Immortal Realm, Qilan City.

Although the Guan Clan couldn't compare to the prestige or power of the Wu Clan, they still held considerable influence in the region.

After Fang Hao had slain two of the Guan Clan's prodigies during the selection tournament, the clan naturally wouldn't just let it slide—even though Fang Hao was about to represent Qilan City in the Hundred City Tournament.

But when the Guans tried to quietly eliminate Fang Hao, they discovered something unexpected—he never left the Yuelai Inn.

The Yuelai Inn, with branches all across the Brightmoon Immortal Dynasty, was backed by a terrifying force comparable to that of Ruyi Pavilion.

Naturally, the Guans didn't dare to stir trouble there.

Left with no options, the Guan Clan's experts could only stake out the inn and wait, hoping to catch Fang Hao when he finally appeared.

They waited a full four years.

But in all that time, Fang Hao hadn't even stepped outside his room, much less the inn.

They assumed he was cultivating in seclusion.

In truth, Fang Hao had spent the past four years training and adventuring across Cangzhou.

Even if the Guan Clan had dared to break into the inn, they wouldn't have found him.

In these four years, Fang Hao's cultivation had again surged—from the first level of the Dharma Manifestation Realm to the third.

It wasn't until the day he left Qilan City that Fang Hao finally stepped out of the Yuelai Inn and was greeted by Jin Tianlu, who had been waiting.

"Well damn, Brother Fang! You've really got patience! Holed up in the inn for four whole years! I respect that!"

Jin Tianlu gave him a big thumbs up. He had half-expected Fang Hao to cave and come out early—but nope, he really stayed shut-in for four years.

Fang Hao casually replied, "It's only four years. Even forty wouldn't be unusual."

"True enough," Jin Tianlu nodded.

For cultivators in the Heavenly Palace Realm and beyond, it was common to stay in seclusion for years, even decades. It was even more so in the Dharma Manifestation Realm.

The two went off to a restaurant, drinking and catching up.

Fang Hao asked, "Where is the Hundred City Tournament being held? The capital?"

"Yes—Zhentian City, the capital of the Brightmoon Immortal Dynasty," Jin Tianlu replied, a trace of longing in his eyes.

After all, it was the most majestic and bustling city in the entire dynasty—a place where true power gathered. Even members of the mighty Wu Clan had to behave themselves there.

Fang Hao took a sip of wine and said after a pause,

"This time, I probably won't come back."

He had already spent twenty-five years in Qilan City. Any opportunities or business ventures had already been thoroughly explored.

As his cultivation advanced, he needed greater resources—which required larger opportunities.

He had long planned to head to a bigger city. Now that the City Lord would be taking them to the Hundred City Tournament, it was the perfect chance.

Regardless of the tournament's outcome, Fang Hao intended to stay in Zhentian City.

Besides, now that he'd offended the Guan Clan, staying in Qilan City was like walking on thin ice every day.

It was far better to be out of their reach.

In a place like Zhentian City, a clan like the Guans couldn't simply eliminate him in secret.

"Slap!"

Jin Tianlu suddenly smacked his thigh.

"Perfect! I've been planning to move to Zhentian City too! We may not travel together, but once I'm there, let's meet at Yuelai Inn again."

Fang Hao was a bit surprised, but welcomed the idea.

"That works out nicely."

He didn't ask why Jin Tianlu suddenly wanted to go, either. In an unfamiliar, massive city, having a friend was a good thing.

"Come, let's toast to Zhentian City!" Jin Tianlu lifted his glass.

"To the capital!" Fang Hao answered.

After eating and drinking their fill, the two parted ways—Jin Tianlu to pack his things, and Fang Hao to the City Lord's manor.

Before long, the other four representatives, including Wu Yuqi, arrived as well.

But Fang Hao noticed something odd—aside from Wu Yuqi, the other three looked at him strangely, unlike before.

They were trying to hide it well, but Fang Hao noticed the change.

He immediately became more guarded toward them.

After a short wait, they were greeted by City Lord Liu, a tall man with a warm smile, radiating a kind, approachable aura.

"City Lord," all five of them cupped their fists in salute.

Liu returned the gesture kindly.

"No need for formality. If everyone is ready, let's set out."

Though Qilan City was but a minor outpost in the Brightmoon Immortal Dynasty, and its role in the Hundred City Tournament amounted to little more than sparring practice, Liu still harbored hope.

Maybe one day, a prodigy from his city would shine and let him earn some prestige among his peers.

The Immortal Dynasty was vast—even though Liu was a Noble Realm cultivator capable of crossing the void, it would take a very long time to reach Zhentian City by flight.

So, they opted for teleportation.

However, Qilan City had no direct teleportation array to the capital.

Instead, Liu first teleported them to a nearby major city, from which they used another teleportation array to arrive near Zhentian City.

The array didn't deposit them in the city itself, but rather in a town just outside the capital, built specifically to prevent unknown parties from teleporting directly inside.

Although it was called a "small town," it was larger than Qilan City.

From there, everyone had to enter the city on foot, through the main gate.

"Zhentian City is just ahead."

Liu waved his hand and led them toward the massive gate.

Though Fang Hao had mentally prepared himself, he was stunned when he actually laid eyes on the city.

It was breathtaking.

The city walls were tens of thousands of feet high, and the gate was like a mountain—so imposing it made people instinctively lower their heads.

Both the walls and gates were made from mystic materials, covered with intricate arcane inscriptions.

The words "Zhentian City" carved atop the gate were clearly written by a powerful cultivator—just standing beneath them filled one with awe.

Even Wu Yuqi and the others, proud as they were, couldn't help but gawk with open mouths.

"This is the capital of the Brightmoon Immortal Dynasty? It's incredible!"

"I want to live here forever…"

"This is where true experts come to rise to glory—this is where one should carve their name into history!"

They weren't alone. Many other first-time visitors shared their awe-struck expressions.

"Let's go," Liu said calmly.

The five finally snapped out of their stupor, swallowed nervously, and followed.

They joined a steady stream of travelers entering the capital—the largest, most prosperous city in the dynasty.

In Qilan City, Liu was the most powerful figure, its absolute ruler.

But here in Zhentian City, he was nothing.

Any one of the countless clans in the capital could crush him effortlessly.

Liu knew this well. As soon as they entered, he suppressed his aura, making himself look like a mere bystander.

Inside the city, the main avenue was hundreds of feet wide, yet still crowded with flying boats.

Only members of the royal family were allowed to fly directly here—everyone else could only fly boats at low altitudes.

Liu brought out a top-tier flying vessel and flew them at top speed for several hours, just to get out of the outskirts and into the main city proper.

Fang Hao marveled quietly to himself:

"Zhentian City… is probably even bigger than all of Cangzhou."

Along the way, they passed grand palaces, breathtaking immortal mountains, and other scenes so majestic that they all fell silent.

Even Wu Yuqi, who was from the prestigious Wu Clan, couldn't hide his awe.

Still, he tried to act unimpressed—pretending this was all beneath him.

But the truth was clear.

Zhentian City was too overwhelming. The sheer number of prodigies and powerhouses was staggering.

They saw many young cultivators stronger and more talented than themselves.

Coming from a small city, the five began to feel inferior—their self-confidence crumbling under the weight of reality.

What had once seemed like high ambitions now felt almost laughable. They were like wilting eggplants in the sun.

Even Fang Hao—usually firm in heart and mind—needed a moment to regain his composure.

But in the end, he clenched his fists and reminded himself:

"Zhentian City… is only the beginning."