His words were spoken in a very apologetic manner, and he really was feeling very apologetic at the fact that he had to reject both the princess and the emperor in front of so many people.

Dai Tianling's eyes were still filled with thunderous rage. There were indeed many objectives that could be achieved from this marriage, but most importantly, he just wanted his beloved daughter to be happy. However, he was greeted by the sight of his daughter's tears instead.

His heart was burning with fury, and he wanted nothing better than to reduce Tang Wulin to ashes right away. As a father, any man who tried to approach his daughter would be met with enmity, but any man who dared to refuse his daughter would be met with burning fury.

The veins on the backs of his hands were already bulging, and his aura was fluctuating in a rather unstable manner.

"Your Majesty," En Ci called out in a gentle voice. Dai Tianling turned toward him, and En Ci shook his head at him with a forlorn look in his eyes.

When Long Yue and Dai Yun'er had first come to him with the request of helping them in this matter, he had happily agreed as this was a good thing for the Star Luo Empire. However, he didn't anticipate that this would be how the situation played out. Tang Wulin didn't even hesitate to think before he turned down the princess, which meant that there was no way that this marriage could take place.

However, he was still a representative of the Tang Sect, and for the sake of the empire, Dai Tianling couldn't afford to kill him, no matter how angry he was.

Tang Wulin sat down again, and his brows were slightly furrowed. He didn't really know what to say at a time like this.

A tense atmosphere settled over the entire rear palace, and Tang Wulin could clearly sense the burning fury in the eyes of Dai Yueyan.

He looked up in a resigned manner before turning to Dai Yueyan with an apologetic expression.

Dai Yueyan harrumphed coldly in response. Under different circumstances, he would've definitely already pounced on Tang Wulin.

In the end, it was the Smiling Douluo that broke the silence again. He cleared his throat to attract everyone's attention, then asked, "Your Majesty, what is the bet you were referring to earlier?"

Dai Tianling appraised him in a cold manner, and replied, "In ancient times, there was once a trial on the Douluo Continent known as the Trial of Five Gods. In a conflict between two nations, the weaker of the two could select one representative to take on five challenges from the more powerful nation, and if that person were to secure victory in all five challenges, then the more powerful nation would have to retreat, and no war could be instigated between the two nations for at least a year. The Star Luo Empire reveres power, and even more so individual power. If the Tang Sect can prove to us that Sect Master Tang is a true hero through this trial, then we can agree to the Tang Sect's conditions."

In the end, Dai Tianling had chosen to repress his own fury. After all, the safety of the empire hinged on this negotiation.

Trial of Five Gods?

Tang Wulin was immediately intrigued upon hearing this. It was undoubtedly the case that he would have to be the representative to face the five challenges.

Dai Tianling continued, "Our Star Luo Empire will send out five people to challenge Sect Master Tang in the disciplines of mechas, battle armor, soul skills, weapons, and soul spirits. If Sect Master Tang can secure victory in all five challenges, then like I said earlier, we'll accept all of the Tang Sect's conditions and throw in an extra 10% on top of the total price."

The Smiling Douluo's brows furrowed tightly. "Your Majesty, isn't that a little too harsh? With Brother En Ci on the empire's side, how is our sect master supposed to win all five challenges?"

Even though En Ci was the Star Luo Empire's only Limit Douluo, the empire had countless talented individuals, so it certainly wouldn't be difficult to find five people who excelled in the aforementioned five disciplines. As such, Tang Wulin had virtually zero chance of winning all five challenges.

Dai Tianling rose to his feet, and declared in a heavy voice, "That's my decision, and I'm not changing it. If the Tang Sect Master can't fulfill this condition, then either remove the restriction clause from our deal or go back to where you came from."

After that, he abruptly turned and strode away.

Prior to Tang Wulin's rejection of Dai Yun'er, he would've placed an age limit of 50 years old on the opponents that Tang Wulin would have to face during the Trial of Five Gods. However, his daughter's heart had been broken, so he was determined to punish Tang Wulin, even if it would mean offending the Tang Sect.

