Ancient Cave – Slaying the Demon Serpent; Father and Daughter Reunited

White Cloud Master retrieved dozens of golden pills from her gourd and carefully placed them inside the iron case.

The golden centipede, sensing the elixirs, began to writhe violently, its crimson scales clattering against the metal.

She swiftly snapped the lid shut, sealing the creature's restless energy.

Beard Immortal Li Yuanhua stroked his beard, his sharp eyes narrowing. 

"Such a divine creature must possess venom fiercer than the serpent's. How did Master Canxia tame it in the first place?"

"Master Canxia was mischievous in her youth," White Cloud Master explained, her voice tinged with nostalgia.

 "One day, she captured a centipede no longer than three inches. She kept it in a wooden box, feeding it grains of rice each day. Over decades, it grew into this formidable guardian.

" When the Divine Nun Youtan took her as a disciple, she refined her into a sword immortal. The centipede became a treasure of her sect, nurtured with talismans and immortal elixirs.

"Now, it obeys commands, shrinks or enlarges at will, and never harms the innocent."

The trio continued their conversation, delving into Zhou Chun's martial techniques and philosophies, until the first rays of dawn painted the eastern sky.

"The hour has come," White Cloud Master declared solemnly.

She turned to Zhou Chun, her gaze piercing.

"This battle is fraught with peril. If you insist on witnessing it, stay hidden. Do not interfere—no matter what you see."

With that, the three descended into the valley.

The rising sun revealed a jagged landscape of sheer cliffs and barren rock, where even weeds dared not grow.

"The serpent's lair lies ahead," White Cloud Master said to Li Yuanhua, gesturing toward a yawning black cavern.

"I will lure it out. When it engages me, sever its retreat."

She strode forward alone, her robes fluttering like a ghost in the pale light.

Li Yuanhua and Zhou Chun scaled a nearby peak, peering down into the abyss.

The cave mouth gaped like a monstrous maw, its depths swallowing all light.

White Cloud Master halted a few paces from the entrance and emitted a series of sharp, whistling cries.

A sudden gale erupted, tearing at her robes as she retreated.

In an instant, a deafening roar echoed from the cave.

A colossal serpent surged forth—its golden scales gleaming like molten metal, crimson eyes blazing with malice. Ten zhang long and thick as a wine vat, it slithered with terrifying speed, closing half a li in moments.

White Cloud Master spun around, her voice ringing clear: "Come forth!" A violet beam shot from her palm, slicing through the air.

The serpent retaliated, spewing a torrent of flames that clashed with the violet light.

The two forces writhed in mid-air, casting eerie shadows across the valley.

After a fierce stalemate, the serpent recoiled, attempting to flee.

Li Yuanhua seized the moment, unsheathing his Xuan Ying Sword. A streak of cyan light hurtled toward the serpent's head.

Cornered, the beast coiled its massive body, spewing venomous fog and flames to repel the twin blades.

Despite their divine power, the swords clashed harmlessly against its impenetrable scales.

White Cloud Master and Li Yuanhua positioned themselves on opposing peaks, their swords dancing like dragons in the sky.

Hours passed, yet neither side gained ground.

Finally, White Cloud Master signaled Li Yuanhua to withdraw.

Mistaking their retreat for defeat, the serpent lunged at her—only to be blinded by a crimson radiance erupting from her hand.

She had released the golden centipede.

The creature expanded mid-air, growing to over ten feet, its scales glinting like bloodstained armor.

The serpent hissed, recognizing its mortal foe.

It unleashed a barrage of fire and poison, but the centipede darted nimbly, clamping its jaws onto the serpent's vital spot.

In retaliation, the serpent sank its fangs into the centipede's tail.

The two monstrosities thrashed in a death grip, their struggle shaking the earth.

Agonized, the serpent whipped its tail against the cliffs, sending boulders cascading like hail.

Li Yuanhua raised his sword to strike, but White Cloud Master halted him.

"You'll harm the centipede!"

Before she could explain, a thunderous crash resounded.

The serpent's tail had shattered a cliffside boulder, which plummeted onto its own skull, crushing it instantly.

The centipede, exhausted, collapsed lifeless beside its foe.

White Cloud Master and Li Yuanhua descended, dismembering the serpent's carcass.

"I feared this outcome," she murmured, gazing at the centipede's corpse.

"How will I face Master Canxia?"

"This demon plagued the land for decades," Li Yuanhua countered.

"Eradicating it is a righteous deed. Master Canxia will understand."

A shadow swept across the valley as a black-robed maiden descended, her waist adorned with a jade gourd. She bowed gracefully.

"Disciple Zhou Qingyun, sent by Master Canxia. She bids you not to grieve—the centipede's fate was ordained. I am to return its remains."

Qingyun placed a golden pill in the centipede's mouth, shrinking it to eight inches before sealing it in her gourd.

Then, she turned, her voice soft yet firm:"My father, Zhou Chun—is he here?"

White Cloud Master summoned Zhou Chun. Father and daughter embraced, tears mingling with laughter.

Zhou Chun seized the moment.

"Daughter, I must seek Master Canxia's aid. The One-Armed Bear, Mao Tai, hunts me. Will you plead my case?"

Qingyun smiled.

"No need. Master foresaw this. She instructs you to proceed to Chengdu—allies await. I will join you after my mission."

Relief washed over Zhou Chun.

"You've mastered immortal swordsmanship?"

"Yes,"Qingyun replied, her eyes gleaming with pride.

"Master trained me well. Mao Tai will fall."

After heartfelt farewells, Qingyun vanished into the clouds.

Zhou Chun turned to White Cloud Master, hope flickering in his eyes.

"Could I… learn your arts?"

"You possess the heart and roots for immortality," she said kindly.

"But the path is long. Sects like Kunlun, Emei, Huangshan, and Wutai vie fiercely. Mao Tai is but the first storm. Prepare wisely."

With a wave of her hand, she incinerated the serpent's remains.

Li Yuanhua, summoned by his master's decree, whistled sharply. A colossal crane swooped from the clouds, its wingspan blotting out the sun.

Mounting it, he called, "Farewell!" and soared into the heavens.

Zhou Chun realized—this was the same crane that had battled the serpent days prior.

Though Qingyun's words reassured him, anxiety lingered.

"Will you aid me in Chengdu?"he asked White Cloud Master.

"Go forth. When danger strikes, I will come."

Days later, Zhou Chun arrived in Chengdu.

Zhou Chun inquired everywhere about Mao Tai's whereabouts, and said that he had never seen such a monk, so he could only wait for Qingyun to arrive there.

However, after waiting for more than three months, he didn't see his daughter, and he was very puzzled.

Restless, he wandered to the South Gate's Wuhou Temple, its ancient halls steeped in the legacy of Zhuge Liang.

Yet even amidst history's whispers, his mind churned—every shadow a potential threat, every stranger a possible foe.