The Shen Tingrui 沈庭瑞

Shen Tingrui (?–985) was a native of Gao'an County in Junzhou during the Southern Tang Dynasty of the Five Dynasties period (now Gao'an County, Jiangxi Province). His original name was Youlin.

His father, Shen Bin, held the official position of Langzhong of the Ministry of Personnel (a mid-level administrative role in ancient Chinese governments responsible for personnel management), and there were also records of Shen Bin having supernatural or immortal-like traces.

Shen Tingrui was inherently aloof and independent by nature, with a refined and clear appearance. During the Baoda era of the Southern Tang Dynasty (943–957) [Note: There is a chronological error in the original text; the Baoda era of the Southern Tang Dynasty lasted from 943 to 957, not 913 to 957], he left his family and went to the Jingsi Courtyard of Meixian Guan (Meixian Taoist Temple) on Mount Yusheng to practice Taoism, and thus changed his name to Tingrui.

Whenever he encountered remote mountain valleys or ancient caves, he would sometimes stay there for several days without returning. Even in bitter cold, strong winds, or heavy snow, he often sat upright wearing only a single layer of clothing.

At times, he would abstain from food for a whole month; at other times, he would drink freely and sing while wandering. Ordinary people could not fathom his behavior.

Shen Tingrui passed away in the second year of the Yongxi era of the Northern Song Dynasty (985).

(Source: Records of True Lords Fuqiu, Wang, and Guo of Mount Huagai (Huagaishan Fuqiu Wang Guo Zhenjun Shishi))