The worse you are, the stronger you become: My summoned beast is a photographer.

Beautiful wedding music filled the Raven Crest Manor as almost all the nobles of Herma City came to attend Aura's wedding.

A wedding ceremony generally consists of three steps: First, the official announcement, with a marriage certificate posted at the church entrance for three consecutive weeks to accept objections; if no objections are raised, the marriage certificate becomes effective. Second, the ceremony is held in the church, including inquiries outside the church, entering and taking positions, vows, exchanging rings, kissing, signing the marriage certificate, wedding mass, and leaving to go home. Third, a celebration is held at the manor, which is the core part for nobles to show off their status and wealth.

The third step is currently underway.

Ming Luochen and Aura sat on the high platform. Aura wore a pure white wedding dress, her long hair was styled in an updo, with a few strands falling beside her ears, making her already stunning face even more exquisite. Ming Luochen sat beside her, wearing a custom-made dark blue suit with a plain bow tie at the neckline. His round figure was completely covered by the suit, which added a touch of solemnity.

The distinguished guests were seated according to their rank, on a long table covered with a plain tablecloth, with a set of exquisite cutlery placed in front of each guest. Servants stood in formation, observing intently, ready to serve the guests at any moment. This was a matter of the nobility's reputation, so the servants dared not relax in the slightest. They had rehearsed repeatedly for a week in advance, practicing every detail, from the order of serving dishes to the manner of pouring wine, no less than a hundred times.

Lord Karen sat at the head of the table, his golden mane meticulously groomed. His imposing figure was encased in a deep purple ceremonial robe, and the ducal insignia on his chest gleamed in the candlelight. As the highest-ranking guest present, he rose first to offer a toast on behalf of all the nobles. Holding a crystal goblet, he walked steadily toward the platform, each step exuding ducal authority, yet his face wore a warm smile.

"Count Valerius, Lady Marina, on this auspicious day of Aura's wedding, I, Karen von Herma, in the name of the city lord, offer my sincerest blessings to the newlyweds." He raised his glass to the Valerius couple, then turned his gaze to Aura and Ming Luochen on the platform, his voice loud and warm, "Niece Aura, I've watched you grow up. From your first steps to your graceful figure, seeing you find your perfect husband today fills me with great joy. Ming Luochen, though you come from another world, you are already the pride of Herma. May you live in harmony, grow old together, and bring glory to the Raven Crest family once more."

Amidst applause, Karen received a sandalwood box from a servant and solemnly opened it. A turquoise gem the size of a pigeon's egg lay quietly on a velvet lining, its brilliance shimmering and its spirit radiant. The green light reflected on his face, as if he were holding a concentrated essence of spring.

"This is an SS-grade healing gem called 'Heart of the Emerald Spirit,' which can heal all injuries when worn. I hope you will use it sparingly in your lives."

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire room erupted in uproar. An SS-grade healing gem—a priceless treasure capable of bringing the critically injured back to life, practically priceless on the market—and the city lord was giving it away so generously. A nobleman's fork fell into his plate with a clatter, but no one bothered to pick it up.

The distinguished guests exchanged glances, their eyes shifting back and forth between Karen and Valerius—the city lord was making a public statement that the Raven Crest family was likely about to rise to power.

Aura and Ming Luochen quickly stood up, respectfully accepted the gift, and thanked them repeatedly. Aura held the wooden box in both hands, her fingertips trembling slightly. Ming Luochen supported her from the side, and the two bowed, performing a standard junior's greeting.

Immediately afterwards, Tigris, the daughter of the Duke of Einbo, rose to her feet, following her father, the Duke of Einbo himself. The fact that this usually reclusive duke was present at the wedding was already unexpected, but his rising to offer a toast further astonished the nobles present.

Duke Ainbo was a burly man with imposing, piercing eyes. A few strands of silver hair streaked his grey hair, adding to his dignified air. He walked to the platform and smiled gently at Aura, a smile that seemed especially precious on his rugged face: "Miss Aura, Mr. Luo Chen Ming, my daughter has mentioned you two many times. Seeing you today, you are indeed a perfect match." He gestured for a servant to present a crimson gem, its light blazing like a solidified flame. "An S-grade stamina enhancement stone, to further enhance your bravery."

An S-grade stamina enhancement stone! While not as valuable as the city lord's SS-grade healing gem, it is still a rare item, equally priceless on the market. More importantly, Duke Ainbo personally attended and presented the gift; this prestige is far more significant than the gem itself.

Aura and Valerius exchanged a glance. In such a formal setting, refusing a gift personally presented by the Duke would be ungrateful. Valerius nodded slightly, and Aura respectfully accepted the gift, offering her heartfelt thanks. Her palm rested on the cool jewel box, yet a warm feeling welled up inside her.

Then, the remaining nobles, according to their ranks, stepped forward to offer toasts and gifts. Jewelry, armor, horse tack… the gifts were plentiful, but mostly ordinary items. What attracted the most attention, however, were several land deeds—upon closer inspection, these lands, though nominally belonging to Aura, were actually far from the main city, bordering Valerius's fiefdom. Frankly, they were just notarized pieces of paper, worthless, merely for show.

