**Chapter 8 – Rising Storm in the Arena (Part 1)**
The Outer Disciple Combat Arena had grown far more intense than it had been in the morning.
When the Ranking Trial first began, the atmosphere had been filled with excitement and curiosity. Hundreds of new disciples had stepped onto the battlefield with confidence, hoping to prove their strength.
But after hours of combat, the mood had changed.
Many disciples had already been eliminated.
Some were injured.
Some had lost their confidence.
And only the strongest remained.
The enormous arena, built from ancient dark stone, stood like a giant circular fortress inside the Dao Realm Academy. Massive defensive formations glowed faintly along the arena walls, preventing spiritual attacks from harming the audience.
Thousands of disciples filled the spectator seats.
Their conversations created a constant wave of noise that echoed across the arena.
Yet every time a battle began, the crowd would fall silent.
Because now every fight mattered.
High above the arena, on a floating stone platform, several elders observed the trial.
Their expressions remained calm and composed.
But their eyes carefully analyzed every movement made by the disciples below.
Among them, **Elder Mu** sat quietly with his hands folded inside his sleeves.
His gaze occasionally moved toward one particular disciple sitting among the audience.
**Yao Chen.**
Ever since the boy had revealed that mysterious golden flame during the alchemy examination, Elder Mu had been paying close attention to him.
And now, after seeing the same flame appear during combat, his curiosity had grown even stronger.
"That flame…" Elder Mu muttered softly.
The elder beside him turned his head slightly.
"You're still thinking about it?"
Elder Mu nodded slowly.
"I have studied the Medicine Dao for more than three hundred years."
"I have seen many alchemy flames."
"But the flame that boy uses…"
He paused.
"I cannot identify it."
The other elder frowned.
"Could it be a mutated spiritual flame?"
Elder Mu shook his head.
"No."
"Mutated flames still follow certain patterns."
"But his flame…"
He looked down at Yao Chen again.
"It feels ancient."
Meanwhile, the Ranking Trial continued.
The glowing formation above the arena flashed again, projecting two new names into the sky.
**Zhao Ming.**
**Han Li.**
The two disciples quickly stepped onto the battlefield.
Both were known for their sword techniques, which meant the fight would likely be fast and dangerous.
The overseeing elder raised his hand.
"Begin!"
The moment the signal was given, both swordsmen attacked.
Steel flashed.
Sword energy collided.
Their blades moved so quickly that many weaker disciples in the audience could barely follow the fight.
"Too fast…"
"They're both second-stage Qi Gathering."
Zhao Ming suddenly stepped forward and unleashed a powerful diagonal slash.
Han Li barely blocked the strike.
The impact forced him backward several steps.
But Han Li immediately counterattacked with a spinning sword strike that cut through the air like a silver arc.
The fight continued for nearly three minutes.
Finally, Zhao Ming found an opening.
His sword struck Han Li's shoulder, forcing him outside the arena boundary.
"Winner: Zhao Ming."
The crowd applauded.
But the excitement lasted only a moment.
Because the formation flashed again.
Another name appeared.
**Mo Tianyu.**
Instantly, the audience became louder.
"That guy again!"
"No one has lasted more than ten seconds against him."
Mo Tianyu slowly stood from his seat.
His expression remained calm and arrogant, as if he already knew the outcome of the fight.
His opponent's name appeared.
**Sun Qiang.**
Sun Qiang walked onto the battlefield cautiously.
Unlike the earlier opponents, he did not rush forward immediately.
Mo Tianyu smirked slightly.
"You're afraid."
Sun Qiang tightened his grip on his weapon.
"I'm just careful."
Mo Tianyu shrugged.
"It won't matter."
The elder raised his hand.
"Begin!"
Sun Qiang attacked first.
His spear thrust forward with surprising speed.
But Mo Tianyu simply stepped sideways.
The spear missed him by a few inches.
Sun Qiang attacked again.
And again.
But every strike failed to connect.
Mo Tianyu moved like a shadow.
Effortless.
Untouchable.
The audience began whispering again.
"His movement technique is incredible."
"He hasn't even attacked yet."
Finally, Mo Tianyu stopped dodging.
"You're done."
He stepped forward.
His fist moved like lightning.
*BOOM!*
The punch struck Sun Qiang's chest.
The impact sent him flying across the arena.
Sun Qiang crashed heavily onto the ground and slid outside the boundary.
The elder announced immediately.
"Winner: Mo Tianyu."
The audience erupted into cheers again.
But Mo Tianyu barely reacted.
Instead, he turned his head slightly.
His eyes moved toward another part of the audience.
Toward **Yao Chen**.
For a brief moment, the two young men looked at each other.
Neither spoke.
But the silent tension between them was obvious.
