[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-watching-the-immortals-fall":3,"chapter-watching-the-immortals-fall-watching-the-immortals-fall-chapter-176":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},2260049,4410,"Chapter 176: Demon Emperor City","watching-the-immortals-fall-chapter-176",176,"\u003Cp>Under the extreme cold, the entire city of Hailongcheng was a blinding white expanse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moist air from the south had settled, forming a thin frost over the frozen ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, three slender women walked gracefully forward and arrived before the burning charcoal fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Yan had said on the way here that it was worthwhile to be picky about a partner’s appearance, otherwise one would have no desire during cultivation union.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But desire doesn’t always come from appearance—it comes from a strong physique and overwhelming qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Qiubai thought so, Jiang Yuerou thought so too…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Ji You showed none of it now, for he lay on a wooden plank taken from the carriage, his face pale and unconscious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The barbarians were born with supernatural strength; the punch of a Soldier King was terrifying indeed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though that punch hadn’t struck the envoy’s carriage but had been cleaved midair by the [Forty-Nine Mountains], force always acts reciprocally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Combat works this way: the strength of your attack determines whether your opponent dies; the strength of your body determines whether you live.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Chenfeng had said one thing correctly: no matter how strong he was, he was still a Tongxuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether refining the body or controlling multiple swords, all of it was mere ornamentation before true power disparity—ornamentation born of insufficient cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So the barbarian Soldier King’s sudden retreat was no great loss, while Ji You, engulfed by surging qi, had fallen into unconsciousness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three women looked at Ji You, lips slightly pressed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His current state resembled precisely the opening scene of a folk opera.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A scholar heading to the capital for the imperial exams was drenched by rain on the road, then fell into a high fever, lying helplessly on random straw in a ruined temple, frail and pitiful, powerless as a child, moaning “water, water, water,” utterly unrecognizable as the immortal who had lifted the [Forty-Nine Mountains] and sent sword qi soaring into the heavens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is Master Ji doing well?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“His spiritual energy has been severely drained, and the opponent’s punch pierced his body—he has deep internal injuries. He was already mentally blurred when we entered the city. We gave him some pills, and now we wait to see if he awakens…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongshu Chou sat by the fire, leaning on his sword, speaking coldly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Yan pondered a moment, then said the Yu Danzong had a medicine called Biling Dan, capable of rapidly healing wounds, though it was priceless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Yuerou also mentioned a pill called Tianhe Dan, equally potent in healing, and equally costly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was said that at this level, such pills were worth locking away in the treasure vaults of minor clans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since trade between humans and yao races began, the yao had always been fascinated by human elixirs; even the yao emperor’s son had personally traveled to Yu Danzong to request medicine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though that request yielded no result, the yao later acquired vast quantities of spirit pills indirectly through clans and the Great Xia, shipping them back to the Snow Fields.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So they thought that once they entered the yao emperor’s capital, they might find such pills.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongshu Chou glanced at them, picked up two vials from a medicinal box on the ground: “Are these the pills you mean?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Yan and Jiang Yuerou took them, glanced, and froze: “These are indeed the pills—but they seem larger?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He has many such pills in his storage gourd, all with increased dosages.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether Biling Dan or Tianhe Dan, pills effective on the top five realms could only come from Yu Danzong, and their dosages had remained standard for a thousand years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because Yu Danzong’s dosages were always perfectly suited for humans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Ji You’s body was too formidable, so he required a larger dosage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, every pill in this box had been individually recalibrated and custom-made for him alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beyond the pills they mentioned, there were others that could instantly restore spiritual sense, forcibly shield spiritual origin, boost combat power to its peak, or ensure absolute clarity of Dao heart within two hours.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such pills—even they, as prodigies of immortal sects, had never seen before—were neatly arranged in the box.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the bottom of the box, they also found some deadly poisons, liquid in form, colorless and tasteless, even resisting the Wujiang realm—making the elders’ hearts race with dread.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what silenced them most was that Yu Danzong never sold poison pills.