Chapter 158: Don't listen to just anyone's words!

The winds and clouds surged, the heavy black clouds were forcibly pushed aside, revealing a brilliant expanse.

A huge scale, flashing with seven-colored flowing light, spearheaded the breach of the cloud layer; next, the majestic dragon head opened its eyes and protruded, followed immediately by the enormous golden dragon body!

It was actually the Divine Dragon manifesting!

The vast dragon might, like a tsunami, crashed down upon the ground!

"Good heavens! A dragon! It's a real dragon!"

"The Divine Dragon has shown its holy power! Quickly bow!"

The masses below, together with the civil and military officials, all knelt down in a black mass, heads bowed low, their hearts filled with awe and excitement.

Upon the high platform, Xiao Jieyun stood still and unmoving.

As the Son of Heaven, he is the true dragon of the mortal realm, naturally possessing dignity and prestige.

The winds and clouds howled; he gently pressed Tuan Tuan's small face against his own neck, holding her tighter, raised his head, and met the gaze of the Divine Dragon above the heavens.

Gongsun Zhi's heart surged with wild joy—success! The National Preceptor's calculations were indeed flawless!

You stinky girl, even if you've rushed here, you cannot change the fact that my prayer for rain is already settled!

He rose to his feet, straightened his white robe ruffled by the wind, stepped forward, and with the utmost sincerity knelt down again, his voice trembling as he shouted sincerely:

"Welcome the Divine Dragon's carriage!"

"Da Xia's Gongsun Zhi earnestly pleads with the Divine Dragon for compassion, to send down sweet rain and relieve the people's suffering!"

This Divine Dragon must have come for him!

However, the coiling Divine Dragon paid no heed to his kowtow and plea, as if it hadn't heard at all!

In those huge dragon eyes, there was no mercy—only burning anger.

It thrashed its tail in agitation; each sweep sent wind and thunder roaring, and the gathered rainclouds in the sky were stirred to the point of nearly dissipating!

"What's going on? The Divine Dragon seems very angry!"

"Yeah, why isn't it spitting water to bring rain?"

"Wasn't Shen Tong already the one who summoned it to appear?"

Gongsun Zhi felt cold sweat trickle down his forehead—no, this is wrong; the National Preceptor clearly said that as long as I kowtow and pray for rain, it will surely succeed!

His eyes darted, landing on Tuan Tuan held in the Emperor's embrace.

A malicious thought instantly surged into his mind.

He suddenly pointed at Tuan Tuan, his voice sharp: "It's her! It's her!"

Everyone was drawn by his loud shout.

"To see the Divine Dragon and not bow—this is the utmost disrespect!"

"She desecrates the Divine Dragon, provokes heavenly authority, causing the Divine Dragon to fly into a rage and refuse to send rain!"

In an instant, all the anxiety, disappointment, and doubt of the crowd below found an outlet.

"Exactly! How could she not kneel?"

"Shen Tong went to great trouble to summon the Divine Dragon, yet she dares to be disrespectful toward it!"

"No wonder the Divine Dragon won't send rain—it turns out she brought this disaster upon herself!"

"Please, Your Majesty, punish her!"

"We cannot let her ruin the rain!"

Xiao Jieyun's face turned dark as iron, he tightly embraced Tuan Tuan.

Xiao Yuanhang and Xiao Ningchen's hearts pounded wildly as they drew the swords in their hands.

Tuan Tuan ignored the tumultuous shouts from below, lifted her little head, and gazed up at the furious golden dragon in the sky.

She lowered her head, untied the embroidered pouch at her waist, and took out the thing she had been holding when she woke.

Facing the huge Divine Dragon in the sky, she spoke with righteous confidence and shouted clearly:

"Hey! Is this your thing? Catch it!"

Having said that, she raised her little hand and tossed the object toward the furious golden dragon.

Instantly, radiant light blazed across heaven and earth! The tiny object shot up like a rising sun, forcing everyone to shut their eyes.

The previously restless golden dragon's massive body paused, then eagerly dove down, precisely meeting the cluster of light and merging with that dazzling radiance.

