[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-watching-the-immortals-fall":3,"chapter-watching-the-immortals-fall-watching-the-immortals-fall-chapter-359":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},2260232,4410,"Chapter 359: Not Here to Find a Husband","watching-the-immortals-fall-chapter-359",359,"\u003Cp>In the past, whenever I heard talk of Fengzhou, I always imagined a barren wasteland, but seeing it now, it’s quite pleasant—perfect for long-term residence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s all thanks to Ji You.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sister, we should’ve stayed longer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the carriage padded with cotton mattresses, Lu Hanyan murmured softly, gazing at her own smooth feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Qingqiu glanced at her sister: “Our Lu family has temporarily lost our ancestral lands. Before the barbarians and yao tribes are driven out of You and Yun provinces, we’ll face extreme hardship. Only by reaching a higher cultivation level will others dare to hesitate before us—your burden is heavier now than ever.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few days ago, she received a letter from her father saying he had already arranged everything at the Heavenly Book Academy and secured a promise from an Elder to take her sister as a personal disciple—urging them to return swiftly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is the best course of action; without ancestral lands, the Lu family must bind itself more deeply to an immortal sect to survive the coming storm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Actually, confirming the rumors might have been possible, but the opposition and conflict revealed during the grain sale incident likely frightened Father—he dares not put all his daughters in one basket.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Actually, I can cultivate at Ji Zhai  too—I can even learn swordplay from my senior brothers,” Lu Hanyan suddenly replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At Ji Zhai ?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Qingqiu glanced at her sister’s full, rounded hips and thought: You don’t want to learn swordplay—you want to learn positions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this thought, the images of Ding Yao and Zhuo Wanqiu flashed through her mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What a pity—though she’d vaguely sensed Yuan Caimei wasn’t from the main branch, she never managed to uncover who the true main branch heir was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This isn’t a trivial matter; the downstream consequences are enormous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether that person is easy to get along with, whether their background clashes with our own—in this rigidly stratified world, these are deeply influential factors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Qingqiu recalled Ding Yao and Zhuo Wanqiu’s watchful eyes and thought: What kind of master, what kind of maid. The one hidden deep within might be even more formidable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With vague clues and days of Shitan , she had several candidates in mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To force Yuan Caimei of Yu Danzong into a secondary position, their status must be substantial—He Lingxiu, the direct disciple of a Hall Master, is possible; so too are the second-generation direct disciples of other immortal sects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking even more boldly, it might even be Chen Xi, one of the twin direct disciples of the Chen Immortal Clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There’s precedent for this—after all, Ji You spent over half a year with her in the Sacred Ground of the Ancients.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rumors have long circulated in the academy that Ji You has fiancées scattered across the land—this isn’t impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet in Lu Qingqiu’s mind, Chen Xi’s status is so high that her likelihood is the lowest of all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Cao Jingsong, who had gone out to see the sisters off, watched the carriage vanish into the distance before returning to Ji Zhai  in Fengzhou Prefecture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These past days, as the Fengzhou grain incident spread, their nerves had remained taut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that the matter has settled, though the outcome wasn’t ideal, it still brought them relief—and they longed to rest for a few days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But upon returning to Ji Zhai , they spotted a figure in the central courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the figure had suppressed their aura, the piercing sting felt through their spiritual sense told them this person’s realm was profoundly deep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The affair of seizing imperial tax revenues had caused a huge uproar; though it had calmed slightly, it wasn’t impossible for an outsider to have slipped quietly into Fengzhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group instantly grew serious, slowing their steps toward the courtyard—yet within a few paces, they froze at the corridor’s center.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind a corridor pillar, a breathtakingly beautiful face emerged, making them hold their breath, stiffen their bodies, and bow slightly at the waist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fake lord of Fengzhou had gone out to meet someone—the true lord of Fengzhou had arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Greetings, Instructor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Shuyi’s spiritual sense was powerful; she had known they were coming long ago, and turned to bow gracefully to Cao Jingsong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Jingsong returned the bow with equal grace: “Greetings, Master Jian.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ban Yangshu, Wen Zhengxin, and Pei Ruyi also bowed slightly with clasped fists, receiving Yan Shuyi’s return bow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From Ji You’s perspective, Cao Jingsong’s seniority was greater, so even though Yan Shuyi was Master Jian, she must greet him first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was also why Cao Jingsong had nearly fainted with fear during their first meeting at the Heavenly Dao Assembly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Ding Yao and Zhuo Wanqiu couldn’t help but exchange furtive glances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Our own Master Jian keeps insisting she came to see Qiu Ru, just for a stroll—never once mentioning the “little Heavenly Book Academy disciple”—yet her courtesies are flawless, even knowing enough to echo “Instructor” in consort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After greeting everyone, Yan Shuyi shifted her steps and turned toward the back hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had little experience interacting with others, especially elders, and didn’t know what to say—so she gracefully headed to Ji You’s study.