Immortals Step into Heaven

As the first rays of morning sunlight, like golden threads, gently filtered through the gaps between the leaves and fell upon the ground, dispelling the lingering chill of the night, Zheng Yuan was the first to slowly awaken. He blinked his sleepy eyes and tilted his head to look at Zhao Linger, who was still sleeping beside him. The morning light cast a soft outline on her face, and her long eyelashes cast a faint shadow on her cheek. Zheng Yuan's heart moved, and he couldn't help but fall into a brief moment of contemplation.

When Zhao Ling'er slowly regained consciousness, Zheng Yuan's expression became serious and solemn. He decided to teach her one of his unique skills: the cartilage technique. He knew Ling'er was gifted and kind-hearted, and that this skill would surely prove beneficial in her hands. Zheng Yuan first explained the cartilage technique's mantras and energy-control techniques in detail, speaking each word clearly and slowly to ensure Ling'er's understanding. He then demonstrated the movements himself, his movements agilely demonstrating how to skillfully manipulate the body's anatomy to transform both shape and appearance. Ling'er listened intently, her eyes fixed on Zheng Yuan's every move, meticulously imitating and practicing, not missing a single detail.

After teaching the cartilage technique, Zheng Yuan carefully removed from his storage bag a supremely fine flying sword emitting a chilling gleam, a shimmering supremely fine inner armor, and a pristine, yet heavy, supremely fine shield, each of which exuded a powerful aura. He solemnly handed them to Ling'er. His eyes were filled with concern and expectation, and he spoke earnestly, "Ling'er, the journey ahead will be arduous and unpredictable. You must keep these supremely fine instruments. The flying sword will help you kill and defend your enemies, giving you the upper hand; this inner armor will protect you from powerful attacks at critical moments; and this shield will shield you from sudden and fatal dangers." Ling'er accepted these precious instruments, her heart filled with emotion and warmth. Gently caressing them, she silently resolved to strive to improve her cultivation and live up to Brother Xiao Yuan's deep affection and trust.

In that quiet valley, Ling'er studied cartilage techniques diligently every day and refined magic tools. Time passed slowly until Ling'er finally mastered the skill and refined the magic tools. Only then did Zheng Yuan feel relieved and took Ling'er on the journey to Yunshan Market.

The journey was filled with beautiful mountains and rivers, and the scenery was delightful. When they reached a secluded path, three figures suddenly appeared ahead without warning, blocking their path like ghosts. Zheng Yuan instantly became alert, his eyes quickly scanning the three before him, secretly assessing their strength. Two of them exuded the powerful aura of those in the early stages of the Foundation Establishment period. The fluctuations of their mana were like materialized ripples, resonating in the air and giving a faint sense of oppression. The other one, with spiritual energy flowing throughout his body, had already reached the state of perfect Qi Refining, although slightly weaker than the previous two.

The leader was an old man with a stern face. His eyes were like torches, and there was a hint of sharpness and suspicion in his eyes. He stared at Zheng Yuan and Ling'er closely, and said coldly: "Who are you? How dare you stay here? You are not the remnants of the Danqing Sect!" The voice was like a thunder, suddenly ringing out in the silent mountains, startling the birds in the surrounding woods.

Zheng Yuan's heart trembled. Although he had suspected something and made some preparations, the words "Danqing Sect remnants" still stirred within him when they truly reached his ears. His mind flashed back to the Danqing Sect's former splendor. Familiar teachers, fellow disciples, and majestic buildings and palaces—had they all vanished in this turbulent world of cultivation? But he knew the situation was critical; he couldn't afford to show even a hint of vulnerability. He suppressed his inner turmoil, quickly regaining composure. He bowed calmly and said, "Fellow Daoists, my brother and I are merely passing through here, seeking a moment's rest. We were unintentionally disturbing you by passing through this precious place, and we are truly sorry. We will be leaving now. We hope you will forgive us." As he spoke, he calmly shielded Ling'er behind him, his eyes constantly monitoring the movements of the three men across from him, secretly calculating how he would safely escape with Ling'er if a fight arose.

Another middle-aged cultivator in the Foundation Establishment Stage, with undisguised greed and evil thoughts in his eyes, stared at Zhao Linger intently, as if he could see through her. Then he grinned, revealing a disgusting smile and said, "You can go, but your sister has to stay." As he spoke, he rubbed his hands unconsciously, and the spiritual power in his body surged slightly, as if demonstrating to Zheng Yuan that he had absolute confidence in his own strength and was not afraid of any resistance Zheng Yuan might make.

Zhao Linger shuddered like a frightened deer at the blunt and arrogant words of the middle-aged Foundation Establishment cultivator. She instinctively clutched the hem of Zheng Yuan's clothes and hid behind him, her eyes filled with fear and unease. Her delicate cheeks instantly lost their color, turning pale. She bit her lower lip with her pearly teeth, revealing her extreme nervousness.

Zhao Linger, raised in a relatively innocent environment, had never encountered such naked malice and threats. Her chest rose and fell slightly, her breathing became rapid, her mind blank, and she could only pin all her hopes on Zheng Yuan, hoping that he could come up with a way to deal with this sudden crisis and get her out of this dangerous situation.

Sensing Ling'er's condition, Zheng Yuan leaned slightly to the side, looked at her with a warm and firm gaze, gently patted Ling'er's hand that was tightly grasping the corner of his clothes, and said soothingly: "Ling'er, it is not difficult for me to kill these two Foundation Establishment cultivators, but it will take some effort. Don't worry, with me here, they can't hurt you at all." After that, he straightened his back, and the spiritual power in his body slowly surged, exuding a powerful aura of self-confidence, as if announcing to the two Foundation Establishment cultivators that if they want to attack Ling'er today, they will pay a heavy price.

Upon hearing this, a sneer of disdain crossed the old man's face, his deep wrinkles seeming to mock Zheng Yuan's presumption. His cloudy eyes narrowed slightly, a glint filled with contempt. In a hoarse and mocking voice, he said, "Hmph, you look young, but you're quite arrogant. You brat, still wet behind the ears, dare to speak so arrogantly in front of me? Do you really think that those in the Foundation Establishment stage are so easy to deal with? Today, I'll teach you the ropes!" With that, his magical power suddenly trembled, and a powerful aura instantly spread. The air around him seemed to grow thicker with this force. A faint whistling sound rustled his clothes, as if building momentum for his upcoming attack.