A Mortal’s Journey to Immortality [Season 1 Episode 174]

A Mortal’s Journey to Immortality: Episode 174 – When 450k Fans Crashed Bilibili Over a Chibi Soul

Let’s cut straight to the chaos: Bilibili crashed. Not just a little lag, but a full-on meltdown as 450,000 fans swarmed to watch Han Li do the impossible. And honestly? Can you blame them? Episode 174 of A Mortal’s Journey to Immortality isn’t just another chapter—it’s the payoff of 156 episodes of grind, false roots, and near-death escapes. For anyone who’s stuck with Han Li since his rags-to-riches start, this episode felt like winning the cultivation lottery.

First, let’s talk about the moment that broke the internet: Han Li’s Nascent Soul ascension. The animation team didn’t just phone it in—they turned a spiritual breakthrough into a visual masterpiece. Imagine four swirling energy orbs merging into one, lighting up the sky like a cosmic firework, while a slowed-down remix of the show’s iconic opening theme hums in the background. Fans were losing it: “The celestial phenomenon looked like nothing I’ve ever seen,” one MyAnimeList user gushed. Another admitted, “I had to pause to punch the air—I was so hyped.” And let’s not forget the chibi Nascent Soul itself—tiny, glowing, and weirdly adorable, like a pocket-sized god. Even the grumpy elders, Cheng Tiankun and Lu Luo, couldn’t keep a straight face; their bickering over who gets to recruit Han Li as a “Grand Elder” was pure comedy gold.

What makes this episode hit so hard is how it honors Han Li’s journey. This isn’t some overnight success story. He’s a guy with “false roots”—the cultivation world’s version of being born with a broken controller—who clawed his way up through sheer grit. Fans didn’t just cheer for the power-up; they cheered for the years of seclusion, the near-fatal tribulations, and the times he had to hide his progress just to survive. “It took 156 episodes and four seasons,” one fan noted, “and every second was worth it.” The show even callbacks to his humble beginnings, reminding us that the same guy who once scavenged for low-grade herbs is now making gods do a double-take.

The fan reaction says it all. Bilibili’s crash was a badge of honor—proof that this episode wasn’t just “good” but event-level good. Fans rewatched it five, six, seven times, still getting goosebumps when the energy orbs collided. “I’ll be happy for the next 48 hours,” one user declared. “Nothing can bring me down.” And the hype isn’t slowing down: everyone’s already speculating about next week’s “Heart Demon” arc (a classic xianxia trope where your worst fears come to life) and whether Han Li will stick around the Fallen Cloud Sect. The elders are already fighting over him—“We need three Nascent Soul experts to outshine the other sects!”—but knowing Han Li, he’ll probably dip the second he gets a whiff of a better treasure.

If you’re new to the series, Episode 174 is a masterclass in why A Mortal’s Journey stands out in the crowded xianxia genre. It’s not just about flashy fights (though there are plenty); it’s about heart. Han Li isn’t a hero—he’s a survivor, and his win feels like our win. As one fan put it, “This episode was peak. The slowed-down OP remix? The chibi soul? The elders being chaotic? 10/10, no notes.”

So, if you missed the chaos live, do yourself a favor: grab some snacks, crank up the volume, and watch Han Li become the legend we always knew he’d be. Just don’t blame us if you end up replaying that ascension scene… five times.

P.S. Bilibili, next time, maybe upgrade the servers? We need to hit that 1M viewer mark.