Ren is a shaman from Mt. Jiaoshan, Guizhou Province, China ( His name in chinese is Dao Lian). He was born in Kishuu, China and all his life he had been taught to hate people, by his father and to become the Shaman King. This hatred was passed down the Tao family for years because they had been cast out due to their shaman powers. When the tournament had begun, Ren killed his opponent Chrom in the qualification round. During the first rounds of the Shaman Tournament he has to battle Yoh (who he already fought against previously) and loses to him. Afterwards Ren becomes friends with Yoh and HoroHoro at Yoh's house.
Ren decides to confront his father in China, but fails to win against him in a fight. His spirit, Bason tells Yoh and the others and they travel to China to help Ren and his sister Jun. Due to Ren's arrogance and determination to defeat his father they battle against him and win and Ren recieves the Horaiken which he uses in later battles in the tournament.
The meaning of Ren's name in Japanese in Lotus, but when translated in Ainu his name means 3, this also happens to be a number he seems to be obsessed with.
Ren's main weapons are the Kwan-dao and the Horaiken. His main technique is Chuuka Zanmai and Golden Chuuka Zanmai which he performs using the Kwan-dao. In the later chapters of the manga Ren aquires the spirit of Thunder.
