What Would You Do If An Ugly Woman Asked You To Dual Cultivate?-Chapter 40: New City Outing

The carriage rolled to a stop as Yang Hao arrived at the Unified State, the heart of the vast Unified Domain. This domain was a powerful region, overseeing numerous kingdoms, with Unified City standing as its shining core. Many kingdoms thrived under its rule, though the Southern Kingdom had once been part of it. That kingdom had since split into four separate parts.

The Unified State itself boasted five main cities, surrounded by countless smaller, low-level cities, and it was to one of these lesser cities that Yang Hao arrived.

As the carriage moved through the streets, Yang Hao pressed his face to the window, his eyes wide with wonder. This city felt so different from what he knew. Back in his kingdom, he'd only seen mortals, with the occasional Mortal Elemental practitioner passing by. Here, though, the numbers of mortals and Mortal Elementals seemed equal, their presence blending seamlessly. Beyond that, the streets were alive with sights he'd never encountered—strange herbs with glowing leaves lined the market stalls, and weapons with intricate designs glinted in the hands of passing travelers. Everything felt new and overwhelming.

Jiang Chenxue, sitting across from him, chuckled softly at his amazement. "You look like a kid in a candy store," she teased. "Do you want to explore the city with me later?"

Yang Hao turned to her, his face lighting up. "Yeah, I'd love that!"

Soon, the carriage pulled up to a modest inn with a wooden sign swaying in the breeze. As Yang Hao stepped out, he noticed a familiar carriage parked nearby—the one that had left ahead of theirs.

Jiang Chenxue followed his gaze and said. "Go take a bath and freshen up. We'll head out after that."

Yang Hao agreed and headed inside. After a quick bath, he felt refreshed and met Jiang Chenxue in the inn's common room. When he saw her, he froze, stunned by her transformation. She wore a stunning dress that hugged her figure perfectly. The fabric was a deep emerald green, flowing like silk, with golden threads woven into floral patterns along the hem and sleeves. The neckline dipped modestly but accentuated her graceful collarbone, and the dress flared out slightly at the waist, ending just above her ankles to reveal delicate silver sandals. Her golden hair was loose now, cascading in soft waves, adorned with a single gold hairpin shaped like a lotus. Her blue eyes sparkled under the inn's warm lights, her beauty amplified by the way the dress caught the glow, making her look like a vision from a dream.

"Ready to go?" she asked with a smile, snapping him out of his daze.

"Y-yeah," Yang Hao stammered, nodding quickly.

Yang Hao and Jiang Chenxue stepped out of the inn together. The moment they entered the city streets, a wave of energy hit Yang Hao. The air was thick with the rich, warm scent of spices—cinnamon, cloves, and something smoky he couldn't name—mingling with the constant hum of voices. Merchants shouted their wares, children laughed, and the clatter of carts rolled through the cobblestone paths. The late afternoon sun cast long shadows, illuminating the colorful banners fluttering above the shops.

As they wandered deeper into the city, they stumbled upon a lively square buzzing with activity. In the center, a street performer dressed in a bright red tunic twirled flaming torches with impressive skill, the fire leaving trails of orange and gold in the air. The crowd around him gasped and cheered with every daring flip, their excitement infectious. Yang Hao stopped in his tracks, his mouth slightly open as he watched, completely captivated.

"Wow, look at that!" he exclaimed, leaning forward. "How does he keep those torches in the air?"

Jiang Chenxue chuckled beside him, her voice light. "It's a trick of balance and control. Want to get closer?"

"Yeah!" Yang Hao said eagerly, already taking a step toward the performer before she could finish. He craned his neck, trying to see every move.

Inside her mind, Jiang Chenxue couldn't help but smile to herself. He's feel like a child I've brought out for the first time. So full of wonder, and should I hold his hand to keep him from wandering off? She shook her head slightly, amused by the thought.

Nearby, a vendor with a weathered face and a wide grin called out to passersby. His stall was piled high with glowing herbs, their leaves shimmering faintly in shades of green and blue. "Enhance your elemental energy with these rare plants!" he boomed. "Perfect for Fire practitioners!" A few buyers leaned in, asking questions, and Yang Hao's eyes widened as he tugged at Jiang Chenxue's sleeve.

"Hey, what are those? I've never seen herbs like that!" he said, his voice full of curiosity.

Jiang Chenxue followed his gaze and nodded. "Those are Ember Roots. They're grown here in the Unified Domain. the Ember Roots ones strengthen Fire. Want to ask him more?"

"Yes, please!" Yang Hao replied, already moving toward the stall. He stopped short, though, when the vendor started explaining to another customer, and he turned back to her with a pout. He's busy. Can we come back later?"

"Sure, we can," she said with a laugh, gently steering him away.

As they continued, they passed a narrow alley where a group of children giggled and shouted. Yang Hao peeked over and saw them playing with a strange, floating orb that shifted colors—red, blue, then green—as it hovered above their hands. "What's that?" he asked.

Jiang Chenxue glanced over and smiled. "That's a Prism Orb. It's a toy powered by low-level elemental magic. The toy has bit of energy to make it float and change colors. Cute, isn't it?"

"So cool!" Yang Hao said, stepping closer to the alley. "I want to try-"

"Hey, stay with me," Jiang Chenxue interrupted, grabbing his arm lightly. "You'll get yourself into trouble poking around there. Come on, let's keep moving."

Yang Hao nodded, and as they go around, Yang Hao was curious about everything, going everything, not listening to Jiang Chenxue. In those three days with carriage, he felt more comfortable around Jiang Chenxue.

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He's not listening at all, Jiang Chenxue thought, rolling her eyes inwardly. I feel like I'm chasing a toddler around a festival. At least he's enthusiastic. Maybe I should make him eat something so full that he won't run anywhere.

Her laughter broke through his excitement as she pointed ahead. "Look over there—a stall selling roasted meat skewers. Smells good, doesn't it? Want to try some?"

Yang Hao's face lit up again. "Oh, yeah! Let's get some!" He hurried over, and she followed, shaking her head with a grin. They bought a few skewers, the meat juicy and spiced perfectly, the savory flavor making Yang Hao's eyes widen with delight. "This is amazing!" he mumbled between bites. "Better than anything back home!"

"I'm glad you like it," Jiang Chenxue said, taking a small bite of her own. "This city has the good food. There's more to see, though—want to check out the weapon stalls next?"

"Yes, please!" he said, already chewing faster to finish.

So they went around the city, and as they go around, Jiang Chenxue made him eat everything she felt that it was good to eat.