After collecting his spirit stones, Fang Hao left with Jin Tianlu. Unlike before, the weakness he had displayed after the previous battle had only been an act—this time, however, the secret technique he used to forcibly boost his cultivation had indeed taken a real toll.

Back at his residence, Fang Hao immediately took out the spiritual materials and spirit stones he had prepared in advance and began his recovery.

The secret technique he used was the same one Fang Ting had previously used. The difference was that while Fang Ting had gone all out, Fang Hao had only used part of its power. As a result, his recovery was relatively easier.

The afternoon's five matches started a bit later than scheduled.

Jin Tianlu was the first to arrive at the arena. After reviewing the matchups, he hurried back to Fang Hao with the report.

"Good news—you're in the third match, and your opponent is also at the first level of the Dharma Realm."

Fang Hao let out a long sigh of relief. He had been worried he might face a second- or even third-level Dharma opponent. In that case, he'd have to go all out—using both his secret art and the full power of his Saint Body—to stand a chance.

While he was fine with revealing the secret art, he still wanted to keep the full extent of his Saint Body hidden.

Jin Tianlu asked, "Since you beat Guan Long, your odds dropped. This time it's only three to one. How much do you want to bet?"

A Heavenly Place sixth-layer cultivator facing a Dharma first-layer with odds of 3:1—such odds were nearly unheard of.

In truth, after defeating Guan Long, Fang Hao's odds should have dropped further, down to 2:1 or even 1:1.

But everyone knew he had used a secret technique last time. Forcibly boosting one's cultivation through such methods came with a hefty toll on the body.

Because it was doubtful that Fang Hao had recovered to peak condition, the odds had increased again, settling at 3:1.

"Five thousand," Fang Hao said, producing five thousand high-grade spirit stones.

Even most cultivators at the Convergence Realm would struggle to come up with that much.

Jin Tianlu grinned. "Alright! I'll join you this time!"

He was planning to bet five thousand himself. After all, Fang Hao had already slapped his face so many times—he figured it was time to believe unconditionally.

Carrying their spirit stones, Jin Tianlu went to place the bet.

Fang Hao remained behind to make the most of the time to adjust his condition.

As the second match neared its end, Jin Tianlu rushed back with an update. The two then headed together to the battle arena.

The vast martial arena was packed with spectators. Normally, the city streets would be bustling with carriages and people, but now they were nearly empty. Anyone unaware might think Qilan City had become a ghost town.

Even the City Lord of Qilan had come to watch.

After a brief wait, Fang Hao stepped onto the platform. His opponent, like Guan Long, was also at the first level of the Dharma Realm.

The two had no history, so they said nothing and went straight into battle.

Countless eyes watched them from below.

"Didn't Fang Hao just beat a Dharma first-layer opponent in the last round? Why are the odds still 3:1 against the same level opponent? Shouldn't it be lower now—like 2:1 or even 1:1?"

"He used a secret technique to win last time. No one knows if he's fully recovered."

"Exactly. Secret techniques like that aren't simple. And who's to say his opponent today doesn't have one too?"

"I really hope he wins—I bet everything I had on him!"

Last round, 99% of the crowd didn't believe Fang Hao could win. This time, although the sentiment had shifted slightly, 70% of the people still thought he wouldn't make it.

Fang Hao didn't waste any time—he activated his secret technique right away and unleashed all his trump cards.

His opponent was quickly driven back, eventually forced to bring out half of a Sacred Armament.

Fang Hao had one too. But to keep his Saint Body a secret, he went so far as to self-destruct his half-armament in the fight.

It was precisely this brutal decisiveness that brought him the win.

Fang Hao emerged victorious again, officially breaking into the top five, stunning everyone watching.

In the many years of the Hundred City Tournament, Qilan City had never had a representative below the Dharma Realm enter the top five. Fang Hao was the first.

The City Lord of Qilan praised, "To enter the top five with Heavenly Place sixth-layer cultivation—this took luck, strength, and boldness. This young man has a bright future ahead."

