Duobao

Biodata

Power Progression

• Realm inconsistency: A later passage describes Duobao as an Early-stage Quasi-Saint, despite the earlier Mid-stage designation. No intervening regression is documented 13 38.
• Projected advancement: Zhunti predicts that Duobao could soon reach Peak Quasi-Saint through the Western Wondrous Dharma, but this remains an expectation rather than an achieved realm 13.

Background / History

Chief disciple and cultivation bottleneck

Duobao is Tongtian’s first disciple and receives preferential cultivation resources. His rank as chief disciple places him above the Seven Attendant Immortals within the Interception Sect 28 47.

By the time Tongtian recalls the disciples to Jin’ao Island, Duobao has been away from the sect for over ten thousand years. Frustrated by a bottleneck lasting millions of years, he feels that the sect’s immortal arts do not suit him and becomes increasingly interested in Buddhist principles 13 34.

The Western Sages’ recruitment scheme

After losing Long-Eared Dingguang Immortal, Jieyin and Zhunti select Duobao as their next target. They value his Buddhist affinity, Quasi-Saint strength, profound origin, and treasure-seeking true form, which could supply the Western Teachings with additional Dharma treasures 6.

The Sages create an illusory temple where Duobao meditates before a Buddha statue. Although he worries that studying Western Dharma would betray Tongtian’s kindness, the statue gradually influences his mind. He accepts a prayer bead whose Buddhist intent calms his emotions and reaches into his primordial spirit, believing it might help him overcome his bottleneck 13.

Unknown to Duobao, the bead is intended to plant a Buddhist seed and make Daoist cultivation insufficient for him, eventually drawing him to the Western Teachings. Tongtian’s urgent summons interrupts his stay, and Duobao departs out of concern that the sect may be facing a crisis 13.

Meeting Lin Tian

Near the sect’s territory, Duobao debates whether to bring the bead home and resolves to consult Tongtian if necessary. Its reaction to a faint Buddhist presence leads him to a courtyard that his divine sense had failed to detect 34.

Duobao introduces himself to its owner, Lin Tian, as the wandering immortal “Dabao” to conceal his pursuit of Buddhist teachings. He traces the presence to three books and receives permission to examine them. The courtyard’s spiritual Qi, denser than that of Biyou Palace, makes him question Lin Tian’s apparent Heavenly Immortal cultivation 35 36.

The title Buddha Is the Dao suggests a path that could reconcile his interests without abandoning the Dao. Duobao exchanges his prayer bead for the book, considering its philosophy more valuable and easier to bring openly into the sect 36 37.

His encounter with Yazi as Lin Tian’s obedient guard pet, followed by a guqin capable of threatening his primordial spirit, convinces him that Lin Tian conceals extraordinary power. Although he initially leaves, the aroma of fish soup draws him back. After drinking it and strengthening his primordial spirit, he gives Lin Tian an Innate Spiritual Treasure axe in repayment 38 39 40 41.

Tongtian’s examination

The Great Dao Diary warns Tongtian that Duobao will betray the sect and be taken west by Taishang. These are predictions, not events that have occurred in the documented story; they prompt Tongtian to investigate his disciple 16 32 33.

Upon Duobao’s return, Tongtian examines his primordial spirit and discovers traces of Western methods. Duobao acknowledges the influence but argues that Buddha Is the Dao can remove it and guide him toward a suitable cultivation path. Reading the book’s introduction substantially eases Tongtian’s anger 47 48.

Duobao conceals Lin Tian’s involvement, claiming to have found the book at a mysterious cliff. Tongtian returns it and orders him to study diligently, warning that he will cleanse Duobao’s primordial spirit if the Western influence overtakes his Dao foundation. Privately, Tongtian decides to watch him constantly and considers erasing his consciousness if necessary 48.

Appearance

• Human appearance: A bald young man with an honest, good-natured face and deep, profound eyes 13 40.
• Cultivation signs: While meditating in the Western Sages’ temple, he radiates golden Buddhist light, though faint baleful Qi remains between his brows 13.
• True form: Possesses an innate ability to seek treasures; its species and physical appearance are not identified 6.

Personality

Duobao is torn between gratitude to Tongtian and the desire to improve his cultivation. He recognizes that pursuing Western Dharma could hurt his master and trouble his conscience, yet his prolonged bottleneck makes the prospect difficult to resist 13 34.

