The Sacred Leaves Family's Wishes for Peace

After receiving the title of Marquis Wushuang, Fang Hao continued to recuperate for a while longer until his body gradually recovered.

It wasn't long before Fang Hao, who had been at the ninth level of the Dharma Phase Realm, broke through into the Fusion Realm.

After all, he had long been suppressing his cultivation to prepare for the Trial Tower. Now that he had achieved his goal, there was no need to hold back any longer. The breakthrough came naturally.

As for the idea of trying to conquer the ninety-ninth floor, Fang Hao had entertained it briefly—but quickly discarded it.

Only someone who had reached that floor would understand just how impossible it was to overcome.

As cultivators, they should press ever forward—but not blindly, like fools.

Following his breakthrough, Fang Hao received a series of challenge invitations. Some challengers simply wanted to gain fame by fighting him. Others didn't quite believe in his strength and wanted to test him.

As long as the challengers weren't overwhelmingly stronger than him, Fang Hao accepted them all.

After all, sparring with powerful opponents was also a way to sharpen one's own abilities.

With each duel, people began to gain a clear sense of Fang Hao's true power.

Eventually, the number of challenges dwindled.

He had made his statement with his fists, deterring others from coming after him lightly.

One day, the Fourth Prince sent an invitation, citing his birthday as the occasion.

Fang Hao knew he couldn't avoid it, so he didn't refuse. After preparing a modest gift, he went to attend the banquet.

Just as he arrived at the prince's residence, a stern-faced silver-armored guard stepped forward and cupped his fists.

"Greetings, Marquis Wushuang. This humble servant was ordered by His Highness to await your arrival. Please follow me."

"Thank you," Fang Hao replied calmly.

He followed the guard inside. Along the way, he noticed that there weren't many guests—something that surprised him.

"Did I arrive too early?" Fang Hao wondered aloud. "There don't seem to be many people attending."

Given the Fourth Prince's rank and influence, Fang Hao had expected a bustling crowd.

The silver-armored guard gave a slight smile and respectfully explained:

"Marquis Wushuang may not know—His Highness only holds birthday banquets on rare whims, and even then, he invites only the most outstanding youths and peerless talents. So the guest list is always small."

Fang Hao nodded in understanding.

So it wasn't that few came—but that few were qualified to be invited.

Soon, the guard brought Fang Hao to a small, elegant courtyard. One glance from a nearby guard lifted the formation restriction, and the entrance opened.

"His Highness and the other guests are inside. Please, Marquis Wushuang."

Fang Hao nodded and stepped through the gate.

Swoosh… swoosh… swoosh…

The moment he entered, numerous gazes turned toward him.

Just as the guard had said, none of those present were ordinary.

Either they were formidable geniuses with immense potential, or they were figures of considerable power and status.

Their eyes were sharp, their scrutiny intense—enough to make most buckle under the pressure.

But Fang Hao remained composed and walked forward calmly under their gaze.

Very quickly, someone stepped up to greet him.

"So it really is Marquis Wushuang. I've long heard of your great name."

"Marquis Wushuang truly lives up to the tales."

Fang Hao, now well-adjusted to his identity, returned their greetings with practiced ease.

Still, his main goal was the host—the Fourth Prince. He made his way over, presented his gift, and exchanged pleasantries.

The Fourth Prince, handsome and ethereal like a banished immortal, wore a serene smile.

"Brother Fang is too polite. When we enter the Ancient Battlefield, we'll be allies, standing shoulder to shoulder."

The Ancient Battlefield was a major opportunity within the Azure Cloud Dao Domain. Once it opened, the domain's various elite factions would all send their geniuses inside, and clashes would be inevitable.

Thus, those from the same force often allied together—for survival and for the prestige of their faction.

"Your Highness is absolutely right," Fang Hao replied.

Their brief exchange shocked those around them.

It wasn't just that the Fourth Prince had invited Fang Hao—it was the way he addressed him.

Few in the entire Dynasty were worthy of being called "brother" by the Fourth Prince.

He was not only of noble birth and immense power, but also a talent destined to stand atop the Immortal Dynasty.

Even figures like the Marquis of Foundation, Fairy Qingyu, and Cheng Yunlai—all elite in their own right—still fell slightly short of him.

This showed just how high his standing truly was.

Soon, all the invited guests had arrived—only fifty or sixty in total.

Every one of them was either an extraordinary prodigy or someone with considerable authority.

Midway through the banquet, the other three sons of the Immortal Emperor arrived—the Crown Prince, Second Prince, and Third Prince.

It wasn't surprising for the Second and Third Princes to come.

But the Crown Prince's appearance? That stunned everyone—even the Fourth Prince had not expected it.

"Greetings, Crown Prince. We were not informed of your arrival. Please forgive our failure to welcome you."

Facing the Crown Prince, even the composed Fourth Prince seemed uneasy and flustered.

As the designated heir to the throne, the Crown Prince had long held command over many affairs. His every movement radiated oppressive majesty, making it hard for the others to even breathe.

"It's your birthday today, Fourth Brother. No need to stand on ceremony."

"Yes, Brother," the Fourth Prince replied quickly.

The Crown Prince swept a calm gaze over the room. Everyone lowered their heads—no one dared meet his eyes.

His gaze lingered slightly on Fang Hao.

"So this is the famed Marquis Wushuang. Remarkable indeed."

"Greetings, Your Highness. You overpraise me," Fang Hao said with a bow.

Other than Fang Hao, the Crown Prince didn't spare anyone else a second glance. He exchanged a few brief words with the Fourth Prince before departing.

Only after he left did the invisible mountain of pressure lift from the banquet hall.

Even the Fourth Prince exhaled lightly, his expression unreadable as he pondered his eldest brother's true intentions.

What had begun as a quiet birthday banquet had taken on a different tone—and was wrapped up early.

As for Fang Hao, he had no interest whatsoever in princely struggles or factional politics within the Dynasty.

When the Fourth Prince invited him again later, Fang Hao declined with the excuse of closed-door cultivation.

The same went for invitations from the Second and Third Princes.

Though the Ancient Battlefield wouldn't open for several more years, Fang Hao had no intention of wasting time.

Every bit of cultivation he could squeeze in meant more confidence, more strength—and a greater chance of survival.