The tension in the air was palpable as the crowd gathered for the third round of the tournament. The anticipation was heightened by the fact that Vaughn's opponent was none other than Guian, the outer disciple who had challenged Vaughn to a duel in the secret realm. This match promised to be a fierce contest of skills and determination.
Guian stood on one side of the arena, his eyes locked onto Vaughn with an intense focus. He was a formidable opponent, known for his mastery of a powerful earth-based technique that allowed him to manipulate the ground with devastating force. Vaughn, on the other hand, had shown remarkable progress with his wind-based Gale Technique.
Elder Pan and Elder Wei observed from their elevated seats, their expressions serious. Elder Pan leaned slightly toward Elder Wei and said, "This is a match to watch closely. Both disciples have shown exceptional growth, and their skills are finely honed. This could go either way."
The signal to begin was given, and the match commenced.
Guian wasted no time, slamming his hands onto the ground and summoning a series of jagged earth spikes that shot towards Vaughn with alarming speed. Vaughn reacted swiftly, using his Gale Burst Step to dodge the incoming attack, his movements a blur as he evaded the deadly spikes.
"Impressive speed," Elder Wei commented, watching Vaughn with keen interest. "But Guian's earth techniques are powerful and relentless."
Vaughn knew he had to keep moving to avoid being cornered by Guian's earth manipulations. He summoned his wind qi, feeling it flow through his body, and launched a series of Gale Palms towards Guian. The powerful gusts of wind clashed with the earth spikes, creating a tumultuous whirlwind of debris and energy.
Guian grinned, his confidence unshaken. He raised his arms, and the ground beneath Vaughn's feet began to shift and buckle. Vaughn leaped into the air, avoiding the trap, but Guian was ready. He thrust his hands forward, sending a massive boulder hurtling towards Vaughn.
With a swift motion, Vaughn drew his sword from his spatial ring, channeling his wind qi into the blade. He executed a Gale Burst Strike, slicing through the boulder and dispersing it into harmless fragments. Vaughn landed gracefully, his eyes locked on Guian.
Elder Pan nodded approvingly. "Vaughn's adaptability is commendable. He's able to counter Guian's attacks effectively."
Guian's expression hardened. He slammed his fist into the ground once more, creating a series of tremors that radiated outward. The ground beneath Vaughn's feet began to crack and shift, threatening to swallow him. Vaughn, maintaining his focus, used his Gale Burst Step to glide across the unstable terrain, evading the fissures.
Realizing he needed to change tactics, Vaughn decided to close the distance between them. He dashed forward, his sword at the ready, and engaged Guian in close combat. The clashing of sword and earth-based attacks echoed through the arena as the two disciples exchanged blows.
Guian summoned a protective barrier of earth around himself, blocking Vaughn's strikes. Vaughn responded by channeling more wind qi into his blade, increasing the intensity of his attacks. He aimed for the weak points in Guian's defense, each strike chipping away at the barrier.
With a final, powerful strike, Vaughn shattered the earth barrier and delivered a decisive blow, sending Guian staggering backward. Guian tried to regain his footing, but Vaughn was relentless. He followed up with a series of swift, precise strikes, each one pushing Guian further back.
Elder Wei leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. "Vaughn's technique has improved significantly. He's not giving Guian any chance to recover."
Seeing an opportunity to end the match, Vaughn gathered all his wind qi into his blade and executed a perfected Gale Burst Strike. The force of the attack sent Guian flying across the arena, crashing into the ground with a resounding thud. The referee quickly moved in, declaring Vaughn the winner.
The crowd erupted into cheers, the noise echoing through the arena. Vaughn stood, breathing heavily but victorious, his eyes scanning the audience for Nova. She was there, smiling proudly, giving him a thumbs-up.
Elder Pan stood, clapping slowly. "Vaughn's victory is well-earned. His strategic thinking and adaptability are what set him apart. Guian fought valiantly, but Vaughn's skill and determination proved superior."
As Vaughn helped Guian to his feet, Guian looked at him with a mix of respect and frustration. "You got me again, Vaughn. I won't forget this."
Vaughn nodded, offering a small smile. "You fought well, Guian. We'll both continue to improve."
With the third round complete, Vaughn knew the challenges would only grow more intense. But with each victory, he grew stronger and more determined. The tournament was far from over, and he was ready for whatever came next.