The nobles knew perfectly well what was going on, and after saying a few auspicious words, they withdrew, and the atmosphere of the banquet gradually shifted from serious to relaxed.

After all the noble representatives had presented their gifts, a melodious tune suddenly filled the hall—background music played by the bard using a sound-recording magic stone, amplified by a sound-amplifying magic circle, flowing to every corner of the manor. There was no live harp playing, yet the melody was so beautiful it seemed otherworldly, ethereal, dreamlike, and possessing an indescribable charm.

The entire room fell silent for a moment.

All the daughters of noble families were stunned by the wedding. Everywhere was decorated with pure white flowers, their fragrance intoxicating, the petals still glistening with dew; during the vows in the church, the moment the couple embraced and kissed, petals and white feathers rained down, a scene sacred and beautiful, dreamlike, like a moving oil painting. They had never seen such a romantic scene before, even the music was so enchanting, as if they had been drawn into a fairytale they never wanted to wake from.

Tigris closed her eyes, listening intently to the melody from another world. Her delicate profile appeared exceptionally soft in the candlelight, her fingertips tapping lightly on the table, keeping time. She had never heard the lyrics before, yet she felt a strange, lingering charm, as if they were telling a fantastical and tender story.

The city lord's daughter, Aurora, gazed at Aura, surrounded by flowers on the high platform—crystal chandeliers casting a dazzling starlight on her, her pure white wedding dress billowing like clouds, making her look like a goddess from legend. She turned to her brother and whispered, her voice filled with envy and longing: "If I could have a wedding like this, I'd die happy."

City Lord Karen smiled slightly, picked up his wine glass, and took a sip. While this wedding couldn't compare to the grandeur of a royal ceremony, it was the most meticulously planned and beautiful he had ever seen: dreamlike, romantic, every detail radiating warmth, from the floral arrangements to the music, from the lighting to the plating—everything was exquisite. He couldn't help but glance at Ming Luochen on the high platform, thinking to himself that this boy from another world had indeed turned his wedding into a work of art.

The banquet officially began in the spacious hall.

Raven Crest's servants carried food from row to row into the hall, their steps perfectly synchronized, like a well-trained army.

The first course was cold noodles with shredded chicken. The waitresses served it to each person in individual plates. The noodles were glistening and smooth, the shredded chicken was tender, and the sauce was bright in color. It was then garnished with sesame seeds and cucumber shreds. The whole dish was refreshing and elegant, setting the tone for the banquet.

Butler Addison, holding a megaphone, introduced the dishes to everyone in a deep, magnetic voice. His aged voice, amplified by a megaphone, carried clearly to every corner: "Today's wedding banquet consists of nine dishes. The first course is cold noodles with shredded chicken. The main ingredient is Kuliha noodles, served with shredded Engel chicken, with a savory and slightly salty flavor. A red oil dipping sauce is served alongside the noodles. This is a flavor from Lord Ming Luochen's hometown, and it's quite pungent. Please add it with caution, and we suggest you try the original flavor first before trying it."

Seasonings from another world? The nobles present became interested and, as instructed, tried the original flavor first.

A fork twirls up a handful of noodles and puts it in the mouth. The chewy noodles, wrapped around refreshing cucumber shreds and savory chicken shreds, intertwine and swirl in the mouth. A rich and delicious flavor explodes on the tongue, complex and unfamiliar, instantly leaving everyone speechless with amazement. The taste is as if it encapsulates all four seasons in one bite.

A completely new flavor, a completely new texture, everything is subverting expectations, as if opening the door to a new world.

One of the noblemen let out a soft hum of enjoyment, his eyes narrowing, but when he came to his senses, he found that the plate was already empty.

"I haven't even tasted the chili oil yet... This is far too little!" Complaints rose and fell, and several young nobles even craned their necks to look at the trays in the servants' hands, disregarding their image.

Addison calmly took control of the situation, speaking in a measured tone: "Distinguished guests, please be patient. If needed, please have your servants add more. But this is just an appetizer; the main course and staple food will follow."

The nobles immediately and gracefully raised their hands to signal to their servants, "Another serving, please." The movement was more than twice as fast as usual. Several of them even nearly stood up.

"One more, please."

"I want some too."

"Please hurry up."

The servants immediately sprang into action—almost everyone requested more dishes, and even several elderly nobles couldn't resist asking for an extra portion.

Some people tried adding chili oil to the noodles, and the salty, fresh, sour and spicy flavors exploded in their mouths instantly, completely awakening their taste buds, like fireworks exploding on their tongues.

"Oh my god, this is so delicious—what will we do if we can't eat this again!" A nobleman's child wailed, heartbrokenly pounding his legs, completely forgetting his aristocratic upbringing. His mother quickly tugged at his sleeve, and he sheepishly shut up, but his eyes were still fixed on the empty plate.

Tigris used her small fork to twirl up the last noodle and put it in her mouth. She chewed slowly and elegantly finished the last bite of her spicy chicken and chili oil cold noodles before reluctantly putting down her fork. Her gaze fell on Ming Luochen on the high platform, and she felt a deep regret, a regret that coiled like a snake around her heart: [I should have just captured him and made him my pet.]

