Master Baiyun finished speaking and took a long box from the wall, which was made of solid iron and extremely sturdy. She then took out dozens of pills from a gourd. Opening the lid of the box, they saw a centipede inside, two feet and four inches long, its red scales shimmering, and its eyes, as large as tea bowls, glowing green. Master Baiyun placed the pills in the box, and the centipede began to stir. She quickly closed the lid.
The bearded Daoist asked, "Such a mystical creature must be even more dangerous than the serpent demon. How did Master Canxia originally capture it?"
Master Baiyun replied, "When Master Canxia was a mischievous young girl, she once caught a small centipede, no more than two or three inches long. She kept it in a box and fed it rice every day, and over time, it grew. By the time she got married, the centipede was nearly five or six feet long, and she insisted on taking it with her. Her father, worried about the scandal it might cause, refused. With no other choice, she had someone release the centipede into the mountains. Later, after her husband passed away, she was taken in by the divine nun, Master Youdan, and trained as a sword immortal. She returned to the mountain to reclaim the centipede as the guardian of her cave. Over the next hundred years, Master Canxia used talismans and spells to refine it further, feeding it only magical elixirs. It became incredibly powerful, capable of changing size at will, and developed great intelligence, never harming anyone lightly. Master Canxia was very fond of it. This time, after much pleading, she finally agreed to lend it to me, so don't underestimate it."
The three of them continued their conversation, asking about Zhou Chun's martial skills. Before they knew it, dawn was breaking in the east. Master Baiyun said, "It's time." She turned to Zhou Chun and cautioned, "This mission is extremely dangerous. If you choose to come along, stay on the sidelines and observe. Whatever you do, don't act rashly." With that, she and the other two set off toward the valley.
By this time, the red sun had begun to rise, and the path ahead was clearly visible. They arrived at a spot where the terrain was particularly treacherous, barren and lifeless. Master Baiyun turned to the bearded Daoist and said, "We're close to the serpent's lair. Let me go ahead to draw it out. Once I engage it, I'll need you to use the Xuanying Sword to cut off its escape route." With that, she walked forward alone. The bearded Daoist and Zhou Chun leapt up to a mountain peak and saw a large, pitch-black cave in the valley below.
Master Baiyun approached the cave and made some whistling calls. Suddenly, a fierce wind arose, and she quickly turned to retreat. In an instant, a black whirlwind erupted from the cave, and out rushed a giant serpent. Its scales were golden, its eyes red, and it was about thirty feet long, with a body as thick as a barrel, moving at lightning speed. It chased her for over half a mile before Master Baiyun suddenly turned and shouted, "Perfect timing!" A purple light shot from her hand, and the serpent responded by spitting a fiery flame that collided with the purple light in mid-air. After a brief struggle, the serpent, realizing it was outmatched, turned to flee. The bearded Daoist immediately unleashed his Xuanying Sword, sending a blue light toward the serpent's head. Seeing its path blocked, the serpent coiled itself tightly, spraying toxic fire and mist, battling the sword lights. Despite the sword's power, it could not harm the serpent.
Master Baiyun and the bearded Daoist, each commanding sword lights from separate peaks, fought the serpent for half a day without a clear victor. Master Baiyun, seeing no other option, signaled the bearded Daoist to withdraw their sword lights. The serpent, thinking its enemies had been defeated, prepared to strike. Suddenly, a red light shot from Master Baiyun's hand, illuminating the entire valley—it was the centipede. Once released, it grew to over ten feet in length, swelling in the wind. The serpent, recognizing its formidable opponent, unleashed all its fire and mist in a desperate struggle. After a fierce battle, the centipede bit into the serpent's weak spot, while the serpent bit down on the centipede's tail. Neither would let go.
