The story goes that upon hearing the person's words, Zhou Chun hurriedly leaped out to check, only to find that Yan'er had suddenly disappeared without a trace. This frightened him greatly. At first, he thought she had gone nearby to relieve herself, but despite calling out loudly in all directions, there was still no sign of her. Anxiously, he was drenched in sweat. He didn't dare leave the spot, fearing that Yan'er might return and not be able to find him. While feeling utterly helpless, he suddenly heard a faint voice from inside the door saying, "Haven't you left yet?"
Zhou Chun replied, "I just parted ways with you, but I had a companion with me who has now disappeared. She didn't take any of her belongings with her. Could it be that the monster you mentioned ate her?"
The person inside responded, "That monster is of a yin nature and won't come out before midnight. The disappearance of your companion at this moment is certainly not the work of the monster. You should go to Master Baiyun and ask her to cast a divination for you, and you will find out where your companion is. Don't waste any more time, it's getting late, so hurry up and go."
Zhou Chun, having no other option, did as instructed and set off. After walking less than five miles, he suddenly heard a gust of wind behind him, carrying a pungent smell. Realizing something was wrong, he quickly ran forward as fast as he could. Just as he reached a small temple, the wind abruptly stopped. Zhou Chun turned around to look, and in the dense fog, he could vaguely make out two red lights retreating along the path he had come from. Under the moonlight, everything was clearly visible, and Zhou Chun broke out in a cold sweat. Looking at the small temple, it wasn't very large. Two withered willow trees stood in front of the door, casting shadows under the moonlight, making the place seem quite tranquil. Inside, there were sounds of Buddhist chanting, indicating that the owner was likely performing evening prayers. Zhou Chun gently knocked on the door twice.
A young girl's voice responded, "This is a nunnery. If you wish to stay, you should go ahead."
Zhou Chun replied, "I encountered trouble on the road and came here specifically to seek help from Master Baiyun."
Before he could finish speaking, the door opened, and out came a young nun, around thirteen or fourteen years old, with striking beauty. Upon seeing Zhou Chun, she said, "The Master is currently performing evening prayers. Please wait in the Buddha hall for a moment." Zhou Chun followed her inside and sat down in the hall. The young nun brought him a bowl of tea and some plain buns before heading back inside, not returning for quite some time.
Zhou Chun, growing restless from waiting, suddenly saw a flash of green light in front of him, darting like a bird toward the back courtyard. Driven by curiosity, he quietly followed and approached the window. He heard two people talking inside, a man and a woman. Listening closely, the woman said, "Why has Second Senior Brother come here so late? What business brings you?"
The man replied, "I just passed by Yunling Mountain and saw a great surge of demonic energy. I intended to investigate but saw a young boy standing under the eaves of a house by the roadside, not more than ten zhang away from the demon. The boy had great potential, and I couldn't bear to see him harmed, so I grabbed him and took him out of danger. I then used my sword to drive away the demon. After questioning him, I learned that he was a disciple of Zhou Chun, one of the Three Heroes of Qilu. Seeing that the boy had immortal qualities, it seemed a waste for him to follow a mere mortal hero. So, I took him as my disciple and had Bai'er carry him to my mountain. The boy mentioned he was worried his master and elderly mother would be concerned, so I promised to send word to his master. Who would've thought that along the way, I saved another disciple of Seventh Junior Brother named Shi Lin, who had also been poisoned by the demon and was on the verge of death? I rescued him and sent him back to the mountain, only to find out that the one named Zhou had sought refuge here. When I entered just now, I saw someone sitting in the Buddha hall. That must be him."
The woman replied, "A moment ago, Zijuan mentioned that someone named Zhou had come to seek refuge. I was just about to meet him when you arrived, so we haven't spoken yet."
The man continued, "That demon looked extremely formidable. My Xuanying Sword could only drive it away but couldn't harm it at all. Not knowing its full capabilities, I didn't dare act rashly. Since you're so close, how have you let it run rampant for so long?"
The woman replied, "I've spent endless effort trying to subdue this demon and finally found something to restrain it, but I lacked help. Now that you've come, it's a great relief." Then she said toward the window, "Zhou, the valiant warrior, you've come from afar. Why not come in and speak with us instead of eavesdropping outside?"
Zhou Chun, who had been listening intently, blushed with embarrassment at being called out and had no choice but to enter. Inside, he saw a nun of about forty or fifty years sitting on a prayer mat, and seated above her was a Daoist priest with a face full of bristly whiskers and eyes gleaming with energy. Knowing they were extraordinary people, Zhou Chun knelt in respect. The nun and Daoist priest quickly helped him up, saying, "No need for such formality."
The nun, having Zhou Chun sit down, said, "I assume you've already heard what we were discussing. This is my Senior Brother, the bearded immortal Li Yuanhua. I am Yuan Yuan, also known as Master Baiyun. Your disciple has been taken as an apprentice by my bearded Senior Brother. Would you be willing to part with him?"
Zhou Chun replied, "He's young, and it is a great honor for him to be chosen by a sword immortal. I am indeed fortunate beyond words. I have long feared that with my shallow learning, I would delay his future. Now that he's found an immortal path, how could I refuse? However, I encountered someone along the way who was poisoned by a demon and is on the verge of death. I humbly beg the two of you to extend your mercy and save him."
The bearded Daoist said, "That person is named Shi Lin, and he is my junior nephew. I already saved him on my way here and sent him back to the mountain."
Zhou Chun hurriedly expressed his gratitude. Master Baiyun then said, "Senior Brother, your timing is impeccable. We must act swiftly, and tomorrow morning, we shall go slay the demon together."
The bearded Daoist asked, "What exactly is this demon that makes it so formidable?"
Master Baiyun explained, "This mountain wasn't originally called Yunling Mountain. A snake demon took residence here, and its poisonous breath formed clouds that would merge with the morning and evening mists, creating a spectacular sight. People were so enamored with these brilliant clouds that they named the mountain Yunling. Initially, the demon only spewed clouds and mist and didn't harm anyone. But in the past three years, everything changed. The demon now trains in its cave from morning until dusk, and during this time, it's safe for travelers. But if anyone passes by outside those hours, few escape unscathed. I've fought it many times but haven't been able to harm it. It knows my strength and always retreats when it nears my temple. Earlier, I heard the wind and knew the demon had come, but when there was no further commotion, I realized it had fled, and shortly after, you knocked on my door."
Zhou Chun now understood why the demon had suddenly stopped its pursuit earlier. Master Baiyun continued, "The demon fears centipedes the most. I heard that Master Canxia of Mount Huang possesses such a creature, so I sent Zijuan to borrow it. At first, the master was reluctant, as the centipede is the treasure of her cave. But after I personally went, she agreed, and we just borrowed it yesterday. Now that you and Senior Brother are here, I believe the day of the demon's demise is near."