Lin Fan stood in the grove, the wolf core's pulse a fierce call to the Myriad Dao Secret Realm, set to open at dawn. His **Qi Condensation Layer 7** cultivation and **Soul Awakening Stage 4** marked him as a prodigy in the Dao Sect, surpassing Chu Hao's Core Manifestation Tier 2. The Chu Clan's envy and the Blood Fang Sect's illusion trap fueled his resolve. The *Heaven-Defying Comprehension System* hummed, its voice sharp:
> *"Task progress: 1640/700 CP. New task: Enter the Myriad Dao Secret Realm and survive its first trial. Earn 800 CP by the trial's completion. Current CP: 1640."*
Lin Fan smirked. "First trial? I'll crush it." His *Tempest Claw Barrage* and *Spirit Flame Control*, bolstered by *Envy Absorption* and *Wrath Empowerment*, thrived on Chu Hao's jealousy and his own anger. The *Ancestral Symbol* relic beckoned, a key to Lin Dong's legacy.
The Dao Sect's central plaza buzzed with disciples awaiting the secret realm's opening. Lin Fan joined the inner disciples, his presence drawing envious glares from the Chu Clan. Chu Wei, the Foundation Forging Stage 3 elder, whispered to Lei Yan, "He's risen too far." Their jealousy burned.
> *"Envy detected from Chu Wei, Lei Yan. CP +30. Current CP: 1670."*
Elder Mo, the secret realm's overseer, addressed the group. "The Myriad Dao Secret Realm holds relics and trials. Only the strong claim its treasures. Survive, and you'll rise." His gaze lingered on Lin Fan, a mix of curiosity and doubt.
A Core Manifestation Tier 3 disciple, Chu Rong, Chu Hao's cousin, scoffed. "He doesn't belong with us."
> *"Envy detected from Chu Rong. CP +15. Humiliation detected. CP +10. Current CP: 1695."*
Lin Fan ignored the jab, his 40-meter divine sense scanning for threats. He spotted a Blood Fang Sect spy among the crowd, their Core Manifestation Tier 4 aura cloaked. The system warned:
> *"Threat detected. CP +15. Current CP: 1710."*
Before departing, Lin Fan visited the Alchemy Hall, refining a *Spirit Condensation Pill* for the trial. His *Spirit Flame Control* wove flames with precision, but Chu Rong "accidentally" knocked over his herb tray. "Stay in your place," Chu Rong sneered, his envy palpable.
> *"Envy detected from Chu Rong. CP +20. Humiliation detected. CP +15. Current CP: 1745."*
Lin Fan's anger flared, fueling the system:
> *"Anger detected from host. CP +15. Current CP: 1760."*
He salvaged the refinement, producing three high-grade pills. Elder Huo's eyes gleamed. "Exceptional," he said, a rare praise.
> *"Alchemy success. Three Spirit Condensation Pills refined (High-Grade). CP +75. Current CP: 1835."*
Lin Fan consumed one, his Qi surging toward **Qi Condensation Layer 8**. His meridians thrummed, stabilizing at Layer 7 Peak.
> *"Cultivation progress enhanced. CP +25. Current CP: 1860."*
That afternoon, Lin Fan trained in the Beast Grounds, facing a Rank 2 *Thunderhoof Rhino* at Core Manifestation Tier 1. Its charge shook the earth. Chu Hao, recovered but seething, watched from afar, his rage and envy boiling.
> *"Envy detected from Chu Hao. CP +25. Anger detected from Chu Hao. CP +20. Current CP: 1905."*
Lin Fan used *Beast Copying*:
> *"Observed: Thunderhoof Charge. Copied as Thunderhoof Strike (Mid-Grade). CP +30. Current CP: 1935."*
His *Tempest Claw Barrage* felled the rhino, its core pulsing. He fused *Thunderhoof Strike* with *Tempest Claw Barrage*, creating *Tempest Thunder Barrage*, a high-grade art blending thunder's force with lightning, fire, wind, shadow, earth, and claws.
> *"Skill Fusion successful. Tempest Thunder Barrage created. CP +40. Current CP: 1975."*
At dusk, Lin Fan entered the *Comprehension Arena*, facing a shadow of a Rank 2 *Illusion Fox* at Core Manifestation Tier 2, preparing for the secret realm's illusion traps. Its mirages tested his divine sense. The system advised: *"Focus divine sense on Qi fluctuations."* Lin Fan defeated the shadow, sharpening his perception.
> *"Comprehension Arena training completed. CP +25. Current CP: 2000."*
That night, he studied a scroll on the secret realm's *Devouring Illusion*, which preyed on fears. The wolf core pulsed, hinting at a trial of will. Chu Wei spied on him, his envy spiking.
> *"Envy detected from Chu Wei. CP +20. Observed: Ancient scroll. Comprehended illusion trial. CP +30. Current CP: 2050."*
Lin Fan spent 50 CP on a *Soul Condensation Pill (Tier 3)*, enhancing his soul.
> *"Purchase confirmed. CP -50. Current CP: 2000."*
The pill pushed him to **Soul Awakening Stage 5**, his divine sense reaching 50 meters.
> *"Soul cultivation breakthrough. CP +30. Current CP: 2030."*
At midnight, Chu Xue found him in the grove, her ice-blue robes glowing. "The secret realm tests more than strength," she said. "Chu Hao's allies are desperate. Stay sharp."
The system confirmed: *"No detection of system. Host's secret is safe."*
Lin Fan's anger at Chu Hao's schemes surged:
> *"Anger detected from host. CP +15. Current CP: 2045."*
"Why keep helping me?" he asked.
Chu Xue's eyes softened. "I respect those who defy odds." She left, her words a spark.
> *"Interaction analyzed. Ally trust increased. CP +15. Current CP: 2060."*
At dawn, the secret realm's portal opened in the plaza, a swirling vortex of silver Qi. Elder Mo led ten inner disciples, including Lin Fan, Chu Xue, and Chu Rong. Chu Hao, barred due to his defeat, watched with burning rage, his clan's envy a storm.
> *"Envy detected from Chu Hao, Chu Wei, Chu Rong. CP +45. Anger detected from Chu Hao. CP +20. Current CP: 2125."*
Lin Fan stepped toward the portal, the wolf core blazing. The *Ancestral Symbol*, Blood Fang Sect's trap, and the *Devouring Illusion* awaited. His *Heaven-Defying Comprehension System* roared, feeding on envy and anger, ready to forge his legend.
"I'll seize the relic," he vowed, *Tempest Thunder Barrage* crackling. "No trap will hold me."