The Myriad Dao Secret Realm's chasm thrummed with a primal pulse, devouring runes glowing like embers on the jagged stone walls. Eight *Ancestral Symbol* shards vibrated, their 45% Qi absorption boost resonating fiercely with the wolf core's relentless rhythm. At **Core Manifestation Tier 6** and **Soul Awakening Stage 13**, the path forward bristled with menace—Chu Rong's seething envy and the Blood Fang Sect's elites converging with deadly intent. The *Heaven-Defying Comprehension System* stirred, its voice resolute:
> *"Task progress: 8555/5500 CP. New task: Claim the ninth Ancestral Symbol shard in the seventh trial and face the Blood Fang Sect's commander. Earn 6000 CP by the trial's end. Current CP: 8555."*
A sharp breath cut the silence. "The last shard? It's mine." *Tempest Abyss Barrage*—weaving lightning, fire, wind, shadow, earth, thunder, claws, illusions, sonic waves, bloodmist, shadow cloaking, dreamlike disorientation, fire, mist, and abyssal shadows—surged with *Envy Absorption* and *Wrath Empowerment*, thriving on Chu Rong's jealousy and rising fury. The *Ancestral Symbol*'s legacy loomed, a final step toward Lin Dong's power.
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 near," she warned. Chu Rong lagged behind, his Core Manifestation Stage 3 aura dim, his rage a storm. "You're stealing our heritage," he snarled, envy radiating like a furnace.
> *"Envy detected from Chu Rong. CP +25. Current CP: 8580."*
The chasm opened into a vast arena, its floor etched with a *Devouring Abyss Array*. The seventh trial ignited—illusions of Qingyang Town's scorn morphed into Lin Dong's towering figure, accusing failure to uphold the Lin Clan. Anger surged, fists tightening.
> *"Anger detected from host. CP +20. Current CP: 8600."*
A 130-meter divine sense, honed by *Soul Awakening Stage 13*, pierced the illusions, revealing a Rank 4 *Abyssal Phantom Dragon* at Core Manifestation Stage 9, its wings cloaking the arena in darkness. *Beast Copying* activated, tracking its devastating strikes.
> *"Observed: Abyssal Phantom Strike. Copied as Phantom Abyss Fist (High-Grade). CP +60. Current CP: 8660."*
The dragon roared, wings unleashing shadow Qi. *Tempest Abyss Barrage* countered, abyssal shadows disrupting its strikes. Fire, thunder, and spatial rifts shredded its scales, felling it. Chu Rong's envy blazed. "Another core snatched!"
> *"Beast defeated. CP +90. Envy detected from Chu Rong. CP +25. Anger detected from Chu Rong. CP +20. Current CP: 8795."*
Anger flared at Chu Rong's greed:
> *"Anger detected from host. CP +20. Current CP: 8815."*
The array pulsed, and the Blood Fang Sect's commander emerged—a Foundation Forging Stage 6 woman, her blood-red fan pulsing with killing Qi. "I'm Lian Xue, right hand of Venerable Shadow Fang," she sneered, envy at the shards palpable. "Your relics belong to us."
> *"Envy detected from Lian Xue. CP +35. Threat detected. CP +30. Current CP: 8880."*
Chu Xue's sword gleamed. "She's stronger than the others. We need to strike together." A nod answered. "Let's end her."
Lian Xue's fan slashed, blood Qi forming a crimson tempest. *Tempest Abyss Barrage* countered, shadow cloaking dodging the tempest. Chu Xue's *Ice Phoenix Palm* froze the fan's path, creating an opening. *Insight Surge* activated (CP -50, Total: 8830), mind blazing with clarity. *Phantom Abyss Fist* struck, shadow Qi disorienting Lian Xue. She staggered, rage erupting.
> *"Anger detected from Lian Xue. CP +20. Current CP: 8850."*
Lian Xue's tempest intensified, summoning a blood phoenix. Chu Rong attacked, his *Blazing Lion Fist* aiming to steal glory, but the tempest sent him crashing. His envy roared. "You're nothing without her!"
> *"Envy detected from Chu Rong. CP +25. Current CP: 8875."*
Anger surged at Chu Rong's betrayal:
> *"Anger detected from host. CP +20. Current CP: 8895."*
*Tempest Abyss Barrage* fused with *Phantom Abyss Fist*, creating *Tempest Phantom Barrage*, a high-grade art blending phantom shadows with elements.
> *"Skill Fusion successful. Tempest Phantom Barrage created. CP +80. Current CP: 8975."*
The new art erupted, phantom shadows and mist shattering the blood phoenix. Chu Xue's ice Qi amplified the strike, felling Lian Xue. She collapsed, cursing. "Shadow Fang will avenge me."
> *"Commander defeated. CP +100. Current CP: 9075."*
Chu Xue's breath steadied, her gaze flickering with respect. "You're rewriting destiny." The system confirmed: *"No detection of system. Host's secret is safe."*
> *"Interaction analyzed. Ally trust increased. CP +20. Current CP: 9095."*
The arena revealed a ninth altar, its *Ancestral Symbol* shard (9/9) pulsing with devouring Qi. Chu Rong lunged, desperate, but *Tempest Phantom Barrage* sent him sprawling. The shard merged with the others, completing the *Ancestral Symbol*, boosting Qi absorption by 50%. The wolf core blazed, resonating fiercely.
> *"Relic fragment claimed. Ancestral Symbol Shard (9/9) acquired. Task completed. CP +100. Current CP: 9195."*
Chu Rong's rage exploded. "You've taken everything!" he roared, envy consuming him.
> *"Envy detected from Chu Rong. CP +25. Anger detected from Chu Rong. CP +20. Current CP: 9240."*
Anger surged:
> *"Anger detected from host. CP +20. Current CP: 9260."*
50 CP were spent on a *Qi Condensation Pill (Tier 13)*, pushing cultivation forward.
> *"Purchase confirmed. CP -50. Current CP: 9210."*
The pill triggered a breakthrough to **Core Manifestation Tier 7**, aura surging with power.
> *"Cultivation breakthrough. Core Manifestation Tier 7 reached. CP +90. Current CP: 9300."*
A hidden Blood Fang Sect operative, Foundation Forging Stage 7, watched from the shadows, their envy at the complete *Ancestral Symbol* intense.
> *"Envy detected from Blood Fang Sect operative. CP +35. Current CP: 9335."*
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: 9355."*
The *Comprehension Arena* activated, facing a shadow of Lian Xue's *Blood Tempest Fan*. The system advised: *"Counter with phantom redirection."* The shadow fell, art refined.
> *"Comprehension Arena training completed. CP +30. Current CP: 9385."*
Chu Xue pointed ahead. "The trial's core is secured, but the Blood Fang Sect's elites are rallying for a final stand." Anger at their persistence surged:
> *"Anger detected from host. CP +20. Current CP: 9405."*
50 CP were spent on a *Soul Condensation Pill (Tier 12)*, enhancing soul cultivation.
> *"Purchase confirmed. CP -50. Current CP: 9355."*
The pill pushed to **Soul Awakening Stage 14**, divine sense reaching 140 meters.
> *"Soul cultivation breakthrough. CP +80. Current CP: 9435."*
Chu Rong's glare burned from afar. "You'll pay," he muttered, envy a tempest.
> *"Envy detected from Chu Rong. CP +25. Current CP: 9460."*
The chasm's depths pulsed with relic Qi, the *Ancestral Symbol*'s power complete. 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.