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because Yu Danzong’s alchemists had no combat power; selling poison would inevitably invite enmity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, poison pill techniques were one of their own survival methods, never revealed lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet all these spirit pills appeared in Ji You’s medicinal box, of the highest quality, naturally formed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You was not unguarded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And those protections never came from so-called background or family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongshu Chou turned to look at the half-dismantled carriage behind him, slashed the shaft with his sword, and tossed it into the fire; the lacquer coating curled and crackled as it burned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smoke drifted toward the white sky, gradually vanishing into nothingness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Chuan, his beard and hair streaked white, sat by the fire, gazing at the unconscious living ancestor, his expression heavy with worry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guard’s orders from the Watcher before departure had been simple: protect a Tongxuan, keep him from injury, keep him from death, keep him hidden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Yan’s eyes, as a Wujiang cultivator, protecting a Tongxuan should be effortless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet no matter how hard he guarded, he never imagined the man would deliberately rush toward death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had seen countless people seeking death—but they were always mortals driven mad by taxes, unable to feed themselves or their families, seeking only to end it all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he had heard of Ji You’s deeds: reportedly, he had entered the Inner Court through his own efforts; though not accepted by the Heavenly Book Academy’s Immortal Hall, he had established a clan in Fengzhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Added to that, even the Watcher treated him with great care—his future was clearly bright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could such a life really be thrown away so easily?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You don’t want it—but I do…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After resting for a long while, the group began moving, and Ji You was carried onto the carriage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were still only at the border between barbarians and yao; though the barbarians, due to their delicate relations with the yao, had not pursued, the place was by no means safe, so they planned to depart as soon as possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During this time, Ji You opened his eyes once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stared at the broken sword fragments in the carriage, silent, then fell back into deep sleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Continuing north from Hailongcheng, the temperature dropped further; vast, towering snow-capped mountains loomed ahead, but they did not intend to cross them—instead, they planned to detour westward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, the snow mountains were barren and directionless, while heading west offered several yao cities where they could rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, a message from Han Tie Pass was rushed by horse to Shengjing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The human forces had won a minor victory in the eastern theater, killing thousands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chong Wang and Wei Li sat in the Listening Water Pavilion of the royal garden, watching yellow leaves fall, listening as a servant read the battle report, their eyes half-lidded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally, news of victory beyond Han Tie Pass would be good—but not now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to the report, several days ago, thirteen Soldier Kings and countless Shangjiang-level barbarians had suddenly left the battlefield, racing northward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With their powerful generals gone, the humans naturally won a minor victory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But who had those departing generals turned to attack? The answer was obvious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, Cao Jinsong’s eyelids twitched all night, tossing and turning like a pancake until dawn; the moment he opened his eyes, he left the house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Zhengxin and Ban Yangshu had also slept poorly, and met him by the Bi Shui Lake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The war beyond Han Tie Pass is dire—barbarian generals wouldn’t leave the battlefield without reason. The only explanation is they’ve detected the envoy’s trail and are chasing them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Zhengxin clenched his fist: “What realm is a Soldier King?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ban Yangshu turned to her: “I inquired at the Imperial Cultivation Office—they say it’s between Yingtian and Wujiang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Jinsong looked grimly around: “They’ve definitely encountered pursuers. My eyelids never twitch without reason…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is it accurate?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Every time Ji You’s Dao heart suddenly clears and he wants to return to duty, it flutters violently, as if urging me to run—do you think it’s accurate?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Zhengxin fell silent for a long time before speaking: “Master Di’s Dao heart is clear and his mind meticulous—he’ll surely survive any danger.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Jinsong shook his head: “You don’t understand. Based on what I know of him, when truly desperate, he always chooses the most dangerous path—just like in Yuyang County, when he broke through two realms in one night.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Zhengxin and Ban Yangshu stared at him in shock, then turned to Cao Jinsong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone in the academy knew why Ji You entered—the story was that he’d gotten lucky, achieving perfect cultivation at the critical moment and entering the Heavenly Book Academy. But no one knew that before that night, he had been only at the mid-stage of Ninghua, not even reaching the upper stage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Jinsong never spoke of it because the truth was too shocking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A peasant self-cultivator entering an immortal sect naturally drew attention; he thought it better to stay low-key.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But after spending so much time together, he had come to understand Wen Zhengxin and Ban Yangshu’s nature, and besides, Ji You was now in the Inner Court and had established a clan—hiding it no longer mattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Di broke through two realms in one night?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If not for that, how could I have bet Master Ma and Master Ding a hundred spirit stones?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Jinsong felt deep anxiety, fearing Ji You would truly risk his life recklessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having goodwill and wishing to secure the people’s livelihood is good—but one need not plunge oneself into certain death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ten li west of Fengzhou Prefecture, at the former site of Luoxia Shanzhuang: Ji Zhai.