Qi Hong's question echoed Yan Ru's own curiosity.
Since the Earth Ranking's inauguration six months prior, nearly all disciples from the Inner Peak had participated in the Combat Arena. The New Policy mandated that each disciple compete at least three times annually, a minimal requirement that none would dare neglect.
Chu Jinmo simply smiled and shook her head. "The time isn't right yet. We'll discuss it later."
Qi Hong didn't press further, knowing Chu Jinmo's temperament. Though seemingly approachable, she possessed unwavering resolve when her mind was set, never easily swayed.
"Speaking of which," Qi Hong remarked, noticing the lull in conversation, "has Junior Brother Han emerged from his seclusion yet?"
"Junior Brother Han is truly a dedicated cultivator," someone commented. "He's been in seclusion for half a year now. I wonder what he's achieved. When he finally emerges, he'll be astonished by the Sect's current prosperity."
Luo Yunzhou glanced at her before replying, "I don't think he's broken seclusion yet. I visited his courtyard a couple of days ago, but the Formation Arts were activated, and a 'Do Not Disturb' sign hung on the gate. I simply left a message at the entrance."
"Still, even when Junior Brother Han emerges, he won't be surprised," Luo Yunzhou added. "That man is remarkably composed."
"What good is stability alone?" Qi Hong chuckled. "There's only one Qi Refining Seventh Layer cultivator in the Earth Ranking's top hundred, and even he barely scraped into ninety-ninth place by relying on a top-tier High-Grade Magic Artifact."
"If all you do is play it safe and remain at the Seventh Layer, it's pointless," she added with a hint of resignation, her tone carrying no malice toward Han Yi. After all, everyone present was also at the Seventh Layer of Qi Refining, and her words reflected a shared sense of powerlessness in the face of reality.
Chu Jinmo and Luo Yunzhou exchanged peculiar glances with Qi Hong, their silence making her increasingly uncomfortable.
"What? Did I say something wrong?"
"It's true," Luo Yunzhou replied, his expression turning nostalgic as if recalling a remarkable scene. He drained his jade cup of Spirit Wine. "The Seventh Layer of Qi Refining is simply too weak to crack the top hundred."
He then abruptly changed the subject.
"I heard Senior Brother You Wu has reached a legendary realm in Qi Refining. He'll complete Immortal Foundation Establishment within three years. I envy him so much."
The mention of You Wu visibly stirred the others. Even Chu Jinmo's expression grew complex.
"Just over three months ago, Senior Brother You Wu defeated over twenty Ninth Layer Qi Refining cultivators in just two days, including several at the Peak of the Ninth Layer. It was the most dazzling display the Sect had ever witnessed."
"And today, just over three months later, he's about to take another step forward—he's on the verge of embarking on the Immortal Foundation Establishment path."
"How can we not envy him?" Qi Hong's eyes shimmered with awe, envy, and admiration.
"I heard even the Sect Leader personally summoned him. Now that's what I call an Immortal Chosen."
"The Blood God Sect has their Blood God Son, right? Some Senior Brothers were saying they're thinking of giving You Wu a title too, but they haven't decided on one yet."
"A title? Profound God Son?" Luo Yunzhou slapped his forehead.
"Profound God Son? What's that?"
Suddenly, a voice drifted over, and a young man in a deep azure robe strolled leisurely toward them.
Everyone turned to look and stood up.
"Junior Brother Han," Yan Ru greeted him.
"Junior Brother Han, you've finally come out of seclusion! I've missed you terribly!" Luo Yunzhou exclaimed, acting as if he wanted to rush over and hug Han Yi.
"You're here," Chu Jinmo murmured softly, a faint smile on her face, her voice as ethereal as ever.
Qi Hong, who was least familiar with him, simply nodded in acknowledgment without speaking.
The newcomer was, of course, Han Yi.
After consuming the Blood Bone Spirit Flower, he hadn't immediately ended his seclusion. Instead, he had seized the opportunity to meditate for another half a year, fully comprehending and assimilating his gains before emerging at his own pace.
