Jack, an American young man who has practiced martial arts on Wudang Mountain for over ten years, is a familiar "foreigner" to many people, but he calls himself "Old Nei". What stories lie behind a single character difference? Today's "101 Reasons to Stay in Hubei" follows the reporter to visit Wudang Mountain again.

From the blonde "foreign disciple" that trended on the Internet to the 16th generation successor of the Wudang Sanfeng Sect, Jack's story has taken on a new chapter. In 2025, he officially obtained his Chinese permanent residence ID card, the Five-Star Card. His Chinese name is Li Zigen.

My American friend, Li Zigen (Jack), the 16th generation inheritor of the Wudang Sanfeng School of Tai Chi, said: ";This is my Chinese 'Five-Star Card', so now no one can call me 'foreigner', but 'Old Nei'."

Standing at 1.9 meters tall, with a updo and a long beard, he looks exactly like a "Taoist priest" in a martial arts film.

American friend Li Zigen (Jack), the 16th generation inheritor of the Wudang Sanfeng School of Tai Chi: Placed on it, it somewhat resembles a shield.

Jack practiced Tai Chi steadily and steadily, with each move having its own rhythm and strength. If we talk about the biggest change in the past year, it is his hair color.

My American friend, Li Zigen (Jack), the 16th generation inheritor of the Wudang Sanfeng School of Tai Chi: I think this is a very natural change. It's just that the roots of my hair have become deeper. The land nurtures its people. After so many years, I have become accustomed to the food and life here. My hair has turned black, which means returning to my roots. I feel that I have truly taken root in Wudang Mountain and in Hubei Province.

Taking root begins with this densely packed schedule. Practicing martial arts, teaching, studying... Jack said he really enjoyed such repetition because every breath and move was a dialogue with ancient wisdom.

My American friend, Li Zigen (Jack), the 16th generation inheritor of the Wudang Sanfeng School of Tai Chi, said: ";This fifteen years feels very long, but I feel it's very short. It seems to have passed by very quickly. From 5:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. every day, I read the Tao Te Ching, Zhuangzi and ancient philosophy. So I don't feel tired from this repetition."

Li Zigen (Jack) 's wife, Cao Huanhuan: When he talks to foreigners about traditional Chinese culture, about Laozi, Tao Te Ching, Zhuangzi, martial arts and music, I feel that he is shining.

Through this tiny network cable, he delivered the morning bells and evening drums of Wudang and the profoundness and vastness of Chinese culture to the other side of the earth.

My American friend, Li Zigen (Jack), the 16th generation inheritor of the Wudang Sanfeng School of Tai Chi, said: ";I also enjoy sharing, so I take myself as a bridge to share traditional culture. Some of my students are in the United States, Canada, Uruguay, France, Germany, Australia, and also in China. We are connected through the Internet. You may feel that the places are vast (the distance is far), but in fact, they are very close."

However, true dissemination lies beyond the tricks. The most difficult part to translate is not the action itself, but the artistic conception and the profound culture behind the ancient text.

Jack Li, the 16th generation inheritor of the Wudang Sanfeng School of Tai Chi, an American friend, said: ";This year is also my zodiac year. We are going to open an international cultural exchange center to enable people from all over the world to understand the culture of Wudang, Taoist culture and Tai Chi."

(Changjiang Cloud News reporters Liu Fei, Zhao Longwen, Wu Dangshan Media Correspondent Shen Liyan)