One day, the immortals Lu Tung-pin and Chungli Ch’uan happened to walk by Ts’ao’s retreat. Lu Tung-pin called out, “I’ve heard that you had given up the life of a prince to cultivate the Tao. Tell me, where’s the Tao that you are cultivating?”

 

Ts’ao pointed to the sky.

 

Immortal Lu then said, “And where’s heaven?”

 

Ts’ao pointed to his heart.

 

Immortal Chungli Ch’uan clapped his hands and exclaimed, “Well said. The way of the Tao is the way of heaven and the way of heaven is in your heart. You have seen your original nature.”

 

The three men laughed together. Lu Tung-pin and Chungli Ch’uan then invited Ts’ao to travel with them to the immortal realm.

 

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