Time Travel: I'm a Flower Thief

Ding Yi then slowly made his entrance, wielding a long sword and wearing a sword robe, which gave him an imposing presence.

Looking up at Lu Fang, who had gracefully arrived, I noticed that although his expression was arrogant, he was still very polite.

"It is an honor to have the opportunity to exchange sword skills with Master Lu of the Zhenwu Dao Sect today."

"Yes, I am honored as well." Lu Fang put one hand behind his back and gestured with the other hand.

Ding Yi was taken aback.

Why doesn't he go to the sword case behind him and draw his sword?

Does this mean you want to fight me with one hand?

What an arrogant Taoist priest!

He sneered, and his sword intent suddenly surged, causing his sword robe to flutter even without wind.

"Then Master Lu received my sword strike—Snow Falls on Kunlun!"

As the sword was drawn, a chill suddenly rose.

The surrounding air felt like it was covered in frost, and snowflakes seemed to be falling in the air, making it hard to breathe.

Everyone was stunned by this sword strike.

"Such powerful sword intent! The sword energy is like falling snow; it truly is snow falling on Kunlun!"

"Hmm, Luo Yidao's blade is fierce, while Ding Yi's sword is beautiful."

"So what if he's second on the Hidden Dragon List? Ding Yi's sword could probably freeze him to death."

Lu Fang still tilted his head, and with his right index and middle fingers together, he made a Taoist hand seal in front of him.

Xie Xiaoyi recognized it. Shen Xinyu's previous "Zhurong Takes Fire" seal was exactly the same as his. Could it be that he wanted to use fire?

At this moment, the snowflakes formed from Ding Yi's sword energy flew out in a flurry, and when they were less than ten feet away from Lu Fang—

Lu Fang drew a talisman in mid-air, his fingertips slicing through the chilling air, and a crimson talisman formed from true energy suddenly hovered in mid-air.

"Southern Netherworld Fire, rise!"

The moment the sound faded, the talisman exploded, and a solid, dark blue flame appeared out of thin air.

Ding Yi's sword energy, swirling with snowflakes, crashed in, without even making a sound.

The intense heat of the divine fire scorched Lu Fang's clothes into wisps of white vapor, which then dissolved into the air, leaving not a trace of cold air touching his robes.

Ding Yi's pupils dilated, and his hand gripping the sword hilt tightened abruptly—he actually managed to break my sword energy with the Daoist "Li Huo Jue" (Fire Separation Technique).

Before I could think it through, I was already in motion.

Since his sword energy was broken by the "Southern Bright Fire", let's fight it out in close combat.

Ding Yi's long sword transformed into a streak of light and pierced straight towards Lu Fang's chest.

"Your sword is fast," Lu Fang said with a smirk as he faced the incoming sword, "but it's still not fast enough!"

Before he finished speaking, his middle and index fingers effortlessly caught the swift sword.

Zheng—

Ding felt a force that was both soft and strong coming from the sword. He tried his best to push it forward another half inch, but the sword was as if it were nailed to the void and did not move at all.

His expression changed drastically, and he was about to unleash his inner energy.

Lu Fang suddenly stopped, placed his middle finger under his thumb, and flicked the blade of his sword lightly.

clang!

With a crisp sound, Ding Yi's longsword was jolted out of his hand and flew away.

With a clang, the sword was inserted into a crack in the blue bricks in the distance, its blade still trembling violently.

Before Ding Yi could react, Lu Fang swayed and closed in, flicking him on the forehead in the same manner.

Ding Yi froze, his internal energy instantly dissipated, and he staggered back several steps before collapsing to the ground, his face filled with disbelief.

The training ground was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. After a moment, the crowd erupted in a clamor.

"What's going on? Arson, a head injury, and that's it?"

"This...this is too easy! Ding Yi's sword didn't even touch the hem of his clothes!"

Lu Fang flicked the dust off his fingertips, turned around, and waved towards the west side of the brocade platform.

"All done, time to drink fruit wine later."

Xie Xiaoyi gave him a thumbs-up.

