Time Travel: I'm a Flower Thief

The guards on both sides loudly proclaimed the ironclad rules for entering the manor, their voices so powerful they made one's eardrums vibrate:

Listen up, everyone!

Everyone who joins the World Society must register their identity. This year, there are so many people coming that the Master has instructed me that I am truly unable to provide adequate hospitality.

Those whose cultivation level is below the sixth rank will be refused entry. Please line up and register in order; please do not crowd!

On either side of the mountain gate stood four of Situ Rui's capable generals.

Mountains without ridges guard the first position on the east side, the sea without limit stands beside it, rivers without boundaries guard the first position on the west side, and marshes without waves stand beside it.

The four worked efficiently, and from time to time, martial arts practitioners who were found to be below the sixth rank were stopped.

They were all filled with resentment but had no choice but to sigh at the door and leave dejectedly.

Xie Xiaoyi stood in the group, and upon hearing the rules, he secretly rejoiced, thankful that he had absorbed the internal energy of the Dry Sky Thunder earlier.

His dual cultivation with Lin San Niang caused his true energy to surge, and he was further blessed by Master Yi Chen with the Great Awakening Pill, which smoothed out his stagnant internal energy.

He just managed to break through to the sixth rank in one fell swoop. If he had remained at the fifth rank, he would have been able to watch this grand event from the sidelines.

Before long, it was Xie Xiaoyi's turn, just as Ze Wubo was in charge of the verification.

Ze Wubo raised his hand in greeting and asked with a smile, "Greetings, brother. May I ask your name?"

Xie Xiaoyi smiled and raised his hand to shake hands with him, saying loudly, "I am Xie Mo, a carefree wanderer of the martial world, who has come today to witness the World Gathering."

Ze Wubo was taken aback.

Xie Mo?

Could he be Xie Mo, whom the manor lord praised before?

They said he had learned the "Drunken Sword Immortal" Hua Youwu's Eight Laughs at the Mortal World sword technique, and they kept praising his swordsmanship.

Today, since we've come across this opportunity, I'd like to see just why this person is so highly regarded by the manor lord.

He stepped forward slowly, raised his hand and gently shook hands with Xie Xiaoyi, his true energy condensing in his palm.

A gentle yet powerful energy quietly probed into the other's meridians. It seemed like a routine check of their rank, but in reality, it was all driven by curiosity.

Xie Xiaoyi's heart stirred, his fingers clenched slightly, and he gently resisted with his own true energy, but his face remained calm and composed, showing no sign of anything amiss.

Ze Wubo sensed that his true energy was steady, and his surprise grew even more.

To force out his true strength, the force in his palm suddenly intensified, and a powerful internal force surged towards Xie Xiaoyi's meridians like a tide, determined to uncover his trump card.

The force of the energy came suddenly and violently, and Xie Xiaoyi felt a throbbing pain in his meridians.

Depend on!

Everyone else's test is over in one go, why is it different for me?

He's clearly trying to challenge me!

Based on his aura, Xie Xiaoyi had already determined that he possessed at least a seventh-grade cultivation level, which Xie Xiaoyi would find difficult to withstand.

With a thought racing, he immediately unleashed one of the three forms of the "Great Dragon Skill" passed down by Hua Youwu: Azure Dragon Absorbing Water.

In an instant, an extremely strong suction force surged from his palm—

The internal energy that had just been clashing with his meridians was absorbed into his meridians like rivers flowing into the sea, and refined using the Qi Harmony Technique.

Ze Wubo felt his internal energy gushing out like a floodgate being opened, rushing straight into Xie Xiaoyi's body through his palm.

He was so shocked that his heart trembled, his face changed drastically, and he blurted out in alarm:

"This is... Azure Dragon Absorbing Water! Is this Senior Hua Youwu's Azure Dragon Absorbing Water?"

As the exclamation subsided, he hurriedly pulled his hand away, only to find his palm empty; a small portion of his internal energy had already been lost.

Looking at Xie Xiaoyi again, his eyes were filled with shock and disbelief, and he was unable to calm down for a long time.

It took Ze Wubo a long time to suppress the turmoil in his heart. He forced himself to remain calm and cupped his hands, saying, "Thank you for your excellent cultivation, Brother. You are granted entry with your sixth-grade cultivation."

