Wen Qingye's guess was correct. Both Zhao Xia and Zhao Mei were at the Refining Essence Fourth Layer Heaven, while Zhao Hao's cultivation was indeed the highest of the three, having already reached the Refining Essence Fifth Layer Heaven.
Wen Qingye asked, "You're all students from Celestial Academy. Are you here to travel and gain experience?"
Zhao Xia nodded and said, "Yes. On one hand, we're heading to the Hundred Break Mountains to gain experience. On the other, we're here to complete the academy's Inner Courtyard assessment. The requirement for the assessment is the head of the Black Cloud Mountain chieftain."
"Inner Courtyard assessment?" Wen Qingye's eyes showed a flicker of confusion.
