– The Outer Disciple Ranking Trial**
The morning of the Ranking Trial arrived faster than most disciples expected.
Before the first rays of sunlight had fully spread across the floating mountains of the Dao Realm Academy, the entire academy was already filled with excitement.
Thousands of disciples were moving toward the same destination.
The **Outer Disciple Combat Arena**.
Located near the center of the academy, the arena was one of the largest structures within the Dao Realm Academy. It was built upon a massive floating platform carved from ancient spiritual stone.
Tall stone pillars surrounded the arena, each engraved with powerful defensive formations designed to contain the destructive power of cultivation battles.
Above the arena floated several observation platforms where elders and instructors would watch the competition.
By the time the sun rose fully above the clouds, the arena had already become extremely crowded.
Outer disciples gathered in groups, discussing the upcoming battles with excitement.
"This year's Ranking Trial seems bigger than usual."
"I heard several new disciples are extremely strong."
"Of course. Mo Tianyu is participating. He was already famous before entering the academy."
"Yeah, I heard he reached the **Second Stage of the Qi Gathering Realm**."
"Then who could possibly defeat him among the new disciples?"
Nearby, several other disciples whispered quietly.
"What about that new alchemist? Yao Chen?"
"I heard he passed the One-Star Alchemist exam on his first day."
"Alchemy talent doesn't mean combat talent."
"That's true."
While the crowd continued discussing, two figures slowly approached the arena entrance.
Yao Chen and Xue Lian.
Xue Lian looked around nervously at the massive crowd.
"There are even more disciples here than I expected," she said.
Yao Chen observed the arena quietly.
The entire structure radiated powerful spiritual energy.
Clearly, the formations surrounding the arena were extremely strong.
Even powerful battles would not damage the academy.
Xue Lian looked toward him.
"You'll be careful during the trial, right?"
Yao Chen smiled calmly.
"Don't worry."
"This is only a friendly competition."
However, deep inside his body, the **Primordial Flame** flickered softly.
Almost as if it sensed the approaching battle.
The two entered the arena together.
Inside, the structure was even more impressive.
A massive circular battlefield occupied the center.
The ground was made of black spiritual stone capable of absorbing tremendous impacts.
Around the battlefield were thousands of stone seats where disciples watched from every direction.
High above the arena, several elders had already taken their seats.
Among them was **Elder Mu**.
Beside him sat several other instructors responsible for evaluating the trial.
At the center of the elder platform stood a tall man wearing deep blue robes.
His powerful aura immediately drew attention.
This was **Elder Han**, the official supervisor of the Ranking Trial.
When the arena finally filled with disciples, Elder Han slowly stepped forward.
His voice echoed across the entire arena.
"Outer disciples of Dao Realm Academy."
"The annual Ranking Trial will now begin."
The noisy crowd quickly became silent.
"The purpose of this trial is simple."
"To evaluate the strength of all new disciples."
"To determine the official **Outer Disciple Rankings**."
He paused briefly.
"The top ten disciples will receive special rewards."
Excited whispers spread instantly through the audience.
"Rewards!"
"What kind of rewards?"
Elder Han continued.
"The top three disciples will receive access to the **Spirit Cultivation Chamber**."
"The first-ranked disciple will also receive a rare cultivation resource from the academy treasury."
This announcement shocked the crowd.
"The Spirit Cultivation Chamber?!"
"That place can double cultivation speed!"
"This competition just became serious."
Elder Han raised his hand.
A glowing formation suddenly appeared above the battlefield.
Hundreds of names slowly appeared within the formation.
"This formation will randomly select two disciples for each battle."
"Victory will be determined by surrender or inability to continue fighting."
"Remember."
"This is a trial—not a life-and-death battle."
"Serious injuries will result in punishment."
The formation began glowing brighter.
The first two names appeared.
"**Li Kang**."
"**Zhao Wei**."
Two disciples immediately walked onto the battlefield.
The first match began.
Their battle was fast and energetic.
Though neither of them was extremely powerful, the fight still excited the audience.
Techniques clashed.
Spiritual energy exploded.
After several minutes, Zhao Wei was knocked out of the arena.
"Winner: Li Kang."
The matches continued.
More disciples stepped onto the battlefield.
Some battles were short.
Others lasted longer as opponents displayed impressive techniques.
After nearly an hour, several names had already begun standing out among the competitors.
But then—
The formation flashed again.
Two new names appeared.
"**Mo Tianyu**."
A wave of whispers spread through the arena.
"Finally."
"Mo Tianyu's turn."
The second name appeared.
"**Chen Guo**."
