| | Chen Shian was a native of Jingzhao. He served as a guest of Guan Shuping and had a kind and benevolent nature. When walking, if he saw birds or beasts, he would step aside to avoid them, not wanting to startle or disturb them; He did not tread on living insects and had never killed any creature. At the age of thirty, Shuping became fond of Daoist practices and sought spiritual cultivation. Suddenly, two immortals disguised themselves as scholars and followed Shuping on his travels to observe him; Shuping did not realize they were immortals, and over time he gradually became lax. Shuping was inside Fang making delicious food when the two immortals came to his door again and asked Shian, "Is Shuping here?" He replied, "Yes." He then went in to inform Shuping, who immediately wanted to go out, but his wife stopped him and said, "Those hungry scholars are just looking for a full meal again. Don't give them food." Therefore, Shuping sent Shian out to tell them he was not there. The two men said, "You previously said he was here, but now you say he is not. Why?" "The master has ordered me to send you away!" The two men were even more pleased that he had told the truth, and they said to each other, "Shuping has worked diligently for many years. Today, despite meeting us, he has become lax instead; this means he is not destined to meet us, and we have nearly ruined his success." They then asked Shian, "Do you enjoy playing games?" He replied, "No, I do not." They asked again, "Do you love the Dao and hope to become an immortal?" He replied, "I love the Dao, but I have no connection to knowledge of it." The two men said, "If you truly love the Dao, meet us early tomorrow morning under the big tree in the north of the road." Shian went to the appointed place early, but by sunset he had not seen the two men. He then got up and was about to leave, saying, "Those scholars must have tricked me!" The two men had already called out to him from beside his ear, saying, "Shian, why did you come so late?" He replied, "I came early in the morning, but I didn't see you." The two men said, "We were sitting right beside you all along." They repeatedly set three appointments, and each time Shian arrived early. Knowing he was trustworthy enough to be taught, they gave him two pills of medicine and warned him, "Go home, do not eat or drink again, and stay in a separate place." Shian followed their instructions, and the two men often went to his location. Shuping found this strange and said, "Shian is in an empty room; how can there be people speaking with him?" When I go there, I never see anyone. Why is that?" He replied, "I am just speaking to myself." Shuping saw that Shian did not eat or take food, but only drank water and rested in a separate place. He suspected he was no ordinary person, realized his own mistake in missing a worthy individual, and sighed, saying, "The Dao is respected and virtue is precious; it does not depend on age. My parents gave me life, yet without a teacher, none can grant me immortality." He who first hears of the Dao becomes one's teacher." Shuping then took on the role of a disciple, bowing to and serving Shian morning and evening, sweeping and cleaning for him. Shian achieved Daoist perfection and ascended to heaven during the day. Before leaving, he passed on the essential teachings to Shuping, who later also became an immortal.
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