"So you've met Senior Brother Wu of Tempered Mountain Peak, Junior Brother. He certainly has quite a reputation in the palace, especially among the Outer Disciples, where he's practically a legend. After all, not just anyone could rise step by step from a menial disciple with a five-element spirit root to become an Inner Disciple," Lian Ruohua replied, somewhat surprised.
"Senior Brother Wu has a five-element spirit root?" Wang Yu asked, momentarily taken aback.
"Yes, but after entering the palace, he encountered a tremendous opportunity and ate a rare spirit fruit that could improve the quality of one of his spirit roots. That allowed him to improve his aptitude, establish his foundation, and become an Inner Disciple. Of course, as you said, he's proficient in mortal martial arts and practices body-and-magic dual cultivation. Even his body tempering is only a step away from the second tier. I wonder how he compares to you?" Lian Ruohua said with a light laugh.
"He certainly isn't weak when it comes to body tempering. As for whether he's stronger than me, we'd only know after a fight," Wang Yu replied slowly.
"Hmph, another evasive answer. Come on, let's watch the next match." Lian Ruohua gave a snort through her delicate nose, looking rather dissatisfied.
Wang Yu merely smiled and said nothing more.
Two days later.
Inside the Blue Space above the Combat Arena.
Wang Yu and Lian Ruohua stood solemn-faced in the first-floor hall of Pure Fire Peak's pavilion.
Before long, Yan Tu and the white-haired young woman came downstairs. Yan Tu's expression was rather grim, while the woman's face was expressionless.
"You should already know that Pure Fire Peak has suffered another total rout in this Preliminary Competition. Apart from you two, no one else made it into the finals. Whether Pure