The Myriad Dao Secret Realm's depths thrummed with an ancient pulse, devouring runes casting eerie shadows across jagged stone walls. Five *Ancestral Symbol* shards hummed, their 30% Qi absorption boost resonating fiercely with the wolf core's rhythm. At **Core Manifestation Tier 3** and **Soul Awakening Stage 10**, the path forward crackled with menace—Chu Rong's seething envy and the Blood Fang Sect's elites tightening their net. The *Heaven-Defying Comprehension System* stirred, its voice resolute:
> *"Task progress: 5990/4000 CP. New task: Survive the fourth trial's ambush and secure the sixth Ancestral Symbol shard. Earn 4500 CP by the trial's end. Current CP: 5990."*
A sharp exhale followed. "An ambush? Bring it on." *Tempest Eclipse Barrage*—weaving lightning, fire, wind, shadow, earth, thunder, claws, illusions, sonic waves, bloodmist, and shadow cloaking—pulsed with *Envy Absorption* and *Wrath Empowerment*, thriving on Chu Rong's jealousy and mounting fury. The *Ancestral Symbol*'s legacy loomed, a beacon of Lin Dong's enduring power.
Chu Xue glided ahead, her *Ice Phoenix Palm* slicing through thickening mist, her ice-blue eyes narrowing. "The air's heavy with killing intent," she murmured. Chu Rong staggered behind, his Core Manifestation Stage 3 aura faltering, his rage a storm. "You're robbing us blind," he snarled, envy radiating like wildfire.
> *"Envy detected from Chu Rong. CP +25. Current CP: 6015."*
The maze twisted into a cavernous arena, its ceiling studded with glowing crystals. The fourth trial erupted—a *Devouring Phantom Array*, its illusions conjuring visions of Qingyang Town's elders mocking the Lin Clan's fall. Anger surged, knuckles whitening.
> *"Anger detected from host. CP +20. Current CP: 6035."*
A 100-meter divine sense, honed by *Soul Awakening Stage 10*, pierced the illusions, revealing a Rank 3 *Nightmare Drake* at Core Manifestation Stage 8, its scales pulsing with dreamlike Qi. *Beast Copying* activated, tracking its crushing tail strikes.
> *"Observed: Nightmare Tail Crush. Copied as Nightmare Crush Fist (High-Grade). CP +50. Current CP: 6085."*
The drake roared, tail slamming. *Tempest Eclipse Barrage* countered, shadow cloaking masking the strike. Fire, thunder, and spatial rifts shattered its scales, felling it. Chu Rong's envy blazed. "Another core snatched!"
> *"Beast defeated. CP +70. Envy detected from Chu Rong. CP +25. Anger detected from Chu Rong. CP +20. Current CP: 6200."*
Anger flared at Chu Rong's greed:
> *"Anger detected from host. CP +20. Current CP: 6220."*
The array pulsed, and three Blood Fang Sect elites emerged—two at Foundation Forging Stage 3, one at Stage 4, their blood-red blades gleaming. "I'm Feng Lao, servant of Venerable Shadow Fang," the Stage 4 elite growled, envy at the shards palpable. "Your relics are ours."
> *"Envy detected from Feng Lao and operatives. CP +60. Threat detected. CP +30. Current CP: 6310."*
Chu Xue's sword gleamed. "They're too many." A nod answered. "We'll carve through."
Feng Lao's blade slashed, blood Qi forming a crimson tide. *Tempest Eclipse Barrage* roared, shadow cloaking dodging the tide. Chu Xue's *Ice Phoenix Palm* froze one operative's blade, creating an opening. *Insight Surge* activated (CP -50, Total: 6260), mind blazing with clarity. *Nightmare Crush Fist* struck, dreamlike Qi disorienting Feng Lao. He staggered, rage erupting.
> *"Anger detected from Feng Lao. CP +20. Current CP: 6280."*
The operatives' blades converged, blood Qi summoning a phantom dragon. Chu Rong attacked, his *Blazing Lion Fist* aiming to steal glory, but Feng Lao's tide sent him crashing. His envy roared. "You're nothing without her help!"
