Emperor Xianzong of Tang had a strong interest in the art of immortality. On the occasion of the fifth year of the Yuanhe era, the palace attendant Zhang Weize returned from the Silla Kingdom and recounted a strange encounter: in the vast sea, his ship was anchored on a hidden island, and suddenly he heard the sound of chickens and dogs barking, as if there was someone else. Taking advantage of the bright moonlight, Zhang Wei embarked on a journey of exploration, walking about one or two miles. Suddenly, he saw strange flowers and plants everywhere, pavilions and towers scattered in an orderly manner, and gold and silver gates shining brightly. During this time, several young masters were dressed in fancy clothes, wearing embroidered hats, reciting poetry and composing poems, feeling free and carefree, unlike ordinary people in the mortal world. Zhang Weize noticed the difference and requested to meet him.
The young master asked where he came from and learned about his trip to Silla. He smiled and said, “I have an old acquaintance with the Tang Emperor. I hope that after you return to the court, I can convey the message on your behalf.” After saying that, he ordered a waiter in green to present a golden turtle jade seal, sealed it in a treasure box, and presented it to Zhang Weize, asking him to convey his greetings to Emperor Xianzong of Tang. Zhang Wei returned to the ship with his treasure box, looking back at his journey, but there was no trace left. This golden turtle seal is about five inches long, carrying the seal of gold and jade. The seal surface is one inch and eight tenths square, and the seal script is engraved with the words: “Fengzhi Longmu, ordered without boundaries.
After returning to Beijing, Zhang Weize immediately reported this matter and presented the Golden Turtle Seal to Emperor Xianzong. Emperor Xianzong was amazed for a long time, but did not understand the profound meaning of the text. Therefore, he sealed it with purple clay jade and placed it in the imperial tent. From then on, the treasure box often shone with five colors of light, lasting for more than ten zhang. In that month, two Lingzhi mushrooms sprouted from the Lianlian tree in front of the sleeping hall, resembling dragons and phoenixes. Emperor Xianzong praised them and said, “Is this a sign of ‘Fengzhi Longmu’
At that time, there was another alien named Yiqi Xuanjie, with dense and black hair, a face like a child, and a breath as clear as orchids. He often rides on a three foot tall yellow horse, does not eat grass and grains, only drinks mellow wine, and has no saddle or reins, only covering his back with green felt. Traveling between Qingzhou and Yanzhou, discussing ancient and modern times, and witnessing events that have lasted for thousands of years. Emperor Xianzong heard of the anomaly and secretly summoned him to the palace, where he resided in a luxurious house, set up a purple bamboo mat, and bestowed dragon paste wine. The purple bamboo mat is as smooth as silk, warm in winter and cool in summer; Dragon paste wine is as black as paint, and drinking it makes one feel refreshed and invigorated. It is a tribute from the distant country of Niaoyi Mountain and has been recorded in ancient times. Emperor Xianzong personally visited him on a daily basis, treating him as a distinguished guest. However, Xuanjie is simple and inexperienced in court etiquette. Emperor Xianzong inquired about the secret of his youth and explained the reason for eating the spirit grass on the sea. He also gifted three plants in front of the hall: Shuanglinzhi, Liuhe Kui, and Wangen Teng. These three herbs each have unique effects, and when they mature, they disappear from sight. Only Emperor Xianzong personally picked and ate them, and the fruit felt miraculous. Therefore, Xuanjie was treated with even more courtesy.
Coincidentally, there is a pair of beautiful jade tribute from the Western Regions, with different shapes and sizes, each measuring five inches in diameter, shining brightly. Upon closer inspection, Xuanjie asserts that one dragon jade is born in water, and the other tiger jade is born in rock, each possessing extraordinary abilities. Emperor Xianzong tested it and found it to be true. He then sent two jade pieces to the inner palace and presented them with a brocade bag. Xuanjie repeatedly requested to return to the East China Sea, but Emperor Xianzong refused. Later, Emperor Xianzong accompanied Xuanjie to observe the wooden carvings of the three mountains on the sea. Xuanjie smiled and said that he could explore the fairyland. After finishing his words, he leaped and gradually disappeared into the wooden carvings. Emperor Xianzong felt lost and gradually lost weight, so he named this mountain “Zangzhen Island” and burned phoenix brain incense every day as a sacrifice. Less than ten days later, Qingzhou reported that Yan Xuanjie had crossed the sea on a yellow horse.
