Immortals Step into Heaven

Candlelight flickered in the inn. Zhao Linger gracefully descended from the upper floor, her eyes instantly catching sight of Zheng Yuan returning. A flicker of joy flashed in her eyes, and she lightly inched towards Zheng Yuan. A gentle smile played on her lips as she softly asked, "Brother Xiaoyuan, did everything you did out there go smoothly? Did you finish everything?" As she spoke, her eyes sparkled as she gazed at Zheng Yuan, full of light. Her hand gently ruffled her hair, adding a touch of graceful beauty to her demeanor.

Zheng Yuan walked quickly to her, his lips curled up slightly, revealing a reassuring smile, and said softly, "It's done. Ling'er, we may have to speed up our journey to Luoyan Country. The situation in Yunlan is turbulent right now, with undercurrents surging from all sides. Many fights have occurred recently, and it is said that the Danqing Sect has been destroyed. If we stay here, we will probably be involved in trouble for no reason. We should set off for Luoyan Country as soon as possible to find some peace.

Zhao Linger looked worried and said softly, "Danqing Sect was destroyed? How could this happen... What about the disciples in the sect?" Her eyes were full of pity and sympathy, and her little hands unconsciously clutched the corner of her clothes.

Zheng Yuan gently patted her shoulder and soothed her, "Ling'er, the grudges and hatreds in this martial arts world are too complicated. All we can do now is to avoid these disputes as much as possible. We are powerless to interfere in the affairs of the Danqing Sect." A hint of helplessness flashed in his eyes, but he quickly regained his determination. "The journey to Luoyang Country is long, but as long as we proceed with caution, we should be able to reach it safely. We will set out early tomorrow morning."

Zhao Linger nodded slightly, her expression slightly relaxed, and said, "Brother Xiaoyuan, I will listen to you. But you have to be extra careful on this journey. I don't want you to be in danger because of me."

Zheng Yuan patted her head lovingly and said with a smile, "Silly Ling'er, I'm willing to protect you. Don't worry, don't you trust my strength? But you must stay close to me and don't run around."

"Okay, I understand." Zhao Linger responded obediently.

The dawn was just breaking, and the sky was turning pale. Soft light gently cast a shadow over the streets of Yunshan Market, as if casting a veil over the bustling city. The next morning, the two of them packed their bags early and, filled with anticipation, resolutely left Yunshan Market, embarking on the long journey to Luoyan Country.

The journey was filled with hardships and setbacks. To avoid appearing too conspicuous, Zheng Yuan gave up flying his sword. They sometimes traversed dense, thorny forests, sometimes crossed turbulent, fast-flowing rivers, the biting cold of the icy snow assaulting their bodies. Sometimes they encountered raging storms, icy raindrops lashing their cheeks and blurring their vision; sometimes they were caught in the scorching sun, the scorching ground nearly melting their shoes, and sweat drenched their backs.

After months of living in the open air, under the stars and moonlight, their faces were filled with fatigue and vicissitudes of life, and their bodies became increasingly resolute and upright. Finally, on a sunny day, the outline of the magnificent Luoyang Kingdom in the distance vaguely appeared in their sight. The towering city walls and the scattered pavilions shimmered charmingly in the sunlight.

Upon entering Luoyan's territory, Zheng Yuan was acutely aware of its uniqueness. In the streets and alleys, women strode with their heads held high, their eyes revealing confidence and boldness, while men mostly followed behind them, their expressions gentle and humble. All signs indicated that this was a nation where women were respected.

For the first few days, Zheng Yuan found it novel and intriguing, unaware of the difficulties it would bring to his life. However, as the days wore on, after a month, the feeling of discomfort washed over him like a tidal wave. While shopping at the market, the stall owner was a cheerful and bold woman, expertly handling customers with a demeanor that stood in stark contrast to the male attendants. When it was Zheng Yuan's turn to inquire about the price, the woman's gaze was scrutinizing, her tone unwavering, a stark departure from the transactional style he was accustomed to. This left Zheng Yuan momentarily bewildered, the thought of bargaining on his lips, yet he found it difficult to bring it forth.

Arranging accommodations was even more awkward for Zheng Yuan. The innkeeper's wife was impulsive, directing the male staff around. Regarding Zheng Yuan's request, she simply gave a few instructions and had the staff take him to his room, leaving him no room for negotiation. The room layout and amenities weren't what Zheng Yuan had hoped for, but he had no choice but to accept it. After all, men's opinions didn't seem to matter much here.

Even in everyday interactions, Zheng Yuan often found himself in awkward situations. When he spoke with local men, their words unconsciously revealed a submissiveness and dependence on women. They were either surprised or confused by Zheng Yuan's views and ideas, which were accustomed to male-dominated thinking. This made Zheng Yuan feel even more out of place in this country, and his sense of discomfort grew stronger, as if he were an outsider who had stumbled into a strange world, struggling to find his place.

Zhao Linger was originally a lively and smart girl with her own unique temperament. However, since she came to Luoyan Country, she was influenced by this unique atmosphere and gradually changed as if she had been cast a magical spell.

At first, it was just subtle changes. She began to notice the unique attire of the women of Luoyan. Their clothing was vibrant, bold, and intricately embroidered, with intricate necklines and cuffs. Ling'er liked it and chose a few of her own. After putting them on, she gazed at herself in the mirror. She also imitated the local women's bun, pulling her hair up high and inserting an exquisite hairpin. As she walked, her graceful steps evoked a touch of the Luoyan women's charm.

Later, her behavior began to change. When she spoke to others, Ling'er unconsciously raised her voice, her tone more confident and decisive, no longer as shy and reserved as before. When she saw small items on the street, she would walk over and choose them with the confidence of a Luoyan woman. When she bargained with the vendors, she refused to give in, her eyes firm and her words witty. Her shrewdness left Zheng Yuan stunned.

Even when faced with making decisions, Ling'er began to imitate the women of Luoyan, making her own decisions without regard for Zheng Yuan's opinions. She would place her hands on her hips, her chin slightly raised, and articulate her thoughts and plans, looking every bit like a native Luoyan woman. This made Zheng Yuan feel both helpless and a little amused, as if the once sweet and charming Ling'er had quietly faded away, replaced by this Ling'er, who had been "corrupted" by Luoyan's customs but still possessed a unique charm.