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According to the *Sanqing Zhenlu* (Record of the Three Pure Ones): The true Yin and true Yang qi of parents, taking essence and blood as the foundation for conception, when the fetus is complete and qi is sufficient, the physical form is established. Gathering spiritual energy to aid Daoist practice, when spirit (Shen) and qi combine, longevity is achieved; this is a fixed principle. The highest longevity reaches twelve thousand years: by preserving simplicity and allowing nature to fulfill its potential, even if the body perishes, the Dao remains. Medium longevity is one thousand two hundred years: retaining the form in the world, the Dao exists while the body also exists. Lowest longevity is one hundred twenty years: those who understand cultivation can enjoy peace and prolong life; those who do not will lose and dissipate their essence. Life within oneself, if not possessed and controlled by oneself, and further violating external taboos, secretly deducts from one's lifespan. One "Suan" (calculation/unit of time) represents three hundred days of life; one year is the lifespan of the base number; one Ji (twelve-year cycle) is the lifespan of the regular cycle. The ignorant and unlearned consider minor evils harmless, accumulating evil until destruction of the body; considering minor losses harmless, accumulating damage until destruction of life. Initially reducing one Suan, then deducting the base number, finally deducting one Ji, before reaching middle age, more than half of the lifespan is lost. Immortals and True Persons pity and mourn them. Although there are methods of transcendence, one must first have methods for nurturing longevity. Prudently applying these, one can extend life to the highest longevity. Not fearing cultivation, one naturally possesses transcendent Dao daily.

According to the *Xishan Ji*: Although one knows the principles of health preservation, without comprehending the methods of practice, life will not be long; although one knows the formulas of cultivation, without understanding the Dao of nurturing longevity, practice will yield no results. Therefore, those who nurture longevity prevent disasters through observing taboos. Speaking little during activity prevents the dispersion of spirit and damage to qi; sleeping with the mouth closed prevents the leakage of qi and damage to spirit. Climbing heights in danger causes spirit to fly away uncontrollably; watching killings and fights causes qi to knot; mourning deaths and visiting the sick causes joyful spirit to scatter; lying in dampness and facing wind causes true qi to weaken daily. Ancient temples and ominous shrines should not be entered, as entry startles the spirit; wild birds and strange beasts should not be played with, as play frightens the spirit. Urinating or defecating facing the Sun, Moon, and Stars reduces human lifespan; celebrating the four profound debts (such as parental kindness) destroys one's major destiny number. Banqueting beside sacred statues unsettles the soul and spirit; sitting and lying among tombs scatters the spirit and mind. Resting under dead trees or large trees is inadvisable to guard against Nine Yin Qi touching the Yang spirit; crossing deep waters and large marshes is dangerous due to extreme cold forcing out true qi. Picking outstanding flowers invites demonic madness into the house; eating out-of-season fruits allows evil qi to enter the abdomen. Avoiding flowery speech, one should not speak frequently unless in distress, as speaking reduces normal lifespan; avoiding rich, sweet, and alcoholic drinks, one should not drink frequently unless at gatherings, as drinking deducts basic fortune. Betraying the worthy and forgetting gratitude brings inevitable retribution; despising wealth and destroying objects generates no blessings. Do not deeply enter large mountains, as it leads to disaster; do not excessively love beautiful things, as attachment brings misfortune. Harming others and damaging things, repaying injustice with injustice, envying the worthy and jealous of ability, starting resentment with resentment, spreading falsehoods and teaching recklessly, slacking friends and slighting teachers—if such violations occur, even if one receives correct instructions and meets extraordinary people, before the Great Dao is accomplished, lifespan is deducted for these acts. Crimes offsetting merits result in failure to achieve rapid success. Those good at nurturing longevity cultivate internally by method and verify externally by principle. Cultivating internally means guarding essence, refining qi, calming the soul, and purifying spirit, achieving subtlety of form and spirit, aligning with Heaven and Earth, refining spirit to merge with Dao, and becoming transcendent and saintly. Verifying externally means saving the poor, aiding the distressed, showing compassion to all things, benefiting people, being filial at home, loyal to the state, obedient to superiors, and compassionate to subordinates; seeking neither harm nor profit, busyness without seeking leisure, maintaining a heart of convenience, not dwelling on self and other distinctions—this is how one serves the Dao, often meeting supreme persons and naturally obtaining true methods. After putting in effort, few hardships occur, and swift completion is achieved; this is due to cultivation and also the reward of hidden virtue. If one does not understand the appropriateness of nurturing longevity, how can internal and external achievements be synchronized?