The Sacred Leaves Family's Wishes for Peace

The Ancient Battlefield Fang Hao had waited so long for was finally about to open.

Back when he had been in Qilan City, Fang Hao had participated in the city's selection tournament to qualify for the Hundred City War. Afterward, he left Qilan and arrived at Zhentian City.

At that time, his cultivation and foundations were lacking. After participating in the Hundred City War, he failed to secure a slot to enter the Ancient Battlefield. He remained in Zhentian City, training day and night and challenging the Trial Tower.

Fortunately, hard work paid off. Fang Hao made it all the way to the ninety-ninth floor and earned himself an extra entry token.

And now, after more than a decade of waiting, the Ancient Battlefield was finally about to open.

Before his departure, Jin Tianlu came to find him, carrying a jug of fine wine, intending to share a drink.

While drinking, he also began to speak of the Ancient Battlefield.

Jin Tianlu, ever learned and articulate, explained with quiet reverence:

Countless millennia ago, the Qingyun Dao Domain was home to a multitude of forces—chaotic and ever-clashing. Battles and bloodshed erupted daily, as the many factions fought over opportunity and fortune. Every day, countless experts fell in battle.

To avoid further internal depletion, the various great factions came to an agreement: they would create an independent space, where their elites could fight it out instead.

Thus, over the span of tens of thousands of years, while this space—this Ancient Battlefield—hosted countless brutal conflicts, the overarching domain eventually stabilized. Peace returned, and the great powers flourished.

"This Ancient Battlefield is a renowned treasure realm in the Qingyun Dao Domain," Jin Tianlu explained. "Nearly every major force sends in their strongest youths."

"When you enter, you'll encounter the cream of the crop—the most formidable geniuses from across the domain. They're on par with the Fourth Prince, the Mountain-Opening Marquis, Immortal Fairy Qingyu, and Yun Chenglai."

"Though your potential is no less than theirs, your foundation is still weaker."

"Also, aside from fierce beasts, the battlefield holds countless ruins left behind by powerful cultivators—Saints, Emperors, even Immortals. Danger lurks everywhere."

"You must remain cautious, little brother."

Jin Tianlu raised his cup, his tone deeply earnest.

The inheritances of Saint or even Emperor-level cultivators weren't especially important to Fang Hao—after all, the Fang Clan had many already.

But divine weapons, emperor-tier artifacts, or immortal legacies? Those, he needed desperately.

That's why, once he learned of the Ancient Battlefield, Fang Hao had poured everything into earning his place.

Hearing the concern behind Jin Tianlu's words, Fang Hao nodded solemnly.

"I will. When I return, we'll drink again."

Jin Tianlu smiled. "Good."

They raised their cups and drained them in one motion.

After Jin Tianlu left to resume his street stall, Fang Hao made his way to the imperial palace.

The guards were already prepared. They led him to a side hall, where the other participants were waiting.

Though Fang Hao didn't know them well, they'd met before. He greeted them one by one.

There were many major powers within the Qingyun Dao Domain, and each had only limited spots for the Ancient Battlefield.

Because of the danger involved—where the weak might never return—these factions were extremely selective.

From the Mingyue Immortal Dynasty, ten individuals were chosen to enter the battlefield.

The Fourth Prince, the Mountain-Opening Marquis, Yun Chenglai, and Immortal Fairy Qingyu had earned their spots through the Hundred City War.

Fang Hao had gained his by clearing the ninety-ninth floor of the Trial Tower.

The remaining five came from top-tier factions within the dynasty. Their entries were secured through alliances and exchanges of interests.

That said, none of these five were weak. All of them had higher cultivation levels than Fang Hao, though they were slightly inferior to the top four in terms of reputation.

Fang Hao was the weakest in cultivation among the ten.

Still, no one dared look down on him. After all, his achievement at the Trial Tower had been witnessed by all the major forces and figures of Zhentian City.

Yun Chenglai sent him a voice transmission. "Wushuang Marquis, shall we travel together in the battlefield?"

"Thank you for your kindness," Fang Hao replied courteously, "but my strength is lacking. I'd rather not burden you."

Yun Chenglai didn't press further.

He wasn't the only one. The others also extended offers to team up.

Fang Hao declined them all, using the same reason.

He understood clearly: though they were all from the same Immortal Dynasty, they weren't friends. There was no reason to trust them.

Besides, Fang Hao carried secrets no one could know. Traveling alone was the safest path.

"His Highness King Huai arrives!"

A voice rang out, and everyone turned.

A tall, dignified middle-aged man entered, his demeanor refined, every gesture resonating with the very flow of the world.

This was King Huai, brother of the Mingyue Immortal Emperor. His strength was unfathomable—rumored to have reached the Heavenly Emperor Realm, just a step from ascension.

"Greetings, King Huai."

"Greetings, Royal Uncle."

Everyone quickly bowed in respect.

King Huai lifted his eyes and swept his gaze across the group. His gaze lingered briefly on Fang Hao, but his expression remained as calm as still water.

He had seen too many astonishing prodigies. Few could stir his emotions anymore.

Though Fang Hao had cleared the ninety-ninth floor of the Trial Tower, his cultivation was too low—far from mature.

"Since everyone is here, let's depart."

King Huai wasted no words. With a wave of his hand, the ten participants found themselves aboard a flying vessel, already airborne—without so much as a chance to prepare.

In the Tianyuan World, cultivators in the Emperor Realm could tear open space and travel freely.

But the Immortal Realm was different. Its spatial barriers were far sturdier. Not even most Immortals could tear through it, let alone Heavenly Emperors.

Thus, for King Huai to transport them, the fastest and safest method remained the imperial flying vessel.

Crafted to the level of an emperor-tier artifact, its speed and security were beyond compare.

Aboard the vessel, none of them were idle. All sat in meditation, cultivating.

"We've arrived."

King Huai's voice rang out. Everyone stopped and rose to their feet.

They had reached the central region of the Qingyun Dao Domain, where an ancient city stood.

It was said this city had been built by the earliest cultivators to arrive in the domain. From a distance, it resembled an ancient beast crouched in its twilight years.

They didn't enter the city but stopped about ten thousand miles east of it.

Already, other figures had gathered—elite prodigies from every major faction in the domain.

Each one radiated divine brilliance, dazzling to behold.

They were the strongest of their generation, some with reputations that echoed throughout the entire Qingyun Dao Domain. Even the Fourth Prince felt humbled in comparison.

King Huai left them to wait while he chatted with a few acquaintances.

The process of entering the Ancient Battlefield was nearly identical to that of the Hundred City War's secret realm.

Fang Hao held up his token and passed through a spatial gate, stepping into the Ancient Battlefield.

As Fang Hao began his journey in the Immortal Realm's Ancient Battlefield…

Back in the Tianyuan World, in Cangzhou—something momentous was happening.