Demon Sword Maiden

Finally, they were ready to begin training in the eighth position, which demanded exceptional flexibility. With some mutual assistance and cooperation, Lily and Ayaka managed to achieve it.

However, they found the eighth position a bit peculiar. It required them to perform a full split while either standing or lying on the ground and then pressing their legs tightly together1. They couldn’t help but wonder if this position held some implicit meaning. Would the Celestial Maidens of ancient times have learned this position too?

Perhaps these training positions served as the foundation for the future Pair Training that Celestial Maidens would undergo. Although Lily wouldn’t be participating in that highest stage of Pair Training called Waterless Moon, which required physical intimacy between actual lovers, she understood that Celestial Maidens who trained in all these positions would eventually develop deep emotional connections with each other.

Moving on to the ninth position, they didn’t find it particularly challenging as it was quite common. It could be divided into two forms.

In the first form, they would sit cross-legged, tightly hold each other’s hand with one hand, and place the other hand on the other person’s Spirit Palace. This direct contact allowed for the most efficient transfer of Spirit power. However, it was initially difficult for both parties to handle, so they needed to practice the previous eight positions to familiarize themselves before attempting it properly.

According to a document related to the Swordstyle, there was an even more direct and efficient way of achieving this connection. Upon hearing Ayaka read the description, Lily blushed and showed interest.

“Do you want to try it?” Ayaka asked.

“Well…” Lily hesitated.

“The only thing that enters is spirit power,” Ayaka reassured Lily.

Lily pondered for a moment before asking, “Then, can my spirit power also directly enter your Spirit Palace, sister?”

Ayaka averted her gaze, appearing somewhat embarrassed. “Well… Lily, remember, you just need to gently place your finger on the surface without moving it, and then inject the spirit power. Understand?”

“Understood,” Lily replied, exhaling deeply. Though it seemed like a simple position, it was actually quite challenging to execute.

The second form of the ninth position was fundamentally similar to the first form, except that one person would turn their back to the other, taking turns instead of performing it simultaneously. They ultimately decided to stick with the first form because it allowed them to maintain eye contact.

To claim that no emotions were felt during their practice would be false.

“Let’s begin,” Ayaka said.

“Yes,” Lily responded.

Since they injected spirit power at the same time, it was possible for one side to reach their limit and be unable to absorb any more power. This could make them feel like they had lost. In such cases, the one who couldn’t absorb more power would continue using the second form or the seventh position to transfer spirit power to the other.

This rule was outlined in the Tsukuyomi Swordstyle’s document, as it was believed that without a consequence or penalty, the efficiency of the training would be diminished. Pair Training was significantly different from training alone.

Over the next few days, Lily found herself losing most of the time in their training sessions. However, she realized that losing wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. In fact, the one who lost would receive even more spirit power and understanding, which proved to be beneficial for their training.

On the rare occasion when Ayaka lost, it was more embarrassing for her, as she was usually on the winning side.

A month had passed since they began their training journey. Lily and Ayaka had developed an incredible synergy in their Pair Training, and they had finally completed the Unplucked Flower stage. This accomplishment brought them great excitement. However, Lily couldn’t help but feel a sense of disappointment. She desired to continue the training until they had mastered every aspect of it.

Lily also had plans for the future. She wanted to share this method of Pair Training with Uesugi Rei, Minamoto no Shimizu, and her other sisters. She believed that all of them could become stronger through this practice.

“Lily, next, we can finally start practicing your Tsukuyomi Swordstyle,” Ayaka announced.

“Yes.”

Lily and Ayaka both adorned simple Celestial Maiden attire, preparing for their new phase of training.

“There are no specific instructions on how we should cooperate on the monolith. I suggest that you focus on training with the sword, and I will be your dance partner. Together, we will strive for synergy and work harmoniously2,” Ayaka explained.

Lily nodded in agreement. Crescent Moon materialized in her hand. Since it was a training session, the choice of sword didn’t matter much to her. Lily had become adept at using various swords interchangeably.

With everything in place, Lily began performing a sword dance, following the instructions inscribed on the third monolith. Ayaka gracefully danced by her side, wielding white ribbons in her hands.

Interestingly, Lily’s sword dance seemed to incorporate elements of a dance itself. Rather than Ayaka merely being a dance partner, it felt as though both of them were dancing together, seamlessly merging their movements.

While the monolith lacked specific guidance on rhythm, position, and speed, Lily and Ayaka’s month of training had cultivated a deep synergy between them. They worked together intuitively, creating a natural flow that seemed to harmonize their actions.

As they continued to dance, their movements becoming more refined and harmonious, it was as if Lily and Ayaka transformed into ethereal Celestial Maidens offering a dance to the heavens. Words became unnecessary; their dance moves, eye contact, and physical connection conveyed their true feelings to each other.

As Lily immersed herself in the dance with Ayaka, her gaze started to drift, and she could faintly perceive shimmering silver lines intertwining. Like moonlight weaving together, these lines merged and intertwined, connecting their understanding of sword techniques and dance. Slowly, an intricate and breathtaking chart of the Tsukuyomi Swordstyle materialized before Lily’s eyes.

The chart remained elusive and enigmatic, its details just beyond Lily’s comprehension. Yet, she occasionally glimpsed profound wisdom emanating from its presence. This was the secret of the Tsukuyomi Swordstyle’s third form—the Thousand Sakura Path, where ten thousand emotions stained a thousand petals.

With each passing day, Lily’s mastery of the Tsukuyomi Swordstyle improved, and the chart grew clearer. She realized that by fully embodying the chart through her dance with Ayaka, she would achieve complete mastery of the third form. She was making remarkable progress, and it wouldn’t be long before she reached her goal.

However, on this particular night, the pure white chart began to be tainted by a crimson hue. The moment Lily sensed this change, a wave of unease washed over her, causing her to tremble with fear. What was happening?

Her eyes turned to Ayaka, who wore a solemn expression, but with each movement, her clothing gradually diminished, and her dance became more uninhibited. It seemed to contradict her intense determination and solemnity, yet it heightened her allure, making her appear as a mature and captivating Celestial Maiden.

Lily grew increasingly concerned as Ayaka became more absorbed in her dance. Beads of sweat adorned her body, and her intoxicating fragrance filled the air. It was evident that Ayaka wasn’t merely a dance partner; she was intentionally seducing Lily through her dance. However, there was a genuine seriousness in Ayaka’s actions, and her flushed cheeks seemed to protest against her own provocative behavior. Still, her body moved with increasing sensuality.

Suddenly, Lily’s realization struck. This scene mirrored the one she had inadvertently witnessed when she entered Ayaka’s nightmare before3.