Truthfully, Fang Hao had been quite fortunate this afternoon.

Among the remaining four contenders, three were Dharma second-layer, and one—Wu Yuqi—was Dharma third-layer.

Had Fang Hao faced any of the other three, he would have had to use both his secret art and the full power of his Saint Body, and even then victory wouldn't be guaranteed.

They had special constitutions too.

If he had drawn Wu Yuqi, the chance of victory would've been almost zero.

"Good, good! Brother Fang, you're incredible!!" Jin Tianlu was overjoyed.

He had bet five thousand high-grade spirit stones at 3:1 odds and now raked in fifteen thousand—a profit that would've taken him decades to make by running his street stall.

After collecting the spirit stones, he immediately handed a share to Fang Hao.

"Here, take it, brother. Without you, I'd never have had the chance to win this much!"

Fang Hao accepted it without protest.

After all, in the last battle, he had destroyed half of a Sacred Armament. That cost needed some replenishment.

Soon, someone came by to inform Fang Hao that he could return to rest. In three days, he would need to report to the City Lord's manor.

Fang Hao was puzzled.

"In three days, are we leaving for the Hundred City Tournament already?"

Jin Tianlu replied, "Of course not. The tournament doesn't start for years. You're just going to the manor to claim your top-five rewards."

"There are rewards? What kind?" Fang Hao asked, surprised.

Jin Tianlu replied, "Probably some opportunity to boost your cultivation—and maybe some resources."

Fang Hao's eyes lit up with anticipation.

What he needed most now was a breakthrough in cultivation. Resources were secondary.

Three days later.

Fang Hao arrived at the City Lord's manor as scheduled. Before long, the other four top-five contenders arrived as well.

The three aside from Wu Yuqi looked at Fang Hao with clear respect in their eyes.

After all, standing among them with just a Heavenly Place sixth-layer cultivation was no small feat.

As for how he had won—by secret arts and a self-destructed sacred weapon—no one cared. In this world, victory was all that mattered.

Wu Yuqi said coolly, "You have some ability. I'll give you a chance to become my follower."

He spoke with his hands behind his back, like a lofty figure bestowing grace from above.

Naturally, Fang Hao refused directly.

"No need."

Wu Yuqi sneered.

"You think you're something just because you have a bit of strength? When I rise, you'll regret this choice."

Fang Hao responded with a calm expression, choosing not to speak further.

The other three didn't dare say anything. None of them wanted to offend someone as highly ranked as Wu Yuqi.

Soon after, the butler of the City Lord's manor arrived with two guards and led them deep into a small secret realm.

The butler explained, "In five years, you will represent Qilan City in the Hundred City Tournament. To prepare you, the City Lord has arranged a small gift—something to help you all perform well and bring honor to Qilan City."

The five remained silent.

Bring honor? Qilan City's status in the Mingyue Immortal Dynasty was a joke. Hardly anyone had heard of it. Everyone knew the truth—Qilan was just cannon fodder. Surviving the tournament was already considered a success.

They followed the butler to a cave deep in the secret realm. Inside was a pool over 100 feet wide, with water tinged red.

Fang Hao could feel the intense life force radiating from it—it clearly held tremendous power.

The butler explained, "Hundreds of thousands of years ago, an Immortal Beast dwelled here. It left behind several drops of its blood essence in this very pool."

"Although it has been ages, the powerful energy in the essence remains. You may now cultivate within this pool for a full year."

"What you gain from this year depends entirely on your own effort. Guards will remain on-site. You may leave early if you wish—or wait to leave together when the year ends."

The five nodded, indicating their understanding.

Wu Yuqi showed little interest—he had already been here once before. This was his second time, and the effects would naturally be much weaker, but it was still better than nothing.

After the butler departed, the guards stood watch while the five entered the pool one by one, chose their positions, laid down protective formations, and entered deep cultivation.

After all, this was a rare opportunity. Not a single moment could be wasted.