Armad’s clenched fist collided with the sharp fangs of the demonic lion, his heart steady and his mind clear, without the slightest fear that they would tear his hand. He faced the beast with unyielding resolve. At the same time, the lion’s claws, resembling long, deadly knives, hit his body with a force that would have torn through lesser men.
Armad had deliberately allowed the demonic lion’s claws to hit his body. He wanted to test the toughness of his muscles, a testament to his rigorous training and cultivation. He was confident that even if the lion’s claws were twice as sharp, they couldn’t pierce his skin. He sought to see if the force of the attack could penetrate and harm his internal organs. Additionally, he wanted to determine if the combined toughness of his skin and muscles could withstand the demonic lion’s assault and perhaps even injure the beast in return.
The moment their attacks met, the ground beneath them trembled, and a cloud of dust rose, obscuring the view of their epic confrontation. Shortly after, the dust cleared, revealing the two titanic figures standing firm, neither giving an inch nor showing signs of retreat. Their fierce auras clashed, creating shockwaves that reverberated through the surroundings.
If one observed closely, one would see the demonic lion’s front claws digging into Armad’s shoulder, attempting to tear through his flesh, while the back claws raked against his lap. Each claw strike was a testament to the beast’s lethal intent and raw power. However, Armad stood tall, his eyes blazing with determination. His powerful hand struck the lion’s mouth with a force that could shatter mountains.
The two combatants were suspended in mid-air, locked in a deadly embrace. Their eyes met, each reflecting the other’s fierce resolve and unyielding spirit.
Armad had a wide smile on his face. Despite the lion’s repeated attempts to claw at him, there were no wounds to be seen; the lion’s attacks had failed to penetrate his skin. Each swipe of the lion’s claws, though fierce and relentless, could not even scratch the surface of his toughened body. Even the most powerful strikes from the lion did not reach the force needed to injure his internal organs like his heart or intestines. This demonstrated that his current physical toughness allowed him to face cultivators using only his physical power. In other words, even if Armad stood idle or slept while the lion continued its attacks, it would be unable to harm him. This was why he smiled. It also showed that even someone in the third stage of Deva could not harm him by relying solely on physical or cultivation power. Only special attacks or powerful demons could pose a threat. Even swords were ineffective since the lion’s claws were sharper.
Additionally, Armad smiled because the demonic lion’s physical power surpassed the third stage of Deva. The lion’s strength was equivalent to that of someone who had recently reached the first stage of Deva. Only a fourth-stage Deva with special skills could defeat the demonic lion, or at least fight to a draw. This illustrated that cultivators below the fourth stage of Deva, like the trio he fought previously, could not harm Armad even if he did nothing to defend himself. This marked significant progress for him.
However, On the other hand, Armad’s smash did not have the power to destroy the mouth of the lion. There was no sign of a wound where he hit the demonic lion as if he had merely brushed its mouth instead of smashing it. The force of his strike seemed negligible against the beast's tough hide. The demonic lion stood firm, its stance unyielding, and none of them was pushed back.
Demonic animals, even those at the core formation level, possess brains capable of thought. This demonic lion was no exception. Demonic animals that reach the diva stage have thinking abilities on par with humans. As the lion closed its eyes in thought, Armad could see the intelligence gleaming within. This was not a mindless beast driven solely by instinct; it was a cunning predator capable of strategy.
Initially, the lion had sensed the cultivation of the humans, which is why it arrived early before her fellows. It regarded these humans as food, for most of them were at the first stage of deva, with only a few reaching the beginning of the second stage. She thought these humans would be delicious food that would last it months. This is why it ran quickly toward them, her powerful muscles propelling her forward with lethal intent.
However, now it started to think it had miscalculated. The strength and determination of these humans, especially Armad, was more formidable than it had anticipated. Her initial confidence wavered, replaced by a growing sense of caution. Right now, the demonic lion jumped back, its eyes scanning the surroundings for any possible escape routes. She leaped back again, her agile body moving with precision as she calculated her next move.
On the other hand, Armand frowned deeply, his mind racing. He had hoped for challenging combat to sharpen his cultivation skills, but the demonic lion seemed to be contemplating fleeing instead. This realization irritated him. He did not come all this way for the lion to simply run away. After some time, he shook his head, deciding to take action. He released a single pol string and sent it into the body of the demonic lion.
