"Best man?"
At those words, the main hall of Star Luo Grand Palace fell into deathly silence.
The Shrek Seven Devils behind Tang Wulin could hardly believe their ears.
Xie Xie had the hottest temper. He strode forward, eyes blazing as he pointed at Dai Yun'er and Luo Feng.
"Don't push us too far! Wulin is the Tang Sect's leader and the leading figure of the Sea God Pavilion!
You expect him to serve drinks and hand over the rings at your wedding? Dream on!"
Yuanen Yehui quietly clenched her fists. The dark aura of a Fallen Angel faintly radiated from her as she said coldly,
"If the Star Luo Empire means to humiliate Shrek with this, then even if we have to fight to the death, we won't let you have your way!"
Facing the fury of the Shrek members, Dai Yun'er merely lifted her chin a little, a trace of disdain flickering in her eyes.
Now that she had the backing of an unmatched powerhouse capable of wiping out three fleets in an instant, she no longer needed to grovel before the Tang Sect as she had in the past.
Luo Feng watched Tang Wulin with an amused smile, saying nothing.
Yet the terrifying pressure of a peak Soul Douluo at rank 88, mingled with the Gate of Truth from [Fullmetal Alchemist], hung over the entire hall as tangibly as a physical force.
It seemed to silently proclaim: here, strength was the only passport.
"Xie Xie, stand down."
Just as the tension reached a breaking point, Tang Wulin spoke.
His voice was a little hoarse, but carried an unquestionable resolve.
He raised a hand, stopping his companions from rushing forward.
Taking a deep breath, Tang Wulin's clear eyes reflected Luo Feng's wild, unrestrained face.
And, far across the ocean, Shrek Academy, now reduced to ruins.
He knew better than anyone that Shrek was far too weak now.
Though the Sun Moon Federation had lost three fleets, it still had its army, the War God Temple, and the unfathomably deep reserves of the Spirit Pagoda.
For a handful of young people who had only just broken through, rebuilding Shrek and standing against the entire Federation was nothing short of a fool's dream.
They needed allies. They needed overwhelming military support.
And the man before him, along with his Vanguard Titan, capable of crafting a Level 11 Fixed Soul Guidance Cannon by hand,
was the only blade on the Douluo Continent capable of breaking the Federation's hegemony!
"I can be your best man."
Tang Wulin looked Luo Feng in the eye and spoke each word distinctly, his voice echoing through the hall.
"But Shrek has never been a meaningless decoration.
Luo Feng, I can drink this wedding toast, but I have one condition."
Luo Feng's lips curled with interest. He gently released Dai Yun'er's waist and took half a step forward.
"Oh? What kind of wedding gift does Sect Master Tang want?"
"I want you and your Vanguard Titan to become Shrek's staunchest allies and help us fight our way back to the Douluo Continent!"
Flames blazed in Tang Wulin's eyes.
"The price of this wedding toast is the rebuilding of Shrek!"
The air in the hall seemed to freeze in that instant.
Emperor Dai Tianling and the assembled officials drew sharp breaths.
This wasn't a request for a wedding gift. It was a demand for the Star Luo Empire to declare war on the Sun Moon Federation's homeland!
Yet Luo Feng suddenly burst into laughter, his voice brimming with invincible arrogance and the ruthless decisiveness of a true warlord.
"Hahaha! Good! That's what I'd expect from the Sea God Pavilion Master—knowing when to yield and when to stand firm!"
Luo Feng clapped his hands. "I accept your condition!
At the wedding three days from now, I'll be waiting for Sect Master Tang to hand me the ring.
Once the ceremony is complete, I guarantee that the Vanguard Titan's cannons will blast open the gates to the Douluo Continent for Shrek!"
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
Star Luo City erupted into the grandest celebration it had seen in centuries.
The entire imperial city was decked out in a sea of red. Countless soul-guidance fireworks bloomed across the sky in dazzling patterns, while cheers shook the heavens.
In a luxurious dressing room in a side hall of the palace, Tang Wulin stood before a huge full-length mirror.
In the mirror, he wore an exquisitely tailored best man's suit in the style of the Star Luo Imperial Family.
A white shirt and a dark gold waistcoat made him look tall and handsome.
But his eyes betrayed an exhaustion and turmoil he could barely conceal.
As the child of fate of the Douluo Plane, he had once been used to standing at the very center of the spotlight.
But today, he was destined to be no more than a backdrop to someone else's glorious moment.
For the sake of Shrek's future, he had forced himself to swallow every ounce of pride.
Click.
The dressing-room door swung open.
Luo Feng strode in, dressed in the Empire's highest-grade groom's attire: dark red, embroidered with golden dragon motifs.
He was in high spirits, every movement radiating the domineering air of a man who ruled the world.
"Does it fit, Sect Master Tang?"
Luo Feng walked over to Tang Wulin and met his gaze in the mirror.
"The Star Luo Empire's tailors are certainly skilled."
Tang Wulin turned around, his expression composed once more. "Imperial Son-in-law Luo, you're certainly having your day."
Luo Feng smiled, went to the table, picked up two glasses of red wine, and handed one to Tang Wulin.
"Do you think I stole the spotlight that should have been yours—or even stole the girl who once had eyes only for you?"
Tang Wulin didn't take the wine. He merely said,
"Yun'er is a good girl. I was the one who let her down.
If Imperial Son-in-law Luo truly treats her well, then all I can do is wish her happiness.
As for the spotlight... as long as Shrek can be rebuilt, personal honor and disgrace are worthless to me."
"Now that's the spirit."
Luo Feng drained his glass of red wine. "Don't worry. Yun'er is my most precious treasure now.
I'll protect her with my life and my Titan.
As for what you want... as long as you fulfill your duties as best man today, I'll deliver every ship and every cannon I promised you."
Tang Wulin silently took an exquisite red velvet box from his coat. Inside lay two soul-guidance diamond rings, sparkling brilliantly.
"It's almost time, groom. You should make your entrance."
As the royal ceremonial music began to play, the central plaza of Star Luo Grand Palace came alive.
One hundred thousand soldiers of the Royal Knights stood in solemn formation, while countless citizens cheered around the edges of the plaza.
Beneath Emperor Dai Tianling's gaze and amid the cheers of the watching crowd,
Luo Feng took Dai Yun'er's hand and slowly walked down the red carpet, woven from the hides of hundred-thousand-year Sea Soul Beasts.
Dai Yun'er looked breathtaking today. Her fiery red phoenix wedding gown perfectly accentuated her petite figure.
As the best man, Tang Wulin followed half a step behind the couple.
As they passed the viewing platform, Tang Wulin spotted the Shrek Seven Devils in the crowd.
Gu Yue looked at him with eyes full of heartache; Xie Xie and the others were gritting their teeth, clearly furious at the "humiliation" Tang Wulin was enduring.
But Tang Wulin only gave a slight shake of his head, signaling for them to remain calm.
At last, the newlyweds reached the main altar.
The officiant's booming voice rang out across the plaza. "Best man, present the Unity Rings!"
Countless gazes instantly converged on Tang Wulin.
Even some of the Star Luo Empire's senior officials watched his expression closely.
Tang Wulin's face remained as calm as water, without the slightest ripple.
He stepped forward, holding the red velvet box in both hands, and offered it to Luo Feng and Dai Yun'er.
"I wish you both happiness."