[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-watching-the-immortals-fall":3,"chapter-watching-the-immortals-fall-watching-the-immortals-fall-chapter-148":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},2260021,4410,"Chapter 148: Is the Sect Head in Good Health?","watching-the-immortals-fall-chapter-148",148,"\u003Cp>Ji You had spent the past several days confined to his Bishui Lake Elegant Garden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He won the Autumn Duel in the Inner Court.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was shock, but no danger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet compared to the outside world’s clamor, he remained unusually calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He cared more about another matter, so the day after the Autumn Duel, he went with Cao Jinsong to the Teaching Hall to reclaim their original wager.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Zhiyuan, one hundred spirit stones √\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding Ang, one hundred spirit stones √\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These were the two’s losses from betting against Cao Jinsong; during the Heavenly Book resonance, Cao Jinsong had promised him half, and what he now received was Ma Zhiyuan’s share.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Ji You gently rolled a spirit stone between his fingers, his expression bland, while Cao Jinsong sat across from him, his chest massive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two meticulously assessed each stone’s size, shape, and quality, striving for perfect equality in division.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not even a single spirit stone from the Snow Region’s demonic clans—let alone Yunzhou stones—just cheap Zhongzhou stones…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cao Instructor, this one of mine isn’t good enough—it shouldn’t count as one full stone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You muttered to himself, setting aside the lower-quality stone from his pile and selecting a better one from Cao Jinsong’s stack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Jinsong stared, speechless for a long while: “You’re about to enter the Inner Court—how can you still be so petty, still as stingy as when you first came out of Yuyang County?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You come with me to Yuyang County, eat three years of throat-scraping wild greens and steamed buns, and you’ll understand why.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Environment truly shapes character, especially when it’s extreme poverty that never ends.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In short: terrified of being poor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You picked up a spirit stone and held it under the daylight for a long while, carefully admiring its luster and the refined spiritual energy within, then his expression suddenly grew grave, a flicker of regret flashing in his gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Cao Jinsong frowned slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the Autumn Duel ended yesterday, he’d noticed Ji You seemed off—especially this morning, when he looked as if he hadn’t slept all night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s wrong? You won the Autumn Duel—why are you so unsettled now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You set down the spirit stone: “Actually, during the duel, for one moment, I regretted it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Jinsong paused, startled: “Regret what?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I should’ve discussed it with Chu He—told him ten thousand taels of gold could buy me to drop one sword, let him experience the joy of a pay-to-win player.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Jinsong’s lips trembled: “Chu’s family brought him back, spent two months teaching him techniques and whatnot—yet they didn’t realize they could’ve just paid to make you lose?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, Ji You’s hand froze, his expression turning thoughtful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s that look for? Can you really be bought to lose?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm, probably not—but I have no confidence. Even if I refused, I’d still struggle fiercely inside. Poor people’s morals don’t hold up under test.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then why say he could buy you to drop a sword for ten thousand taels?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I could’ve won with five swords—so I just threw away twenty thousand taels.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You finished speaking, took one spirit stone from Cao Jinsong’s pile: “This one compensates for my twenty-thousand-tael loss.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Jinsong clenched his molars so hard he nearly shattered them, thinking: I shouldn’t have asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some people truly shouldn’t be cared about.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Ruyi and the others sat at the tea table, watching Ji You and Cao Jinsong meticulously sort the spirit stones, exchanging bewildered glances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’d learned about Chu He’s severed hands sooner than Lu Qingqiu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the day of the Autumn Duel, as Ji You left the stage, they’d rushed after him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Chu He’s hands were probably shattered by my shockwave.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In that final move, [Xiao Chongshan], I used the sword intent of [Liu Se Xin], slicing through his [Huntian Technique], and shattered every part of his body.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Didn’t you all say Chu’s family had deep reserves, might have hidden tricks? So I never considered giving him a second chance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words that day had left everyone speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then rumors from all directions confirmed it: Chu He’s hands were indeed severed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recalling the killing god of a swordsman he’d been, now comparing him to this penny-pinching miser counting spirit stones—the contrast was staggering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Zhengxin picked up a spirit stone, glanced at it, and spoke: “Younger Brother, if Chu He had held on for a second round, still had hidden moves—could you have won?