He is courteous and conscious of appearances, but willing to endure embarrassment for a valuable opportunity. He asks permission before examining Lin Tian’s books and returns for fish soup despite having already declined a meal. After benefiting from the soup, he insists on repaying the karmic debt with a treasure 36 40 41.

His curiosity about treasures extends beyond acquiring them: he enjoys the search itself. He is also secretive when protecting his interests, adopting a false identity before Lin Tian and later withholding Lin Tian’s identity from Tongtian so that he can preserve a possible source of Buddhist guidance 35 39 48.

Abilities & Skills

Innate Treasure Seeking

Duobao’s true form grants him a natural talent for locating treasures 6.

• Detects the fleeting presence near Lin Tian’s courtyard with the prayer bead’s assistance 34.
• Recognizes subtle Buddhist intent and Dao-law fluctuations in Lin Tian’s books 35.
• Has accumulated numerous magical treasures through his own searches 39.

Primordial Spirit and Divine Sense

Duobao regards his searching ability as the best among second-generation disciples, while acknowledging that Xuandu and Randeng are stronger overall 34.

• Uses primordial spirit power to scan his surroundings and investigate spiritual objects 34 39.
• Initially fails to detect Lin Tian’s courtyard 34.
• Cannot withstand the guqin’s backlash: its power crushes his attempt to lock onto it and nearly injures his primordial spirit 39.

Affinity for Buddhist Dharma

Jieyin identifies Duobao as possessing clear Buddhist roots, and Duobao finds his own state of mind unusually compatible with Western Dharma 6 13.

• The prayer bead calms his emotions and introduces Buddhist intent into his primordial spirit 13.
• Its influence persists after he gives the bead away 43 47.
• He believes Buddha Is the Dao can reconcile his cultivation interests and remove the unwanted Western influence; successful purification is not yet shown 47 48.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Duobao Pagoda — A treasure he considers one of his few particularly valuable possessions when choosing what to exchange for Lin Tian’s book. Its abilities are not described 37.
• Buddhist prayer bead — Obtained in the Western Sages’ illusory temple and secretly designed to influence his Dao heart. He trades it to Lin Tian, who later gives it to Yazi to play with 13 29 37 42.
• Buddha Is the Dao — Acquired from Lin Tian in exchange for the bead. Its teaching that all things and laws belong to the Dao offers Duobao a possible cultivation path; Tongtian permits him to retain it 37 48.
• Innate Spiritual Treasure axe — Obtained from Hongjun’s Treasure Distribution Rock and said to bear traces of the Heaven-Opening Divine Axe’s presence. Duobao gives it to Lin Tian for the fish soup, only to learn that Lin Tian intends to use it for chopping firewood 41.

Relationships

• Tongtian — Master and sect leader. Initially trusts and favors Duobao, but becomes suspicious after the diary’s warnings and the discovery of Western influence. Allows him to study the book while keeping him under surveillance 33 47 48.
• Lin Tian — Benefactor whom Duobao meets under the name Dabao. Supplies Buddha Is the Dao and nourishing fish soup; Duobao increasingly regards him as a concealed expert and hides his identity from Tongtian 35 37 41 48.
• Jieyin and Zhunti — Covert recruiters who exploit his Buddhist affinity and cultivation frustration. Their plan remains active even after they lose track of the prayer bead 6 13 43.
• Zhao Gongming — Fellow senior disciple who notices Duobao’s absence from the sect gathering and expresses concern 14.
• Yazi / Erha — A Dragon Clan heir Duobao recognizes from an earlier encounter. Seeing him serve as Lin Tian’s guard pet strengthens Duobao’s belief that Lin Tian is no ordinary cultivator 38.
• Taishang — Named in the diary’s prediction as the figure who will take Duobao to the West; no such transfer has occurred in the documented chapters 32 33.

Notable Quotes

“One who has mastered the way can be my teacher. Perhaps I can ask for guidance on the Western Wondrous Dharma.” 34

“Although I was influenced by the Western Wondrous Dharma, this book seems not only able to remove the intent of the Wondrous Dharma from my heart, but also to correct my Dao and guide me along a Dao suited to me!” 47