Dong Fangyi was another favorite. He'd steadily increased in strength and skill since reaching the Inner Court, and had already reached Courtier status. Even I hadn't done that, mostly because I hadn't been bothered to. Still, with my previous record against disciples at that level, no one was treating me as though I were inferior to them. Assuming I made it to the inter-sect I would certainly see a rating jump after this tournament that should put me there.
Du Wuhan, by contrast, was something of a dark horse, and Gao Rong was a name on absolutely nobody's lips, except as far as even being accepted for a prelim slot was an achievement for a relatively newly risen Inner Disciple like him.
Indeed, it may have been technically a preliminary, but it was arguably the most prestigious dueling tournament in the sect. Even the opening and group reveal was done with a great deal of ceremony, even more than I'd been through for the opening of the Mortal Heaven's Grand Games.
