Chapter 35: The Starlight Blade and a Lingering Premonition

Such was the thought that stirred within Bai Yu’s heart at that moment.

She mused that she hadn’t even unleashed her full power.

Yet, to avoid an immediate defeat, she had deliberately tapped into the spiritual energy within her body, for a messy and ungraceful end would hardly be ideal.

Even so, Cecilia’s astonishment seemed disproportionate. Could this space be different from her expectations, perhaps weakening everyone within it?

“Your Highness, your growth truly exceeds my expectations. To attain such a level at your age, you are indeed a genuine prodigy!”

Cecilia spoke with earnest sincerity.

“Is that so…”

Bai Yu scratched her head in mild embarrassment; had she known, she wouldn’t have bothered with her secret art.

“Given this, I can begin teaching Your Highness sword techniques sooner than anticipated. I had initially presumed it would take several more years for you to reach this proficiency.”

With a gentle gaze, Cecilia lowered the sword she held.

“Sword techniques?”

Bai Yu inquired, a hint of confusion in her voice, for she had never truly studied any sword-fighting techniques.

If the sword arts she learned here could be carried beyond this place, it would undoubtedly be an immense boon.

Free skills, a true blessing in disguise.

A wave of excitement surged through Bai Yu.

“I want to learn!”

Striving to keep her lips from curving into a smile, Bai Yu cleared her throat, then adopted a feigned air of gravity as she inquired.

“What manner of sword techniques are these?”

Cecilia offered a slight smile, pleased by Bai Yu’s studious demeanor. Even as a princess, she exhibited not the slightest trace of complacency.

“Your Highness, observe closely. This is the exclusive sword technique of the Starlight Family.”

No sooner had her words faded than Cecilia’s aura underwent an instantaneous transformation. Faint starlight began to shimmer around her, yet, to Bai Yu’s surprise, she detected no trace of spiritual energy.

How could this be manifesting?

Then, abruptly.

A sound, sharp and swift, tore through the air, reaching Bai Yu’s ears.

As the starlight coursed through the air, three distant training dummies were instantly pulverized.

This was from a full ten meters away; how had the attack even connected?

Bai Yu gazed dumbfounded at the shattered stakes in the distance, utterly at a loss for words.

“This is merely the foundational move of the Starlight Sword Technique. If Your Highness can master this, you will be deemed proficient.”

“No, but how am I meant to learn this?”

Bai Yu stared at Cecilia, speechless. She felt that this knight maiden was entirely unsuited to teaching; how could anyone possibly learn from such a demonstration?

“Well… Your Highness, would you like me to demonstrate it once more?”

“No, no, that won’t be necessary. Let me try it myself first.”

Giving up on relying on the somewhat naive knight maiden, Bai Yu picked up a nearby sword and mimicked Cecilia’s earlier movements, swinging the blade through the air.

Yet, even after Bai Yu had swung her sword numerous times, nothing around her stirred.

‘What gives?’

‘Is this the difference between a buyer’s attempt and the seller’s demonstration? There’s not even a flicker of activity.’

“Cecilia, what exactly is happening?”

Bai Yu gazed at the knight maiden with an expectant, slightly pleading look. Why was it not working for her?

“Your Highness, you must perceive the magic within the air. Only by doing so can you truly unleash the full power of the Starlight Sword Technique!”

“Magic?”

Bai Yu asked, her voice laced with doubt. Had she truly stumbled into another world?

“Precisely. The total magical reserves of a knight are considerably less than those of a mage. Therefore, we must draw upon the ambient magic in the air, magic that is not inherently our own. This is the true combat style of a knight.”

Bai Yu nodded, acknowledging her words. Though she had no precise understanding of ‘magic,’ she instinctively felt it must be akin to spiritual energy—merely another form of raw power.

“In that case, I shall try once more.”

Bai Yu again lifted the sword, then closed her eyes, focusing on her surroundings.

The sensation was strikingly similar to spiritual energy, and Bai Yu immediately grasped the knack.

As specks of starlight began to materialize around her, Bai Yu’s eyes snapped open, and she swiftly swung her sword forward.

A massive blade of starlight erupted, soaring through the air to leave a deep, indelible mark upon the distant wall.

“I did it!”

A surge of profound excitement filled Bai Yu’s heart; she was indeed a genius, having mastered it with such astonishing speed.

Furthermore, this sword technique could even be combined with the [Blade of the Faceless Moon], which would likely produce unforeseen effects.

“Splendid, Your Highness! At this rate, you will have mastered all the sword techniques in less than a month.”

“A month, you say? I understand.”

Bai Yu nodded. While acquiring free skills here was undeniably gratifying, her true desire was to depart swiftly, for the circumstances outside held paramount importance.

She remained uncertain about her Mother’s well-being, and that elusive memory continued to vex her.

What was that event, and why had she been compelled to leave Xian City?

She needed to begin investigating this place immediately; a persistent sense of unease told her that lingering here would be unwise.

“In that case, I shall return now, Cecilia.”

Bai Yu bid farewell to the knight maiden, only to find Lili already waiting for her outside.

“Lili, when did you arrive?”

“I came over right after I finished cleaning, Master. Has your training concluded?”

“Yes, it’s finished. Lili, could you perhaps take me to see the Emperor?”

Bai Yu asked tentatively, her true intention being to ascertain if any other familiar faces might reside within this realm.

After all, given Cecilia’s presence, it stood to reason that others might also have found their way here.

Might they, too, have retained their memories, much like herself? Perhaps they would possess some crucial knowledge.

“Oh? Why would Master wish to see His Majesty? Your father is exceptionally busy; perhaps it’s best not to disturb him now.”

Lili spoke with a gentle cadence.

“Alright then. In that case, could you at least take me on a tour of the imperial palace?”

“Of course! But Master, why the sudden desire to tour the palace? You see it every single day.”

“Haha, I merely found myself a little bored all of a sudden.”

Bai Yu offered by way of explanation.

Subsequently, Bai Yu ambled through the imperial palace alongside Lili, observing the numerous servants and maids.

This time, however, Bai Yu noticed something amiss.

The expressions on their faces appeared somewhat rigid, and their words seemed to be exact repetitions of what they had uttered that morning, almost as if they were automatons.

Was this merely her imagination playing tricks?

A sudden chill crept down Bai Yu’s spine. This place, she realized, was far from as straightforward as it seemed.

“Is something the matter, Master?”

Lili turned, seemingly picking up on Bai Yu’s burgeoning apprehension.

“Ah, it’s nothing. I just felt a little peculiar.”

“Is Master perhaps too fatigued? This evening, I could help you relax, if you wish.”

A faint blush crept across Lili’s face, her adorable features alight with overt admiration for Bai Yu.

She nervously fidgeted with the hem of her maid’s dress, then whispered softly.

“Master, you can do anything you desire. Even if it’s something a little… improper.”

Upon hearing such words, Bai Yu’s mind instantly began to wander into illicit territories.

How could such an adorable, petite girl fail to ignite Bai Yu’s fantasies?

After all, she had always harbored a particular fondness for cute, young girls.

Even though her ‘little brother’ had long since been sacrificed, her mind was, at this moment, utterly consumed by desire.

It seemed such matters truly transcended gender; no matter her current form, her affection for adorable girls remained unwavering.

Bai Yu admitted it: her heart had undeniably been stirred.

“Forgive me, Lu Xingyao, I’ll just indulge a little.”

Bai Yu offered frantic apologies in her mind, even as her thoughts raced ahead to the possibilities of the evening.