Qiangu Dongfeng replied, "I'm positive. This is the only way we can salvage our reputation. On top of that, the Tang Sect and Shrek Academy are the ones stirring up trouble here, so we're within our rights to heavily criticize them."

The vice-president immediately understood what Qiangu Dongfeng was saying, and he said, "Apologies for my lack of composure just now; I'll begin the preparations right away."

Qiangu Dongfeng directed his attention back to the venue as the vice-president departed.

All he could do now was weather the storm. If he were to bring the joust for a spouse event to a premature end, then the Spirit Pagoda's reputation would be swept to the ground. In fact, the Tang Sect and Shrek Academy were most likely hoping that he would make the rash decision to end the event.

As such, there was nothing that he could do aside from sit and watch.

Ai Fei's hands were already trembling, and only after being instructed by Gu Yuena to continue again did he pick up the ninth name.

The spectators had erupted into a frenzy, but not all of them were supporting the Tang Sect and Shrek Academy. Seven people had withdrawn in succession; they were clearly ruining the event! To the spectators, it was more important that the beautiful Silver Dragon Princess find her happiness, so there were already spectators hurling abuse at the top of their lungs.

"The ninth candidate is A'Ruheng."

"Hehe, I'm from the Body Sect," A'Ruheng chuckled as he strode forward.

Ai Fei heaved a massive sigh of relief upon hearing this.

"I'm also the senior disciple brother of the Tang Sect Master, and I withdraw from the event." A'Ruheng stepped back to join the others with a smile on his face.

That's right, aside from Lan Fuozi, the final candidates were entirely comprised of Shrek’s Seven Monsters, Sima Jinchi, and A'Ruheng.

The end result appeared to be quite straightforward, but the planning had been extremely complex and meticulous.

The plan had been hatched from the very beginning during registration, and countless strings had been pulled to create this surprise.

Not only did Qiangu Dongfeng want to see Qiangu Zhangting and Tang Wulin in the same group, this was also what Tang Wulin wanted as he had never planned to give Qiangu Zhangting an opportunity to progress to the final 10.

Among the final 10, nine were from the Tang Sect and Shrek Academy, and the remaining one was a woman. Everything had been planned prior to the commencement of the event, and this was the Tang Sect and Shrek Academy's revenge.

Regardless of the public reception, the Spirit Pagoda had been thoroughly embarrassed. Furthermore, this still wasn't the end.

Ai Fei was trembling as he turned toward the only remaining candidate, who was standing beside Lan Fuozi.

It was Yu Longyue.

All of a sudden, he was struck by a sense of realization.

Tang Wulin was looking calmly up at Gu Yuena. In fact, his gaze had never left her this entire time.

He had paid no heed to his friends withdrawing one after another or the reaction of the spectators, as if none of that had anything to do with him, and he had kept his gaze focused solely on her, as if to tell her that he could accomplish far more than she could imagine.

He was no longer the powerless student and ordinary member of the Tang Sect; he was now the Tang Sect Master and the Sea God's Pavilion Master, a man truly capable of changing many things.

Gu Yuena's gaze was also fixed on him, but she wore a complex expression as opposed to the scorching look in his eyes.

She had already discovered all of this, and she knew Tang Wulin's intentions, but she couldn't stop them in advance as doing so would hurt him and his friends. However, she couldn't just concede like this. She had her own mission!

It was undoubtedly already planned that the final candidate to take the stage would be Yu Longyue. The most important person should always appear last, and this entire final stage of the joust for a spouse event was firmly under the control of the Tang Sect and Shrek Academy; this was what Qiangu Dongfeng found to be the most disturbing.

It seemed that everything had been set in motion well in advance, yet he was completely oblivious. For the first time, he realized that the Tang Sect and Shrek Academy were more powerful than he had imagined, and this was definitely not a good feeling.

"Last but not least, we have the candidate from the third group, Yu Longyue." Ai Fei's introductions had already become very minimalistic and concise. He had planned to give the Divine Dragon Prince a rousing introduction, but he couldn't bring himself to do so now as he knew that something big was about to happen, something that would shock the entire continent.

If this Yu Longyue were also from the Tang Sect or Shrek Academy, then this joust for a spouse event would've been a complete joke!

The spectators suddenly fell silent upon hearing this introduction. Despite what the Tang Sect and Shrek Academy had done, they still hoped to see the Silver Dragon Princess and Divine Dragon Prince come together in the end.

Under the scrutiny of all of the spectators, Tang Wulin took a step forward instead of withdrawing from the event.

"I'm here, Gu Yuena. From the very first day I met you, my heart was reserved only for you, so I can't leave. You were always by my side, and we studied and cultivated together every day. You were like a pool of warm and soothing water that my heart was constantly basking in. At the time, I was fixated on becoming more powerful, but I had gradually become accustomed to your presence by my side. That was the happiest period of my life. Regardless of what motives you had for approaching me, I could tell that your feelings for me were sincere.

"Time slowly passed by, and when I realized that I had fallen hopelessly in love with you, you were also in the same position. I'm not good at sweet-talking; all I can tell you is that I have what it takes to be with you. Even if you do end up opposing the entire world someday, I'll still stand by your side. I'll defend you with everything that I have, and perhaps I may not be able to see everyone as my enemies, but at the very least, I'm willing to give up my life for you. Gu Yue, this is a present that I've been working very hard on recently.

"I don't know if you'll like it, but I really did give it my all. I hope that you can feel my love through it, and that it'll always protect you. Aside from this present, I want to constantly stay by your side to protect you."

Tang Wulin raised his right hand as he spoke, and a ring on his finger suddenly lit up. A beam of rainbow light erupted into the heavens, then hovered directly before Gu Yuena.

All of the spectators were instantly stunned by the sight of this item, as were all of the powerful beings from the Tang Sect and Shrek Academy.

Qiangu Zhangting sat on the rostrum in a slack-jawed manner, unable to muster up even a single word.

This was a complete suit of armor that was devoid of any fancy patterns. It was entirely silver in color, and included a full set, including a helmet, pauldrons, breastplate, wings, greeves, etc.