Emperor Shennong’s eldest daughter, who remained unnamed in many records, had a close and playful relationship with her father. She often accompanied him to the imperial court, where she became well-acquainted with the officials and court members. One of the key figures in Shennong’s court was a minister named Chisongzi, who was in charge of controlling the rain. Chisongzi was known for his extraordinary ability to cultivate immortality.
Chisongzi had a unique practice: he took a special crystal called “Bingyu Powder,” which was believed to enhance his physical vitality. By consuming it, he would engage in extreme self-discipline, including leaping into raging fires as a form of spiritual training. His body would burn in the fire, and through this process, he would transcend earthly limitations. Eventually, this fiery ordeal transformed his physical body and soul into one, allowing him to shed his mortal form and attain immortality. After this, Chisongzi would often fly to the top of Mount Kunlun, where he would rest in the stone chamber of the Western Queen Mother (Xiwangmu). When storms and winds arrived, his body would rise and fall with the winds, symbolizing his mastery over the natural forces.
The Enchanted Stone Chamber of the Western Queen Mother
The Western Queen Mother’s stone chamber atop Mount Kunlun was said to be surrounded by rare and miraculous plants. These plants, such as Gan Hua, Xuan Gui, Gan Xiang, Yao Bi, Bai Mu, Bai Liu, Shi Rou, Lang Gan, Bai Dan, and Qing Dan, were believed to have magical properties that could grant immortality. It was said that if one could drink the dew from these mystical plants or eat the flesh of the mythical “Shi Rou” (a type of herb or plant), they would gain eternal life. Birds such as the phoenix would sing, and the divine creatures of the realm would dance in harmony. It was a paradise where those who sought immortality could find their desires fulfilled.
After Chisongzi became an immortal, he frequently visited this enchanted stone chamber. He would travel there from the mortal world, guided by the winds and storms, and would meet with the Western Queen Mother, the legendary ruler of immortals.
The Eldest Daughter’s Transformation into an Immortal
The eldest daughter of Emperor Shennong, who had witnessed Chisongzi’s transformation and his ability to reach such a divine place, became envious. She longed to experience the same immortality and visit the stone chamber of the Western Queen Mother to see the wondrous plants and eat the flesh of “Shi Rou.” Inspired by Chisongzi’s example, she decided to follow in his footsteps.
Determined to achieve immortality, she began to consume the Bingyu Powder, just as Chisongzi had done, and trained her body through extreme rituals. She would leap into raging fires, enduring the intense heat and flames. At first, she struggled to adapt, but driven by her desire to transcend mortality, she gritted her teeth and persevered through the trials. After enduring 21 years of this grueling practice, she finally succeeded in shedding her mortal form, transforming into an immortal like Chisongzi.
Once she had achieved immortality, she, too, flew to Mount Kunlun during storms and winds, where she entered the stone chamber of the Western Queen Mother. There, she met Chisongzi and accompanied him on various divine journeys to far-off places.
The Legend of Stone Immortality
The practice of consuming mystical substances to achieve immortality, like the stone rituals, was believed to have started with the eldest daughter of Emperor Shennong and Chisongzi. The legend of her transformation inspired later generations, who believed that one could attain immortality through similar practices involving sacred stones and fire rituals.
Thus, the story of Emperor Shennong’s eldest daughter and her pursuit of immortality through fire and crystal became one of the foundational myths in Chinese mythology, emphasizing the themes of perseverance, transformation, and the quest for divine power.