Right now, after Armad took 51 devas with him and left the town, the remaining devas in the town are less than 20. Some were posted in the conquered town, while others were sent to the town of Montaj to spy. Armad is still confident that nothing will happen to the town. He believes that the remaining devas in the town and those surrounding it are enough to protect it. Because of this, he calmly continues flying toward the forest, his confidence unwavering.
Without taking much time, they have already traveled far from the town, the buildings barely visible on the horizon. The forest looms ahead, a sea of green that promises both mystery and danger. Armad’s mind is focused on the mission at hand, but a part of him remains vigilant, aware of the responsibilities he has left behind.
One of the things that has been drawing Nusi’s attention is why Armad continues to let people set up tents outside the town. The practice has become increasingly common, with travelers and temporary residents preferring the freedom of the open fields to the confines of the town. If a person sets up a tent, the tax collected from them is minimal. Some people take down their tents early in the morning, put them in their magical bags, and vanish without paying anything significant.
In contrast, those who stay in the town’s hotels cannot escape without paying. The inns and guesthouses provide not only accommodation but also a steady stream of revenue for the town. This is why Nusi has been telling Armad that they are losing a significant amount of money by allowing people to set up tents outside the town. Her frustration grows each day as she sees the potential income slipping away.
Out of the total population living outside the town, more than 55% are using tents. The people hiring hotel rooms do not exceed 45% of those living outside the town. This disparity in accommodation choices has a direct impact on the town’s economy. Nusi’s calculations are precise, and she knows that the loss is substantial. This is why she has been advising Armad to issue a decree prohibiting the setting up of tents outside the town. However, Armad has not accepted her advice. Nusi did not insist and has remained silent on the matter, though it weighs heavily on her mind.
Ten minutes into their journey, they began to stop seeing the buildings outside the town. However, up to now, they didn’t stop seeing tents. She glanced at the tents, a silent question in her eyes, and then looked at Armad. He remained silent, his expression inscrutable, yet he understood her unspoken query.
Their journey continued through the sky, the landscape beneath them becoming more rugged and wild. They soared over hills and valleys, crossing rivers and vast expanses of forest. They delved deeper into the forest, passing through areas where Armad had once hunted.
As they ventured further, the forest grew denser, and the trees larger. Massive trunks, covered in thick, gnarled bark, rose high into the sky, their branches forming a nearly impenetrable canopy. The ground below was littered with fallen leaves and twigs, a testament to the forest’s age and vitality. Red stones jutted out of the earth, adding a splash of color to the otherwise green landscape. Finally, Armad stopped and landed on the top of a particularly tall tree.
The landing site was devoid of any distinct scents, the air thick with the musty aroma of decaying vegetation. They were surrounded by huge trees, their massive branches intertwining to form a protective shield that blocked most of the sunlight. From their vantage point atop the tree, they could see the ground below. It was consistently damp, with patches of water reflecting the dim light that managed to penetrate the canopy. Despite it not being the rainy season, the land remained wet from previous years’ rains. The large number of trees, with their extensive root systems and broad leaves, retained moisture, preventing the ground from drying out.
The forest was a marvel of natural beauty. Even the Baobab trees, typically not known for large leaves, had unusually large foliage here. Their leaves were broad and lush, adding to the forest’s vibrant greenery. The interplay of light and shadow created an almost ethereal atmosphere, the sunlight filtering through the leaves in delicate, shifting patterns.
Another remarkable aspect of this forest was the dynamic growth of the trees. The large trees expanded daily, their trunks thickening and branches stretching further skyward. In contrast, the smaller trees seemed to shrink, their growth stunted by the lack of sunlight. The larger trees’ expansive canopies blocked most of the light, creating a competitive environment where only the strongest survived.
Armad sensed the presence of large demonic animals moving through the forest. The air was thick with an ominous energy, and he could almost hear the pulse of the creatures’ dark power. He saw this as an excellent opportunity to test his warriors, eager to see how they would fare against such formidable foes. Although he had yet to fully agree with Nusi’s specialization on the battlefield, he felt that every encounter could bring them closer to mastering their skills. He wasn’t entirely confident in his specializations either, and he relished the chance to push himself further.
One crucial lesson he had learned from the tribe of Wilberforce was that beyond the raw power of cultivation, a person needed battlefield specializations and combat durability to truly excel. The tribe believed that the more open one was to challenges, the more professional and skilled one would become over time. Each battle, each day of struggle, was a step toward becoming better than the day before. Armad held this belief close to his heart and wanted to use this opportunity to gain more experience and hone his abilities further.
With a swift and silent movement, Armad jumped from the top of the tree, landing gracefully on the forest floor. His 50 devas, including Nusi, followed suit, surrounding him in a protective formation. Twenty positioned themselves in front, twenty behind, and the remaining ten flanked his sides, creating a tight defensive perimeter. The warriors began scanning the area with keen eyes, every sense alert for signs of danger.
