Most of Fang Hao's time was spent cultivating in Qilan City, mainly because the spiritual energy here was far richer than back home with the Fang family.

Truth be told, he had long wanted to go to a larger city—one with more resources and even denser spiritual qi.

Not just in Cangzhou—even the entire Tianyuan Realm had no place that could compare.

But he had always felt his strength was limited and didn't dare step into places crawling with powerhouses, lest someone with ill intent discover his secrets.

That was why he had obediently remained in this modest city of Qilan, a nondescript town under the Mingyue Immortal Dynasty.

Even when small opportunities occasionally arose nearby, he didn't dare to contest them rashly.

"Phew..."

Another ten years had passed.

Now that he had just stabilized his cultivation at the sixth tier of the Heavenly Palace Realm, Fang Hao let out a long breath and stood up.

As usual, he prepared to visit the tavern for a short stay, but as he stepped onto the streets, he noticed that the number of cultivators in the city was noticeably higher than usual. And they were all heading in the same direction—toward the city center.

A familiar voice called out from behind.

"Hey, Brother Fang! You're headed to the Martial Arena too? Let's go together!"

Fang Hao turned his head. It was Jin Tianlu.

"What's going on at the Martial Arena?" Fang Hao asked.

Jin Tianlu blinked and said helplessly, "You really don't know?"

Fang Hao scratched his head. "I've been in seclusion, cultivating all the time. I'm not too up to date with what's going on around the city."

"Come on then. I'll explain on the way," Jin Tianlu said, and they walked along with the growing crowd toward the heart of Qilan.

"Have you heard of the Immortal Dynasty's Hundred City Grand Tournament?" he asked.

"I've heard a little. People seem to be pretty excited about it," Fang Hao replied, recalling snippets from the tavern chatter.

"Excited? That's an understatement!" Jin Tianlu exclaimed. "This is one of the biggest events in the entire Mingyue Immortal Dynasty!"

Fang Hao's interest was piqued, and he looked at Jin Tianlu expectantly.

"The Immortal Dynasty holds the key to a minor world," Jin Tianlu explained.

"That world contains an abundance of heavenly materials, earthly treasures, even sacred metals and sacred weapons!"

"Every thousand years, the dynasty holds the Hundred City Grand Tournament. The top prodigies from the major cities all enter that minor world and compete. The top ten not only receive rewards, but also..."

He lowered his voice slightly, "...a slot to enter the Ancient Battlefield."

"There are remnants of Immortals and Immortal Beasts in that place."

Fang Hao's pupils instantly dilated in shock.

"Remnants of Immortals and Immortal Beasts? Doesn't that mean there's a chance to obtain Immortal Techniques, even Immortal Weapons?"

"Exactly," Jin Tianlu confirmed. "The chances are slim, and it's very dangerous, but some people have succeeded before."

At that moment, Fang Hao felt intense desire stir in his heart.

After all, this was an opportunity to acquire Immortal inheritances.

The Fang family had many Saint-level legacies, a few Emperor-level ones too.

But Immortal legacies? Forget the Fang family—even the whole Tianyuan Realm didn't have any.

That burden fell to Fang Hao alone.

And now such a chance lay before him. To say he wasn't tempted would be lying.

Jin Tianlu saw right through him and chuckled, clapping his shoulder.

"Brother, no offense—but forget about the top ten. Just being able to participate in the Hundred City Grand Tournament and come back alive with some treasure would already be a huge achievement. Ambition is good, but don't be delusional."

Fang Hao quickly composed himself and asked, "So how do I qualify to participate?"

By now, they had arrived at the city's Martial Arena.

The arena was already massive, and above it floated many independent dueling platforms.

Countless young cultivators were already engaged in fierce one-on-one battles.

The entire venue was packed to the brim. In the more than twenty years Fang Hao had spent in Qilan, he had never seen the city this crowded.

