Xu Yang refused for the same reason.

He had already obtained a Dragon Ascension slot and didn’t plan to show off anymore. Unless he ran into disciples from Gale Hall like Jiang Yi or Kong Yu, he wouldn’t fight again.

The competition continued. Zhang Yong lost to an opponent in this round, and Sun Tao lost as well.

In the second match, Lu Ren had good luck. He ran into someone whose injuries were even more severe than his, allowing him to successfully break into the top sixty and secure a Dragon Ascension slot.

Sun Tao took a punch from his opponent head-on before blasting the man off the stage. He too successfully advanced in this match and obtained a Dragon Ascension slot. Zhang Yong, however, lost another match.

In the third match, his luck finally turned. He drew an opponent who could barely stand, narrowly advancing to get a Dragon Ascension slot.

"That really wasn’t easy!"

When Xu Yang and the others came forward to congratulate him, he was so excited that he trembled all over, causing his wounds to split open.

If it weren’t for his good luck, he never would have gotten a Dragon Ascension slot.

Thus, of the fourteen disciples from Weiyuan Hall, an impressive six had fought their way into the top sixty and succeeded in the Dragon Ascension.

They were Sun Tao, Xu Yang, Zhang Yong, Lu Ren, Zhao Zhifei, and Jiang Ping.

"The Huang Family is really something else!"

Sun Tao remarked, glancing around.

Of the six from Weiyuan Hall who succeeded in the Dragon Ascension, a full half of them were people originally selected by the Huang Family. If not for the Huang Family, Weiyuan Hall might only have had three succeed in the Dragon Ascension today.

What was even more incredible was that of these three, not a single one had become a Huang Family Tributor; they all had absolutely no connection to the Huang Family.

"Trash! You stupid pig!"

On the viewing platform, Huang Xu was already raging, and he slapped Huang Ping across the face several more times.

Three of them!

All because of this short-sighted, stingy bastard, the Huang Family had not only lost three Dragon Ascending Geniuses, but they were also about to become the laughingstock of Qingyuan.

He felt like his heart was bleeding. If he hadn’t practiced nepotism and handed the matter over to Huang Jin, this would never have been the result.

"I..."

Huang Ping’s face was already swollen like a pig’s head, his mind a complete blank.

’Who could have thought that three Dragon Ascending Geniuses would emerge from that group of mud-legged peasants? How did they manage it with no money?’

"Dragon Ascension... The Qiu Family is about to rise."

Elsewhere, Qiu Wenjie and his family were overcome with excitement.

Everyone knew that the Qiu Family sponsored Xu Yang. Now that Xu Yang had succeeded in the Dragon Ascension, few in Qingyuan would dare to provoke the Qiu Family anymore. At the very least, no one would bother them over trivial matters. As a result, business would be easier, and it would naturally grow larger and larger.

...

The battle for the top three continued. When Xu Yang went on stage, he immediately conceded upon seeing his opponent wasn’t from Gale Hall.

’I’ve already gotten a Dragon Ascension slot; there’s no need to fight to the death.’

"That little brat!"

Up on the high platform, Lin Cheng saw Xu Yang concede immediately and cursed him inwardly.

He thought Xu Yang had changed his ways, but he was as cautious as ever.

Having comprehended Wind and Thunder Strength, he had a real shot at the top three.

He’d assumed Xu Yang was hiding his Wind and Thunder Strength to prepare for the fight for the top three. Who would have thought Xu Yang had no intention of competing for it at all and would just concede?

Sun Tao also saw that his opponent wasn’t from Gale Hall, so he too conceded on the spot and walked off the stage.

Zhang Yong had originally promised to fight for Gu Haoming, but his injuries were severe, so he also conceded the moment he got on stage.

Joined by Lin Wei, who had also succeeded in the Dragon Ascension, the four of them gathered together after conceding to watch the brutal clashes between the experts from the various factions vying for the top three spots.

"Senior Brother, why are they so obsessed with fighting for the top three?" Xu Yang asked curiously.

’As far as I know, there isn’t much difference in the rankings among the sixty people who receive a Dragon Ascension slot.’

It wasn’t just their group; those who weren’t aligned with any faction also conceded as soon as they got on stage, not risking a fight with anyone.

"I heard the top three get different treatment when they join a Sect. A higher starting point," Sun Tao said.

Xu Yang had a sudden realization. No wonder these great families spent so much money to help their scions fight for the top three. It turned out there were real benefits, and it wasn’t just for empty fame.

"What’s different about the treatment?" Zhang Yong asked.

Sun Tao shook his head. "I think the resources are different. I don’t know the specifics. Information about the Sects is rarely revealed to the outside world. These great families in Qingyuan have long had members join the Sects, so they know more about them."

’Pretty mysterious!’

"Lu Ren is about to lose!" Lin Wei said suddenly.

On the stage, Lu Ren was currently facing off against an expert said to be from Han Xing’s faction.

His body was already covered in wounds, and his hair was a mess. But as a fighter raised by the Gu Family, a follower groomed for Gu Haoming, he had no choice.

Just as Lin Wei’s words fell, a CRACK echoed out. Lu Ren’s opponent shattered his sternum with a single punch, sending him falling from the stage as he spat out mouthfuls of blood in mid-air.

Ever the competent senior brother, Sun Tao leaped high into the air, catching Lu Ren to prevent him from suffering even worse injuries by hitting the ground.

After landing, he quickly tapped several acupoints on Lu Ren’s body, helping to stop the bleeding and stabilize his injuries.

Lu Ren clenched his jaw, his face ashen. He was a miserable sight.

His injuries were severe. If his opponent’s strength had been even a little greater, it might have killed him instantly.

Then, seeing Xu Yang standing leisurely to the side, free from any constraints and not having to sell his life for anyone, the shame of losing to him made Lu Ren feel even worse.

’I risked my life, gave so much, shouldered infamy, and entrusted my fate to another, only to still lose to Xu Yang in the end. Losing was one thing, but I’m not even as carefree as he is. How can the heavens be so unfair?’

"Why?"

Lu Ren roared internally. In his rage, he actually spat out a mouthful of blood and fainted on the spot.

Fortunately, some attendants quickly came forward, carried him away, and took him for medical treatment.

’If I were to be used by one of those Noble Families, even though I might not have to worry about resources, I’d have to sell my life for them just like he did.’