Upon emerging from his seclusion, Han Yi immediately noticed the message Luo Yunzhou had left outside his courtyard and hurried over.
The group settled around the jade-colored square table, which fortunately had ample space. Adding an extra chair didn't make the setting feel crowded. "Senior Brother Luo," Han Yi asked, "what exactly is this 'Profound God Son' you mentioned earlier?"
Luo Yunzhou chuckled and explained, adding with a shrug, "I just plucked the name out of thin air, borrowing the Blood God Sect's terminology. Don't take it too seriously, Junior Brother Han."
"You Wu is truly remarkable," Han Yi remarked, though he felt no envy whatsoever.
Everyone's personality and circumstances shaped their approach to life. You Wu's audacity in proclaiming himself the Profound Pill Sect's strongest Qi Refining Stage disciple proved his fearlessness.
Han Yi, however, had been cautiously navigating this new world since his transmigration, always proceeding with utmost care.
The conversation shifted to You Wu's background. Han Yi learned that this legendary senior brother possessed a relatively rare Heavenly Spirit Root—a pure Fire Attribute one.
Han Yi also had a Fire Spirit Root, but his was a Pseudo Spiritual Root. In addition to Fire, he had three other Spirit Roots: Metal, Wood, and Earth. These additional roots served only as a burden, hindering his progress and making his Root Bone utterly unremarkable.
You Wu, however, was different. He possessed only one innate Spirit Root: a Fire Spirit Root. This rare condition, known as a Heavenly Spirit Root, granted him unparalleled purity in his fire energy, far surpassing others in both cultivation speed and the power of his techniques.
"By the way, Senior Brother Luo, Senior Sister Yan, Senior Sister Qi," Han Yi asked, "what happened when you went to the Myriad Demon Mountain Range? I had entered seclusion early and was still digesting the Blood Bone Spirit Flower when you ventured there."
Luo Yunzhou sighed heavily. "Don't even mention it. That place brought us nothing but bad luck. See this scar?" He pointed to a blade mark on his arm. "I got it there and kept it as a warning. Bloody hell."
A flash of murderous intent crossed Yan Ru's eyes. "The Blood God Sect's cultivators are indeed stronger than us, but the gap isn't insurmountable anymore. We've narrowed the distance. With the right tactics, we can even turn the tables on them."
Han Yi listened with keen interest as they took turns recounting their experiences, trading stories back and forth.
After a while...
Suddenly, another thought struck Han Yi. "By the way, have you all been to the Combat Arena? The New Policy requires at least three matches per year—it's mandatory."
"I have," Luo Yunzhou replied, sounding dejected. "But the competition for the top hundred on the Earth Ranking is brutal. I'm currently ranked 332nd—utterly pathetic."
Luo Yunzhou, who considered himself a prodigy, admitted he was far from outstanding within the Inner Sect.
Through their conversation, Han Yi learned that everyone except Chu Jinmo regularly participated in Combat Arena matches.
Yan Ru, who had reached the Qi Refining Seventh Layer later than the others, was ranked 273rd, slightly ahead of Luo Yunzhou.
Qi Hong, on the other hand, was ranked over 600th, placing her squarely in the middle tier of Inner Sect Disciples in terms of combat prowess.
"Junior Brother Han," Luo Yunzhou warned, "once you've fought in the Combat Arena, you'll realize how excruciatingly difficult it is to win even a single match. Focus on breaking into the top nine hundred first. Based on our estimates, anyone ranked below that risks being expelled from Inner Peak to Outer Peak."
Even Qi Hong, known for her haughty pride, seemed deflated when the topic of the Earth Ranking came up.
As soon as she finished speaking, Han Yi showed no reaction, continuing to sip his wine. Chu Jinmo and Luo Yunzhou, however, turned to glance at her with peculiar expressions, making her feel as if she had said something wrong.
"What? Did I say something wrong again?" Qi Hong frowned, sensing that something was amiss. Whenever she mentioned Han Yi, Chu Jinmo and Luo Yunzhou would give her those odd looks.
She glanced at Han Yi again, still convinced she hadn't misspoke.
Could there be some hidden reason behind this?