Armad's hand was firm upon the hilt of his sword, his grip unyielding as his jaw clenched with resolve. In his silent oath, he swore defiance against a world that might forsake him, against every councilor of the Wilberforce Empire who might side with Ikenga. Even if Emperor Ayrion, his blood, and ruler, withheld his support, even if his mother's family cowered in fear within the capital, unable to lend their strength, Armad would not waver. Alone, buoyed only by his self-belief and the unwavering conviction in his abilities, he would achieve victory. That determination was unshakable, a steadfast companion within his mind. He vowed not to meet his end until triumph was firmly in his grasp.
The idea of defeat was intolerable to Armad, not just because of his pride, but because it would signify a failure to fulfill his inherited destiny. To fall in battle would not just be a personal demise, but a betrayal of the legacy encoded in his very being. Such a defeat would render him useless, a waste of the potential and opportunities gifted by the mysterious System. He knew that if he couldn't prevail in this conflict, it would mean he had utterly misunderstood the purpose of his journey through time.
In the thick of the fray, Armad's hands were like iron around his weapon as he braced for his adversary's incoming assault. Rather than resorting to defense, he chose to meet force with force, launching a decisive counterstrike. At that moment, a radiant flare, akin to the sudden illumination of a tarsier's eyes, filled the battlefield, blinding the combatants and casting a momentary veil over the chaos of war. The duel between Armad and his opponent surged forward with renewed intensity.
On another part of the battlefield, a vicious skirmish had unfolded between Nusi and Nura Bayajidda. Armad had his reasons for allowing this confrontation—reasons born from understanding and strategy. He had already unraveled the secrets of Nusi's skill, the ability to bend wood and trees to her will through the art of her medicinal mixtures. Yet, one question lingered in his mind—was she manipulating the living trees, or was it the essence of the wood itself that responded to her command? Armad knew that once the dust of war settled, he must seek her out for a thorough discussion. He wished to delve into the mysteries of her abilities so that he might offer his assistance in refining and enhancing her talent.
For the moment, however, Nura Bayajidda demanded his full attention. The man's pride did not lie in his level of cultivation, which was a common source of honor among warriors, but rather in the extraordinary toughness of his body. Through the brief clash with the trio sent against him, Armad had gleaned insight into their purpose as a unit. The first he had defeated was the one whose presence had filled him with an inexplicable dread. Armad struggled to understand the root of this fear, though it was evident that the man's eyes held the depth of war experience and a wealth of tactical knowledge. Nura Bayajidda, however, was different; he boasted solely of his physical toughness, a trait that intrigued Armad, who pondered the origins of such remarkable endurance.
Armad’s skin toughness is noteworthy, but it pales in comparison to that of Nura Bayajidda, whose entire physique seems impervious to harm, as though his frame was carved from the very essence of stone rather than flesh, rendering conventional muscles redundant. In stark contrast is the opponent Armad currently faces in combat, a warrior whose strength is not derived from an innate toughness but rather hinges entirely on the depth of his cultivation. From the onset of their clash, this adversary has leaned heavily on his cultivation prowess, which notably surpasses that of his companions in the trio. This encounter marks Armad’s first engagement with an individual who has achieved the formidable second stage of deva—a level of power that is not to be underestimated.
The trio, each member boasting their unique abilities, confidently asserts that they can effectively support one another in battle. Armad’s adversaries have meticulously calculated their actions before sending forth this particular group. Even with the assistance of the mysterious system, Armad is acutely aware that a solitary fight against the trio would be futile unless the system bestows upon him a skill of monumental potency.
Nura Bayajidda’s specialty lies in the extraordinary toughness of his body, a trait that sets him apart in the realm of physical combat. On the other hand, Nusi exhibits mastery in the art of wood manipulation. Under normal circumstances, the tenacity of the human form cannot hope to match the unyielding nature of wood. This understanding is precisely why Armad has chosen Nusi to engage with Nura Bayajidda, recognizing her unique capability to summon and wield wood in battle. Yet, Armad remains vigilant, prepared to step in and offer aid if the tide of the battle demands it.
