[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-watching-the-immortals-fall":3,"chapter-watching-the-immortals-fall-watching-the-immortals-fall-chapter-62":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},2259935,4410,"Chapter 62: What a Terrible World","watching-the-immortals-fall-chapter-62",62,"\u003Cp>In the depths of the ruins’ forest, disciples of the Heavenly Book Academy arrived one by one, limping forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only when they reached the ancient ruins of shattered walls and broken pillars did they finally halt; the wounded began healing, the uninjured took up guard posts, and lit bonfires.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Ji You sat cross-legged atop a collapsed wall, closing his eyes to restore his spirit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spiritual energy within the ruins was still relatively abundant, but the malevolent energy suppressed the flow of spiritual essence, making it hard to circulate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet now, faint spiritual light began to shimmer around Ji You; countless scattered spiritual energies started swirling toward him, gradually thickening in the air around him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Wen Zhengxin, who was tending to Pei Ruyi’s wounds, looked up at Ban Yangshu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is the disciple you left behind in Beisha Town?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Ji, my junior from the outer academy. I told you—if he’s there, even a realm gap can be bridged!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Zhengxin stared in silence for a long while: “On the Winter Solstice, some said you and Ji Shi-di were attacked by a Rongdao cultivator, and saved by a fully perfected lower-tier cultivator—was that just rumor?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ban Yangshu shook his head: “Given what happened that day, you could say that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When did a fully perfected lower-tier cultivator become this strong…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Zhengxin recalled the countless flying swords and her brother drenched in sword qi, still trembling at the memory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had heard whispers of that day even within the inner academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But back then, she thought it exaggerated, and paid it no mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only now, seeing it with her own eyes, did she understand just how much weight the lower-tier fully perfected cultivator spoken of in the inner academy truly carried.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Ji surname—what clan is that from?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Zhengxin continued channeling spiritual energy into Pei Ruyi, asking casually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ban Yangshu smiled: “There’s no such clan. Ji Shi-di is a self-taught cultivator from a remote county in Fengzhou.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Zhengxin’s face showed utter disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ban Yangshu, also channeling spiritual energy into Pei Ruyi, added: “He’s truly a self-taught cultivator. Supposedly, his family’s young daughter was marked by the Xuan Yuan Immortal Mansion for alchemical use—he had no choice but to break through to fully perfected lower-tier and enter the Heavenly Book Academy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Broke through by necessity?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He said he was just casually cultivating—he never wanted to join the Heavenly Book Academy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ban Yangshu spoke flatly, then looked up to find Wen Zhengxin staring at Ji You, frozen in shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He smiled, saying nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ever since Ji You sensed the Heavenly Book, he’d grown curious about this junior, and quietly gathered rumors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tales of self-taught breakthroughs and the girl destined for alchemy came from outer academy gossip—his own expression then had mirrored Wen Zhengxin’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Others might care more that Ji You was a self-taught cultivator, but Ban Yangshu always felt something else remained unclear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was: when exactly had Ji You begun cultivating?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t like Chu He, who’d been under the spotlight since his spiritual awakening at age eight—this mystery remained unsolved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rumors claimed that three years ago, the Ji family of Yuyang County in Fengzhou had been punished by a passing cultivator.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the time, the Ji family either died or fled; it was said Ji Shi-di had wandered into the deep mountains during escape and was later rescued, lying in a clinic for a full month.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ban Yangshu suspected that back then, Ji Shi-di hadn’t been a cultivator yet…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two reasons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knowing Ji You, even a stranger miner would earn his rescue—if he’d had cultivation then, he’d have died trying to kill those responsible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second, if he’d truly been a cultivator, already refined by spiritual energy, even lost in the wilds, he wouldn’t have been so weak he needed a full month in a clinic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if that were true, then Ji You had gone from spiritual awakening to fully perfected lower-tier in under three years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The outer academy says the Chu family has terrifying talent—but compared to someone achieving fully perfected lower-tier in under three years, what does the Chu family’s “terrible talent” amount to?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not even Chu He, who awakened at eight, nor his elder brother Chu Xian could match it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In all of Qingyun, only the young Master Jian of Lingjian Mountain could rival him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This thought had always been buried deep in Ban Yangshu’s heart—he’d never spoken it, for it was too shocking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But from that moment on, he’d felt Ji You didn’t even belong to the same cultivation system as them—especially during this counterattack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though no one had said it aloud, everyone knew his spiritual essence seemed stronger than that of a Rongdao cultivator.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too bad—he wasn’t born into a clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had he been born into the Chu family, Qingyun might have produced a legendary figure to awe all ages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Pei Ruyi, still unconscious, slowly opened her eyes—and as she did, a trickle of blood seeped from her lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The enemy had used a heavy sword; its qi had pierced through her body, leaving her grievously wounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did we escape?