The Sacred Leaves Family's Wishes for Peace

In the Immortal Realm, Bright Moon Immortal Dynasty, Zhentian City — Trial Tower.

Fang Hao had now reached the Ninth Heaven of the Dharma Phase Realm, just one step away from the Fusion Realm.

He could have easily broken through using spirit pills or an abundance of resources—but he had no such plans for now.

His goal was to clear the Trial Tower while still in the Dharma Phase Realm in order to earn a spot in the Ancient Battlefield.

Once he broke through to the Fusion Realm, any trial beyond the 90th level would pit him against Saint-level black-clad cultivators. That would mean instant defeat—and a permanent loss of his chance to qualify.

Over the years, Fang Hao had focused on solidifying his cultivation, comprehending deeper levels of intent, sharpening his combat techniques, and honing his real-world battle experience.

Even though his realm hadn't increased, his combat strength was constantly improving.

He had also studied the patterns in how the black-clad cultivators fought within the Trial Tower.

Currently, when unleashing the full power of his Ancient Desolate Sacred Body, Fang Hao could pass up to level 69—defeating opponents up to six realms above him.

But when facing a black-clad opponent at the seventh level of Fusion, the pressure became overwhelming. Without secret arts to enhance his cultivation, defeat was inevitable.

Today, after thorough preparation, Fang Hao decided to make another attempt—to see if he could reach level 99 by going all-out.

If he failed, he'd break through to Fusion Realm. He couldn't linger in his current realm too long, or it would disrupt his cultivation trajectory.

Once inside the tower, Fang Hao methodically advanced through the levels, reaching level 70 without delay.

Now faced with an opponent seven realms above him, he could only hang on by sheer will.

"Thankfully, this is just a simulation. If it were a real Fusion-level cultivator, I'd have no chance."

After a tea's worth of time locked in battle, Fang Hao stopped hesitating. He formed a hand seal and activated a secret technique to enhance his cultivation.

Fusion First Level!

Fusion Second Level!!

Fusion Third Level!!!

With the secret art's boost, his cultivation soared from Dharma Phase Ninth Heaven to Fusion Third Level.

"Boom!!"

Now empowered, Fang Hao obliterated the simulated opponent with a single punch.

Luckily, the tower's simulated enemies were calibrated based on one's natural realm, not boosted strength. So the secret art wasn't wasted.

From there, the trials went smoothly.

Fang Hao blazed through the tower, quickly reaching level 90.

Before him now stood a black-clad cultivator at Fusion Ninth Level, whose aura bore down like a mountain.

"Only a quarter hour left on my secret art—I need to hurry!"

Without the boost, his cultivation would drop back to Dharma Phase Realm, and he'd instantly be defeated.

Drawing a worn-out greatblade, Fang Hao prepared for battle. The weapon was a damaged Sacred Weapon—if it were intact, he wouldn't even be able to wield it at his current level.

Clang!!

With three full-power strikes, he finally felled the enemy. The half-broken Sacred Weapon had made a big difference.

Level 91: Two Fusion Ninth Level foes.

Level 92: Three Fusion Ninth Level foes.

Fang Hao continued swinging, his vast reserves of true essence rapidly depleting.

Thankfully, his Ancient Desolate Sacred Body made up for it.

While its spiritual root development was slow, and meridians narrow, his dantian storage capacity far exceeded others at the same realm.

This was one of the great strengths of his body.

His vast essence reserves let him continuously unleash powerful techniques and wield Sacred Weapons.

Yet the pressure grew with every step.

Still, Fang Hao never thought of giving up—he gritted his teeth and pressed forward.

Meanwhile, outside the Trial Tower, chaos had erupted.

Any time someone passed level 90, it was automatically displayed outside. The tower wardens and nearby cultivators could all see it clearly.

"Heavens! Did I see that right? Someone's cleared level 90?!"

"Impossible! That's absurd!"

"Level 90 means fighting someone nine realms above you. How's that even possible?!"

"Forget level 90—I couldn't even get past level 30."

"It's been ages since anyone's reached that level in the tower."

"No matter who it is, they're going to shock Zhentian City. All the major powers will try to recruit them!"

The tower had strict rules—only one weapon could be brought in, and no external items were allowed.

Secret arts that temporarily boosted cultivation were permitted, but those that didn't harm your foundation could only raise it by three levels at most.

Passing 30 levels was average.

50 levels showed decent talent.

70 levels marked a true elite.

80 levels placed you among the top prodigies.

But 90 levels? That was enough to shake Zhentian City and the entire Bright Moon Immortal Dynasty.

Geniuses like Cheng Yunlai, Fairy Qingyu, the fourth imperial prince, and Marquis Kaishan had all reached level 90.

But as for level 99—no one had reached it in tens of thousands of years.

Even thinking about it felt like wishful dreaming.

Still, just having someone break through to level 90 again was monumental news.

In less than a quarter-hour, a huge crowd of cultivators had already gathered outside the tower.

Rumble!!

Whoosh, whoosh!!

Tap tap tap!!

Lavish flying vessels streaked across the sky. Glorious jade palanquins descended from all directions. Normally elusive elites were now converging in one place.

Nobles of Zhentian City.

Top-tier powers of the dynasty.

Even members of the imperial family had arrived.

Clad in luxurious robes and brimming with powerful auras, they all secured the best vantage points, eyes fixed on the tower.

"Have we found out who's inside yet?"

"It's Fang Hao, from Qilan City. He once competed in the Hundred City Battle."

"Ah, so it's him. That explains a lot."

"I must've misjudged him. I thought he was just a promising young seedling. But this level of talent and resolve? Astounding!"

"No matter what—when he emerges, we must recruit him!"

"Too bad we didn't push harder back then. If we had, he might've already been one of ours…"

Fang Hao had made a name for himself during the Hundred City Battle, though his fame was limited.

Several powers had tried to recruit him afterward, but he deliberately avoided attention, often going into long periods of closed-door cultivation. Over time, his name faded.

After all, this was Zhentian City, the imperial capital of the Bright Moon Immortal Dynasty. New talents emerged every day.

But no one could have expected that, after a few short years, this same Fang Hao would return—and stun the entire city.