The roar of the crowd echoed across the Grand Arena.
Kael stood quietly in the center of the battlefield as the referee confirmed the result.
"Kael Veyron advances as Rank #1 Outer Disciple!"
Disciples throughout the arena erupted into conversation.
"That outsider actually won!"
"He defeated Lorian!"
"Unbelievable!"
Across the battlefield, Lorian slowly stood up.
His breathing was still uneven, but his expression held no anger.
Instead
He laughed.
"Well… that was worth it."
Kael walked over and offered his hand.
"You fought well."
Lorian accepted the hand and stood fully.
"So did you."
He looked at Kael carefully.
"You're going to cause chaos in the Inner Disciple Bracket."
Kael smiled faintly.
"That's the plan."
High above the arena, Seraphine watched silently.
Her eyes glowed with interest now.
"He's stronger than I expected…"
Nearby, Darius Valen leaned against the railing.
His expression darkened slightly.
"So he actually won."
Seraphine glanced at him.
"You sound annoyed."
Darius scoffed.
"I just don't like noisy newcomers."
But his gaze remained locked on Kael.
"He'll enter the inner bracket next."
Seraphine nodded.
"Yes."
Darius smiled coldly.
"Good."
"Because I'll be waiting."
Back in the arena, the announcer's voice echoed again.
"The Inner Disciple Tournament will begin tomorrow!"
A new wave of excitement spread through the audience.
This was where the real monsters of the sect fought.
Kael looked toward the towering inner disciple platform.
He could feel their powerful auras even from the arena floor.
Stronger than Lorian.
Much stronger.
But Kael didn't feel fear.
Inside his chest, the Origin Core pulsed steadily.
Instead, he felt anticipation.
The stronger the opponents
The faster he would grow.
And somewhere deep beneath the Ancient Sect Ruins, the mysterious ancient presence stirred once more.
Its voice echoed faintly in the darkness.
"The mortal… grows stronger."
"Interesting."
"The trial has only begun."