Xie Xiaoyi quietly refined the absorbed internal energy using the "Qi Harmony Technique," making it his own. His expression remained relaxed and indifferent as he returned the greeting with a smile and a cupped-hand salute.

"Thank you for your leniency, Lord Ze."

On the other side, Lu Fang had already finished verifying the information and was leaning against a stone pillar waiting for him. When he saw him coming, he raised an eyebrow and smiled lazily.

"Let's go, it seems we're both qualified to join in the fun."

Xie Xiaoyi responded and followed, the two of them walking side by side into the vermilion mountain gate.

Inside the gate, magnificent buildings stand amidst verdant splendor, with crisscrossing jade steps, and the central martial arts square is bustling with activity.

The masters from various schools took their seats in order, their swords flashing, creating a magnificent scene of impending upheaval.

Before long, three resounding bells echoed throughout the venue, and the clamor subsided immediately.

On the high platform, Situ Rui, the elegant and dignified lord of the number one manor in the world, dressed in white, slowly stepped forward and proclaimed in a clear voice:

"It is an honor that all the heroes of the martial arts world have traveled thousands of miles to gather at the number one manor in the world for this World Gathering!"

Today's grand event has three agenda items. The first is to unveil the pinnacle of martial arts and update the names of the ten top masters on the Tianlong Ranking.

Secondly, the emerging talents were identified, and the list of promising young talents under the age of thirty was re-ranked.

Thirdly, there's our village's long-standing grand finale—the sword-fighting championship!

As soon as he finished speaking, the audience erupted in discussion.

As most people know, the competition for the title of champion has never been limited to weapons or swordsmanship.

All the best players can compete on stage, and the prize changes every year.

It could be the peerless divine weapon of the Famous Sword Manor, the sharp and precious sword of the Sword Forging Manor, or rare and precious elixirs and ancient spiritual materials that are hard to find in the world.

Everyone is eagerly anticipating what the grand prize for this year's sword-fighting competition will be.

Someone mustered their courage and asked, "May I ask, Master, what is the lucky draw for this year?"

Situ Rui smiled and waited quietly for a moment before continuing, "It is the essence of a dragon!"

These words caused an uproar, instantly sparking a heated discussion.

Even the seasoned experts who had been sitting comfortably in their seats couldn't hide their emotions, their eyes gleaming with a sudden surge of brilliance.

The mysteries of the Dragon Essence were already well-known in the martial arts world; it could help lower-level experts solidify their foundations and break through bottlenecks.

It can even help those below the ninth rank stabilize their cultivation and reach new heights. Such a treasure is a hundred times more tempting than ordinary swords and pills!

Hearing the sound, Lu Fang, who was standing on the side of the platform, turned his head to look at Xie Xiaoyi beside him and smiled lazily:

"Good heavens, in previous years the prize was already rare, but this year it's a dragon coin directly. This is going to be a good show."

Brother Xie Mo, your move "Azure Dragon Absorbing Water" was so powerful just now, why don't you go up on stage and join the fun, and try your luck with a Dragon Essence?

Xie Xiaoyi was taken aback, then asked, "How did you know I used the 'Azure Dragon Absorbing Water' technique before?"

Lu Fang chuckled:

"Ze Wubo called it out himself. I heard it, and he was stunned."

I've heard my master mention this "Azure Dragon Absorbing Water" technique. It was the unique skill of Hua Youwu, the "Drunken Sword Immortal."

Tell me! How did you learn that?

Xie Xiaoyi grinned, stroked his chin, and said in a pretentious tone, "Heavenly secrets cannot be revealed."

"Fine, I won't tell you then, but I'll find out eventually when I get back."

Just then, Situ Rui spoke again, his voice loud and clear:

"Without further ado, let's reveal the ten most outstanding masters on this year's Heavenly Dragon Ranking!"

As soon as he finished speaking, all eyes in the audience were fixed on the platform.

Leaning against the jade tower, sword energy surges forth.

A gathering of heroes vie for supremacy.

The Heavenly Dragon List, Hidden Dragon's Edge

A smile that startled the dust and pierced the rainbow.

The shadows of flowers are enigmatic, their fragrance subtle yet intense.

The flower thief has disappeared without a trace.