Grand Master Xuan Du is a character from the web novel “My Senior Brother is Too Steady” (我师兄实在太稳健了) and its derivative works, written by Yan Gui Zheng Zhuan (言归正传). He is Li Changshou’s senior brother and the first disciple of the Human Sect (人教).

Character Overview

Full Name: Grand Master Xuan Du

Chinese Name: 玄都大法师 (Xuan Du Da Fashi)

Gender: Male

Work: My Senior Brother is Too Steady (我师兄实在太稳健了)

Sect: Human Sect (人教)

Character Appearance

Background: The first disciple of the Human Sect, and Li Changshou’s senior brother. He is said to be among the first humans created in the world, without parents, formed from clay by the Goddess Nüwa. He carries a trace of merit from the creation of humanity and also bears the fortune of the Human Sect.

Identity: Because Lao Tzu is the senior brother of the Three Pure Ones (三清), this Grand Master, although entering the small courtyard on Kunlun Mountain slightly later, was honored as “Senior Brother” with the ringing of the golden bell by Guangchengzi, the first disciple of the Chan Sect (阐教) and Yu Xu Palace (玉虚宫), and by the chief disciple of the Jie Sect (截教), Daoist Duobao (多宝道人).

Daoist Title: The Grand Master doesn’t have a formally bestowed Daoist title because the Grand Pure One Sage (太清圣人) hasn’t granted one, to prevent him from being burdened with “adult karma.” Because he’s referred to as Grand Master under the control of the Grand Pure One Sage, over time, this expert has accepted the title — Grand Master Xuan Du. From then on, the name “Xuan Du” can be used to refer to this chief disciple and also carries a “place name” connotation.

Abilities and Powers

Although Grand Master Xuan Du doesn’t possess his own spiritual treasures, he can readily borrow several important treasures of the Human Sect, such as the Taiji Diagram (太极图), the Xuanhuang Pagoda (玄黄塔), the Prayer Mat (蒲团), and the Leaving Earth Flame Light Banner (离地焰光旗). His own Dao cultivation is unfathomable, far surpassing the weight of the Grand Pure One Sage’s nominal disciples.

Spiritual Treasures

Heaven and Earth Xuanhuang Exquisite Pagoda (天地玄黄玲珑宝塔): A congenital spiritual treasure formed from the Primordial Xuanhuang Mother Qi. It was obtained by Lao Tzu, one of the Three Pure Ones. When Lao Tzu became a sage, he only lacked a trace of opportunity. He established the Human Sect to gain merit, but the Heavenly Dao bestowed too much, so Lao Tzu didn’t want to be stained by merit and injected most of his sagehood merit into this pagoda. Holding this pagoda above one’s head renders one invincible, making it comparable to the “Three Treasures of Creation” — the Pangu Banner (盘古幡), the Taiji Diagram, and the Eastern Emperor Bell (东皇钟) – treasures of the same level. It can communicate with its wielder via spiritual thoughts. Because it’s been cooped up beside Lao Tzu for too long and Lao Tzu refuses to communicate with it, it speaks a lot to Grand Master Xuan Du and Li Changshou. It has a great fondness for Yunxiao’s Hunyuan Golden Dou (混元金斗).

Yin-Yang Taiji Diagram (阴阳太极图): A congenital spiritual treasure. Controlled by Lao Tzu, one of the Three Pure Ones. It can conceal heavenly secrets and monitor all parts of the Primordial world. It can even ignore all obstacles and teleport at will between places where it has planted a “seed.” Of course, it’s difficult to plant this seed; it requires an expert with a deep understanding of the Yin-Yang Dao and the cooperation of the Taiji Diagram to cross the Chaos Sea. It can also observe the future, and its calculation power is the strongest among all treasures. It can communicate with its wielder via spiritual thoughts, but unlike the Xuanhuang Pagoda, it speaks very little. Actively activating the Taiji Diagram consumes a great deal of immortal power, and the mind can easily be shattered by the Taiji’s Yin-Yang intent. Besides the Grand Pure One, neither Li Changshou nor Grand Master Xuan Du can fully activate the Taiji Diagram.

Qiankun Ruler (乾坤尺): A congenital spiritual treasure refined by the Grand Pure One Sage. This ruler is shaped like a blunt sword and has struck the Eastern Emperor Bell and slapped the soul of Kunpeng. It is considered a rare offensive spiritual treasure of the Human Sect. It can communicate with its wielder via spiritual thoughts.

Prayer Mat (蒲团): A congenital spiritual treasure. Controlled by Lao Tzu, one of the Three Pure Ones. It can communicate with its wielder via spiritual thoughts.

Leaving Earth Flame Light Banner (离地焰光旗): A congenital spiritual treasure. Controlled by Lao Tzu, one of the Three Pure Ones. It can communicate with its wielder via spiritual thoughts. One of the four congenital directional flags, it can repel evil and ward off all methods. The Leaving Earth Flame Light Banner can disrupt Yin-Yang and reverse the Five Elements.

Formations

Water-Fire Returning Origin Formation (水火归元阵): A Taiji Diagram of Water and Fire. It can continuously transform the water and fire power of the world into Yin-Yang Qi, drawing upon the Great Dao to completely seal off the ten directions. It is one of the enemy-defeating aids that the Grand Master gifted to Li Changshou to target Jin Chanzi’s divine ability.

Nine Spirits Profound Qi Formation (九灵玄气阵): When used, the phantoms of nine stone tablets appear in the world, chanting sounds resonate, and black chains emerge and crisscross. These chains are attached with Yin-Yang power, one end extending into the void and the other coiling around Jin Chanzi’s entire body, completely binding him before disappearing. It is specifically used to trap sloughed cicada skins and break extreme speed. It is a tool the Grand Master gave Li Changshou to restrain Jin Chanzi.