They even dabbed rouge on her lips.
She looked gorgeous!
Lily Bai gazed in the mirror and was stunned by her own beauty.
She really was that pretty!
That Lu Xianyu girl—could she possibly look better than Lily?
No way.
But...
"Auntie, why did you suddenly make me change clothes?" Lily asked, puzzled.
Serena Summers and Clarissa Summers exchanged glances and said, "Today you have to go with Lady Dragon Lord to meet the Celestial Empress."
"Huh?" Lily's eyes widened. "Why?"
"The Celestial Empress heard you're a once-in-a-millennium Rune Master, and she knows you're visiting Drake Abyss today, so she wants to meet you," Serena said.
Lily Bai frowned. "Can I not go?"
"The Empress personally named you—do you really think you can refuse?" Clarissa retorted.
"But... but..."
"What, are you scared?" Serena teased. "Is there actually something Lily Bai is afraid of?"
"I'm not scared. I'm just totally unprepared!" Lily protested.
Honestly, she really didn't want to go.
Probably because of all those things Damian told her.
Of course, what happened with Damian technically had nothing to do with her.
But she just really didn't want to go.
Just as Lily was wrestling with her nerves, Lady Dragon Lord arrived.
She gave Lily Bai a once-over, her gaze complicated.
"Lady Dragon Lord," Lily called out. "Is it true the Celestial Empress wants to see me?"
Lady Dragon Lord nodded, trying to reassure her: "Don’t be nervous. Her Majesty the Celestial Empress is very kind. She just wants to meet the once-in-a-millennium Rune Master—you. Just be yourself."
"Alright," Lily replied, shifting uncomfortably. "Auntie, the Empress wants to meet a Rune Master, right? Wouldn’t it make more sense if I wore my Sigil Sect robes? I’ve got them with me. Should I change?"
"Is there something wrong with this outfit?" Lady Zhi Yuan asked.
"It’s not that it’s bad—it’s too good!" Lily said. "Dressed like this, it feels like I’m going on a blind date! I’d be way more comfortable in my Sigil Sect robes."
"We don’t have time!" Lady Dragon Lord said. "We can’t keep Her Majesty waiting. This outfit is perfectly fine—no need to change."
With that, she led Lily straight to the Celestial Palace.
The Celestial Palace was now under the rule of the Celestial Empress.
It's said the Celestial Emperor has gone into seclusion.
He left all state affairs to the Celestial Empress.
In other words, she was now the most powerful person in the Celestial Palace.
Lily Bai followed Lady Dragon Lord into the divine hall, knelt, and paid her respects, not daring to look up.
Then she heard a majestic female voice: "Raise your head."
Lily Bai lifted her head and looked upward.
The Celestial Empress sat on the main throne, dignified, sacred, beautiful, and awe-inspiring.
Her gaze changed sharply when she saw Lily Bai’s face. Then she stood up, descended the divine steps, and came before Lily Bai.
Staring at someone so closely wasn’t very polite, so Lily Bai lowered her head again.
But before she could lower her head, a sharp nail guard pressed against her chin.
She looked at the Celestial Empress in surprise.
It was the Empress herself, cupping Lily’s face.
Then she cast some unknown divine art on her.
After a moment, she let go of Lily Bai and asked, "Is your name Lily Bai?"
Yes, Celestial Empress. My name is Lily Bai.
Are you from the Eastern Luo White Clan?
Yes!
Eastern Luo White Clan... Is that appearance inherited?
Lily Bai didn’t answer.
What did that mean?
Has anyone ever told you that you’re beautiful?" the Empress asked.
Thank you for the compliment, Celestial Empress." Lily Bai smiled. "Everyone says I got all my parents’ best features!
The Empress looked at her. "Do you know why I summoned you today?"