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Really?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You thought a moment, then nodded: “I had hidden moves too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, those lounging in the elegant garden all wore complex expressions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the Autumn Duel, many said they’d never seen Ji You fight, couldn’t gauge his true strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So after Chu He’s thunderous return to the Inner Court, few dared predict who’d win.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But when everyone saw Ji You’s seven strikes of [Xiao Chongshan], they thought they’d finally seen his ultimate sword art.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only now, with Ji You’s words, did they realize—even with Chu He’s mighty [Huntian Technique], they still hadn’t uncovered his true depths.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet during the duel, they’d all seen [Xiao Chongshan] and [Gui Qu Lai], and the sharp sword intent of [Liu Se Xin] had appeared in those final seven strikes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They couldn’t fathom what hidden moves Ji You still held back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, a rhythmic “thump-thump-thump” came at the courtyard gate. Pei Ruyi, closest to the door, rose and opened it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside stood a third-year Outer Court senior sister, her eyes glancing sideways as she handed over a thick, bulging letter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Younger Brother Ji’s fiancées keep multiplying…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like Long Xiandi, witnessing this, seethed with envy: “If I’d known, I’d have trained harder!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Ruyi took it, pinched it a few times, judged it likely contained a silk undergarment, then casually passed it to Ji You—as if this were routine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since last night, these things hadn’t stopped coming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Daughters of high officials, Outer Court immortals, noble heiresses—all flooded in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rumor even said the Changle Princess of Chong Wangfu  had taken interest, slipping a hairpin into her letter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They all knew Changle Princess Zhao Yunyue wasn’t from an immortal sect—but was in truth the personal disciple of an Elder from Lingjian Mountain; her status in the immortal registry wasn’t inferior to Ji You’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, the Great Xia and the Heavenly Book Academy had always maintained good relations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So whether from the Great Xia imperial court or within the Academy itself, most approved of Changle Princess’s wish to become Ji You’s Dao companion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Also, their own peer, Yunzhou’s Lady Lu Qingqiu, was seen as a fine choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because Yunzhou borders Fengzhou, this would greatly aid Ji You in establishing a noble family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You’s health is good, and Lady Lu’s hips are round—procreation won’t be an issue; this is one vital factor for family prosperity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But based on our observations these past days, Ji You seems more interested in silver.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, Ji You finished sorting the spirit stones and stowed them in his storage gourd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Made it…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m so happy—let’s go eat? Long Long’s treating.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the tenth day of the seventh month, the rain ceased. Two days of downpour had swept away the last lingering heat of Shengjing; temperatures dropped quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Administration Office issued an official notice: Ji You had been selected for the Inner Court.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, on a bright, sunlit morning, before all eyes, Ji You followed the mountain path past the Administration Office and entered alone into the ten-thousand-acre forest sea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His peers, those who’d long been in the Outer Court, and the three Head Instructors of the Administration Office all gathered below, watching him vanish deeper into the forest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He truly entered the Inner Court…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Those seven swords in the Autumn Duel—they say even the Five Hall Masters praised them. This might still be just Ji You’s beginning, not his peak.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You mean he might become a Hall Master’s personal disciple?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We dare not guess the Hall Masters’ intentions—but who can say for sure?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Qingqiu stood on the corridor before the Baiyu Terrace, her eyes glistening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She’d sent a letter yesterday proposing to become Ji You’s Dao companion—but received no reply. Now watching his back, she recalled his jade-like form, and felt a pang of regret.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She knew many noble ladies had taken interest in him after the duel, but didn’t know who he’d choose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had she known this day would come, she’d have acted the moment he saved her on Shengjing’s streets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But back then, thinking him poor-born, she’d removed him from her list of potential husbands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Will Ji You really choose the Changle Princess?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Maybe the daughter of Yu Danzong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Yu Danzong daughter’s status is too high—unlikely.