Lin Fan stood beneath the starry sky, the wolf core's faint pulse in his pocket a reminder of his family's lost glory. The Myriad Dao Secret Realm loomed, a trial that could unlock the Lin Ancestor's Relic and elevate his name in the Dao Sect. Chu Hao's defeat in the Inner Sect Competition had shaken the sect, but whispers of Blood Fang Sect schemes darkened Lin Fan's thoughts. The *Heaven-Defying Comprehension System* stirred, its mechanical voice cutting through the night:
> *"Task completed: Gain a foothold in the Dao Sect. Reward: Comprehension Arena unlocked. Simulate battles to refine techniques. New task: Master a basic alchemy technique within two weeks. Earn 300 Comprehension Points (CP) by the Myriad Dao Secret Realm. Current CP: 215."*
Lin Fan's eyes glinted. "Alchemy, huh? Time to shake things up." His victory had earned him a spot among the inner disciples, but at Qi Condensation Layer 3, he was still the weakest in the Dao Sect's Martial Hall. The secret realm, open only to the top inner disciples, was his chance to surpass his rivals—and uncover the relic tied to Lin Dong's legacy. But first, he needed to conquer the Alchemy Hall.
---
The Dao Sect's Alchemy Hall stood at the sect's heart, its bronze cauldrons and herb-scented air a stark contrast to the Martial Hall's dusty arenas. Lin Fan arrived at dawn, his tattered robes drawing sneers from the disciples gathered for the novice alchemy class. Elder Huo, a wiry Foundation Forging Stage 7 alchemist with a perpetually sour expression, scanned the group. His gaze lingered on Lin Fan, lips curling in disdain.
"A Qi Condensation Layer 3 pup thinks he can refine pills?" Elder Huo scoffed. "Your place is sweeping floors, not touching cauldrons."
The disciples snickered, their voices dripping with mockery. "He's delusional," one whispered. "Thinks he's Lin Dong reborn," another jeered.
> *"Humiliation detected. CP +15. Current CP: 230."*
Lin Fan's fists clenched, but he kept his face neutral. "I'm here to learn, Elder. Give me a chance."
Elder Huo snorted. "Fine. Fail, and you're banned from this hall."
The class began with a lecture on the *Qi Refining Pill*, a basic Mortal Alchemist Tier 1 pill that boosted Qi Condensation cultivation. Lin Fan activated *Dao Enlightenment*, his senses sharpening as he absorbed Elder Huo's instructions: control flame Qi, balance herb essences, condense pill energy. The system chimed:
> *"Observed: Basic Alchemy Technique (Qi Refining Pill). Copied as Flame Control Art (Basic). CP +20. Current CP: 250."*
Lin Fan was assigned a battered cauldron, its surface pitted from overuse. The other disciples, all at least Qi Condensation Layer 5, handled gleaming cauldrons, their smug glances cutting like blades. Among them was Lei Yan, a Lei Clan disciple at Core Manifestation Tier 1, who'd allied with Chu Hao. "You'll burn yourself out, Lin Fan," Lei Yan taunted, tossing herbs into his cauldron with practiced ease.
> *"Humiliation detected. CP +10. Current CP: 260."*
Lin Fan ignored him, focusing on his cauldron. He channeled his *Flame Control Art*, a weak spark of fire Qi flickering from his palm. The system's *Soul Awakening Stage 2* enhanced his divine sense, letting him sense the herbs' subtle energies—Cloud Grass, Fire Root, Spirit Leaf. He tossed them in, mimicking Elder Huo's technique.
The cauldron hummed, but the flames wavered. A disciple nearby laughed. "Look, he can't even keep the fire steady!"
> *"Humiliation detected. CP +10. Current CP: 270."*
Lin Fan gritted his teeth, activating *Insight Surge* (CP -50, Total: 220). His mind cleared, the Dao of fire pulsing in his veins from the system's *Random Dao Insight (Fire Dao)*. The flames stabilized, merging with the herbs' essences. A faint medicinal scent rose, surprising the disciples.
Elder Huo's eyes narrowed. "Impossible," he muttered.
The cauldron glowed, and a rough, walnut-sized pill emerged—imperfect, but a genuine *Qi Refining Pill*. The class fell silent. Lei Yan's smirk vanished.
> *"Alchemy success. Qi Refining Pill refined (Low Quality). CP +30. Current CP: 250."*
Elder Huo approached, inspecting the pill. "Passable," he grunted, though his tone betrayed shock. "You may continue in this hall."
Lin Fan exhaled, clutching the pill. His first step as an alchemist.
