Cheat God
24. Hungry Soul

The deeper Liu Chen walked into the southern mistlands of the Great Land of Bliss, the more he felt it—the pressure of the air, the thick and flowing essence that clung to his skin and sank into his bones. But unlike spiritual energy, which moved like water, this heavenly aura felt warmer, purer. It carried no impurities, no resistance. It was like breathing in sunlight.

And within him, something stirred. His golden soul, nestled deep within his soul sea, began to tremble faintly. At first, he thought it was just resonance from cultivation. But soon, he realized it was more than that. It was hungry.

Without needing his command, his soul began to draw in heavenly aura from the surroundings, weaving it into fine threads and feeding it into itself. It reminded Liu Chen of a starving child greedily clinging to food. The sensation wasn’t violent, but it was constant—gentle, insistent, tireless.

What surprised him more was that his Ghost Eye mark also responded.

Normally quiet unless activated, the Eye now throbbed faintly in the center of his brow, and though it didn’t fully awaken, it absorbed a small stream of heavenly aura for itself. Liu Chen could feel it sharpening, growing clearer in his inner vision—as though a thin fog was being peeled away from its gaze. Even my Eye benefits from this land, he thought. No wonder people lose themselves here.

He continued walking, passing over ridges of cracked stone and beneath the shadow of twisted, leafless trees. Wherever the cursed red fog had cleared, heavenly aura gathered slowly in pools and swirls, flowing with the rhythm of the land itself.

A few hours passed this way. As he roamed, a strange phenomenon began to occur. His golden soul pulsed faintly whenever he came near a specific patch of ground. At first, Liu Chen thought nothing of it—but when he paused to investigate the first location, he dug gently into the soil and uncovered something unexpected.

A Heavenly Crystal.

It was a small gem, the size of a thumb, clear as glass but with a soft golden-blue shimmer trapped within. When he held it in his hand, the crystal felt cool and light—but the moment he poured a strand of soul sense into it, warm energy surged out like a river being uncorked.

Liu Chen absorbed the energy quickly and stood still for a long moment. Then he smiled. This land may be cursed… but to me, it’s a treasure vault. By the time evening’s pale light stretched across the land, Liu Chen had already uncovered more than a hundred Heavenly Crystals.

Most cultivators might not find one in a week. But his golden soul worked like a spiritual compass, guiding him instinctively toward places where heavenly aura had crystallized. Some were buried in hills, others hidden in the roots of dead trees, and more still embedded in broken stones. Wherever he passed, the land seemed to whisper to his soul.

Eventually, he found a quiet hollow between two low ridges—far from cursed fog, rich with clear aura—and decided to rest. He sat cross-legged in the center of the natural depression, placed ten of the best Heavenly Crystals in a circle around him, and let out a slow breath. Then, with practiced ease, he opened his soul sea. Warm light filled his body.

The moment he began absorbing the crystals, golden light flowed into his meridians and spiritual roots like molten silk. Unlike ordinary spirit stones, which often required filtering, Heavenly Crystals poured in clean, condensed energy—half spiritual, half divine. His golden soul responded instantly.

Like a lotus blooming in a storm, it expanded slightly, the golden luster deepening, its outline becoming more vivid. Liu Chen could feel its structure strengthen. What had once been translucent now felt solid and firm. The hunger that had driven it before became calm and focused, like a beast in deep meditation.

His soul sea grew wider, its surface more reflective. Wisps of light circled the center like stars orbiting a core. More importantly, Liu Chen began to sense a change in his core meridians

The Soul Foundation Realm was built on strengthening the foundation of the spirit—soul, meridians, and will. To break into the Spirit Core Realm, one had to form a true spirit core, fusing the essence of their soul with their spiritual sea into a single, indestructible source of power. Liu Chen wasn’t there yet. But with each breath, each cycle of energy, he moved closer.

One hour passed. Then another.

His body glowed faintly in the evening haze, surrounded by the soft light of Heavenly Crystals that slowly dimmed, one by one, as their energy flowed into him.

He could feel his meridian walls widening, allowing more power to circulate through his body. His spiritual awareness became more sensitive. Even his physical body grew stronger—muscles firmer, blood thicker with power. Though no dramatic breakthrough occurred, it was clear: he was no longer at the early stage of Soul Foundation.

Opening his eyes slowly, Liu Chen looked at the remaining crystals. Of the hundred-plus he had gathered, nearly thirty were fully absorbed. The others remained for later use. He felt no rush. The Spirit Core Realm was not to be broken through lightly. Rushing could cause instability or spiritual collapse. He would solidify his current foundation first—deepen his soul, strengthen his body, and sharpen his will. Still, the progress he made in mere hours would’ve taken months outside.

He stood up slowly, stretching his limbs, feeling the energy still surging through his bones. The air remained silent. No beasts stirred. No people were near. Only the distant sound of wind brushing over dead trees and stone ridges broke the stillness.

“So this is the true blessing of the Land of Bliss,” he murmured.

A land cursed, yet overflowing with heaven’s energy. It was no wonder that so many prodigies came chasing dreams here… and why so many never returned. Pocketing the remaining Heavenly Crystals, Liu Chen looked toward the horizon. The land stretched endlessly ahead. Peaks and valleys. Shadows and light. Somewhere out there, his first Soul Protector waited. And now, his strength was one step closer to claiming it.