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Ruyi looked around, speaking weakly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Zhengxin nodded: “Yes, we escaped.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I can’t feel any spiritual energy…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t worry—it’s the malevolent energy. Once we’re out, you’ll recover. I’ll arrange for disciples to escort you out tomorrow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Ruyi closed her eyes: “His qi shattered my spiritual essence.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Zhengxin clenched her teeth, silent, tears welling in her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Ji You arrived, they had been locked in prolonged combat with Lingjian Mountain and Wenda Sect; Pei Ruyi had used her Tongxuan power to single-handedly hold off a Rongdao cultivator.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had she not drained half his spiritual energy, Ji You might never have defeated Gongshu Chou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this battle had also cracked her spiritual essence with his qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Ruyi whispered with closed eyes: “When we first entered the academy, you mocked me every day for working too hard.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll never mock you again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Ruyi opened her eyes, touched her cheek: “Every age has its solitary prodigy. You’ve always been ahead of me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Zhengxin’s eyes filled with tears: “Back then in the outer academy, though I mocked you, I was always terrified you’d catch up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But you were always someone I could never reach—why are you here, in this hell?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I competed for the Qinzi Hall’s direct disciple spot—and lost. She put my name on the list.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Ruyi looked at her: “You didn’t fight her?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Zhengxin shook her head: “Her clan is far larger than my Wen family.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What a terrible world this is… Ji Shi-di is like this too…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t talk. Rest. I’ll send you out tomorrow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ban Yangshu spoke up: “Yu Danzong has alchemists who can mend spiritual essence—it’s not a big deal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At his words, all three fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alchemists are exceedingly rare, always hidden within Yu Danzong, never seen by outsiders. Without connections, you can’t even meet them, let alone hire one for healing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that light, “alchemists can mend it” wasn’t even comfort—it was cruel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then, footsteps suddenly echoed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuan Chen, who had been standing guard beside Ji You, stepped forward, watched them a long moment, then spoke softly: “Let me try.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Zhengxin and Ban Yangshu exchanged glances, puzzled: “You?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m an alchemist.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Zhengxin’s eyes widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She’d noticed him before—always supporting Ji You on the journey, fetching water, massaging his back—and assumed he was a servant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now he told them he wasn’t a servant—he was an alchemist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alchemists in Qingyun were exceedingly rare; even the noblest disciples treated them with reverence—why would one serve others?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I really am an alchemist.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But mending spiritual essence requires a fifth-rank alchemist.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuan Chen said nothing more. He pulled out a brown pill, placed it in Pei Ruyi’s mouth, then sat cross-legged, held his breath—and suddenly, multicolored light erupted from his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, countless tiny threads of energy surged into Pei Ruyi’s dantian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where they couldn’t see, a surge of vitality swept across her spiritual essence, rapidly sealing its cracks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Wen Zhengxin and Ban Yangshu were stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For this man was far too young—and such a fifth-rank alchemist could only be a direct disciple of Yu Danzong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re… Dan Chenzi?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuan Chen nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ban Yangshu glanced at Ji You in the distance: “Why are you with Ji Shi-di?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He promised to help me rescue my sister, so I promised her to him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Zhengxin blinked, looking at Ban Yangshu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ban Yangshu pursed his lips: “I didn’t know. But since Ji Shi-di arrived, he’s saved many. I said I left him in Beisha Town to coordinate—but really, he went there to rescue miners trapped in Hongshan Mine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Zhengxin stared, bewildered—she’d never met an academy disciple like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she stood stunned, a flurry of footsteps suddenly echoed from deep within the forest, alerting the Heavenly Book Academy disciples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All drew their swords, turning toward the sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, dozens approached, all pale with fear, swords drawn but unwilling to advance, settling down at a cautious distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their attire varied—some wore immortal robes, others common clothes—but most were of low cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t worry—they’re all people my brother-in-law rescued along the way, and some are their companions who’ve followed us for a long time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why did Ji Shi-di save them?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He keeps scolding me to mind my own business, not to stir up trouble—but he can’t help himself. He says these people were forced in—they shouldn’t die for someone else’s immortal fortune.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuanchen said as he healed Pei Ruyi: “He’s actually very conflicted—he doesn’t like the Immortal Sects, nor does he like their disciples, so he saves them and then robs them of silver.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(Seeing many ask, let me clarify: this book will likely go live next week; I don’t know how Qidian will schedule it exactly. Also, please follow and vote for monthly tickets… or2)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1653,"2026-06-19T15:28:39.995Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","b0cceae7f7cf9554f6cf38b73697c4c9bb6b16065aee913457606094cfa2a33c","watching-the-immortals-fall-chapter-63","watching-the-immortals-fall-chapter-61",430,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fwatching-the-immortals-fall-cover.jpg"]