As Armad had predicted, the battle commenced with Nusi conjuring a vast tree, its branches sprawling in every direction, each limb a weapon aimed at Nura Bayajidda. This was the very tree that had made its debut on the first day of combat—a sinister flora capable of draining life-sustaining resources from a person, leaving them as desiccated as if they had been deprived of nourishment for a month. However, to everyone’s astonishment, this arboreal assault seemed futile against the indomitable defense of Nura Bayajidda. The branches, though numerous and relentless, were no match for his stone-like body; with a mere twist or a powerful shrug, he could shatter the wooden tendrils, underscoring a toughness that surpassed the stone itself.
The underlying reason for Nura Bayajidda’s seeming invincibility against Nusi’s arboreal onslaught is the vast gulf in their respective cultivation levels. Nura Bayajidda, already in the early stage of deva, boasts a staggering 15,000 years of cultivation. Nusi, meanwhile, resides at the last of the core formation stage but has already expended the majority of her cultivation reserves in the heat of battle. What remains of her once vast cultivation now dwindles at a critical reserve of just 5,000 years
The reason she possesses even the 5,000 years of cultivation years at her disposal is due to her unique cultivation ability, which allows her to swiftly recover the years of cultivation she has expended. Armad, have you ascertained whether this capability is linked to her Nagirinki, or is it solely a testament to the potency of her cultivation practices? He had come to understand, of course, that her cultivation prowess, while significant, did not rival his own—a fact he had anticipated.
Heaving a deep sigh, Armad contemplated the situation. It might not involve her Nagirinki at all, considering how her skills in farming and her capacity to conjure trees both seem to tap into the substance of Nagirinki. The underlying issue, however, is that Nusi is hampered by her incomplete cultivation power. Were her cultivation to be fully actualized, she could create trees imbued with far greater vitality and power.
In addition to these concerns, Armad has stumbled upon a curious secret harbored by an individual named Nura Bayajidda. Remarkably, Nura does not need to rely on his cultivation to exhibit formidable physical toughness. Ever since their first encounter in combat, where Nura Bayajidda harnessed a portion of his cultivation to fortify his body, he has not had to channel any additional cultivation to maintain the toughness of his body. It is as if he possesses a natural, inborn resilience.
These revelations sparked a series of thoughts in Armad’s mind. Regardless of the mysterious methods Nura Bayajidda uses to toughen his physique, Armad knew he desired the man’s presence in his battalion. He resolved to delve further into Nura Bayajidda’s background, to learn of the tribe from which this enigmatic figure emerged.
Once more, Armad’s chest rose and fell with a heavy sigh. His desire to rush to Nusi’s aid was strong, yet he was keenly aware that his opponents would not stand idly by to allow such an intervention.
As these events unfolded, Nura Bayajidda demonstrated his destructive capabilities by shattering the shield that Nusi had conjured to protect himself. In a swift motion, he teleported behind her and delivered a piercing blow aimed at her abdomen, precisely where her kidney was located. His intention was clear: to inflict grievous harm upon her internal organs.
Nusi, seemingly prepared for such an onslaught, summoned a branch from the earth in a defensive maneuver, hoping to block the impending strike.
However, her surprise was palpable when the wooden defense proved futile against the force of the attack. The branch offered scant resistance, fracturing within moments. Unabated, Nura Bayajidda’s fierce punch continued on its trajectory, making impact with the side of Nusi’s abdomen with a force that seemed to echo the very threat of internal destruction he had aimed for.
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Although the intensity of the smash had waned, its velocity and ferocity noticeably lessened, yet it still bore the full brunt of an early-stage Deva’s cultivation power.
