Morning light spread across the floating islands of the Dao Realm Academy.
After the entrance examination, the new disciples had officially begun their academy life. Training grounds were already filled with cultivators practicing techniques, while elders moved between pavilions guiding the students.
But Yao Chen sat quietly in meditation inside his small room.
Since the strange disturbance in the sky the previous night, something inside him had been restless.
He slowly circulated Dao Qi through his meridians.
The energy flowed smoothly through his Meridian Opening Realm body.
Then suddenly—
A sharp warmth erupted from his chest.
Yao Chen's eyes opened instantly.
A tiny golden spark appeared above his palm.
It flickered gently like a small living creature.
But the moment it appeared, an overwhelming sensation flooded his mind.
Images flashed rapidly.
Ancient furnaces burning beneath mountains.
Legendary alchemists refining pills that could revive the dead.
Lost techniques capable of creating divine medicine.
Knowledge.
Endless knowledge.
Yao Chen clenched his fist.
The flame disappeared.
His breathing became slightly heavy.
"Why do I know these things…?"
Before he could think further—
BANG!
The door suddenly burst open.
Lin Xiao rushed inside.
"Chen! Why are you still sitting here?!"
Yao Chen blinked.
"What happened?"
Lin Xiao grabbed his arm excitedly.
"The Alchemy Pavilion is holding the first examination today!"
"If we pass, we can become official alchemists of the academy!"
The Alchemy Pavilion
The Alchemy Pavilion stood on one of the highest floating islands of the academy.
A massive circular hall with hundreds of furnaces burning inside.
The air smelled strongly of herbs and spiritual fire.
Many disciples had gathered nervously.
At the center of the hall stood an elderly man wearing crimson robes.
His presence alone made the entire hall silent.
"I am Elder Gu, master of the Alchemy Pavilion."
His voice echoed calmly.
"Today you will attempt the First Alchemy Trial."
"To refine pills, one must first control a flame."
He raised his hand.
"Show me your flames."
The Awakening of Fire
Students stepped forward one by one.
Some produced weak flames.
Others failed completely.
Lin Xiao stepped forward confidently.
A bright orange flame appeared above his palm.
Several disciples nodded with admiration.
"Fire attribute."
"Good talent."
Next was Huo Yuan.
His flame appeared calm and blue-white.
Elder Gu nodded slightly.
"Stable control."
Then it was Yao Chen's turn.
He slowly extended his hand.
For a few seconds—
Nothing happened.
Some disciples began whispering.
But suddenly—
A tiny golden flame appeared.
The flame was small.
Yet the moment it appeared, several nearby furnaces trembled slightly.
Elder Gu's eyes narrowed.
"…Interesting."
But the flame quickly stabilized.
Yao Chen calmly lowered his hand.
Inside his mind however—
The moment the flame appeared, countless alchemy methods surfaced in his consciousness.
Temperatures.
Herb combinations.
Pill fusion techniques.
Even ancient formulas that seemed far beyond beginner level.
Yao Chen immediately suppressed the thoughts.
"This knowledge… I cannot reveal it."
The Pill Refining Test
Elder Gu waved his hand.
Each student received herbs.
"You will refine aSpirit Recovery Pill."
"Success earns the title of 1-Star Alchemist."
The furnaces ignited across the hall.
Explosions echoed everywhere.
Some herbs burned instantly.
Others melted into useless powder.
Lin Xiao struggled desperately.
"Why does my furnace keep smoking?!"
Huo Yuan maintained steady concentration.
Meanwhile—
Yao Chen sat calmly before his furnace.
Inside his mind, the refining process felt extremely simple.
Too simple.
He could easily create a far superior pill.
But instead—
He deliberately slowed his movements.
He reduced the flame.
He allowed the herbs to almost burn.
Finally—
A soft glow appeared inside the furnace.
Elder Gu stepped forward and opened it.
Inside was a small round pill.
"Success."
"Yao Chen has refined a Spirit Recovery Pill."
"You have passed."
"From today onward, you are a 1-Star Alchemist."
Lin Xiao cheered loudly.
"Chen! You actually did it!"
But Yao Chen only smiled quietly.
Inside his mind he thought something very different.
"This level of alchemy… is far too simple."
A Suspicious Elder
After the disciples left the pavilion, Elder Gu remained standing silently.
He picked up the pill Yao Chen had refined.
His brows slowly furrowed.
The pill looked ordinary.
But its energy structure was extremely stable.
Too stable.
Almost like the work of an experienced alchemist.
Elder Gu looked toward the door where Yao Chen had exited.
"Yao Chen…"
"What secrets are you hiding?"
The Hidden Flame
Night soon covered the Dao Realm Academy.
The floating islands became quiet.
Most disciples had returned to their rooms.
But in a small courtyard near the Alchemy Pavilion, a faint golden flame flickered in the darkness.
Yao Chen stood alone.
The flame hovered gently above his palm.
During the exam he had suppressed it.
But now he allowed it to burn slightly stronger.
The air immediately became warmer.
Inside the golden flame, strange Dao patterns slowly formed like tiny stars.
Yao Chen stared carefully.
"Why do I feel… like I have used this flame before?"
He had never studied alchemy before today.
Yet every technique felt natural.
As if he had practiced for many lifetimes.
Suddenly—
The flame flickered violently.
Inside the fire, an ancient symbol briefly appeared.
A burning star surrounded by mysterious Dao patterns.
Before Yao Chen could examine it—
The flame suddenly vanished.
The courtyard fell silent again.
Yao Chen frowned.
"What was that…?"
The Watcher
High above the academy, hidden behind clouds, a dark-robed figure stood silently in the sky.
In his hand was an ancient stone disk engraved with runes.
The disk glowed faintly.
Its direction pointed toward the Dao Realm Academy.
The figure's voice was cold.
"So it has awakened…"
"The Primordial Flame has appeared again."
He slowly closed his hand.
"Find the boy."
"Bring him to me."
The figure disappeared into the night.
A Disturbing Feeling
Back in the academy courtyard, Yao Chen looked toward the stars.
A strange uneasiness filled his heart.
He did not know why.
But it felt like something had begun watching him.
Something ancient.
Something dangerous.
And far beyond the Mortal Realm…
Two divine beings silently observed everything.
Krishna spoke softly.
"The flame has awakened."
Radha nodded calmly.
"The boy's journey has truly begun."