[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-watching-the-immortals-fall":3,"chapter-watching-the-immortals-fall-watching-the-immortals-fall-chapter-155":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},2260028,4410,"Chapter 155","watching-the-immortals-fall-chapter-155",155,"\u003Cp>What did Ji You do after returning home?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He fetched water for a widow, wandered aimlessly with a little girl, and also cut wheat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cut wheat?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He claimed to be cutting wheat, but I suspected foul play, so I lingered nearby for several days and confirmed it: he pretended to cut wheat, but was actually honing his sword Dao—allegedly called Joint Harvest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the lord of Bai Xia Manor said, Ji You had the qualifications to establish a clan in Fengzhou, yet numerous perilous obstacles still lay ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since he entered Fengzhou’s territory, the foreign manors stationed here had been secretly observing every move he made.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These manors had operated in Fengzhou for decades and treated the land as their private domain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To hand it over to someone else? They could not do it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some say Fengzhou is barren, vast but sparsely populated—this is indeed true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But equally, there are few others here to share the spoils.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What of the other eight provinces?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clans and immortal sects abound, interconnected, yet the resources they actually consume may not exceed what they gain in Fengzhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet if a local clan truly takes root here, their share will no longer be theirs—that is a scenario every foreign manor dreads.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, they now face an urgent problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they stand idly by, in ten to twenty years, Ji You’s clan will inevitably be established in Fengzhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they wish to prevent this, they must erase him completely within this time frame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, golden morning light bathed Yuyang County, and Ji You stepped out of his residence, locked the gate, then walked toward the city outskirts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had declared upon arrival that he would register with the Fengzhou government, establish a clan, and claim his share of tax revenue—and today was the day he set out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, a carriage stood parked before the Yuyang County monument, with Cao Jingsong and Pei Ruyi standing on either side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaving now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes, let’s go now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You murmured softly, then slightly shifted his gaze toward a farmer approaching from the west city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was Uncle Qing from the west city, carrying a white porcelain bowl filled with wild greens stewed with meat, heading toward the south city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Jingsong and Pei Ruyi also saw this, thinking: though all say Fengzhou is poor, its food is actually quite decent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Ji You lifted his robe hem and stepped onto the carriage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along the way, multiple intelligence reports were dispatched, continuously transmitted between prefectures and cities, reaching the hands of major manors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You is heading toward the Fengzhou government?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Correct—he departed this morning and is heading straight there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I thought he’d wait years before establishing a clan; I never expected him to show up right away?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tax collection season is about to begin—he’s rushing to register and establish his clan now, clearly to seize the tax share. How greedy!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thirty li west of Fengzhou’s capital, the Qiyun Manor, Changqing Manor, Fuyan Manor… their lords sat on high thrones, faces flushed with anger, fists pounding tables incessantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Below them, over fifty disciples stood with grim expressions, whispering among themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one expected that a mere Tongxuan Mid-Stage cultivator, who had only just entered the inner court days ago, would immediately seek to establish a clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes, the Qingyun Immortal Code explicitly permits native cultivators to return home and establish clans after gaining qualification.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the Qingyun Immortal Code is rigid—does he truly believe the dozens of manors in Fengzhou are equally lifeless?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Greedy—utterly greedy!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Previously, several manors had opposed taking action against Ji You.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One reason was fear of the Tian Shu Academy’s power; another was that Ji You’s clan establishment might be cultivated as an alliance due to his renowned lineage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially manor lords with daughters, who saw potential for future advancement through marriage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this sudden news sent alarm bells ringing in every heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Everyone assumed you’d spend years refining in the inner court, securing a marriage alliance with a clan heiress before even considering establishing a clan in Fengzhou—I thought so too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But now, as we head straight for the Fengzhou government, our intentions are crystal clear.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tax collection begins soon; immortal sects, clans, and sects alike have opened their bags wide. Your arrival now will trigger alarm in many.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Because your clan’s establishment here will steal everyone’s share—henceforth, we must proceed with extreme caution in every action.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The carriage reached Ancheng County, where Cao Jingsong, Pei Ruyi, and Ji You disembarked to rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Jingsong sat on a broad bench at the inn, giving Ji You endless advice, watching as Ji You nodded obediently and swapped his teacup with Cao’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Jingsong: “?