Although the system had greatly overrated the gift it promised to give Armad, he found himself skeptical about its actual value. The system had made it seem like the gift would be extraordinarily valuable, but Armad thought differently. He had hoped for a special skill, something unique and powerful that could immediately enhance his abilities. Instead, the system offered him a certain number of pills. This was a letdown, but he couldn’t deny the practicality of the gift.
Despite his initial disappointment, Armad was still happy with the gift of was designed to increase the toughness of his muscles. Throughout all his hunting and efforts, Armad had never managed to produce 10,000 of these pills. It was a monumental task that would have taken an incredible amount of time. Now, with the system’s help, he had what he needed. These pills could significantly aid Nusi. If he could use these pills to increase the toughness of her muscles, she could potentially reach Armad’s level. This would be a tremendous achievement, considering she had already reached 50% of her muscle toughness goal. Any leftover pills might be sufficient for Armad to begin her muscle toughness.
As Armad pondered this, a wave of jealousy washed over him. He was the leader, and the thought of Nusi catching up to him was unsettling. He prided himself on his strength and position. However, he quickly shook off these feelings. He knew that his thoughts were irrational and counterproductive. Nusi’s power was, in many ways, an extension of his own. Any increase in her strength would benefit their entire group. It was as if her growth mirrored his own. Furthermore, it wasn’t a competition. If she surpassed him in some areas while he surpassed her in others, it would only make their team stronger and more versatile.
With this newfound perspective, Armad directed his thoughts back to the task at hand. He responded to the system with determination, “I choose to produce the pills that increase muscle toughness.”
“The system has received your message and agrees with your choice,” came the prompt reply.
Armad braced himself for a long wait. In the past, the system had often taken considerable time to produce pills, sometimes even days if the quantity was substantial. He was prepared to be patient, knowing the value these pills would bring to their cause. However, to his surprise, the system worked much faster this time. It didn’t take even 10 minutes before he received a notification that the pills were ready.
He looked inside his magical bag and saw that the system had already arranged for him 10,000 pills that increase muscle toughness.
Instantly, he sent a message to Nusi, inquiring about their location. Nusi responded quickly, providing detailed coordinates. Without wasting any time, he activated his teleportation ability, covering a journey that would have taken seven hours in an instant. The landscape blurred and shifted around him as he traversed the distance, finally arriving back at the first forest where Nusi and the others were based.
As he materialized in the familiar surroundings of the forest, he was greeted by the sight of his companions deep in their cultivation practices. It was evident that none of them had slacked off in his absence. Despite not having access to the pills that increase cultivation, their dedication to meditation and training yielded impressive results.
He noticed that some of the 50 devas were on the brink of advancing from the first stage of deva to the next level. Their auras shimmered with potential, indicating their imminent breakthrough. The progress they had made in such a short time was a testament to their hard work and resilience.
Armad, however, had made a firm decision regarding the distribution of the pills. He had no intention of using the pills indiscriminately to accelerate their cultivation. He had already helped them reach the deva level, and now it was up to them to prove their worthiness for further aid. Anyone who desired the pills would need to perform deeds that benefited the town or demonstrate exceptional bravery. He wanted to ensure that the pills were used responsibly and that his soldiers remained motivated to cultivate on their own.
Only those closest to him would receive his direct assistance with the pills to boost their cultivation. He was acutely aware of the two major problems that could arise from freely distributing the pills. Firstly, using the pills to increase others’ cultivation could slow down his progress. The pills were a finite resource, and he needed to balance their use to maintain his growth. Secondly, he feared that freely giving away the pills would erode the courage and determination of his members. If they relied too heavily on the pills, they might forget the importance of their efforts and the traditional methods of cultivation.
He knew that a time might come when the pills would be unavailable, or he might decide to stop distributing them altogether. In such a scenario, his soldiers needed to be capable of advancing their cultivation independently. He wanted them to retain the knowledge and skills required to progress without relying solely on external aids.