The heavy ion laser gun was indeed very formidable, but the Star Luo Empire was certainly no pushover, and Dai Tianling had never feared the Douluo Federation.

"Boss, I really have to commend you for standing up against oppression like that," Xu Lizhi said as he gave Tang Wulin a thumbs-up.

Xie Xie chuckled, "That's not right, he's clearly standing up against temptations! When you think about it, Dai Yun'er is a good person, and she's a princess as well."

"You'd take her if you were in Boss's position, wouldn't you?" Yue Zhengyu asked.

"Of course... NOT!" Xie Xie immediately changed his tune after sensing the killing intent rising up behind him.

"You guys don't look nervous at all." The Smiling Douluo was a lot less cheerful. Without any restrictions in place, the Trial of Five Gods would be extremely difficult to complete.

The most apparent obstacle that stood in Tang Wulin's way was none other than En Ci. En Ci was a Limit Douluo, and his martial soul was the Holy Radiant Dragon; he was simply an insurmountable opponent.

"Hall Master Hu, you should have more confidence. After all, he even managed to last a while against you, didn't he? What's so scary about this Trial of Five Gods?" Xie Xie chuckled.

"You have that much confidence in him?" the Smiling Douluo asked in a surprised manner.

"Well, he's destined to lose, so why wouldn't we have confidence?" Xie Xie replied.

The Smiling Douluo didn't know what to say to that.

Xu Xiaoyan harrumphed coldly, "They've gone way too far here! What kind of bet is this? It's just an impossible condition that's as good as a rejection."

Yuanen Yehui said, "Looks like we'll need to consider our backup plans; His Majesty clearly isn't willing to listen to reason."

Tang Wulin looked at everyone, and said, "Looks like none of you think I can win the Trial of Five Gods."

Everyone immediately nodded without any hesitation.

Yue Zhengyu said, "The Star Luo Empire is definitely going to send out one Limit Douluo and four Hyper Douluos; how are you supposed to win? Unless they enforce an age restriction, this is simply an impossible task. On top of that, the five challenges will take place on successive days back-to-back. There's just no way!"

The Smiling Douluo sighed, "I'll contact the Amorous Douluo to see if we can make some compromises in our conditions. After all, our ultimate objective here is to prevent the war from happening."

Ye Xinglan said, "It looks like that's our only option. I didn't think the Star Luo Empire would pull something like this on us."

A'Ruheng rubbed his own large bald head. "What a pity; perhaps Junior Disciple Brother would be able to win this Trial of Five Gods in five more years."

"There's no need for five more years; I want to try it now," Tang Wulin suddenly said.

Everyone immediately fell silent upon hearing this. This was clearly an impossible task!

"You can't, Captain! You represent the Tang Sect and Shrek Academy; you..." An urgent look appeared on Ye Xinglan's face.

Even though she didn't finish her sentence, it was quite clear what she intended to say. Tang Wulin couldn't afford to lose as his loss would equate to a loss for the Tang Sect, and for Shrek Academy, as well.

No matter how supremely talented he was, there was no way he could defeat a Limit Douluo in just his early twenties! They simply weren't even on the same level.

Tang Wulin said in a determined manner, "It's exactly because I represent the Tang Sect and Shrek Academy that I can't back down. Back when we were last here in the Star Luo Empire, we had also been convinced that we would lose to the Monster Eight Kings. However, we still did our best, and in the end, we created a miracle."

"That's not a fair comparison! On this occasion, it's you up against the power of an entire empire; this is not some youth tournament!" Yuanen Yehui countered.

Tang Wulin insisted, "I want to try it. Even if I lose all five matches, I'll see it through to the end. Hall Master Hu, contact His Majesty, the Amorous Douluo, in the meantime, and work out a backup plan. At the very least, this Trial of Five Gods will buy us five days of time. Perhaps this will be the greatest challenge I will ever face, and it's also a rare opportunity for me that may never come again."