Now, as Armad strived to reach 99% of his muscle toughness, the weight of his smash surpassed 200 kg. This was an incredible feat, with enough force to demolish a house. However, despite this impressive power, Armad remained unsatisfied. He was determined to surpass this level and advance further in his cultivation, driven by the knowledge of his formidable enemies. He understood that his current power was insufficient against the threats he faced.
Armad had already eliminated all the demonic animals in his area that were at the fourth stage of deva. To continue his progress, he needed to venture into new territories. He calculated that the 50-kilometer expansion he planned for his town, Tiriba, would end within the current forest. It was within this forest that the new town walls would be raised. This expansion required eliminating the dangerous creatures that lurked nearby, ensuring the safety of the town’s inhabitants.
Knowing the risks of leaving such dangerous animals near the town, Armad decided to leave Nusi and the others in the current forest. The remaining demonic animals were no longer a threat due to the new powers his companions had gained. Confident in their ability to protect themselves, Armad prepared to advance to the next forest. He sent messages to his comrades, informing them of his plan before soaring into the air. Utilizing his teleportation spell, Kaban Shishu, he traveled swiftly, reaching the next forest within a few hours.
This new forest was even more perilous than the previous one. Armad had calculated beforehand that there should be at least a 10-kilometer gap between their town and this dangerous territory. To protect the town, powerful cultivators at the level of deva would be stationed to guard the new walls. However, Armad knew that merely guarding the walls would not be enough. He needed to proactively eliminate some of the demonic animals within the forest, particularly the most powerful ones, to ensure the safety and future growth of Tiriba.
Surprisingly, as Armad stepped into the forest, he was welcomed by ten demonic animals at the level of deva. These demonic animals were rabbits, a sight that left him utterly astonished. It had taken him a long time to see any demonic animal of small size; all the demonic creatures he had encountered before were large and intimidating. The sight of these smaller, seemingly harmless creatures being at such a high level was completely unexpected.
The demonic rabbits walked with an elegance that was in stark contrast to the way common rabbits moved. Their long ears danced in the air, while their white fur appeared gray as if they had been dusted with ashes. The way they moved and their demeanor suggested a level of confidence and power that was unusual for their kind. They covered the entire path as if daring anyone to cross them. As he entered the forest, they were the first thing he saw, their presence overwhelming and commanding.
Armad frowned deeply, trying to understand what these rabbits represented and where they were headed. The size of each rabbit did not exceed the height of his shin, which meant he had to bow down to look at them closely. As he observed them, he noticed their eyes were fixed on him, studying him intently. This realization sent a shiver down his spine.
“Hey, human, get out of our way, or you will lose your head,” one of the rabbits suddenly spoke, its voice clear and authoritative.
Upon hearing the rabbit’s voice, Armad’s heart began to beat rapidly. This could only mean that this demonic rabbit had reached the peak of deva. Only demonic animals that reach the peak of deva can talk, and not only can they speak, but they also possess the ability to transform into human forms if they wish. The gravity of the situation hit him hard.
Despite all he had been through, Armad had no intention of facing a demonic animal that had reached the peak of deva. He knew that if he did so, he would be risking his life, as he stood no chance of victory. The power of such demonic animals was well-known and documented in many books. However, these animals were rare and should not have been found in this forest. This was why he wasn’t afraid initially; he knew that the highest-level demonic animals he could encounter here were those at the fourth stage of deva. Yet now, for the first time, he was facing a demonic animal that had reached the peak of deva. What was happening? Had there been any changes in this forest that he was unaware of?
Instantly, he started contemplating in his mind. The situation was dire, and he needed to make a swift decision. Without hesitation, he quickly raised his hand and invoked his teleportation spell, Kaban Shishu. In an instant, he vanished from his current location. He had no intention of facing these demonic animals head-on, especially since one among them had reached the peak of Deva, a level of power that posed a significant threat even to the most seasoned cultivators.
His mind raced as he reappeared a considerable distance away. The thought of such powerful demonic creatures lurking in the forest was troubling. If there were indeed creatures of such caliber, it would be impossible for his town to safely approach this forest. He realized that he had to investigate further to uncover the truth behind these ominous presences and their sudden appearance in the forest.