> *"Envy detected from Chu Rong. CP +25. Current CP: 6305."*
Anger surged at Chu Rong's betrayal:
> *"Anger detected from host. CP +20. Current CP: 6325."*
*Tempest Eclipse Barrage* fused with *Nightmare Crush Fist*, creating *Tempest Nightmare Barrage*, a high-grade art blending dreamlike disorientation with elements.
> *"Skill Fusion successful. Tempest Nightmare Barrage created. CP +60. Current CP: 6385."*
The new art erupted, dreamlike Qi and spatial rifts shattering the phantom dragon. Chu Xue's ice Qi amplified the strike, felling one operative. Feng Lao and the other fled, cursing. "Shadow Fang will end you," Feng Lao spat.
> *"Ambush survived. CP +90. Current CP: 6475."*
Chu Xue's breath steadied, her gaze flickering with respect. "You turn traps into triumphs." The system confirmed: *"No detection of system. Host's secret is safe."*
> *"Interaction analyzed. Ally trust increased. CP +20. Current CP: 6495."*
The arena revealed a sixth altar, its *Ancestral Symbol* shard (6/9) pulsing with devouring Qi. Chu Rong lunged, desperate, but *Tempest Nightmare Barrage* sent him sprawling. The shard merged with the others, boosting Qi absorption by 35%. The wolf core flared, resonating fiercely.
> *"Relic fragment claimed. Ancestral Symbol Shard (6/9) acquired. Task completed. CP +80. Current CP: 6575."*
Chu Rong's rage exploded. "You're stealing our legacy!" he roared, envy consuming him.
> *"Envy detected from Chu Rong. CP +25. Anger detected from Chu Rong. CP +20. Current CP: 6620."*
Anger surged:
> *"Anger detected from host. CP +20. Current CP: 6640."*
50 CP were spent on a *Qi Condensation Pill (Tier 10)*, pushing cultivation forward.
> *"Purchase confirmed. CP -50. Current CP: 6590."*
The pill triggered a breakthrough to **Core Manifestation Tier 4**, aura surging with unmatched power.
> *"Cultivation breakthrough. Core Manifestation Tier 4 reached. CP +70. Current CP: 6660."*
A hidden Blood Fang Sect operative, Foundation Forging Stage 5, watched from the shadows, their envy at the shards intense.
> *"Envy detected from Blood Fang Sect operative. CP +30. Current CP: 6690."*
The maze shifted, opening a deeper chasm. Illusions grew savage—Lin Dong's legacy towering, Qingyang Town's scorn crushing family pride. Anger burned:
> *"Anger detected from host. CP +20. Current CP: 6710."*
The *Comprehension Arena* activated, facing a shadow of Feng Lao's *Blood Tide Slash*. The system advised: *"Counter with dreamlike disorientation."* The shadow fell, art refined.
> *"Comprehension Arena training completed. CP +30. Current CP: 6740."*
Chu Xue scanned the chasm. "The next trial's core is close. The Blood Fang Sect's elites are massing." Anger at their persistence surged:
> *"Anger detected from host. CP +20. Current CP: 6760."*
50 CP were spent on a *Soul Condensation Pill (Tier 9)*, enhancing soul cultivation.
> *"Purchase confirmed. CP -50. Current CP: 6710."*
The pill pushed to **Soul Awakening Stage 11**, divine sense reaching 110 meters.
> *"Soul cultivation breakthrough. CP +60. Current CP: 6770."*
Chu Rong's glare burned from afar. "You'll pay for this," he muttered, envy a tempest.
> *"Envy detected from Chu Rong. CP +25. Current CP: 6795."*
The chasm's depths pulsed with relic Qi, the *Ancestral Symbol*'s call deafening. Chu Clan's jealousy, Blood Fang Sect's elites, and the *Devouring Illusion* stood ready. The *Heaven-Defying Comprehension System* blazed, feeding on envy and anger, forging an unyielding path.
"I'll seize every shard," the vow echoed, *Tempest Nightmare Barrage* roaring. "No force will block this ascent."