Li Feng-mao, a researcher at the Academia Sinica's Institute of Chinese Literature and Philosophy, points out that the writings of Daoist philosopher Ge Hong put considerable stress on earthly immortals, as in the following quotes: "Earthly immortals are immortals who do not wish to ascend to heaven." "The most highly cherished hope of those seeking immortality is to become an earthly immortal."
道教修仙理論家葛洪在《抱樸子》與《神仙傳》中也再三強調，「地仙是群仙不欲升天者」。「地仙才是學仙成道者的最大願望」，中研院中國文哲所研究員李豐楙指出。