The Myriad Dao Secret Realm's chasm pulsed with a deafening hum, devouring runes flaring like crimson stars across the stone walls. The complete *Ancestral Symbol*, with all nine shards united, thrummed with a 50% Qi absorption boost, resonating fiercely with the wolf core's primal beat. At **Core Manifestation Tier 7** and **Soul Awakening Stage 14**, the path ahead bristled with peril—Chu Rong's relentless envy and the Blood Fang Sect's elites massing for a final assault. The *Heaven-Defying Comprehension System* stirred, its voice resolute:
> *"Task progress: 9460/6000 CP. New task: Defeat the Blood Fang Sect's final commander in the eighth trial and secure the trial's core relic. Earn 6500 CP by the trial's end. Current CP: 9460."*
A sharp exhale cut the air. "Their last stand? I'll crush it." *Tempest Phantom Barrage*—weaving lightning, fire, wind, shadow, earth, thunder, claws, illusions, sonic waves, bloodmist, shadow cloaking, dreamlike disorientation, fire, mist, abyssal shadows, and phantom shadows—surged with *Envy Absorption* and *Wrath Empowerment*, thriving on Chu Rong's jealousy and rising fury. The *Ancestral Symbol*'s power burned, a testament to Lin Dong's legacy.
Chu Xue moved ahead, her *Ice Phoenix Palm* slicing through the chasm's dense mist, her ice-blue eyes scanning for threats. "The commander's Qi is overwhelming," she warned. Chu Rong staggered behind, his Core Manifestation Stage 3 aura dim, his rage a storm. "You're stealing our future," he snarled, envy radiating like a blaze.
> *"Envy detected from Chu Rong. CP +25. Current CP: 9485."*
The chasm widened into a colossal arena, its floor etched with a *Devouring Chaos Array*. The eighth trial erupted—illusions of Qingyang Town's scorn morphed into Lin Dong's towering figure, accusing failure to restore the Lin Clan. Anger surged, fists clenching.
> *"Anger detected from host. CP +20. Current CP: 9505."*
A 140-meter divine sense, honed by *Soul Awakening Stage 14*, pierced the illusions, revealing a Rank 4 *Chaos Shadow Wyrm* at Core Manifestation Stage 10, its scales pulsing with chaotic Qi. *Beast Copying* activated, tracking its devastating strikes.
> *"Observed: Chaos Shadow Strike. Copied as Chaos Shadow Fist (High-Grade). CP +60. Current CP: 9565."*
The wyrm roared, chaotic Qi warping space. *Tempest Phantom Barrage* countered, phantom shadows disrupting its strikes. Fire, thunder, and spatial rifts shredded its scales, felling it. Chu Rong's envy blazed. "Another core taken!"
> *"Beast defeated. CP +90. Envy detected from Chu Rong. CP +25. Anger detected from Chu Rong. CP +20. Current CP: 9700."*
Anger flared at Chu Rong's greed:
> *"Anger detected from host. CP +20. Current CP: 9720."*
The array pulsed, and the Blood Fang Sect's final commander emerged—a Foundation Forging Stage 7 man, his blood-red greatsword radiating killing Qi. "I'm Zhao Kuang, warlord of Venerable Shadow Fang," he growled, envy at the *Ancestral Symbol* palpable. "Your relics are ours."
> *"Envy detected from Zhao Kuang. CP +40. Threat detected. CP +30. Current CP: 9790."*
Chu Xue's sword gleamed. "He's their strongest yet. We need perfect timing." A nod answered. "Let's end this."
Zhao Kuang's greatsword slashed, blood Qi forming a crimson maelstrom. *Tempest Phantom Barrage* countered, phantom shadows scattering the maelstrom. Chu Xue's *Ice Phoenix Palm* froze the sword's path, creating an opening. *Insight Surge* activated (CP -50, Total: 9740), mind blazing with clarity. *Chaos Shadow Fist* struck, chaotic Qi disorienting Zhao Kuang. He staggered, rage erupting.
