Setting: Black Moon Clan Estate, Umbral City.
A few days after the tense council meeting, Van Nam locked himself in his room, cultivating frantically. He knew that time was running out. The Astral Martial Academy's selection trial was approaching, and he needed to reach the Origin Disciple realm before it began.
With the help of the Primal Dark Origin Spirit and the Blood Shadow Spider, his cultivation speed was unbelievably fast. In just a few short days, he broke through consecutively, advancing from Origin Apprentice Level 7 to Level 9, becoming a peak-level Origin Apprentice, just one step away from the Origin Disciple realm.
But Van Nam knew this step would not be easy. Breaking through to become an Origin Disciple was an arduous process, requiring not only an abundant accumulation of Origin Power but also thorough mental and physical preparation.
"Origin Disciple..." Van Nam murmured, clenching his fists. He recalled his father's teachings: "To break through to the Origin Disciple realm, you need to temper your body to its limits, condense your Origin Power to its maximum, and most importantly, find a qi ji (契机)—an opportune moment for a breakthrough."
Qi Ji was a vague concept. It could be a life-or-death battle, a profound enlightenment about one's Origin Spirit, or a special kind of medicinal pill. Everyone's qi ji was different, and no one knew when it would arrive.
Van Nam sighed. He knew he couldn't rely solely on the Primal Dark Origin Spirit and the Blood Shadow Spider. He needed to find his own opportune moment.
Lost in thought, Van Nam suddenly heard a commotion outside the manor. He frowned; it seemed something was happening in the clan.
Van Nam quickly changed his clothes and went straight to the main hall. As soon as he reached the door, he could hear a fierce argument coming from within.
"Hei Jing, how long are you going to shield your son?" Hei Feng's shrill, angry voice rang out. "He has caused such a huge disaster! Are you going to let the entire Black Moon Clan suffer the consequences?"
"Hei Feng, watch your words!" Hei Jing's voice deepened. "I've already said, Van Nam has nothing to do with this."
"A conspiracy? Hei Jing, don't you dare slander us!" another sharp, shrewish voice interjected. "Your son colluded with those rogue mercenaries and killed a member of the Zhao Clan. The evidence is irrefutable, how can you still deny it?"
"That's right, Hei Jing," another voice chimed in. "Hand over Van Nam now and give the other clans a satisfactory answer. Otherwise, don't blame us for disregarding old ties!"
Van Nam stood outside the door, his fists clenched tightly. He recognized the voices of the clan elders, those who were siding with Hei Feng to pressure his father.
He pushed the door open and stepped inside, his voice ringing out, "Elders, what are you talking about?"
The hall fell silent. All eyes turned to Van Nam.
"Van Nam, my son..." Hei Jing looked at his son, his expression filled with worry.
"Oh, look who's here. The source of all our troubles," Hei Ying, Hei Feng's son who possessed the Night Wheel¹ Qi Spirit, said mockingly. "Done hiding in your room like a coward?"
Van Nam glanced at Hei Ying, his eyes cold. He remembered vividly the day he and his sister had awakened their Origin Spirits. Back then, Hei Ying, his face full of pride, had stepped onto the awakening platform. A black halo had enveloped him, slowly condensing into a spinning wheel that radiated a sharp aura. It was the Night Wheel, a special Qi Spirit shaped like a wheel with sharp blades, capable of both ranged and close-quarters combat.
Hei Ying, who had been expected to become the clan's pride, had wowed everyone. He had been smug and conceited, believing himself to be the number one genius of the Black Moon Clan.
But then, Hei Van Thanh had stepped up. And when the Twin Dark Wolves appeared, all of Hei Ying's glory was eclipsed. Hei Van Thanh, with her mutated spirit harboring the Power of Darkness, became the center of all attention, causing Hei Ying to fall from his pedestal into an abyss.
Since then, Hei Ying had always harbored jealousy and hatred towards Hei Van Thanh. He joined the Mercenary Association, fighting desperately and tempering himself in the Dark Forest, just to prove he was not inferior to her.
"Hei Ying, watch your mouth," Van Nam replied coldly. "I don't have time to argue with you."
"You..." Enraged, Hei Ying was about to charge forward, but Hei Feng stopped him.
"Van Nam," Hei Feng spoke, his voice dripping with false sincerity. "You've caused a great disaster. This time, I'm afraid the clan can no longer protect you."
"I don't need your protection," Van Nam retorted. "I've done nothing wrong, and I'm not afraid to face anyone."
