This seemed... not impossible?
"Wah! What is that?"
Suddenly, Paimon's exclamation rang out on the deck of the Starskiff.
Paimon stared wide-eyed, looking at the night sky in the distance with a shocked face.
Kael and Lumine followed Paimon's gaze.
At a glance, they saw a floating palace like a fairyland quietly suspended under the starlight in the distant sky, emitting golden brilliance.
"It's the Jade Chamber (Qunyu Pavilion)."
Looking at that thing, Kael spoke. "Liyue's most magnificent aerial palace, symbolizing the supreme power of the Liyue Qixing, and also Ningguang's residence."
Hearing Kael's words, Paimon looked at the Jade Chamber in amazement.
The Jade Chamber floated in the night sky, like a temple above the mortal world.
Under the bright moonlight and dazzling starlight, it appeared even more solemn and mysterious.
Looking from the angle of the Starskiff, the Jade Chamber was like a bright pearl inlaid in the night curtain.
The golden roof glowed softly under the moonlight. Layers of flying eaves were scattered, showing Liyue's unique classical architectural style.
The main hall towered high. The roof ridge presented a smooth curve, like a soaring dragon, magnificent.
Golden tiles refracted glittering light under the night. The carvings on the eaves were complex and exquisite.
A row of tassel-like glazed bells hung on the flying eaves. When the breeze blew, they made crisp and pleasant sounds, like ethereal fairy music.
Wide corridors surrounded the palace.
Golden railings were carved with patterns of dragons and auspicious beasts, highlighting Liyue's prosperity.
At the end of the corridor were tower-like pavilions.
Eaves corners raised slightly, like cranes spreading their wings to fly, adding a touch of agility to the entire aerial palace.
Even at the bottom of the Jade Chamber, a huge floating rock firmly supported the entire palace.
The surface of the rock was inlaid with faint green runes, faintly revealing the light of mysterious energy.
This power allowed the Jade Chamber to defy gravity, suspend in the sky of Liyue, and overlook the entire land.
Four corners of the Jade Chamber also hung several cloud-patterned hanging lamps, brightly lit.
Like four stars inlaid in the night curtain, emitting warm and mysterious brilliance, making the entire palace seem to be placed above the nine heavens, surrounded by fairy energy, unstained by mortal fireworks.
"Th-This is too luxurious, right?!"
After looking at it several times, Paimon took a deep breath. "Resplendent and magnificent, suspended in the air."
"Liyue actually has such a thing."
Lumine was also shocked by the scene before her, speaking softly.
Standing on the deck, she could clearly see how luxurious the Jade Chamber under the night sky was.
Especially from her current perspective, the Jade Chamber was even more spectacular than imagined.
"After all, it is the intelligence decision-making organ and private palace where the Tianquan Ningguang of the Liyue Qixing sits."
Kael spoke slowly, "The Jade Chamber symbolizes the power and wealth of Liyue."
"This palace built by Ningguang is not just her residence, but a symbol of the Liyue Qixing's rule over this city."
"Because the location of the Jade Chamber allows one to observe all affairs in Liyue, overseeing Liyue, inspecting industry and commerce."
"If any special situation occurs, orders can be dispatched immediately."
Hearing Kael's words, Paimon sighed. "Liyue merchants are indeed rich... They moved the palace directly into the sky! Wonder how much Mora it cost."
"And this palace can fly!"
Kael smiled faintly and continued, making Paimon's eyes widen. "Such a big aerial palace can still fly?"
It seemed... not impossible to understand.
Paimon looked back at the Starskiff, then at the distant Jade Chamber, suddenly said "Oh."
Then she flew to Kael and said seriously, "Kael, say, if we drive the Starskiff close to the Jade Chamber, will we be treated as intruders?!"
Hearing this, Lumine beside her looked strange immediately. "Likely. They'll catch you and throw you into Liyue's jail."
Listening to Kael, this was the palace of the Tianquan Ningguang of the Liyue Qixing.
Definitely not something ordinary people could approach.
And it wasn't just Liyue's aerial palace.
It was also the core power center of Liyue.
If they approached rashly, it would likely cause unnecessary trouble.
"Eeek?! No way?!"
Hearing this, Paimon's face stiffened. She hurriedly hugged Lumine's arm. "I... I don't want to be chased all over the sky by the Millelith!"
At this time.
The night was deep.
The Starskiff moved slowly in the high altitude.
And the distant Jade Chamber still stood in the sky, like a bright gem inlaid in the night, reflecting with Liyue Harbor below.