As the pulse string entered the lion’s body, the beast froze. Despite not exploding, the pol string scattered the lion’s cultivation, disrupting her internal energy flow. The demonic lion's eyes widened in shock, its body momentarily paralyzed by the unfamiliar sensation. This allowed Armad to approach the demonic lion, his movements swift and decisive. He gathered his strength and hit the lion with another powerful smash.
The impact reverberated through the air, the force of Armad's attack driving into the demonic lion's side. It let out a roar of pain and fury, her powerful legs buckling slightly under the assault. But Armad was relentless; he could not allow the demonic lion to flee. If he did, their combat would be in vain, and he would miss the chance to test his limits.
The demonic lion did not see what was happening to its body. Unable to perceive the pol string, it only felt the impact as a powerful smash hit him. The force of the blow caused him to pause, his muscles locking up momentarily as he struggled to comprehend the sudden assault. The pause, however, did not last long. With a roar that echoed through the battlefield, the lion shook off the paralysis and launched himself at Armad once more. Retreat was not an option for it; it had no choice but to confront Armad head-on.
Armad stood his ground, showing no intention of fleeing. He allowed the lion’s fierce attack to strike him, relying on his formidable strength to withstand the onslaught. As the lion’s claws raked across his body, Armad delivered another powerful smash, aiming to subdue the beast. The two combatants exchanged blows at a furious pace, each of them landing at least thirty attacks in a matter of moments. The air around them crackled with energy as they clashed, their strikes creating shockwaves that rippled through the surrounding area.
Though Armad’s smashes were not enough to injure the lion severely, the cumulative effect began to take its toll. The demonic lion’s skin, while tough, was not as resilient as Armad’s. With each successive hit, Armad’s attacks began to wear down the beast’s defenses. Blood soon flowed from multiple wounds on the lion’s body, painting its fur with streaks of red. Some parts of the lion’s body were crushed under the relentless barrage, while others swelled with the impact of the blows.
Despite the ferocity of the battle, Armad maintained a calm demeanor. A smile played on his lips as he continued to fight, his confidence unshaken. His clothes remained pristine, protected by a shield of cultivation energy he had formed before the fight began. Armad knew that without this precaution, the lion’s attacks would have torn his garments to shreds, leaving him vulnerable and exposed. However, the lion’s claws could not penetrate his skin.
The battle raged on between the cultivators. Meanwhile, Nusi, Ai, and the other devas stood at the periphery, their eyes wide with a mixture of awe and disbelief. Some devas stared with their mouths agape, while others placed their hands on their jaws, stunned by the spectacle before them. Each of the devas was consumed by one burning question: What kind of body does their master, Prince Armad, possess? How could his body be tougher than that of demonic beasts, including the formidable demonic lion they were witnessing?
The lion, despite being one of the top 15 demonic animals in terms of toughness, was known for its considerable strength and resilience. Yet, the toughness of the lion’s body seemed almost trivial in comparison to Armad’s. This realization was even more staggering considering that Armad’s cultivation was at the first stage of deva, while the lion was at the peak of the third stage. The disparity between their strengths was both bewildering and impressive.
Previously, when the demonic lion grew in size, its rage evident in every sinew, the devas debated whether they should intervene. Ai had already materialized the substance of her demon, her determination clear. But it was Nusi who halted them, insisting that they should not intervene. Despite their concern, they trusted Nusi’s judgment and refrained from action, though it was difficult to stand idly by.
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Time passed, and the devas soon understood the wisdom in Nusi’s decision. The battle revealed a truth they had not previously grasped—the sheer toughness of their master’s body was beyond anything they had anticipated. The realization dawned on them as they watched the unfolding clash.
In less than 30 minutes, the scene was transformed into a grim tableau of defeat. The demonic lion, once a fearsome adversary, was now a bloody, battered mess. Its massive body lay sprawled on the ground, struggling to stay upright as blood flowed freely from its eyes and mouth. The creature gasped for breath, its strength utterly sapped. Armad had thoroughly and methodically dismantled the lion’s defenses, leaving no bone intact. Many of the lion’s bones were shattered, rendering it nearly unrecognizable from its previous, mighty form.
