"Lu Ren was knocked back by Xu Yang."

"How is that possible?"

...

The crowd below found it unbelievable, but some pointed out that Lu Ren was injured. After several grueling battles, it was only natural for him to be repelled by Xu Yang.

Seizing the advantage, Xu Yang didn’t let up. He took a large step forward and threw another punch, the force of the blow stirring the air around them.

Seeing another heavy fist coming, Lu Ren’s expression changed. He didn’t dare to clash head-on with Xu Yang again. Instead, he crossed his hands to lock Xu Yang’s wrist.

Tearing Sinews and Shattering Bones!

He suddenly exerted force with all ten fingers, but Xu Yang’s arm felt like it was forged from refined iron. It didn’t move an inch, and he couldn’t get a grip.

Xu Yang seized the opportunity. His other hand shot out like lightning and tapped Lu Ren’s throat.

Lu Ren shuddered, his fingers going limp. He stared at Xu Yang, his face filled with disbelief.

"I’ve lost!"

If it had been anyone else, his throat would have been pierced.

After fighting for so long, he was the one to lose. Xu Yang’s Physique was far more terrifying than he had ever imagined.

His Tearing Sinews and Shattering Bones technique could neither tear his sinews nor shatter his bones.

His face was ashen. He felt that every gaze from the crowd was mocking him, and he could even hear words like "trash" and "useless."

Then he remembered how he had always looked down on and mocked Xu Yang from his high horse. He felt utterly humiliated, and the gazes from his fellow disciples of Weiyuan Hall felt like daggers stabbing into his heart.

Proud as he was, to be defeated by someone he had always disdained... it was as embarrassing as being slapped in the face in public.

He trembled all over, standing there for a moment before he could compose himself.

"I’m not convinced I lost. Once I’ve recovered to my peak, I will fight you again."

Before stepping off the stage, Lu Ren tossed out that sentence, trying to save face for his defeat.

He wasn’t in top condition and was worried about losing his spot for the Dragon Ascension. As a result, his moves were hesitant and cautious. He believed that if he were at his peak, he wouldn’t have lost to Xu Yang.

Xu Yang didn’t argue with him. ’You weren’t at your peak, but wasn’t I also hiding most of my strength?’

’Never mind Killing Moves like my Mixed Element Strength or Wind and Thunder Strength. If I had just used my Vajra Skill, my brute force alone would have been enough to crush Lu Ren.’

’Not to mention, I didn’t even use my Flying Swallow Skill, which I’ve brought to Great Success.’

As long as his opponent wasn’t a Marrow Cleansing expert, he had no reason to fear anyone.

"Good kid. He didn’t even use his Wind and Thunder Strength and still defeated Lu Ren."

On the high platform, Lin Cheng wore a look of surprise.

He had thought Xu Yang would be forced to use his Wind and Thunder Strength in the fight against Lu Ren, but it turned out Lu Ren wasn’t strong enough to push him that far.

"Lu Ren actually lost to Xu Yang."

Zhang Hong and Zhang Yong were stunned. The shock they felt was the most intense of all.

"Haha... Lu Ren lost! He lost to Xu Yang! He’s not as good as Xu Yang."

In the stands, Huang Jin roared with laughter.

He had always been optimistic about Xu Yang, but Huang Ping wouldn’t listen. Today, it was finally proven that Lu Ren was inferior to Xu Yang.

Moreover, now that Xu Yang had defeated Lu Ren, he had secured a spot for the Dragon Ascension and become a Dragon Ascending Genius. The significance of this was on a whole other level.

Huang Ping’s shortsightedness had ultimately harmed the Huang Family.

"He... he’s qualified for the Dragon Ascension. How is this possible..." Huang Ping was stupefied.

Lu Ren had lost!

Xu Yang had earned a spot for the Dragon Ascension!

’Am I dreaming?’

"I was so wrong!"

A wave of regret washed over Huang Xu. Originally, after he came out of seclusion, he’d had a chance to rebuild a friendly relationship with Xu Yang.

But because of his own arrogance and disdain, he had completely missed the opportunity to befriend a Dragon Ascending Genius.

"You worthless fool! You’ve ruined the Huang Family!"

He couldn’t stop himself from cursing at Huang Ping.

Xu Yang had secured a Dragon Ascension spot, Lu Ren had a high chance of getting one, and that Zhang Yong fellow also had a chance.

Three potential Dragon Ascending Geniuses had all been nurtured by his Huang Family, but in the end, none of them had anything to do with the family. If not for the public setting, he would have slapped Huang Ping several times.

Huang Ping didn’t dare to speak now, his face filled with remorse.

Huang Xu sighed. "Fortunately, we still have the connection through Zhou Shunchang. Although Ling’er went a bit too far, Xu Yang probably won’t hold a grudge against our entire Huang Family."

Zhou Shunchang?

Both Huang Ping’s and Huang Jin’s expressions changed.

Huang Ping, in particular, was suddenly terrified, his body trembling.

He had taken his anger out on the uncle of a Dragon Ascending Genius. The little Huang Family couldn’t afford to provoke such a person.

Seeing their reactions, Huang Xu immediately had a bad feeling. He snapped, "Did you two take your anger out on Zhou Shunchang?"

Huang Ping whispered, "I... I falsely accused him of problems with the accounts and... drove him out of the Huang Family..."

Huang Xu felt a rush of blood to his head. His vision went black, and he almost fainted.

’That idiot Huang Ping! To take his anger out on a man who had been loyal to the Huang Family for over a decade, all over something so petty... and now he’s gone and offended a Dragon Ascending Genius. So stupid and heartless!’

"Idiot! Fool!"

He couldn’t hold back any longer. Ignoring their surroundings, he raised his hand and swung a hard slap across Huang Ping’s face.

SLAP!

With a crisp sound, Huang Ping’s face immediately began to swell. A bright red Palm Seal appeared as blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.

Still not satisfied, Huang Xu struck him again with the back of his hand before finally stopping.

"You’ve brought disaster upon the Huang Family!"