Paimon still flew around the Starskiff excitedly, constantly looking back at the distant Jade Chamber, eyes full of longing and amazement. "Liyue is really a magical place~"
Lumine nodded gently, gaze calm and admiring.
Wonder how much Plaustrite is needed for such a big palace.
Maybe I can try to build one later.
While Lumine was thinking this.
The distant Jade Chamber still hovered quietly in the sky of Liyue.
The magnificent palace flowed with light and color under the night sky, like a mysterious heavenly palace in the bright galaxy, overlooking the fireworks of the mortal world.
At this time.
The night was thick.
Inside the Jade Chamber.
Most of Liyue's affairs for the day had been handled.
Only a few glazed lamps were still swaying slightly in the corridor, sprinkling warm brilliance.
At this moment, Baixiao (One of Ningguang's Secretaries) was walking slowly out of the council hall, preparing to return to her room to rest.
As Ningguang's secretary, she was responsible for coordinating a large number of Liyue's government affairs.
Daily work was extremely heavy.
And currently Liyue was business as usual, without any abnormalities.
She should be able to relax a little, recharge her energy, and welcome tomorrow's work.
However, just as she passed the corridor, she accidentally glanced at the distant night sky.
She froze instantly, her eyes solidifying abruptly.
"...Hmm?"
Baixiao paused, blinking.
Even suspecting she was too tired and hallucinating.
She saw a black shadow gliding slowly in the distant sky.
The hull was slender, the outline smooth, looming in the night sky.
That was clearly a ship.
But it was flying in the air!
Baixiao widened her eyes instantly, completely stunned.
Staring incredulously at that huge figure, eyes full of shock.
"This... When did such a flying ship appear in Liyue?!"
Baixiao rubbed her eyes fiercely, trying to see clearly.
But no matter how she confirmed, that behemoth still hovered quietly in the air, glimmer flowing, like a miracle.
This is not a hallucination!
This is a truly existing aerial ship!
In an instant, Baixiao broke into a cold sweat.
Heartbeat accelerated sharply, realizing this matter was absolutely extraordinary!
Too late to think, she turned around and ran directly, rushing quickly toward Ningguang's study, looking extremely nervous.
At this time.
Inside the study of the Jade Chamber.
Ningguang was sitting at the desk, finishing reviewing the last important document, preparing to get up and rest.
Gently closing the notebook, rubbing her brow.
Planning to order Baiwen, who was still staying, to rest early and handle the remaining affairs tomorrow.
After all, Liyue Harbor was about to welcome the Rite of Descension, and the next few days would be busier.
However, before she could speak, hurried footsteps came from outside the door.
Immediately after, Baixiao's voice sounded urgently, revealing unconcealable panic.
"Lady Ningguang! Bad news!"
Hearing this voice, Ningguang's brow furrowed slightly instantly.
Her finger paused for a moment. She looked up, a trace of surprise flashing in her eyes.
Baixiao was one of the steadiest secretaries around her, always handling things calmly.
Even with thorny problems, she wouldn't panic easily.
But now, she actually rushed in hurriedly.
Even her tone revealed panic...
What happened?
"Steady."
Ningguang's voice was calm, her sharp gaze falling on Baixiao, carrying the unique majesty and composure of the Liyue Qixing. "What happened to make you so panicked?"
Baixiao gasped, quickly organizing her thoughts, trying hard to keep her tone calm.
But she still couldn't hide the shock in her heart, saying hurriedly, "Lady Ningguang, a flying ship appeared... over Liyue!"
Hearing this, Ningguang was slightly stunned, raising an eyebrow, a look of surprise flashing in her eyes.
"Flying ship?"
Baixiao nodded vigorously, eyes firm. "Yes!"
"Subordinate saw it with my own eyes!"
"It's not an ordinary wooden ship, but a huge ship completely suspended in the air, right above the night sky of Liyue!"
"I originally thought I was seeing things, but it has been there, definitely not an illusion!"
"...Are you sure?"
Hearing this, Ningguang's eyes completely sank.
Her rationality told her that this matter should absolutely not be underestimated.
Although Liyue possessed mechanism arts, current technology absolutely could not create a ship capable of true flight.
Although the Jade Chamber floated, it was based on Plaustrite (Floating Stone).
Plus various precious materials, alchemy, and Geo Vision holders, it was built at a huge cost.
A flying ship... Liyue could build one if they wanted.
But the cost was too great, unnecessary.
If this thing really existed—
Then, where did it come from?
Friend or foe?