Had the lion not been a demonic beast with extraordinary resilience, it would have been utterly incapacitated from such a devastating defeat.
Several times, the demonic lion attempted to flee, yet each effort ended with the same result: it would pause, unable to move. Each time he tried to escape, it found itself immobilized in a similar situation. It knew that the source of its paralysis was coming from its core, but it was perplexed by the exact nature of what was happening. The only explanation it could muster was that his cultivation had become scattered and unstable. That is why now despite its mounting exhaustion, it chose not to make another escape attempt. Instead, it remained seated, its eyes locked on Armad with a fierce and vengeful glare. The thought of savagely consuming Armad, still raw and unprepared, consumed its mind. Yet, he was acutely aware of the grim reality before him—what he deemed “impossible.” All it could do was stare helplessly as Armad moved about his tasks.
Armad glanced at the watch on his wrist and assessed the situation. He realized that he would need approximately 30 minutes to defeat a demonic beast, which was classified as the third stage of deva. The time required seemed dauntingly lengthy, and Armad was somewhat disheartened by the realization that his efforts had not yet yielded remarkable results. Despite the admiration from his soldiers for his remarkable physical resilience, he felt that his achievements thus far had been underwhelming.
As the demonic beast’s strength waned and it could no longer continue the fight, Armad decisively drew his sword and severed the beast’s head in a swift, practiced motion. Without delay, he issued an order for a fire to be kindled, and soon, the beast’s meat was being roasted over the flames. The savory aroma of the cooked meat filled the air.
Armad then turned his attention to a new task. He instructed the system to begin producing pills from both his own body and from Nusi’s.
The scent of the roasted lion’s meat and the rich, metallic smell of its blood soon attracted the attention of other demonic beasts in the vicinity. These new arrivals were all of similar strength to the first lion, posing a fresh challenge. Their numbers and level of power indicated that they were equally formidable opponents.
In response to the new threat, Armad engaged one of the demonic lions directly, leaving the remaining two for Ai and Nusi to handle. He specifically instructed them to rely solely on their physical strength, forbidding the use of any cultivation abilities or special skills. Nusi was prohibited from summoning the trees she could materialize, while Ai was restricted from utilizing the substance related to her demon abilities. This approach was designed to test their pure physical capabilities and to ensure that they could handle the threat without relying on their cultivation skills.
Within just 17 minutes, Armad had successfully eliminated his demonic lion. This lion was of equal power to the previous one, marking a significant improvement in Armad’s combat prowess. His swift victory demonstrated that his earlier encounter with the demonic lion had sharpened his skills and enhanced his experience.
Nusi was still engaged in her battle and had not yet defeated the lion she was facing. Observers could see that the lion was showing signs of distress; it was gasping for breath, and several wounds had appeared across its body, indicating that Nusi was making progress, albeit slowly.
Meanwhile, Ai found herself in a critical and precarious situation. The lion she was battling had clamped its powerful jaws around her leg, pinning her down with its weight. Its sharp fangs were embedded in her neck, continuously tearing and trying to cut through her flesh. Ai was struggling desperately; without her tough skin, which provided her with extraordinary protection, she would have already succumbed to the lion’s lethal attack.
From the sidelines, Armad observed with concern. He shook his head in frustration, realizing that he had underestimated the differences in their physical resilience. Ai’s skin and muscles, though tough, were not as formidable as his own or Nusi’s. Given this disparity, it was not surprising that Ai was having difficulty overcoming a demonic lion that was stronger and more formidable than her current cultivation level.
“You can use your demon,” Armad said, giving her the much-needed permission.
Even before Armad’s words were fully out, Ai had already begun to act. She swiftly materialized a massive, boiling sphere of black substance, a potent manifestation of her demon’s power. With the demonic lion so close and its focus on her, Ai wasted no time. She directed the black sphere with precision, pressing it forcefully into the lion’s chest. The intense heat and energy from the sphere began to sear through the lion’s defenses, marking a dramatic shift in the battle’s dynamics.
Without delay, the demonic lion was released with a ferocious roar. It let out a spine-chilling scream as it staggered and then collapsed, its massive body hitting the ground with a heavy thud. The black substance, which had wreaked havoc on the lion’s insides, continued its relentless course. It had already ravaged the lion’s chest and now tunneled through to its back. The black sphere of substance didn’t stop there; it surged toward a nearby tree, slicing through it with ease before turning its destructive path to another tree. The second tree fell with a crash, and the two trees created a thick cloud of dust that engulfed the area.
