Immortals Step into Heaven

The spiritual energy that had been surging wildly seemed to have found a home, and began to flow slowly and orderly along the newly opened wide meridians. With each circle, his body and consciousness could feel a transformation more and more clearly, as if he had stepped from a muddy shallow into the vast spiritual sea. He was immersed in an indescribable wonderful state. He knew that he had finally succeeded in building his foundation, and from now on he would be able to fly on a sword. This was the first step in his pursuit of enlightenment and immortality.

Zheng Yuan concentrated his gaze inward, only to find his body thickly coated in a layer of mud emitting a faintly fishy odor. He understood that this was the Yi Jing marrow cleansing process during his foundation-building process, expelling a large amount of impurities from his body. These impurities clung to his skin with a sticky consistency, causing him to feel a wave of discomfort. He immediately channeled his spiritual energy, gently raising his hand and unleashing a water ball. A crystal-clear ball of water, emitting a soft blue light, quickly formed before him. Then, guided by his spiritual power, it slowly approached his body. A fine stream of water snaked out like a spirit snake, carefully washing his entire body, washing away the nauseating impurities and leaving him feeling refreshed and refreshed.

After successfully establishing his foundation, Zheng Yuan knew that mastering his newfound powers and abilities would require diligent practice. So, he found an open area nearby and began practicing his sword-flying technique. Initially, as he stood atop the gleaming, shimmering sword, he felt unsteady and struggled to maintain his balance. When he tried to launch the sword into the air, it spiraled uncontrollably, lurching left, nearly throwing him off, then tilting right, forcing him to summon his spiritual power to steady himself. Undeterred, Zheng Yuan gritted his teeth and tried again and again, constantly fine-tuning the harmony between his spiritual power and the sword.

He did not stop practicing until he got used to it. Then Zheng Yuan went to Shangxing Village. It had been nearly seven years since he left the village. Zheng Yuan was also twenty years old.

After a long journey, Zheng Yuan finally sighted the entrance to Shangxing Village. His pace unconsciously slowed, his gaze fixed on the dilapidated village gate. The wall surrounding the gate, once supposed to protect the village, was now incomplete, with bricks and stones crumbling in places, revealing the compacted earth beneath. The wooden beams atop the door lintel were rotten, covered in cracks and worm-eaten, as if silently telling of the passage of time. Zheng Yuan gazed silently, his mind reeling back to childhood memories of playing at this very gate. A long-lost warmth welled up in his heart, a deep affection and attachment unique to his hometown.

At this time, a burly young man walked out of the village with steady steps. His shoulders were broad and thick, and he was carrying a hoe. With every step he took, the muscles on his body rose and fell slightly with his movements, showing his extraordinary strength. This man was Ergou. As Ergou walked, he habitually glanced around the village entrance. When his eyes fell on Zheng Yuan, he couldn't help but be slightly stunned. Zheng Yuan's figure made him feel extremely familiar, and a thought flashed through his mind. Could this be Brother Xiao Yuan who left the village many years ago? With a hint of doubt and expectation, Ergou tentatively shouted: "Are you Brother Xiao Yuan?"

Zheng Yuan heard the shout and subconsciously turned his head, his eyes meeting Ergou's. He recognized him instantly, his lips curling up slightly in a faint chuckle. "It's me, Ergou." Zheng Yuan looked Ergou up and down, his eyes filled with a mixture of amusement and emotion. "It's been a while, you've grown quite strong. I'm sure you've been doing well in the village these past few years?" Ergou's face lit up with a simple smile as he put down his hoe and quickly stepped forward.

Upon hearing this, Ergou's face lit up with a simple smile. He put down his hoe and quickly walked over. "Brother Xiaoyuan, you're finally back! The village hasn't changed much in recent years, but everyone misses you." Ergou's voice was filled with simple enthusiasm, and his eyes were full of joy at the long-awaited reunion.

Zheng Yuan nodded slightly, looking past Ergou into the village. He saw the houses arranged in an orderly fashion, with plumes of smoke rising from the chimneys, adding a touch of homeliness to the quiet village. "The village remains the same, reassuring to look at," Zheng Yuan said with emotion.

Ergou scratched his head and said with a chuckle: Our small village cannot compare with the colorful world outside, but it is comfortable to live in.

Come on, Xiao Yuan, I'll take you home for a chat first. Your dad will be so happy to see you back. With that, Er Gou picked up the hoe and pulled Zheng Yuan towards the village.

Along the way, Ergou excitedly recounted interesting stories from the village: which boy had gotten married? His own boy was three years old. He and Xiaolin had been together for a few years, and their families had arranged for them to marry. Which old hen laid several eggs a day? How many eggs had been flowing from the village well recently? Zheng Yuan listened quietly, a smile on his face. These seemingly mundane details trickled down to his heart, nourishing a heart that had become weary and dry after years of wandering. Each story was imbued with the rich, unpretentious quality of life in Shangxing Village. There was no intrigue or deception typical of cultivators, only harmony and mutual support among neighbors. Zheng Yuan couldn't help but recall his own days of solitary cultivation, facing the cold and constant flow of traffic. The bonds between people seemed to be separated by an invisible veil, seemingly close yet distant. At this moment, listening to Ergou's story, he truly realized that his hometown is the eternal harbor of his soul. Here are his most precious memories and the people he cares about most. No matter how far he goes, this concern will never dissipate.

Ergou paused slightly, looking at Zheng Yuan with a hint of curiosity and concern, and asked, "By the way, Brother Xiaoyuan, you have been out there for so long, have you ever gotten married?" He changed the subject and lowered his voice unconsciously. "Ling'er has been eagerly waiting for you!" You don't know that many matchmakers have come to the village over the years, all wanting to introduce Ling'er to a good family. But Ling'er is very stubborn and would never agree. She insisted on waiting for you to come back and marry her.

Ergou sighed softly and continued, "Aunt Zhao looked distressed and couldn't help nagging, saying that you have been gone for many years and there is no news from you. I don't know how you are doing outside and whether you will come back. A girl's youth is so short and precious, like a flower, it will wither in a few years. If you keep wasting it like this, what will you do when you are older? What if you really can't get married, your life will be ruined." So Aunt Zhao advised Ling'er not to wait foolishly, but Ling'er got anxious when she heard this, and had a big fight with her parents, almost falling out. If it weren't for a few of us childhood friends who tried to persuade her, protect her, and comfort her, I was really afraid that Ling'er would lose her mind and do something stupid like committing suicide.