The Immortal and Mortal Realms: Divine Couples and the Eight Immortals

A full-length original mythological novel Synopsis The original mythological novel *The Tale of Immortals and Mortals* draws on official histories and the Daoist Canon, taking root in the cultural traditions of Mount Luofu. Set amid the turmoil of the Eastern Jin dynasty, it unfolds against a landscape of upheaval: the earth veins of the southern frontier collapse, miasma and demons run rampant, and ordinary people suffer through one calamity after another. Ge Hong and Bao Gu establish the Way in the mortal world, heal the sick and aid the people, write books, and spread its teachings, while the Eight Immortals descend to dwell on sacred peaks, protect their immortal companions, and help the world. Together, these stories reshape the orthodox Chinese immortal-Daoist epic and fill a long-standing gap in the tradition of immortal biographies. As the people endure disaster, the Eight Immortals answer Heaven's mandate and enter the world to uphold the Way. They forge an enduring alliance with Ge Hong and Bao Gu, embarking on a fourfold quest: to defy Heaven and fight for their fate, shore up the earth's veins, spread virtue among humanity, and eradicate demons and evil. The Eight Immortals help their companions gather herbs and prepare remedies to overcome the stubborn miasma-borne diseases of the southern frontier. They reform the Taiqing art of alchemy, reject false and aberrant practices, and restore the earth's spiritual power by refining the true elixir in the furnace. Ge Hong heals and aids the people, cultivates the Way and practices alchemy, writes books, and brings order to the rules of the mysterious tradition. Bao Gu makes moxibustion available to villagers and remains true to the great Way of serving the people. Their path to enlightenment is beset by trials, and the struggle between good and evil rages without end. The immortal companions and the Eight Immortals join forces to overcome calamities, break free of the shackles of fate, ease the people's suffering, and drive back the demonic miasma. Tempered by countless battles, they never lose sight of their original purpose. At last, their merit is complete: they attain the Way, return to their true nature, and transcend the mortal realm, becoming immortal companions celebrated through the ages. Boldly based on historical sources, this novel breaks free of the fanciful conventions of traditional xianxia. Its plot twists and turns, its suspense keeps readers on tenterhooks, and its clashes between good and evil are thrilling. Combining literary finesse with intellectual depth, it gives powerful expression to the self-reliant Daoist spirit of “My fate is mine to decide, not Heaven's.” It affirms that there is no boundary between immortals and mortals, that virtue and service to the world are what matter, and that “a human can be an immortal, and an immortal can be human.” Thus it tells a stirring Lingnan saga of immortals and mortals united in protecting the world,