Zhentian City truly lived up to its reputation as the largest and most prosperous city in the Brightmoon Immortal Dynasty—rare treasures and marvelous artifacts could be found everywhere.

Fang Hao purchased a portion of useful items and sent them back to his clan. In the near future, Wanbao Pavilion would make a killing reselling these goods, and Fang Hao would, in turn, receive a generous share of the profits.

Over half a month later, Jin Tianlu finally arrived in Zhentian City, fashionably late despite their prior arrangement.

Fang Hao greeted him with a laugh:

"The Hundred City Tournament's about to start and now you show up? I thought I wasn't going to see you again."

Jin Tianlu groaned in mock complaint:

"Brother, I'm not like you all—being personally escorted by the City Lord and taking teleportation arrays. Making it here within a month is already pushing my limits!"

The Brightmoon Immortal Dynasty was truly vast.

Teleportation arrays between major cities cost a fortune in spirit stones.

Jin Tianlu would rather visit a few brothels to hear songs than spend all that on transport.

So he chose a slower method—boarding a flying vessel owned by Ruyi Pavilion, traveling city by city all the way from remote Qilan.

Fang Hao smirked:

"If time hadn't been tight, would you have tried to fly yourself here?"

Jin Tianlu immediately shook his head.

"Definitely not! Traveling alone is way too dangerous."

The roads were long and full of hidden threats. Even Jin Tianlu wouldn't risk his life just to save spirit stones.

They made their way to a restaurant, sat down, and chatted over drinks.

Fang Hao casually asked:

"You still planning to make a living by setting up your stall?"

Even though Zhentian had more foot traffic, it also came with far more cutthroat competition.

Without hesitation, Jin Tianlu said:

"Of course! That's my bread and butter—I'm not about to abandon it."

Fang Hao laughed.

"Didn't expect you to be the type who doesn't forget his roots."

In truth, Jin Tianlu often appeared to be a slick, money-hungry womanizer. But the more Fang Hao interacted with him, the more he realized that he wasn't so simple.

Fang Hao's current strength still wasn't enough to see through Jin Tianlu's full nature—but that didn't matter.

The way they were now—was comfortable.

Jin Tianlu grinned.

"Naturally."

After a while, Jin Tianlu suddenly grew serious.

"Before I found you here, I asked around a bit. The geniuses in this year's tournament are... monsters. Brother, just do your best and stay safe."

"Oh?" Fang Hao raised an eyebrow. "What did you find out?"

Jin Tianlu listed several prodigies, detailing their power and achievements—so impressive that even Fang Hao couldn't help but be amazed.

He was a little surprised. He'd been in the city for over two weeks, yet knew less than Jin Tianlu, who had just arrived. Did this guy have special intelligence channels?

Downing his cup, Jin Tianlu continued:

"If you're unlucky and run into one of them, don't hesitate—just run. You might not escape, but if you hesitate even a second, you're definitely dead."

He wasn't exaggerating.

The gap between Fang Hao and those monsters was not small—and not just Fang Hao, but most of the tournament's participants were vastly outclassed.

Fang Hao asked,

"How many cities are participating this time?"

"At least three hundred."

Jin Tianlu thought for a moment and explained:

"When the Hundred City Tournament began, the dynasty only had a hundred cities. But that was countless years ago. Now, that number has tripled."

Hearing that, Fang Hao immediately understood.

Three hundred cities—and Qilan ranked near the bottom.

Its so-called geniuses weren't even qualified to compare with the top.

That's why smaller cities like Qilan existed only as warm-up matches—never truly involved in the real competition.

In a low voice, Jin Tianlu added:

"To be blunt, once you're inside the tournament's small world, even if you just find a quiet spot and sit until the end, no one will judge you. That's how it always is."

Many others from small cities—including Yin Dongkai and the others, and even some who chose not to attend at all—thought the same way.

Fang Hao nodded calmly:

"I understand. I'll act according to the situation."

"Good. That's all I ask. Come, drink up."

Afterward, Fang Hao accompanied Jin Tianlu to the city's vendor district, helping him secure a good spot.

Once he'd rented a stall, Jin Tianlu began ranting:

"Damn it! This city is a rip-off! A tiny stall here costs more per month than several years in Qilan!"

Fang Hao chuckled silently.

Everyone knew big cities offered more opportunity—but many cultivators still avoided them, because of the sky-high living expenses.

If you had no savings or steady income, you'd be sleeping in the streets before long.

Even Fang Hao, who had rented a small courtyard days earlier, felt the pain.

It was remote, tiny, and ridiculously expensive—but he needed the privacy to handle secret dealings without being discovered.

Jin Tianlu, on the other hand, had no such concerns and shared a residence with others.

Though it came with potential issues, the price was far more reasonable.

Still, even that was expensive enough to make him mutter nonstop:

"Dammit! I shouldn't have come here. This place eats you alive. I should've stayed put."

Fang Hao said nothing.

As they passed a red-light district, Jin Tianlu's eyes lit up. His legs suddenly became as heavy as iron—as if an invisible force had rooted him to the ground.

Rubbing his hands, he smiled slyly.

"Come on, now that we're here, it'd be a shame not to explore the local delicacies."

Fang Hao teased,

"You treating?"

Jin Tianlu scratched his head sheepishly.

"Brother, you've got way more money than me—I can't afford to treat you!"

Fang Hao shook his head in disbelief but followed him inside.

Once in, Jin Tianlu's grin widened further.

"Wow... now this is quality! Zhentian City really doesn't disappoint!"

His eyes scanned the venue eagerly as he praised the capital nonstop, suddenly forgetting all about "leaving."

They listened to music on the first floor.

Jin Tianlu later headed upstairs, while Fang Hao left quietly.

Several more days passed.

Finally, the Hundred City Tournament was about to begin.

Fang Hao once again encountered Wu Yuqi and the others.

They hadn't left their rooms all month—not for cultivation, but because they were too demoralized to face the world.

Now, their presence was markedly different from when they had first arrived in Zhentian.

Their once-bright spirits were dull, their confidence shaken to the core.

Fang Hao could tell: if they didn't recover soon, their path as cultivators might end prematurely.

And he understood this feeling all too well.

It was like working tirelessly to break through countless challenges, finally reaching the gates of a new world, only to find—

The people inside were miles ahead, discussing matters you couldn't even comprehend.

In front of them, you were just a child.

That kind of moment could shatter your Dao heart.

Fang Hao hadn't suffered this breakdown because he'd grown up hearing about the legendary figures of the Fang Clan, especially Fang Ting and others.

He'd been told since young:

"There's always someone stronger. Don't worry about others—just do your best."

So when he heard about the monstrous talents of Zhentian, he was surprised, but never felt inferior.

To him, they were just "decent."

If the true Fang Clan elites like Fang Mu Ge, Fang Ying, or especially Clan Leader Fang Ting came to the Brightmoon Immortal Dynasty,

They'd shine just as brilliantly.