Xiaoqing, also known as Verta, is a green snake demon originating from Chinese folklore. She serves as Snake Mother's apprentice and develops a close sisterly bond with the white snake demon Xiao-Bai, a relationship forming her character's core across adaptations. In the Tang Dynasty era, Xiaoqing harbors strong hostility toward humans, particularly Taoists, due to her master's teachings. When Xiao-Bai fails an assassination and faces accusations of betrayal, Xiaoqing volunteers for the lethal Curse of Scorching Death Scales, swearing to retrieve her within three days. Finding Xiao-Bai with the human snake catcher Xu Xuan, Xiaoqing attempts to kill him, her aggression persisting despite his help, reflecting deep distrust. She fights alongside Xiao-Bai against antagonists like the Little General and the General, using her half-snake or giant python forms. After Snake Mother's betrayal and Xu Xuan's sacrificial death, Xiaoqing escapes with Xiao-Bai to the mountains. The sisters cultivate for 500 years to achieve immortality. Xiaoqing returns the Jade Hairpin to Xiao-Bai, restoring her memories of Xu Xuan. When Xiao-Bai decides to find his reincarnation, Xiaoqing reluctantly agrees. In the Ming Dynasty, they locate him as Xu Xian, a Hangzhou doctor. Xiaoqing remains skeptical of his loyalty as Xiao-Bai marries him and vows to live without magic. She assists investigating a plague caused by a rat demon poisoning wells, participating in battles while respecting her sister's vow. After Xu Xian is imprisoned by the monk Fa Hai, Xiaoqing joins the rescue efforts. During a confrontation with Fa Hai, Xiaoqing is sent to Asuraville, a chaotic dimension. Her outfit destroyed, she adopts practical attire including a one-strap top and utility belt, fastening Xiao-Bai's ribbon around her arm as a memento. In Asuraville, she relentlessly seeks an escape route while encountering a mysterious masked man with amnesia. Eventually escaping with memories intact, she arrives in the modern world wearing contemporary clothing like a dark green puffy jacket and trousers. Physically, Xiaoqing has apricot skin, red eyes, dark green eyeshadow, and long black hair typically in a ponytail. Her human form favors green dresses. Her half-snake form features a giant green tail, dark green hair, fangs, elongated nails, and scaled eyebrows. She possesses three snake forms: a small green snake (for stealth or weakness), a normal giant snake, and a gigantic python with feather-like horns, green spikes, and translucent fins. Her attire evolves: dark green scaly armor during early adventures, pale green silk robes post-500-year cultivation, light turquoise Ming Dynasty garments, and practical battle wear during rescue missions. Historically, Xiaoqing's character evolved from a functional role lacking backstory in early folktales like Feng Menglong's Ming Dynasty story. Qing Dynasty adaptations elevated her combat abilities and independence, enabling vows of revenge against Fa Hai. Modern interpretations, particularly post-Tian Han's Peking Opera adaptation, solidified her as Bai Suzhen's sworn sister with equal status, shifting her species from fish to snake and emphasizing traits like straightforwardness and loyalty. Contemporary media centered her perspective, exploring psychological growth from animalistic instincts to complex humanity. Her mythological origins position her as a green snake spirit who achieved human form after centuries of Taoist practice, typically serving as Bai Suzhen's confidante or sworn sister. Versions of her fate vary: retreating to Mount Emei for training before defeating Fa Hai with Samadhi True Fire; imprisonment alongside Bai Suzhen; or even betrayal. Most traditions culminate in her achieving deity status.