When the light faded, everyone opened their eyes.

All they saw was the golden dragon approaching the edge of the Heavenly Sacrifice Terrace, cautiously circling the Sacrificial Altar slowly a few times.

Then, with its flowing dragon whiskers, it lightly touched Tuan Tuan's cheek.

The gesture was so gentle, it seemed as if it were trying to curry favor.

The entire venue fell silent, not even a sparrow's chirp.

The common folk were dumbfounded, the officials stunned, and Prince Qing's jaw nearly dropped to the ground.

Gongsun Zhi remained kneeling, gazing up at Tuan Tuan, his eyes widened in astonishment.

Although Xiao Yuanhang and Xiao Ningchen had long known that Tuan Tuan was extraordinary, seeing this scene left them equally stunned, mouths agape.

Tuan Tuan felt a slight itch from the dragon's whiskers and giggled nonstop.

Immediately she put on a stern little face, extended her hand to poke the nose of the Divine Dragon that had poked its head out, and admonished it like a child: "Why do you come whenever anyone calls you? Are you deaf?"

The huge dragon head slightly retracted, and those eyes that once looked down on all heaven and earth instantly filled with a mist of water, emitting a plaintive whimper.

"Wuu..."

A trembling, giant-sized sob echoed across the silent Heavenly Sacrifice Terrace.

Xiao Jieyun came to his senses, his Adam's apple rolling: "Tuan Tuan, what is it saying?"

Tuan Tuan withdrew her hand, solemnly explaining: "Imperial Uncle, it says it misheard!"

"Hear, misheard? A Divine Dragon?"

Xiao Jieyun momentarily didn't know what expression to make, and could only silently digest this huge amount of information.

And that 'wu wu' coquettish Golden Dragon, however still refused to leave, instead like a child who made a mistake and craves comfort, continuously used its huge nose to gently nudge Tuan Tuan's small body, emitting a 'gulu gulu' huge sound from its throat.

It's too big! Xiao Jieyun was nudged by it until his body swayed, and he could barely stay on his feet.

Tuan Tuan stretched out her little hand and, taking the opportunity, hugged its big nose: 'Alright, alright, knowing you're wrong is enough! Don't listen to just anyone's words! I'll get angry!'

The Golden Dragon immediately let out a joyful low moan, excitedly flying straight up into the air, frolicking as it circled several times, its huge tail constantly swaying in the cloud layer.

Soon, it flew back to the edge of the Heavenly Sacrifice Terrace, reluctantly winding its dragon whiskers around Tuan Tuan's wrist, then abruptly turned its head; those eyes, which just moments ago were full of flattery and affection, instantly filled with the anger of being offended the moment they looked toward Gongsun Zhi!

It swung its tail and swept fiercely.

"Ah!" Gongsun Zhi let out a startled cry, his whole body swept away like a broken kite, tracing a miserable arc as he heavily smashed toward the underside of the Heavenly Sacrifice Terrace!

Jiang Xin rushed forward with the guards, and although they caught him, the force was simply too great, and several people rolled together into a heap on the ground.

I don't know who first couldn't hold back, and a 'puchi' laugh burst out.

The laughter quickly spread, gradually echoing throughout the entire venue.

"Da Xia Shen Tong, turns out he's just a big-talking young brat!"

"That Divine Dragon simply ignores him!"

"Tsk tsk tsk, really embarrassing!"

When Gongsun Zhi fell, he hit headfirst; his hair was disheveled, his face covered in dust, his white robe completely turned into a filthy rag, a sorry sight.

He shouted in disbelief: 'No! This is absolutely impossible! The National Preceptor said my fortune is overwhelming! It is the mandate of heaven! How could this be? How could this be!'

Xiao Ningchen stood at the edge of the platform, looking down at him with an icy voice: 'It seems the so-called Shen Tong is nothing but a troublemaker who seeks popularity by deceiving the world and stealing fame!'

You have harmed my sister multiple times; how could I let you off so easily!

He loudly said: 'I just don't know, does the Shen Tong's vow that if he cannot summon rain he is willing to endure the punishment of being burned by fierce fire still count?'