Prince Sufa is not the only one taken aback by Armad’s sudden agility; Armad himself is equally astonished. This newfound ability triggers a series of realizations for him. Reflecting on the past, he recalls the days when his siblings conspired against him, using this mysterious cloud to immobilize him. They used this cloud to prevent him from reaching their father in time. Despite their father's thorough scrutiny to uncover the cause of Armad's immobility, no evidence could be found. This was because the cloud, which seemed to bind him, was a sophisticated form of mind control that left no physical trace on his body.
In hindsight, Armad realizes that if he had reported that a mind-controlling skill was being used against him rather than claiming that a cloud had physically gummed him, their father would have understood the true nature of the attack. However, it is possible that their father had already comprehended the situation but chose not to intervene. Perhaps he wanted to allow Armad to cultivate his strength and learn to retaliate independently, without relying on external help. This approach was rooted in the belief that true strength comes from overcoming challenges on one’s own.
Armad had long understood that their father did not intend to fight his battles for him. His father believed that intervening would only make Armad weaker and more dependent. If a father has to step in to protect his child from their younger siblings, that child will never grow into a powerful cultivator.
There is a strong possibility that their father had already deciphered how Sufa’s skill worked long ago but chose to keep this understanding to himself. He might have believed that revealing this knowledge would hinder Armad’s growth and self-discovery.
As Armad reflects on these past events, he feels a surge of anger for all the wasted years during which he failed to understand the true nature of Sufa’s skill. This revelation, provided by the system, makes him feel a deep frustration. He feels the urge to slap himself for not figuring out sooner that the cloud was merely manipulating his mind, convincing him that his body was immobilized when it wasn't. Furious, he questions why he never considered this possibility before. However, Armad quickly realizes that this anger is not entirely his own; it belongs to the deceased Armad—the version of himself who had originally suffered under the cloud’s influence.
The present Armad understands that the anger he feels is deeply rooted in the experiences of the past Armad. Since the deceased Armad and the present Armad share the same body and spirit, they can be considered a single entity. However, the present Armad refuses to let the anger of the past distract him from his current duel. He consciously pushes aside the anger and the painful memories of the cloud’s influence, focusing instead on his immediate challenges. He understands that uncovering the secret of the cloud is a difficult task, especially for someone who is not a specialist in mind-controlling skills, like his elder brother, Prince Ikenga.
Armad realizes that he should not blame himself for not understanding the cloud’s secret earlier. Given his lack of expertise in such esoteric skills, it was natural that he would rely on what his eyes saw and what his senses perceived. His failure to uncover the cloud’s true nature was not a reflection of his intelligence or abilities but rather a consequence of the complex and deceptive nature of the cloud itself.
Upon discovering the secret of the cloud, Armad is astonished by how effortlessly he destroyed the skill. All he needed to do was understand its workings; no special skills or cultivation were required, just the simple act of raising his hand. This revelation leads him to wonder: is understanding the secret of the skill all it takes to destroy it? Or did the system somehow assist him in this feat?
Prince Sufa, on the other hand, is visibly shaken, his face a mix of fear and surprise. Like everyone else, when he first bonded with his demon, their relationship underwent two distinct stages. Initially, in the stage of enslavement, Prince Sufa could only borrow the demon’s skills. During this phase, Armad could indeed destroy the skill by understanding its mechanism, as knowledge itself is a form of cultivation. Armad realized that the cloud’s perceived gummy nature was an illusion, a trick of the mind. By uncovering this secret, he could neutralize the skill.
However, as time passed, Prince Sufa’s connection with his demon evolved beyond mere enslavement to a stage of ownership. At this advanced level, he could command the demon to summon the cloud and manipulate it at will. In this stage, even if Armad discovered the secret behind the skill, he would be unable to destroy it. This represented the pinnacle of Prince Sufa’s mastery over the cloud skill.
Now, with his cultivation depleted, Prince Sufa regrets not having preemptively thwarted Armad’s ability to uncover the secret of his skill. Had he realized this vulnerability at the onset of their duel, he would have ensured that Armad never had the chance to exploit it. The revelation of his demon’s secret could severely diminish its power and charisma if Armad were to disclose it to his enemies. This potential threat underscores why Prince Sufa would have taken decisive action to prevent such an outcome.
Unfortunately, the opportunity to act has passed. His cultivation is nearly exhausted, having been significantly depleted during their brief but intense combat. What remains of his cultivation is minimal, barely amounting to a year’s worth. Additionally, he is burdened by multiple wounds and significant blood loss.
Sufa surveyed his battered body, noting how his once-pristine attire was now in tatters, exposing numerous wounds. At this moment, he felt even the beggars in the bustling capital city of Wilberforce appeared more presentable than he did.
Beyond the anger and fear swirling in his mind, there was a new and unsettling sense of danger, a feeling he had never experienced before.
