The Nie Shidao 聂师道

He was inherently intelligent, honest, and straightforward, with humble and prudent words and deeds. He was well-known in his hometown for his filial piety toward his parents and studied under Lüqiu Fangyuan.

In the tenth year of the Dazhong era of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty (857), he was officially ordained as a Taoist priest. In 859, he was granted the secret registers of great Taoism and the essential principles of cultivating the true self. Later, he traveled to famous mountains and visited eminent Taoist masters. When he arrived at Mount Nanyue, he paid respects to various Taoist altars including Yuqing, Guangtian, and Biyu. After that, he resided at Zhaoxian Guan (Zhaoxian Taoist Temple). Yang Wo, the King of Wu, heard of his reputation and deeds, admired his virtues, and issued an imperial order to build Xuanyuan Palace for him to live in. He also bestowed on Nie the titles "Master Xiaoyao" (Unfettered Master) and "Mr. Wenzheng" (Mr. Governing Advisor), along with a purple robe.

Disciples who came from all over to learn Taoism from him were numerous. He lived in Guangling for more than 30 years and had over 500 disciples.

Nie Shidao passed away in the eighth year of the Tianyou era of the King of Wu (911) at the age of 68. (Source: Yunji Qiqian [Seven Slips of a Cloudy Satchel], Volume 113; Lishi Zhenxian Tidao Tongjian [Comprehensive Mirror of True Immortals Who Embodied the Dao Through the Ages], Volume 41)