Half an hour later, the carriage arrived at Mount Jiujun.

The moment Yuan Ruan was carried out of the carriage, she saw a dense crowd of ministers gathered in front of the carriage and tens of thousands of commoners behind them.

Before she could feel nervous, the emperor picked her up and began ascending the steps.

After about ninety-nine steps, the two of them reached a flat open space.

This area was paved with blocks of white jade, flawless and gleaming. At each of the four corners stood a two-meter-tall coiled dragon pillar, each topped with unlit candles.

At the center of the jade-paved ground was a bronze vessel with three sticks of incense inserted into it. In front of the bronze vessel were offerings of lamb, piglets, and calves.

The Grand Ritualist, dressed in white silk robes, was fiddling with the manuscript in his hands, while the supervisor of the Astronomical Bureau and his team were busy using compasses to calculate the position of the stars.

The emperor placed Yuan Ruan on a cushion in the center and set the ceremonial crown—reserved only for the National Preceptor—on her head.

At this moment, faint wisps of smoke drifted into the air, and the sacrificial animals were being bled. The supervisor approached suddenly and reported, “Your Majesty, everything is ready.”

Yuan Ruan felt a tightness in her chest.

“Ah, I’m a bit nervous.”

The emperor paused upon hearing this and pinched her small cheek. “Just take a nap. This is only a formality.”

Yuan Ruan straightened up at this reassurance. “No, that won’t do. The position of the National Preceptor holds high status in Daxia. My brother must have put in so much effort to get the ministers to agree. I can’t embarrass him. I have to win their trust.”

The system encouraged her: “Go for it, host! Make a big splash!”

The supervisor staggered and nearly burst into tears. “Your Majesty, we all trust you! The Little National Preceptor is absolutely deserving!” He glanced at the emperor with a pleading look, his eyes screaming, Please stop this troublemaker from causing chaos!

Yuan Ruan was confused.

In fact, her inner thoughts could be heard over quite a wide range. Not only the ministers in the same carriage as the Crown Prince but even several carriages behind carrying other ministers heard her thoughts. These officials had already started feeling deeply apprehensive about this supposed divine ability.

So when the supervisor heard the system encouraging her to use her powers more, it sounded no different than a declaration of impending doom.

The emperor shot the supervisor a warning glance. “Focus on your duties and take good care of Ah Ruan.”

After speaking, he turned and slowly descended the steps.

The moment the emperor stepped off the jade platform, the ministers swarmed him.

“Your Majesty.” Minister Wang’s aged face was full of concern. He looked at the emperor seriously. “The Little National Preceptor is undoubtedly deserving, but could today’s heaven-worshipping ceremony perhaps be canceled… cough, I mean, simplified?”

The emperor replied calmly, “Absolutely not.”

Minister Li cupped his hands and suggested, “Your Majesty, even if the ceremony isn’t canceled, rain is expected shortly. Could Your Majesty move to the pavilion a hundred meters away?”

The officials immediately gave Minister Li a thumbs up. Great idea—moving further away would at least be safer.

The emperor shook his head. “I’ll stay here.”

Minister Li dropped to his knees and made a grand gesture of obeisance. “Your Majesty, as the ruler of Daxia, your safety concerns the peace of the entire nation. I beseech Your Majesty to relocate.”

The other officials exchanged glances and knelt together, saying, “We implore Your Majesty to prioritize your health and move to the pavilion.”

The emperor’s face darkened. “The Little National Preceptor ,represents Daxia’s national destiny. If even I, the emperor, fear for my safety, what right do I have to rule? If you all distrust the nation’s destiny this much, then resign and go back to your hometowns to find other jobs.”

The officials gasped sharply: !!!

Even though they already knew the emperor greatly favored Yuan Ruan, no one had expected him to defend her so resolutely.

For a moment, everyone was at a loss for words.

