Time Travel: I'm a Flower Thief

Xie Xiaoyi gently put Xue Xiaoqi down and was about to draw his heavy sword from his back to help her out.

Just then—

"Buzz—!"

A dazzling sword aura that stretched across the heavens and earth suddenly slashed down from the very top of Kunlun Mountain!

The sword light flashed like a bolt of lightning, slashing through the path of the demonic cult followers.

boom!

With a deafening explosion, the hard bluestone ground instantly cracked, and a chasm ten feet wide appeared.

They directly separated the Demonic Cult disciples from the Kunlun Heavenly Sword Sect disciples, cutting off the flashing swords and instantly stopping the battle.

The aftershocks of the sword energy swept in all directions, and above the chasm, a figure in a green robe stepped through the air.

This person did not need to fly on a sword. He could walk on flat ground as if he were on the ground by lightly touching the air with his toes. His whole body was filled with sword intent. He was Cui Juqing, who had been in seclusion for several days!

Upon seeing this, the Kunlun disciples all sheathed their swords and bowed. Li Yi'an was overjoyed: "Senior Brother Cui, you've emerged from seclusion?"

Cui Juqing nodded to her, then his gaze fell on Xue Xiaoqi and Xie Xiaoyi in the distance:

"Xie Xiaoyi, I never imagined that after all these years you would be involved with the Demonic Sect."

Xie Xiaoyi snorted coldly, ignoring Cui Juqing completely.

Xie Lingyun has not been rescued yet, and he still harbors a grudge against Cui Juqing. He has already shown great restraint by not drawing his sword against Cui Juqing during their meeting this time.

Seeing Xie Xiaoyi's arrogance and disregard for even his master's questions, the Kunlun disciples drew their swords and rebuked him.

"Xie Xiaoyi! How dare you! You actually ignore your master's questions!"

"Kneel down immediately and beg forgiveness from your master, or you will never leave Kunlun Mountain today!"

Cui Juqing didn't take it to heart, simply turning his gaze away and looking at Yue Xiaoshen, whose murderous aura hadn't subsided.

"Moon Goddess, the feud between the Demonic Sect and the Kunlun Heavenly Sword Sect has dragged on for over a decade, from the battle with Xue Qiye to the present day, resulting in countless deaths and injuries."

However, our followers are all innocent. Continuing this chaotic battle will only lead to more deaths and endless bloodshed between our two factions.

Yue Xiaoshen's eyebrows furrowed, her red robes fluttering, and she pointed at Cui Juqing:

"Your Kunlun Heavenly Sword Sect harmed my husband first, then kidnapped my daughter. What's the point of saying these hypocritical words now?"

"How about this!" Cui Juqing raised his hand, interrupting her angry shout, "How about we settle our scores with a one-on-one battle?"

Upon hearing this, the entire room fell silent.

Whether they were disciples of Kunlun or members of the Demonic Sect, they all stopped their commotion and stared in astonishment at the figure in green robes in mid-air.

Cui Juqing's gaze was sharp as a sword as he continued:

"If I lose, the Kunlun Heavenly Sword Sect will open its gates wide, remove all sword formations, and allow your demonic sect to come and go as you please."

If you lose, the Demonic Sect will withdraw from Kunlun forever, never to cross the Kunlun Mountains again, and all past grievances will be wiped clean.

A single sentence can decide life and death, and sever all grudges.

Yue Xiaoshen shuddered and stared intently at Cui Juqing.

She knew that Cui Juqing had suffered a backlash from forcibly breaking through to the Unity of Heaven and Man realm, and his cultivation had not yet fully recovered.

Proposing a one-on-one duel at this moment is both a way to end the war for both sides and Kunlun's last bit of confidence.

She glanced at Xue Xiaoqi, who was unharmed on the high cliff, and then looked at the followers behind her. Her killing intent and reason were intertwined in her heart.

If he agrees to the duel and wins, he can avenge his previous defeat and take control of Kunlun.

If defeated, they can only retreat to the west and have no face to advance eastward.

The two guardians, one black and one white, hurriedly stepped forward and whispered urgent advice:

"Master, you mustn't! Cui Juqing is, after all, a powerful Earth Immortal. Even with his injuries, he shouldn't be underestimated!"

The Seven-Colored Elders echoed, "Yes, Master, you must not act rashly!"

"Okay! I understand..."

