The Sacred Leaves Family's Wishes for Peace

At this moment, Fang Hao had already reached the ninety-fifth floor of the Trial Tower.

Those gathered outside the tower only knew he had made it past the ninetieth floor—but no one knew exactly how far he'd gone. They could only estimate based on how long he'd remained inside. After all, the longer one stayed in the tower, the higher the probability they had advanced to a deeper level.

At this stage, cultivators of this caliber wouldn't lie for vanity's sake. Staying behind to falsely claim a higher floor would only backfire in the future as more battles exposed the truth.

After all, different levels reached in the tower equated to vastly different potentials and strengths.

Putting on airs now would only invite humiliation later if the truth came out.

"I wonder which floor Fang Hao will ultimately reach."

"He's probably still stuck at the ninetieth, barely hanging on. That opponent is nine realms stronger than him!"

"That's not necessarily true. It's been nearly half an hour since he entered the ninetieth floor. If he couldn't handle it, he'd have been ejected by now. That means he must be climbing higher."

"He might've already reached the ninety-fourth floor."

This statement sent a ripple of gasps through the crowd. Everyone sucked in a sharp breath.

Everyone knew what it meant to reach the ninety-fourth floor.

Back then, the famed Marquis of Foundation had made it to this very level, which skyrocketed his reputation throughout Zhen Tian City and earned him a direct invitation from the Immortal Dynasty, who promptly conferred him the title of Marquis of Foundation.

Figures of that stature were rarer than phoenix feathers or qilin horns.

Many people grew visibly excited at the thought. Witnessing the birth of such a genius with their own eyes was a once-in-a-lifetime fortune—and a tale they could proudly recount to friends for years to come.

Jin Tianlu, who had been manning his street stall, abandoned it the moment he got wind of the news and rushed to the scene.

"Brother Fang! So quiet before, but now you've shocked the heavens with one move!"

He knew Fang Hao had been challenging the Trial Tower repeatedly over the past few years, all to earn a slot in the Ancient Battlefield.

Still, he had assumed that even with secret arts, Fang Hao's limit would cap out around the eightieth floor.

That was already the highest estimate he'd been willing to give.

Because of this, he hadn't inquired much about Fang Hao's challenges, assuming it was just self-tempering.

Never in his wildest dreams did he imagine that Fang Hao had silently stormed the ninetieth floor. Even Jin Tianlu—who often shared drinks with him—had no clue.

"This brat hides deeper than I do…" Jin Tianlu sighed.

As time passed, Fang Hao's floor count continued to climb—and so too did the crowds gathered outside the tower. People packed in layer upon layer.

Another half hour ticked by, and still he didn't come out. The onlookers began speculating wildly.

"You don't think he died in there, do you?"

"Nonsense! Since the tower was built, no one has ever died inside. If you can't go on, it automatically ejects you."

"Then what's taking him so long? He might've already made it to the ninety-sixth floor!"

"Hiss…!"

The ninety-sixth floor—that had been the highest record set by the Fourth Prince of the Immortal Dynasty. It had stood unbeaten for tens of thousands of years.

Most assumed it would remain unchallenged for many millennia more.

Yet now, it might be broken by an unknown youth of humble origins and no background—a prospect that sent a shiver through every observer.

Many quickly sent urgent transmissions to their factions, urging them to dispatch more powerful envoys.

After all, the greater a genius's talent, the more effort was required to recruit them.

While speculation flew through the air, a wave of ethereal immortal music began drifting from afar. A gentle misty rain fell from the sky, soothing all in its path.

A startled cry drew everyone's attention.

"It's Fairy Qingyu—she's actually here!"

"She loves tranquility and rarely attends these bustling events. What could've brought her here today?"

"Isn't it obvious? She wants to see the prodigy who may break the Fourth Prince's record."

Fairy Qingyu wore a flowing white dress, her face veiled with a light gauze. She radiated both mystery and purity. Many faction members came up to greet her, but she merely nodded faintly in return.

Soon after, Cheng Yunlai arrived with a host of followers. Beaming and approachable, he greeted everyone warmly.

Yet another half hour passed. Fang Hao had still not emerged—and by now, the crowd scarcely dared to imagine how far he'd gone.

In a lavish residence within Zhen Tian City...

A tall, broad-shouldered man—the Marquis of Foundation—bowed and said,

"Your Highness, there is a young man named Fang Hao who's entered the ninetieth floor of the Trial Tower. He's been inside for half an hour already. Should we go take a look?"

Very few knew that the Marquis had long become a follower of the Fourth Prince. Outwardly, they never showed any hint of association—and sometimes even staged mock duels to maintain the illusion. Such was the depth of the Fourth Prince's cunning.

Clad in a radiant golden robe that gleamed like the sun, the Fourth Prince slowly lifted his gaze.

He said nothing, merely lifted a hand slightly.

Moments later, a figure emerged from the shadows and presented him with a jade slip.

The prince read through it—within was the complete record of Fang Hao's history and background.

After reading it, the Fourth Prince raised an eyebrow.

"So it's the Undying Sacred Body… no wonder."

The Tianyuan Realm had existed for so long that its heritage had become muddled. What they called the Desolate Sacred Body was in truth the legendary Undying Sacred Body.

Its defining trait: a body of unrivaled power, with golden blood flowing through its veins.

It didn't take much investigation to deduce this from Fang Hao's history.

The Marquis was stunned.

"The Undying Sacred Body? The one that's excruciatingly difficult to cultivate but ranked just below the Immortal Body—and virtually invincible beneath it?"

Even in the vast Immortal Realm, Immortal Bodies were extraordinarily rare—one might not appear for countless years.

Sacred Bodies were more common, but they too had grades. Being modest, one could say Fang Hao's Undying Sacred Body was the top tier of Sacred Bodies. Being honest? It was the strongest Sacred Body.

If no Immortal Body appeared, then Fang Hao's was the ultimate body.

How could the Marquis not be shocked?

The Fourth Prince nodded slightly.

"Even in our Mingyue Immortal Dynasty—or the Azure Cloud Dao Domain—this body hasn't appeared in a long time."

"Should we attempt to recruit him?" the Marquis asked cautiously.

He knew the prince harbored great ambition. Outwardly obsessed with cultivation, inwardly he yearned for power.

Otherwise, why would he have secretly recruited the Marquis and hidden the alliance so well?

The Fourth Prince waved a hand.

"Once he emerges from the tower, every faction in Zhen Tian City will try to claim him. If we act now, it would draw too much attention. We wait."

Though his heart burned to recruit this rare monster, he would not expose his ambitions.

Waiting meant risking that others might get to Fang Hao first.

But trade-offs were inevitable. The prince understood that perfectly—and had no regrets.