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A girl in cotton clothing sat cross-legged on a cushion, faint air currents slowly gathering around her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before the currents touched her skin, she suddenly opened her eyes, saw no one nearby, and quietly slipped out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The manor was too large—she still didn’t understand it—but she remembered the kitchen better than anyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before she could rush into the kitchen, Pei Ruyi grabbed her by the collar and dragged her back inside, making her cry tears from her mouth in fright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Focus on your cultivation. Fengzhou is vast—it can’t rely on Ji You alone to protect it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Ruyi placed Qiu Ru on the bed, then walked alone out of Ji Zhai, heading toward the city’s outskirts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was now late autumn; winter’s chill was growing obvious. The Fengzhou agricultural officials had been working with Qiu Zhong these past days, demarcating land to be opened next year, frequently visiting the sites.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among their group were many commoners who no longer feared starving through winter, and they voluntarily joined in planning the land reclamation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another group of women were comparing the grain seeds saved from this year’s harvest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the past, after paying taxes, there was barely enough grain to feed themselves—no one cared which seeds grew better crops; whatever was available was planted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If there wasn’t enough for sowing, they had to borrow from the clan’s granary at a rate of one seed for ten returned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, with surplus abundant, people had begun studying which varieties yielded the best growth and harvest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In short, the people of Fengzhou now eagerly look forward to next year, rather than merely enduring one year at a time as they once did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All these changes stem from Ji You establishing a noble house here and reclaiming the tax quota.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet these people, who had just caught a breath of relief, may not know that a greater danger looms just beyond the northern frontier, poised to strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, on the snowy borderlands, the carriage, after three days of relentless galloping, finally came to a slow halt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Junhao jumped down from the carriage, his face pale; his shoulder bore a torn wound, now bound with bandages, yet blood still seeped out with every movement of his arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The others, too, bore various injuries, looking weary from exposure to wind and frost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The snowlands were vast; apart from the demon-tribe cities, every stretch was untouched by human footprints, turning into a breeding ground for slaughter the moment the envoy passed through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The barbarians, unwilling to accept defeat, had dared not act within the demon-tribe cities, but now laid ambushes in these lands devoid of demons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had been ambushed by beast-beasts while circling the snowy mountains, nearly triggering an avalanche, and later attacked by sudden barbarian strikes on Snow Ridge, their nerves taut the entire journey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, this battle had not been as brutal as when their trail had been exposed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, this was demon-tribe territory; even though they had entered without permission, they still dared not act openly. Failing to assassinate, they could only retreat, lest they lose more than they gained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, amid the bone-chilling snowstorm, the group gazed far ahead and saw two towering snow peaks rising like swords thrust into the clouds, majestic and imposing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Between these two snow peaks lay a vast, silent city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Zhongzhou was the smallest of the Nine Provinces, this city was as large as Zhongzhou itself, as if embedded in the endless white snow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Demon Emperor City…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’ve finally arrived.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group stared at the magnificent city, unable to help but be drawn in by its grandeur.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike the human clans, scattered across the Nine Provinces and each ruling their own domain, this Demon Emperor City was the very heart of demon-tribe power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even from over ten miles away, they could sense the powerful auras within the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And since ancient times, they were the first humans ever to reach this place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ahead lies Demon Emperor City, but we must not let our guard down. The demon tribes hold differing views toward our people. After all, we have held the fertile Nine Provinces for years; though the demon tribes don’t suffer as bitterly as the barbarians, they still harbor hopes for the Nine Provinces.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Dongyang lowered his voice: “Among the demon tribes, some wish to trade with us, but others strongly advocate allying with the barbarians. We cannot even be certain whether some among them have already established secret ties with the barbarians—we must remain ever vigilant.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This vice-director of the Spirit Surveillance Office spoke the truth of the demon tribes’ current state.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some thoughts remain dormant, but once stirred, countless different choices emerge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some believe war is bad, while others see it as the swiftest path to results.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But fortunately, unlike the human emperor, the demon emperor is the true leader of the snowland demon tribes, one of the strongest under Qingyun’s sky; if we can convince only him not to wage war, our mission will succeed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Chenfeng spoke up: “How strong is the Demon Emperor?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elder of the Wendaos Sect stroked his long beard: “No one has ever seen the Demon Emperor fight, so no one knows his strength.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fully refined in the Upper Five Realms?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In terms of combat power alone, I believe he surpasses the Upper Five Realms.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elder of the Shanhai Pavilion, squinting against the cold wind, added: “Unlike the barbarians, who grew up in hunger and cold, the demon tribes have been rivals to our people since ancient times. The Demon Emperor’s lineage once had the chance to rule the world.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, the celestial geniuses of the immortal sects exchanged glances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demon tribes have no Dao lineage; the Demon Emperor cannot attain Immortality as humans do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His strength must stem from his bloodline—like the barbarians, he hones his body inward, pushing his realm upward through sheer physical cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet even at this height, without a Dao lineage, he cannot become an Immortal, and can only lead his people to huddle in these snowlands, alone upon this throne.