Zhao Wuji’s face was ashen. Like one of the walking dead, he prepared to leave the martial arts arena. No matter how spectacular the upcoming battles might be, he had no desire to watch them.
Right at that moment, Gongsun Wenjin’s voice rang out again.
"Everyone has drawn their lots. So, before the battles begin, I have a decision to announce. As you all know, two dark horses have emerged in this tournament: Ye Xuan, and Zhao Wuji from the Side Branches.
"I believe everyone witnessed Zhao Wuji’s battle. Although he didn’t make it into the top ten, he certainly possessed the strength to do so. I don’t know what he has been through over the past fifteen years, but I can guarantee that he has put in more than ten times the effort of an ordinary person. Since the heavens show no mercy to the hardworking and forced him to face Ye Xuan, I will show him mercy. I hereby announce that Zhao Wuji is bestowed the Gongsun surname. From this day forward, he is Gongsun Wuji."
As Gongsun Wenjin finished speaking, a brief silence fell over the crowd. Soon after, members of the Side Branches were the first to erupt.
"Zhao Wuji, stop right there!"
"Did you hear that? You’ve been granted the Gongsun surname! We have to call you Gongsun Wuji now!"
Zhao Wuji still looked like one of the walking dead, his mind completely blank. In truth, he hadn’t heard a single word of what Gongsun Wenjin had just said. He assumed the Patriarch was merely explaining the tournament rewards, not snapping out of his daze until a Side Branch Elder approached him and pressed a hand against his shoulder.
"Elder, why are you stopping me?" Zhao Wuji asked.
The Side Branch Elder replied with sheer excitement, "Wuji, didn’t you hear? You were granted the Gongsun surname by the Patriarch!"
"Huh?" Zhao Wuji was stunned, his mind instantly clearing up. "Elder, you aren’t lying to me, are you? But I didn’t make it into the top ten."
"Why would I lie to you? I should be calling you Gongsun Wuji now."
As soon as the Elder finished speaking, Gongsun Wenjin suddenly clapped his hands. A servant carrying a square tray stepped onto the high platform. On the tray rested a robe.
"Gongsun Wuji, aren’t you coming up?" Gongsun Wenjin’s voice carried a natural, imposing authority.
He thought, "Gongsun Wuji... he’s really calling me!"
Zhao Wuji immediately reacted and hurried onto the high platform. Gongsun Wenjin then picked up the garment. It was a robe of exceptional quality, with a golden Dapeng embroidered on the chest. Although the members of the Side Branches also had the Dapeng crest embroidered on their chests, theirs were gray. Only the Direct Lineage, or those favored by them, were qualified to wear the Golden-Winged Roc Robe.
"The Golden-Winged Roc!" Zhao Wuji’s breathing instantly quickened. Overcome with emotion, he realized all his years of cultivation had been for this very moment. He reached out to touch the Golden-Winged Roc, then accepted the robe with both hands.
"Alright, go on down. After the tournament ends, someone will lead your branch to a better courtyard," Gongsun Wenjin said.
"Zhao Wuji—no, Gongsun Wuji—thanks the Patriarch."
Gongsun Wenjin merely replied coolly, "Don’t thank me. Thank Ye Xuan."
Looking surprised, Gongsun Wuji clutched the robe and walked down the platform step by step, returning to where the Side Branches were gathered. The moment he came back, the way the Side Branch disciples looked at him changed instantly. Everyone bowed to him in respect.
"Wuji, please look out for us in the future."
...
"Alright, since the lots have been drawn, let the battles commence," Gongsun Wenjin’s voice rang out once again.
After he spoke, someone asked in confusion, "Grandfather, shouldn’t you introduce this year’s rewards?"
"I will announce them after the top five are decided," Gongsun Wenjin replied calmly. "For now, whoever drew the number one lot, enter the combat ring and begin your fight."
During the morning battles, ten combat rings had operated simultaneously. However, for the top ten matches in the afternoon, the fights would take place one by one. There was only a single ring in the entire martial arts arena now. This ring was incredibly massive, making it quite difficult to knock an opponent directly out of bounds. The only way to win was to outright defeat the opponent.
As soon as Gongsun Wenjin finished speaking, Ye Xuan stepped forward and entered the ring.
"It’s Ye Xuan! He’s up first."
"I wonder who his opponent is. Facing him is going to be incredibly tough for anyone."
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, a member of the Direct Lineage walked toward Ye Xuan.
"It’s Gongsun Run. His cultivation is only at the 4th Layer of the Demon Spirit Realm... Against Ye Xuan? Man, the gap is just too wide."
The Gongsun Family members shook their heads, silently mourning for Gongsun Run. As he entered the combat ring, his expression was utterly solemn. He knew he was absolutely no match for Ye Xuan, yet he couldn’t just surrender outright.
"Direct Lineage, Gongsun Run."
"Ye Xuan."
"Please enlighten me!"
After the two exchanged names and selected their weapons, Gongsun Run immediately unleashed his Beast Soul Power. He didn’t dare to be the slightest bit careless against Ye Xuan. Across from him, Ye Xuan didn’t underestimate his opponent either, summoning his massive Golden Snake.
RUMBLE.
Rapid explosions quickly echoed out.
There was little suspense in this battle. In just three exchanges, Gongsun Run was beaten until he spat blood, forcing him to surrender. He was no match for Ye Xuan at all. The moment the Dragon Soul appeared, he couldn’t even display his normal level of strength. Only by facing Ye Xuan head-on did he realize just how terrifying the oppressive aura of Ye Xuan’s Beast Soul truly was.
"Ye Xuan is the victor of the first battle. Whoever drew the number two lot, step into the ring," an Elder’s voice rang out immediately, completely devoid of emotion.
Following his words, Gongsun Hao stepped into the ring. His opponent was Gongsun Fangru’s son, Gongsun Yi. Gongsun Fangru had never married off into another family; instead, she had taken a husband into her own household. Thus, her child also took her surname.
This second battle lasted an intense ten minutes, ending with Gongsun Hao defeating Gongsun Yi.
As time passed, all five battles concluded.
The top five spots had been finalized: Ye Xuan, Gongsun Hao, Gongsun Po, Gongsun Yan, and Gongsun Pojun. Among these five, Gongsun Yan was the only female. From this, it was evident that even when cultivating geniuses, the Gongsun Family poured all its resources into its young men. Gongsun Yan had only achieved such success because she was an absolute maniac when it came to cultivation. She practically didn’t eat, drink, or sleep. Every day, her life consisted of nothing but cultivation.
"Alright, the victors have successfully entered the top five. You may rest for now. Those who lost, come up and draw your lots. Next, the five of you will battle to determine the exact rankings from sixth to tenth. I will now announce the reward for tenth place. Tenth place will be awarded ninety mid-grade Demon Spirit Pills and may choose one inferior Ghost-tier Martial Technique to study.
"Ninth place will be awarded one hundred and twenty mid-grade Demon Spirit Pills and may choose one inferior Ghost-tier Martial Technique to study.
"Eighth place will be awarded one hundred and fifty mid-grade Demon Spirit Pills and may choose one inferior Ghost-tier Martial Technique to study.
"For seventh and sixth place, the Martial Technique remains the same, but the number of Demon Spirit Pills will increase by thirty respectively."
As Gongsun Wenjin finished speaking, the eyes of the five defeated competitors lit up.
"There are Demon Spirit Pills after all! Tenth place receives ninety mid-grade Demon Spirit Pills, which is equivalent to thirty high-grade ones. That amount is enough to let someone at the 4th Layer of the Demon Spirit Realm advance to the 5th Layer!"