Yue Xiaoshen took a deep breath, suppressing the surging hesitation in her heart. After discussing with the Dharma Protector Elder for a long time, she finally answered:

"Cui Juqing, since you have proposed a martial arts contest to determine the winner, I will not refuse you and I agree!"

"A single decisive battle is too hasty. I have a condition: let's change it to a best-of-three series!"

Upon hearing this, everyone on Xikunlun's side was taken aback.

Many disciples secretly wondered to themselves:

The only capable members of the Demonic Sect are its leader, Yue Xiaoshen, the Black and White Protectors, and seven elders.

When it comes to one-on-one combat, we have Master, Uncle Shen, and Uncle Li Yi'an here to oversee things.

Let alone winning two out of three battles, we are very confident of winning all three.

If Yue Xiaoshen were to propose a best-of-three match at this moment, wouldn't he be handing over the chance of victory for nothing?

Could it be that Master Cui has driven him to distraction?

Cui Juqing slowly descended towards his own camp, and Shen Beiluo and Li Yi'an exchanged a glance and stepped forward.

The three exchanged glances, each with a hint of certainty in their eyes.

If we really calculate based on a best-of-three scenario, our three members—Cui Juqing, a Daoist Immortal; Shen Beiluo, a Daoist Realm expert; and Li Yi'an, a Daoist Realm expert—have a chance of winning that's more than 70%.

High on the cliff, Xue Xiaoqi looked up at Xie Xiaoyi beside her, her face full of confusion:

"Xie Mo, this is a losing proposition, how could my mother come up with such an idea?"

Xie Xiaoyi stretched out a hand and gently placed it on her back, sending a gentle stream of internal energy through her.

"It's not that simple. Since Senior Yue dared to mention two out of three battles, he must have a backup plan."

Xue Xiaoqi knew that he was transferring his inner energy to her to heal her injuries, so she immediately closed her eyes and focused her mind, slowly guiding that inner energy to her dantian.

At this moment, Yue Xiaoshen suddenly changed the subject and revealed her specific plans:

"As for the confrontation, on my side, the Demonic Sect may have one person, two people, or even the Seven Tribulations Locking Heaven Formation!"

"You, Kunlun, can freely assign any number of people; whether it's you or your junior brothers and sisters, everyone can participate."

As soon as he finished speaking, the Kunlun disciples all looked at Cui Juqing. Wasn't this just another confrontation like before?

Previously, Yue Xiaoshen and Shen Beiluo had a one-on-one duel, while the Black and White Protectors besieged Li Yi'an, and the Master faced off against the Seven Tribulations Locking Heaven Formation.

At that time, no one else could get involved.

Yue Xiaoshen said that he could send the corresponding number of people, but apart from his master and two uncles, who else could go up and fight?

Xue Xiaoqi had received gentle internal energy from Xie Xiaoyi, and her injuries had been suppressed. Hearing her mother say this, she nodded gently.

"So that's how it is... No wonder my mother wasn't flustered at all."

Seeing that her complexion had become rosy, Xie Xiaoyi withdrew his hand from her back and asked in a questioning voice:

"Grandma Xiaoqi, what does this mean?"

Xue Xiaoqi looked up at the two sides facing off in the arena and then told him about the battle between the Demonic Sect and the Kunlun Heavenly Sword Sect.

Xie Xiaoyi instantly understood that Yue Xiaoshen had presented Cui Juqing with a huge problem.

Although Yue Xiaoshen is at the Sun-Radiant Netherworld Realm, her Great Searching Divine Hand can resonate with the elements of the world and forcibly advance her level.

He might not be able to defeat Cui Juqing, but his chances of winning against Shen Beiluo are about 55%, and against Li Yi'an, it's at least 70%.

Moreover, only Cui Juqing can fight against the Seven Tribulations Locking Heaven Formation, while the Black and White Protectors are not weak and can fight against Shen Beiluo and Li Yi'an.

If Cui Juqing were to face the Seven Tribulations Locking Heaven Formation, then Shen Beiluo and Li Yi'an would have to face the Black and White Protectors and the Moon Goddess respectively.

The outcome for the Demonic Sect is fifty-fifty.

If Cui Juqing were to face Yue Xiaoshen, then Shen Beiluo and Li Yi'an would inevitably face either the Seven Tribulations Locking Heaven Formation or the Black and White Protectors.

The outcome is also evenly matched.

Therefore, no matter how Cui Juqing arranges things next, the Demonic Sect can maintain a 50/50 chance of winning.