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The study of the little Heavenly Book Academy disciple was tidy enough, though the scrolls piled high like small mountains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The oil lamp was new, but the lamp holder bore thick scorch marks—clearly overused during this period.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Shuyi naturally knew of the grain and land leasing matters; now, seeing the scrolls, documents, and oil lamp, she couldn’t help but picture him burning the midnight oil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since leaving Ri Sheng Immortal Villa, they hadn’t seen each other for over half a year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bastard, never going to Lingjian Mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She sat behind Ji You’s desk, leaning gently on it and blinking softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After watching for a long while, she reached out and began grinding ink, then drew a stick-figure with a sword piercing its heart on scrap paper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, in the front hall, Cao Jingsong exhaled slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he knew the little Jian Master of Lingjian Mountain was involved with his unruly disciple, facing her in person still brought tension—he couldn’t shake it off in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Zhengxin turned to Ding Yao: “Why did the Jian Master suddenly come?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Young Master once promised to visit our Jian Master at Lingjian Mountain, but many things happened afterward, and he never went—so the Jian Master…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words, everyone fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The future leader of Lingjian Mountain, so eager for a husband—it’s a striking contrast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had we not taken Ji You from Yuyang County all those years ago, we’d never have had the chance to meet such a little Jian Master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Shuyi soon emerged from the study and wandered aimlessly through the courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wore a wide-sleeved, flowing immortal robe, its hem cascading like mist and Xia , layers unfolding like stacked peony petals—seen from afar, her divine form radiated proud majesty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her aimless, feigned stroll was, in truth, waiting for the little Heavenly Book Academy disciple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, Wei Rui returned from Fengzhou Prefecture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had received word that her sister-in-law had arrived and rushed home—upon entering, she called out, “Sister!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before meeting Yan Shuyi, she hadn’t known her identity, so their interactions had been natural and free of pressure—the atmosphere in the Zhai  gradually grew lively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Ji You and Kuangcheng had reached the border of Qingzhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The returned shopkeeper and staff came forward, bowing deeply as they approached.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master, we failed to evacuate safely and brought trouble upon you—you shouldn’t have saved us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s fine. If not now, then later—there will be a result eventually. You’ve worked hard—get in the carriage.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Young Master…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fengzhou had dispatched a large convoy of grain carts to retrieve them; once all were aboard, they returned in a grand procession.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Throughout the journey, Ji You sat silently in the carriage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His long-planned scheme had failed; though he acted indifferent, he still felt regret.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More importantly, despite having every advantage—timing, terrain, and manpower—they still failed. As immortal sects and aristocratic clans gradually recover their strength, what chances will he have left?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For many days, Ji You had pondered this question, yet found no answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Nine Provinces of Qingyun have been controlled by aristocratic clans and immortal sects for too long—they’re as solid as cast iron, impossible to dismantle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He now understood why both upper and lower strata accepted this rule: perhaps many before him had tried, yet all ended the same way—until everyone gave up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This world felt to Ji You as if it had been beyond salvation from the start—every struggle only deepened its cracks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s snowing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You snapped back to awareness and looked at Kuangcheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kuang the Scholar had lifted the curtain and spoken to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You leaned over and saw scattered snowflakes drifting gently to the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What will you do after this, Ji Brother?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll pack my things and go to Lingjian Mountain for a while.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kuangcheng turned to look at Ji You: “To see Yan Xianzi?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You nodded: “I promised her I’d visit Lingjian Mountain when I had time. So many things happened—I delayed half a year. She’s probably furious. What about you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll stay at Ji Zhai . I won’t return to the capital before spring—Fengzhou has changed so much, and I’ve never celebrated the New Year here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Will Wei Rui stay with you?”\u003C\u002Fp>",1564,"2026-06-19T15:28:41.422Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","a55ec7d648ae2110ff6300ac17dfc928f18b053da91b7413c5a3836ad6a4d92b","watching-the-immortals-fall-chapter-360","watching-the-immortals-fall-chapter-358",430,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fwatching-the-immortals-fall-cover.jpg"]