The Zhang Daoning 张道凝

Zhang Daoning was a figure of the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) who styled himself "Dianxian" (the "Uninhibited Immortal"). As recorded in The General Gazetteer of Sichuan (Sichuan Zongzhi), he was a descendant of the ancient Yelang Kingdom (a powerful ethnic minority state that existed in the southwestern region of China during the Qin and Han dynasties, roughly covering parts of present-day Guizhou, Yunnan, and Sichuan provinces).

At the age of nineteen, he encountered an extraordinary person (a common reference to immortals, Taoists with profound cultivation, or hermits in ancient Chinese texts) who taught him the "Dongtian Lufa" (the "Law of the Grotto Heavens"—"Grotto Heavens" are sacred Taoist realms believed to be hidden in famous mountains, and the "Law" here refers to the esoteric doctrines, rituals, and practices associated with Taoist cultivation in these sacred spaces). After that, he became a Taoist monk.

Having practiced Taoism for many years, he gained the ability to command ghosts and spirits. He was on close terms with Xizhenzi (a fellow Taoist practitioner; "zi" is an honorific title often used for scholars or religious masters in ancient China). He expounded on the core tenet of "the unity of the three teachings" (referring to the idea that Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism share a common origin or fundamental principle) at Zixia Palace (a Taoist temple). All his disciples deeply respected and obeyed him.