Lin Fan stood before the stone altar, its relic Qi pulsing in sync with the wolf core in his pocket. The Myriad Dao Secret Realm's maze twisted around him, its *Devouring Illusion* whispering fears. His **Qi Condensation Layer 8** and **Soul Awakening Stage 5** outshone most inner disciples, yet Chu Rong's envy and the Blood Fang Sect's trap loomed. The *Heaven-Defying Comprehension System* roared, its voice clear:
> *"Task progress: 2425/900 CP. New task: Claim the altar's relic fragment in the first trial. Earn 1000 CP by the trial's end. Current CP: 2425."*
Lin Fan's gaze hardened. "The relic's mine." His *Tempest Mirage Barrage*, fueled by *Envy Absorption* and *Wrath Empowerment*, thrived on Chu Rong's jealousy and his own anger. The *Ancestral Symbol* fragment awaited, a step toward Lin Dong's legacy.
Chu Xue stood nearby, her *Ice Phoenix Palm* dispelling lingering illusions. Chu Rong, bloodied from their clash, glared, his Core Manifestation Tier 3 aura flaring with envy. "You'll never outshine me," he snarled.
> *"Envy detected from Chu Rong. CP +25. Current CP: 2450."*
The altar glowed, summoning the trial's guardian—a Rank 2 *Illusion Serpent* at Core Manifestation Tier 3. Its scales shimmered, weaving mirages of Lin Fan's parents mocked in Qingyang Town. His anger surged:
> *"Anger detected from host. CP +20. Current CP: 2470."*
Lin Fan's 50-meter divine sense pierced the illusions, locking onto the serpent. He used *Beast Copying*:
> *"Observed: Illusion Scale Dance. Copied as Mirage Scale Fist (Mid-Grade). CP +35. Current CP: 2505."*
The serpent struck, its tail a blur. Lin Fan's *Tempest Mirage Barrage* exploded, lightning, fire, wind, shadow, earth, thunder, claws, and illusions clashing. The beast fell, its core pulsing. Chu Rong's envy spiked, his fists clenched.
> *"Beast defeated. CP +40. Envy detected from Chu Rong. CP +25. Current CP: 2570."*
The altar's light intensified, revealing a fist-sized crystal fragment etched with devouring runes—the *Ancestral Symbol* shard. Lin Fan reached for it, but Chu Rong roared, "It's mine!" His *Blazing Lion Fist* surged, fueled by rage.
> *"Envy detected from Chu Rong. CP +25. Anger detected from Chu Rong. CP +20. Current CP: 2615."*
Lin Fan's anger flared:
> *"Anger detected from host. CP +20. Current CP: 2635."*
He countered with *Tempest Mirage Barrage*, its illusory force disorienting Chu Rong. The clash shattered stone arches, and Chu Rong collapsed, defeated. "Impossible," he gasped, jealousy burning.
> *"Victory achieved. CP +45. Envy detected from Chu Rong. CP +25. Current CP: 2705."*
Lin Fan seized the fragment, the wolf core blazing in resonance. The system chimed:
> *"Relic fragment claimed. Ancestral Symbol Shard (1/9) acquired. Enhances Qi absorption by 10%. Task completed. CP +50. Current CP: 2755."*
Chu Xue approached, her eyes sharp. "That shard… it's powerful. You're drawing attention."
The system confirmed: *"No detection of system. Host's secret is safe."*
Lin Fan nodded, his anger at Chu Rong's greed lingering:
> *"Anger detected from host. CP +15. Current CP: 2770."*
> *"Interaction analyzed. Ally trust increased. CP +15. Current CP: 2785."*
A Blood Fang Sect operative emerged from the shadows, their Core Manifestation Tier 5 aura unleashed. "Hand over the shard," they growled, a blade gleaming. Their envy at Lin Fan's prize was palpable.
> *"Envy detected from Blood Fang Sect operative. CP +20. Current CP: 2805."*
Lin Fan fused *Mirage Scale Fist* with *Tempest Mirage Barrage*, creating *Tempest Illusion Barrage*, a high-grade art blending deeper illusions.
> *"Skill Fusion successful. Tempest Illusion Barrage created. CP +50. Current CP: 2855."*
He dodged the blade, his *Tempest Illusion Barrage* weaving mirages that confused the operative. A single strike sent them reeling, fleeing into the maze. Chu Xue's eyes widened. "You're relentless."
> *"Victory achieved. CP +50. Current CP: 2905."*
Lin Fan spent 50 CP on a *Soul Condensation Pill (Tier 4)*, enhancing his soul.
> *"Purchase confirmed. CP -50. Current CP: 2855."*
The pill pushed him to **Soul Awakening Stage 6**, his divine sense reaching 60 meters.
> *"Soul cultivation breakthrough. CP +35. Current CP: 2890."*
The maze shifted, revealing a deeper path. Illusions grew stronger, showing Lin Dong's glory overshadowing Lin Fan's lineage. His anger burned:
> *"Anger detected from host. CP +20. Current CP: 2910."*
Chu Rong, crawling away, glared with envy. "You'll fall soon," he spat, his Chu Clan's jealousy a storm.
> *"Envy detected from Chu Rong. CP +25. Current CP: 2935."*
Lin Fan gripped the *Ancestral Symbol* shard, its devouring Qi merging with his own. The Blood Fang Sect's trap, Chu Clan's rage, and the maze's trials awaited. His *Heaven-Defying Comprehension System* blazed, feeding on envy and anger.
"I'll forge my own legend," he vowed, *Tempest Illusion Barrage* flaring. "The relic's just the start."