust in Qin Mu's judgment 58 126 127.

He is also uncompromising toward Yuanshi and other rivals. He refused to divide Underworld Authority, challenged four Saints with his sword formation, and later denied Laozi and Yuanshi the secret behind his transcendence 181 182 491 492.

Tongtian's protectiveness extends to the entire Intercepting Sect. He considers persecution of its members a challenge to the sect itself, ordering all disciples to aid Yang Jian at Peach Mountain so the Three Realms would know the consequences of bullying Intercepting Sect disciples 749.

Despite his severity in conflict, Tongtian takes visible pride in Qin Mu's achievements, praising him after victories against Yuanshi and regarding him as an extraordinary disciple 424 566. He also openly celebrates the growth of the sect's other disciples, including Duobao's attainment of sainthood 816.

Tongtian's bond with his disciples remains central to him even after he surpasses his former Saintly cultivation. Their decision to risk their lives defending him moves and angers him; when they face annihilation, he is willing to sacrifice himself to take their attackers down with him 905 906. He also remains concerned for Qin Mu's safety despite recognizing that his disciple has grown stronger than himself 893 928.

Abilities & Skills

Saintly and Primordial Grand Luo Cultivation

Tongtian possesses immense cultivation as a former Heavenly Dao Saint, later reaching the eighth heaven of Primordial Grand Luo Golden Immortal after breaking free of the Heavenly Dao 71 488. He subsequently enters the Primordial Grand Supreme Luo Golden Immortal realm through his slaughter path 893 894 899.

• Fought four Saints alone during the conflict for Underworld Authority 182 183.
• His cultivation advanced through the fortune generated by the functioning Underworld and the Intercepting Sect's rise 197.
• His released pressure overwhelmed Yuanshi after his breakthrough 492.
• His presence can manifest across the Primordial World and draw the attention of other Saints 71 135.
• Though no longer bound by the Heavenly Dao, he continues to bear responsibility for the Intercepting Sect and its disciples 635.
• His renewed swordsmanship severely injured Jie Yin and Zhun Ti and destroyed Jie Yin's bound White Jade Divine Banner 899 901.
• He endured a strike from the Heavenly Dao Realm Dark Night Monarch, though it gravely injured him and broke the gates of his formation 911 913.

Immortal Slaying Sword Formation

Tongtian's defining combat formation is formed from the Four Swords of Zhu Xian, placed in the four cardinal directions with the Zhu Xian Formation Diagram 136 182.

• Can confront multiple Saints simultaneously 182 183.
• Was deployed over Penglai Immortal Island as the Intercepting Sect's protective grand array 136.
• Was used to shield the Intercepting Sect during the Taiyin Star conflict 156.
• Required the combined effort of four Saints to break during a later conflict 663.
• Was stabilized and empowered with Pangu's Power during Tongtian's tribulation 487.
• Its four swords can merge into a single strike capable of forming a Chaos Great Axe phantom 487.
• The Four Swords later absorbed Chaos source qi and era opportunities, becoming capable of slaying era Demon Gods 810.
• Its later form, strengthened by Heaven-Shattering Malevolent Energy and Tongtian's Hunyuan killing path, trapped Xiqi's forces and withstood attacks by multiple Saint-level opponents 899 900 904.
• The Intercepting Sect disciples temporarily reinforced it by entering the formation, but its gates later collapsed under the Dark Night Monarch's power 905 911 913.

Pangu's Power

At the height of the Heavenly Dao tribulation, Tongtian awakened and unleashed power originating from Pangu 487.

• Imbued the Four Swords of Zhu Xian with Chaos sharpness 487.
• Reinforced the failing Zhu Xian Formation against Heavenly Dao Punishment Lightning 487.
• Enabled Tongtian to sever his Saint position and Heavenly Dao karmic ties 487 488.
• Tongtian later recultivated Pangu's Heaven-Opening Slaughter Dao, advancing beyond his former cultivation as a Heavenly Dao Saint 899.

Time-Reversal Technique

Tongtian can reverse time to investigate past events and expose deception 36.

• Used it to reveal the truth behind the dispute over the Nine-Leaf Lingzhi 36.
• Established Juliu Sun's guilt before personally lowering his cultivation 36.

Artifact Refinement

Tongtian is a capable master craftsman 572.

