A certain Daoist priest at Chaotian Temple possessed a profound fondness for the art of tuna (breath retention). An elder resided within the temple grounds, sharing this identical passion, and the two became fast friends.

For several years, whenever the grand incense festival arrived—a time for honoring the deities—the old man would depart ten days in advance, only returning once the sacrifices were concluded.

The Daoist, puzzled by this regular vanishing act, finally inquired as to the reason. The elder replied, "My friend, our bond is so deep that I must speak plainly: I am not human, but a fox spirit. During these sacrificial gatherings, the Celestial Officials descend to cleanse the mortal realm of impurities. I have no place to shelter, so I am forced to flee beforehand."

That year, on the eve of the festival, the elder vanished as usual, but he did not return for a long, long time. The Daoist grew secretly concerned. Several months passed before the elder finally reappeared.

The Daoist hurried to ask what had detained him. The elder sighed, "Old friend, I nearly never saw you again. During the last festival, I decided to try to sneak by, hoping to shirk the journey, and I did not flee in advance. I merely hid myself deep within a drainage ditch to avoid trouble. Who knew that the Celestial Official would still detect me! He threatened to lash me with his whip. In a moment of sheer terror, I bolted. The official pursued me relentlessly, all the way to the banks of the Yellow River, refusing to give up the chase. In desperation, I spotted a nearby cesspit and leaped right into it. The official, disgusted by the foulness of the filth, reluctantly left. Only after the official was long gone did I dare climb out of the pit, covered head to toe in excrement and urine. Unable to roam the human world in such a state, I jumped into the Yellow River to wash myself clean, and then hid myself away in a cave for perhaps a hundred days. I return to the temple today specifically to bid you farewell. Before I go, I offer one last piece of advice: A great catastrophe is approaching. This place will no longer be safe for sustaining life. My old friend, you must quickly retire from the world."

With that, the fox spirit departed on his own accord.

The Daoist heeded the fox spirit’s warning and subsequently lived in seclusion, withdrawing from worldly affairs. Not long after, the Qing soldiers swept through the passes, leading to the collapse of the Ming Dynasty—this was the Jia Shen Upheaval.