The Immortal Li Tieguai, the crippled beggar. His symbol is a gourd. He is the Immortal who banished Bai Tza to the Netherworld. Li Tieguai was an actual figure from Taoist mythology. He is sometimes considered the leader of the Immortals. As he studied with Lao Tzu, his spirit had to ascend into heaven. Li told his apprentice that if his spirit was not back in seven days the apprentice must cremate Li's body. However, the apprentice had to leave early, so he cremated the body at six and a half days. When Li's spirit returned, it had to enter the body of a beggar who had died moments before. Lao Tzu appeared, and gave him a gourd that could cure all sickness, but Li's new body remained maimed despite the gourd, and had to walk with a magical Iron Crutch that would never rust or break. He i