On the east side of the brocade platform, Xiao Lingyun saw Ding Yi stagger and regain his footing. He rushed over to help him up, his brows furrowing slightly: "Junior Brother Ding, are you alright?"

Ding Yi shook his head, his voice tinged with resentment: "N-nothing, Master Lu showed mercy."

After saying that, he lowered his eyes, avoiding the gazes of those around him, and slowly retreated with Xiao Lingyun to the brocade platform on the east side.

Lu Fang had already strolled back to the west side of the brocade platform, raising an eyebrow at Xie Xiaoyi: "How was it? I told you I'd be quick, didn't I?"

"Which one are you faster?"

"Fast everywhere!"

"That girl doesn't like it."

Girls don't like it?

Lu Fang pondered for a moment and then understood that the kid was making veiled accusations.

"Xie Mo, you son of a bitch! You're the fast one, you're always fast."

"My speed is fast, but your speed is truly 'fast'!"

Xue Xiaoqi and Hu Si exchanged a glance.

Can't understand!

I can't understand a word!

At this moment, Chuan Wujie slowly walked to the center of the training ground, cleared his throat, and announced in a loud voice:

"The first round of sword challenges is over!"

The four who advanced are: Daoist Lu Fang of the True Martial Dao Sect, the wandering swordsman Xie Mo, Yan Li of the Famous Sword Manor, and Lin Zhuoying of the Famous Sword Manor!

After he finished speaking, the audience started gossiping again.

"How strange! Kunlun Heavenly Sword Sect has three spots, and not a single one made it into the top four? That's outrageous!"

"Yes, Xie Mo managed to take down two of them. His sword strike, 'Using the millstone and then killing the donkey,' was truly amazing; it even created a whirlwind."

"Look at Mingjian Villa, they've taken up two spots! What a steal! Longyuan might just end up with Mingjian Villa."

Chuan Wujie raised his hand and gestured: "Everyone, please calm down!"

"Please have the four who advanced take a deep breath and rest. We'll draw lots to determine the matchups for the second round shortly!"

Shortly after Xie Xiaoyi and the other three finished drawing lots, Chuan Wujie immediately announced loudly:

Second round match results—

Lu Fang of the True Martial Dao Sect faces Lin Zhuoying of the Famous Sword Manor, while Xie Mo, a wandering swordsman, battles Yan Li of the Famous Sword Manor!

Xie Xiaoyi cried out that he was doomed. He knew that if he had drawn Lin Zhuoying, he would have had a chance, but Yan Li was a ninth-grade peak "Vajra Saintly Guardian" realm cultivator, and he couldn't break through his defense at all.

On second thought.

Even if they defeat Lin Zhuoying, they will still have to face Lu Fang and Yan Li later, neither of whom are easy to deal with.

Forget it.

Die early and be reborn early, so you can be young in every life!

Xie Xiaoyi glanced at the people on the west side of the brocade platform; Lu Fang was lazily resting with his eyes closed.

The little tiger-like monk lowered his eyes, his fingertips twirling prayer beads as he silently recited scriptures.

Only Xue Xiaoqi was resting her chin on her hand, her eyes, as clear as autumn water, fixed on him.

"Hey, Xie Mo?"

"What's wrong? Are you trying to tell me not to die again?"

Xue Xiaoqi leaned forward slightly, her elbows resting on the railing, her exquisite curves faintly visible beneath Xie Mo's cloak.

"Listen to me, Yan Li's 'temporary' move is easy to dodge, but be careful of his 'lifetime' move."

"Does Grandma Xiaoqi have any advice?"

As soon as she uttered the word "Grandma," Xue Xiaoqi's cheeks flushed slightly: "I'm not much older than you, you're making me sound old."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Lu Fang's lazy hum came from beside him, his tone tinged with mischief:

"Don't worry, you won't get old. His grandma isn't your grandma, but your grandma is the grandma he wants, you understand?"

"What does this mean, Taoist priest?"

"Uh—hehe! Grandma Xiaoqi, don't mind him, he likes to make Zen-like cryptic remarks."