Lucian smiled and whispered in her ear, "This is called 'fulfilling one's duty in one's position.' As the Sentinel, shouldn't you share the burden for everyone's sake?"
Jiao-Jiao snorted coldly. "Don't push your luck next time."
Xiangli Yao summoned a screen and tapped on it. "It's about time. Let's begin the final event of the Moonlit Fair."
The dragon lantern on the rooftop lit up with blue light in its eyes, as if bringing it to life.
Everyone was drawn to it as the lantern let out a dragon's roar and soared into the sky.
Seeing this, Lucian raised an eyebrow and, while no one was paying attention, crouched down to whisper in Jiao-Jiao's ear, "A fake Sentinel is boring. Why not go for the real deal? What do you think?"
Jiao-Jiao was startled and was about to refuse when Lucian suddenly grabbed her by the waist and flung her into the air.
From the sky, Jiao-Jiao transmitted her voice with a furious frequency: "Lucian, you're dead!"
The next moment, the crowd gasped as a real dragon suddenly appeared, intertwining with the illusory dragon lantern, creating a breathtaking spectacle.
"It's the Sentinel! The real Sentinel!"
"It really is the Sentinel! I have to make a wish!"
The two dragons—one real, one illusory—danced across the sky, weaving an ethereal scene.
But then, as they passed over the Wishing Tree, the Sentinel abruptly changed course and dove straight toward Lucian.
"Hey, hey, hey?!"
"Are you rebelling?!" Lucian shouted angrily.
However, Jiao-Jiao was far too fast, and Lucian hadn't expected her to pull such a move.
In the next second, Lucian's collar was caught in Jiao-Jiao's dragon claws.
As the people below grew smaller and the cold wind whipped against his face, Lucian sighed. "Jiao-Jiao, your boomerang revenge came way too fast."
Jiao-Jiao flung Lucian forward, then swiftly surged ahead to catch him again.
She snorted. "Didn't you always say you wanted to ride a dragon? Isn't this a good chance to experience it?"
Lucian coughed lightly. "Haven't I already ridden one before?"
Jiao-Jiao froze for a moment before erupting in rage. She shook her body violently, nearly throwing Lucian off, forcing him to quickly soothe her to save his own life.
Lucian slowly stood up, then said excitedly, "I have to show this off!"
He pulled out his terminal and recorded a video—a first-person perspective of him taming a dragon!
[Title: Dragon Tamer]
[Content:]
"This land so rich in beauty
Has made countless heroes bow in homage.
Alas, the Fractsidus, lacking refinement,
The Rinascita, somewhat less sublime.
The pride of an era, Phrolova,
Only knows to pluck flowers and play hide-and-seek!
All are past and gone,
For truly great ones,
We must look to this age!"
[Dragon Tamer Exclusive Footage.mp4]
[Edited by: Rover's Dog]
...
[Autumn Water Without Ripples:] Dude, seriously?]
[Rover's Dog replied: I suggest you start paying tribute, or I'll have the Sentinel hunt you to the ends of the earth!]
...
[Traffic Light Light Light:] Unbelievable! Intelligence Officer Lucian actually riding on the Sentinel's head! Is Jinzhou about to change hands?]
[Rover's Dog replied: If the Sentinel can rule Jinzhou, why can't I, Lucian?]
...
[Cloudpeak Dragon Beard Candy:] So so so cool! Next time, can I spar with the Sentinel?]
[Rover's Dog replied: Kid, these waters run deep. You won't be able to handle it.]
...
[Pero:] So this is Jinzhou's Sentinel? Looks pretty majestic, but why can a human stand on the Sentinel?]
[Rover's Dog replied: If you're strong enough, nothing is impossible!]
[Pero replied: Really? Then I'll try taming Raguna's Sentinel too…]
[Rover's Dog replied: Go for it, kid! I'll support you in spirit! But a word of advice—pick out a nice burial spot first.]
[Pero replied: Burial spot? What do you mean?]
...
Somewhere else, Phrolova was gazing at the scene of two dragons playing in the sky.
A follower spoke up from behind: "...Lady Phrolova."
Phrolova snorted. "I already saw it."
The follower was stunned. "...Uh."
They were puzzled—Lucian had only posted it minutes ago. How had Phrolova seen it so quickly? Was she keeping tabs on him?
The follower slapped themselves mentally. Of course! If Lady Phrolova is watching him so closely, it must be because she's lovesick!
Next time… Next time, I'll capture Lucian and deliver him straight to Lady Phrolova's bed!
The follower swore this vow silently, only for Phrolova to continue, "The poem was well-written..."
She glanced at Lucian standing atop the Sentinel's back, then twirled a flower bud between her fingers. "Let's go. It's about time we set off too..."
"...Yes!" The follower bowed respectfully.
...
The two dragons weaved through the sky—the illusory one dreamlike, flickering in and out of existence; the real one radiant and poetic.
For a moment, it was impossible to tell which was real and which was fantasy.
Their silhouettes painted a breathtaking masterpiece between day and night.
Then, the two dragons suddenly surged upward. The illusory dragon erupted in golden light, exploding into a dazzling firework display that illuminated the entire sky, imprinting an unforgettable scene of shimmering colors in everyone's eyes.
The crowd's faces were alight with joy and happiness, their features glowing under the warm hues of lanterns, a picture of peace and celebration.
Back at the Wishing Tree, Jinhsi clasped her hands together, her beautiful eyes gently closed. "May Jinzhou sail smoothly..."
Lucian quietly appeared beside her. "It will."
Changli added, "We're all here."
Jinhsi smiled softly. "Thank you. I'm truly happy."
Just then, Rover suddenly wrapped her arms around Lucian's neck from behind. "Plotting to conquer the world again?"
Lucian: "..."
He turned and pecked her cheek. Rover retaliated by pulling him into a deep kiss.
Changli chuckled before interjecting, "There's plenty of time left. Must you do this now?"
"While the fireworks are still going, let's hurry and take our group photo."
Chixia ran over as well. "Yeah, yeah! Rover, you can't hog him all to yourself!"
Rover: "..."
Rover thought to herself: When you're speechless, you're really speechless!
Everyone gathered in front of the Wishing Tree, with Rover clinging to Lucian's back, flashing a cute peace sign.
Lucian immediately teased her. "Rover, that pose is so unoriginal!"
Rover shot him a glare, only to see him giving a thumbs-up. She scoffed. "And yours is any better?"
Still, she put her hand down. Chixia cheered, "One, two, three—Happy Moon-Chasing Festival!"
Everyone echoed her cheer. The moment the photo was taken, all were smiling—while Rover leaned down and pressed her face against Lucian's cheek.
...
...