The story of Xu Shilin Rescued His Mother is separate from the main legend of the White Snake and has become a well-known folktale in Jiangsu and Zhejiang.

His legend is so popular throughout China that there's a common saying: "A child who fulfills the gratitude of their parents is like Xu Shilin, who demonstrated great filial piety to his mother".

Xu Xian had renounced all worldly attachments, even shaving his hair to fully embrace a life of monkhood, assuming the religious title of 'Daozong' at the Zhaoging Monastery.

Facing north, he would fervently light incense and candles, demonstrating unwavering commitment to his studies, channeling all his effort and strength into the pursuit of knowledge.

The Song Emperor sympathized deeply with White Snake Lady's plight and therefore ordered Xu Shilin, to carry out the royal decree to offer tribute at the pagoda.

[12][13] According to an alternate version of the legend, upon returning home, he brought with him a patent of nobility that granted permission to demolish Leifeng Pagoda for his mother.

[14] The shadow puppetry play Leifeng Pagoda repeatedly emphasizes that White Snake Lady's son, Xu Shilin, is the incarnation of Kuixing (魁星, the God of Literature), widely revered in ancient China as the deity governing literary success.

However, in Sichuan, alongside the belief in Kuixing, there is also a strong devotion to another deity associated with literary success, known as Wenchangshen (文昌神), said to have originated from the serpent spirit.

The portrayal of White Snake Lady's son as Kuixing while the folk deity worshipped in Sichuan is a serpent spirit is not coincidental.

It appears that the author of Leifeng Pagoda integrated external influences while adhering to the local customs of Sichuan, thereby enhancing Xu Shilin's character and strengthening his mythology.