《靈飛散傳信錄》

This passage records the author's shared pursuit of the Dao of longevity with his friend Boling Huishu. Dissatisfied with contemporary practitioners who indulged in empty discussions of metaphysical theories without engaging in actual cultivation, they believed genuine practice should begin with regulating the physical body.

Huishu informed the author that he had heard of a senior military officer named Pei Duwei who maintained youthful features despite white hair through taking the "Lingfei Powder." This formula was originally recorded in the twenty-eighth chapter of Essential Formulas Worth a Thousand Gold (Qianjin Fang), but rumors suggested possible errors in its contents. Later, a man named Junyi from Fanyang accidentally discovered a well-preserved scroll of the Scripture of Supreme Purity (Taiqing Zhenjing) in the former residence of the deceased Tang dynasty statesman Li Bi. This scroll contained the authentic Lingfei Powder formula.

Junyi shared this discovery with Wu Haren Dan, an expert in alchemy, who recognized it as a genuine transmission deliberately left by immortals to instruct later generations. Since Huishu and Junyi were close friends, they arranged to pass this precious formula to the author. Upon learning this, the author immediately visited them, hoping to transcribe the immortal prescription.

(Note: Lingfei Powder is a renowned Daoist longevity formula said to preserve youthful appearance. The Scripture of Supreme Purity is an important Daoist classic traditionally attributed to Lord Lao [Laojun].)

This passage records Tang Dynasty official Qi Tui's firsthand account of the miraculous effects of the Lingfei San (Numinous Flight Powder):

I (Qi Tui) collaborated with Huishu to transcribe this formula, in which mica powder serves as the primary ingredient. That year when I was appointed to Zhongling, Mount Lu fell within my jurisdiction. Local residents and Daoist priests would wash mica in mountain streams, then expose it to sun and frost to create snow-white pills sold in markets for sustenance. The most challenging aspect of this formula was obtaining high-quality mica powder.

Later at a Shangluo courier station, I met travelers from Neixiang who spoke of a certain County Captain Deng Rong—though over fifty years old, he maintained jet-black hair, piercing eyes, and the vitality of a young man. Upon inquiry, I learned he had been taking Lingfei San. I visited him specifically to investigate the formula's lineage: years earlier, a Registrar Tang had obtained this immortal prescription from a Daoist priest. When Deng Rong's relative tried it for thirty days, his appearance reverted to youthful vigor. Deng himself took half the dose and preserved his youthful state for decades. Unfortunately, after discontinuing use and suffering political exile, he gradually aged—though still appearing younger than his peers.

In Chang'an, two imperial sons-in-law (Zhang and Pei) also demonstrated visible results after consumption. Master Sun (Sun Simiao), renowned for medical expertise, specially included this formula in his records. Huishu and I resolved to test it ourselves, planning to supplement this record upon verifying its effects. (Recorded by Qi Tui of Gaoyang on the fifth day of the fourth month, Yuanhe 7)

The Taiqing Jing (Scripture of Great Clarity) adds: Those seeking divine communion or immortality must first observe purification rituals, bathing with fragrant decoctions to cleanse hair and body. Consistent practice for one hundred days is required before effects manifest.

Interpretation of the Lingfei Powder Transmission Record

Those who seek to attain the Dao and become immortals should request the Lingfei Powder from the Perfected Ones (Zhenren) of the Five Sacred Peaks (including Mount Hua of the Western Peak and Mount Song of the Central Peak). Consuming it will lead to immortality.

The Perfected Ones say: Anyone who desires longevity, the reversal of white hair to black, the regrowth of teeth, radiant complexion, and the restoration of youthful vitality from within should take the Lingfei Powder.

The Supreme Elder Lord (Taishang Laojun) states: This is a crucial secret formula for cultivating immortality. Daoist priests who consume it will ascend effortlessly; practitioners will roam freely on Mount Hua; ordinary people will regain their youth; and the elderly will recover a childlike appearance.

The Elder Lord emphasizes: Taking this medicine ensures eternal youth. Consuming it for ten consecutive days allows one to abstain from food for three years; taking it for three years extends life to 3,600 years. It is not just me—all who attain the Dao rely on this to achieve immortal status.

