This is the first episode of the Ming Hwa Yuan Eight Immortals series. Its plot line centers on the enlightenment of the most proud, insubordinate, and good-looking man of the Eight Immortals, Iron Cane Li, formerly known as Li Xuan. Li Xuan, who was endowed with all kinds of the finest dispositions, relied too much on his advantages, and would not attain progress in his self-cultivation. Finally, when he saw that fate had arranged for him a consequence that would be unalterable, everything of the past went up in smoke; only then did he realize his fault and obtained enlightenment. The didactic theme is to inspire people with the notion that “Pride leads to loss while modesty brings benefit.”

The Grand Immortal of Ponlai first started out as an open-air stage play. On the occasion of the National Theater’s Inauguration, this play was chosen to be one of the season-opening performances. It has since gained great acclaim. For nearly thirty years, it has never been off the stage. It opened up the Eight Immortals series of plays and became one of the important representative works that brought Ming Hwa Yuan to the international stage. This production has made its way to several places in the world, including Xiamen, Nanchang in China, and the Seaside Arts Center in Singapore. In 2006, it traveled all the way to Malawi Republic and South Africa. The dazzling stage effect of the face-off between immortals has bridged language barriers and won the foreigners’ acclamation.