The one with the highest progress is Ai. Since arriving in this town, he did not give her any pills to increase her cultivation. Despite this, her cultivation has increased from 24,000 years to almost 24,850 years. This remarkable improvement clearly shows that Ai is exceptionally talented in consuming cultivation compared to Nusi. Although Nusi’s cultivation did not increase as significantly as Ai’s, it still grew by more than 300 years. This growth can be attributed to the fact that Nusi focused more on the toughness of her muscles than on cultivation. Therefore, it can be said that Ai has not yet surpassed her in the talent of consuming cultivation, but her progress is nonetheless impressive.
Armad praised both Ai and Nusi for their exceptional work. They had successfully eliminated all the powerful demonic animals in the forest, ensuring that no demonic animal in the forest surpassed the level of formation establishment stage. Within a month, they even managed to eliminate the demonic animals that had reached the level of core formation.
Following Armad’s strict instructions, there were no dead bodies or remains of demonic animals left behind. Nusi had cleverly consumed all the demonic animals. She misled her fellows by claiming that all the demonic animals were stored in her bags as per their master’s instructions to gather them. In reality, Nusi had a hidden cave where she meticulously fried and consumed the meat of the demonic animals. She used her cultivation to conceal the entrance of this cave, ensuring that no one could discover her secret.
Whenever Armad needed to produce pills, he could do so in abundance due to the substantial amount of demonic animal meat Nusi had consumed. The meat she ate directly contributed to the potency and quantity of the pills produced by her body.
Without taking much time, Armad led the two young women into the cave that Nusi used to hide in. He brought out all the skin toughness pills he had produced over the months, totaling over 4,000. He handed them to Ai, who accepted the pills with both hands, her eyes wide with respect and gratitude. She bowed deeply, overwhelmed by the gesture. To this day, she does not know why Prince Armad did such good things for her. All she knew was that her life now belonged to him. Even if he asked her to stab a sword into her own heart, she would not hesitate to do so.
He had raised her from obscurity to a status that no one in her family, nor her ancestors, had ever achieved. Her mind raced as she thought of the countless times Armad had shown her kindness and trust. She felt an unshakeable loyalty towards him, knowing that she owed her very existence to his benevolence. She understood that she could only repay him by dedicating her life to his service. She was quite sure she was not the only one he had elevated from obscurity; she knew he also lifted Nusi from nothing to where she was now. Indeed, if they did not help him, who would they help?
After some time, Armad warned Ai to continue focusing on toughening her skin and increasing her cultivation. His voice was firm yet encouraging, emphasizing the importance of her training. He reminded her of the challenges ahead and the strength she would need to overcome them. Ai nodded, absorbing every word, and then he dismissed her. She returned to the cave where she used to hide, her mind set on the tasks ahead.
Now, all the caves that powerful demonic animals once occupied had been taken over by Armad’s crew after they had eliminated the beasts. Each cave was now a hub of activity, filled with members of Armad’s soldiers.
Before long, the central cave became empty, leaving only Armad and Nusi. The silence was profound, broken only by the distant sounds of the forest outside. Armad turned to Nusi, his expression serious. He brought out all 10,000 pills that increased muscle toughness, which the system had produced. The pills were all red, resembling human flesh. Armad carefully laid them out in front of Nusi.
“How many of these pills do you need before you reach one hundred percent muscle toughness?” he asked.
Upon seeing the pills, she widened her eyes in astonishment. She knew the exact number of pills they produced each day, and even though production had increased significantly since they ventured into this forest, it wasn’t sufficient to account for such a large amount. This abundance could only be possible if he had meticulously saved every pill produced just for her. Even with this consideration, she felt it shouldn’t have been possible to amass such a huge quantity. The sheer number of pills implied either an extraordinary increase in production or a meticulous plan she hadn’t anticipated.
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“You don’t have time to ask questions,” he said firmly, breaking her reverie. “Just count the number of pills you need and take them. I want you to increase the toughness of your muscles to 100% within this short period. After that, we will add bands to strengthen our bones further. I believe you already understand the two major advantages of enhancing your muscle toughness. Now, tell me, what is your current smash weight?”
The current weight of his smash was 230 kilograms, a testament to his strength and cultivation. He was eager to know her smash weight to gauge how far she had come and how much further she could go.
