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The religious bureau confirmed as a fraud his claim of staying alive under water for nearly 2.5 hours, and his expensive programs have been banned for failing to get official approval.

But the bureau said it needs to further investigate other controversies.

A former colleague of Li told the Global Times on condition of anonymity Wednesday that the official investigation has been unconvincing, as there are a number of many leads to follow up on. "How could they draw a conclusion within two days over a case that happened years ago," she said.

Li is the latest "grand master" exposed as a fraud. Zhang Wuben, 47, a once-popular Chinese diet therapist, was found by officials in May to have faked his nutritionist qualifications.

Zhang claimed that mung beans and eggplant could cure diabetes and even cancer.

Sima Nan, a well-known Chinese critic of controversial scientific issues, told the Global Times Wednesday that Li uses religion to boast his "omnipotence" in the media and to his followers.

"With the improvement in living standards, there is a great public demand of regimens for longer and healthier lives, which has been used by people such as Li to make a fortune," Sima said.

Public disappointment in the modern medical-care system have resulted in more people turning to religion for help, Sima said, urging the government to put more effort into spreading scientific knowledge based on facts.

Outcries from skeptics aside, Li still has a number of devote supporters.

Fan Xinman, an editor at China Central Television, said in her blog Tuesday that "I remain to have trust in Li, since I deem him a representative of traditional Chinese culture." Fan has written a book on Li's "magical powers."