Armad, standing nearby, shook his head in disbelief. The sight of the fallen trees and the ensuing dust cloud made him realize that the commotion would likely attract even more demonic creatures. Even though Ai’s physical body was unscathed, Armad was keenly aware that the internal damage from the combat would be significant. With this in mind, he took out more than 100 energy-boosting pills and handed them to her. She settled on the ground, crossed her legs, and began methodically consuming the pills, each one aiding in her recovery.
Meanwhile, the intense battle between Nusi and the demonic lion raged on. Nusi had been engaged in combat for over 35 minutes, her every move a testament to her skill and determination. Armad watched from the sidelines, fully aware of Nusi’s superior fighting prowess and confident that she could handle the lion on her own. He had no intention of intervening, knowing that her strength was more than enough to secure victory. After a grueling 41 minutes, Nusi finally triumphed over the demonic lion.
The 50 devas who had accompanied them stood in stunned silence, their eyes wide with amazement. It became abundantly clear that not only did their master possess such formidable strength, but even the two women under his command displayed an extraordinary level of power. They were in awe, realizing that this individual possessed an innate toughness that surpassed even that of demonic creatures. This revelation was staggering; if such information were to spread, it would undoubtedly attract the attention of numerous masters from cultivation academies eager to investigate. However, the news will not be exposed: it remains confined to only those present, who will never expose it.
Armad was not at all surprised by the predicament the devas found themselves in. His initial purpose for bringing them on this journey was to assign them specific tasks related to construction and other duties. However, there was an underlying motive behind his decision. Armad intended to use this opportunity not only to evaluate their performance in these tasks but also to gain valuable combat experience for himself and the two women accompanying him. He believed that this experience would be crucial for their development. Once they had accrued sufficient experience, the 50 devas would be granted permission to further enhance their skills and abilities.
Without delay, a new challenge emerged: a pack of demonic lions appeared on the scene, numbering around ten. Given that only demonic lions had been attacking them, Armad deduced that they had landed in the heart of the demonic lions’ territory.
To his surprise, five of these lions were at the second stage of deva, while the remaining five were at the first stage. Recognizing the disparity in strength, Armad quickly assessed his 50 devas and selected ten of them for the task at hand. He assigned these ten to confront the five lions at the first stage of deva, instructing each pair to engage one lion. This strategy was devised because a single human would struggle to overpower a lion alone; the lions possessed significantly tougher bodies compared to humans. Therefore, it was a realistic expectation that some devas might fall in battle if they faced the lions individually. Armad’s approach aimed to mitigate this risk by ensuring that each lion was confronted by two devas working together.
The battle commenced with a sense of urgency and tension. The remaining 40 devas took on the crucial role of patrolling the area with utmost caution, ensuring that no additional demonic animals would ambush them. Their vigilance was essential, as any skirmish with the lions could potentially attract more demons from the surrounding areas.
As the conflict unfolded, Armad faced a particularly daunting challenge: two lions simultaneously. Displaying remarkable skill and determination, he engaged the lions with a strategic and relentless approach. In a surprising turn of events, Armad managed to eliminate both lions within just 15 minutes, showcasing his exceptional combat prowess.
In contrast, Ai was locked in a fierce struggle against her demonic lion. Despite her best efforts and considerable skill, victory seemed increasingly elusive. The demonic lion proved to be a formidable opponent, and the chances of Ai emerging victorious in this combat were growing slimmer with each passing moment.
On the other hand, Nusi, who had previously taken 41 minutes to defeat her demonic lion, managed to eliminate her opponent in just 20 minutes this time. Her increased speed and efficiency were a testament to her growing strength and skill. With her enemy vanquished, she quickly assessed the battlefield and decided to assist her struggling Ai.
Meanwhile, the fierce combat between the 10 human devas and the five demonic lions showed no signs of abating. The clash of power and skill was intense, with neither side gaining a clear advantage. The devas, drawing on their cultivation and teamwork, fought valiantly, but the demonic lions, with their sheer ferocity and resilience, matched them blow for blow.