A mile from his village stood a temple; Li Sheng constructed three rooms within its grounds where he would meditate and cultivate his practice.

Monks from all directions frequented the place, lodging for a time, and Li Sheng welcomed every visitor without reservation, providing generously and attentively for their sustenance.

One day, a heavy snow began to fall, the air turning bitterly cold, when an old monk arrived, shouldering his meager baggage, seeking shelter. His speech was profound, his spiritual cultivation clearly superb.

After staying two days, the old monk announced his departure, yet Li Sheng pleaded with him repeatedly until he agreed to remain several days more.

It happened that Li Sheng needed to return to his home village, and the old monk told him, "Go swiftly, and return soon."

Li Sheng caught a distinct nuance in his tone, sensing this was meant as a final farewell.

The next morning at dawn, Li Sheng went to the temple. After knocking several times without response, he scaled the wall to enter. He saw flickering lamplight from the sleeping quarters, where the old monk was busy packing his belongings.

A skeletal donkey was tethered to a lamp stand, seemingly intended as a sacrificial offering; its tail swished back and forth as it exhaled ragged breaths. A deep dread seized Li Sheng: "Could this old monk not be human, but a ghost?" The thought sent shivers down his spine.

Moments later, the luggage was packed. The old monk led the donkey outside to where a large pond lay. The monk secured the beast to a tree, then stripped naked and plunged into the icy water for a bath. After dressing, he drove the donkey into the water to wash it thoroughly. Once clean, he mounted the donkey and galloped away into the distance.

The donkey moved with incredible speed, vanishing without a trace in an instant.