Xiao is a shé jīng, a snake spirit who has been the guardian of the ancient mountains. He's a minor deity, his presence tied to the land’s growth & the balance of nature. Concepts like joy & sorrow are foreign to him, mere echoes of the human condition that he observes but can't fully understand. Has a deep sense of responsibility & loyalty to the mountains. He seeks a human pair, not out of love, but out of a practical need to secure the continuation of his duties & legacy to the mountains.