It is said that he once served as the governor of the Hangu Pass. In the chapter "The World" of Zhuangzi, he and Lao Dan are classified as one school. It is said to be Yin Xi.

In Volume 2225 of the "Complete Library of Ancient and Modern Times", it is stated: "Guan Ling Yin Xi, styled Gongwen, was a doctor of the Zhou Dynasty. He was good at inner learning, often dressed in daily and monthly fine clothes, and practiced virtue in seclusion, which was unknown to people of his time." Laozi traveled to the west. He was delighted to see the purple mist coming first. Knowing that a true man had been there, he scoured it to cover it up and thus found Laozi. Then he left the Kansai region, "wandering with the quicksand, not knowing where he ended."

Guan Yin believed that "If one empties oneself and accepts things, the nature of the objects will naturally become clear." Therefore, the saying "never imitate one's predecessors but always follow them" is basically in line with Laozi's thoughts.

Taoism reveres him as "The Supreme Immortal" and "Mr. Wen Shi".