Chapter 13: Ali's Prowess
The air crackled with anticipation as Ali, standing confidently in the center of the battleground, faced his first opponent from Island Village. The boy, a fourth-level body cultivation warrior, exuded an air of arrogance, looking down at Ali with disdain. He crossed his arms and smirked, clearly underestimating the young prodigy from Stone Dam Village.
"So, you're the best Stone Dam Village has to offer?" the opponent taunted, his voice carrying across the silent arena. "I'll give you three attacks. It wouldn't be fair to take you out too quickly."
Ali remained calm, his gaze steady as he observed his opponent's stance. The surrounding crowd held their breath, knowing Ali's reputation as a fierce fighter despite his young age. What they didn't fully grasp was the depth of Ali's newfound abilities since he began mastering the "Seven Stances of Soul Cultivation."
With his first level of soul cultivation enhancing his senses and reaction speed, Ali felt a surge of confidence. He could perceive the opponent's qi flow, his weak points, and the gaps in his defense. It was as if time slowed down around him, allowing him to calculate his moves with precision.
"I appreciate your generosity," Ali replied calmly, his voice carrying a hint of amusement. "But I won't need three."
The opponent chuckled dismissively and lunged forward, aiming a swift strike at Ali's midsection. In a blur of motion, Ali sidestepped the attack, his movements fluid and graceful. With a lightning-fast counterstrike, he targeted a pressure point on the opponent's arm. The impact sent a shockwave through the arena as the opponent staggered back, clutching his numb limb.
Gasps echoed from the spectators as they witnessed the speed and accuracy of Ali's strike. The opponent, now visibly shaken, realized he had underestimated his young adversary. Ali's eyes gleamed with determination as he readied himself for the next exchange.
The opponent, fueled by frustration and wounded pride, launched a series of rapid strikes, attempting to overwhelm Ali with sheer force. Each blow was met with a calculated parry or evasion from Ali, who seemed to dance around his opponent effortlessly. With each movement, Ali found openings in the opponent's defense, striking back with calculated precision.
"You're fast," the opponent grunted, panting heavily between breaths. "But speed alone won't save you."
Ali smiled faintly, his eyes narrowing with focus. He could feel the flow of qi around him, the subtle currents of energy that dictated the ebb and flow of combat. Channeling his own qi, Ali intensified his perception, honing in on the opponent's vulnerabilities.
In a decisive moment, Ali spotted a critical flaw in the opponent's posture—a split-second lapse in concentration. Seizing the opportunity, Ali lunged forward with a devastating palm strike to the opponent's chest. The impact reverberated through the opponent's body, knocking him off his feet. He crashed to the ground, unconscious before he even hit the dirt.
Silence descended upon the arena as the spectators processed what they had just witnessed. Ali stood calmly over his fallen opponent, his breathing steady and composed. The realization dawned on the crowd: Ali was not just a talented young warrior; he was a prodigy whose skills surpassed expectations.
Cheers erupted from the Stone Dam villagers, their voices echoing through the arena. They had witnessed Ali's prowess firsthand, and their pride swelled as they celebrated his victory. Meanwhile, the elders of Island Village watched with a mix of astonishment and begrudging respect. They had underestimated Ali, and now they understood the threat he posed.
The Island Village contestants exchanged uneasy glances, their earlier arrogance replaced by uncertainty. They had witnessed Ali's speed and precision, and they knew challenging him would not be easy.
"After witnessing what I can do, are you still willing to fight?" Ali called out calmly, his voice carrying across the arena. "Or shall we save time and have all three of you attack me at once?"
The opponents hesitated briefly, exchanging determined looks before nodding to each other in silent agreement. They understood that facing Ali individually would only prolong their defeat. With a shared resolve, they charged at Ali from different angles, coordinating their attacks in a synchronized assault aimed to overwhelm him with a barrage of strikes.
With uncanny agility, Ali evaded the first opponent's attack with a swift sidestep, ducking under a high kick aimed at his head. In the same fluid motion, he countered with a lightning-fast palm strike, targeting a pressure point on the opponent's neck. The opponent crumpled to the ground, unconscious before he hit the dirt.
The remaining two opponents pressed their advantage, closing in on Ali from both sides. Ali's eyes narrowed as he focused on their qi signatures, anticipating their next moves. With precise timing, he spun on his heel, evading a sweeping kick and simultaneously delivering a powerful kick to the second opponent's midsection.
The impact sent the opponent staggering back, gasping for air. Before he could recover, Ali closed the distance with blinding speed, delivering a series of rapid strikes to vital points. The opponent collapsed, defeated and unconscious.
The final opponent, a third-level warrior, hesitated as he faced Ali alone. Sweat dripped down his forehead as he weighed his options. In the face of Ali's overwhelming skill and confidence, he knew he stood no chance. With a resigned sigh, he lowered his head and conceded defeat.
The crowd erupted into thunderous applause as Ali stood victorious on the battleground. His display of skill and courage had surpassed all expectations, solidifying his reputation as a rising star among cultivators. For Stone Dam Village, Ali's triumph was not just a victory in combat but a testament to their resilience and spirit.
As Ali walked off the arena, his head held high with pride, he knew that this was only the beginning of his journey. The challenges ahead would be greater, but with his newfound abilities and unwavering determination, he was ready to face whatever came next.