Setting: Umbral City, Black Moon Clan Estate.
A diligent night of cultivation passed. Only when the first faint rays of dawn peeked through the window cracks did Van Nam slowly open his eyes. He could feel the abundant Origin Power flowing through his body, much stronger than before.
"Level 3!" A faint smile touched Van Nam's lips. Aided by the Primal Dark Origin Spirit, his cultivation speed was truly astonishing. In just one night, he had broken through two levels, reaching Level 3 of the Origin Apprentice realm.
As far as he knew, after awakening their Origin Spirit, most ordinary people would only reach Level 1 of the Origin Apprentice realm on the first day. A few rare geniuses might reach Level 2. To reach Level 3 on the very first day was nearly unheard of, at least in a small place like Umbral City. Moreover, summoning and controlling one's Origin Spirit was still a challenge for newly awakened cultivators.
Van Nam stepped out of his room, breathing in the crisp morning air. As he walked, he pondered the secrets he now held: the Primal Dark Origin Spirit, the Shadow Pact, the Shadow Realm... It was all like a mysterious veil waiting for him to lift.
"Van Nam!"
A familiar voice cut through his thoughts. Van Nam turned to see his father, Hei Jing, standing in the corridor, smiling at him.
"Father," Van Nam approached and greeted him respectfully.
Hei Jing observed his son for a moment, his eyes unable to hide his astonishment. "Your aura... you've already broken through to Level 3?"
"Yes, Father," Van Nam nodded.
"Good, very good!" Hei Jing clapped his son on the shoulder, his voice filled with pride. "I didn't expect you to progress so quickly. When your sister awakened the Twin Dark Wolves, she only managed to reach Level 2 of the Origin Apprentice realm."
"It's probably thanks to the Dark Fang," Van Nam said. "I feel like it helps me absorb Origin Power faster than usual."
Hei Jing nodded, his gaze turning pensive. "Van Nam, Origin Spirits come in countless forms, each with its own unique characteristics and potential. Van Thanh's Twin Dark Wolves are a mutated Beast Spirit, carrying a portion of the Power of Darkness within them. This dark power, while formidable, is incredibly difficult to control. But when a cultivator can comprehend and command it from within their own spirit, their strength will far surpass that of ordinary people."
"The Power of Darkness..." Van Nam repeated softly, the image of the mysterious dark sphere in his body flashing in his mind.
"As for your Origin Spirit," Hei Jing continued, "the Dark Fang is a special Qi Spirit, possessing pure Dark Origin Power. According to the clan's records, weapon-type Qi Spirits often have immense potential for growth; they can evolve, changing their form and power over time. Furthermore, some Qi Spirits have special abilities. For example, the Black Iron Clan's Black Iron Heavy Sword can increase its weight manifold, and the Lei Clan's Thunder Leopard, besides controlling lightning, also possesses astonishing speed. You must slowly uncover and develop the full potential of the Dark Fang."
"Additionally," Hei Jing paused for a moment, "some Origin Spirits, like Van Thanh's, can flexibly switch between a Beast Spirit and a Qi Spirit form, allowing for greater versatility in combat. There are also unique-type Origin Spirits that are neither Beast nor Qi, but strange entities with special powers. For instance, the Sacred Beast Summoning of Territory Lord Zun Long—the head of the Blackwind Territory. It is said that his Origin Spirit can summon Sacred Beasts from another dimension, each possessing world-shaking power."
"How miraculous!" Van Nam exclaimed, his heart filled with admiration.
"You must always remember," Hei Jing said sternly, "cultivating Origin Power is a long and arduous path. You must always remain humble, keep learning, and never stop tempering yourself. Most importantly, you must be careful with the power of Darkness. It can grant you immense strength, but it can also lead you astray, causing you to fall into the shadows."
"I understand, Father," Van Nam bowed his head, committing his father's words to memory.
"Oh, right," Hei Jing suddenly remembered. "Xiao Ling from the Zhou Clan came looking for you early this morning. You should go see her; don't keep the girl waiting."
"Xiao Ling?" Van Nam was slightly surprised, then smiled. "Yes, I'll go right away."
He bade his father farewell and quickly headed to the main hall. There, Zhou Xiao Ling was waiting, her large, round eyes sparkling, her face flushed from the wait.
"Sorry, Xiao Ling. I was so focused on cultivating I didn't know you were here," Van Nam said apologetically.
"It's okay, Brother Van Nam," Xiao Ling smiled sweetly. "I just arrived myself."