Minister Wang, who had once served as the Crown Prince’s tutor, took advantage of his past relationship to address the Crown Prince. “Your Highness, do you have anything to say?”

The Crown Prince pondered briefly and said, “I trust the National Preceptor will protect us.”

The officials: We’re doomed.

Why were their emperor and crown prince so stubborn?

It’s not like they were opposing the Little National Preceptor’s appointment; they just suggested moving to a safer spot. Was that too much to ask?

Just then, a strong wind howled, carrying fallen leaves in its wake. The sky, previously faintly lit, was suddenly shrouded in thick, oppressive clouds, plunging everything into darkness.

Cloud layers of varying depths churned in the sky. Tree branches swayed violently, and startled birds flapped their wings, scattering in all directions. It looked just like the opening of a disaster movie.

The officials were immediately gripped with terror: !!!

Wait, didn’t the Little National Preceptor say to wait for heavy rain?

It hasn’t rained yet! Don’t rush into invoking fire and lightning!

The Grand Ritualist, preparing to chant the prayer, nearly collapsed on the steps, his legs turning to jelly.

The Minister of Revenue, quick to react, grabbed the Grand Ritualist’s arm and whispered urgently, “We all know the Little National Preceptor is capable, but it’s getting late. Hold on, hurry up there, recite the prayer, and wrap this up quickly! The lives of all of us depend on you.”

The Grand Ritualist shuddered, his gaze steeling with determination. “I will finish before the storm hits!”

The ministers solemnly nodded in approval.

The emperor glanced at them, uninterested in further conversation. He trusted Yuan Ruan implicitly.

As everyone’s focus remained on Yuan Ruan, no one noticed that among the crowd of tens of thousands, a few men wearing headscarves and holding small daggers exchanged sinister glances before discreetly pushing their way forward.

At that moment, the Grand Ritualist’s voice rang out through the gale.

The commoners clasped their hands to their chests, ready to recite the familiar prayer for the longevity of heaven and earth.

Meanwhile, the Supervisor prepared to light the candles atop the four coiled dragon pillars.

Lighting these “candles of fortune” was a tradition dating back hundreds of years for the National Preceptor inauguration ceremony. It had to be done during stormy weather to observe whether the flames on the pillars would extinguish. If they did, it would signify bad luck and unfitness for the role.

However, for the past century, windshields had been installed around the candles, so the flames had never gone out.

Suddenly, a fierce gust of wind extinguished the flame.

The officials and commoners froze, exchanging uneasy glances.

The emperor’s expression darkened as he fixed the supervisor with a sharp gaze. “Send someone to investigate immediately. Don’t let me find out anyone is meddling.”

The Astronomical Bureau staff immediately knelt, kowtowing repeatedly. “Your Majesty! We wouldn’t dare!”

Even the Crown Prince, usually mild-mannered, displayed a rare coldness. “Father, I will personally investigate this matter.”

The officials panicked and knelt as well. “Your Majesty, Crown Prince, we absolutely harbor no such treacherous intentions!”

The emperor and Crown Prince stood unmoved.

Meanwhile, the concealed rebels among the crowd grew increasingly agitated.

As the emperor was about to rebuke the officials further, a sudden exclamation erupted: “What is the Little National Preceptor doing?”

The emperor and Crown Prince looked up simultaneously.

Accompanied by a crackling sound, a silver dragon of lightning tore across the sky.

Illuminated by the brilliant flash, Yuan Ruan, who had been lying still at the center, was now seated upright. Her fluffy white fox fur had been discarded, and her chubby little hand was raised high.

In an instant—

A bolt of silver lightning descended!

Several officials instinctively shielded their heads in fear.

Crack!

The coiled dragon pillar’s candle suddenly ignited with a “whoosh.”

Everyone: !!!

What just happened?

Did the Little National Preceptor just use lightning to relight the candle?

But how was that possible?

Who could control lightning like that?! It must be a coincidence. Or perhaps an illusion!