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Ji You had walked deep into the ten-thousand-acre forest, suppressing the urge to write: “This path I opened, this tree I planted—if you pass, leave toll money,” then emerged from the woods to face a vast cliff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before him stood pavilions and terraces he’d glimpsed through clouds many times—now, without mist obscuring them, they appeared even grander, more expansive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Inner Court had its own mountain gate, nearly identical in appearance to the Outer Court’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beyond the gate, towering peaks unfolded before him: three on the left, two on the right, each crowned with majestic palaces—the Five Halls of the Inner Court. In the center rose the highest peak: the sacred Tian Shu Hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You stood at the convergence of the six peaks. Ahead lay the Baiyu Sacred Path, where many Inner Court disciples had gathered, watching as Ji You emerged from the forest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of the Five Halls, only Changsheng, Budust, and Wuyu still lacked personal disciples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many among their ranks sought that title—and given Ji You’s Outer Court performances, his presence alone made him a threat to every candidate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Ji You looked around, Wen Zhengxin and Ban Yangshu approached.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Younger Brother Ji, welcome to the Inner Court.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had volunteered as his guides, then led him to a small courtyard west of the Purple Bamboo Meditation Grove.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This courtyard had been prepared since early this year, specifically for new Inner Court students.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside, Inner Court immortal robes were laid out, furniture and chairs fully arranged—similar to Bishui Lake Elegant Garden, but even larger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Zhengxin and Ban Yangshu took him on a tour, then sat down at a stone table in the courtyard: “We’ve already discussed the situation within the Inner Court. What you need to consider now is which hall you wish to join.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You, who had been observing the courtyard’s flowers and trees, turned his head at the sound: “Are the five halls significantly different?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The five halls emphasize different cultivation methods—the Zizai Hall focuses on celestial mechanics, the Changsheng Hall on force arts… but the Dao arts are largely interconnected; most students entering the Inner Court don’t dwell on this distinction.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then what do they consider?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They consider alliances between noble families. Most families from Yunzhou join the Zizai Hall, others the Jixiang Hall; several families from Youzhou also follow this pattern—most disciples in the Inner Court do the same.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You faintly understood Wen Zhengxin’s meaning: the cliques within the Inner Court were far more entrenched than those in the Outer Court.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone like him—a rural self-cultivator with no noble lineage—had already broken precedent by entering the Outer Court; entering the Inner Court was even more astonishing. That’s why they urged him to think carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as others had previously suggested he establish a family or immortal estate in Fengzhou, his choice of hall might affect his relationships with the various noble families.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Zhengxin and Ban Yangshu did not recommend he join the Zizai Hall or the Jixiang Hall—same reason as the Inner Court disciples’ earlier concerns: the coveted status of direct disciple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those others might merely see Ji You as a threat, but these two believed that with his talent, he would inevitably become a direct disciple of one hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Choosing a hall that already had a direct disciple would be a terrible waste.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the three spoke, three Inner Court instructors in black Dao robes drifted in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These three instructors came from the Changsheng Hall, the Jixiang Hall, and the Buchen Hall—each immediately offered to take Ji You as their direct disciple and invited him to join their respective halls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Wen Zhengxin and Ban Yangshu both gaped open-mouthed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They themselves had risen from the Outer Court to the Inner Court, yet had never witnessed anyone receive such treatment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Ji You did not decide on the spot; he said he had just entered the Inner Court and needed more time to consider.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus the three elders departed, leaving only the three of them again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After becoming a direct disciple of an Elder, can one still become the Abbot’s direct disciple?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Zhengxin and Ban Yangshu were about to answer, then froze, exchanging a glance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, they thought Ji You had meant “Can one still become the Hall Master’s direct disciple?”—they were about to reply, then realized he hadn’t.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had asked about the Abbot’s direct disciple—a distinction vastly greater than the Hall Master’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could Ji You’s junior brother have been overexcited and mistakenly said “Abbot’s direct disciple” instead of “Hall Master’s direct disciple”?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before they could react, Ji You’s voice sounded again beside their ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where does our Tian Shu Academy’s Abbot live?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uh, the Abbot should reside in the Tian Shu Hall at the very top.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You gazed toward the distant clouds: “Is he in good health?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(During the New Year… taking a short break—only one chapter today. Please vote for monthly tickets.)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2273,"2026-06-19T15:28:39.995Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","778989416817f551ac7fa4de2f6a4a7cf7ec44046660107e4c027252141918c0","watching-the-immortals-fall-chapter-149","watching-the-immortals-fall-chapter-147",430,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fwatching-the-immortals-fall-cover.jpg"]