The Sacred Leaves Family's Wishes for Peace

While Fang Hao slept, the healing pills and spiritual treasures he had taken slowly mended his body bit by bit.

He remained unconscious for nearly ten days before he finally stirred.

"Hahh… That sleep was amazing."

Letting out a long breath, Fang Hao stretched and sat up.

Unfortunately, in one smooth motion, he accidentally touched a wound, causing his brow to twitch.

Despite all the healing elixirs he had consumed, ten days wasn't enough to fully mend his injuries. At most, it allowed him to get out of bed and move around a bit.

Still, now that he was awake, recovery would proceed more quickly.

Two more days passed, and Jin Tianlu came to visit. Seeing Fang Hao in decent condition, he walked up and gave him a hearty pat on the shoulder.

"Not bad. You recovered faster than I expected."

Jin Tianlu had seen Fang Hao's state when he exited the Trial Tower. Anyone else would've stayed unconscious for at least half a month—and even after waking, would remain bedridden.

But Fang Hao had woken up in under ten days. And once awake, he'd begun moving and healing on his own.

To Jin Tianlu, Fang Hao's ability to reach the ninety-ninth floor wasn't just about talent and power—it was about this unyielding spirit and tenacity.

Fang Hao asked,

"What's the situation outside?"

Though he had been awake for two days, he hadn't stepped out once. What puzzled him was that no one had come to disturb him.

Jin Tianlu offered a simple summary:

"Your name has spread across the entire Mingyue Immortal Dynasty, and even factions in the Azure Cloud Dao Domain have taken notice. Now, you need to think carefully about where you'll go from here."

That was why no one had approached him yet. The smaller factions knew they had no chance. Only the top-level powers were left, and they weren't in a rush.

Fang Hao nodded seriously. This decision was critical. He truly needed time to consider it.

"Any suggestions?" he asked.

Jin Tianlu responded instantly:

"If you're asking me, then of course I'd say go with the Immortal Dynasty. They're the strongest."

Then he gave a more balanced breakdown.

"The Immortal Dynasty can protect you, but to access better resources and cultivation opportunities, you'll have to join a faction. And factions… well, they fight."

His tone was mild, but the truth was far more brutal. Intra-dynasty faction warfare was deadly—join the wrong side, and one misstep could cost your life.

Fang Hao, for all his talent, was still weak in the grand scheme of the Immortal Dynasty.

"Then I won't join any factions," Fang Hao replied bluntly.

He needed resources more than most—but for now, he still had ways of acquiring them. No reason to risk his life for short-term gains.

"That's smart. But you'll still get targeted. Try to make a few friends in the Dynasty, if you can," Jin Tianlu advised.

By "friends," he really meant like-minded allies—people who could stick together and watch each other's backs.

"I understand," Fang Hao replied seriously.

Jin Tianlu then gave a simple rundown of the complex power dynamics inside the Dynasty. Fang Hao didn't quite get how a street vendor knew all this, but he still found the information useful.

Before leaving, Jin Tianlu added:

"Alright, I'm off. You focus on healing. But just so you know—once I'm gone, the Dynasty folks will come calling real soon."

Fang Hao nodded.

Sure enough, Jin Tianlu left at noon, and by afternoon, someone from the Immortal Dynasty arrived.

It was an old man with a pale, beardless face. His aura seemed to blend seamlessly with the surrounding Dao, making his figure appear almost phantasmal and unknowable.

Fang Hao realized instantly—this man was likely a eunuch from the palace. But with strength like his, his status had to be extremely high.

"Fang Hao greets Senior. May I ask what brings you here?"

The old man smiled warmly:

"You may call this humble one Chief Steward Li. According to protocol, since you've reached the ninety-ninth floor, the Immortal Dynasty will reward you—and grant you a place in the Ancient Battlefield."

As he spoke, he raised his hand and presented a storage ring to Fang Hao.

Inside were both the Dynasty's official rewards and a token. This token granted him access to the Ancient Battlefield alongside other top talents.

This was what Fang Hao had been working for all these years.

He quickly cupped his hands in gratitude:

"I thank His Majesty for this gracious favor."

All his tireless efforts had been for this one goal: a place in the Ancient Battlefield.

Chief Steward Li continued:

"His Majesty also wishes to confer a noble title upon you. You may consider it and respond later."

Though the Dynasty was the dominant power, they never forced geniuses into service. They always offered a choice.

Fang Hao feigned a look of flustered awe, then recovered:

"There's no need to consider. It is my honor to serve the Immortal Dynasty."

Chief Steward Li chuckled in satisfaction and nodded:

"Such loyalty is a blessing to our Dynasty. I shall report back to His Majesty. Your official conferral will arrive shortly."

"I thank the Immortal Emperor," Fang Hao said with a respectful bow.

Chief Steward Li left, clearly pleased.

Fang Hao peeked into the storage ring—and was stunned.

"The Immortal Dynasty really is generous."

It contained a massive trove of supreme-grade spirit stones, as well as sacred weapons, techniques, pills, and even a rare material suitable for forging an Imperial weapon.

This alone would sustain Fang Hao for quite some time.

The next day, the official decree arrived.

Fang Hao, having reached the ninety-ninth floor of the Trial Tower—an achievement deemed peerless—was granted the title Marquis Wushuang ( literally "Peerless Marquis").

The news spread rapidly across Zhen Tian City and the entire Immortal Dynasty, causing an uproar.

"As expected, Fang Hao chose the Dynasty."

"I heard he accepted immediately—he didn't even meet with other factions."

"And the Dynasty truly rewarded him well. They gave him a marquis title!"

"Yeah, compare that with the Marquis of Foundation. He was already a noble from a prestigious family before getting his title. Fang Hao came from nothing—and still got elevated to marquis. That says everything."

"Especially the name Wushuang. That title is legendary."

"But now that he's Marquis Wushuang, others will definitely challenge him. Everyone will want to make a name by defeating him."

"He's not just representing himself anymore. He represents the Immortal Dynasty. If he loses… that'll be ugly."

The Dynasty's ennoblement didn't just come with a title—it came with a lavish residence.

This would be the Marquis Wushuang Estate from now on.

It included everything: hundreds of servants, top-tier accommodations, and a wide range of rewards and supplies.

Given such a perfect environment for cultivation, Fang Hao didn't hesitate—he moved in immediately.

The estate's servants and handmaidens could be replaced gradually. As for his personal cultivation chambers, Fang Hao began setting up a series of protective formations, ensuring absolute privacy and security within his new home.

Now that Fang Hao was officially a marquis of the Immortal Dynasty, few would dare scheme against him openly.

But within the Dynasty?

That was a different story.