Martin continued to cultivate in secret. Every day, he drank water infused with the stone bead. His progress was slow but steady. Within a month, he could feel the holy energy accumulating in his body. He was still far from the second level, but he was no longer at the bottom.
He also continued to keep a low profile. He did not want to draw attention. He still went to the spring every day, but now he used that time to cultivate in seclusion.
One day, while returning from the spring, he saw Henrik struggling with a large load of firewood. Henrik's face was pale, and he was sweating heavily. Martin walked over.
"Henrik, let me help you."
Henrik looked up, surprised. "Martin? You're a full disciple now. You don't have to do this."
Martin smiled. "I'm still the same person. Let me carry half."
He took half the firewood and walked with Henrik back to their old room. Henrik sat on his bed, exhausted. Martin gave him some water from his gourd—ordinary water, not the infused kind.
Henrik drank it and sighed. "Thanks, Martin. You're the only one who's been kind to me."
Martin sat on his old bed. "How are things with Lewis?"
Henrik grimaced. "The same. He makes us work harder every day. And now he's been promoted—he's going to be a full disciple soon. He's already at the third level of Gathering Light."
Martin nodded. Lewis was ambitious. He had been sucking up to the elders for years. It was no surprise he was advancing.
"What about you, Martin? How is your cultivation going?" Henrik asked.
Martin hesitated. He trusted Henrik, but he was cautious. "Slowly. I'm still at the first level."
Henrik nodded. "That's better than me. I've been here three years and I haven't even felt holy energy yet. I don't think I ever will."
Martin wanted to tell him about the stone bead, but he held back. It was too dangerous. He changed the subject. "Have you heard anything about Sebastian?"
Henrik snorted. "That arrogant peacock? He's already at the second level. Everyone says he's a genius. He brags about it every chance he gets."
Martin said nothing. He would catch up. He had the stone bead.
That night, Martin took out the bead and examined it again. The ten clouds seemed to glow faintly in the moonlight. He held it close to his chest and began to cultivate.
The holy energy flowed into his body more easily than ever before. He could feel it moving through his meridians, warming him from the inside. He lost track of time.
When he opened his eyes, dawn was breaking. He felt refreshed and full of energy. He had not slept, but he was not tired. He stood up and stretched.
He knew that the road ahead was long and hard. There would be more challenges, more enemies, more dangers. But he also knew that he had the stone bead—his secret treasure. And he had his determination.
He would prove them all wrong.