> *"Anger detected from Zhao Kuang. CP +20. Current CP: 9760."*
Zhao Kuang's maelstrom intensified, summoning a blood dragon. Chu Rong attacked, his *Blazing Lion Fist* aiming to steal glory, but the maelstrom sent him crashing. His envy roared. "You're nothing without her!"
> *"Envy detected from Chu Rong. CP +25. Current CP: 9785."*
Anger surged at Chu Rong's betrayal:
> *"Anger detected from host. CP +20. Current CP: 9805."*
*Tempest Phantom Barrage* fused with *Chaos Shadow Fist*, creating *Tempest Chaos Barrage*, a high-grade art blending chaotic disruption with elements.
> *"Skill Fusion successful. Tempest Chaos Barrage created. CP +80. Current CP: 9885."*
The new art erupted, chaotic Qi and phantom shadows shattering the blood dragon. Chu Xue's ice Qi amplified the strike, felling Zhao Kuang. He collapsed, cursing. "Shadow Fang will hunt you to the end."
> *"Commander defeated. CP +120. Current CP: 10,005."*
Chu Xue's breath steadied, her gaze flickering with respect. "You're rewriting fate itself." The system confirmed: *"No detection of system. Host's secret is safe."*
> *"Interaction analyzed. Ally trust increased. CP +20. Current CP: 10,025."*
The arena revealed a final altar, its core relic—a *Devouring Core Crystal* pulsing with the *Ancestral Symbol*'s essence. Chu Rong lunged, desperate, but *Tempest Chaos Barrage* sent him sprawling. The crystal merged with the *Ancestral Symbol*, boosting Qi absorption by 55%. The wolf core blazed, resonating fiercely.
> *"Core relic claimed. Devouring Core Crystal acquired. Task completed. CP +100. Current CP: 10,125."*
Chu Rong's rage exploded. "You've taken it all!" he roared, envy consuming him.
> *"Envy detected from Chu Rong. CP +25. Anger detected from Chu Rong. CP +20. Current CP: 10,170."*
Anger surged:
> *"Anger detected from host. CP +20. Current CP: 10,190."*
50 CP were spent on a *Qi Condensation Pill (Tier 14)*, pushing cultivation forward.
> *"Purchase confirmed. CP -50. Current CP: 10,140."*
The pill triggered a breakthrough to **Core Manifestation Tier 8**, aura surging with power.
> *"Cultivation breakthrough. Core Manifestation Tier 8 reached. CP +90. Current CP: 10,230."*
A hidden Blood Fang Sect operative, Foundation Forging Stage 8, watched from the shadows, their envy at the *Ancestral Symbol* intense.
> *"Envy detected from Blood Fang Sect operative. CP +35. Current CP: 10,265."*
The chasm shifted, opening a deeper path. Illusions grew savage—Lin Dong's legacy crushing family pride, Qingyang Town's scorn echoing. Anger burned:
> *"Anger detected from host. CP +20. Current CP: 10,285."*
The *Comprehension Arena* activated, facing a shadow of Zhao Kuang's *Blood Maelstrom Slash*. The system advised: *"Counter with chaotic redirection."* The shadow fell, art refined.
> *"Comprehension Arena training completed. CP +30. Current CP: 10,315."*
Chu Xue pointed ahead. "The trial's core is secured, but the Blood Fang Sect's remnants are rallying." Anger at their persistence surged:
> *"Anger detected from host. CP +20. Current CP: 10,335."*
50 CP were spent on a *Soul Condensation Pill (Tier 13)*, enhancing soul cultivation.
> *"Purchase confirmed. CP -50. Current CP: 10,285."*
The pill pushed to **Soul Awakening Stage 15**, divine sense reaching 150 meters.
> *"Soul cultivation breakthrough. CP +80. Current CP: 10,365."*
Chu Rong's glare burned from afar. "You'll pay," he muttered, envy a tempest.
> *"Envy detected from Chu Rong. CP +25. Current CP: 10,390."*
The chasm's depths pulsed with relic Qi, the *Ancestral Symbol*'s power complete. Chu Clan's jealousy, Blood Fang Sect's remnants, and the *Devouring Illusion* stood ready. The *Heaven-Defying Comprehension System* blazed, feeding on envy and anger, forging an unyielding path.