"What a fine 'done nothing wrong'!" an elder from Hei Feng's faction shouted. "You colluded with mercenaries, killed a member of the Zhao Clan, and you still dare to claim innocence?"
"That's right, that's right," the crowd chimed in, creating a chaotic atmosphere.
At that moment, a clear but powerful voice cut through the noise. "Enough!"
Everyone turned towards the door. There stood a beautiful young woman with long black hair and eyes as bright as stars, exuding a cold and proud aura.
"Sister!" Van Nam cried out happily.
The young woman was none other than Hei Van Thanh, Van Nam's older sister, who had joined the Astral Martial Academy three years ago.
Hei Van Thanh stepped into the hall, her sharp gaze sweeping across the crowd. She raised her voice and said, "I've heard everything. Van Nam has done nothing wrong."
"Hei Van Thanh?" Hei Feng snarled. "Don't think you can say whatever you want just because you're a disciple of the Astral Martial Academy."
Ignoring the commotion, Hei Jing turned to Hei Van Thanh, his eyes filled with pride. "Have you truly broken through to the Origin Master realm?" he asked, still in disbelief.
Hei Van Thanh nodded with a faint smile. She said nothing, only slowly circulating her Origin Power.
A powerful aura, far surpassing that of an Origin Disciple, emanated from her body. Though the aura was still nascent, it contained immense latent power that astonished everyone present.
"An Origin Master!" Elder Hei Yao, who had remained silent until now, exclaimed. "You've truly reached the Origin Master realm!"
"Heavens, in just three years..."
"Our Hei Clan... is about to rise!"
"The Twin Dark Wolves... truly a powerful Origin Spirit..."
Whispers and murmurs of astonishment and admiration filled the air, all directed at Hei Van Thanh. She had become the clan's new hope, a symbol of the Black Moon Clan's strength and future.
Hei Ying stood at a distance, looking at Hei Van Thanh, his heart filled with envy and helplessness. He knew he had lost, lost miserably.
Hei Feng, standing beside his son, also felt a bitter and sour taste in his mouth. He had miscalculated, had underestimated Hei Van Thanh.
"Haha, good, very good!" Hei Jing laughed heartily, his laughter echoing through the hall. "Van Thanh, you have not disappointed me. You are the pride of the Black Moon Clan!"
Van Nam, standing beside him, also smiled. He was proud of his sister, and he felt more at ease knowing the clan had another strong pillar of support.
"But how did you manage to return so suddenly?" Hei Jing asked, a bit puzzled. "Weren't you cultivating at the Astral Martial Academy?"
"I received a message from Van Nam," Hei Van Thanh replied. "So I asked my master for permission to return."
"Van Nam?" Hei Jing was surprised and turned to look at his son.
"Yes, Father," Van Nam nodded. "I used a special method to contact my sister."
He didn't elaborate on the method, and Hei Jing didn't press further. He knew his son now had his own secrets.
"Alright," Hei Jing said. "Let's put this matter aside for now. Van Thanh, go and get some rest. We will discuss this in more detail tomorrow."
Hei Van Thanh nodded and left the hall with Van Nam.
"Van Nam," Hei Van Thanh suddenly said when they were some distance away. "Regarding the clan's situation this time, thank you for protecting Father while I was away."
"It's nothing, Sister," Van Nam said with a smile. "We're family, after all."
"You've changed," Hei Van Thanh looked at her younger brother, her expression complex. "You've become stronger, and also... more unpredictable."
"I'm still your little brother," Van Nam replied. "It's just that I don't want to be the weak one who always needs protecting."
Hei Van Thanh smiled and ruffled his hair. "You've grown up, Van Nam. I'm proud of you."
Van Nam felt a warmth in his heart. He knew that no matter what happened, he would always have his sister by his side.
"Sister," Van Nam suddenly asked, "what kind of person is Ouyang Feng, really?"
Hei Van Thanh pondered for a moment, then replied, "He is a dangerous person, Van Nam. You must be careful with him."
"I know," Van Nam nodded. "But I'm not afraid of him."
Hei Van Thanh looked at her younger brother, her eyes shining with determination. She knew that Van Nam was no longer the boy he once was. He had become a man, a warrior, and the hope of the Black Moon Clan.
"We will fight together, Van Nam," Hei Van Thanh said. "We will protect our clan and restore the Black Moon Clan to its golden age."
Van Nam nodded, his heart filled with resolve. He knew the road ahead was long and arduous. But he was not alone. He had his family, his sister, and the power of the Primal Dark Origin Spirit.
He would never back down.
(End of Chapter 10)