Xue Lian noticed it immediately.
She leaned slightly toward Yao Chen.
"He's targeting you."
Yao Chen remained calm.
"That may be true."
"But we'll see when the formation decides."
Meanwhile, the Ranking Trial continued.
Several more disciples fought.
One after another, competitors were eliminated.
The battlefield became quieter as the number of remaining fighters grew smaller.
Finally, the formation flashed again.
Two new names appeared.
**Yao Chen.**
A wave of whispers spread through the arena immediately.
"The alchemist!"
"I want to see that golden flame again!"
The second name appeared.
**Liang Wu.**
A large and muscular disciple stepped onto the battlefield.
He wore heavy armored gauntlets and radiated the aura of strong body cultivation.
Liang Wu grinned when he saw Yao Chen approaching.
"So you're the famous alchemist."
Yao Chen nodded politely.
"I suppose."
Liang Wu laughed loudly.
"I've always wanted to fight an alchemist."
He cracked his knuckles.
"Let's see if your pills can save you."
The overseeing elder raised his hand.
"Begin!"
Liang Wu charged forward immediately.
His heavy steps shook the stone arena floor.
Many disciples expected a powerful clash.
But Yao Chen simply stepped aside.
His movement was smooth and calm.
Liang Wu's punch struck nothing but air.
Before Liang Wu could turn—
Yao Chen gently placed his palm on Liang Wu's back.
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then—
A faint **golden flame** appeared.
The flame flickered quietly.
Yet it radiated a strange warmth.
*BOOOOM!*
A wave of energy erupted outward.
Liang Wu was pushed several meters backward and stumbled outside the arena boundary.
The elder spoke calmly.
"Winner: Yao Chen."
The audience erupted into excited discussion.
"That flame!"
"It appeared again!"
Even the elders above the arena leaned forward slightly.
Elder Mu's eyes narrowed.
"That is definitely not a normal flame."
Below the arena seats, Mo Tianyu watched silently.
His eyes revealed growing interest.
"So…"
"The alchemist can actually fight."
He crossed his arms slowly.
"Good."
"Then the final stage won't be boring."
But neither Mo Tianyu nor Yao Chen realized something else had begun happening.
Far beyond the Mortal Realm…
Inside a silent palace floating among countless stars…
Ancient beings were beginning to awaken.
The arena remained noisy long after Yao Chen's battle ended.
Whispers spread across the spectator seats like wildfire.
Many disciples were still discussing the golden flame that had appeared during his attack.
"That flame again…"
"It doesn't look like a normal spiritual flame."
"I felt something strange when it appeared."
Even the disciples who had not paid attention to Yao Chen earlier were now beginning to watch him carefully.
Meanwhile, on the floating elder platform above the arena, the instructors were also discussing the situation quietly.
Elder Mu slowly stroked his beard while watching the young disciple below.
"That flame is becoming more active."
Another elder beside him nodded.
"I sensed it too."
"It carries a strange spiritual resonance."
A third elder frowned slightly.
"You think it might be connected to an ancient flame?"
Elder Mu hesitated.
"I cannot confirm it yet."
"But if that boy truly possesses such a flame…"
His eyes became serious.
"Then his future will not remain peaceful."
The elders fell silent.
Rare spiritual flames were extremely valuable treasures.
If the outside world discovered that a new disciple possessed such power, countless forces would attempt to claim it.
Some might even attempt to eliminate the disciple before he could grow stronger.
Below the platform, the Ranking Trial continued.
The glowing formation flashed again, displaying two new names.
**Zhao Ming**
**Gu Yan**
The two disciples stepped onto the battlefield.
Their fight quickly turned intense.
Sword energy clashed repeatedly as both competitors attempted to overwhelm the other.
But after several exchanges, Zhao Ming's technique proved superior.
His final strike forced Gu Yan outside the boundary.
"Winner: Zhao Ming."
The audience applauded again.
But the applause quickly faded.
Because everyone knew the Ranking Trial was entering its most exciting stage.
Only a small number of competitors remained.
The strongest among the new disciples.
The glowing formation began to shift again.
This time, it displayed a message instead of names.
**Remaining Competitors: 10**
Excited murmurs spread across the arena.
"The Top Ten stage!"
"Now the real battles begin!"
The overseeing elder stepped forward and raised his voice.
"From this point onward, the Ranking Trial will determine the **Top Ten Outer Disciples**."
"The formation will randomly select the next matches."
The disciples immediately grew more focused.
Every remaining competitor now understood the situation.
Any battle from this point forward could determine their ranking within the academy.
The formation flashed again.
Two names appeared.
**Mo Tianyu**
**Zhao Ming**
The crowd instantly erupted with excitement.
