"Congratulations, Junior Brother Xu, on securing a Dragon Ascension spot."

Sun Tao stepped forward to congratulate him, a smile on his face.

"Congratulations!"

Zhang Hong and Zhang Yong also walked over, their expressions complicated.

Defeating Lu Ren and successfully earning a Dragon Ascension spot were things they had always dreamed of but could never achieve.

"The Huang Family must be kicking themselves now."

Zhang Yong seemed to be gloating, still holding a grudge against the Huang Family for their past injustice.

How blind the Huang Family was, unable to see true talent. They chased a small gain and lost the grand prize, choosing Lu Ren while losing Xu Yang, him, and Zhang Hong. Now their efforts have all been for nothing.

"I’m out of the running, but you still have a chance to advance alongside Xu Yang," Zhang Hong said bitterly.

He had been eliminated, while Zhang Yong was just one win away from securing a Dragon Ascension spot with Xu Yang.

’I had thought getting into Jiang Ping’s circle would help with the Martial Arts Ascension Dragon, but now I see it was useless. Those Noble Family Members just wanted to use us as cannon fodder.’

’Not only did I gain nothing from it, but I also grew distant from Xu Yang, who was a good friend, creating a rift between us.’

"Brother Xu, could we have a word?"

Just then, Gu Haoming approached, accompanied by Jiang Ping.

A look of discomfort flickered across Zhang Yong’s and Zhang Hong’s faces as they stepped aside.

Xu Yang said, "Brother Gu, if you have something to say, just say it."

Gu Haoming let out a hearty laugh and said, "Then I’ll be direct. I hope to form an alliance with you, Brother Xu, to help me wear down my opponents’ True Qi in the upcoming fights. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

"In return, when we enter the Martial Arts Sect, my faction will stand with you. Your enemies will be my enemies."

Xu Yang had already secured a Dragon Ascension spot. Once all the spots for this round were decided, the duels for the top three would begin.

The rules for competing for the top three were different; losers would be directly eliminated, unlike before, where they had another chance to fight.

Therefore, for those aspiring to the top three, everyone remaining was an enemy. The more an opponent’s True Qi could be depleted, the better his own chances would be.

As for his own faction, Lu Ren had lost to Xu Yang. It was uncertain if he could even secure a Dragon Ascension spot, and even if he did, he would have little fighting strength left. Gu Haoming needed someone to replace Lu Ren and fight for him.

"My apologies. After so many consecutive battles, my True Qi is nearly depleted. I can’t fight anymore. I hope Brother Gu understands," Xu Yang replied, politely declining.

He sneered inwardly. ’He expects me to risk my life for empty words? His schemes are laughably obvious.’

’A man like Gu Haoming would even sacrifice his own sister for a spot in the top three. Making an alliance with him is like asking a tiger for its skin.’

’Gu Fang originally had a chance at a Dragon Ascension spot, but after taking a palm strike from Qin Ze, her internal organs are severely damaged. She’s already been carried away.’

’I have no intention of becoming the next Gu Fang. The promises of a man like Gu Haoming aren’t worth dogshit, and I have no desire to be his pawn.’

"Brother Xu, reconsider. If you don’t have friends when you get to the Sect, you’ll find it impossible to get by," Gu Haoming continued.

He naturally didn’t believe Xu Yang’s nonsense. If Xu Yang really had no fighting strength left, why would he have bothered approaching him?

"Junior Brother Xu, more friends mean more opportunities. Our faction is not weak in the Sect; we can be your backing in the future. We both come from Weiyuan Hall, so we should support each other."

Jiang Ping also chimed in, helping to persuade Xu Yang.

’When I was weak, I never heard you talk about supporting each other.’

Xu Yang’s heart sank. "Brother Gu, Senior Brother Jiang, please forgive me. I am truly exhausted and have no strength left to fight."

Gu Haoming’s words seemed like a reminder, but they actually contained a veiled threat.

’Once we’re in the Sect, if we’re not friends, we’re enemies. If you don’t help me today, I’ll make your life impossible in the Sect.’

’It really doesn’t pay to stand out. The moment you show some skill, these Noble Family Members want to turn you into their blade—to risk your life for them, to be their vanguard.’

"Hmph. Let’s go!"

Gu Haoming’s face was ashen as he turned and left with Jiang Ping. His pettiness was instantly revealed, while Jiang Ping barely managed to maintain some semblance of composure.

’That dog! It’s his damn fortune that I, this young master, even gave him a second glance, yet he dared to refuse me. Just wait until we get to the Sect. I’ll deal with him then.’

’I really can’t believe that, given my own status and strength, Xu Yang would still refuse me and cause me to lose face, especially after I had made an offer of alliance—an act I considered a great condescension.’

’It’s all that useless Gu Fang’s fault. She spent so much money at Weiyuan Hall and managed to recruit everyone *except* the one who mattered, Xu Yang.’

His thoughts turned again to Gu Fang. If it weren’t for her shortsightedness, ganging up with Lu Ren and the others to ostracize Xu Yang, how could Xu Yang possibly have refused him today?

Seeing Gu Haoming’s furious expression, and unaware that he was now blaming Gu Fang—who had lost her own chance at Dragon Ascension for his sake—Jiang Ping offered some words of comfort. "Brother Gu, there’s no need to be so angry."

"Xu Yang is a very cautious person. If he won’t agree to help you, he certainly won’t agree to help someone else and make an enemy of us."

"If we can’t win him over, neither can anyone else. In a way, we’ve preemptively eliminated a potential rival."

"That does make sense. But he still dared to refuse me. Once we’re in the Sect, I’ll definitely make him pay."

Upon hearing this, Gu Haoming’s expression softened considerably.

"He doesn’t know what’s good for him. He definitely needs to be taught a lesson, lest these mud-legs think that learning some martial arts puts them on equal footing with us Noble Family Members."

Having been rebuffed by Xu Yang, Jiang Ping was also deeply offended.

’It would be one thing if he only refused Gu Haoming, but to refuse me, his own senior brother, who asked him personally? The guy is just shameless.’

...

After Gu Haoming left, several other people came looking for Xu Yang. They all hoped he would help them wear down their opponents’ True Qi in the upcoming battles. Qin Ze and Han Xing were among them.

The terms they offered all varied, but all in all, Gu Haoming’s was the most shameless. No one else offered something as useless and insubstantial as an "alliance"; they all offered real gold and silver.