The Chu Zhitong 褚志通

Chu Zhitong was a figure who lived during the Jin and Yuan dynasties. His courtesy name was Boda, and he was bestowed the title "Youde Zhenren" (Perfected Person of Blessing and Virtue).

As recorded in The Biography of the True Hermit of Mount Taihua, Chu Zhitong studied Confucianism in his childhood and had a passion for reading. Later, when he encountered troubled times, he became a Taoist priest, taking Liu Zhenchang as his mentor, and lived in seclusion in the mountains.

At that time, Liu Zhenchang served as the abbot of Yuntai Palace in Huayin. Chu Zhitong first went there to attach himself to his mentor. After Liu Zhenchang passed away (with "xian shi" (仙逝) being a respectful term for the death of a Taoist master or virtuous person), Chu Zhitong left one of his disciples to take charge of Yuntai Palace, while he himself resided in Shangfang Cave, which was located on a cliff. The cave’s walls were so high and steep that one could not climb up or down without relying on an iron chain. However, Chu Zhitong would carry food and move up and down the chain with ease, showing no sign of difficulty.

When food was occasionally insufficient, he would practice "fuqi" (breathing in vital energy) and reduce his food intake to achieve "tai xi" (embryonic breathing—a advanced Taoist practice of regulating breath to mimic the state of breathing in the womb). People at that time regarded him as a "shen ren" (divine person or man of extraordinary powers).

Later, during a period of drought, he prayed for rain and his prayer was answered. For this, he was bestowed the title "Youde Zhenren" and appointed as "Tidian" (an administrative and supervisory official for Taoist temples) of Yueci Yuanling Palace.

The imperial palace also granted him silver and banknotes by imperial order, which he used to renovate the palace, restoring it to a brand-new state.

When he reached the age of eighty, his virtue and moral character became even more profound, and his reputation spread throughout the Shaanxi region.

In the 16th year of the Zhiyuan era of Emperor Shizu of the Yuan Dynasty (1279), the emperor sent a royal messenger to invite Chu Zhitong to the capital. However, Chu Zhitong firmly declined the invitation on the grounds of old age.