"This will be interesting!"
"Zhao Ming is strong, but Mo Tianyu hasn't even been challenged yet!"
Zhao Ming walked onto the battlefield with a serious expression.
He knew this opponent would be difficult.
Meanwhile, Mo Tianyu stepped onto the arena floor calmly.
His confident posture showed no sign of concern.
Zhao Ming spoke first.
"I know you're strong."
"But I won't surrender."
Mo Tianyu smiled slightly.
"That's fine."
"Just don't regret it."
The overseeing elder raised his hand.
"Begin!"
Zhao Ming attacked immediately.
His sword technique was swift and precise.
Silver sword energy flashed across the battlefield like lightning.
But Mo Tianyu simply stood still.
The sword strike approached his chest—
And suddenly stopped.
Mo Tianyu had caught the blade with two fingers.
The audience gasped.
"How is that possible?!"
Zhao Ming's eyes widened.
Before he could react—
Mo Tianyu twisted his wrist.
The sword snapped in half.
In the next instant, Mo Tianyu's fist struck Zhao Ming's abdomen.
*BOOOOOOM!*
The impact sent Zhao Ming flying across the arena.
He crashed heavily onto the ground outside the boundary.
The entire arena fell silent.
The overseeing elder spoke.
"Winner: Mo Tianyu."
Several disciples looked shocked.
"That was brutal…"
"He didn't even try."
Mo Tianyu turned away from the battlefield calmly.
But as he walked back toward the spectator seats, he glanced toward Yao Chen again.
His eyes carried a challenging look.
The meaning was clear.
*Soon.*
Meanwhile, the formation flashed again.
The next pair of names appeared.
**Yao Chen**
**Lin Kai**
Lin Kai stepped onto the battlefield confidently.
Unlike the earlier opponents, his aura was extremely stable.
Several disciples whispered.
"Lin Kai reached the third stage of Qi Gathering last month."
"This fight might actually challenge Yao Chen."
Yao Chen stepped forward calmly.
The two young cultivators faced each other across the arena floor.
Lin Kai spoke first.
"I watched your earlier battles."
"You're very skilled."
Yao Chen nodded politely.
"Thank you."
Lin Kai smiled slightly.
"But this battle won't be easy."
The overseeing elder raised his hand.
"Begin!"
Lin Kai attacked immediately.
His palm techniques created waves of powerful spiritual energy.
Each strike carried tremendous force.
Yao Chen moved calmly, avoiding the attacks with smooth steps.
The audience watched carefully.
"This fight is different…"
"Lin Kai is actually pushing him."
Lin Kai unleashed another powerful palm strike.
Yao Chen raised his hand calmly.
For the first time in the battle—
The **golden flame** appeared again.
But this time it was stronger.
The flame wrapped around Yao Chen's palm like a living spirit.
When Lin Kai's attack collided with it—
*BOOM!*
A powerful shockwave spread across the arena.
Lin Kai was pushed backward several steps.
His eyes widened in shock.
"That flame…"
Before he could react again—
Yao Chen stepped forward.
His palm lightly touched Lin Kai's chest.
A gentle wave of golden flame spread outward.
Lin Kai stumbled backward and crossed the arena boundary.
The overseeing elder spoke.
"Winner: Yao Chen."
The audience erupted into loud cheers.
"That flame is incredible!"
"Did you feel that energy?"
Even the elders above the arena looked more serious now.
Elder Mu spoke quietly.
"That flame is definitely awakening."
Below the platform, Mo Tianyu watched silently.
His expression slowly turned into a confident smile.
"So it's finally becoming interesting."
He stood up slowly.
Because the formation had begun glowing again.
The next match would soon be announced.
The arena gradually fell silent.
Everyone watched the sky.
The glowing characters slowly formed two names.
The first name appeared clearly.
**Mo Tianyu**
The second name began forming.
But before it fully appeared—
Many disciples had already guessed what it would be.
The entire arena held its breath.
Because everyone wanted to see the same battle.
The clash between the arrogant genius…
And the mysterious alchemist.
The name slowly finished forming.
**Yao Chen**
The arena exploded with excitement.
Cheers, shouts, and loud discussions filled the air.
The long-awaited battle had finally arrived.
Mo Tianyu stepped onto the battlefield with a confident smile.
Across the arena, Yao Chen began walking forward calmly.
The two young disciples stopped several meters apart.
Neither spoke.
But the tension between them was overwhelming.
The next battle…
Would determine the true strongest disciple of this Ranking Trial.
And somewhere far beyond the Mortal Realm—
Ancient eyes continued watching the awakening flame.
The storm surrounding Yao Chen was only beginning.
And the clash that was about to begin in the arena…
Would be the first spark of that storm.