Ying Zheng, the first Qin Emperor, was deceived by alchemists, saying that there were three islands in the sea, Penglai, the abbot and Yingzhou, where immortals lived and had "elixir of life", and then he could "live forever". Hearing this, Qin Shihuang was very tempted and fantasized about becoming an immortal. So Qin Shihuang sent him to recruit thousands of children and men to seek immortality in the sea.

Liu Che, the Emperor of the Han Dynasty, climbed Mount Tai as a ritual meditation, and listened to some alchemists clamoring that "Penglai Mountain will be available" and engaged in immortal activities, such as calling ghosts and gods, refining sand and waiting for gods. There are countless tricks, and they often go to the sea to seek "Penglai", saying that mountains are meditation.

Li Shimin, Emperor Taizong, sought immortality, and Raul's wife was refined into an elixir. Li Shimin was very happy, but after taking Dan medicine for a long time, she died of chronic poisoning.

Zhu Houzong, Emperor Shizong of the Ming Dynasty, wanted to live forever. He searched everywhere for alchemists and secret recipes, and many people made great achievements. Some scholars also became prime ministers because they wrote green words for Emperor Jiajing. At that time, there was a saying among the people that it was "green prime minister".

Sima Pi, Emperor Ai of Jin Dynasty, specially built a standardized alchemy room in the palace, and called warlocks to refine Dan medicine day and night, and finally died of poisoning from eating Dan medicine.