CHAPTER FIFTY-SEVEN: SMOKE
As the thick veil of smoke unfurled across the battlefield, it became abundantly clear to the core formation cultivators that halting the pungent haze from engulfing their soldiers was a lost cause. Similarly, the Devas found themselves grappling with the same sense of inevitability regarding the relentless advance of the trees. Despite their lack of understanding of how to curb the trees’ intent to envelop everything, the Devas remained determined.
The situation worsened as the trees, imbued with an unknown force, continued to breach the defensive walls. Each time a wall fell, the pent-up smoke rushed forth like a freed beast, quickly spreading amongst the enemy ranks. The cultivators, desperate to protect their forces, toiled to conjure additional barriers. Yet, it was as if the smoke was sentient, almost deliberately seeping through before the new walls could solidify.
Amid this chaos, there stood a cultivator, one of the elite seventeen core formation practitioners from the town under King Konfot’s domain. He cast a wary glance at a fellow townsman beside him. Past grievances were meaningless here; the battlefield demanded unity above all else. But as a sudden dizziness took hold, he sought confirmation in the eyes of his comrade. There was no mistaking the same disorienting fog clouding his peer’s gaze. With a sense of urgency, he delivered a sharp slap to the man’s face, a rude but necessary awakening from the brink of unconsciousness.
This abrupt action served as a catalyst, rousing many of their allies who had unknowingly succumbed to a stealthy slumber. With the instincts honed from countless battles, they instantly comprehended the insidious nature of the smoke—it was a weapon, employed by Nusi to sedate the warriors through the fruits of her trees.
Yet, in this dire predicament, hope flickered. If the smoke was to envelop everyone on the battlefield, they still maintained a strategic upper hand. The smoke was significantly thicker near the town’s fortifications than among their ranks, likely affecting the enemy forces to a greater extent. Moreover, the prospect of an additional battalion that had yet to engage in battle bolstered their spirits. Should the battlefield fall silent with the collective unconsciousness of friend and foe alike, these fresh warriors would have the opportunity to strike a decisive blow against their vulnerable adversaries. The King’s Legion, too, stood ready, a potent force that could swiftly exact a deadly toll on any sleeping enemy.
Their minds raced, grappling with Nusi’s potential motives. Did she anticipate this outcome? Was there a contingency that they had overlooked? Did her soldiers possess a countermeasure to the soporific smoke, a safeguard that would render them immune to its effects?
The eyes of the core formation cultivators sharpened and enhanced by their cultivation, scoured the town walls where the battle raged with ferocity. Astoundingly, the phenomenon of the encroaching sleep was indiscriminate, claiming both allies and enemies alike. Even those locked in the heat of combat were not spared; they staggered and stumbled as the drowsiness took hold.
Amidst the ranks of the faltering soldiers, however, were captains of the Deva's rank. Surrounded by the thick smog, they appeared as islands in a stormy sea—unaffected, with no signs of dizziness or fatigue betraying their composure. Similarly, the Devas who engaged in a confrontation with Nusi’s arboreal assailants showed no indication of succumbing to slumber.
This raised new questions among the core formation cultivators. Was the smoke insufficiently potent to affect beings of such elevated status, or had these individuals simply not inhaled enough of the substance to be affected? Or perhaps, there was something inherent in the constitution of a Deva that rendered them impervious to this otherwise overwhelming threat.
Nonetheless, the ranks of the started to be aware that; if the mysterious affliction of dizziness and sleepiness during battle can impact even core cultivators, we face a grave situation. Our battalion, predominantly composed of core formation cultivators, formation establishment cultivators, and condensation cultivators—with only a handful of Devas—may not be as resilient as we hoped.
During this contemplation, the dizziness becomes overwhelming, and stronger than before. At first, they managed to suppress the disorienting effects by drawing upon their cultivation power, which provided a temporary window of lucidity to grasp the severity of their predicament. However, the relief was fleeting, and the dizziness has since returned with a vengeance.
One practitioner, a recent initiate into the first tier of core formation, nearly succumbs to the lulling force but is caught and steadied by a comrade who promptly channels a surge of cultivation energy into him.
The process of receiving another’s cultivation is intense; it engulfs the recipient in an internal inferno, leading to shivers and muscle aches—symptoms that now afflict the cultivator who narrowly avoided collapse.
Despite the initial shock and discomfort, the desire to remain conscious supersedes all else. The looming threat of eternal slumber amid war is too great; thoughts of his family, his hometown, and his accumulated wealth spur him to embrace the pain. Panic is not an option; the stakes are too high.
Soon, the savior cultivator begins to experience the same debilitating symptoms. With urgency in his voice, he commands, “Channel cultivation into my body now,” to the cultivator he had just revived.
Without hesitation, the latter places his hands on the chest of his afflicted ally, reciprocating the life-saving gesture. As the energy flows into him, he too endures the excruciating burn, but it is a necessary torment. Glancing around, he sees other cultivators engaging in a similar exchange of energy, a mutual struggle to keep the pervasive drowsiness at bay. This concerted effort gradually yields results; they feel the sleepiness retreating.