The servants filed out again, and the butler introduced them in a loud voice:

"Second dish: blanched Chinese kale."

Five vibrant green vegetable stalks were neatly arranged on a small white porcelain plate, resembling five jade hairpins. Beside them were two small dishes of dipping sauce: one with minced garlic and soy sauce, and the other with chopped chili peppers. Valerius gently picked up a stalk with his fork and put it in his mouth. The crisp, tender, and fresh taste perfectly balanced the sour and spicy flavor of the cold noodles, making the atmosphere at the table even more refreshing.

"The third dish: Boiled chicken with oyster sauce."

The chicken pieces were cut neatly and evenly, the skin glossy and shiny, and oyster sauce was evenly drizzled over them, gleaming with an amber luster under the candlelight. The waiters served the chicken pieces to the plates one by one; the meat was tender and juicy, with a perfectly balanced salty and savory flavor. Everyone slowly savored the food with their forks, their manners unhurried, yet no one was willing to put their forks down.

Then, steamed pork ribs were served. As soon as the steaming tray was lifted, the aroma of rice and meat slowly wafted out, like an invisible flower blooming in the hall.

The nobles at the table were completely immersed in the exquisite dining atmosphere. The aroma of rice made them unconsciously swallow, their eyes fixed on the trays held by their servants, like hunters eyeing their prey. If it weren't for maintaining aristocratic decorum, they would probably have already risen to snatch the exotic delicacies from another world.

Principal Hollen took a sip of the fruit wine to ease the impatience of waiting. The wine flowed down his throat, its sweet and mellow flavor melting on his tongue. He was once again amazed; even his trunk involuntarily curled up: "Even the wine is so mellow and sweet, without any dryness or off-flavors."

The pork ribs were steamed until tender and flavorful, and the glutinous rice was soft and fragrant. The waiter carefully distributed the ribs to each person's plate with a serving spoon. Everyone savored the dish slowly, enjoying its fresh, fragrant, and mellow flavors, with each layer of taste building up to the next, and the atmosphere at the table softened accordingly.

Midway through the banquet, Buddha Jumps Over the Wall was carefully served by the waiter. The moment the gilded soup pot was opened, a delicate and mellow aroma filled the hall, as if the fragrance itself had come to life, gently brushing past everyone's noses. The soup was served individually, its color a clear amber, the ingredients rich yet not greasy. Everyone took a spoonful and sipped, their mouths filled with a fresh and smooth flavor, which not only relieved the heaviness of the appetizers but also propelled the banquet to a gentle climax.

Next came steamed scallops with garlic and vermicelli. The scallops were large and plump, topped with minced garlic and fine vermicelli, steamed to perfection, the patterns on the shells clearly visible. The waiters served them in individual plates, the aroma of garlic and seafood mingling, a fresh and invigorating scent like a sea breeze sweeping through the hall. Everyone delicately picked at the scallop meat with small forks, savoring its tender and flavorful taste, their movements elegant and measured, yet no one dared to speak—with mouths full of delicious food, who cared about chatting?

The seventh course was braised lion's head meatballs. They were a vibrant red, with a thick, flavorful sauce, and the meat itself was firm yet tender, resembling little red agates lying on a white porcelain plate. The waiter carefully cut them with a knife and fork, serving them in portions. Everyone ate slowly, savoring the rich, savory flavor and robust texture, yet maintaining proper etiquette, only chewing much faster than usual.

"My goodness, do people in this other world eat this well? I wonder how they make it. The flavors are so complex and layered." Many nobles exclaimed, squinting their eyes.

If it weren't for the fact that meals are served separately, everyone would want to grab as much as possible to eat.

Next came stir-fried snow peas and wood ear mushrooms. The snow peas were crisp and tender, and the wood ear mushrooms were smooth and refreshing. After stir-frying, they were brightly colored, a translucent green and a glossy black, with a light and refreshing flavor that cut through the richness of the previous dishes. Served individually, they perfectly balanced the richness of the previous dishes, creating a harmonious balance of flavors throughout the meal. Everyone took a small bite, behaving politely, but their stomachs were already anticipating the final dish.

Finally, the grand finale was a steamed whole fish. The fish was presented intact on a plate, its head facing Valerius, the head of the table. Shredded scallions and ginger, along with steamed fish soy sauce, enhanced the flavor, creating a delicate and fresh aroma. The fish's scales shimmered silver under the light, and its eyes were crystal clear, clearly indicating it was a freshly killed live fish. The waiters carefully cut the fish into pieces with communal knives and forks, serving them to each person with the gentleness of unwrapping a precious gift.

Everyone raised their glasses in a toast, the clinking of crystal glasses producing a crisp, melodious sound. The fish, tender and melt-in-your-mouth, symbolized completeness and good fortune. The banquet drew to a close slowly in a solemn yet warm atmosphere; no one was in a hurry to leave, everyone wanted to stay a little longer, to savor the moment.

Valerius sat in the main seat, looking at the satisfied smiles of the guests in the hall, his mouth stretching to his ears.

He picked up his glass and took another big gulp.

This level of prestige is well worth it.