Xiao-Qing (also Verta or Qingqing), a green snake spirit central to China's "Legend of the White Snake," attained human form after five centuries of disciplined Taoist training on Mount Emei. Her origin stems from Bai Suzhen (Xiao-Bai/Blanca) saving her from a beggar seeking her gall, forging their lifelong bond as sworn sisters, with Xiao-Qing viewing Bai Suzhen as an elder sibling. Prequel narratives sometimes link their fates earlier when Xiao-Qing witnessed Bai Suzhen consume magical tangyuan destined for Xu Xian, gaining five hundred years of power. Her physical manifestations include a human form with apricot skin, red eyes, dark green eyeshadow, and long black hair often in a ponytail, typically adorned in green robes featuring snake motifs and silver accessories. She transforms into a half-snake state with a tail, scales, and fangs; a small green snake for stealth; and a massive horned, spiked python with translucent fins. Later, escaping to the modern world, she adopts contemporary dark green puffy jackets and trousers. Xiao-Qing's narrative revolves around unwavering devotion to Bai Suzhen. Skeptical of humans and protective when Bai Suzhen falls for Xu Xuan (later Xu Xian), Xiao-Qing initially antagonizes him, distrusting Taoists and snake catchers. Her loyalty drives her to endure the lethal Curse of Scorching Death Scales to gain her master Snake Mother's permission to rescue Bai Suzhen, vowing to return within three days or die. Key actions showcase her dedication. After Bai Suzhen consumes realgar wine during the Dragon Boat Festival, revealing her serpent form and fatally shocking Xu Xian, Xiao-Qing accompanies her to Kunlun Mountain to steal life-restoring herbs. When the monk Fahai imprisons Bai Suzhen under Leifeng Pagoda, Xiao-Qing retreats to Mount Emei. Mastering the True Fire of Samadhi after twelve years, she returns, incinerating Fahai and forcing him into hiding within a crab shell, collapsing the pagoda to free Bai Suzhen. In sequel stories, Xiao-Qing reluctantly aids Bai Suzhen's reunion with Xu Xian's Ming Dynasty reincarnation. She witnesses their marriage but persistently questions Xu Xian's loyalty and Bai Suzhen's vow to renounce magic. She assists in battling a rat demon poisoning wells and causing plague, displaying combat prowess despite Bai Suzhen's magical constraints. A pivotal expansion sees Xiao-Qing transported to Asuraville—a limbo for souls with unresolved obsessions—after battling Fahai, her fixation fixed on rescuing Bai Suzhen. There, she allies with Sun, who teaches her modern survival skills like driving and combat, embodying female collaboration. She encounters Sima, a gang leader exemplifying hegemonic masculinity through selfishness and objectification. Contrastingly, she bonds with a masked man demonstrating non-hegemonic masculinity through compassion and self-sacrifice, ultimately revealed as Bai Suzhen's reincarnation, whose sacrifice enables Xiao-Qing's escape to the modern era. Her resolution varies: some legends depict her marrying Xu Xian's friend and bearing Xu Rulin; others show her dedicated to Taoist practices like neidan, unmarried; rarely portrayed as treacherous, most culminate in her ascension to deity status. Statues of her and Bai Suzhen stand in the White Snake Cave in Jizhou, Tianjin, venerated as Taoist practitioners. Her journey across media highlights evolving themes of female autonomy and solidarity, persistently defying patriarchal forces and prioritizing sisterhood over conflicts involving Xu Xian, underscoring narratives of self-reliance and mutual support among women.