Daoist Master Yihong

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Daoist Master Yihong (义泓道长)
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Quanzhen Longmen Sect; Baiyun Temple in Yandu; Grand Luo Palace
Occupation/Role	Elder of Baiyun Temple; collector of scattered Longmen scriptures; elder of Grand Luo Palace; master of Grand Luo Temple in Changping Prefecture 92 100 233
Status	Active 443
First Appearance	Chapter 21

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Internal Breath True Qi	99	Already possessed True Qi, though he described it as shallow; this allowed him to accept Gu Zhao's claims of a cultivation opportunity more readily than an ordinary person. 99
Mana recovery and new cultivation method	101	Recovered his mana in seclusion after entering the other world. The Qi Body Source Flow and Eight Section Brocade suited him particularly well, leading him to comprehend a powerful new skill. 101
Deity invocation	102	Invoked Lord Guan, enlarging and strengthening his body; he used a Bronze Staff to overpower a Beast Bloodline cultivator and two allies. 102
Cloud-riding	163	While helping create rain to extinguish a mountain fire, he spontaneously formed a cloud beneath his feet and learned to fly, then concealed himself with True Qi. 163

Background / History

Daoist Master Yihong was already a highly respected elder within the modern Daoist community when he arrived at Yuanfa Palace. Despite the formal reception from provincial and municipal Taoist Association leaders, he declined to put on airs, greeting Taoists of every age personally. 21

His examination of Hui Bin's Five Thunder Talisman brought him into Gu Zhao's orbit. He was astonished that its creator had drawn and consecrated it on the spot without incense, purification, meditation, or a personal consecration ritual. He judged the unknown young man to be a rare natural talent and instructed those present to notify him if they found him. 22 23

Yihong later confirmed that Gu Zhao's talisman for Xiao Yanhua was a genuine spiritual talisman with unusually restrained spiritual power. He credited the talisman—not rest and sunbathing—for Xiao Yanhua's improved health, and openly admitted that Gu Zhao was stronger than himself in talisman-making. 56

After tracing both the Five Thunder Talisman and Heavenly Dipper Talisman back to Gu Zhao, Yihong traveled to Yangcheng to meet him. He invited Gu Zhao to Penglai Immortal Hall's centennial ceremony, partly to let him observe orthodox Ritual Services and partly to introduce him to Yun Yang, another young cultivator with Internal Breath True Qi. 91

Following the Penglai ceremony, Gu Zhao and Daoist Yansong revealed their powers and offered Yihong a place in their undertaking: cultivation, ascension, and the dangerous duty of eliminating demons and monsters. Yihong accepted immediately after learning that the work was fundamentally righteous. 99

He crossed into the other world, accepted a position as an elder of the developing Grand Luo Palace, and helped shape its early strategy: eliminate nearby demonic threats, accumulate merit, protect the populace, and establish control of Changping Prefecture before confronting the Golden Wind Sect. 100

Appearance

Yihong is an elderly, gray-haired Daoist who is over eighty years old. He is normally a thin man a little over 1.6 meters tall, but becomes markedly larger and more imposing when invoking Lord Guan. 21 99 102 233

• Often wears a blue linen Daoist robe and a Hun Yuan Scarf. 21
• Usually presents a gentle, smiling, approachable demeanor. 21 92
• Takes on a powerful martial bearing and forceful presence in battle. 102 109

Personality

Yihong is benevolent, devout, steadfast, and highly regarded for his dedication to preserving Longmen scriptures. Gu Zhao specifically considers him more resolute and principled than Daoist Yansong. 92

He is cautious about extraordinary offers and refuses to accept benefits without knowing their cost. When Yansong offered him a chance to become an immortal, Yihong immediately asked about the risks and was prepared to reject the proposal if it required wrongdoing. 99

His gentleness does not extend to those who prey on others. At Penglai Immortal Hall, he used his influence to compel Wang Runheng to settle overdue debts and donate funds before accepting help against Yin Evil Qi. In the other world, he kills violent demons and bandits decisively. 94 102 142

Yihong has an enthusiastic love of Peking opera, especially red-faced roles. This fondness informs his Lord Guan invocation and his theatrical declarations in combat. 104 109

Abilities & Skills

Internal Breath True Qi and Mana

Yihong possesses Internal Breath True Qi and later develops deeper mana after joining Grand Luo Palace.

• Can paralyze another cultivator through direct True Qi transmission. 94
• Can sense the spiritual power concealed within a genuine talisman at close range. 56
• Removed the restrictions placed on Yoshino Yuki and Tsuchimikado Hiroya after their compensation was accepted. 108
• Uses True Qi to conceal himself while flying. 163

Lord Guan Invocation

By combining the Qi Body Source Flow and Eight Section Brocade, Yihong can invoke Lord Guan and greatly enhance his physical body.

• Grows more than thirty centimeters taller within moments. 102
• Gains overwhelming strength and durability, allowing him to dominate opponents with Beast Bloodlines. 102
• Uses the invoked state to wield heavy weapons as though they were light. 117
• His aggressive combat style surprises even Gu Zhao and Daoist Yansong. 102

Golden Light Divine Spell

Yihong employs the Golden Light Divine Spell as a defense against Yin and corpse-related malevolent energy.

