Chapter 32: Alayna

"Amazing."

Dustin Li couldn't help but exclaim. The appearance of the Death Wheel of All Life had enhanced his strength across the board.

First and foremost, in terms of cultivation, activating the Death Wheel allowed Dustin to absorb the vitality of heaven and earth, as well as the essence of all things, with unparalleled efficiency. The effect was nearly equivalent to that of a second-tier spirit gathering formation device. When combined with the enhancement from the formation device, his cultivation speed could increase fourfold, reaching a staggering sixteen times the normal rate.

Such a rate of growth meant that even if he were practicing inferior techniques, his cultivation would advance at a rapid pace. And with the Pure Yang Skills he practiced, his improvement was set to be astronomical.

The second major boost was in martial arts and body techniques. Dustin could now perceive the essence of any martial arts mystery with perfect clarity. Any fourth-grade martial arts techniques, he believed he could master in the shortest time, and with just a little more effort, reach a state of perfection.

Just as he was reflecting on this progress, a series of knocks echoed from the door.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

The noise interrupted Dustin from his cultivation, and he frowned. Warriors in the midst of practice should not be disturbed.

With a flick of his finger, a burst of energy shot out, opening the door. An old servant stood respectfully outside.

"Young Master Dustin, the Hall Master has asked for you at the Martial Hall," the old man said.

This servant was a familiar face to Dustin; he had been serving the Lord of the Martial Hall for many years.

"Why does the Hall Master require my presence?" Dustin asked, rising to his feet.

"Lord, the Hall Master of the New Stone City Martial Hall has come to Novaridge City to visit the Temple Master. He brought a talented young girl who has been defeating several of our elite warriors. The Hall Master wishes for you to attend."

Dustin's brow furrowed. New Stone City was a neighboring city to Novaridge, and like all cities within Xandoria County, they had their own martial halls established by Salmoris. While these halls served Salmoris's interests, they also engaged in competition with each other, frequently challenging one another.

As the number one ranked martial artist in Novaridge's Martial Hall, Dustin was naturally called upon to protect the reputation of his hall.

Upon reaching the Martial Hall, Dustin found a crowd gathered. In the spectator's area above the arena, the Novaridge Hall Master was sitting alongside a slightly plump man—the Hall Master of New Stone City.

Down below, on the martial arts stage, two young fighters were in the middle of a duel. Damien of Novaridge Martial Hall was facing off against a striking young girl dressed in red.

"Heh, Novaridge Palace Master, I've heard that your Martial Hall has a genius skilled in Pure Yang Skills. What do you say we make a bet?" The Hall Master of New Stone City said with a sly grin.

Salmoris had established martial halls in all eighteen cities of Xandoria County. These halls often held competitions between outstanding geniuses, and it was common to make wagers on the results.

"How does the Hall Master of New Stone City want to bet?" Novaridge's Hall Master responded with a smile.

"How about that aquamarine bracelet you won from me three years ago?" The New Stone City Hall Master grinned, stroking his beard.

Before the conversation could continue, a loud slap rang out from the competition stage. Damien was sent flying off the stage, his face reddened with a clear imprint of a slap.

The crowd erupted in a chorus of angry voices.

"How dare she hit someone like that?!"

"She may be pretty, but she's cruel! Does she think she can bully us all?"

The girl in red stood confidently, her eyes scanning the audience with a sneer.

"Is this all Novaridge Martial Hall has to offer? Even a little girl like me can defeat them. What a bunch of trash!" she declared, her words laced with scorn.

The students of Novaridge Martial Hall seethed with indignation but were left speechless by her brazen insults.

Up in the attic, the Novaridge Hall Master's face darkened. The slap in public had caused a loss of face for the entire Martial Hall.

"Relax," the New Stone City Hall Master said smoothly. "The child is simply lacking in understanding."

"Hmph," the Novaridge Hall Master muttered, his patience wearing thin. "You bring a challenger to my city and humiliate my students in this manner. Is this how you intend to conduct yourselves?"

The Novaridge Hall Master knew of the talented girl from New Stone City named Alayna. She was the one currently on stage—undoubtedly the same girl whose reputation had preceded her.

"I wonder if Dustin Li can defeat her," the Novaridge Hall Master mused, his brow furrowed.

"Dustin Li!" someone shouted from the crowd. "It's really Dustin Li!"

The crowd stirred with excitement, recognizing the young man entering the arena—a tall figure dressed in black, with a long sword slung across his back.

The students of Novaridge Martial Hall began chanting his name in unison.

"Dustin Li is our number one expert! He can definitely defeat this girl!"

"I wonder if Alayna can handle him," one of the onlookers muttered.

In the attic, the New Stone City Hall Master's expression faltered as he took in Dustin Li's confident demeanor.

"Is he the one who practices Pure Yang Skills?" The New Stone City Hall Master mused to himself, growing uneasy.

The Novaridge Hall Master turned toward Dustin Li with a smile.

"Dustin Li, Alayna here hails from New Stone City's Martial Hall. She's a rising star in their ranks. I trust you can handle this challenge?"

The pressure was palpable as the audience's attention turned to Dustin Li.

"Yes!" Dustin Li said with unwavering confidence, his voice cutting through the tension. His aura surged as the energy of a newly-ascended Energy Gathering martial artist flowed through his body.

The students of Novaridge Martial Hall cheered, their excitement rising.

"Dustin Li has broken through!"

"Now we're going to win for sure!"

"You've got this, Dustin Li!"

In the attic, the Novaridge Hall Master's confidence swelled. He had not expected Dustin Li to break through so soon, but this only made him even more certain of victory.

Dustin Li turned to face Alayna, who was already sizing him up.

"Is that all?" she sneered. "I didn't expect the trash of Novaridge Martial Hall to have someone with Energy Gathering energy. But don't get too cocky."

Her voice rang with disdain as she drew a spear from behind her, twirling it expertly.

"Let's see if you can withstand my spear," she taunted.

Dustin Li merely observed her movements, his expression unchanging. He could feel her aura—the young girl was indeed strong, but still lacking in comparison to himself.

He didn't draw his sword. Instead, he moved swiftly, stepping forward with an unexpected grace. In an instant, he was in front of Alayna, his palm outstretched to meet her.

"Too slow!" he muttered.

Alayna's eyes widened in surprise as Dustin's palm landed squarely on her spear, sending her stumbling back several steps. His strike was powerful enough to force her into a defensive retreat.

"You think you can challenge me?" Dustin Li sneered. "You're not even worthy of making me unsheathe my sword."

The crowd gasped in astonishment, witnessing the overwhelming difference in skill. Alayna's pride had already begun to crumble.

"What is this guy?" she hissed, her anger flaring as she raised her spear once more.