Setting: Outside the Dark Forest, on the road to Umbral City, and the Black Moon Clan Estate.
The heavy iron gate of the Dark Forest slammed shut behind the group, its dreadful creak like a mournful sigh. The faint morning sun cast its light on the pale faces of the survivors, creating a bleak and sorrowful scene.
The two gate guards, long accustomed to scenes of death, approached to carry out their inspection. They glanced at the three bodies covered in white cloth without a shred of expression, as if this sight were all too familiar.
"Entering a forbidden zone without proper preparation... this outcome is hardly surprising," one guard mumbled, his voice flat and indifferent.
"You'd best get used to it," the other guard added. "In the Blackwind Territory, life is as fragile as grass. Especially in this godforsaken place, the Dark Forest."
He gestured with his chin towards Van Nam and Mai Lien. "You two kids, next time you want to go looking for death, remember to get a proper permit. Don't make others come collect your corpses."
Mai Lien lowered her head, her shoulders trembling. Van Nam clenched his fists, trying to suppress his anger. He knew that those cruel words, however harsh, were the brutal truth of this world.
"Alright, you can go," the guard waved his hand. "Remember to bring your travel permits next time, and try not to die in the forest. It's a lot of trouble."
The group remained silent, bowing their heads to the two guards before departing. A heavy atmosphere enveloped them all; only the clatter of hooves echoed on the trail leading back to Umbral City.
"Big Brother Zhang, we'll part ways here," Li Mei spoke up, breaking the silence. "Li Zhong and I will return to the Li Clan first. About what happened... thank you all for your efforts."
After speaking, she bowed to Zhang Hu, then, along with Li Zhong—who was now a bit calmer, though his eyes still held a trace of terror—turned onto a different path. Before leaving, Li Zhong didn't forget to turn back and shoot Van Nam a venomous glare, as if he wanted to eat him alive.
"This is all your fault, you jinx!" he snarled. "If it weren't for you, Li Kun and Zhao Yong wouldn't have died! I will report this to the clan head and make you pay!"
Van Nam frowned, about to retort, but Zhang Hu stopped him.
"Forget it. Don't stoop to his level," Zhang Hu sighed. "What's done is done. Blaming won't change anything. We should get going too. I have to take their bodies back to the Mercenary Association and report the incident."
The two said their goodbyes and went their separate ways. Van Nam returned to the Black Moon Clan estate.
The moment he stepped through the gates, he sensed something was different. The atmosphere in the manor felt more suffocating and tense than usual.
"What's going on?" Van Nam wondered.
He went straight to his room, planning to rest after the horrifying trip. But as he entered, he caught a familiar scent—the fragrance of Origin Nurturing Pills.
"Strange," Van Nam mumbled. "Why does my room smell of Origin Nurturing Pills?"
He looked around, and his gaze fell upon the wooden table in his room. On it sat a small porcelain bottle containing ten dark-red Origin Nurturing Pills, emitting a faint aroma.
"This is..." Van Nam picked up the bottle, an indescribable feeling rising in his heart. He knew these were no ordinary pills. Origin Nurturing Pills, though only First Grade, were of a superior quality that would cost at least 5 silver coins each. Yet here were ten of them.
"Could Father have left them?" Van Nam mused. He knew his father always wanted the best for him. Perhaps after learning he had awakened the Dark Fang, his father had bought these pills to aid his cultivation.
At this thought, a warmth spread through Van Nam's heart. He took a deep breath, sat cross-legged on his bed, and began to cultivate.
He took out an Origin Nurturing Pill and swallowed it. The pill dissolved, transforming into a warm stream of Origin Power that spread throughout his body. Van Nam closed his eyes, circulating the Black Moon Secret Codex and guiding that stream of energy through his meridians.
But this time, he didn't just use the clan's inherited manual; he also secretly incorporated the Primal Dark Origin Spirit. He could feel the Power of the Primal Dark Origin from the mysterious sphere in his dantian, blending with the Origin Power from the pill, creating a new energy that was more potent and pure.
At the same time, in a dim and hazy space, the Blood Shadow Spider, which had been curled up in a corner, suddenly opened its eyes. Its dark purple pupils glinted with greed as it sensed the Origin Power flooding into Van Nam's body. It slowly stirred, moving towards Van Nam as if wanting to absorb that enticing energy.
Van Nam, lost in his cultivation, was completely unaware of his Shadow Guard's transformation. He only felt his absorption speed increase at an astonishing rate. One pill, two pills, three pills... He continuously swallowed the Origin Nurturing Pills without feeling the slightest discomfort.
Normally, an Origin Apprentice like him should only use a maximum of two Origin Nurturing Pills a day. Absorbing too much Origin Power in a short time could lead to the body exploding¹, the meridians rupturing, or even death. But Van Nam, with the help of the Primal Dark Origin Spirit and the Blood Shadow Spider, had broken that limit.
Ten Origin Nurturing Pills, all absorbed within a single hour. At the same time, the Origin Power aura in his body surged wildly.
Level 5... Level 6... Level 7...
Finally, as the first rays of morning light appeared, Van Nam opened his eyes. A glint of pure light flashed in his deep black pupils.
"Origin Apprentice Level 7!" Van Nam whispered, his voice unable to hide his astonishment. In a single night, he had broken through three consecutive levels, reaching a cultivation speed that was simply unimaginable!
He looked towards the Blood Shadow Spider, hovering in the dark space of his consciousness. Compared to when he first subjugated it, its size had increased slightly, and its dark aura had grown denser.
"Looks like you benefited quite a bit too," Van Nam smiled. He knew the Blood Shadow Spider had absorbed a portion of the Origin Power from the pills, helping it evolve and grow stronger.
Standing up, Van Nam felt his body brimming with energy. He tried to flex his power, retracting his aura. This time, he didn't just conceal his Origin Power; he also used the Power of Darkness to create a perfect camouflage.
His aura quickly dropped from Origin Apprentice Level 7 back to Level 4, then fluctuated erratically. He discovered that with the help of the Power of Darkness, he could freely adjust his aura, making it impossible for others to grasp his true strength.
"How miraculous!" Van Nam exclaimed. This ability would undoubtedly become a great advantage for him in the future.
Just as he was about to go out and check the situation in the city, the door to his room was suddenly pushed open. Hei Jing, his father, rushed in, his face etched with worry.
"Van Nam, you..." Hei Jing started to say something, but then he froze, his eyes widening in astonishment as he looked at his son. "You... you broke through? Origin Apprentice Level 4?"
Van Nam gave a slight nod, thinking to himself, "No, Father, it's Level 7. But I won't be telling you that."
He smiled at his father, surprised that a peak-level Origin Master like him couldn't detect his true level. "Could this be related to the Blood Shadow Spider's camouflage ability?" he mused.
"Father, what's the matter? Why were you in such a hurry to find me?" Van Nam asked.
(End of Chapter 8)