Qiong Shu was a historian of the Zhou dynasty. He could practice qigong and cultivate his physical form — core disciplines of Taoist self-refinement. He boiled the marrow of stones to consume it, which was called Shizhongru (stalactite). After several hundred years, he went back and forth into Taishi Mountain, where there was a stone bed and pillow for him to lie on.

Eight treasures hastened longevity, while five stones prolonged life. Qiong Shu obtained them and refined marrow into pills to consume essence. A person lived a hundred years, walking with light steps and agile body — the fruit of Taoist practice and harmony with nature. He slept in Zhongyue Mountain and strolled leisurely through the halls of immortals, embodying the Dao in every step.