[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-watching-the-immortals-fall":3,"chapter-watching-the-immortals-fall-watching-the-immortals-fall-chapter-11":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Watching the Immortals Fall",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2259884,4410,"Chapter 11: Three Six Nine Ranks","watching-the-immortals-fall-chapter-11",11,"\u003Cp>After the founding of the Great Xia, the Central Plains lay in ruins, and to select capable talent, the imperial examination system was established.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Initially held once a year, it was later changed to every three years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the Immortal Dao flourished and the struggle for doctrinal dominance began, countless scions of noble families turned to cultivation, leaving few to take the imperial exams—so it was reverted to once a year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet even so, talent within the Great Xia court continued to dwindle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So when Kuang Cheng uttered the words “imperial examination,” Ji You visibly froze, then remembered: the world still had imperial examinations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kuang Cheng rolled up his wide sleeves and rested them on his knees as he explained: “Great Xia law states that if one rises to the rank of fourth grade, one direct relative or descendant may cultivate. My father said the survival of the Kuang family hinges on me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingyun’s immortal authority surpasses the Great Xia’s imperial power; under today’s tribute system, commoners strain to change their class and shed their slave status.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This cloth-clad young master of the Kuang family had studied classics since childhood, all in hope of this very destiny.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Become an official, become an immortal—then breed wildly; the direct kin of immortals may cultivate, and the family gradually prospers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is the only path to survival for families like the Kuangs—possessing some land and wealth, yet forever trapped at the lowest rung.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment’s thought, Ji You felt a flicker of doubt: “If only direct kin of fourth-rank officials may cultivate, then Fang Zhongzheng is merely a seventh-rank county magistrate—why can Fang Ruoyao enter the Heavenly Book Academy?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Her admission has nothing to do with Old Master Fang—it’s because of her elder brother, Fang Ruoming. The eldest son of the Fang family left home at fourteen to join the army seven years ago and has since gained heavy trust in the Zhenbei Army, so one quota was granted to Fang Ruoyao.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You understood at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Great Xia has ruled the Central Plains for years, many small states and tribes still lurk around like tigers and dragons. Among them, the warlike Wuman tribes have invaded year after year, keeping the northern border in constant flame, while the demon clans remain ambiguous, causing the emperor deep unease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, the status of Zhenbei Army officers has risen steadily—though still below mountain immortals, they are certainly above commoners.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So it seems the Fang family shares your Kuang family’s goal: whether becoming an official or joining the army, it’s all to ensure someone in the family becomes an immortal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kuang Cheng, hearing this, pressed his lips shut: “Everyone knows that only by becoming an immortal can one escape slave status.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You couldn’t help but sneer: “Great Xia forbids commoners to cultivate, enslaves them for production, and takes most of their output as tribute to immortals. Yet as more immortals appear, the tribute grows heavier—how long can this go on?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Great Xia has existed for a thousand years—hasn’t it always been this way?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Old Kuang, if one day you wield supreme power in court, dare you change the sun and moon?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kuang Cheng froze, then grasped his meaning, eyes widening: “How can you speak such madness? That’s death!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So what if it’s death? Since ancient times, who escapes death? Let a loyal heart shine through history.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Qingyun’s realm, immortals reign supreme; poetry is a neglected art, undeveloped—but concise phrases still strike the heart. Yet for a thousand years, no one had dared utter such bold words, and the silence trembled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kuang Cheng’s gaze shifted again and again, then finally spoke: “Is this your ambition?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You blinked, then grinned foolishly: “No, I only dare urge others to shine through history—I myself? I’m afraid of death.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When utterly speechless, one becomes utterly speechless, so Kuang Cheng’s lips twitched twice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But moments later, seeing Ji You’s robe drenched in blood, he paused again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since ancient times, who escapes death? Let a loyal heart shine through history…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Kuang Cheng pondered these words, he suddenly felt a weak, lifeless tap on his shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, do you have any red dates? Bring me some to replenish my blood…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uh, I’ll get them right away—wait a moment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You stopped the rising scholar, thought a moment, then said: “Are you hosting a banquet? A chicken leg would be even better…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kuang Cheng blinked: “Fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching him leave, Ji You couldn’t help but sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly, in all his life, he’d never imagined he’d one day eat red dates to replenish blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this blood