Lin Fan stood before the Myriad Dao Secret Realm's portal, its silver vortex swirling with ancient Qi. The wolf core in his pocket pulsed like a heartbeat, urging him toward the *Ancestral Symbol* relic. His **Qi Condensation Layer 7 Peak** and **Soul Awakening Stage 5** marked him as a force in the Dao Sect, but the Blood Fang Sect's illusion trap and Chu Rong's envy loomed. The *Heaven-Defying Comprehension System* thrummed, its voice resolute:
> *"Task progress: 2060/800 CP. New task: Overcome the Myriad Dao Secret Realm's first illusion trial. Earn 900 CP by its completion. Current CP: 2060."*
Lin Fan's eyes burned with resolve. "Illusions won't stop me." His *Tempest Thunder Barrage* and *Spirit Flame Control*, fueled by *Envy Absorption* and *Wrath Empowerment*, thrived on the Chu Clan's jealousy and his own anger.
The plaza buzzed as Elder Mo led ten inner disciples—Lin Fan, Chu Xue, Chu Rong, and seven others—through the portal. Chu Rong's Core Manifestation Tier 3 aura flared, his eyes seething with envy at Lin Fan's rise. "You don't deserve this," he hissed.
> *"Envy detected from Chu Rong. CP +20. Humiliation detected. CP +15. Current CP: 2095."*
The portal's light engulfed them, and Lin Fan emerged in a misty maze of stone arches, the air heavy with illusion Qi. The *Devouring Illusion* trial began, its whispers probing his fears. Shadows flickered—images of his parents, Lin Xiao and Su Mei, mocked by Qingyang Town. Lin Fan's anger surged:
> *"Anger detected from host. CP +15. Current CP: 2110."*
His 50-meter divine sense, honed by *Soul Awakening Stage 5*, pierced the illusions, revealing a Rank 2 *Mistfang Wolf* at Core Manifestation Tier 2. Its claws glowed with mirage Qi. Lin Fan used *Beast Copying*:
> *"Observed: Mistfang Mirage Claw. Copied as Mirage Palm (Mid-Grade). CP +30. Current CP: 2140."*
The wolf lunged. Lin Fan's *Tempest Thunder Barrage* roared, lightning, fire, wind, shadow, earth, thunder, and claws shattering the beast. Its core pulsed, resonating with his wolf core.
> *"Beast defeated. CP +35. Current CP: 2175."*
Chu Rong emerged from the mist, his *Blazing Lion Fist* blazing. "You're nothing next to me!" he roared, jealousy and rage pouring off him.
> *"Envy detected from Chu Rong. CP +25. Anger detected from Chu Rong. CP +20. Current CP: 2220."*
Lin Fan's anger flared:
> *"Anger detected from host. CP +15. Current CP: 2235."*
He countered with *Tempest Thunder Barrage*, its multi-elemental force clashing with Chu Rong's fist. The maze trembled as Chu Rong staggered, bloodied. "How are you this strong?" he spat, envy spiking.
> *"Victory achieved. CP +40. Envy detected from Chu Rong. CP +25. Current CP: 2300."*
Chu Xue appeared, her *Ice Phoenix Palm* dispelling nearby illusions. "You're full of surprises," she said, her voice soft but sharp. "The maze gets worse ahead."
The system confirmed: *"No detection of system. Host's secret is safe."*
Lin Fan nodded. "Stay close." His anger at Chu Rong's attack surged:
> *"Anger detected from host. CP +15. Current CP: 2315."*
> *"Interaction analyzed. Ally trust increased. CP +15. Current CP: 2330."*
Lin Fan spent 50 CP on a *Qi Condensation Pill (Tier 5)*, pushing his Qi to the edge.
> *"Purchase confirmed. CP -50. Current CP: 2280."*
The pill triggered a breakthrough to **Qi Condensation Layer 8**, his aura surging.
> *"Cultivation breakthrough. Qi Condensation Layer 8 reached. CP +40. Current CP: 2320."*
A cloaked Blood Fang Sect operative watched from the maze's shadows, their Core Manifestation Tier 5 aura cloaked. Lin Fan's divine sense caught them, the system warning:
> *"Threat detected. CP +20. Current CP: 2340."*
The maze deepened, illusions twisting—images of Lin Dong's glory mocking Lin Fan's lineage. His anger burned:
> *"Anger detected from host. CP +15. Current CP: 2355."*
Lin Fan fused *Mirage Palm* with *Tempest Thunder Barrage*, creating *Tempest Mirage Barrage*, a high-grade art blending illusion with his elements.
> *"Skill Fusion successful. Tempest Mirage Barrage created. CP +45. Current CP: 2400."*
The first trial's core loomed—a stone altar pulsing with relic Qi. Chu Rong, limping, glared with envy. "That relic's mine," he snarled.
> *"Envy detected from Chu Rong. CP +25. Current CP: 2425."*
Lin Fan's *Tempest Mirage Barrage* flared, ready for the next challenge. The *Ancestral Symbol*, Blood Fang Sect's trap, and Chu Clan's jealousy awaited. His *Heaven-Defying Comprehension System* burned, feeding on envy and anger.
"I'll claim it all," he vowed, the wolf core blazing. "No one stops me."