The group scans their surroundings, eager to determine if their proximity to the town’s walls might be contributing to their condition. What they find is both infuriating and shocking—many of the condensation-level cultivators have already been claimed by a deep, unnatural sleep.
A core formation cultivator, hailing from the town of King Konfot, acts with desperate fervor. He shakes one of the sleeping condensation cultivators forcefully, trying to awaken them. Yet his fear mounts as his vigorous attempts prove futile; the affected cultivators remain trapped in their slumber.
It becomes increasingly evident that the enigmatic smoke possesses an alarming potency, one that can plunge cultivators into a sleep so profound that few interventions might succeed in rousing them. The realization dawns that they must quickly discern the source of this sleep-inducing agent and find a means to counteract it, or all could be lost.
The core formation Cultivator Channel 100 cultivation years Into the condensation cultivator’s body. Yet, despite this monumental effort, there were no visible signs of progress. Their mental state began to deteriorate as a result of the futility of their endeavors, leading them to utter incoherent statements reminiscent of the mumblings of a person heavy with sleep.
On the other hand, the Formation Establishment Cultivators displayed greater resilience. Though they too were momentarily overcome by a wave of drowsiness, they managed to shake off the effects with remarkable swiftness and return to a state of alertness.
The situation became critical, and it was at this juncture that a Core Formation Cultivator stepped forward to issue a directive: “It is imperative that each Formation establishment Cultivator channels their cultivation energy into one another.”
Heeding this command, the other Core Formation Cultivators moved with purpose, weaving through the ranks of the Formation Establishment Cultivators. They conveyed the urgent need to synergize their energies by engaging in mutual cultivation. This collaborative effort was not to be undertaken lightly or alone, as they emphasized the necessity of forming small groups. A lone individual attempting this process risked the inability to reawaken without the aid of another’s cultivation energy. With this wisdom imparted, the Formation Establishment Cultivators earnestly began to transmit and receive cultivation amongst themselves, following the established protocol.
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Though only a brief period, a mere ten minutes, had elapsed since Nusi unleashed her soporific smoke from the trees, it was enough to fundamentally alter the dynamics of the battlefield. Initially, the enemy forces were vigorously scaling the town’s fortifications, with a significant number managing to surmount the walls. Those who had not yet ascended were numerous, outstripping their successful counterparts by a factor of thirty. Nonetheless, the over 5,000 who had gained the ramparts represented a force larger than that of the town’s defenders. The tide of battle was now shifting, as both the intruders atop the walls and those still climbing grappled with the sudden urge to sleep, a testament to the potent effects of the smoke.
It became evident that even the town’s army was not spared from the ensnaring effects of the smoke. The insidious vapor made no distinction between ally and enemy, casting a blanket of drowsiness over all who inhaled its fumes.
Amidst the unfolding chaos, Armad found himself in a state of shock. His cultivation prowess was exceptional, having ascended beyond the Core Formation level. Yet, he experienced a disorienting dizziness, a sensation that defied his high cultivation standing. Unlike those around him, he did not succumb to the temptation of sleep. However, he feels dizzy. This anomaly could perhaps be credited to his extensive use of Kaban Shisu’s teleportation spells, which may have caused him to feel that dizziness not only from smoke.
However, it became apparent that despite Armad’s elevated cultivation level, his physical form had not transformed typical to those who reach the Devalike state—a transformation that imparts strength and resilience. His body remained unchanged, indicating that his method of advancement, relying on sheer force rather than the traditional, gradual path of cultivation, had its drawbacks. Without the physiological enhancements that accompany the Devalike transformation, Armad was left vulnerable to the subtle effects of Nusi’s smoke, a circumstance that caught him off guard.
Armad had multiple strategies to shield himself from the debilitating effects of the mysterious smoke. Curious about its nature, he conducted an experiment based on the hypothesis that Nusi had a contingency plan to protect them against the smoke’s effects. He questioned whether her plan relied on his actions or if she had conceived an alternative solution that would safeguard them from the smoke. To test his resilience, Armad consumed an energy-boosting pill. To his astonishment, the overwhelming sensation of dizziness vanished before the pill could even settle in his stomach.
Throughout his self-testing, Nusi’s eyes were fixed on Armad with an intense focus. The moment she observed the pill’s efficacy in eradicating his dizziness, a wave of relief and happiness washed over her. Her approach relied on the energy-boosting pills to rouse their soldiers from the lethargic haze induced by the smoke. Should the pills fail, she had prepared a secondary smoke that would neutralize the first, providing them with an opportunity to either recalibrate their battle strategy or make a strategic retreat.
Nusi’s confidence in the energy-boosting pills was not misplaced. These pills were extraordinary; they could augment individuals who had yet to awaken their cultivation abilities, enabling them to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with those who had harnessed such powers. With this in mind, she based all her calculations on the anticipated success of the pills. Seeing Armad’s swift recovery reinforced her belief in the pills’ effectiveness for the rest of their forces.
Acting with a sense of urgency and without awaiting further instructions from Armad, Nusi swiftly circulated through their troops, encouraging each soldier to consume their allocated energy-boosting pills and herbs. This was their defense against the encroaching wave of drowsiness and disorientation.