loss? Really, it was just one period’s worth—just looked terrifying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Young Master Ji forced himself upright, closed his eyes, and turned his spiritual sense inward. After long moments, he opened them, expression utterly defeated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spiritual spring was truly shattered—beyond repair, like a blooming lotus…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But good news: he could still draw in celestial spiritual energy—he wouldn’t drop in realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Make do with it. This is perhaps the price of recklessness. But the Heavenly Book Academy is a holy sect—when I reach Shengjing, maybe I’ll find a way to mend it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before long, the fifth day of the eighth month arrived; white poplar leaves had long fallen, cold grass withered ahead of time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You continuously purified his body with spiritual energy; his blood and qi gradually recovered. Aside from his shattered spiritual spring, he was no different from an ordinary person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this time, the Heavenly Book Academy set its departure date for the capital: the next morning at the hour of Mao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The notice came with an invitation: County Magistrate Fang Zhongzheng was hosting a farewell banquet for him and Fang Ruoyao, inviting him to attend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Fang Zhongzheng wasn’t a good man, he was exceedingly clever, skilled at reading the situation. From Cao Xianren’s demeanor, he’d sensed Ji You was not like his daughter—someone who entered the academy merely through a quota.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You had indeed been accepted into the Heavenly Book Academy. Though he disliked the Fang family, he still had to maintain appearances, so he accepted the invitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But after three rounds of wine, Fang Zhongzheng nearly got dragged into becoming Ji You’s sworn brother—leaving Fang Ruoyao with a frosty face throughout the banquet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, Ji You didn’t linger long at the feast. He ate both chicken legs, praised Cao Jingsong and Pei Ruyi, then hurried off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ji You always acts in a rush—what’s he up to now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He’s probably heading to the grain yard—they’re building a stage, everyone’s arrived, and now they’re just waiting for Young Master Ji.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The servant beside them, carrying wine, replied upon hearing the question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Ruyi blinked: “Building a stage? Are they putting on an opera?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Ruoyao smiled faintly as she poured wine: “I heard Ji You chatted with someone on the street this morning—he said now that he’s an immortal of the Heavenly Book Academy, if he gets wealthy families to adopt him as a sworn father, he’ll get rich—absolutely rich. He’s probably busy with that now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Ruyi’s brow furrowed at once, her expression displeased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Ji fellow hadn’t even officially become a disciple of the Heavenly Book Academy, yet he was already using its name to collect tribute—how arrogant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Remember, the lord of the Worship Immortal Manor is a top fifth-rank expert who broke away from the Xuan Yuan Immortal Mansion to establish his own manor—only then did he earn that right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before Pei Ruyi could speak, the wine-serving servant quickly waved his hand: “Miss, you misunderstood—it’s not wealthy families.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The ones summoned to the grain yard are all poor children.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Ruoyao blinked, then glanced at Pei Ruyi without expression: “I didn’t expect he’d even take tribute from the poor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The servant blinked again: “Young Master Ji doesn’t take tribute.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How do you know he doesn’t take tribute? Don’t speak out of turn.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Because… because my dog went too—he’s going to worship Young Master Ji as his sworn father.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Ruoyao froze, then swiftly changed the subject: “By the way, Sister, speaking of tribute—my tribute was already sent to the capital yesterday. How will Ji You transport his? Should I ask Father to arrange another cart to accompany us?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pay to enroll, enroll to pay—this rule held firm even in Qingyun’s realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Fang Ruoyao’s elder brother had earned great military merit and was heavily favored by the Zhenbei Divine General, Fang Ruoyao remained a mortal—her tribute could not be waived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the Ji family had been impoverished for years; she didn’t believe Ji You could afford this tribute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing her ask, Pei Ruyi glanced at her, then replied: “Those under twenty with full cultivation in the lower three realms need not pay tribute to the sect.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not only do they not pay—if he chose the Xuan Yuan Immortal Mansion, he might even receive a monthly stipend from the sect.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Ruyi lifted her half-full cup: “Otherwise, why do you think Master Cao camps daily at the city gate like a thief, terrified someone will steal Ji You away?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Ruoyao’s expression froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She’d assumed all students of the Heavenly Book Academy were equal—but now she realized: even within the academy, there were tiers of rank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1546,"2026-06-19T15:28:39.995Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","46afaeffaacc5372d84924bad2d61f1237de5705d45ef72a171f7f40c1eb18cf","watching-the-immortals-fall-chapter-12","watching-the-immortals-fall-chapter-10",430,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fwatching-the-immortals-fall-cover.jpg"]