“The first lesson I will teach you,” Armad began, his voice cold and unwavering as he took deliberate steps toward his brother, “is to respect your elders. In the tribe of Wilberforce, as our father taught us, it is decreed that you must show reverence to those older than you. You are not permitted to address someone older by their first name, especially a sibling. Your first mistake today was calling me by my name. That is why you face these consequences. Consider the blood you’ve shed and your current predicament as the price of your disrespect.”
Armad’s eyes bore into Sufa’s with a mix of disappointment and anger. “The second lesson is that arrogance will always bring you down. Perhaps your mother did not instill this discipline in you, but as your elder brother, I will. I’ll ensure it is deeply ingrained in your mind. Your arrogance stems from your powerful cultivation, making you believe you are superior to everyone else. You think you don’t need to learn from others. However, your cultivation means nothing to some. You have no right to be arrogant unless you reach the level of Emperor Ayrion. Remember, you should not hold your head high or stand tall before your elders.”
Armad stood a meter away, looking down at Sufa with disdain as he knelt. The younger brother’s heart pounded with a mixture of rage and humiliation.
Hearing Armad’s condescending words and seeing the disdain in his eyes, Sufa’s fury boiled over. He roared, the sound echoing through the desolate landscape. With a swift, powerful stomp, he launched himself into the air. Channeling 500 years of cultivation in an instant, he activated the pol string he had carefully placed on Armad’s Miyura. The pol string snaked into the core of Armad’s being, pressing down on his cultivation with crushing force.
Armad felt the weight of the pol string as it invaded his core, its oppressive force pressing down his cultivation.
The first thing Armad did was examine the pol string. It was slender, not as thick as his pol string, but still more substantial than the half of his pol string. Its color was darker, lacking the brightness that characterized his own. This subtle difference in appearance made him ponder the capabilities of this particular pol string.
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Before leaving the capital city, Armad was already aware that his brother could use a pol string—a skill that had significantly boosted his brother's status and earned him the respect of the council members. This ability had become a symbol of power and prestige. When his brother mastered the pol string, it led to a series of events celebrating this achievement. Small banquets were held in his brother’s honor, aiming to both acknowledge his prowess and encourage him further.
During these celebrations, Armad was noticeably absent. He wasn’t invited to these banquets, and even if he had been, he would have chosen not to attend. The thought of facing humiliation in such gatherings was unbearable. It seemed as though everyone had forgotten about Prince Armad. His name was scarcely mentioned, and his presence was overlooked. This neglect was deeply felt, as it highlighted how far he had fallen from the memory and favor of those in power.
Because of this exclusion, Armad remained unaware of the true capabilities of his brother’s pol string. He had never witnessed its power firsthand. Even if his brother had shown it to him previously, Armad's eyes were not advanced enough to perceive it at that time. His visual abilities had not yet reached the level required to see the pol string.
However, the tide began to turn during the previous battle. The system aided Armad in mastering his pol string and elevated his vision to the extent where he could finally see these elusive strings. Had this encounter with his brother occurred before this battle, Armad wouldn’t have even dared to look up at him, let alone confront him. The difference between them was stark—like the contrast between the earth and the sky. But with the system’s assistance, Armad had bridged this gap. The arrival of Armad, now empowered by the system, had reversed their roles. His brother, who once held the upper hand, now found himself at a disadvantage.
Armad was faced with two choices. He could use his pol string to catch the one sent towards his core, or he could cut it, delivering a severe blow to Sufa. However, taking either action would reveal that Armad possessed a pol string of his own. From the outset of their duel, Armad had concealed his pol string within his Miyura, not wanting any information about it to be exposed. He was determined to keep this secret, understanding the strategic advantage it provided.
To ensure that his pol string remained undisclosed, Armad took meticulous precautions. He dispatched his commander, Silaini, along with five other top devas, to capture or eliminate Commander Kisa and Nura Bayajidda. This was a calculated move to prevent any leaks about his pol string. Armad’s actions were driven by a clear objective: to keep the knowledge of his pol string hidden from even the slightest hint of exposure.
Armad understands that showing the pol string to Sufa would be akin to exposing his greatest secret to the entire world. Despite his deep-seated desire for revenge, he cannot bring himself to kill Sufa, his brother. The bonds of family, as convoluted and strained as they might be, still hold some sway over him. Moreover, tying Sufa up and preventing him from returning to the capital city is not an option either. The repercussions of such an act would be severe, as there is a judge involved who oversees such matters. Any hostile action against Sufa would be tantamount to challenging the entire Wilburforce tribe a challenge Armad knows he cannot win. Even his father would be powerless to protect him from the consequences. It would not be surprising if elite soldiers were dispatched to capture him and bring him to the capital for punishment. Therefore, the only viable strategy for Armad is to keep his pol string hidden until he has successfully executed his plan.
To fend off the attack orchestrated by his brother, Armad considers using his Miyura. If the pol string’s only function is to press cultivation, then the Miyura could counteract this effect by boosting Armad’s cultivation. Even if this enhancement does not restore his cultivation to its full potential, it might still provide him with enough strength to prevail in the duel against his brother. Armad has witnessed firsthand that Sufa’s cultivation has been significantly depleted, giving him a potential edge.