• Refined Divine Iron into the Ruyi Golden Cudgel over several days 572.
• Used Zhu Xian Sword Fire as a furnace and his Primordial Dao Fruit as a hammer during the refinement process 572.
• The finished weapon was used by Da Yu in his attempt to suppress the East Sea's sea eye 572.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Four Swords of Zhu Xian — Four Top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasures bestowed by Hongjun together with their formation diagram; used to suppress the Intercepting Sect's destiny and form the Immortal Slaying Sword Formation 7 71 182. After absorbing Chaos source qi and era opportunities, they became supreme killing weapons capable of slaying era Demon Gods 810. Free of the Heavenly Dao's restraints, they reveal more of the destructive power of their Pangu-derived Heaven-Shattering Malevolent Energy 899.
• Zhu Xian Formation Diagram — The formation diagram bestowed alongside the Four Swords of Zhu Xian; it serves as the foundation of the Immortal Slaying Sword Formation 7 136. It cracked during Tongtian's siege by six Saint-level opponents and later broke apart under the Dark Night Monarch's attack 904 913.
• Qingping Sword — Tongtian's personal sword, temporarily entrusted to Qin Mu during his seclusion 59.
• Sword Talisman — A talisman containing a strand of Tongtian's Sword Qi, given to Qin Mu for protection during his early travels; it could slay a Daluo Golden Immortal and briefly restrain a Quasi-Saint 16.
• Ruyi Golden Cudgel — A weapon Tongtian forged from Divine Iron for use in suppressing the East Sea's sea eye 572.
• Meteorite-Shattering Pill — Given to and consumed by Tongtian on Qin Mu's advice; it allowed him to sever his connection to the Heavenly Dao without losing cultivation 483 488.

Relationships

• Qin Mu — First and eldest disciple of the Intercepting Sect. Tongtian accepted Qin Mu early, entrusted him with Golden Ao Island and the Qingping Sword, followed his counsel on sect affairs, and repeatedly defended him against other Saints 1 59 126 181. Tongtian regards Qin Mu with immense pride and trusts him even in decisions affecting the sect's destiny and Tongtian's own transcendence 483 566 810. Although Qin Mu eventually surpasses him, their mutual respect remains intact; Tongtian later warns him against risking himself at Kunlun while still acknowledging the importance of his goal 893 894 928.
• Duobao — Disciple and later the Intercepting Sect's second Saint. Tongtian entrusted sect affairs to Qin Mu during seclusion but later expressed helplessness over Duobao's continued obsession with attaining Heavenly Dao sainthood 59 490. He ordered Duobao to lead the Ten Thousand Immortals in supporting Yang Jian, and later celebrated Duobao's successful attainment of sainthood 749 816. Tongtian marched to Sishui Pass in part to protect him; Duobao later led the disciples into Tongtian's endangered formation 894 905.
• Laozi — Eldest brother among the Three Pure Ones. Laozi mediated the conflict that led to their separation; Tongtian later refused to share the method behind his severance of the Saint position 37 491.
• Yuanshi / Primordial Heavenly Venerate — Former brother and increasingly open rival. Their disciplinary dispute split the Three Pure Ones, and they later opposed one another over the Underworld and Tongtian's method of transcendence 36 181 492. Yuanshi later joined three Saints in breaking Tongtian's Immortal Slaying Sword Formation 663.
• Empress Pingxin — Ruler of the Underworld. She receives Tongtian respectfully because he is Qin Mu's master and assists him in checking on Qin Mu during his secluded cultivation 281.
• Hongjun — Teacher who granted Tongtian Hongmeng Purple Qi and the Four Swords of Zhu Xian. Hongjun was shocked by Tongtian's successful severance from the Heavenly Dao 7 488 494.
• Candle Dragon — Ancient Dragon Race expert whom Tongtian helped free from the Heavenly Dao shackles at Qin Mu's request, advancing Qin Mu's alliance between the Four Seas Dragon Race and the Intercepting Sect 128 269.
• Yang Jian — Qin Mu's disciple and Tongtian's grand-disciple. Tongtian mobilized the entire Intercepting Sect to support Yang Jian's effort to split Peach Mountain and rescue his mother 749.
• Lu Ya — An outer sect Dharma Protector Elder accepted into the Intercepting Sect with Tongtian's approval. Tongtian promised that the sect would shoulder Lu Ya's karmic troubles from the previous era 810.
• Jie Yin and Zhun Ti — Western Teaching leaders and longstanding opponents. Tongtian fought them over Underworld Authority and later severely wounded both at Sishui Pass. He refused their pleas for mercy, citing their persecution of Intercepting Sect disciples 182 899 901.
• Dark Night Monarch — Survivor of previous eras who opposed Tongtian and the Intercepting Sect at Sishui Pass. Tongtian challenged him despite his superior, sealed power and remained standing after the Monarch's attack shattered the sword formation 911 913.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Founding the Intercepting Sect

Tongtian realizes his Saintly opportunity through Qin Mu's guidance, establishes the Intercepting Sect for beings lacking a path to cultivation, and becomes the second Saint of the Primordial Era 58 71.

