Han Hsiang Tzu was so disappointed that he retreated from this life and devoted himself to study.  After many years, he achieved immortality.  But the flute was no ordinary instrument.  It could play, almost by itself, captivating music that enchanted all who heard it.  Even after Han Hsiang Tzu became an immortal he carried this flute with him.  The flute was made of bamboo from the forest of Kuan Yin and gave Han the power to destroy evil spirits and bring pleasure to the pure of heart.

A young girl attains the rank of immortal

Ho Hsien Ku was reputedly a girl of fourteen who lived during the Tang dynasty in Kwangtung Province, although another completely different tradition states that she was a woman from Yongzhou who lived during the Song dynasty.  She is to be recognized by the lotus flower she carries.  Ho Hsien Ku is often described as floating or leaping from mountaintop to mountaintop as she gathers fruit and rare delicacies for her family and others.

Ho Hsien Ku is the only female among the Eight Immortals (although Lan Tsai Ho is sometimes portrayed as a woman as well) and was perhaps the last of the group to become an immortal.  A number of stories describe the circumstances under which she became one of the eight.  One tells of her preparing herself for immortal status by taking a special powder while practicing extreme ascetic rituals.  Another story involves her being tested by the other immortals.