“Your Highness,” she began, her voice a mix of pride and determination, “the weight of my smash has increased by more than 55 kilograms. Previously, even though I had reached the first stage of Deva, if I did not use my cultivation, the weight of my smash usually did not exceed 10 to 15 kilograms. However, now, Your Highness, the weight of my smash exceeds 55 kilograms.”
He nodded, his expression thoughtful. After some contemplation, he realized that when he was at her current level, he had experienced a similar smash weight. It was a familiar milestone, one that indicated significant progress. He knew that when she reached 50% in increasing the toughness of her muscles, the system would automatically enhance the weight her smash could carry. He was confident that when she achieved 100% muscle toughness, her smash weight would be at least 200 kilograms, even if she didn’t quite reach his own 230 kilograms.
After some contemplation, she took the pills, ensuring her total reached at least 5,500, before bowing deeply in respect and greeting him. Despite being fully aware of how he used her body to produce the pills, she maintained a deep respect for him. Unlike other kings who might have restricted such opportunities to their families, she had initially believed that Armad would follow this pattern as well when she first arrived in this world. Her experiences, however, have shown her otherwise.
Over time, she has confirmed her belief that Armad is indeed the one she should support in the impending battle against Ururu. If not for him, she would make sure that even Emperor Ayrion would be unable to do what was necessary to eliminate the threat posed by Ururu. Her knowledge of her original world’s history revealed that when the Ururu came to her world, they had achieved victory over the emperor. Given this history, she fears that even if she were to warn the emperor about the future conflict with Ururu, he might not secure a victory against them.
In contrast, she is convinced that this young man, whom many regard with disdain, possesses the capability to defeat the Ururu battalion and alter the grim future history of the slave trade. As she ponders her thoughts, she reaffirms her commitment to sacrifice her life if necessary to protect this prince. Her resolve is firm: her only course of action now is to continue enhancing her power.
Once their discussion concluded, Armad vanished and teleported back to the forest from which he had come. He did not embark on any new ventures but resumed his usual practice of targeting demonic animals that had reached the fourth stage of Deva. His goal was to eliminate them, as the system had informed him that continuing to rely solely on his physical strength would result in the production of the pills he desired. He viewed this as a crucial opportunity to amass as many pills as possible, understanding that this chance might not come again. He recognized that neglecting this opportunity could lead to significant losses, making it essential for him to act decisively and take full advantage of the situation.
On the other hand, the system did not fail to deliver on its promise. The pills it produced were entirely white, devoid of any color beyond white, in stark contrast to other pills which bore varied hues similar to skin tones. These particular pills were made from a unique substance that resembled teeth but felt more like bone when touched. Despite their appearance, the pills were even whiter than bone, even after cleaning.
Armad, curious about their purpose, asked the system to explain their significance. The system replied that these pills were essential for enhancing the toughness of his bones. According to the system, the current toughness of his bones was at a mere zero percent. This meant that his bones had no strength whatsoever. Armad found this hard to believe, as he reasoned that if his bones had no strength, they wouldn’t be able to support his body.
Despite his skepticism, Armad chose not to argue with the system. Instead, he decided to start taking the pills. He was cautious and chose not to do this in an open area, unsure of the potential pain he might experience. He found a cave, where he could shield himself with his cultivation. He swallowed the pills, but to his surprise, he felt no immediate pain. He even gritted his teeth, bracing himself for any discomfort that might come, but none followed.
After a short period, Armad experienced a sudden, violent sensation. It felt as though he was being lifted and forcefully thrown against the cave’s roof, and then dropped back down with tremendous force. This violent impact resulted in the breaking of at least thirty bones in his body, and his skull suffered a significant crack. Had it not been for the additional protective muscles surrounding his brain, it would have been severely damaged. The veins in his brain also became tougher due to the increased resilience of his muscles. If it weren’t for these developments, his brain could have been severely injured.
This intense experience made Armad realize the importance of the system’s systematic approach. He understood now why the system emphasized a step-by-step process: first, a person must strengthen their skin, then their muscles, and finally their bones. The gradual buildup was crucial; without it, the intense force could lead to fatal injuries. Armad acknowledged that this methodical progression was designed to ensure survival and build resilience, preventing individuals from succumbing to the extreme pressures they would face.