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Dongyang, watching them debate the Demon Emperor’s power, spoke again: “This place is filled with demon tribes. Please, avoid any conflict with them—we are outsiders.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Chenfeng glanced at him: “Director Peng, you worry too much. We will not provoke them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But if the demon tribes strike first, that’s another matter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Peng Dongyang clenched his fist, then swallowed his words, letting out a quiet sigh—he thought: some dare to slay barbarian warlords with their swords, while others only boast with their mouths.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The caravan then followed a broad road toward Demon Emperor City, braving the snowstorm until they reached its gates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the outer city of Demon Emperor City, figures had long stood upon the ramparts, watching them with disdain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as humans had first seen demon tribes on the streets of Shengjing, these demon tribes were seeing humans for the first time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They look frail, as if one hand could snap them in two—but their auras are surprisingly strong…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s the favor of Heaven’s Dao. This is what humans call the Immortal Path.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I prefer the barbarians over humans.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the ramparts stood a massive demon general with black eyes, large ears raised high, and broad nostrils exhaling plumes of white mist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ramparts buzzed with chatter—just as Peng Dongyang had said, opinions varied, yet no one actually blocked the envoy’s entry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Demon Emperor City was divided into outer and inner cities. The outer city was enormous, its buildings mostly with pointed roofs to withstand the year-round snowfall; every house had tall chimneys belching thick smoke, blending into the white landscape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The district was filled with evergreen conifers, thriving despite the extreme cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, demon tribesmen emerged from the inner city, their pale blue demon eyes gleaming as they warmly greeted the group.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leading the way were three figures: the central one, a refined demon prince, flanked on his left by a woman in a flowing immortal robe—both bore prominent horns and fine scales along their necks, radiating noble aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the demon tribes first appeared in the Nine Provinces, one who claimed to be the Demon Emperor’s son was this very man: Han Ye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other was his twin sister, Princess Fengyang of the demon tribes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve traveled far—thank you for your efforts.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Dongyang bowed deeply: “May our peoples enjoy eternal peace.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Ye reached out to help him rise: “Though our two races have had no contact for centuries, our bloodlines are inherently close.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Highness speaks truly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Ye then gestured to the two middle-aged demon elders behind him: “Let me introduce you: these are Mo Rong, chieftain of the Claw Tribe, and Huang Long, chieftain of the Fur Tribe—two of my father’s most trusted ministers.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Dongyang remained bowed; the other sect elders and celestial geniuses merely offered slight bows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then they turned to another figure standing beside Han Ye: he wore white robes, was ancient in years, hands hidden in his sleeves, his aura unimpressive—but his vertical pupils were profoundly deep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Ye smiled: “This is Bai Li, the Imperial Palace’s Holy Physician. I personally requested him from my father to treat Master Ji.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Yan and the others froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demon tribes had long known of the human envoy’s journey through the barbarian wastes—including the great battle before Hailongcheng—watching every step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So that night, it was not only them and the barbarian warlord who witnessed the [Forty-Nine Peaks]; these demons knew as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I can smell the blood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before anyone could respond, Bai Li strode straight toward the central carriage. Han Ye followed, and Princess Fengyang, curious, trailed behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongshu Chou moved to draw his sword, but Yan Chuan blocked him: “If the demon tribes meant harm, they wouldn’t need such subtle tricks. Let them see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then… alright.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Chenfeng frowned slightly: “How did the demon tribes know the name of a Tongxuan cultivator?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongshu Chou turned to him: “When the demon tribes first sent envoys to Shengjing, the bodyguard beside this Demon Emperor’s son was wounded—and that sword cut came from Ji You.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words, the human geniuses were stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before they could react, they saw the demon Holy Physician suddenly emerge from the carriage—his speed left them speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongshu Chou frowned: “So fast?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Li spoke coldly: “No saving him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Yan Chuan’s face turned livid, eyes wide as if ready to bite: “How can you say that? You quack, don’t speak nonsense!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Li glanced at him: “Internal injuries are treatable, but his spirit is weak—in plain terms, he simply doesn’t want to live.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongshu Chou’s mouth twisted: “Weak spirit? Do you know what you’re saying?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Ye and Princess Fengyang also showed surprise—they thought: Ji You dared slay a warlord. How could he be called weak-spirited?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",3499,"2026-06-19T15:28:39.995Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","2105bb761410a31006ad99af09572627309449b9d2c8c5ea8df24c9d3f200274","watching-the-immortals-fall-chapter-177","watching-the-immortals-fall-chapter-175",430,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fwatching-the-immortals-fall-cover.jpg"]