The courtyard was still buzzing with excitement as the final matches ended.
Students whispered and cheered as the names of the top participants were announced.
The instructor stepped forward, his voice cutting through the noise.
"Congratulations to all who participated," he said, his tone formal.
"The following students have distinguished themselves in battle: Arin, Sera, Kaelen, and Yula."
A ripple of applause ran through the crowd.
"And to all those who broke through during the past month," the instructor continued, "your efforts will not go unnoticed. You will all continue to receive guidance as you grow stronger."
The crowd was then dismissed, though many lingered, gossiping and speculating.
Meanwhile, the top performers — along with several others who had shown exceptional progress — were quietly called to a smaller hall at the back of the academy grounds.
Arin, Sera, and Derrin followed the summons, curiosity burning in their hearts.
Inside the hall, a few elders waited, their expressions serious but not unfriendly.
The principal stood at the center, hands clasped behind his back.
He waited until all the chosen students — about thirty-five in total — had gathered.
Then he spoke.
"You have all taken your first step on the path of cultivation," he began.
"But real cultivation demands resources — tools to guide and strengthen your bodies and spirits."
He gestured, and several elders stepped forward, carrying small wooden boxes.
The students watched with wide eyes as the boxes were opened, revealing shimmering stones that pulsed faintly with a soft inner light.
"These," the principal said, "are spiritual stones."
He paused, letting the students absorb the sight.
"Spiritual stones contain condensed spiritual energy," he explained.
"By meditating with them, you can absorb pure energy far faster than drawing from the world around you."
A murmur ran through the group.
Sera's eyes shone with understanding.
Derrin's mouth fell open.
"You mean... this is how those crazy geniuses got so strong so fast?"
The principal chuckled lightly.
"Indeed. Access to spiritual stones is one of the reasons why our cultivation world advances at the pace it does today."
He grew serious again.
"But remember — spiritual stones are not infinite. They must be earned. They must be used wisely."
Each student was handed a small pouch containing a few of the precious stones.
Arin turned his over in his hand, feeling the faint warmth it radiated.
He could already sense the energy inside, waiting, almost eager to be drawn into him.
It was like holding a piece of the sky.
The principal continued:
"For now, these stones are your reward. Use them to stabilize your cultivation. Prepare yourselves."
He glanced around the room, his eyes sharp.
"Because very soon... new opportunities — and new challenges — will arrive."
The weight of his words pressed down on the students like a gathering storm.
After leaving the hall, Arin, Sera, and Derrin chatted briefly — excitement and plans for training filling their voices.
But soon, they each returned to their own rooms, eager to begin.
The moment Arin closed the door behind him, he pulled out his pouch, curiosity burning.
Carefully, he untied the string and tipped the contents onto his bed.
Small, bright stones spilled out — glowing faintly in the dim light.
Arin's eyes widened.
One hundred spiritual stones.
Far more than he had expected.
He sat down cross-legged without hesitation, selecting one of the stones and holding it tightly between his palms.
Almost immediately, he felt a gentle surge of energy flowing into him — cleaner, purer, and stronger than anything he had drawn from the natural world.
It was like drinking fresh water after days of thirst.
Minutes passed. Then hours.
The energy coursed through his body, strengthening his dantian, refining his spiritual channels.
Beads of sweat formed on his forehead as he worked to guide the flood of power carefully, steadily.
Every breath, every heartbeat seemed sharper, more alive.
The barrier to the next level — so solid and immovable before — now seemed thinner, fragile, like a veil he could almost reach through.
Arin opened his eyes briefly, a glimmer of determination flashing within them.
Not yet.
But soon.
Very soon.
Far above, unseen in the stillness of the night, the stars shimmered — as if watching quietly over the young cultivators who were taking their first steps into greatness.