Once he ensured that he was far enough from the demonic rabbits, he reappeared on the opposite side of the forest. Carefully, he surveyed each cardinal direction, scanning for any sign of danger. Satisfied that no rabbits were nearby, he proceeded deeper into the forest, moving with caution. As he ventured further, his spiritual sense expanded, enveloping the entire forest. This heightened awareness allowed him to detect any potential threats long before they reached him.
Despite his determination, a part of his heart urged him to activate his Miyura. However, he had made a solemn promise to rely solely on his physical power during this training. This promise was a test of his strength and discipline. Yet, he couldn’t shake the feeling that the promise he made was for the previous forest, not this one. The stakes were higher now, and his life was at risk. If he died, the promise he made would become meaningless.
Conflicted, he decided to activate his Miyura, channeling his cultivation into it. The artifact began to hum with energy, ready to unleash its power. But just as he was about to fully engage it, a voice echoed in his mind. It was the voice of the system. “The system has been overseeing your actions,” it said. “You will continue to receive the pills you desire, which increase the toughness of your muscles, as long as you do not use Miyura to enhance your power. You can only obtain this benefit if you rely solely on the toughness of your skin and muscles. Should you use any other means, the system will decrease the number of pills that enhance muscle toughness. You may receive more pills that enhance skin toughness or other types of pills, but not the ones you seek.”
Instantly, Armad frowned. It seemed the system had been manipulating him all along, subtly guiding his actions without explicitly instructing him. He had suspected there was a reason why the system had given him more pills to increase the toughness of his muscles. The system operated in a way that didn’t tell him directly what to do but rewarded him if he made the right choices. For example, since he decided to focus solely on his physical strength in this training, the system recognized his decision as correct and rewarded him accordingly, though it didn’t inform him until he was about to change his approach.
Armad reflected on how the system had been with him from the beginning, subtly nudging him in the right direction while allowing him to make his own choices. The pills, the sudden boosts in strength, the occasional hints—everything had been orchestrated to ensure he stayed on the right path. He realized that the system had its way of communicating, rewarding him when he was on the right track and withholding rewards when he wasn’t.
Despite the system’s guidance, Armad was hesitant to decide his next course of action quickly. He was torn between following the system’s instructions or prioritizing his safety. The system had always been cryptic, never giving direct orders, but rather nudging him toward decisions that would ultimately benefit him. This time, however, the stakes were higher, and he couldn’t afford to make a mistake.
He spent several minutes contemplating his next move. Should he trust the system, that had brought him this far, or should he rely on his instincts to survive?
After some contemplation, he decided: that if he encountered any demonic animal at the peak of the deva level, he would disregard the system’s instructions and activate all his skills. He understood that such a powerful creature would be beyond his current capabilities, and relying solely on muscle toughness would be insufficient. He would need to use every ounce of his power to survive such an encounter.
However, if he did not encounter such formidable creatures, he would continue following the system’s guidance until he reached a 99% increase in muscle toughness. By that time, the system would likely permit him to start increasing the toughness of his bones, and he might then have enough strength to face demonic animals at the peak of deva.
As he ventured deeper into the forest, he meticulously followed his plan. Each step was taken with caution, every rustle in the underbrush scrutinized. He knew that the deeper he went, the more dangerous the creatures would become. His senses were heightened, and his muscles were taut, ready to spring into action at a moment’s notice.
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Fortunately, all the demonic animals he encountered were at the first stage of deva. He engaged them cautiously, testing his muscle toughness and honing his combat skills. Each battle was a learning experience, and he could feel himself growing stronger with each encounter.
Unlike the demonic animals in the previous forest, which were even if they reached the fourth stage it was difficult to reach the peak of the stage, the creatures here, had already reached the peak of the stage. This made them formidable opponents.
