Chapter Sixteen: The Mysterious Power

Silently, Silver Yao slipped away, swiftly returning to the forest with the aid of her light-footed skills, like a wanderer eager to find her way home. As she reached her dwelling, she gazed upon the mountains and rivers—a landscape so familiar, unchanged despite the passage of years. Yet, she herself was no longer the gentle-hearted girl she had been four years ago, no longer the child who wore a mask of coldness to protect her ordinary life. Perhaps once her exterior was frosty, but her heart was warm; now, having found her true self, she had returned to her most authentic nature. Feigning indifference? Forgive her—this was simply who she was. If you cannot accept it, you are free to turn away; she would never force anyone.

Over these four years, Silver Yao, determined to avenge Silver Fox, left home at the age of thirteen to learn the ways of the world, wandering through the martial realm. You might marvel at how a thirteen-year-old girl accomplished such feats, but do not forget the soul inhabiting this body—a formidable woman from the twenty-first century, a fearsome female agent. Do you understand the resolve and endurance of a spy?

Silver Yao knew well that progress never ceases for anyone, save for those unwilling to strive. Believing in the boundlessness of learning, she pressed on relentlessly. Her tireless study, countless brushes with obsession, repeated returns from the brink, deepened her understanding of martial arts and imperceptibly elevated her skills and transformed her state of mind.

Her years in the martial world earned her the title “Serpent Woman.” Yet this was not the greatest fruit of her practice. Her most profound gain was the mysterious realm of martial power she had attained.

Serpent Woman Silver Yao, famed throughout the martial world—a heroine whose renown rivaled that of even the legendary female predecessors. Such prestige, such glory!

But she cared nothing for these accolades. Of what use were empty titles?

These honors and names, unless they served her quest for vengeance, meant nothing; now she had stepped into the wondrous realm of the Celestial Illusion Level. Though she was astounded and skeptical of this peculiar power, she swiftly accepted it—her capacity for adaptation was truly exceptional.

Though she knew it would be a long journey to break through the three levels and the nine stages, to truly possess the power of the Illusion Level, she had taken the first step. That alone was enough for hope; hope for vengeance grew stronger. Why not persist?

The Celestial Illusion Level was a unique power—not only physical attacks, but also the ability to conjure weapons and martial techniques from thin air. Silver Yao knew only that it encompassed three levels, each divided into three stages, nine stages in all. (Levels: Profound—Illusion—Void. Stages: Early—Middle—Peak.)

Now, she had reached the peak of the Profound Level—a considerable achievement. From what she understood, this world was scattered with branches of ancient families, and her Silver Fox clan was the direct heir of the ancient White Fox lineage, though for reasons unknown it had become what it was.

Among her mother’s relics were records of three other families—the Dragon Clan, the Phoenix Clan, and the White Tiger Clan.

These were families as powerful as the White Foxes, though time had dispersed their members, who had changed names and vanished without a trace.

Moreover, not every member of these clans could innately possess this power, nor could they cultivate it without a certain opportunity. Only one such individual appeared in each generation, maintaining a strange balance. If this balance were ever broken, catastrophe would surely follow—unthinkable consequences.

Thus, as she cultivated, Silver Yao also sought others who possessed such power, for her mother’s last words had forbidden the possibility of imbalance. She must protect this harmony.

It was her mother's only request before death—a mother who had never demanded anything of her, pleading for the first time that Silver Yao safeguard this equilibrium. Whatever happened, Silver Yao would not allow disaster to break the balance.

Calming her mind and clarifying her thoughts, Silver Yao took a deep breath and exhaled, as if removing a weight from her heart. Instantly, she felt lighter, as if everything was not as difficult as it seemed. Let things follow their course.

She walked slowly to Silver Fox’s grave, carefully pulling away the weeds nearby. From her sleeve, she drew three sticks of incense, already prepared, lit them, and knelt at the grave, bowing three times with utmost solemnity.

Silver Yao raised her head to the sky, thoughtful. For a rare moment, confusion flickered in her eyes, but it quickly vanished, for confusion was not a look she permitted herself.

For the next three months, Silver Yao secluded herself deep in the forest, cultivating in peace. In this tranquil place, she trained wholeheartedly, hoping to break through the second stage and reach the Illusion Level as soon as possible.

Only by breaking through to the second stage could she be more confident in her quest for revenge.

After Silver Yao vanished, both the son of Xiahou and Chu Su Yi dispatched numerous men to search for the Serpent Woman, but she seemed to have evaporated from the world, leaving no trace. No matter how they searched, their efforts were fruitless—empty-handed, not a clue to be found.

They could not fathom how someone could disappear right under their noses, so thoroughly and without a trace.

Especially Chu Su Yi, who was acutely aware of his own power and influence. He was certain that, within his domain, he could find anyone—if not today, then tomorrow.

But reality seldom aligns with human wishes.

Their investigations revealed that Silver Yao had no significant backing, no powerful organization supporting her. She had always roamed the martial world alone, without anyone to shield her, yet she vanished before their eyes as if she had never existed.

As time passed, she gradually slipped from their thoughts; Xiahou’s son was the first to withdraw, for Xiahou would never allow his son to expose his true strength for the sake of a woman—such folly!

Chu Su Yi was frustrated by his inability to find Silver Yao, but powerless to alter the situation.

Seeing Xiahou withdraw, Chu Su Yi also began to recall his men, fully aware that further searching would yield nothing. Better to wait quietly for her next appearance—though he kept a few men behind, just in case.