Deep in the boundless and mountainous forests with numerous peaks rising one after another, there lived a hunter named Shi Hu. He was as vigorous as a swift cheetah, shuttling through the woods and having acquired extraordinary hunting skills. His bronze-colored skin was a testament to years of exposure to the wind and the sun; his deep eyes seemed to be able to detect the traces of every prey in the forest; and his rough yet powerful hands had drawn countless strong bows and captured numerous rare birds and beasts, thus sustaining his simple life.

However, this time, Shi Hu encountered an unprecedented crisis. One day, as usual, he entered the forest before dawn, following the tracks of a rare white deer deep into the hinterland. But the forest was like a gigantic maze, filled with thick fog that blotted out the sky and the sun, causing him to gradually lose his way. The surrounding scenery seemed unchanging, and every tree and every stone seemed to be playing hide-and-seek with him. No matter how hard he tried to distinguish, he couldn't find the familiar path out of the mountains.

Time slipped away quietly. The night fell like a huge black satin, mercilessly shrouding the forest. Shi Hu was exhausted and hungry, and his steps became increasingly heavy. He could only lean against a big tree to take a short rest. The cold wind howled through the woods, making eerie sounds as if the spirits in the forest were whispering, sending chills down his spine. He hugged his arms tightly, trying to ward off the piercing cold, his heart full of helplessness and fear. That night, he tossed and turned, unable to sleep in the cold and hunger, listening to the roars of wild beasts in the distance and praying for the dawn to come quickly.

But several days passed in succession, and Shi Hu was still trapped in the vast forest. His dry rations had been exhausted long ago, and his physical strength was on the verge of depletion. His eyes became hollow and desperate, his lips chapped and peeling, and every step he took seemed to consume all his strength. At this moment, his life was like a flickering candle in the wind, hanging by a thread.

Just when he was about to give up hope, in a trance, he saw a wisp of curling smoke rising from a mountain col in the distance. That wisp of smoke, like a glimmer of dawn in the darkness, instantly ignited the desire to survive in his heart. He summoned his last ounce of strength and trudged towards the direction of the smoke.

When he got closer, he found a small Taoist temple hidden deep in the forest. The temple was not large but exuded an ancient and mysterious aura. The temple gate was half-closed, and Shi Hu staggered in. There, he saw a Taoist priest dressed in a blue-gray Taoist robe, sitting quietly on a stone bench in the courtyard with his eyes closed, holding a string of Buddhist beads as if meditating. The priest had a thin face but emitted an otherworldly tranquility. His snow-white hair was casually tied up at the back of his head, and his beard fluttered gently in the wind, looking like an immortal coming to the mortal world.

Shi Hu knelt down with a thud in front of the priest and, with a hoarse and cracked voice, cried about his experiences in the past few days, begging the priest to save him. The priest slowly opened his eyes, with pity and compassion in his gaze, and gently helped Shi Hu up, saying, "Don't worry, benefactor. Everything in the world has its destiny. Our encounter today is also fate." After saying that, the priest turned and entered the inner room. Soon after, he walked out slowly, holding a talisman in his hand.

This talisman was no ordinary one. It was called the "Seven-star Charm". It was made of tough yellow paper, with a simple and ancient luster, and was carefully painted with strange and complex patterns in cinnabar. In the center, seven stars shone brightly, just like the most dazzling Big Dipper in the night sky, arranged in a mysterious formation, each emitting its unique light and echoing with the vast universe. Around the talisman, there were circles of runes like nebulae, seeming to tell the mysteries of heaven and earth and flowing with mysterious power.

The priest solemnly handed the Seven-star Charm to Shi Hu and earnestly instructed, "Benefactor, this Seven-star Charm condenses the power of seven stars and contains the principles of heaven and earth, and the theory of yin and yang and the five elements. Wear it close to your body and keep a pious heart. It will guide you out of trouble in a critical moment. But remember, the power of the talisman comes from the positive thoughts in your heart and your reverence for nature. Don't let distracting thoughts arise."

Shi Hu received it as if it were a precious treasure. He took it with trembling hands, carefully placed it close to his body, and kowtowed three times to the priest to express his gratitude. Subsequently, under the guidance of the priest, he took a short rest and replenished some dry rations and clear water before setting off on his journey home again.

Wearing the Seven-star Charm, Shi Hu felt a sense of reassurance and comfort in his heart. Although his body was still exhausted, his belief in survival grew even stronger. Along the way, he held the talisman tightly against his chest and prayed silently. Whenever night fell, he would look up at the starry sky, searching for the familiar Big Dipper, as if he could resonate with the talisman in his hand in this way.

Miraculously, in the following days, whenever Shi Hu was at a loss and didn't know which way to go, the Seven-star Charm would become slightly warm and emit a faint light. That light was like a lighthouse in the night sky, illuminating the path ahead for him, guiding him to avoid steep valleys, swift streams, and bypass hidden swamps.

Once, he came to a three-way intersection where thick fog filled the air, making it impossible to see the road clearly. Shi Hu was extremely anxious, his forehead covered with beads of sweat. Just when he was at a loss, the Seven-star Charm suddenly shone brightly, and a beam of light pointed directly at one of the paths. Shi Hu was overjoyed and without hesitation, walked along the direction indicated by the light. As he walked, the fog gradually dispersed, and a familiar mountain path appeared in front of him, which was exactly the way leading out of the mountains.

After several days of arduous trekking, Shi Hu finally walked out of the forest miraculously. Looking at the familiar village in front of him, tears welled up in his eyes. It was the joy of surviving a disaster and also his deep gratitude to the priest and the Seven-star Charm.

Back in the village, Shi Hu told everyone he met about his thrilling experience. The villagers sat around, listening with great interest and marveling at the miraculous power of Taoism. Shi Hu said with emotion, "This Seven-star Charm seems to be just an ordinary yellow paper talisman, but in fact, it contains endless mysteries. It made me understand that the understanding of the natural forces of the universe in Taoist culture is unfathomable. Taoist talismans are not just a piece of paper but also a spiritual sustenance, a bridge connecting us with nature. When we are in a desperate situation, it can give us strength, guide us to find a way out, resist external unrest and disasters, and bring inner peace and safety."

Since then, Shi Hu held Taoism in awe and often went to the nearby Taoist temple to burn incense and pray for blessings. He also donated a part of his hunting gains to the temple to express his gratitude. And his story spread like wings in the surrounding villages, making more people know about the life-saving grace of the "Seven-star Charm" and the profoundness of Taoist culture.

As the years passed slowly, the small Taoist temple in the deep mountains still had an unbroken stream of incense, and a continuous stream of believers came to pay their respects. They came either to seek spiritual comfort or to explore the true wisdom of Taoism. And the legend of the "Seven-star Charm" was passed down from generation to generation, becoming a vivid example of Taoism protecting all living beings, inspiring people to have hope and hold on to their faith when facing difficulties, believing that there would always be a mysterious and powerful force that would reach out a helping hand at a critical moment, leading us out of the darkness and into the light.

These talismans mentioned in the stories all reflect the profound insight and respect of Taoist culture for the natural forces of the universe. Taoist predecessors created these talismans based on the laws of heaven and earth and the theory of yin and yang and the five elements, aiming to harness the power of nature to protect all living things. Wearing talismans is not only an external form but also an manifestation of inner faith and wisdom. It reminds people to revere nature and conform to the way of heaven. When we have a positive mind and blend with heaven and earth, we can find our own peace and shelter in this complex world, fearless of wind and rain, and march forward bravely.