The Myriad Dao Secret Realm's depths thrummed with a primal rhythm, devouring runes flickering like heartbeats on the maze's walls. Four *Ancestral Symbol* shards glowed, their combined Qi amplifying cultivation by 25%, resonating with the wolf core's fierce pulse. At **Core Manifestation Tier 2** and **Soul Awakening Stage 9**, the path ahead bristled with danger—Chu Rong's relentless envy and the Blood Fang Sect's elites converging. The *Heaven-Defying Comprehension System* stirred, its voice unwavering:
> *"Task progress: 5265/3500 CP. New task: Secure the fifth Ancestral Symbol shard in the third trial. Earn 4000 CP by the trial's end. Current CP: 5265."*
A sharp breath escaped. "Another shard? Let's claim it." *Tempest Spatial Barrage*—blending lightning, fire, wind, shadow, earth, thunder, claws, illusions, sonic waves, bloodmist, and spatial rifts—surged with *Envy Absorption* and *Wrath Empowerment*, feeding on Chu Rong's jealousy and rising anger. The *Ancestral Symbol*'s legacy loomed closer, a testament to Lin Dong's glory.
Chu Xue glided forward, her *Ice Phoenix Palm* slicing through the maze's mist, her ice-blue eyes scanning the shadows. "The elites are near," she murmured. "Their Qi's heavier than Xue Yin's." Chu Rong stumbled behind, his Core Manifestation Stage 3 aura flickering, his rage a storm. "You're hoarding the relics," he growled, envy radiating.
> *"Envy detected from Chu Rong. CP +25. Current CP: 5290."*
The maze opened into a vast chasm, its floor a swirling *Devouring Spiral Array*. The third trial escalated—illusions of Qingyang Town's scorn morphed into Lin Dong's towering figure, his voice accusing failure. Anger flared, fists tightening.
> *"Anger detected from host. CP +20. Current CP: 5310."*
A 90-meter divine sense, honed by *Soul Awakening Stage 9*, pierced the illusions, revealing two Rank 3 *Eclipse Ravens* at Core Manifestation Stage 7, their wings cloaking the chasm in darkness. *Beast Copying* activated, tracking their swift dives.
> *"Observed: Eclipse Shadow Dive. Copied as Eclipse Shadow Palm (High-Grade). CP +50. Current CP: 5360."*
The ravens swooped, darkness swallowing light. *Tempest Spatial Barrage* roared, spatial rifts tearing through their wings. Fire and thunder shredded their cores, felling them. Chu Rong's envy burned hotter. "Another core stolen!"
> *"Beasts defeated. CP +70. Envy detected from Chu Rong. CP +25. Anger detected from Chu Rong. CP +20. Current CP: 5475."*
Anger surged at Chu Rong's greed:
> *"Anger detected from host. CP +20. Current CP: 5495."*
The array pulsed, revealing a Blood Fang Sect elite—a Foundation Forging Stage 3 man, his blood-red scythe humming with killing Qi. "I'm Duan Hong, enforcer of Venerable Shadow Fang," he sneered, envy at the shards palpable. "Your relics end here."
> *"Envy detected from Duan Hong. CP +30. Threat detected. CP +20. Current CP: 5545."*
Chu Xue's sword flashed. "He's stronger than Xue Yin. We need to strike fast." A nod answered. "Let's end this."
Duan Hong's scythe slashed, blood Qi forming a crimson arc. *Tempest Spatial Barrage* countered, spatial rifts deflecting the arc. Chu Xue's *Ice Phoenix Palm* froze the scythe's path, creating an opening. *Insight Surge* activated (CP -50, Total: 5495), mind blazing with clarity. *Eclipse Shadow Palm* struck, darkness cloaking the blow, landing on Duan Hong's chest. He staggered, rage flaring.