[Lingfei Powder Formula]

• Mica (1 jin [~600g], must be refined)
• Poria fungus (½ jin, or 1 jin)
• Arborvitae seeds (7 liang [~260g])
• Stalactite (7 liang)
• Chrysanthemum (5 liang, or 15 liang)
• Atractylodes rhizome (4 liang; some versions include ginseng at 7 liang)
• Dried rehmannia root (12 liang, or 15 liang)
• Cinnamon bark (7 liang)
• Teasel root (7 liang)

[Preparation Method]

1. Grind and sieve the nine ingredients.

2. Extract juice from 19 jin of fresh asparagus root (if abundant, mix directly; if scant, blend into a paste).

3. Place in a bronze vessel suspended over a steamer with 1 hu 2 dou (~72 kg) of millet beneath. Steam until fully cooked.

4. Sun-dry, then regrind into fine powder.

[Dosage]

Take 1 square cun spoonful (~1g) every seven days. Non-toxic; may be taken more frequently:

• 10 days: Lightness and vigor
• 20 days: Sharpened hearing and vision
• 70 days: White hair darkens

For tooth regrowth: Combine 27 pills with white honey, pound 200 times, shape into firmiana seed-sized pills (~81 total). Sun-dry until translucent like moon pearls or firefly beads (red-white hues)—these are immortals’ daily essentials. To restore hair and teeth, take 7 pills thrice daily until new growth appears and ceases shedding. Also suitable for mountain retreats and fasting.

(Note: Ancient units—1 jin = 16 liang (~600g); 1 liang ≈ 37g; 1 hu = 10 dou ≈ 60kg.)

This passage discusses the effects of consuming the "Lingfei Powder" (灵飞散), methods for preparing mica powder, and dietary restrictions after taking the medicine:

Regarding the efficacy of Lingfei Powder:

• Taking seven pellets daily prevents hunger
• Those with dark hair who consume it can maintain their natural hair color for five to six hundred years
• Those with gray hair who follow the prescribed method can keep their hair intact for seven hundred years
• Daoist practitioners taking it twice daily will preserve their hair color and retain all teeth—a crucial step toward immortality
• Effects manifest progressively: within three days, strength doubles; by five days, blood vitality surges; after seven days, the body feels light and agile; ten days brings radiant complexion; fifteen days yields abundant vitality
• After twenty days, one outpaces horses in walking speed; by thirty-five days, night vision develops

Four methods for preparing mica powder:

1. Pound equal weights (one jin each) of mica and white salt, mix in cloth bags, rinse repeatedly to remove saltiness, then sun-dry into powder

2. Boil mica in saltwater until pasty, then knead into powder

3. Steam one jin of mica with one dou of salt in bronze vessels three to four times before pounding

4. Boil one jin of mica in three dou of crude nitre water, then sun-dry—only use powder that shows no reflective sparkles when held to sunlight (sparkling particles cause illness)

Special notes:

• Mica ground by Lushan stone mills produces the finest, safest powder
• Homemade preparations must eliminate coarse grains to prevent bodily harm

Consumption taboos:

[Dietary restrictions]

• Strictly avoid carp; ideally abstain from all fish (fearing knife contamination from fish scales)
• Forbid raw meat and blood products (though cooked blood is permissible)
• Prohibit raw onions, garlic, leeks, vinegar, peaches, plums, quinces, and other sour foods
• Near rivers or streams without wells, always boil water before drinking
• Barley diminishes medicinal efficacy and should be avoided

[Additional precautions]

• This represents elementary practice for achieving liberation from the corpse (尸解仙), a Daoist immortality method
• Strict observance of these taboos during treatment is essential—violations may compromise cultivation or endanger health

This passage records insights and precautions regarding the practice of consuming Lingfei Powder, a Daoist longevity elixir formula.

When Master Sun (a reclusive Daoist scholar) presented this health-preserving secret to the emperor, he explained: "I have possessed this formula for over thirty years. At first, I merely admired it as an excellent prescription, feeling joy upon discovering it, yet hesitation kept me from trying it. Only after years of thorough investigation did I confirm that many who consumed it achieved remarkable results. Thus, I finally began taking it as prescribed. True to the formula's claims, the effects were undeniable—so long as one persists without negligence, the effort will not be wasted."

A crucial reminder: During the period of consuming Lingfei Powder, one must abstain from meat and pungent foods while also practicing tranquil meditation and breath regulation (Daoist techniques of respiration and energy circulation). This combination accelerates the benefits. However, this formula is best transmitted in person, with direct guidance on its essentials—it should never be attempted recklessly based solely on written instructions.