---
That evening, Lin Fan tested the *Comprehension Arena*, a new system feature. His mind entered a virtual space, a misty battlefield where he faced a shadow version of Zhao Feng, the Core Manifestation Tier 5 disciple he'd defeated. The shadow wielded *Thunder Spear Art*, its lightning faster than in reality.
Lin Fan dodged, countering with *Storm Lotus Barrage*. The system analyzed his moves, offering feedback: *"Footwork sloppy. Optimize Swift Step angle by 15 degrees."* He adjusted, landing a hit. The shadow dissipated.
> *"Comprehension Arena training completed. CP +20. Current CP: 270."*
Lin Fan returned to reality, sweat beading on his forehead. The arena was a game-changer, letting him refine techniques without risking injury. He consumed the *Qi Refining Pill*, his Qi surging. By dawn, he'd reached **Qi Condensation Layer 4**, his meridians humming with power.
> *"Cultivation breakthrough. CP +15. Current CP: 285."*
---
The next day, Lin Fan overheard Chu Hao and Lei Yan in a secluded courtyard, their voices low. His 20-meter divine sense, enhanced by *Soul Awakening Stage 2*, caught every word. "The Blood Fang Sect's ready," Chu Hao whispered. "In the Myriad Dao Secret Realm, Lin Fan's done for. The relic's ours."
Lei Yan nodded. "Venerable Shadow Fang says the relic holds an Ancestral Symbol fragment. We can't let that nobody claim it."
Lin Fan's blood ran cold. The *Ancestral Symbol*—Lin Dong's legacy. The system chimed:
> *"Eavesdropping successful. Strategic insight gained. CP +15. Current CP: 300."*
> *"Task completed: Master a basic alchemy technique. Reward: Alchemist Path enhanced. Flame Control Art upgraded to mid-grade. CP +20. Current CP: 320."*
Lin Fan slipped away, heart racing. The Blood Fang Sect's trap was set, and Chu Hao was their pawn. He needed to prepare.
---
Over the next week, Lin Fan split his time between Martial Hall and Alchemy Hall. In the Martial Hall, he sparred with disciples, copying their techniques: *Iron Wolf Kick* and *Shadow Crane Strike*. He fused them with *Storm Lotus Barrage* to create *Tempest Lotus Strike*, a high-grade art blending lightning, fire, wind, and shadow.
> *"Skill Fusion successful. Tempest Lotus Strike created. CP +30. Current CP: 350."*
In the Alchemy Hall, he refined two more *Qi Refining Pills*, earning grudging respect from Elder Huo. His *Flame Control Art* now produced steady, precise flames, rivaling Core Manifestation disciples. But the mockery persisted. "He's just a fluke," a disciple sneered. "No way he lasts in the secret realm."
> *"Humiliation detected. CP +10. Current CP: 360."*
Lin Fan used 50 CP to purchase a **Soul Condensation Pill**, pushing his soul cultivation to **Soul Awakening Stage 3**. His divine sense extended to 30 meters, letting him sense hidden threats. He caught a Blood Fang Sect spy watching him from the sect's outer gates, their aura cloaked but betrayed by a faint killing intent.
> *"Threat detected. CP +10. Current CP: 320."*
---
One night, Lin Fan trained in a secluded grove, his *Tempest Lotus Strike* carving grooves in the earth. A soft rustle made him pause. Chu Xue emerged, her ice-blue robes shimmering. "You're improving too fast," she said, voice calm but probing. "What's your secret, Lin Fan?"
The system confirmed: *"No detection of system. Host's secret is safe."*
Lin Fan shrugged, heart pounding. "Just hard work. Why the late-night visit?"
Chu Xue hesitated. "The secret realm is dangerous. Chu Hao's planning something. Be careful." She turned to leave, then paused. "And… thank you for not backing down."
> *"Interaction analyzed. Ally trust increased. CP +15. Current CP: 335."*
Lin Fan watched her go, her words lingering. Was Chu Xue an ally or a wildcard? Either way, the secret realm would test them all.
---
The chapter closed with Lin Fan standing in the grove, the wolf core pulsing stronger in his pocket. The Myriad Dao Secret Realm was a week away, a crucible of relics and traps. Chu Hao's schemes, the Blood Fang Sect's ambush, and the shadow of Venerable Shadow Fang loomed. But Lin Fan's *Heaven-Defying Comprehension System* burned brighter, a beacon of his rising power.
> *"Prepare for the Myriad Dao Secret Realm. The Dao awaits, and so does your legend."*
Lin Fan smirked, his *Tempest Lotus Strike* sparking in his palm. "Let them come. I'll shatter their plans and claim the relic."