B1C12: Investigation and Revelation

The time on the clock showed 7:00 pm, and Caleb sought solace in reciting the Songs of Solomon scripture. The calming verses resonated within him, tempering his excitement and fueling his determination. His unwavering dedication to his Heart Cultivation restrained his curiosity, channelling his focus towards the task at hand. After a few rounds of recitation, he could feel a profound change washing over him. A sense of tranquillity enveloped his being, sharpening his concentration and centring his mind. Now, with a calm and focused state of being, Caleb knew it was the perfect time to delve deeper into the mysteries of the crystal ball.

Resuming his cross-legged cultivation stance, Caleb closed his eyes, allowing his mind's eye to turn inward. Following the guidelines laid out in the Numbers Scriptures, he traversed the vast expanse of his inner space. Within the ethereal landscape, a golden lightning bolt crackled, and at its centre hovered the enigmatic crystal ball. Faith energy, in gaseous form, emanated from Caleb's cultivation and dissipated as it entered the space. He couldn't help but notice the challenge it presented to completely fill the inner space with faith energy. To achieve his next breakthrough, he realised he would need to exert five times the effort of others. If only he had access to resources that could accelerate the accumulation of faith energy.

Fixing his attention on the crystal ball, Caleb sent a wave of faith energy towards it, hoping for some discernible reaction. However, to his disappointment, nothing noticeable occurred. At his current level of faith cultivation, moving his consciousness remained a skill beyond his reach. There was little he could do at this stage. As he continued to focus on the ball, questions swirled within him, outnumbering the answers he sought. Suddenly, as if in response to his probing, the crystal ball began to spin, and without any warning, Caleb's consciousness was unceremoniously drawn into its core.

Confusion enveloped Caleb as he found himself in an unfamiliar realm. Darkness stretched endlessly across the horizon, only interrupted by the luminous energy that composed his ethereal body. It dawned on him that while his physical form remained in the cultivation room, his consciousness had somehow entered the crystal ball.

Surveying his surroundings, Caleb attempted to explore but found nothing tangible. Frustrated, he called out into the boundless void, hoping for a response from the entity that had resided within him all these years. His voice echoed into the emptiness without eliciting any reply. Gradually, four figures materialised out of thin air, each composed of energy. Caleb approached the first figure, only to discover that it was an exact copy of himself.

Astounded by this discovery, Caleb tried to interact with the clone, but his efforts proved fruitless. The clone appeared oblivious to his presence, engrossed in wielding an 8-metre spear and flawlessly executing the intricate manoeuvres of the 6 Stance spear art. Every movement carried purpose, devoid of clumsiness as if designed to increase momentum and overpower opponents. Captivated by the clone's masterful performance, Caleb turned his head to examine the other clones, eager to unravel the mysteries they held.

The second clone sat in Caleb's favourite cultivation pose, weaving intricate hand signs while reciting a scripture. Intrigued, Caleb approached the clone, recognizing the scripture as the Song of Solomon, one he was familiar with. Yet, he couldn't decipher the significance of the hand signs. He observed the clone cultivating in serenity, knowing there was more to uncover but unable to delve deeper for now. Reluctantly, he shifted his attention to the third clone.

This particular clone seamlessly merged the six stances of body cultivation with stretching exercises. A concentrated flow of world energy enveloped it, emphasising the harmonious combination of physical and spiritual practices.

Lastly, he observed the fourth clone. This clone channelled the faith energy accumulated from the three minor meridians into the spinning crystal ball, progressing in the cultivation of the Numbers Scripture. Caleb was astounded by the clone's ability to divert the faith energy, unlike his own approach of filling up the inner space. With each minute of accumulation, the crystal ball emitted purer, denser faith energy into the inner space.

"These clones are practising the techniques I am currently training," Caleb realised. "It seems that this crystal ball functions as a training space, enhancing my understanding of various skills." Though he couldn't fathom how it ended up in his inner space, or who placed it there, he recognized the potential it held to further his development.

First, he closely observed the first clone which he named Spearmaster, noting the rigidity of his own techniques and how they limited the power he could generate. Next, he focused on the second clone, Heartmaster, committing every hand sign accompanying the Song of Solomon Scripture to memory. The third clone, named Bodymaster, demonstrated the integration of body cultivation and stretching, a revelation that offered a superior method for refining his mortal form. Inspired, Caleb attempted to imitate the last clone, Faithmaster by channelling faith energy into the crystal ball, which he found he could now control to some extent, adjusting its speed of revolution.

"I have been here for three hours. How do I get out?" Caleb pondered, his mind racing with thoughts and questions. Suddenly, a peculiar suction sound emerged from the surroundings, seemingly appearing out of nowhere. It tugged at Caleb's energy body, drawing him out of the crystal ball space and back into his physical form.

As Caleb rose from his cultivation with a mixture of disbelief and excitement, he immediately sensed the profound changes that had occurred within his body and cultivation. The cultivation of his heart had reached new depths, resonating with a profound sense of tranquillity and clarity. His understanding of the spear had also undergone a significant leap forward, as if a veil had been lifted, revealing the intricate secrets and techniques hidden within the art.

In addition to these revelations, Caleb realised something even more astonishing — he had discovered a way to refine his mortal body beyond the Unity stage, a knowledge that remained a secret to all others. This newfound understanding opened up boundless possibilities for him, empowering him to transcend the limits that had previously constrained his physical potential.

The impact of the crystal ball's presence within him became increasingly evident. The ball's continuous spinning generated dense and pure faith energy, resulting in a heightened rate of absorption by Caleb's body. This newfound ability allowed him to harness the intensified influx of faith energy, further fueling his cultivation and growth.

Having spent three hours inside the ball space, Caleb realised that he had far surpassed his intended training time and exceeded his bedtime. With a sigh, he reluctantly concluded his cultivation session, recognizing the importance of rest and reflection. As he prepared to rise from his seated position, his gaze fell upon the clock hanging on the wall. The long hand pointed towards the 12 while the short hand rested on the 8.

"8:00 pm!" Caleb exclaimed, disbelief washing over him. Hadn't he trained for three hours? Time within the crystal ball space operated on a different scale than the real world. Three hours of training inside the ball translated to just one hour outside. Furthermore, Caleb realised that any progress made by his energy body during that time was mirrored in his physical body. The results of his training within the crystal ball were now tangible and accessible in his everyday life.

The mysterious nature of the crystal ball weighed heavily on Caleb's mind. He understood the potential consequences if knowledge of this artifact were to become public. Its existence posed a threat not only to himself but also to his mother, his clan, and anyone close to him. Determined to protect those he held dear, Caleb swore to keep this secret locked away, vowing that no one, not even his master or his mother, would ever discover the truth.

Fueled by curiosity, determination, and an inability to sleep, Caleb returned to his seated position, ready to resume his training. However, before he immersed himself, his stomach grumbled loudly, a reminder of his physical needs. Chuckling softly, Caleb knew the importance of nourishing his body and replenishing his energy. With a shake of his head, he made his way to the dining area, knowing that satisfying his hunger would better equip him for the challenges that lay ahead.