Chapter 162: Easy to Destroy, Hard to Build

Chapter 162: Easy to Destroy, Hard to Build

I start off my scan at a very weak level, to determine a general sliding scale of goodness across the millions of souls here, placing them according to their alignment. While the scan is general, it is using the same type of metrics from my scan I used with the rats. One that considers a vast variety of factors to make a decision.

Since time passes differently in this space, I spent what feels like a month doing this mind-numbing work. Outside of the soul space, not even 5 minutes have passed.

For many cultivators, reaching this space is a treasure trove because of this ability. Its not meant for Qi cultivation, but more for comprehension of techniques and practice.

Reaching this space is a once in a lifetime opportunity, for some. For me, its even better, as I can use the space to conduct my scans over a long period of time.

I will be able to reach this space again, but I at least need to be at the beginning of the core formation stage to do it without a stimulus. That Is where the first interactions with the soul begin on ones cultivation journey.

The only reason I could reach it now is because of the strength of my soul space and the attack of that nascent soul cultivator, who forced my soul into defense mode. And he only did it, because its easier to take over if the owner is there and he was in a vulnerable state.

I feel like my presence here is blocking some kind of automated defense that is natural to soul spaces. Which is part of the reason that a demonic cultivator would induce this. Considering what my soul form is already like it makes me wonder how strong it actually is.

With thoughts like these filling my mind, I end up having to clear my mind and focus on the results of the scan, because of the sheer amount of people Im going through.

Even though it is easy to say a month has passed, a month of doing nothing but focusing on data collection and sorting is the most boring thing Ive ever done in my life.

No sleep.

No eating or drinking.

Just this.

Constantly. With no way to determine how much time passed except my scan, which I checked far too often.

Not only that, but it was literally worse than watching paint dry, as I had to also sit there and resist the enticement/distraction of these creatures with truly massive assets, who were actively and passively teasing me.

Getting close and jiggling on purpose first, and then just from their normal moving around. Some of them even played around with each other to pass the time.

I dont know about others back on Earth, but I most definitely masturbated. Even in my enhance body and this soul space, those urges remain. I just had no time or privacy to consider it.

Now, with nothing to do, I had to just resist the temptation with no distractions.

For a month.

Where no one would know what Ive done with them, if I gave in.

If not for my scan warning how bad an idea it would be (at this point in time), I would have long given in.

With that said, the whole time they indulged in devouring the qi and other various aspects of the soul space. Which helped in resisting.

There was also the matter of the environment of my soul space being vastly changed after all the evil influences were gone.

My space, that was once an empty void, has now become a swamp biome.

The whole area that once was the bloody swamp, originally created by the (now) devoured cultivator, was turned into a normal swamp once the blood mist went away. The blood became water; the tentacles became trees. Patches of greenery are springing up where different creatures were devoured, the residual energy/curses/qi turning to plant-like life.

The place where the cultivator died is the largest patch of this, being actual land with a layer of moss and trees all around. With my strong internal vision, I can see the slight shifting of moss growing. Any deeper attempts to view this fail.

When I finally got to the neutral section, I didnt have the heart to allow any others to be eaten. Even if they might tend to evil later.

With the ones Im willing to heal up, I healed each of their psychological issues, but not physical ones. This way they have the presence of mind to speak, but not to overwhelm me if something went vastly wrong.

At their current strength, I could pretty easily defeat them all. They would be like a candle against steel. Not enough.

That wouldnt be the case if I healed them to full.

I gave each of the souls a simple choice. They can grow stronger with me, pass on their knowledge, and potentially live a new life. Or, they could pass on to the next life, free to go healed.

Something to keep in mind, these people have been getting tortured in the evil cultivators soul space for hundreds of years. Of real time.

In the soul space, time varies but still moves extremely slowly compared to real time, so some have been tortured over a hundred times over that amount.

Even if I healed them psychologically, that doesnt mean they want to experience life again.

Unfortunately, that is exactly the case.

For every. Single. One.

Whether it is the nascent soul monsters or babies torn from the womb.

And I cant blame them. They have been tortured for so long.

Their minds were lost until I healed them. And even now, if my healing stopped, they would fall back into madness. Even revisiting parts of their life and cultivation seem to bring them back into it, even with healing.

Im getting closer to where my healing can permanently heal such mental issues and optimize them to the highest point. But Im not there yet.

And having seen what theyve gone through, I let them pass on without suffering any further.

But Im treated to something that I never thought I would see.

The souls of the people wink out of my soul space, like lights from a Christmas tree turning out. But just before it happens, I see the slightest light behind them. It gives off a feeling of safety.

And then its over.

Except for five individuals who appear to be struggling to stay. They all look like old men.

Theyre cultivators of varying strengths. Ones which are leaving as well, but seem to pull something from their pasts to bring on.

Each surge forward and if not for my scan, I would believe to be with hostile intent.

Floating through me, I feel information pour into me, as if from a jade slip.

Immediately after, they disappear into light as well.

These guys Every one of them.

Theyve given me even more things to do!