Lin Fan gripped the wolf core, its pulse a steady drumbeat in his palm, urging him toward the Myriad Dao Secret Realm. Three days remained until the trial, where relics, demonic beasts, and the Blood Fang Sect's death trap awaited. His breakthrough to **Qi Condensation Layer 6** had bolstered his confidence, but in the Dao Sect's inner circles, he was still a minnow among sharks. The *Heaven-Defying Comprehension System* stirred, its voice cutting through the grove's silence:
> *"Task progress: 820/500 CP. New task: Master a beast-copied skill before the Myriad Dao Secret Realm opens. Earn 600 CP by the trial's start. Current CP: 820."*
Lin Fan's lips curved. "Beast copying, huh? Let's hunt." His *Tempest Rhino Barrage* and *Spirit Flame Control* were formidable, but Chu Hao's schemes, backed by Venerable Shadow Fang's Blood Fang Sect, demanded more. The *Ancestral Symbol* relic called to him, a key to his family's lost glory.
The Dao Sect's training grounds buzzed at dawn, disciples honing arts for the secret realm. Lin Fan joined a sparring session under Elder Liang, facing a Qi Condensation Layer 9 disciple, Chen Hao, whose *Gale Falcon Slash* whipped the air with razor-sharp Qi. "You're dreaming if you think you'll shine in the secret realm," Chen Hao scoffed, his blade gleaming.
> *"Humiliation detected. CP +15. Current CP: 835."*
Lin Fan dodged, his 30-meter divine sense tracking the slash's flow. He activated *Dao Enlightenment*, copying the technique:
> *"Observed: Gale Falcon Slash. Copied as Gale Palm Slash (Basic). CP +20. Current CP: 855."*
Lin Fan countered with *Tempest Rhino Barrage*, its lightning, fire, wind, shadow, and earth elements overwhelming Chen Hao's blade. The disciple stumbled, defeated in three moves. The crowd muttered, their doubt sharp. "He's just a copycat," one sneered.
> *"Humiliation detected. CP +10. Current CP: 865."*
Elder Liang nodded slightly. "Lin Fan, your progress is noted. Don't get cocky."
After the spar, Lin Fan ventured to the Dao Sect's Beast Training Grounds, a forested enclosure housing low-rank demonic beasts for disciple training. He sought a beast to test his new *Beast Copying* ability. His divine sense, honed by *Soul Awakening Stage 3*, spotted a Rank 1 *Ironscale Python*, its Qi Condensation Layer 7 scales glinting. The python hissed, coiling to strike.
Lin Fan activated *Beast Copying*, his eyes locked on the beast's movements. Its tail whipped, a crushing force. The system chimed:
> *"Observed: Ironscale Tail Whip. Copied as Ironscale Fist (Basic). CP +25. Current CP: 890."*
The python lunged. Lin Fan dodged, countering with *Ironscale Fist*. His punch, infused with scaly Qi, cracked the beast's hide. The python thrashed, but Lin Fan's *Tempest Rhino Barrage* finished it, lightning and earth shattering its core.
> *"Beast defeated. Task completed: Master a beast-copied skill. CP +30. Reward: Beast Copying enhanced. Copy mid-grade beast skills. Current CP: 920."*
Lin Fan panted, the python's core pulsing in his hand. He fused *Ironscale Fist* with *Tempest Rhino Barrage*, creating *Tempest Scale Barrage*, a high-grade art blending scale-like defense with multi-elemental force.
> *"Skill Fusion successful. Tempest Scale Barrage created. CP +35. Current CP: 955."*
That evening, Lin Fan refined another *Spirit Condensation Pill* in the Alchemy Hall. His *Spirit Flame Control* burned steady, but a disciple "accidentally" bumped his cauldron, spilling herbs. "Clumsy fool," the disciple jeered, smirking.
> *"Humiliation detected. CP +15. Current CP: 970."*
Lin Fan salvaged the refinement, producing a high-grade pill. Elder Huo's eyes flickered with grudging respect. "Adequate," he said.
> *"Alchemy success. Spirit Condensation Pill refined (High-Grade). CP +40. Current CP: 1010."*
He consumed the pill, his Qi surging toward **Qi Condensation Layer 7**. His meridians trembled, stabilizing at Layer 6 Peak.
> *"Cultivation progress enhanced. CP +20. Current CP: 1030."*
At midnight, Lin Fan entered the *Comprehension Arena*, facing a shadow of a Rank 2 *Blazewind Wolf*. Its Core Manifestation Tier 1 speed tested his *Tempest Scale Barrage*. The system advised: *"Timing off. Delay strike by 0.2 seconds for impact."* Lin Fan adjusted, defeating the shadow.
> *"Comprehension Arena training completed. CP +25. Current CP: 1055."*
The next day, Lin Fan visited the archive, seeking more on the secret realm. A scroll, *Secrets of the Myriad Dao*, described a formation maze with illusion traps and Rank 2 beasts. It warned of a "Devouring Will" guarding the *Ancestral Symbol* relic. His wolf core pulsed, resonating.
> *"Observed: Ancient scroll. Comprehended secret realm dangers. CP +30. Current CP: 1085."*
His divine sense caught a Blood Fang Sect spy trailing him, their Core Manifestation Tier 1 aura cloaked. The system warned:
> *"Threat detected. CP +15. Current CP: 1100."*
Lin Fan doubled back, losing the spy. That night, he overheard Chu Hao and Lei Yan near the Beast Grounds. "The illusion trap's set," Chu Hao hissed. "Lin Fan won't survive the maze."
> *"Eavesdropping successful. Strategic insight gained. CP +20. Current CP: 1120."*
Lin Fan's blood boiled. He spent 50 CP on a *Soul Condensation Pill (Tier 2)*, enhancing his soul cultivation.
> *"Purchase confirmed. CP -50. Current CP: 1070."*
The pill pushed him to **Soul Awakening Stage 4**, his divine sense extending to 40 meters.
> *"Soul cultivation breakthrough. CP +25. Current CP: 1095."*
The following evening, Chu Xue found him training *Tempest Scale Barrage* in the grove. "You're relentless," she said, her ice-blue eyes probing. "The secret realm's traps favor the cunning. Don't trust anyone."
The system confirmed: *"No detection of system. Host's secret is safe."*
Lin Fan nodded. "Noted. Why risk warning me?"
Chu Xue's lips twitched, almost a smile. "I'd rather face you fairly than see you fall to schemes." She left, her presence lingering.
> *"Interaction analyzed. Ally trust increased. CP +15. Current CP: 1110."*
With one day until the secret realm, Lin Fan stood in his courtyard, the wolf core's pulse stronger. Chu Hao's trap, the Blood Fang Sect's maze, and the *Ancestral Symbol* awaited. His *Heaven-Defying Comprehension System* blazed, ready to shatter any obstacle.
"I'll claim the relic," he vowed, *Tempest Scale Barrage* sparking. "No trap will stop me."