Time Travel: I'm a Flower Thief

Two days passed in a flash, and the appointed time had arrived.

The spring sun was just right, and the area around the martial arts arena of the city lord's mansion was already packed with the people of Qingjiang City.

The young boys even peeked over the wall to watch the spectacle.

The duel between Xie Xiaoyi and Su Mubai had already been widely discussed by the many guests at the City Lord's Mansion banquet, and everyone who knew about it wanted to come and watch the spectacle.

And the city lord's friend, "White-Clad Scholar Swordsman" Su Mubai, is a universally acknowledged handsome man.

His swordsmanship was outstanding, so everyone arrived early, eager to witness his prowess.

Xie Xiaoyi arrived even earlier, just after Chenshi (7-9 AM), dressed in a black outfit and holding the sharp sword "Guan Canghai".

He found a shady spot, sat cross-legged, closed his eyes slightly, and slowly circulated his inner energy along the mental techniques of the "Eight Sword Forms".

The sword intent hidden in his right hand became increasingly refined, and even the wind around him seemed to be drawn into the scabbard, silently.

But outside the venue, there was only a chaotic cacophony of noise.

"See that?"

That one in black is Xie Mo!

I heard that at the banquet a few days ago, they made Young Master Su so angry that his face turned green!

"Young Master Su is a peak fourth-rank 'White-Robed Scholar Swordsman.' This Xie Mo looks so young, can he withstand three of his sword strikes?"

"Young Master Su's swordsmanship is elegant and graceful, and he is known as one of the 'Four Fastest Swordsmen of Jiangnan.' I'm afraid Xie Mo will have a hard time defeating him."

Don't speak too confidently!

The other day I witnessed him cleave the stream in two with a single sword stroke; the sheer power he displayed was unmatched by ordinary martial artists!

"Give me a break, stop talking nonsense."

Despite the cacophony of voices, Xie Xiaoyi seemed oblivious, focusing solely on nurturing his sword and preparing for Su Mubai's arrival.

About half an hour later, the sound of rapid hoofbeats grew louder as Su Mubai, dressed in white with a gleaming white sword at his waist, rode up.

He dismounted, his gaze sweeping across the martial arts arena before settling on the Guan Cang Hai in Xie Xiaoyi's hand, his eyes radiating a fierce intensity.

Su Mubai snorted coldly, leaped straight onto the high platform, drew his sword, and unleashed a chilling aura that drew gasps from the women below.

Several girls dressed in brightly colored clothes stood on tiptoe to look at the stage, their voices both sweet and eager:

"Look, look!"

Young Master Su looks so handsome in his white robes!

With his striking eyebrows and bright eyes, he's even more handsome than the chivalrous heroes in folk tales!

"If I could marry someone like Young Master Su, I'd be willing to sharpen his sword and brew him tea every day!"

"Stop being a fangirl! Which sword do you want to sharpen?"

"What sword? It's obviously a sharpened... I—pfft!"

"Stop being so flirtatious, look—that Xie Mo is quite handsome too!"

What's the use of being handsome?

"Young Master Su Mubai comes from a good family and has high martial arts skills. He will definitely beat Xie Mo to a pulp today!"

The noise was deafening, adding a touch of excitement to the sword duel.

At this moment, City Lord Bai Letian, dressed in a brocade robe, slowly approached accompanied by two personal guards.

Walking on the left was Bai Ren, with a cold and stern expression. The long sword at his waist was not drawn, yet it exuded a chilling aura.

The man on the right, Hei Feng, was burly and had a pair of fierce eyes that swept across the entire area. He was one of the two top experts with the cultivation level of the third rank.

The two men flanked Bai Letian as he took his seat in the center of the audience area. Bai Letian raised his hand to compose himself and announced in a loud voice:

"Today's sword fight should end when the point is reached, so as not to damage the harmony!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than another commotion arose in the crowd.

Fu Yaoqin, dressed in a green blouse and skirt, accompanied by her maid, slowly walked up to the east side of the viewing area, her gaze unconsciously drifting towards Xie Xiaoyi.

