Chapter 4 First Meditation - Awakening the True Cheat

The Abyssal Era...

The Sea Folk became the second rulers of the continent of Amelia. Their victory over the Giants wasn't because they were stronger. It felt more like fate itself had tilted toward them... or perhaps, it had always been part of a divine plan.

This time in history came to be known as the "Abyssal Era."

At the end of the Post-Gods Era, the world suddenly grew warmer. Glaciers melted. The seas rose. Vast stretches of land disappeared beneath the waves, while towering mountains turned into lonely islands.

And in this new world, the Sea Folk naturally took control.

The other races were forced back to scattered islands. They lived under the rule - and often the chains - of the Sea Folk. In this harsh environment, no one could challenge them. Not even the once-dominant Giants.

Thus, the era of the Sea Folk began.

It was an age ruled by "special powers," yet it left behind the fewest historical records. People struggled to understand what "special powers" meant. These abilities could not be cultivated through training. They were tied to bloodlines - inherited, not learned.

Later, figures known as "Apostles," "Ability Holders," and "Superpowered Warriors" were believed to be descendants of those ancient bloodlines. Rarely seen, but always present, they worked behind the scenes as a hidden force shaping the world.

"The protagonist one hundred thousand years later... walks beneath the wheels of history."

...

A wave of joy surged through Luo Yan's chest.

Not only had he been reborn - his mental power was still at the level of a 140-year-old, seventh-rank mage. The realization left him stunned, then thrilled.

Out of habit, he snapped his fingers. Before his rebirth, it was something he often did when casting. Instinctively, he attempted the simplest necromancy spell: Summon Skeleton.

Nothing happened.

No glow.

No sound.

No wave of magic.

No skeleton crawling out of the darkness.

Only moonlight quietly spilling into the room.

Luo Yan froze - then understood.

He had immense mental power...

but no magic power yet.

His magic channels hadn't even formed. Without them, spellcasting was impossible.

The excitement faded like cold water thrown over him. He smiled bitterly. Magic power could accelerate cultivation, but it still had to be built up slowly. If he wanted his strength back, he had a long road ahead.

He calmed himself and slipped into a light meditative state - clear, quiet, and focused. His first meditation after rebirth began.

...

Soft breaths escaped him as he sensed the world around him. Soon, tiny motes of light appeared in his perception. These were magic elements.

Red - blazing fire.

Blue - deep and calm, like the ocean.

Yellow - heavy earth, slow and steady.

Cyan - swift, lively wind.

Brilliant light.

Crackling lightning.

And finally, warm green - the element of life.

"Earth, Fire, Wind, Water, Lightning, Light, Wood... the seven basic elements that form the foundation of magical civilization."

Everyone possessed a natural affinity. You could still absorb other elements, but it was slower. That was why most mages rarely switched paths unless they were completely stuck.

Luo Yan's affinity was necromancy.

But he didn't worry.

On the continent of Amelia, necromancers weren't universally hated. Maybe the Church of Holy Light caused trouble in some western regions, but most places accepted every kind of mage: elementalists, summoners, healers - and necromancers.

In fact, many scholars considered necromancy a branch of life magic, tied to the wood element - a strange joke from the gods.

To understand life, one must first face death. The search for immortality led scholars toward death magic. Undead creatures, in their twisted way, represented a form of "eternal life." From that perspective, necromancy truly was a path of life.

Life and death.

Light and darkness.

At this moment, they seemed to connect within him.

Warm energy wrapped around Luo Yan like a hot spring. It slowly gathered into streams of heat. Instead of following the basic meditation path he used before, he deliberately guided the warmth through a different route - deeper and more complex.

It was the path of the advanced meditation technique: Radiant Earth.

Radiant Earth Meditation Technique

A sub-legendary method ranked twelfth on the Divine Skill Ranking. Its creator remains unknown. The archmage Guo Tuan Rong once used it to dominate the continent for four centuries.

Basic Effect: speeds up magic power cultivation and sharpens mental focus.

Special Effects:

• Earth Qi Absorption - slowly strengthens the body

• Refining - cleanses and purifies physical impurities

In his previous life, Luo Yan's progress had been slow. His aptitude wasn't amazing, and he started late - but the real problem was the lack of a good meditation method.

He had only practiced the Magic Guild's public tutorial:

Low-Level Meditation Technique (Version 2.0).

It was safe, easy, and free... and painfully average. At best, it could open four magic channels. After three years of work, he had barely opened his fifth.

This time, he chose Radiant Earth.

Risky - but powerful. If practiced wrong, it could cause backlash. Most mages wouldn't dare attempt it without guidance.

Luo Yan, however, had over a century of experience as a seventh-rank mage. He trusted himself.

He silently thanked whichever god had arranged his rebirth. His memories were sharp, like a vast library waiting to be opened - a gift born from powerful mental strength.

He recalled the meditation steps perfectly. Words and symbols floated before his eyes. Warmth flowed through his body, running along mysterious paths - feet to head, chest to back.

The heat circled nine times. Then, slowly, it sank deeper.

He focused.

Magic and body synchronized. The moment came - opening the channels.

Heat gathered at the base of his spine. It spun like a vortex.

A faint crack echoed inside him.

Something broke through.

A shimmering, silver path formed - thin at first, then brighter and steadier as the energy continued to flow.

The first magic channel had opened.

Relief washed over him. With the first channel formed, magic would trickle in on its own, building power slowly and steadily.

The warmth surged again.

Another vortex.

Another breakthrough.

The second channel opened.

Then the third.

Fourth.

Fifth...

Radiant Earth truly deserved its reputation.

By the end, seven channels were open.

In his past life, he had opened only four at the start - and needed three full years for the fifth.

Now, deep in meditation, Luo Yan let the magic circulate freely. His breathing slowed. His mind quieted.

And he sank deeper into cultivation.