However, Armad hesitates to use his Miyura because of the uncertainty surrounding his brother’s pol string. He is not entirely sure that Sufa’s pol string only presses down cultivation. Armad’s pol string has dual capabilities: it can either drain a person’s cultivation over time or cause their core to explode, annihilating their cultivation instantly. Given this, Armad suspects that Sufa’s pol string might also possess additional, undisclosed abilities beyond merely suppressing cultivation.
What Armad is unaware of is the extraordinary nature of his pol string. Even if one were to compare it to every pol string documented since the inception of the Wilberforce Empire, his would still stand out as exceptionally unique. Such a pol string is rare, appearing only in specific, significant eras throughout history. This uniqueness grants Armad potential advantages he has yet to fully understand or utilize.
In contrast, Sufa’s pol string is more straightforward, with its primary function being the pressing down of cultivation. Nevertheless, this ability is far from trivial. Many within the Wilberforce Empire regard pressing down of cultivation as a formidable power. Lower-ranking warriors, in particular, are almost defenseless against such an attack. This makes Sufa’s pol string a respected and feared tool in its own right.
At this moment, Armad heard his brother burst into laughter, laughter laced with arrogance and dominance. “Now you understand your position. You realize that you are nothing compared to me. You comprehend both your current and future state. The cultivation you have been so proud of is insignificant in my eyes. I have pressed down your cultivation, and you will not be able to use it until I decide otherwise.” Prince Sufa’s voice echoed through the area, ensuring that everyone present could hear his proclamation.
As Sufa used his pol string, he saw a change in Armad’s expression. Upon seeing the change in Armad’s expression, Sufa assumed his attack had taken effect. Armad’s face contorted, and he became immobile, but what Sufa didn’t understand was that this paralysis wasn’t due to his attack. Armad was deeply absorbed in his thoughts, listening to his system and contemplating various matters. He was also silent because he hadn’t perceived any truly harmful attack from his brother. However, Prince Sufa believed it was his strike that had immobilized Armad, as he had witnessed many opponents react similarly in the past.
The elite within the Wilberforce, especially those who couldn’t see pol string, often found themselves paralyzed with fear when they realized they couldn’t defend against Prince Sufa’s pol string attacks. This inability to see or counteract the pol string often led to their downfall. Therefore, it was not surprising that Prince Sufa assumed it was his fearsome reputation and the power of his attack that left Armad in such a state.
“Ha ha ha, you are my brother, so I will not extend your punishment excessively. I will give you two choices,” Sufa continued, his voice dripping with condescension. “First, get on your knees and lick my shoes, then crawl around the town begging for my forgiveness. If you do this, I will not harm you further and will accept your apology. Second, surrender all your skills. Bring forth the seals, the books from which you learned them, and all the secrets you have been hiding—especially the skill that allows you to increase your cultivation without using your Miyura. I want to know everything about your abilities.”
Sufa paused, letting his words sink in before continuing. “If you comply with my demands, I will continue to regard you as my brother. Sharing blood with me is an honor. Had anyone else disrespected me as you did, their head would have already been severed. I will forgive you if you fulfill these two conditions. Go ahead, kneel, and seek forgiveness.”
A look of surprise started to emerge on Armad’s face as he listened to what Sufa had to say. His brow furrowed, and he lowered his head, casting a glance at his brother, who was soaring high in the air.
Despite Sufa’s words, there was an unmistakable arrogance in his tone. However, his appearance—his tattered attire and the blood covering his body—made him look more like a madman than a dignified cultivator. This sight evoked a sense of pity in Armad. It was the kind of pity one cultivator feels for another who has lost their way. Armad realized that his brother was not a threat to be feared but a tragic figure to be pitied. How could Sufa even imagine that Armad would bow down and seek his forgiveness or hand over his skills?
Armad shook his head, solidifying his initial thought: his brother would never grasp the vast difference between them unless he was brutally defeated. With this resolve, Armad instantly decided to activate his Miyura. As it began to glow, his cultivation surged. After a quick assessment, he understood that his brother had pressed down his cultivation by up to 60%. This meant that out of his over 9,000 years of cultivation, he could only access less than 3,000 years of power. This suppression indicated that Sufa’s pol string was an incredibly potent force. If it could press down the cultivation of someone with the Wilberforce bloodline, what devastation could it wreak on someone without the Wilberforce bloodline?
However, Armad’s Miyura countered this pressing down, boosting his cultivation by up to 60%. Within moments, Armad’s Miyura overpowered the force of Sufa’s pol string.
A brutal smile played on Armad’s lips as he raised his head to meet his brother’s gaze.
Through Armad’s eyes, Sufa witnessed the dramatic changes in his brother’s cultivation. Initially, his mouth dropped open in shock, but soon fear took over, and he began to step back. The bold sign of fear was now evident on his face.