The serpent, in agony, thrashed its tail against the mountain rocks, sending shattered stones flying like hail—a spectacular sight. The three onlookers gathered together, and the bearded Daoist wanted to use the Xuanying Sword to assist the centipede, but Master Baiyun, fearing it might be harmed, quickly stopped him. Just as they were speaking, a thunderous crash echoed through the valley. Both the serpent and the centipede fell still. The serpent, in its death throes, had smashed a large rock that had been protruding from the mouth of the valley. The rock fell squarely on its head, crushing its skull, while the centipede, having exhausted its strength, also died.
Master Baiyun and the bearded Daoist quickly descended the mountain and chopped the serpent into pieces with their swords. Seeing the centipede had died, Master Baiyun sighed, "I feared this might happen, that both would perish. How can I return the centipede to Master Canxia now?"
The bearded Daoist replied, "This serpent has terrorized the land and poisoned countless lives. Thanks to Master Canxia's centipede, we've rid the world of this menace. Such merit cannot be overlooked, so I doubt she will hold it against us."
At that moment, a woman dressed in black descended from the mountain, a gourd hanging at her waist. She bowed before them and said, "I am Zhou Qingyun, sent by Master Canxia. Please don't worry about the centipede's death. Its fate was sealed. My master asks that you return its remains." She approached the centipede, took out a pill, and placed it in its mouth. The centipede shrank to about seven or eight inches, and she carefully placed it into her gourd. She then turned to Master Baiyun and said, "My master also inquires whether my father, Zhou Chun, is here. May I see him?"
Master Baiyun now realized this was Zhou Chun's daughter and joyfully called him over. The father and daughter were reunited with great happiness. Zhou Chun had originally intended to seek Master Canxia's help during his visit to Master Baiyun but had been too preoccupied with the serpent demon. Now, seeing his daughter, he explained his situation regarding the Many-Armed Bear Demon seeking revenge and his upcoming journey to Chengdu, asking her to request Master Canxia's assistance. Qingyun replied, "Such a small matter doesn't require my master's help. I was sent here for this very reason. Since training under Master Canxia, I have already mastered the immortal sword. My master has said that although my father's training was incomplete, his destiny lies with a great teacher, whom he will meet in due time. For now, proceed to Chengdu without worry; someone will guide you along the way. After I report back to my master, I will also come to Chengdu to help defeat the Bear Demon."
Hearing this, Zhou Chun felt greatly relieved. Qingyun bid farewell to the three and returned to her master.
Zhou Chun, thinking that Master Baiyun and the bearded Daoist were renowned sword immortals, considered studying under them. Master Baiyun said, "Although you are over forty, your character and moral integrity are excellent. You will join our ranks one day, so there's no need to rush. Currently, there are many different schools of swordsmanship, often leading to conflict. Outside of Kunlun and Emei, the newly established Huangshan and Wutai schools are at odds like fire and water, due to the eternal struggle between good and evil. This vengeance by the Bear Demon is just the beginning—there will be more to come."
With that, she gathered some dried branches and leaves and burned the serpent's remains. The bearded Daoist then mentioned that he was on a mission from his master, Patriarch Jingxu, to quickly guide a man with strong immortal roots before the Wutai Sect could recruit him. With a long whistle, a giant white crane flew down from the clouds. The bearded Daoist mounted it, said his farewells, and soared into the sky. Zhou Chun now realized that the crane from the earlier battle was the Daoist's mount. Although reassured by his daughter's words, he still felt uneasy and asked Master Baiyun for further assistance. She said, "You should go ahead. There will be no danger on this journey. If trouble arises, I will come to your aid, but it won't be necessary now."
Zhou Chun, half-believing, half-doubting, had no choice but to set off alone.
After several days, he reached Chengdu. He inquired everywhere about Mao Tai, but no one had seen such a monk. Zhou Chun had no choice but to wait for Qingyun's arrival. He waited for over three months without any sign of her, leaving him greatly puzzled. It was now late January, and Chengdu was filled with temples and historic sites. One day, feeling bored in his inn, he decided to take a stroll and visit the Temple of Marquis Wu, just outside the south gate.