Moments later, a loud sound arose from further within the forest. The ground beneath them started to tremble, sending vibrations through their feet. A huge lion, its presence almost palpable with its immense power, was headed toward them. Its saliva dripped from its mouth as it locked eyes on them, clearly seeing them as its next meal.
From their distance, they could sense the lion’s formidable cultivation. It was no ordinary beast; its power had already reached the second stage of deva. Armad’s eyes narrowed as he assessed the situation. He knew that if the lion revealed its fangs and unleashed its full strength, it could very well reach the peak of the stage. The thought of such a powerful adversary sent a thrill through him, but he remained calm and focused.
Armad looked at the devas surrounding him. All of them were at the first stage of deva, and the beginning of the stage. The only two who had reached the second stage of deva among them were Nusi and Ai. Even though these two individuals started their cultivation journey long after the others, with Armad’s guidance, they progressed rapidly. This wasn’t difficult for him to accomplish, given his possession of the system.
At that moment, a realization struck Armad: the remaining people surrounding him were not the only ones in the first stage of deva. He, too, was at the first stage. This understanding brought a sense of camaraderie and a challenge. Facing the lion that had reached the second stage of deva would be an opportunity to sharpen his skills and test his limits.
With a swift motion, Armad raised his hand, signaling the others to stop. The group halted, watching him with a mixture of respect and anticipation. Armad’s presence alone was enough to instill confidence in them.
The lion, sensing a formidable opponent, opened its sharp fangs. Saliva dripped from its maw as it let out a guttural growl, eyes fixed on Armad. Without hesitation, it lunged, aiming for Armad’s neck to decapitate him in a single, swift move.
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In that critical moment, Armad’s mind raced. He pondered over which skill to utilize. First of all, he wanted to defeat the lion without relying on his Miyura his pol string, or his Nagirinki world. These skills, while powerful, would make the battle too easy. He sought a challenge, a true test of his cultivation alone. Every cultivator relies on their skills, but Armad wanted to see how far he could go without them.
As the lion closed in, Armad’s resolve hardened. He clenched his fist, feeling the familiar surge of power. From deep within, he materialized the lightning substance he had acquired from his demon. The energy crackled around his hand, illuminating his face with an eerie glow. With a roar that matched the lion’s ferocity, Armad sent a thunderous smash against the demonic beast.
By the time the two attacks met, the lion’s fangs increased in size, and Armad’s strike collided with them. A spark of fire exploded at the point of contact, and Armad was pushed back. He positioned his legs firmly on the ground, leaving deep grooves as he slid back five steps. The ground was so soft that his legs sank up to the halfway point of his shins.
Armad shook his head with a bitter smile, noticing that the demonic lion had only been pushed back a single step. Despite his Wilberforce bloodline, he realized that relying solely on his cultivation power wasn’t enough to defeat the demonic lion with a single attack. However, he understood that he shouldn’t be surprised, given that he was only at the first stage of deva, while the lion was at the second stage. Demonic animals rarely have skills because they lack demons in their cores. They are known for their physical power and tough bodies, giving them an advantage over human cultivators and other species in physical combat. If you strip away their tough exterior, there is nothing special for humans to fear.
Armad shook his head and pulled his legs from the ground. However, before he could do so successfully, the demonic lion had already launched another furious attack.
Realizing that relying solely on his cultivation would not be enough in this combat, he activated the toughness of his skin. Since the lion prided itself on its tough body, Armad decided to test his strength against it.
Instantly, Armad’s skin began to radiate a brilliant light. Though the illumination lasted only a fraction of a second, it was enough to captivate everyone who witnessed it. The brief, intense glow cast a halo around him, leaving onlookers in a state of awe.
As the lion charged towards him, its powerful muscles rippling with each stride, Armad clenched his fist tightly, preparing to strike. This time, he decided against using his lightning powers. He wanted to test each of his skills individually to understand which was the most effective in combat.
When his fist met the lion’s face, a familiar burst of sparks erupted. This time, however, the intensity was less than before since Armad had refrained from using his lightning. The collision created a fiery flash, but it was noticeably diminished in comparison to their previous encounter.
Despite the force of the blow, Armad remained firmly planted on the ground. He did not stagger or recoil; he stood resolutely, though his face betrayed no sign of satisfaction. The lion, though momentarily staggered, was not significantly pushed back, its resilience evident. This lack of visible effect on both sides was troubling for Armad. Additionally, he felt an unusual heaviness in his striking hand, as if the veins had gone numb from the impact. There were no visible wounds on his skin, but the sensation of pain and fatigue was unmistakable.
