The second round of matches ended with the final pair of disciples perishing together. Presumably, the fate of those two would serve as a warning to the others, keeping them from doing anything foolish!
Very soon, the third round began. When Xiao Hua was drawn into the illusion formation by his token, there were no disciples from other sects waiting nearby. He was still muttering to himself, Could the one facing me this round be Liu Weigang, who was just expelled from the Vast Realm? If it is that bastard, wouldn't I get a bye? Three points without even lifting a hand?
Unfortunately, not long after Xiao Hua entered the illusion realm, before he could clearly take in the lush, verdant forest beneath his feet, a watery gleam flashed in the distance. A middle-aged cultivator of average height and a powerfully built frame emerged from within the light, his hands clasped behind his back.
With a smile at the corners of his lips, Xiao Hua cupped his hands. "This poor Daoist..."
But before he could finish, the middle-aged cultivator swung the hand he had hidden behind his back forward and sneered. "This poor Daoist knows you are a disciple of the Thunder Control Sect. Die!"
A jade-green, bamboo-cluster-like magic artifact flashed as it flew into the air, instantly enveloping Xiao Hua within its emerald radiance!
"Ah???" Xiao Hua was greatly startled. He did not dare be negligent, brushing his hand across his storage bag and taking the Dust Whisk into his hand. With a surge of spiritual power, the Dust Whisk spun rapidly and flew above his head! Before its radiance could descend, the middle-aged cultivator's prepared hand seals had already struck the artifact. Amid a rumbling roar, strips of green wood as thick as fists and nearly a zhang