• Creates five points of golden light that burn away Yin Malevolent cold energy. 152
• Protected the group from the Stone King's hostile aura within Stone King Cave. 152
• Supported his close-quarters assault against the Stone King. 152

Weapon Mastery

Yihong is an accomplished heavy-weapon fighter whose combat style centers on decisive, powerful strikes.

• Defeated Three Absolutes Mountain's burly Beast Bloodline cultivator and his two companions using a Bronze Staff. 102
• Beheaded the White Wolf King with a single sweep of the Azure Dragon Crescent Blade after Gu Zhao and Yansong cornered it. 111
• Matched the Black Bear King in strength despite the demon's much larger body. 117
• Wounded the Stone King through its protective corpse qi and later beheaded it after Gu Zhao suppressed its spirit. 152 154

Weather Magic and Cloud-Riding

Yihong can participate in large-scale rain-making and cloud manipulation.

• Assisted Gu Zhao, Yansong, and Mingyu in gathering clouds and creating winter rain to extinguish a mountain fire. 163
• Uses a cloud as a mount, achieving sustained flight. 163

Spirit Gathering Technique

Yihong can gather mana and spiritual qi through a weapon.

• Formed a vortex of mana and spiritual qi at the tip of his Bronze Staff. 103
• His increased combat power after using the technique left the Black Bear King with almost no chance to retaliate. 103

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Azure Dragon Crescent Blade — A 2.2-meter, thirty-two-kilogram crescent blade forged for Yihong; his primary weapon in later battles. 105
• Bronze Staff — An improvised weapon used during the Cuiluo Mountain battle and as a focus for his Spirit Gathering Technique. 102 103
• Defensive artifact — Used to counter the Black Bear King's desperate charge. 117
• Submarine steel weapons — Yihong arranged for obsolete submarine steel to be forged into cold weapons for Grand Luo Palace. 104 229

Relationships

• Gu Zhao — Fellow cultivator and Grand Luo Palace's sect leader; Yihong recognized Gu Zhao's exceptional talisman talent, invited him to Penglai Immortal Hall, and later joined his cross-realm endeavor as an elder. 22 91 99 100
• Daoist Yansong — Fellow senior Daoist and combat partner; Yansong helped recruit Yihong and frequently fights beside him. 99 109 154
• Yun Yang — Junior fellow Daoist whom Yihong sought to introduce to Gu Zhao; Yihong later guides him during the Penglai incident. 91 94
• Daoist Master Mingyu — Fellow Grand Luo Palace elder; the two engage in a friendly Quanzhen–Zhengyi debate and cooperate against demonic threats. 130 152
• Daoist Master Yiguan — Fellow Daoist and trusted contact; Yiguan alerted Yihong when the Golden Dipper Bracelet's effects drew outside attention. 56 233
• Daoist Master Xiuxun — Penglai Immortal Hall Daoist whom Yihong overawed with True Qi before taking charge of Wang Runheng's case. 94

Story Role / Major Arcs

Discovery of Gu Zhao

Yihong becomes one of the first established Daoists to recognize the genuine power in Gu Zhao's talismans. His assessments validate Gu Zhao's abilities before the wider Daoist community and set up their eventual meeting. 22 56

Penglai Immortal Hall Centennial Ceremony

He brings Gu Zhao to Hong Kong City, introduces him to Yun Yang, and acts as an authority during Wang Runheng's Yin Evil Qi incident. He uses the opportunity to demand accountability from Wang before allowing the curse to be addressed. 91 94

Recruitment into Grand Luo Palace

After witnessing Palm Thunder, Yansong's fire arts, and the turtle shell's defensive power, Yihong joins Gu Zhao and Yansong. He enters the other world, becomes a Grand Luo Palace elder, and begins cultivating with its resources. 99 100 101

Early Changping Campaigns

Yihong becomes Grand Luo Palace's foremost heavy-combatant during its war against local bandits and demons. He defeats Three Absolutes Mountain disciples, beheads the White Wolf King, and confronts the Black Bear King and Stone King. 102 111 117 152 154

Protection of the People

Yihong destroys a shrine operated by weasel spirits that were draining local people of vital energy. He shares the benefits left by the spirits with the townspeople, earning their respect. 142

Modern-World Liaison

As an elder of Baiyun Temple with extensive connections, Yihong helps Grand Luo Palace maintain a credible modern-world presence. His reputation and relationships make him a key intermediary when outside authorities seek contact with Gu Zhao. 194 229 233

Notable Quotes

“The drawback is that you'll have to start acting righteously, slaying demons and vanquishing monsters, fighting those wicked but incredibly powerful demons and monsters. There might be a risk to your life.” 99

“I'm in!” 99

“During the War of Resistance, we held guns in one hand and incense in the other.” 108

“Declare your name! My blade does not kill the nameless!” 109

Trivia

• Yihong had spent years traveling to collect scattered Dragon Gate scriptures before joining Grand Luo Palace. 92 99
• Though over eighty, he insists that he is “old, not frail.” 21 99
• He commissioned his Azure Dragon Crescent Blade from submarine steel because he did not trust ordinary steel to endure combat in the other world. 104 105
• His battle persona is heavily influenced by Peking opera's red-faced roles and his reverence for Lord Guan. 104