Looking at the lion, Armad noticed that the area where his fist had connected was now reddened, and a small trickle of blood seeped from the lion’s gum. This sight was a clear indication that his attack had caused some damage, albeit not as severe as he had hoped.
From this clash, Armad realized an important lesson: relying solely on the toughness of his skin did not automatically enhance the power of his attacks. The impact had caused him internal pain, emphasizing that muscle strength played a critical role in amplifying his offensive capabilities. The toughness of his skin alone was insufficient if not supported by robust muscular strength. This confrontation underscored the need for a balanced approach between the toughness of muscles and the toughness of skin
Armad is confident that if he were up against an opponent of the same level, such as a demonic beast at the first stage of Deva, he would have effortlessly shattered its fangs with a single, powerful strike. His combat experience has taught him that his strength and technique are formidable, but the lion he faces now presents a unique challenge. This lion is at the second stage of Deva, which means its physical resilience and toughness are significantly superior to that of a first-stage opponent.
Despite the lion’s enhanced durability, Armad remains steadfast. In their recent clash, he was not pushed back, and he even managed to inflict a slight injury to the lion’s gums. This is no small feat and speaks volumes about the effectiveness of his defenses. The minor injury suggests that the resilience of his skin, a skill meticulously developed and tailored for him by the system, may indeed be greater than the power of his lightning attacks.
Unlike many cultivators who take pride in their demonic beasts or their Nagirinki, Armad’s pride lies in the extraordinary toughness of his skin. This unique skill, granted by the system, has proven to be more than just a defensive measure—it has become his most significant asset. In this pivotal moment, it is evident that the resilience provided by his skin offers superior protection compared to even his most potent lightning strikes.
The demonic lion, frustrated and enraged by its inability to overpower Armad, lets out a thunderous roar that reverberates through the area. Its fur bristles with energy as it channels deep, turbulent air into its body. This transformation is dramatic, causing the lion’s size to expand significantly. The lion, which previously stood at the same height as Armad which is 1.6 meters now grows to exceed 2 meters. The increase in size forces the lion to lower its head just to keep Armad within its line of sight.
The lion’s growth is not limited to its height. Its fangs extend and sharpen, transforming into razor-sharp appendages that resemble finely honed swords. This transformation is accompanied by a rapid advancement in its cultivation, pushing it to the peak of the second stage of Deva. Despite its fervent attempts to ascend to the third stage, the lion remains stuck at its current level, unable to break through.
The sheer power and size of the lion now make it a truly formidable adversary. Its enhanced strength and the newfound sharpness of its fangs suggest that it could potentially defeat someone at the peak of the Deva stage.
All cultivation academies instruct humans that if you are at a certain cultivation level, you should avoid confronting demonic animals of a higher level. Even if a demonic animal is at the same level as you, it is advised not to face it alone unless you possess a special skill that provides a significant advantage. Generally, human cultivators are taught to engage with demonic animals of a lower level, unless they have specialized skills or abilities that can level the playing field in a confrontation.
This advice stems from the fact that demonic animals have their own form of cultivation, which enhances their power differently from that of human cultivators. Animals, in general, have tougher bodies compared to humans, and this toughness is further amplified in demonic animals. For instance, a demonic lion, through its cultivation, has an increased physical resilience that surpasses that of ordinary creatures. This increased toughness is one of the main reasons cultivation academies emphasize caution when dealing with demonic animals.
However, this guidance primarily applies to common cultivators. Those with exceptional skills, powerful abilities, or unique techniques might seek out demonic animals of equal or even greater levels. These skilled cultivators often see such encounters as opportunities to prove their prowess or achieve personal goals. For instance, Armad is confident that, even without the system, he is not an ordinary cultivator. Because of this, he has no intention of using his Miyura, his World of Nagirinki, or his pol strings to eliminate the demonic lion. Instead, he will rely solely on his pure power of cultivation, as he initially decided.
At this critical moment, the demonic lion sprang into the air, its massive form casting a shadow over Armad. It wasn’t just the lion’s menacing fangs that posed a threat; each of its legs was adorned with elongated nails resembling wickedly sharp knives. The front legs bore five of these deadly blades each, while the hind legs had six. When combined, the total number of these knife-like appendages exceeded twenty, not to mention the lion’s countless fangs. It was as if the lion were an armored warrior, its weapons converging on Armad with a relentless and deadly intent.
As the demonic lion barreled toward him, Armad knew that relying solely on the natural toughness of his skin would be futile against such a formidable onslaught. With a surge of determination, he activated the enhanced toughness of his muscles, amplifying his power and fortitude. This newfound strength allowed him to leap into the air, matching the lion’s height as it descended upon him with a fierce, predatory glare.
Realizing he could not possibly defend against every single attack the lion was preparing to unleash, Armad focused his efforts on a singular, decisive action. He clenched his fist tightly into a powerful blow and aimed directly at the lion’s head.