During earlier depictions of this script – the Tang tale “Li Huang” and the Song “huaben” version Bai Suzhen was shown as a she-demon who was a malevolent seductress.

After one thousand years of disciplined training in Taoism on Mount Emei, the white snake, Bai Suzhen, is transformed into a woman by the essence of the Dragon King of the East China Sea.

Despite her inhuman origin, Bai is kindhearted and refuses to abuse her powers for evil, and decides to go out into the human realm and do good deeds to earn her immortality.

After receiving advice from Fahai, Xu Xian convinced Bai Suzhen to drink realgar wine during the Dragon Boat Festival.

This caused Bai Suzhen to reveal her true form as a snake, but the sight frightened Xu Xian so much that he died of shock.

Distraught and desperate to bring her husband back to life, Bai Suzhen went to Heaven to steal the immortal herb Lingzhi.

Later, Bai Suzhen's son grew up to be a successful scholar and went to the pagoda to pay respects to his mother, rescuing her and ascending to Heaven.

[10][11] The temple inaugurated the annual Dragon Boat Festival to celebrate the birthday of Madam White Snake, and it has become a traditional and popular event.