"Have you had breakfast?" Van Nam asked. "Why don't we go for a walk in the city and grab a bite to eat?"
"That sounds great!" Xiao Ling agreed cheerfully.
The two chatted as they walked. Van Nam told Xiao Ling about breaking through to Level 3 of the Origin Apprentice realm, which left her utterly astonished.
"You're amazing, Brother Van Nam!" Xiao Ling exclaimed, her eyes shining with admiration. "I've only just reached Level 2."
"You're very talented too," Van Nam smiled. "As long as you cultivate diligently, you'll definitely improve quickly."
"But..." Xiao Ling lowered her head slightly, her voice a little sad. "My Origin Spirit is just a small flower. I don't even know if it can help with cultivation."
"Don't worry," Van Nam comforted her. "Every Origin Spirit has its own potential. Perhaps yours hasn't fully awakened yet, or it has special abilities we don't know about. Besides, the Zhou Clan is famous for its pills. You can use medicinal pills to supplement your cultivation."
"Mmm," Xiao Ling nodded, her smile returning brightly. "I'll do my best."
The two continued their stroll through the streets of Umbral City. They stopped at an apothecary, the Ten Thousand Elixirs Pavilion, to buy some cultivation-aiding pills.
"Shopkeeper, a bottle of Origin Nurturing Pills, please," Van Nam said to the vendor.
"Right away," the shopkeeper briskly retrieved a small porcelain bottle containing dark red pills that emitted a light fragrance.
Just as Van Nam was paying, a sharp pain shot through his right hand. The Shadow Pact sigil, which had faded after his awakening, now flared up, burning like a hot iron.
"Host... danger... Dark Forest..."
A faint, ethereal whisper echoed in Van Nam's mind. He looked up, gazing into the distance where the mountains of the Blackwind Territory were hazy silhouettes. That was the location of the Dark Forest—the most dangerous forbidden zone in the Blackwind Territory, home to powerful Shadow Beasts.
"Brother Van Nam, what's wrong?" Xiao Ling asked worriedly when she saw his expression change.
"It's... it's nothing," Van Nam shook his head, trying to hide his confusion. "Let's go."
He quickly left the Ten Thousand Elixirs Pavilion, pulling Xiao Ling along. He knew something was calling to him from the Dark Forest. But he also knew it was an extremely dangerous place, not somewhere a Level 3 Origin Apprentice like him could enter casually. To go there, one needed permission from their clan or the strength of an Origin Disciple or higher.
"Where are we going, Brother Van Nam?" Xiao Ling asked, puzzled.
"I... I just want to walk for a bit," Van Nam replied, trying to stay calm.
After walking for a while until Xiao Ling felt a bit tired, Van Nam escorted her back to the Zhou Clan's estate. As he returned to his own clan's gate, he couldn't help but glance back towards the Dark Forest.
Suddenly, a rowdy group entered through the city gates, drawing their attention. Leading them was Lei Ming, the young master of the Lei Clan, his face arrogant and his eyes insolent. Following him was a retinue of clan servants, each looking fierce and overbearing.
"Xiao Ling, you're here too," Lei Ming grinned, his eyes not hiding his desire as he looked at Xiao Ling. "How about I escort you home?"
"No need, I can go back by myself," Xiao Ling replied coldly, avoiding his gaze.
"Don't be so polite," Lei Ming sneered, stepping closer to Xiao Ling. "Isn't it better to go with me than with this..."
He glanced at Van Nam with a contemptuous look. "...motherless piece of trash?"¹
Van Nam clenched his fists, trying to suppress the rage boiling inside him. He knew Lei Ming was deliberately provoking him. But he couldn't act rashly. He had to endure, to wait for the right time.
"Lei Ming, who are you calling trash?" Xiao Ling shouted angrily. "Brother Van Nam has awakened the Dark Fang! He's a genius of the Black Moon Clan, not someone you can insult!"
"The Dark Fang?" Lei Ming scoffed. "Just a mere Qi Spirit. What's so great about it? You'll see. My Thunder Leopard is the strongest Origin Spirit!"
He waved his hand, and a bolt of purple lightning crackled on his palm, forming a small leopard that bared its fangs and snarled at Van Nam.
"Lei Ming, what do you think you're doing?" Van Nam asked, his voice cold, a dangerous glint already in his eyes.
"I'm going to show you," Lei Ming smirked, "who the stronger one is!"
(End of Chapter 4)