A nervous-looking disciple stepped onto the battlefield.
Moments later, Mo Tianyu walked forward calmly.
His expression carried complete confidence.
Xue Lian frowned slightly from the audience.
"That opponent is unlucky."
Yao Chen quietly watched the battlefield.
The moment the battle began—
Mo Tianyu disappeared.
His speed shocked many disciples.
In the next instant—
*BOOM!*
Chen Guo was struck directly in the chest.
The impact sent him flying across the battlefield.
He crashed heavily against the arena wall.
The entire battle lasted less than three seconds.
Silence filled the arena.
Then whispers erupted.
"That was too fast!"
"Second Stage Qi Gathering is really powerful."
Mo Tianyu stood calmly in the center of the battlefield.
He glanced down at his defeated opponent with clear disdain.
"This level of strength dares to participate in the ranking trial?"
His voice carried obvious humiliation.
Several disciples looked uncomfortable hearing those words.
But no one dared to respond.
Mo Tianyu turned and left the battlefield.
"Winner: Mo Tianyu."
The trial continued.
But the atmosphere had changed slightly.
Many disciples now felt nervous.
Mo Tianyu's overwhelming strength had intimidated them.
Finally—
The formation glowed again.
Two new names appeared.
"**Yao Chen**."
A wave of whispers spread through the arena.
"That's the alchemist."
"Let's see his combat ability."
The second name appeared.
"**Sun Tao**."
A tall, muscular disciple stepped onto the battlefield confidently.
Yao Chen calmly stood up from his seat.
Xue Lian looked slightly worried.
"Be careful."
Yao Chen nodded.
Then he walked slowly toward the battlefield.
As he stepped onto the arena floor, many disciples focused their attention on him.
Mo Tianyu also turned his head from across the arena.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"So this is the alchemist everyone is talking about."
Sun Tao cracked his knuckles.
"So you're Yao Chen?"
His tone carried a hint of amusement.
"I heard you're good at making pills."
"But this is a combat arena."
Yao Chen smiled calmly.
"I understand."
Sun Tao grinned.
"Good."
"Then don't blame me if you get hurt."
The elder overseeing the battle raised his hand.
"Begin."
The moment the signal was given—
Sun Tao rushed forward aggressively.
His fists were surrounded by thick spiritual energy.
Clearly he intended to end the battle quickly.
Many disciples watched closely.
Some even expected Yao Chen to lose immediately.
But at the last moment—
Yao Chen moved.
His movement was extremely smooth.
Almost effortless.
He stepped slightly to the side.
Sun Tao's powerful punch completely missed.
"What?!"
Before Sun Tao could react—
Yao Chen lightly tapped his shoulder.
A small burst of spiritual energy exploded.
*BOOM!*
Sun Tao lost his balance and stumbled forward.
The audience gasped.
"That movement…"
"Was that a martial technique?"
Sun Tao quickly regained his footing.
His face turned red with anger.
"You got lucky!"
He attacked again with even more force.
This time he used a martial skill.
"Stone Breaking Fist!"
His punch carried tremendous momentum.
But Yao Chen's expression remained calm.
At that moment—
The **Primordial Flame** inside his body flickered slightly.
A strange warmth flowed through his meridians.
Without thinking—
Yao Chen raised his hand.
A faint golden flame appeared briefly around his palm.
Then he struck forward gently.
*BOOOOM!*
A powerful wave of energy erupted.
Sun Tao was instantly pushed backward.
His feet slid across the battlefield before he collapsed onto the ground.
Silence filled the entire arena.
Even the elders looked slightly surprised.
Sun Tao struggled to stand but quickly realized he could not continue fighting.
"I… surrender."
The overseeing elder nodded.
"Winner: Yao Chen."
A wave of astonished whispers spread through the audience.
"That golden flame…"
"That must be his alchemy flame!"
"He defeated Sun Tao with one strike!"
Mo Tianyu's eyes narrowed from the distance.
He stared at Yao Chen carefully.
"So you're not completely useless."
Yao Chen calmly walked down from the battlefield.
Xue Lian looked extremely relieved.
"That was amazing!"
Yao Chen smiled slightly.
"I just used a small technique."
But deep inside his chest—
The Primordial Flame burned a little brighter.
As if awakening slowly.
High above the arena, several elders exchanged quiet glances.
Elder Mu spoke softly.
"That boy… is more interesting than I expected."
Meanwhile, far beyond the Mortal Realm—
Ancient beings continued watching the young disciple whose journey had only just begun.
The path of the **Medical God** had started moving forward once again.
And soon—
The entire cosmos would feel its influence.