Chapter 14: The Test of Will
The older group also won their first match, and now they faced the winner from the other groups. From the other group, Iron Village emerged as the victor. Stone Dam Village would now face Iron Village. First to compete was the older group. Aidyn, from Stone Dam's older group, was injured badly during the previous challenges, rendering him unable to participate. The rest of the team were also worn out, leaving only Rose to start the challenge.
Rose stood on the battleground, her eyes fierce with determination. Her opponent was strong, but she managed to win the first match, though barely. Her breaths were heavy, and she knew she couldn't continue at this pace. The next challenger was their group leader, who was at the peak of the 6th level. Rose looked at her teammates and then back at her formidable opponent.
"I admit defeat," Rose declared, her voice steady despite her exhaustion. She knew that no one from Stone Dam's older group could face him.
With that, Iron Village's older group advanced to the finals to face Sand Village.
As for the younger group, thanks to Ali, who had faced almost all the members alone, everyone was at peak condition and ready to face the challenges of Iron Village. However, no one believed that the younger group could advance further. Compared to Iron Village, where all the members were at the 4th level and the group leader at a half-step into the 5th level, they stood no chance.
People from Stone Dam Village were not upset, though. Both groups winning their first match granted them the 3rd spot in this year's competition. Arman, by the instruction of the elders, was ready to admit defeat.
"Arman, wait!" Ali called out, stepping forward. "I will defeat them alone."
Arman looked at Ali, surprised but trusting. "Are you sure, Ali? This is not going to be easy."
Ali nodded, his eyes filled with determination. "I am sure. Let me handle this."
Ali went on stage, challenging Iron Village. The members of Iron Village were aware that Ali could skip levels and win against 4th-level warriors, but they did not believe that he could win against their team leader, who was a half-step into the 5th level.
One youngster from Iron Village stepped onto the stage, facing Ali. "You might be strong, but you're alone," he sneered. "One by one, we will wear you out. You'll be exhausted before you even face our leader. And our leader is enough to challenge everyone in your group."
The battle began, and Ali did not reveal his mastery over space principles. The first match was intense, with blows exchanged rapidly. Ali's movements were swift and precise, each strike aimed to weaken his opponent. After several intense blows, Ali won the first match.
The second match went the same, resulting in another win for Ali. Everyone believed that Ali had spent at least half of his energy and could not face the third challenger with full force.
The group leader of Iron Village, a half-step into the 5th level, stepped onto the stage. "You're really strong, Ali," he acknowledged. "I wished to challenge you at your peak state to enjoy the battle, but my elders instructed us to win this match at all costs. In your current state, it would be better to admit defeat."
The battle started, and Ali was confident that he could defeat anyone below the 5th stage even without using his space principles. He did not wish to reveal his trump card yet. The first several blows were to test each other, their speed and reactions well-matched.
Despite his confidence, Ali felt his qi reserves slowly depleting. He could still keep fighting, but he knew he had to end the battle quickly. His opponent, aware of Ali's strategy, spoke up. "I also want to end this quickly," he said. "Given another year, you will be undisputed among the under-10 group and defeat everyone from the other three villages. But for Sand Village, they are real monsters. Even the weakest one in their group is much stronger than me."
Now, the Iron Village leader decided to show his trump card. "You can be proud, Ali," he said, releasing his qi outward. Lightning swirled around his legs and arms like snakes. "In this form, my physical abilities are enhanced significantly. I cannot perform this technique for long. If you can withstand my attacks in this form for ten breaths, it can be considered your win."
Ali could feel the pressure in the air. He maximized his soul cultivation to enhance his senses and parry the attacks. Despite this, his opponent's speed increased dramatically. In a blink, he disappeared from Ali's vision and reappeared above him, charging like a lightning bolt. Ali barely avoided a direct clash, blocking the strike with his hands. He felt his hands go numb from the electric charge.
Drawing on his cultivated soul perception, Ali anticipated the next move, evading another lightning-fast attack. With every strike and parry, the ground beneath them quivered from the force of their blows. Ali realized that his opponent's technique had a time limit and decided to exploit this.
In a swift maneuver, Ali focused his remaining energy, channeling his soul cultivation into his strike. As his opponent lunged again, Ali sidestepped, delivering a decisive blow to his side. The Iron Village leader staggered, the lightning around him flickering and then extinguishing. Ali's precise strike had disrupted his concentration, causing his qi technique to falter.
The crowd watched in stunned silence as the Iron Village leader fell to his knees, admitting defeat. Ali stood victorious, his breathing heavy but his spirit unbroken. The elders of Stone Dam Village erupted in cheers, their pride in Ali evident.
Ali turned to his teammates, who were now emboldened by his victory. The path to the finals was now open, and the hope for Stone Dam Village to reclaim their honor burned brightly.