The commas represent a support of ideas. For the first blank I think almost all of them fit except A. So eliminate A. The trick here is the phrase countering the strength of established churches.
Established churches centuries ago is tantamount to professional sciences today, i.e. an accepted faith. Since astrology was countering the churches strength then, it would do the same to sciences today (support all over, so the ideas are same) . Countering strength fits best with defiance against. Option C would be correct
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countering means contrast so blank (i) will be the opposite of established (which means orthodox,traditional etc), So , guess for blank (i) unorthodox . So, except C and D all choices are out for blank (i).
After the comma we have so - which means continue the same idea as before (or a support for the idea that was before the comma). Thus, if you act against established beliefs(in here its the church) its an act of rebellion [blank(ii)]. Hence, between C and D only C defiance carry our guessed idea of act of rebellion.
Answer- C (an underground …defiance against)
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