Relocation to Penglai Immortal Island

Concerned by the sect's unstable fortune, Tongtian accepts Qin Mu's discovery of Penglai Immortal Island and relocates the Intercepting Sect's Dao field there to stabilize its destiny 126 127 135.

Underworld Authority Conflict

Tongtian protects Qin Mu's claim over the Underworld, rejects Yuanshi's demand to divide authority, and battles four Saints through the Immortal Slaying Sword Formation 181 182.

Severing the Heavenly Dao Saint Position

With Qin Mu's Meteorite-Shattering Pill, Tongtian openly renounces his Heavenly Dao Saint position. He survives the Heavenly Dao's punishment, breaks free of its restraints, and advances to the eighth heaven of Primordial Grand Luo Golden Immortal 483 487 488.

Eastern and Western Heavenly Court Conflict

Tongtian intervenes when Yuanshi's faction moves against the Eastern Heavenly Court and the Human Race. He deploys the Immortal Slaying Sword Formation but is defeated and injured when Yuanshi and three other Saints jointly break the formation 661 663.

Peach Mountain Mobilization

After Yang Jian marches against the Heavenly Court to rescue his mother, Tongtian commands the Ten Thousand Immortals of the Intercepting Sect to support his grand-disciple, bringing the sect openly into conflict with the Heavenly Court and Western Teachings 749 760.

Rise of the Two-Saint Intercepting Sect

Tongtian welcomes Lu Ya into the sect, presides over the continued rise of the Intercepting Sect, and celebrates Duobao's ascension as the sect's second Saint 810 816.

Battle at Sishui Pass

Having advanced through his slaughter Dao, Tongtian goes to Sishui Pass to defend Great Shang and his disciples. He overwhelms Jie Yin and Zhun Ti within his strengthened Immortal Slaying Sword Formation, but four more Saint-level enemies enter to besiege him. The Ten Thousand Immortals risk their lives to reinforce the formation; as their losses mount, Tongtian prepares to sacrifice himself rather than abandon them 893 894 899 901 904 905 906. He subsequently defies the Dark Night Monarch's unleashed Heavenly Dao Realm power and survives a devastating strike that shatters the formation's gates 911 913.

Aftermath of the Investiture Conflict

Following Xiqi's defeat, Tongtian urges the battle-worn Qin Mu to be cautious about confronting the recovering Primordial Heavenly Demon at Kunlun. He nevertheless understands Qin Mu's intention to recover the Investiture treasures as the final spoils of the sect's victory 928.

Notable Quotes

“'Intercept' means to intercept a sliver of hope for survival from heaven and earth!” 71

“I am Pangu's Orthodox Lineage! How can I be forever trapped beneath the heavens?” 487

“A heart that defies the heavens!” 492

“I want the Three Realms to see what fate awaits those who bully my Jie Teachings Disciples!” 749

“Today, neither of you will leave this Immortal-Slaying Formation alive.” 901

Trivia

• Tongtian was the second Saint of the Primordial Era, becoming a Saint before Yuanshi and Laozi 71 72 111.
• Qin Mu's guidance was central to Tongtian recognizing both his path to sainthood and the solution to the Intercepting Sect's declining fortune 58 126 127.
• Tongtian's successful renunciation of the Saint position shocked Hongjun and the other Saints because his cultivation increased instead of declining 488 489.
• Tongtian converted the Immortal Slaying Sword Formation into the Intercepting Sect's protective grand array after relocating to Penglai Immortal Island 136.
• The Four Swords of Zhu Xian later became powerful enough to slay era Demon Gods after receiving Chaos source qi and era opportunities 810.
• Duobao's eventual attainment of sainthood made the Intercepting Sect a sect with two Saints under Tongtian's leadership 816.
• By the Sishui Pass conflict, Tongtian had reached the Primordial Grand Supreme Luo Golden Immortal realm through his recultivated slaughter path 893 894 899.