After White Cloud Master finished speaking, she took a sturdy iron box from the wall. She then retrieved several dozen pills from a gourd. Opening the box's lid, a two feet and four inches long centipede was revealed, its body covered in shiny red scales, with eye bulbs the size of teacups that emitted a green light. White Cloud Master placed the pills inside the box, and the centipede began to wriggle. In a hurry, she quickly closed the lid.
The Daoist with a beard said, "Such a creature must be more formidable in its venom than the snake demon. I'm curious, how did Master Canxia come to possess it?"
White Cloud Master replied, "When Master Canxia was a young girl in her family's home, she was quite mischievous. One day, she caught a small centipede, only a few inches long. She placed the creature in a box and fed it a little rice every day. Over time, it gradually grew. When it was time for her to leave her family and marry, this centipede had grown to be nearly five or six feet long. She insisted on taking it with her. However, her husband's family was afraid of the terrifying appearance and refused. In the end, she had someone carry the centipede to a mountain and release it there. After her husband's death, she was taken in by the nun Master Youtan, where she cultivated the Dao and eventually became a sword immortal. She then returned to the mountain to claim the centipede as her spiritual guardian. For over a century, with the guidance of Master Canxia's spells and incantations, and nourished by spiritual medicines, it has become a creature of boundless power. It can change its size at will, possesses supernatural abilities, and, more importantly, it never harms people. Master Canxia holds it dear to her heart. It took me a great deal of effort and persuasion to borrow it temporarily for this mission. Fellow Daoist, please do not underestimate it."
The three of them continued to converse and inquire about Zhou Chun's martial skills. Unbeknownst to them, the eastern sky was already beginning to lighten. White Cloud Master spoke, "It is time." Then, she turned to Zhou Chun and said, "This mission is extraordinarily dangerous. If you decide to come along, you must stay on the sidelines and observe. Do not act recklessly."
With that, the three of them rose and made their way towards the mountain valley.
At this moment, a red sun had risen above the horizon, illuminating the landscape clearly. They reached a perilous location, where no vegetation grew. White Cloud Master turned to the bearded Daoist and said, "We're not far from the snake's lair. Let me go ahead and lure it out. When I engage in combat with it, I'll need you to use the Xuan Ying Sword to cut off its retreat." With that, she proceeded alone towards the lair, not far from it. She called out a few times and then, suddenly, a fierce wind blew. White Cloud Master quickly turned and started to retrace her steps. As she did, a black wind gusted from the cave, and a massive serpent emerged, covered in golden scales with crimson eyes. It was about thirty feet long, with a waist as wide as a large jar, moving with incredible speed. The serpent chased them for a considerable distance. Suddenly, White Cloud Master turned around and shouted, "This is perfect!" She released a violet light from her hand, and the serpent responded by spewing flames from its mouth, which intertwined with the violet radiance. After a brief battle, the serpent realized it was no match for the light and tried to retreat. The bearded Daoist drew his Xuan Ying Sword and unleashed a streak of green light towards the serpent's head. The serpent twisted its body, spraying flames and toxic mist to fight against the two sword lights. Despite the formidable power of the divine swords, they couldn't harm the serpent in the least. Seeing the situation, White Cloud Master and the bearded Daoist each took positions on different peaks, directing the sword lights against the serpent. The battle raged on for half a day, with no clear victor. White Cloud Master had no choice but to signal the bearded Daoist, and they both retracted their sword lights. Seeing the sword lights suddenly withdraw, the serpent assumed it had won the battle and prepared to attack White Cloud Master. However, a radiant object was launched from her hand, glowing with a brilliant red light that bathed the entire valley in a crimson hue. White Cloud Master had unleashed a centipede from a box. As soon as the centipede was released, it stretched its body, extending to over thirty feet. The serpent, recognizing the centipede as a formidable adversary, unleashed its full strength, spewing flames and toxic mist, battling the centipede. After some time, the centipede bit down on the serpent's seven-inch portion, while the serpent held the centipede's tail. Neither would release their grip. The serpent, in agony, swung its long tail against the mountainside, creating a hailstorm of flying rocks that shattered the mountainside and sent debris into the air like ice pellets, creating a spectacular scene. Meanwhile, the three of them had reached a safe distance. The bearded Daoist was about to retract the Xuan Ying Sword to assist the centipede. However, White Cloud Master was afraid of harming the centipede and quickly stopped him. While they were discussing their next steps, there was a thunderous explosion, and both the serpent and the centipede lay motionless. The serpent, in excruciating pain, swung its tail, which struck a prominent rock, causing it to collapse and fall on the serpent's head, shattering its skull. The centipede, too, had exhausted its strength and died. White Cloud Master and the bearded Daoist quickly flew down the mountain and used their swords to sever the serpent's body into multiple segments. Seeing the centipede's death, White Cloud Master said, "Initially, I was reluctant to release it, as I feared both parties would be harmed. How do we return it to Master Canxia now?" The bearded Daoist replied, "This demon caused harm in the region, and the venom it spread affected countless living beings. Thanks to Master Canxia's centipede, we've eliminated this great threat. The merits are not insignificant. I believe that she won't hold it against us."
