Most Holy Teacher

Overview

The Most Holy Teacher (至圣先师) is the supreme founder of the Confucian lineage and the highest absolute authority of the Confucian Temple (文庙) in the Haoran Heaven. As one of the patriarchs of the Three Teachings (三教祖师), he stands at the pinnacle of existence (the 15th Realm).

Since ancient times, he has guided the Haoran Heaven, leading the Ritual Sage (礼圣) and the seventy-two sages to break through the ignorance of the early world, establishing the foundational moral and societal structures of humanity. Though his status is unparalleled, he is ultimately preparing for the inevitable "scattering of his Dao" (散道) alongside the other two patriarchs to resolve the existential crises facing the universe.

Appearance & Personality

Despite his exalted status as the ultimate sage of scholarly learning, the Most Holy Teacher often appears simply as an old scholar in a traditional Confucian robe (儒衫老夫子).

Unlike the stern and highly regulated image many mortal scholars project upon him, he is a genuine person of true temperament (性情中人). He is highly approachable, possesses a deep sense of humor, and is known to casually use colorful language—even dropping "three-character expletives" (三字经) during arguments, much to the amusement and surprise of peers like the Dao Ancestor.

He evaluates juniors not merely by their adherence to rigid rules, but by their character, resilience, and actions. He holds immense appreciation for scholars who bear heavy burdens, explicitly praising the self-sacrifice of Cui Chan and the unyielding, benevolent nature of Chen Ping'an.

History & Major Events

Founding the Dao

In the ancient era, the Most Holy Teacher was the pioneer who opened the heavens and earth for human civilization. Accompanied by the Ritual Sage and the seventy-two sages who accompany him in the Confucian Temple, he acted like the rising sun, dispelling the primordial ignorance and establishing the Dao of Confucianism across the Haoran Heaven.

The Haoran-Manhuang War

During the cataclysmic war against the Manhuang Heaven and the mastermind Zhou Mi (周密), the Most Holy Teacher personally intervened when the situation reached its most dire point. He descended upon the highest peak of the Middle Earth Divine Continent, Suishan (穗山), politely "borrowing" the territory from the Golden Armored Deity.

Sitting cross-legged at the summit, he mentally communicated with the Ritual Sage in the outer heavens, apologizing for not having fought in a long time. With a single book drawn from his sleeve, he unleashed world-shaking power to combat the forces threatening the Haoran Heaven, proving that the supreme scholar was just as capable of fighting apocalyptic battles as any martial god.

Zhenyao Tower & Mentorship

In the post-war era, the Most Holy Teacher traveled to the Zhenyao Tower (镇妖楼) in the Tongye Continent, where he was accompanied by the Daoist pure immortal Lu Yan (吕喦) and Chen Ping'an. During this time, he discussed the profound nature of swordsmanship, the Dao, and the burdens placed upon the younger generation. Recognizing Chen Ping'an's immense contributions and the limits of his current capabilities, the Most Holy Teacher effortlessly unlocked the restrictions on the flying sword Xiao Fengdu (小酆都) for him, aiding the young Hidden Official in his future endeavors.

Minor Encounters

The Most Holy Teacher occasionally wanders the world in secret to observe the state of humanity and his followers.

• Mud Bottle Alley: He once appeared outside Chen Ping'an's ancestral home, questioning the water snake Chen Lingjun about his understanding of the Daoist text Huangting Jing.
• Xuandu Daoist Temple: He previously visited the Xuandu Daoist Temple in the Qingming Heaven. After tasting their infamous vegetarian meals, he gave a highly polite but telling evaluation that the food "lived up to its reputation" (名副其实)—a comment later used by Sun Huaizhong to tease his disciples.

Relationships

• The Ritual Sage (礼圣) & The Sub-Sage (亚圣): His direct subordinates and the primary architects of the Haoran Heaven's specific laws and doctrines.
• The Old Scholar (文圣): He views the Old Scholar with profound fondness and tolerates his eccentric, thick-skinned behavior, often engaging in lighthearted banter with him regarding the merits of the Wen Sheng lineage.
• Chen Ping'an (陈平安): The Most Holy Teacher is highly protective and appreciative of Chen Ping'an, recognizing the young man as a "too-good person" (烂好人) who suffers immensely to uphold the world's moral bottom line.
• Dao Ancestor (道祖): His peer and counterpart in the Daoist lineage. The two share a complex relationship of mutual respect, friendly rivalry, and occasional bickering over the nature of the universe.

References

• 剑来26：人间最得意, 第五章 — 饮者留其名: Supports his descent upon Suishan (穗山) to borrow the peak and his use of a book to engage in cross-world combat against Zhou Mi's forces.
• 剑来33：城头刻新字, 第四章 — 泥瓶巷: Supports his quiet visit to Mud Bottle Alley, where he appeared as an old scholar to question Chen Lingjun about his understanding of Daoist scriptures.
• 剑来33：城头刻新字, 第六章 — 一只笼中雀: Supports the Dao Ancestor's commentary on the Most Holy Teacher's personality, noting his surprising tendency to use "three-character expletives."
• 剑来37：只是朱颜改, 第六章 — 只有朱颜改: Supports his past visit to the Xuandu Daoist Temple in the Qingming Heaven and his evaluation of their vegetarian meals.
• 剑来39：借取万钟赏, 第三章 — 如此护道: Supports his presence at the Zhenyao Tower alongside Lu Yan and Chen Ping'an, discussing the nature of sages and heroes, and praising Chen Ping'an and Cui Chan's sacrifices.
• 剑来39：借取万钟赏, 第八章 — 剑术归拢: Supports his direct assistance to Chen Ping'an by opening the restrictions on the flying sword Xiao Fengdu.
• 剑来46：人间半部书, 第六章 — 早知会被仙字误: Supports the historical summary of his founding of the Confucian Dao, leading the Ritual Sage and the seventy-two sages to break through primordial ignorance.