Did Liyue face unknown threats?
A series of questions emerged in Ningguang's heart.
Ningguang asked no more immediately, but got up directly, stepping toward the corridor.
Pushing open the door, standing in front of the railing, looking at the night sky.
Her gaze was deep and sharp, carefully searching in the direction Baixiao described.
However, there was nothing there.
Only the quiet night sky, stars twinkling.
Moonlight spilled on the sea of clouds. Where was the flying ship?
Ningguang's gaze condensed slightly.
She stood by the corridor, looking far, observing carefully for a round, still finding nothing.
"...Nothing."
Ningguang withdrew her gaze slowly, turning to look at Baixiao, a trace of suspicion in her eyes. "Where is the flying ship you mentioned?"
Hearing Ningguang's words, Baixiao froze.
Hurriedly ran to the railing, looking anxiously at the night sky.
But no matter how she looked, that behemoth she saw before actually disappeared without a trace!
"H-How is it possible..."
Baixiao's mouth opened slightly, tone revealing shock and confusion. "It was clearly there just now!"
Saying this, Baixiao turned her head hurriedly to look at Ningguang, tone urgent: "Lady Ningguang! Subordinate really didn't see it wrong! It... It was clearly there!"
Seeing Baixiao's appearance, Ningguang's eyes narrowed slightly, a guess faintly emerging in her heart.
But she didn't speak immediately. After pondering for a moment, she spat out a sentence lightly: "Perhaps, it has already left."
The night breeze blew gently.
Ningguang stood on the corridor, gaze calm, as if thinking about something deeper.
She knew clearly that Baixiao wouldn't panic without reason, nor make rumors out of thin air.
If a flying ship really appeared in the night sky of Liyue—
Then, what faction did it belong to?
Why appear in Liyue?
And why disappear without a trace in an instant?
Liyue's night seemed calm as usual, but some unknown variable seemed to be happening quietly.
Especially related to the holding of the Rite of Descension recently, no mistakes could occur.
Thinking of this, Ningguang said in a deep voice, "Tomorrow, order Baiwen and Baishi to watch around Liyue all day. Let the Millelith everywhere also be on alert. This matter cannot be underestimated."
She had never heard of a floating ship.
Even Fontaine, full of technology, didn't have floating ships.
And whether Sumeru or Inazuma, it was impossible to exist.
As the Tianquan Ningguang of the Liyue Qixing.
The news she read every day was not just about the Liyue nation, but also other nations.
"Yes!"
Hearing this, Baixiao nodded repeatedly.
Understanding the seriousness of this matter more and more in her heart.
A ship capable of aerial navigation was not only unheard of in Liyue, but even Fontaine with the most developed technology had no similar records.
Such an unknown behemoth.
If not an Adepti mechanism, where did it come from?
Friend or foe?
Why suddenly appear in Liyue's night sky?
All this made Baixiao feel uneasy.
But at the same time, she also regretted a little.
Frowning slightly, whispering, "Just now... Subordinate should have taken a picture of it."
She originally carried a Kamera with her and could have recorded this strange object immediately.
But the shock and haste just now made her completely forget about it.
If she could take photos, she could let Lady Ningguang analyze more clearly what kind of existence this flying ship was.
Ningguang raised her eyes gently, gaze indifferent.
Her eyes were like a bright mirror seeing through everything, tone steady but without blame: "No matter."
Ningguang's golden eyes narrowed slightly, revealing a trace of deep thought: "Since it appeared once, it will inevitably appear a second time."
Tone full of confidence and certainty, as if having insights into all possibilities. The Liyue Qixing never lacked patience.
Since the mysterious object appeared in the sky of Liyue, it would inevitably not escape the sight of the Liyue Qixing.
Immediately, Ningguang looked up at Baixiao, instructing briefly.
Finally, her tone was gentle yet majestic: "You need not be annoyed. Rest as soon as possible. There are more important things to do tomorrow."
Hearing this, Baixiao took a deep breath.
She knew Ningguang meant for her to adjust her state and not let emotions affect subsequent work.
Immediately nodded quickly: "I understand!"
"Then I will retire first."
Ningguang nodded slightly, then withdrew her gaze, watching Baixiao leave.
The night breeze of the Jade Chamber blew gently, rolling up the golden curtains. The light of glazed lamps reflected her contemplative profile.
"Need to let Yelan check."
Ningguang murmured in a low voice.
Not appearing in the past, but appearing at Liyue's Rite of Descension.
She really didn't believe there was no connection.
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