As the smash struck, Nusy was hurled skyward before gravity reclaimed her, and she plummeted back to the earth. The landing robbed her of the ability to stand; she collapsed in a heap, her strength sapped. Her shirt, struck by the smash, was ripped open, exposing the skin beneath but, astonishingly, it was unmarred by wounds. Despite the absence of visible injury, blood eerily seeped from the corner of her mouth, hinting at internal damage.
Armad exhaled a heavy sigh, his heart heavy with the realization that the conflict must take a different course. The tension was palpable as he bit his lip, a gesture betraying his concern and inner turmoil.
It was at this critical juncture, amidst the crescendo of the battle’s uncertainty, that the system’s voice broke through the chaos. “The system has expended a portion of your Nagirinki reserves to unlock knowledge of two distinct skills. It is now incumbent upon you to select one. The first skill, ‘Kaban Zishu,’ is a natural progression of your existing ability, ‘Kaban Shisu.’ With ‘Kaban Zishu,’ you gain the capability to cross vast expanses in an instant. This skill extends beyond personal rapid movement; you can also transport others or even substantial cargo with minimal expenditure of your cultivation energy, making it exceedingly efficient for travel or escape. The second skill, ‘Pol String,’ will strengthen your eyes of the Wilberforce that you inherited from your grandfather. In wielding ‘Pol String,’ you will command ten strings. Each string can be affixed to an individual, allowing you to drain their cultivation energy or inflict precise injuries. While these strings present a foundational level of power at inception, they are amenable to enhancement. Through the system, their potency and quantity can be increased, offering a path to greater mastery and versatility. The choice lies before you, each skill with its own merits and strategic applications. Which will you choose ?”
Armad did not hesitate or waste any time. He was fully aware of the system’s explanation, having listened attentively from the moment it mentioned the utilization of a portion of his Nagirinki. He understood that tapping into this resource would inevitably reduce the power of his world. However, the urgency of the situation left no room for contemplation of these consequences.
Additionally, the initial skill offered to him, Kaban Zishu, was undeniably potent. Under different circumstances—away from the turmoil of battle—he might have given it serious consideration, recognizing that it could be crucial in future conflicts. However, its potential impact seemed trivial when compared to the ‘pol strings’ skill. The pol strings, capable of infiltrating an adversary’s body to drain their cultivation energy and damage their core, were effectively akin to a targeted attack on their very essence of cultivation. The disparity in their influence was stark and undeniable. With clarity of purpose, Armad made his choice in favor of the second skill: ‘pol strings’.
The system, usually sparing in its communication, was more forthcoming this time. The moment Armad’s decision was made, the system’s voice echoed once again in his ears, confirming his choice with an authoritative tone. “You have selected the ‘pol strings’ skill. To this end, the system has consumed a fragment of your Nagirinki and activated the innate ability through the blood you have inherited from your grandfather, Wilberforce. This activation has enhanced the power within your eyes. Behold, now you can visualize these strings.” As the system’s announcement reached its conclusion, a visible transformation occurred; Armad’s eyes, previously brown, darkened into a profound, rich hue, signifying the awakening of new sight.
The eyes inherited from Wilberforce are not uniform in their gifts; they vary substantially in the scope and magnitude of their power. Those born into the potent bloodline of Wilberforce are graced with the potential to activate these special eyes from infancy. Nonetheless, the true measure of their ability lies in what they enable their bearers to discern. The extent of their vision is a testament to the power they wield.
In Armad’s case, the amplification of his ocular prowess was immediate and manifest. Arrayed before him were ten pol strings, radiating from the Miyura affixed to his forehead. These were the same pol strings that had filled the pages of ancient tomes, the subject of countless myths whispered in hushed reverence, and the tales recounted to wide-eyed children within the hallowed halls of learning in the capital of Wilberforce. He had learned during his formative years that the pol strings were among the most revered skills of the Wilberforce tribe, a skill so rare that only a handful of the tribe’s members had ever laid eyes upon them. A common belief held that within the esteemed ranks of the king’s legion, only those commanders who had ascended to the highest echelons were capable of perceiving the pol strings. And even among those elite commanders, it was only the most extraordinary—a select few of unparalleled power and renown—who could harness and command the skill with any degree of proficiency.