In a remarkable display of preparedness, the devas who were locked in combat with the enemy forces also partook of the energy-boosting pills. They did so preemptively, recognizing the unpredictable nature of the battle and the risk of succumbing to dizziness and sleep without warning. Inspired by this proactive stance, all members of Armad’s battalion, from the front lines of his legion to the ranks of Ai’s legion, began to ingest the energy-boosting pills and herbs in earnest.
Despite the pandemonium that surrounded them, Ai’s legion remained resilient against the urge to sleep. Some of their ranks began to feel the onset of dizziness and the pull of sleep, but they steadfastly resisted, unlike the soldiers of their enemy who had been rendered helpless in slumber. This fortitude gave Nusi hope even before Armad had the chance to test the pills, especially since Ai’s legion relied solely on the energy-boosting herbs for their vitality.
Taking the initiative, Ai was the first to partake in the herbal remedy. She set a commendable example for her soldiers, who quickly followed suit. Reinvigorated by the herbs, they shook off the effects of dizziness and sleepiness in no time, regaining their full combat readiness. Meanwhile, their adversaries were in disarray—some were attempting to counteract the sleep by channeling their cultivation inside each other’s bodies, but the process was excruciating and debilitating. The pain caused by such forced channeling only served to incapacitate them further, hampering their ability to recover and fight effectively. In contrast, Armad’s battalion, bolstered by the energy-boosting pills and herbs, stood alert and ready, a testament to their preparedness and Nusi’s strategic foresight.
This unfolding event at the battlefield could very well be a fleeting opportunity for Armad’s battalion, one that may not present itself again amidst the tumult of battle. With a thunderous battle cry, Armad and his warriors surged forward to engage the enemy, whose once steadfast confidence began to falter. Despite their shaken morale, the enemy forces mounted a counteroffensive, all the while desperately fighting against an overwhelming urge to sleep, induced by a mysterious, potent smoke that filled the battlefield.
The smoke was a weapon like no other; with each minute that passed, its strength and soporific effect seemed to increase exponentially. The enemy soldiers were caught off guard by this tactic, gripped by a growing fear as they found it increasingly difficult to prevent the smoke from entering their lungs. Among them, only the Devas, with their exceptional control, managed to draw breath merely once every minute, a desperate measure to avoid breathing the tainted air. However, those of lesser cultivation—be it core formation, formation establishment, or condensation—did not possess the means to limit their breathing in such a manner. Consequently, they were left with no choice but to inhale regularly, which meant that even a brief moment of consciousness would inevitably lead to another dose of the enfeebling smoke, rendering them dizzy and lethargic once more.
As the battle raged on for five minutes, each member of Armad’s army set a grim goal: to fall at least five opposing soldiers. It was during this brutal exchange that a disturbing phenomenon began to manifest. Common knowledge among cultivators holds that the forced channeling of one’s cultivation energy, even in small amounts, can lead to self-harm. This theory was now a reality, as evidenced by the blood streaming from the nostrils of the enemy combatants. In a desperate bid to keep themselves and their comrades awake, they inadvertently inflicted severe internal injuries upon one another through the reckless transfer of their cultivation energy.
The situation was dire for one core formation cultivator in particular, who was observed with blood oozing from his ears. His fellow soldier, in an attempt to forestall the encroaching sleep, had channeled a dangerously large quantity of cultivation energy into him. Although this act succeeded in keeping him alert, it had a devastating side effect, causing acute internal trauma and muscular agony. The resulting dizziness was not the simple onset of sleep; it was an intense vertigo, the kind that signals the brink of unconsciousness.
He was not alone; a significant number of the enemy, especially those with lower cultivation levels, began to feel the same debilitating effects. They found themselves cornered by a harsh choice: succumb to the sleep-inducing smoke and be vulnerable to enemy attacks, or continue the perilous channeling of cultivation energy, risking severe and potentially fatal internal damage. The majority opted for the former, holding onto the hope that they might awaken from their enforced slumber. The alternative was too grim; the internal damage from the cultivation energy could ravage their very core, necessitating a recovery period of at least a year, during which time any advancement in cultivation would be impossible. However, the fear of defeat was so pervasive that none dared willingly embrace sleep, understanding all too well that in battle, even against the most unassuming foes, to sleep is to concede defeat.
With their situation growing increasingly desperate, the concept of retreat began to take root in their minds. The aura of victory had abandoned them on this day’s battlefield. Nevertheless, the retreat was not a viable option, as Armad’s forces, with relentless determination, cut down those who dared to turn their backs, severing heads and plunging blades with merciless precision.
From the outset, Armad’s battalion had numbered 5,000 strong. Now, they had endured the loss of 2,000 soldiers. In contrast, the enemy had suffered a staggering loss of about 9,000 warriors. This yielded a grim ratio: for every soldier that fell from the town’s battalion, three enemy soldiers were laid to rest. This outcome was indeed significant, especially when considering the varying levels of skill and power within the town’s ranks. Yet, faced with the sheer numerical superiority of the enemy forces, Armad understood that if the battle were to continue along the same trajectory, the prospects of victory for his town would be bleak.