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You raised his head solemnly: “I fear poison.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You fear poison? Oh, I don’t?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A true man cannot fear everything—what’s the point of cultivating immortality then?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You muttered, frowned slightly, then picked up a bite of food and placed it in Cao Jingsong’s bowl: “Master, I was impolite just now—now I repay you with filial duty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Jingsong’s lip twitched: “You’re going to kill me with filial piety…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t worry—poisons that kill cultivators instantly are nearly nonexistent. I have plenty of connections in Yu Danzong; if there truly is poison, I can summon\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then why don’t you eat?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You paused his chopsticks above the bowl and plate: “Heaven, Earth, Sovereign, Parents, Teachers—elders eat first; how could a junior dare to overstep?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Ruyi listened to their exchange and couldn’t help but press her lips together: “Cultivators don’t need to eat, and there’s no need to die over this…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After saying this, Lady Ruyi remembered something else and couldn’t help raising her eyes to look at Ji You: “You may go without food or drink, but the most critical point, Younger Brother, you must remember—this will cost you your life.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Cao Jingsong and Ji You both grew serious: “What is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Ruyi put down her chopsticks: “If you see silver coins rolling on the ground, never pick them up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You stared at Lady Ruyi, silent for a long while, then furrowed his brow tightly and gripped his teacup: “You won’t even let me pick up wild silver? Is there any law left?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Ruyi sighed: “I know this goes against your Dao heart, but special times require special measures.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll pick up only the first two or three. If they throw more to lure me, I won’t take them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Once you pick up the first one, you’ll never be able to stop.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You’s expression grew increasingly grave—he realized his Senior Sister was right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Jingsong now set down his chopsticks and sighed softly: “We could still wait. Your talent is exceptional, your cultivation speed astonishing. Wait until you enter the Fusion Dao Realm, even the Response to Heaven Realm—your chances will be far greater.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I can’t wait.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Building a bandit stronghold is my dream. When I do, I’ll carve into the land of Fengzhou: ‘This road I opened, these trees I planted; if you wish to pass, leave toll money.’ I’ll become the legendary, peerless bandit lord.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Jingsong and Pei Ruyi exchanged a glance, then fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You had no sense of propriety—he talked all day about the bandit’s enlightened heart, yet most of the silver he earned never went to himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like this time returning to Yuyang: the silver he exchanged for spirit stones was partly given to the school.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the people of Fengzhou, his establishing a clan here was indeed a good thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in Cao Jingsong’s view, Fengzhou’s current situation wasn’t formed overnight—he didn’t need to rush so desperately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wait until your cultivation rises further, and life will unfold naturally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, risking everything is simply not worth it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You was the most meticulous with accounts in daily life—why couldn’t he see this truth?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The carriage continued on its way, racing across roads thick with yellow dust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Passing a small village thirty li southwest of Ancheng County, the three saw another ragged farmer on the roadside, carrying a bowl of dishes toward the fields.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Jingsong and Pei Ruyi frowned slightly, following his path—and saw a newly built grave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The grave was half-round, but only half its entrance was sealed; scattered bricks lay beside it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the farmer neared the grave and softly called, “Mother,” the unsealed opening suddenly revealed a face, wrinkled and layered, which replied, “Son.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This sight widened Cao Jingsong and Pei Ruyi’s eyes in bewilderment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though they hailed from Fengzhou, their family backgrounds were decent—otherwise they wouldn’t have become cultivators—and they’d never witnessed such a scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve never seen the Elder Care Pavilions?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When elders lose their ability to work but refuse to die, they must pay an extra tax just for being alive. Children can’t bear the burden, so they bring them here. Each day, they bring food and lay one brick—until the grave is fully sealed, and the elder is finally cared for in death.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You watched this and spoke: “And when laying the final brick, the bowl must contain meat.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Jingsong and Pei Ruyi suddenly remembered the farmer they’d seen at Yuyang’s city gate before departure, and turned to look at Ji You.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Three years ago, I got lost in the mountains due to some matter, rescued by a group of farmers, and lay in a clinic for a long time—then Fang Ruoyao broke off our engagement. You know this…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After I recovered, I often wandered the hills and saw many such graves—new and old, scattered across every hilltop. Back then, my expression was exactly like yours.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1607,"2026-06-19T15:28:39.995Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","2c7bc23a6d0eb092118175b8d94ccad1baee738e3e0ece07252881f77f77ac64","watching-the-immortals-fall-chapter-156","watching-the-immortals-fall-chapter-154",430,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fwatching-the-immortals-fall-cover.jpg"]