As they were talking, a black-clad young woman descended from the mountaintop, carrying a gourd at her waist. She approached them and greeted, "I am Zhou Qingyun, acting on behalf of Master Canxia. Please, White Cloud Master, don't be concerned. The centipede's death was destined. My master has sent her regards and requested that I collect its remains." She then went to the centipede, retrieved a pill, placed it in its mouth, causing the centipede to shrink to about seven or eight inches in size. She placed it in the gourd at her side and turned to White Cloud Master, saying, "Master, our master says not to worry. Bringing the centipede's corpse is preordained, and there's no need for apologies." White Cloud Master then learned that she was Zhou Chun's daughter, and she was thrilled to meet her. Zhou Chun was about to ask for Master Canxia's help, but with the commotion caused by capturing the demon earlier, she didn't have a chance. Now, seeing her daughter, she seized the opportunity to request that Zhou Qingyun ask Master Canxia to descend the mountain. Zhou Qingyun replied, "For such a minor matter, there's no need to trouble my master. I came here for this very purpose. I accompanied my master up the mountain and successfully refined my Immortal Sword. Due to my father's inability to master swordsmanship, I have repeatedly asked Master Canxia to teach him. However, she mentioned that my father had no affinity with her. She also mentioned that a suitable opportunity would naturally arise for my father to encounter a renowned teacher. After returning to the mountain, I will head to Chengdu to assist my father in seeking revenge against Mao Tai." Zhou Chun was relieved to hear this. Zhou Qingyun bade farewell to the three and returned to the mountain, not mentioning their encounter. Zhou Chun considered that White Cloud Master and the bearded Daoist were both renowned swordsmen and pondered the idea of becoming their disciple. White Cloud Master, however, advised against it. She said, "Though you are over forty, your character and potential are excellent. There's no need to rush. The world of martial artists is filled with factions and conflicts. In addition to Kunlun and Emei, the newly established Huangshan and Wutai sects are constantly in conflict, as both can't coexist peacefully due to opposing ideologies. The conflict with Mao Tai is just the beginning. There will be more challenges ahead." She then gathered dry branches and leaves and cremated the snake's remains. The bearded Daoist, on the other hand, explained that he had to go quickly to meet someone rich in spiritual potential under the orders of his Master Jingxu. He was afraid of being claimed by members of the Wutai sect. He bid them farewell with a loud whistle, and a celestial crane descended from the clouds. He mounted it and said, "Farewell," then soared into the sky. Zhou Chun later learned that the celestial crane he used to fight the serpent on the mountain was also his mount. Although Zhou Chun heard Zhou Qingyun's words and felt somewhat reassured, he couldn't help but remain concerned. Before parting, he asked for White Cloud Master's assistance. She replied, "You go on ahead; there will be no hindrance on your journey. When you face real trouble, I'll come to your aid. There's no need for me to accompany you at this point." Zhou Chun, half-believing her words, had no other choice and left on his own. After several days of traveling, he reached Chengdu. Everywhere he inquired about Mao Tai, they all said they hadn't seen such a monk. Zhou Chun had no choice but to wait for Zhou Qingyun to arrive. He waited for more than three months without any sign of her, leaving him perplexed. By now, it was late January. Chengdu was filled with temples and monasteries, and there were many historical sites. One day, feeling bored and restless, Zhou Chun decided to take a stroll and visit the Wuhou Shrine just outside the South Gate.