The entire selection tournament spanned five days.

After that fierce battle with Guan Min, Fang Hao continued progressing. His opponents varied—some weaker at the fifth tier of the Heavenly Palace Realm, some as strong as Guan Min.

On the fourth day, he even defeated a cultivator at the ninth tier of the Heavenly Palace Realm.

Each of his victories shattered Jin Tianlu's prior expectations.

At first, Jin Tianlu had thought Fang Hao was just an average cultivator with a few clever ideas. After all, he always gave off the impression of being unremarkable.

But when Fang Hao won across one tier, Jin Tianlu thought, "He's got some talent."

When he won across two tiers, Jin was shocked—"Alright, this guy's gifted."

But when he defeated someone three tiers above him?

Jin Tianlu was completely stunned.

"This guy's a monster."

Now, he no longer saw Fang Hao as someone lucky or sly—he saw him as a true prodigy, a figure worthy of being called a chosen one.

At the same time, his perspective on Fang Hao's cunning also changed.

Fang Hao could defeat someone three tiers higher, yet in previous rounds against cultivators of the same level, he had faked a narrow win.

After yet another close "victory," Fang Hao staggered down from the stage, and Jin Tianlu rushed up to help him.

"Brother, your acting is too good. Even I believed you," Jin Tianlu said, half laughing, half admiring.

"If I don't act, how else are we gonna keep the odds high and keep making money?" Fang Hao replied in a low voice.

Over the past four days, they had earned a fortune just by betting on Fang Hao to win—easily and effortlessly.

Jin Tianlu loved this method.

"A hundred times easier than running a street stall."

"I don't usually admire people," he said sincerely, "but you? You've earned it."

It wasn't just the scheming—it was Fang Hao's strength, his potential, his battle IQ.

To beat someone three tiers stronger—there had to be something unique about him. A sacred body, perhaps. Or some other incredible advantage.

"Let's see who I face tomorrow," Fang Hao replied, calm as always.

It was now day four. Only two wins stood between him and the top five.

"Right—this is the final stretch," Jin Tianlu said as he helped Fang Hao over to the betting house run by the City Lord's office.

After a while, his next matchup appeared.

Fang Hao: Heavenly Palace Realm, 6th tier — Odds: 5-to-1

Guan Long: Dharma Phase Realm, 1st tier — Odds: 1-to-1

Normally, a sixth-tier Heavenly Palace cultivator versus a first-tier Dharma Phase would have even steeper odds, with the underdog nearly hopeless.

But Fang Hao had defied expectations so many times that a small group still dared to believe.

"Maybe… just maybe he'll win again?"

When Jin Tianlu saw the pairing, he sucked in a cold breath.

"No good! This is only the second-to-last round. Why's he facing a Dharma Phase cultivator already? Someone definitely meddled with the matchups!"

Most participants were in the Heavenly Palace Realm.

Facing a Dharma Phase opponent in the final ten was expected—but in the top twenty? Extremely unlucky.

Which made Jin suspect foul play.

At that moment, a mocking voice came from nearby.

"I wonder if you'll still bet on yourself this time."

They turned and saw a tall, brawny man whose face seemed vaguely familiar.

Noticing their confusion, the man explained:

"I'm Guan Min's older brother—Guan Long. I pulled strings to ensure we'd face each other. Today, I'm here to avenge him."

His eyes held a faint, dangerous gleam.

Though his bond with Guan Min wasn't close, avenging him would earn him favor within the family.

He intended to kill Fang Hao.

He had worried Fang Hao might not make it this far, denying him the chance. But here he was—and Guan Long was determined to end him.

Upon hearing this, both Fang Hao and Jin Tianlu suddenly understood.

"No wonder he looked familiar—it's Guan Min's brother."

This wasn't bad luck—it was a setup.

Jin Tianlu wanted to explode.

"I wanted one more win! One more round to profit! This bastard's ruined it!"

But Fang Hao ignored the man. He simply handed spirit stones to Jin Tianlu.

"Bet on me."

Jin Tianlu was shocked and whispered telepathically:

"Brother! He's Dharma Phase Realm!"

"You're not just four tiers apart—you're in completely different realms!"

"I know you've been winning against the odds, but this is just—this is suicide!"

But Fang Hao replied calmly:

"My mind is made up. Don't speak further."

Jin Tianlu sighed helplessly and placed the bet.

Fang Hao wagered 1,000 high-grade spirit stones on himself.

Even if he lost, it wouldn't hurt too much—he'd already earned nearly 6,000 by now.

Jin Tianlu hesitated but followed suit with 100 stones—not out of confidence, but loyalty.

He was ready to lose it.

Guan Long scoffed as he watched.

"Got guts, I'll give you that."

Then he also went up and bet 1,000 spirit stones on himself.

Even at even odds, it would double his money.

"Let's go," Fang Hao said, and the two left to rest and prepare for tomorrow.

The next morning—

The Martial Arena was more crowded than ever.

More packed than any of the previous four days.

Today, five finalists would be chosen to represent Qilan City in the Hundred City Grand Tournament.

The morning would see ten matches, followed by five more in the afternoon.

The crowd was loud, intense. Everyone was waiting.

Unfortunately, Fang Hao was drawn for the last match of the morning—against Guan Long.

A bad draw.

If he'd gone earlier, he would've had more time to recover before the final match.

But now, his battle might finish right before noon—leaving little time to rest.

"Your luck really sucks sometimes…" Jin Tianlu sighed.

Fang Hao showed no concern. He stood in place, closed his eyes, and began meditating.

When the first match started, he opened his eyes and began watching attentively.

Even observing other battles could spark insight.

The first match was Wu Yuqi from the Wu family.

His opponent was also Dharma Phase Realm, but only first-tier.

With his special physique, Wu Yuqi crushed him easily.

Had the opponent not retreated quickly, he might've lost his life.

Each match followed in quick succession.

By the tenth match, it was midday.

Fang Hao and Guan Long took the stage.

Their match was the most unbalanced pairing so far.

As a result, it drew the most attention and intense debate.

"Am I seeing this right? That guy's just sixth-tier Heavenly Palace?"

"How the hell did he make it this far? Did he bribe someone?"

"You don't know? I've been following him the whole time. He's been pulling off upsets round after round. All legit."

"Yeah, he's a freak—don't judge him by normal standards."

"Ugh! I'm sick of this guy! I keep betting against him and losing!"

"Well, this time he's definitely done for. No way he beats a Dharma Phase Realm opponent."

"Yup. I've already placed my bet to collect the guaranteed minimum payout."

Most of the crowd—over 99%—believed Fang Hao would lose.

Only a few diehard watchers held onto a thread of hope.

But even they couldn't deny the rational truth:

"He can't win this time. Right?"

Guan Long stood calmly, hands behind his back, watching Fang Hao with an amused smirk.

"I'll give you this—you've got guts. Most people would've forfeited by now."

But not only did Fang Hao step onto the stage, he even bet big on himself.

That kind of courage? Rare.

"Fitting for his brother," Fang Hao said.

"Before he died, Guan Min had the exact same expression."

Arrogant. Dismissive. Overconfident.

Guan Long shook his head.

"I won't be as stupid as him. Once we begin, I'll use everything I've got.

I won't give you a single chance."