He struggled to regain his strength, though no blood flowed from his mouth and his breathing was barely audible. His ribs were fractured, a result of the brutal ordeal he had endured. Had they been able to damage his lungs and heart, he would have been dead by now. The prospect of death loomed over him as he grappled with the question: was there any way the system could boost his power without causing such intense suffering? The anticipated pain had arrived, manifesting in the form of broken bones.
As the hours passed, he could feel his shattered bones beginning to heal. By sunset, the fractures had mended, and his bones were even stronger than before. He managed to sit up from where he had been lying, wincing with each movement. He touched his chest and was relieved to find that his ribs had completely healed. Curious, he checked the system and saw that his bone toughness had increased from zero to one percent out of a hundred. The realization hit him hard: did this mean that his bones needed to endure over a hundred times more stress before achieving full toughness? If so, the system’s demands seemed excessively harsh, bordering on cruel.
He took a deep breath and shook his head, trying to clear his mind of despair. Whatever the system’s intentions, he knew he couldn’t afford to compromise on his power. His survival and ability to stand firm against his siblings depended on his resolve. The exposure of his secret skills and powerful pills had added another layer of urgency to his situation. Strengthening his body and increasing his power had become paramount. Even the business he had established seemed trivial compared to the importance of advancing his cultivation.
With a renewed sense of determination, he focused on the task at hand. He understood that no matter how grueling the process, he needed to persevere. The idea of fortifying his bones and expanding his capabilities outweighed any other concerns. He took a deep breath, his resolve hardening with each passing moment. Grabbing a handful of pills, he swallowed them, steeling himself for the challenges ahead.
He did not feel any pain for up to five minutes, which was a brief respite he had not expected. He knew, however, that this calm would be short-lived, and he prepared himself for the inevitable. At that moment, he was subjected to a brutal assault against the cave walls. First, he was thrown violently against the front of the cave, his body slamming into the rock with a sickening thud. Then he was hurled towards the back, his spine crashing into the rough surface. Next, he was thrown upwards, his head nearly striking the jagged ceiling. Finally, he was sent crashing down to the ground. The force was so intense that every single bone in his body was shattered beyond recognition.
The pain was excruciating, but he lost consciousness before it could fully register. When he awoke, he had no idea how much time had passed. The cave was still, and the silence was oppressive.
As he regained his senses, he wondered if the system had truly intended to kill him. The extent of the damage to his body was staggering. Each of his bones had been fractured multiple times, with some sustaining as many as thirty to fifty breaks. The thought crossed his mind that his consumption of numerous pills might have provoked such a drastic response from the system. He had taken them almost as if daring the system to do its worst, and it had responded in kind.
Despite the severity of his injuries, he managed to stagger to his feet. His clothes were now in tatters, destroyed by the force of the repeated impacts. Remarkably, there was no visible blood on his clothing, though he knew that this did not mean he was free from suffering. His skin and muscles had become so tough that they no longer bled, yet the agony he felt was undeniable and intense.
When he checked the system again, he saw a slight improvement. His bone toughness had increased by 6%, bringing the total toughness to 6% out of a possible 100%. This improvement was a small consolation amidst the overwhelming pain. He knew that 93% remained to be achieved, not accounting for the 1% that remained unchanged.
At that moment, he heard the system’s voice echoing in his mind: “Regarding your previous query about the benefits of increasing bone toughness, allow me to elaborate. When you enhance the toughness of your bones, you will experience several significant advantages.
First, your enemies will find it increasingly difficult to break your bones. This increased durability means that your physical defenses will be much stronger, making you more resilient in combat and less susceptible to injury from attacks that would normally fracture your bones.
Second, as you augment the toughness of your bones, the weight and impact of your attacks will also improve. This is analogous to how increasing muscle toughness boosts the power of your strikes. Currently, the weight of your attacks is around 230 kilograms, but as you continue to enhance your bone toughness, this weight will progressively increase, thereby amplifying the force of your blows.
Third, consider that bones play a crucial role in mobility. They are the structure that supports your body and facilitates movement. By increasing the toughness of your bones, you will not only strengthen your defense but also enhance your speed. The increased toughness allows for more efficient and dynamic movement, improving your overall agility in combat and other activities.” After delivering this detailed explanation, the system’s voice faded into silence.