<p>In the year of Dinghai, the fourth year of the Yongxi reign of Emperor Taizong of the Song Dynasty (986 AD), Mazu was twenty - nine years old. On the eighth day of the ninth lunar month in autumn, Mazu said to her family, "I prefer peace and quiet in my heart. The mortal world is not a place where I am willing to live. Tomorrow is the Double Ninth Festival, and I happen to have the desire to climb mountains. So I'm saying goodbye to you in advance." Everyone thought she was just going to climb the mountain for a distant view and didn't know that she was about to become an immortal.</p><p>The next morning, Mazu burned incense and recited scriptures. Then she set off with her sisters. She said to them, "Today I want to climb the mountain and travel far to express my long - held feelings. The path of the Tao is long, and my sisters can't accompany me. It's really sad!" Everyone comforted her with a smile, saying, "Just go and have fun. There's no need to worry too much." Mazu then went straight to the highest point of Meifeng Peak. There, thick clouds were winding around the mountains, and white mists stretched across the sky. It seemed as if the sounds of silk and bamboo instruments could be heard in the air, with harmonious rhymes, just like the celestial music played in the heavenly court. She rode the wind and soared gently among the clouds and mist, flying freely between the blue sky and the bright sun. Everyone was shocked and amazed. They saw a rainbow as big as a house shining brightly, stretching from the clouds to the nine heavens. Mazu soared up, hovering in the clear sky, looking down at the mortal world, which appeared faintly. Suddenly, colorful clouds gathered, and Mazu could no longer be seen.</p><p>After that, Mazu frequently showed miraculous signs. The villagers sometimes saw her beside mountain rocks and water caves, or received her inspiration during their daily activities. She often appeared in people's dreams, showing her holiness and bringing blessings to the people. The villagers feared and respected her, and they successively built a shrine to worship her, giving her the title of "Tongxian Lingnu" (the Virtuous and Spiritual Maiden). At that time, there were only a few simple rooms in the shrine, but there was hardly a day without people coming to pray and give thanks.</p><p><br/></p>