However, with his new, powerful smash, weighing 200 kilograms, Armad felt invincible. They took him some time before he eliminated them but none at the fourth stage of Deva took him more than 10 minutes to eliminate. Unlike before, when he would kill the demonic animals and roast their meat on the spot, he now gathered them in his magical bag. This strategy not only made the process more efficient but also ensured he could handle any surprise attacks from other creatures.
After gathering at least 30 demonic animals, Armad found a cave. He meticulously scanned the surroundings, making sure there were no dangerous animals nearby. Satisfied with the safety of the location, he entered the cave and sealed the entrance with his cultivation powers. Inside, he set up a fire and began the process of roasting the animals.
He understood that the scent of blood and fresh meat attracted other predators, so he avoided roasting the meat out in the open where he had killed them.
The aroma of the roasting meat soon filled the cave, a rich and tantalizing scent that made his mouth water. Armad didn’t stop until he had cooked all thirty animals. Some of the animals were small, no larger than goats, while others were massive, even surpassing the size of elephants. Regardless of their size, he relished the taste of their meat but found that he could never feel fully satisfied.
His stomach was like an old well that could never be filled. As he devoured the meat, he contemplated why he never felt full. It puzzled him how all the food he consumed seemed to disappear without a trace. Eventually, he concluded that it must be the system consuming the food whenever he ate. This thought provided some comfort, as it meant his body was using the nourishment efficiently, perhaps to fuel his cultivation powers.
As the process continued, the system took its time, gradually producing the pills for him. It seemed as though the system was genuinely pleased with how diligently Armad followed the instructions this time. The system produced as many pills as possible from the animals Armad had consumed. Remarkably, over 95 percent of the pills created were those designed to enhance muscle toughness, while the pills intended to improve skin toughness accounted for less than five percent of the total production.
With a sense of accomplishment, Armad settled down into a cross-legged position and began his meditation, consuming the pills one by one. His focus was intense as he immersed himself in the process. During his meditation, he received a message from the judge. The judge informed him that the supply of skin-whitening pills was nearing depletion. The judge estimated that the pills would be exhausted within seven to ten days. This depletion could lead to a halt in production, which was a serious concern.
The judge’s message carried an urgency, advising Armad to cut short his meditation and return promptly to supply more pills. However, the judge was unaware that Armad had already used up all of the skin-whitening pills before his departure, having handed over the entire stock to the judge. Armad had not anticipated that the judge would use up the entire supply before their return. He had assumed the stock would last longer. However, he also didn’t though he would take a lot of time without going back to the town.
Despite the judge’s concerns, Armad decided that the importance of his strength outweighed the concerns of the companies. He recognized the value of the companies but knew that his power was crucial. After careful consideration, he sent a message to the judge, instructing him to fabricate a story explaining any delays in production if they did not return on time. He reasoned that companies often need to take breaks, and even if other companies did not adhere to this practice, his own company would.
With this plan in mind, Armad closed his eyes and entered a deeper state of meditation. He focused on enhancing his abilities, accepting the pain that came with consuming pills designed to increase muscle toughness. Occasionally, he would open his eyes, consume more of the muscle-enhancing pills, and grit his teeth against the pain they inflicted. The discomfort was significant, but he remained resolute in his quest to strengthen himself further.
After six days of intense training and perseverance, Armad heard the familiar voice of the system echo in his mind: “Congratulations! The system acknowledges your remarkable achievement of reaching 100% in muscle toughness. Your bravery and dedication have not gone unnoticed. Due to your success in achieving maximum toughness in both your skin and muscles, the system has decided to reward you with a rare and special gift. This gift is exceptionally rare and may not be offered again. You are invited to choose any pill that the system has previously produced, and the system will produce 10,000 of those pills for you free of charge. Select the pill you desire from the system’s extensive collection.”
Armad listened intently, but his attention was fixated on the display showing his muscle toughness percentage. He had encountered a similar situation before when the system had reported that he had achieved 100% skin toughness, but he had seen 99% on his display. This time, the discrepancy was the same. Despite the system’s assertion of 100% muscle toughness, Armad could see that the displayed percentage was still 99%. There was no doubt in his mind that some form of enchantment or manipulation was influencing the system’s readings.
