Lin Fan stood in his courtyard, the wolf core's pulse a steady rhythm in his hand. The Myriad Dao Secret Realm was five days away, a trial that promised relics, danger, and the Blood Fang Sect's trap. His breakthrough to **Qi Condensation Layer 5** had sharpened his aura, but in the Dao Sect's Martial Hall, he remained the weakest among inner disciples. The *Heaven-Defying Comprehension System* stirred, its voice cold and clear:
> *"Task progress: 630/400 CP. New task: Uncover a clue about the Myriad Dao Secret Realm's dangers within three days. Earn 500 CP by the secret realm's opening. Current CP: 630."*
Lin Fan's eyes glinted. "A clue, huh? Time to dig deeper." His *Tempest Rhino Barrage* and *Spirit Flame Control* gave him an edge, but Chu Hao's schemes with the Blood Fang Sect—and Venerable Shadow Fang's unseen hand—meant he needed every advantage.
The morning sun bathed the Dao Sect's training grounds, where disciples sparred with flashing blades and crackling Qi. Lin Fan joined a session led by Elder Liang, his Foundation Forging Stage 6 aura heavy. Lin Fan's opponent was a Qi Condensation Layer 8 disciple, Sun Li, whose *Blazing Axe Art* roared with fiery Qi. "You're outmatched, Lin Fan," Sun Li sneered. "Go back to your cauldrons."
> *"Humiliation detected. CP +15. Current CP: 645."*
Lin Fan dodged a fiery axe swing, activating *Dao Enlightenment*. His 30-meter divine sense tracked Sun Li's Qi flow, copying the technique mid-fight:
> *"Observed: Blazing Axe Art. Copied as Blazing Palm Strike (Basic). CP +20. Current CP: 665."*
Lin Fan countered with *Tempest Rhino Barrage*, its lightning, fire, wind, shadow, and earth elements clashing against Sun Li's axe. The arena shook as Sun Li staggered, his weapon dimming. "How?!" he gasped.
> *"Victory achieved. CP +25. Current CP: 690."*
Elder Liang's scar twitched. "Enough! Lin Fan wins." The crowd whispered, their skepticism sharp. "He's just stealing moves," one disciple muttered.
> *"Humiliation detected. CP +10. Current CP: 700."*
After the spar, Lin Fan headed to the Dao Sect's relic pavilion, a crumbling hall housing artifacts from the sect's glory days. He sought clues about the Myriad Dao Secret Realm. His divine sense, honed by *Soul Awakening Stage 3*, scanned a dusty jade tablet inscribed with ancient runes. The system chimed:
> *"Observed: Ancient Rune Tablet. Comprehended: Myriad Dao Secret Realm contains a formation maze guarded by Rank 2 Demonic Beasts and illusion arrays. CP +30. Current CP: 730."*
The tablet hinted at a relic tied to the *Devouring Ancestral Symbol*, protected by a trial of will. Lin Fan's wolf core pulsed stronger, resonating with the tablet. He whispered, "Lin Dong, what did you leave behind?"
A shadow moved in the pavilion's corner. His divine sense caught a cloaked Blood Fang Sect spy, their Qi Condensation Layer 9 aura masked but betrayed by faint killing intent. The system warned:
> *"Threat detected. Strategic insight gained. CP +15. Current CP: 745."*
Lin Fan slipped out, heart racing. The Blood Fang Sect was watching his every move.
That evening, he entered the *Comprehension Arena*, facing a shadow of a Rank 2 Demonic Beast—a *Shadowfang Tiger*. Its Core Manifestation Tier 2 claws slashed, testing his *Tempest Rhino Barrage*. The system critiqued: *"Reaction speed lacking. Optimize footwork by 12%."* Lin Fan adjusted, defeating the shadow with a burst of multi-elemental force.
> *"Comprehension Arena training completed. CP +20. Current CP: 765."*
At midnight, Lin Fan sneaked into the Alchemy Hall to refine another *Spirit Condensation Pill*. His *Spirit Flame Control* danced, blending herbs with precision. But halfway through, his cauldron rattled—a second sabotage, this time a Frost Venom Crystal hidden in the herb pile, chilling the flames. "Lei Yan's work," Lin Fan growled, recognizing the Lei Clan's tactics.
He activated *Insight Surge* (CP -50, Total: 715), his mind piercing the venom's interference. He adjusted his flames, neutralizing the crystal. Two *Spirit Condensation Pills* emerged, high-grade this time.
> *"Alchemy success. Two Spirit Condensation Pills refined (High-Grade). CP +60. Current CP: 775."*
Lin Fan consumed one pill, his Qi surging. His meridians trembled, stabilizing at **Qi Condensation Layer 5 Peak**, inches from Layer 6.
> *"Cultivation progress enhanced. CP +20. Current CP: 795."*
The next day, Lin Fan caught Chu Hao and Lei Yan whispering near the Martial Hall. His divine sense overheard: "The secret realm's maze… the Blood Fang Sect rigged a death trap for him," Lei Yan said. "Venerable Shadow Fang wants the relic secured."
> *"Eavesdropping successful. Task completed: Uncover a clue about the secret realm's dangers. CP +30. Reward: Beast Copying unlocked. Copy skills from demonic beasts. Current CP: 825."*
Lin Fan's heart pounded. A death trap? He needed to prepare. He spent 50 CP on a *Qi Condensation Pill (Tier 3)*, boosting his Qi absorption.
> *"Purchase confirmed. CP -50. Current CP: 775."*
He consumed the pill, breaking through to **Qi Condensation Layer 6**. His aura sharpened, his *Tempest Rhino Barrage* glowing brighter.
> *"Cultivation breakthrough. Qi Condensation Layer 6 reached. CP +30. Current CP: 805."*
That night, Chu Xue found him in the grove, her ice-blue eyes sharp. "You're walking into a storm, Lin Fan," she said. "The secret realm's dangers aren't just beasts. Chu Hao's allies are ruthless."
The system confirmed: *"No detection of system. Host's secret is safe."*
Lin Fan nodded. "I can handle it. Why keep helping me?"
Chu Xue's gaze softened. "I hate cowards who scheme in shadows. Prove you're different." She left, her words lingering.
> *"Interaction analyzed. Ally trust increased. CP +15. Current CP: 820."*
Lin Fan clutched the wolf core, its pulse a call to destiny. The Myriad Dao Secret Realm was three days away. Chu Hao's trap, the Blood Fang Sect's schemes, and the *Ancestral Symbol* awaited. His *Heaven-Defying Comprehension System* burned, ready to defy any odds.
"I'll tear through their traps," he vowed, *Tempest Rhino Barrage* sparking in his palm. "The relic is mine."