The number of cultivators present was comparable to one of Cangzhou's four great cities—like Duanshan City.

Jin Tianlu pointed at the dueling platforms.

"The tournament starts at the city level. You've got to stand out in Qilan City's selection and make it into the top five."

"Any requirements to enter?" Fang Hao asked.

In the past, even when minor opportunities cropped up near Qilan, Fang Hao had held back.

But this time, the stakes were too great. He couldn't afford to keep hiding.

He'd spent years focused on cultivation. While his realm had improved, he was sorely lacking in real combat experience.

This was a perfect chance to sharpen himself.

Besides, it seemed like this was pure one-on-one combat.

Straightforward and fair—no underhanded tricks to worry about.

Even if he lost, it would be a valuable lesson in battle.

"Just one requirement—your bone age must be under a hundred years," Jin Tianlu replied.

"You're right on target. If you find yourself outmatched, just surrender quickly. The selection process isn't too dangerous. It's a good chance to gain combat experience."

"That's what I was thinking too," Fang Hao nodded.

They made their way to the registration area.

The line was long due to the number of participants.

At the front stood a special stone that measured bone age.

Fang Hao looked up at the floating dueling platforms.

The first registrants had already been paired off and were fighting their first rounds.

Jin Tianlu clapped him on the shoulder again.

"You're still young—don't pressure yourself too much. Aim for the top five, but don't let it mess with your mindset if you don't make it."

He said this because they had already spotted many cultivators at the Dharma Phase Realm.

Fang Hao was only at the sixth tier of the Heavenly Palace Realm—a significant gap.

If he were being honest, Jin Tianlu thought Fang Hao had virtually no chance of making the top five.

"I understand," Fang Hao replied calmly.

Though he had brought back treasures from the Immortal Realm that greatly enriched the Fang family and himself, and though he possessed cultivation resources far beyond what any Fang family member ever had...

Still, with his Ancient Sacred Body, even all those resources had only pushed him to the sixth level of the Heavenly Palace Realm after years of hard training.

All things considered, it was impressive. His growth was comparable to the top talents of the dominant powers in Cangzhou.

But compared to the geniuses of Qilan's major forces—and especially those from great cities—he still fell short.

Only when he broke into the Saint Realm would the shackles of his physique be lifted entirely.

"As long as you understand," Jin Tianlu said with satisfaction.

Suddenly, a loud, arrogant voice echoed from the back:

"Move aside, move aside!!"

"What're you pushing for?!"

Everyone turned to see a richly dressed young man flanked by a group of followers, aggressively shoving their way forward.

"What's with the line-cutting?! This guy's too arrogant!"

"Yeah! Doesn't the City Lord's Mansion care about this?"

"Shh—quiet down. That's the Young Master of the Wu family."

Many who were about to voice complaints immediately went silent after hearing that name, pretending nothing had happened.

As the group neared, Jin Tianlu quickly tugged Fang Hao aside to make space.

Had it been Fang Chu instead of Fang Hao here, he wouldn't need to be pulled—he'd keep his distance the moment he saw people like this.

In Fang Chu's eyes, such people were walking trouble, best avoided altogether.

The Wu family's young master gave Fang Hao a casual glance.

Seeing him return his gaze, he snorted disdainfully and continued on.

They pushed all the way to the front of the line.

The registrar, upon seeing him, immediately stood and greeted him with reverence.

"Young Master Wu, you've arrived. I'll register you right away. Would you like to be assigned an opponent now, or wait a bit?"

Young Master Wu yawned lazily and said, "Now. The sooner I'm done, the better."

The selection was flexible—you could keep fighting and advancing, or take a few hours to rest between matches.

After registration closed, the entire selection would last five days.

Strong cultivators usually powered through multiple rounds without rest before pausing.

"Yes, yes, of course. I'll arrange your opponent right away," said the registrar, bowing.

To an outsider, it would've looked like the Wu family was the one hosting the tournament.