Previously, when he had inquired about the anomaly with his skin toughness, the system had provided no explanation or response. Based on this experience, Armad was confident that the system would remain unresponsive to any questions regarding the current discrepancy. Accepting this, he chose not to pursue the matter further. Instead, he focused on the fact that he would soon be able to enhance the toughness of his bones, a development he eagerly anticipated.
The news of his achievement filled Armad with immense joy. His strength had now increased. His smash now weighs 230 kilograms—an impressive 30 kilograms more than his previous limit of 200 kilograms. This significant improvement was not just in his smash weight capacity but extended to his internal organs as well. His heart, kidneys, intestines, liver, and other vital organs had developed a toughness comparable to metal, enhancing their durability and resilience. Additionally, his limbs, mouth, and nose had transformed to become nearly indestructible.
Just as he had achieved a 100% enhancement in the toughness of his second layer, resulting in his muscles emitting a unique and potent power, he experienced a similar effect now when his muscles reached the same level of toughness. Although he couldn’t visibly see any change in his muscles, he could sense that this new power, akin to what he had attained at 100%, generated a force that repelled any attack meant to harm him. This power was a defensive mechanism that pushed back threats with impressive efficacy.
The most significant breakthrough was that this new ability ensured that any attack aimed at breaching his skin could no longer penetrate his internal body. Only attacks of substantial weight, capable of breaking bones, could potentially harm him since his bones had not yet attained the same level of toughness as his muscles. Therefore, apart from such weighty assaults, he was effectively impervious to damage. This included attacks that could otherwise injure internal organs and cause severe reactions, such as vomiting blood. Now, to witness any sign of injury like bleeding, one would have to inflict a bone-breaking attack on him. Even then, with time, his bones would also become nearly indestructible.
In addition to this newfound resilience, he had developed a powerful new technique: the weight smash. This ability led him to believe that, among cultivators who had reached the deva level, only a select few could endure a prolonged battle against him. To even stand a chance in combat, opponents would need to achieve an extraordinary level of strength and skill. Without reaching this critical threshold, they would be unworthy to face him in a serious confrontation.
Despite these advances, he was still uncertain about the benefits of increasing the toughness of his bones. The potential gains were not entirely clear to him, and he was eager to explore the possibilities further. After some contemplation, he decided to consult the system for more information.
“System, I’ve observed the benefits of enhancing the toughness of my muscles, and I’m grateful for those improvements. However, I’m curious about what advantages I would gain by increasing the toughness of my bones. Could you provide more details on what this enhancement will bring?”
The system remained silent for a while, unresponsive to his inquiries. After some time, Armad realized that the system had permitted him to choose a gift, yet he had not acted on this opportunity. It seemed as though the system was deliberately withholding a response as if to make a point or as an act of retaliation.
Armad shook his head in confusion, still uncertain whether the system operated like a human or if it functioned more like a machine. The ambiguity of its nature added to his perplexity, making it difficult to gauge its reactions and intentions.
He began to carefully consider his options. Should he select the skin-whitening pills that were requested by the judge, or would it be more beneficial to choose pills that enhance skin toughness? The choice was not as straightforward as it might seem. While the horse stamina pills and insect repellent pills were available in abundance and contributed to his income, they were currently not needed. He already had plenty of these, and their immediate utility was limited.
Armad pondered the implications of each choice. Skin-whitening pills, though requested, had a relatively specific use. On the other hand, the pills that increased skin toughness had broader applications. With 10,000 of these pills, he could significantly aid a new cultivator in achieving 100% skin toughness. Even if the cultivator didn’t reach the full 100%, the pills would bring them very close to this goal. This means that the pills would allow Ai to finish increasing the toughness of her skin and begin working on muscle toughness.
However, after further contemplation, Armad was hesitant to choose the pills for muscle toughness. He had specific reasons for this. He does not want Ai to start increasing the toughness of her skin now. He wants her to start when Nusi has gone far in the stage this is because if this happens the the pill that increases the toughness of muscles will not be enough for them to progress and they will be pushing each other back.
Finally, after thorough reflection, Armad made his decision on which pills to choose.