The esoteric practices of the Wilberforce people, particularly their ability to extract the essence of cultivation from others, remain a closely guarded secret, one not meant for the knowledge of the common folk. The process of extraction, far from being an effortless endeavor, is complex and time-consuming. It involves sitting down and meticulously performing a sequence of arcane seals and invocations. The reason for this complexity lies in the formidable defense mechanisms inherent to a cultivator’s core, which fiercely guards the cultivation within.
The core itself is not just a reservoir of cultivation; it is also protected by entities, such as the board and demons, that reside within it. They play a crucial role in safeguarding the cultivation, for it is this very essence that keeps the core active and vibrant. Depletion of cultivation from the core would not only cause it to seal shut as though it had never existed, but it would also spell doom for the board and demon whose lives are inextricably linked to the core and its cultivation content. Therefore, the act of siphoning cultivation from a cultivator’s body is not only delicate but fraught with inherent risks and requires an inordinate amount of time and skill.
Despite the grave implications and the explicit prohibition set by Emperor Ayrion against the practice of cultivation extraction from human bodies, the Wilberforce empire clandestinely continued to pass down this forbidden knowledge through the generations. Notably, Prince Armad and his elder sibling, Prince Ikenga, were indoctrinated with these practices from a tender age. Armad, in particular, his education in this dark art began informally under the guidance of his late mother, who occasionally served as a willing subject for her son to hone their skills in cultivation extraction. These poignant memories of his mother’s unusual requests for her son to practice on her remain etched in Prince Armad’s mind.
Emperor Ayrion, understanding the significance of such abilities for the identity and prestige of the Wilberforce lineage, once convened his children to impress upon them the essential nature of this capacity. He sternly declared that a Wilberforce who cannot extract cultivation is not worthy of their heritage. “If you cannot extract cultivation,” he stated, “you are renouncing the very essence of what it means to be a Wilberforce.”
The underlying reason behind Emperor Ayrion’s prohibition was not merely to uphold moral standards but also to protect his people from the ire of the more powerful tribes. Historical records recount how, soon after his coronation, a massive conflict broke out, instigated by the unified front of the great tribes against the Wilberforce. This war was precipitated by the practice, which was widespread at the time, of every Wilberforce individual exercising their ability to extract cultivation from others without restraint. The resultant anarchy and loss of peace during that tumultuous era led Emperor Ayrion to take decisive action. He issued a decree that strictly prohibited the common populace of the Wilberforce from engaging in cultivation extraction, a move intended to quell the hostilities and restore a semblance of peace among the warring factions.
However, that decree did not affect the king’s legion or other elites of Wilberforce, such as the lineage of the council members. It’s a well-known fact that there’s a limited number of cultivation they extract from the bodies of enemies, and they continue teaching their children how to do so.
Yet, the perennial question remains: how much time does a person need before extracting a certain amount of cultivation? When Armad left the capital city of Wilberforce, it took him 24 hours to extract three to five years of cultivation. Even when he did it together with his late mother, the time required remained consistent. Each Wilberforce has limitations based on their bloodline and eye power, determining the time required for extraction. Armad possesses powerful eyes and the blood of Wilberforce, enabling him to extract five years of cultivation within a single day. If he continues at this rate for his lifetime, he may seem immortal, gathering five years of cultivation each day. How many years can he accumulate in his lifetime?
However, at present, a new skill has awakened within him, called “pol string,” presenting a fresh opportunity. Previously, Armad extracted cultivation directly from the bodies of cultivators. He only extracts it once it’s released from the cultivator’s core, making the process slower compared to direct extraction.
Armad remains uncertain about the extent to which this new skill will enhance his power and his capacity to extract cultivation. However, a sense of happiness already fills his mind.