> *"Anger detected from Duan Hong. CP +20. Current CP: 5515."*
Duan Hong's scythe intensified, blood Qi summoning a phantom wolf. Chu Rong attacked, his *Blazing Lion Fist* aiming to steal glory, but Duan Hong's arc sent him crashing. His envy roared. "You're nothing without her!"
> *"Envy detected from Chu Rong. CP +25. Current CP: 5540."*
Anger surged at Chu Rong's betrayal:
> *"Anger detected from host. CP +20. Current CP: 5560."*
*Tempest Spatial Barrage* fused with *Eclipse Shadow Palm*, creating *Tempest Eclipse Barrage*, a high-grade art blending shadow cloaking with elements.
> *"Skill Fusion successful. Tempest Eclipse Barrage created. CP +60. Current CP: 5620."*
The new art erupted, shadow and spatial rifts shattering the phantom wolf. Chu Xue's ice Qi amplified the strike, and Duan Hong fell, bloodied. "Shadow Fang will hunt you," he rasped, fleeing.
> *"Elite defeated. CP +80. Current CP: 5700."*
Chu Xue's breath steadied, her gaze softening. "You're rewriting fate." The system confirmed: *"No detection of system. Host's secret is safe."*
> *"Interaction analyzed. Ally trust increased. CP +20. Current CP: 5720."*
The chasm revealed a fifth altar, its *Ancestral Symbol* shard (5/9) glowing with devouring Qi. Chu Rong lunged, desperate, but *Tempest Eclipse Barrage* sent him sprawling. The shard merged with the others, boosting Qi absorption by 30%. The wolf core blazed, resonating.
> *"Relic fragment claimed. Ancestral Symbol Shard (5/9) acquired. Task completed. CP +70. Current CP: 5790."*
Chu Rong's rage erupted. "You're stealing our future!" he roared, envy consuming him.
> *"Envy detected from Chu Rong. CP +25. Anger detected from Chu Rong. CP +20. Current CP: 5835."*
Anger surged:
> *"Anger detected from host. CP +20. Current CP: 5855."*
50 CP were spent on a *Qi Condensation Pill (Tier 9)*, pushing cultivation forward.
> *"Purchase confirmed. CP -50. Current CP: 5805."*
The pill triggered a breakthrough to **Core Manifestation Tier 3**, aura surging with power.
> *"Cultivation breakthrough. Core Manifestation Tier 3 reached. CP +60. Current CP: 5865."*
A cloaked Blood Fang Sect operative, Foundation Forging Stage 4, watched from the chasm's edge, their envy at the shards intense.
> *"Envy detected from Blood Fang Sect operative. CP +30. Current CP: 5895."*
The maze shifted, opening a deeper path. Illusions intensified—Lin Dong's legacy crushing family pride, Qingyang Town's scorn echoing. Anger burned:
> *"Anger detected from host. CP +20. Current CP: 5915."*
The *Comprehension Arena* activated, facing a shadow of Duan Hong's *Blood Scythe Arc*. The system advised: *"Counter with shadow cloaking."* The shadow fell, art refined.
> *"Comprehension Arena training completed. CP +30. Current CP: 5945."*
Chu Xue pointed ahead. "The next trial's core is near. The Blood Fang Sect's elites are converging." Anger at their persistence surged:
> *"Anger detected from host. CP +20. Current CP: 5965."*
50 CP were spent on a *Soul Condensation Pill (Tier 8)*, enhancing soul cultivation.
> *"Purchase confirmed. CP -50. Current CP: 5915."*
The pill pushed to **Soul Awakening Stage 10**, divine sense reaching 100 meters.
> *"Soul cultivation breakthrough. CP +50. Current CP: 5965."*
Chu Rong's glare burned from afar. "You'll crumble," he muttered, envy a storm.
> *"Envy detected from Chu Rong. CP +25. Current CP: 5990."*
The maze'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 unstoppable path.
"I'll seize every shard," the vow rang, *Tempest Eclipse Barrage* roaring. "No force will halt this rise."