Following closely behind was Mu Pingting, the owner of Yushengfang, who wore a bright crimson dress.

She sat beside Fu Yaoqin, waving a gilded folding fan and smiling sweetly.

His gaze swept between Xie Xiaoyi and Su Mubai, a hint of worry appearing on his face.

The appearance of these two people caused all the male and female guests present to go wild.

In an instant, the area around the martial arts arena was bustling with noise, with cheers and discussions rising and falling, truly a place where every seat was taken.

Hearing the commotion below the stage, Xie Xiaoyi slowly opened his eyes. The drowsiness in his eyes disappeared, leaving only a clear and sharp glint.

He raised his hand and grasped the hilt of Guan Canghai's sword, slowly stood up, his gaze meeting Fu Yaoqin's across the audience, and a roguish smile curled at the corner of his mouth.

Seeing his expression, Su Mubai was even more enraged, pointing his long sword directly at Xie Xiaoyi, his voice as cold as ice:

"Xie Mo! Today I will show you what true swordsmanship is!"

Xie Xiaoyi was currently circulating his true energy to nourish his sword and build up his strength, so he couldn't speak. He just smiled and nodded.

The girls in the audience went crazy.

Seeing Su Mubai draw his longsword, its silver light dazzling, a chorus of delicate cries erupted:

"Young Master Su is so dashing! His demeanor is simply that of a sword immortal descended to earth!"

Xie Xiaoyi couldn't speak, but he could mutter to himself:

cut!

A bunch of ignorant women.

If you've ever seen Shen Beiluo's "Heaven-Shattering Sword" from "One Sword Under Heaven," you'll understand what it truly means for a sword immortal to descend to earth.

Wouldn't that make you guys die of embarrassment?

At this moment, on the east side of the viewing area, Fu Yaoqin stared intently at Xie Xiaoyi and uttered a soft call:

"Young Master Xie, please be careful!"

These words landed squarely in Su Mubai's ears, instantly piercing his self-control like a needle.

He abruptly turned to look at Fu Yaoqin, his eyes filled with utter heartbreak.

Xie Xiaoyi smiled slightly and nodded at Fu Yaoqin.

The two were practically exchanging glances in public, which made Su Mubai even more jealous.

He glared fiercely at Xie Xiaoyi on the martial arts stage, a chilling glint flashing from the tip of his sword, and roared angrily:

"Xie Mo! Dare to make a bet with me?"

Xie Xiaoyi didn't speak, but raised an eyebrow at him.

Su Mubai continued:

"Whoever loses today shall never again harbor any thoughts of Miss Yaoqin, and shall forever disappear from her sight!"

Xie Xiaoyi nodded slightly to Su Mubai, neither responding loudly nor backing down in the slightest.

To Su Mubai, this nonchalant demeanor was nothing short of blatant contempt!

He could no longer contain himself. His forehead veins bulged with anger, and his wrist suddenly spun rapidly, his longsword creating three dazzling sword flowers.

The sword's wind whipped her clothes, drawing another round of cheers and applause from the women in the audience.

"Arrogant! Take this!"

Su Mubai roared and leaped out, pouring all his resentment and anger, along with his peak fourth-grade internal energy, into the sword.

"Whoosh—"

The longsword cleaved through the air, a cold light piercing straight into Xie Xiaoyi's heart.

Before the sword even arrived, the wind from it had already swept up dust from the training ground.

If this sword were to strike, Xie Xiaoyi would likely be "pierced to the core and his heart would be blown away."

Many onlookers in the audience subconsciously held their breath.

Fu Yaoqin gripped Mu Pingting's hand tightly, causing Mu Pingting to cry out in surprise, "Ouch!"

Just then, Xie Xiaoyi finally moved.

He suddenly gripped the hilt of the Guan Canghai sword with his right hand, and the moment he drew the sword from its sheath, a sword cry like a dragon's roar resounded throughout the training ground.

"Kenpachi, laughing at the mortal world!"

The three words burst forth, and the Guan Canghai sword hummed and trembled.

A powerful sword aura roared out and collided violently with Su Mubai's longsword.