Setting: The edge of the Dark Forest.
After entering the Dark Forest, Van Nam's group followed a narrow path into the periphery. Beneath the dense canopy of ancient trees, sunlight could only filter through in slivers, creating a gloomy, mystical scene.
"Everyone, be careful," Zhang Hu, the team leader, reminded them. "Though this is just the outer edge, dangerous beasts can still appear. Stay alert and do not separate from the group."
The team nodded, proceeding with caution. Along the path, they came across some low-level spirit herbs, such as Earth Spirit Fungus, Yellow Essence Herb, and White Bone Flower.
"These spirit herbs, while containing some Origin Power, are scarce and impure," explained Li Mei, the team's other peak-level Origin Disciple. "Absorbing them directly can disrupt one's Origin Power, or even lead to cultivation deviation¹. Only Alchemists can refine them into pills, removing impurities and extracting the essence to make the Origin Power gentle and easier to absorb."
"So, what kind of people are Alchemists?" Van Nam asked curiously. He had heard of the prestige of this profession since he was young but never had the chance to learn about it in detail.
"Alchemists are individuals with a special talent for controlling Medicinal Fire," Zhang Hu explained. "They combine it with various spirit herbs, minerals, and even the inner cores of beasts to refine pills with wondrous effects. They can create pills that enhance cultivation, heal injuries, neutralize poisons, and even grant temporary boosts in strength. Therefore, Alchemists hold a very high status in society and are respected by all powers."
"Alchemists are also ranked based on their pill-refining abilities," Li Mei added. "From First Grade to Ninth Grade, corresponding to the quality of the pills they can create. The higher the grade, the more demanding the requirements for Medicinal Fire, technique, and ingredients. It's said that in our Blackwind Territory, there is only a single Third Grade Alchemist, residing in Peerless City, who is held in the highest regard by the Territory Lord himself."
"As for spirit herbs," Zhang Hu continued, "they are also graded based on their age and the purity of the Origin Power they contain. Typically, a hundred-year-old spirit herb is considered rare, a thousand-year-old one is a supreme treasure, and a ten-thousand-year-old one is a divine medicine, existing only in legends. Of course, the quality of a spirit herb also depends on its species and growing environment. For example, the Leaf Herb we're looking for, while not a high-grade herb, grows in places with a high concentration of darkness, making it very effective for the cultivation of those with Dark Origin Spirits or a connection to the dark element."
Van Nam listened attentively, committing the information to memory. He realized that this Xuan Yuan world was far larger and more complex than he had ever imagined.
Lost in thought, Van Nam was suddenly startled by Zhang Hu's loud shout, "Careful, there's movement!"
The group immediately halted, warily scanning their surroundings. In the distance, a small, white, cat-sized figure was darting towards them.
"It's a Snow-Fur Rabbit, a Level 1 beast. Not dangerous," said an Origin Disciple on the team who wielded a Long Staff Qi Spirit. "I'll catch it."
But Zhang Hu, with his vast experience, felt that something was wrong. This Snow-Fur Rabbit, though only a Level 1 beast, seemed panicked, as if fleeing from something.
"Wait!" Zhang Hu tried to stop him, but it was too late.
Just as the Origin Disciple swung his staff to catch the rabbit, two large, black shadows shot out from behind it with terrifying speed.
"Blood Spiders!" Li Mei cried out in horror. "Two of them! Retreat, now!"
Blood Spiders, true to their name, were giant arachnids with blood-red fur. They had eight long, sharp legs and a mouth full of jagged teeth that could secrete a deadly venom. Blood Spiders were fierce, aggressive Level 1 beasts. They usually lived in colonies but sometimes hunted alone.
These two Blood Spiders, though young, were already half a zhang long, with legs as thick as an adult's arm. They radiated a ferocious aura that made one's skin crawl.
"Dammit!" Zhang Hu swore. "It's a trap set by the Blood Spiders!"
He swung his greatsword, slashing at one of the charging spiders. Li Mei also drew her bow, firing Origin Power-infused arrows to provide cover.
"Fall back to the gate!" Zhang Hu roared. "Li Mei and I will hold them off!"
The remaining members, including Van Nam, hastily turned to flee. But at that moment, a tragic scream echoed from behind them.
"Ah!"
A female Origin Apprentice, overcome with fear, had tripped on a root and fallen to the ground. At the same time, the second Blood Spider, with terrifying speed, had closed in, raising its sharp forelegs like scythes, ready to strike.
"No!" Van Nam shouted, instinctively about to rush to her aid.
But he was immediately held back by two Origin Disciples from the team. "Are you crazy?!" one of them snapped. "If you want to die, go die alone! Don't drag us down with you!"
