Chapter 44: Ranked First

Dustin Li's punch hit with a force that was swift and precise. Alayna, still recovering from her missed strike, tried to twist away, but it was too late. The punch landed on her side, causing her to stumble back, gasping for breath. The sheer power behind the blow left her reeling.

She gritted her teeth, determination flooding her. She would not go down so easily. With a sharp twist of her wrist, the spear swirled around, aiming for Dustin Li's head in a retaliatory strike.

But again, Dustin Li was faster. He sidestepped with almost supernatural grace, avoiding the strike entirely. His movements were fluid, almost like he was dancing around her every attack. Alayna's frustration grew. She had worked tirelessly to refine her spear technique, believing this would be the day she would finally get her revenge, but Dustin Li was operating on a completely different level.

"You're fast," Alayna muttered, eyes narrowing as she tried to assess her opponent. "But that won't be enough to defeat me."

Dustin Li didn't respond, his focus entirely on the battle. He wasn't one for grand speeches or taunts. The only thing on his mind was the fight at hand.

Alayna's next attack was a whirlwind of spear strikes. Each thrust came faster than the last, a barrage meant to overwhelm Dustin Li. The crowd watched in awe as the two danced around each other, their movements a blur.

But despite the speed and force behind Alayna's spear, Dustin Li remained unphased. He continued to dodge effortlessly, his speed and precision overwhelming her at every turn. Each time her spear missed, it seemed as though he was predicting her movements, his body already in motion before she even completed her attack.

Then, with a flash of movement, Dustin Li's fist came crashing down once more. This time, he landed a solid blow to Alayna's abdomen, knocking the wind out of her.

The audience gasped in disbelief. Alayna staggered back, her face pale as she struggled to regain her breath. She could feel the sting of defeat creeping in, but she refused to accept it.

Dustin Li took a step back, his eyes calm but unwavering. He was clearly holding back, allowing her the chance to find her footing once more. But Alayna, sensing this, knew that if she didn't strike soon, the match would be over.

Her grip tightened around her spear, her eyes flashing with renewed determination. "I won't give up," she declared, her voice steady.

Dustin Li simply nodded, acknowledging her resolve. But as the fight continued, it became clear to everyone watching that Alayna was fighting a losing battle. The speed at which Dustin Li moved was simply too much for her to handle.

A few moments later, with a swift movement, Dustin Li dodged another of her attacks, positioning himself behind her in the blink of an eye. Without hesitation, he delivered a quick strike to her back, sending her sprawling to the ground.

The crowd fell silent. Alayna lay on the ground, breathing heavily, her spear lying a few feet away from her. She had fought valiantly, but Dustin Li's strength and speed had proven to be too much.

Dustin Li stepped back, his eyes softening with respect. He had not wanted to completely humiliate her, but he had no choice. He was determined to win the first-place position, and he knew that every fight would only get more difficult from here.

Pablo Zhang, standing at the side, raised his hand, signaling the end of the match. "Dustin Li wins," he announced, his voice carrying over the stunned silence of the crowd.

The spectators slowly began to clap, though the applause was mixed with astonishment. Few had expected Dustin Li to be so dominant. His speed, his strength, and his complete mastery over his martial arts had left everyone in awe.

Alayna, though defeated, stood up slowly, her pride still intact. She looked at Dustin Li with a mixture of respect and frustration. "You're incredible," she admitted, her voice tight. "But I won't stop until I beat you."

Dustin Li nodded, giving her a small smile. "I look forward to it."

As Alayna walked off the stage, Dustin Li's thoughts turned to the upcoming challenges. The final assessment was not yet over, and there were still powerful opponents left to face. But for now, he was one step closer to his goal—securing first place and proving that he was the one to beat.