"Hurry up! There's no time!" the other one yelled, dragging Van Nam as they fled for their lives.
Just then, a third Blood Spider suddenly appeared from nowhere, blocking their escape route and spewing a thick web that sealed their path.
"Dammit, this is their nest!" another Origin Disciple screamed in terror.
The situation was dire. Van Nam threw off the two men holding him and dashed towards the girl on the ground.
"Van Nam, don't!" Zhang Hu yelled, but he couldn't stop him.
"Run!" Van Nam shouted, pushing the girl aside.
A moment later, the sharp forelegs of the second Blood Spider stabbed down, grazing Van Nam's shoulder and leaving a long, gushing wound.
"Agh!" Van Nam cried out in pain, but he didn't stop. Seizing the opportunity while the spider recovered from its attack, he led the girl in a different direction, breaking out of the encirclement.
The Blood Spider shrieked in anger and turned to give chase. It sensed that these two were weaker, easier prey.
Van Nam ran, gasping for breath, the wound on his shoulder burning, but he didn't dare to stop. He knew that a second's delay would mean death for both of them.
"What's... what's your name?" Van Nam asked, trying to stay calm.
"I... my name is Mai Lien," the girl replied, trembling. "Thank you for saving me."
"It's nothing," Van Nam said. "Now's not the time for talk. We need to find a way out of here."
He scanned his surroundings, searching for an escape route. The treacherous terrain of the forest, with its tangled ancient roots and dense thickets, was both a hindrance and an advantage.
"What's your Origin Spirit?" Van Nam asked.
"I... I have a Wind Spirit," Mai Lien replied. "It can increase speed."
"Good!" Van Nam was delighted. "Use it, help us run faster."
Mai Lien nodded and closed her eyes, focusing her mind. A gentle breeze began to rise, enveloping them and helping them move faster.
But the Blood Spider was no slouch. It pursued them relentlessly, its eight long legs moving swiftly across the ground, creating an eerie whistling sound.
"This isn't working," Van Nam said worriedly. "We can't outrun it like this."
He had to think of another way. He studied the terrain, searching for an opportunity.
Suddenly, his eyes landed on a steep cliff with jagged rocks jutting out. An idea flashed in his mind.
"Mai Lien, cover me!" Van Nam said. "I'm going to lure it to the cliff."
Mai Lien nodded. Though she didn't understand his plan, she trusted him. She focused her Origin Power, creating small whirlwinds to hinder the Blood Spider's advance.
Van Nam ran towards the cliff, deliberately letting the spider catch up. When the distance between them was only a few zhang, he stopped abruptly and turned to face the monster.
The Blood Spider shrieked, raising its forelegs, preparing to deliver the fatal blow.
"It's time!" Van Nam thought.
He closed his eyes, focusing all his concentration on the Primal Dark Origin Spirit within him. He could feel the dark energy surging, more intense than ever before.
"Dark Fang!" he roared.
The pure black fang, radiating a frigid chill, appeared in his hand. He swung the Dark Fang, slashing at the Blood Spider.
But his target wasn't the monster itself, but the strand of web attached to a rock outcropping above.
Snap!
The web broke. The Blood Spider lost its balance and staggered.
Instantly, Van Nam lunged forward, swinging the Dark Fang and hacking repeatedly at the monster's legs. Empowered by dark energy, the Dark Fang easily sliced through the spider's steel-like limbs.
The Blood Spider shrieked horribly, trying to struggle, but it was too late. Van Nam delivered another fatal blow, plunging the fang through its head.
The monster collapsed to the ground, twitched a few times, and then went still.
Van Nam panted heavily, his forehead drenched in sweat. He had just survived a life-or-death battle, and he had won.
At that moment, the Shadow Pact sigil on the back of his hand burned fiercely. A mysterious voice, neither male nor female, echoed in his mind:
"Host, collect it. This is your chance to obtain your first Shadow Guard."
Van Nam looked at the Blood Spider's corpse, a strange feeling rising within him. He held out his hand, placing it over the sigil, and aimed it at the monster.
A stream of black energy flowed from the sigil, enveloping the spider's body. The corpse began to tremble, then slowly rose to its feet. But this time, it was no longer a ferocious beast, but an entirely different creature.
Its blood-red fur had turned a pure, inky black. Its once-crimson eyes now glowed with an ominous purple light. A thin veil of dark energy shrouded its body, giving it a wicked and terrifying appearance.
The Blood Spider, now a Blood Shadow Spider, bowed its head to Van Nam, showing absolute submission.
(End of Chapter 6)