[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-ascending-to-divinity":3,"chapter-ascending-to-divinity-ascending-to-divinity-chapter-101":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Ascending to Divinity",{"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},2280651,4461,"Chapter 101: Tree Spirit","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-101",101,"\u003Cp>In the luxury private room, facing the circular building, there was no wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only a massive floor-to-ceiling window, bright and transparent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This place was at a very high elevation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing before the window, looking down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One could look down from above, overseeing the circular building below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Factions, rooted in the Divine Gift University, span the entire prefecture—they are an immense force.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qi lounged lazily, sipping his coffee.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He leaned back against the comfortable sofa, the hem of his black robe hanging down, “The Divine Worship Faction is the largest faction in Linjiang Prefecture.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The vast room held only Jiang Jian and Gu Qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian remained silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had some understanding of factions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both Liu Tiezhu and Shan Ye had mentioned it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had all said it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as one had the desire to cultivate,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>by the second year, one must choose and join a faction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because cultivation special halls—these precious, scarce resources—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>are accessible only to students who have joined a faction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Jiang Jian had no resistance to joining the Divine Worship Faction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Divine Worship Faction mostly accepts students specializing in “Techniques” or “Martial Arts.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was also why, back in Guangling City,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qi had shown Jiang Jian slight favoritism upon discovering he was a “Technique” user.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Junior Jiang Jian, you seem uninterested in factions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qi sat upright and tapped his identity device.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, countless black lights spread across the floor-to-ceiling window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next moment,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>two demons locked in mortal combat were clearly displayed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The holographic projection was incredibly lifelike—the demons’ furious roars, the dust kicked up, the splattering blood and flesh—all seemed within arm’s reach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Before they arrive,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“wanna place a couple bets?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qi tossed him a screen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian caught it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clear across its surface were five large characters: “Jiangcheng Combat Arena.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Match 130: White Wolf Demon, Hyena Spirit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Betting Status: Betting Closed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Bet: None.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian swiped the screen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immediately below, a list of upcoming matches appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Match 131: Hanging Ghost, Banyan Tree Spirit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Betting Status: Betting Open.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Bet: None.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the sofa, Gu Qi said, “To bet, you must swipe your identity device—each match settles individually.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing down at the dense sea of seats.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is heaven in Five-Reign Jiangcheng.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alliance coins here are just numbers.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Many become rich overnight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“More lose everything—their homes, their families, their wives and children.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian paused, then asked, “Do the combatants have no profiles to reference?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qi laughed. “Of course not.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The combatants here come from many places.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They all volunteer—each match earns them a massive sum of Alliance coins.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Betting here relies entirely on your own judgment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He walked beside Jiang Jian and tapped the Hanging Ghost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, a holographic image of the ghost appeared, vivid and lifelike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Junior Jiang Jian, who do you think will win the next match?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian did not answer immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He swiped his finger and tapped the Banyan Tree Spirit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A massive tree spirit’s image appeared in the hall, waving its vines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you observe roughly,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian said, “the Banyan Tree Spirit has the upper hand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qi’s eyes flickered. “Are you placing a bet?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian smiled. “Yes—but I’m betting on the Hanging Ghost.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qi asked. “You don’t think this is fixed, do you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiangcheng Combat Arena strictly forbids fixed matches.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Countless bloodshot eyes are watching.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Any discovery results in immediate execution.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is stipulated in the contract every combatant signs before stepping onto the stage.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian shook his head. “Not that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pointed at the Hanging Ghost’s nails.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Actually, these holographic images contain plenty of data.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Hanging Ghost has short nails and no marks on its neck—on the surface, its ghostly power seems weak.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But the broken ends of its nails are sharp as iron hooks, and they glow bluish-white.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This proves its ghostly power is far from weak.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As for the Banyan Tree Spirit,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian turned his head to look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It looks fearsome, but is in fact hollow and weak.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Its vines are green with new sprouts—meaning it only recently became a spirit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Its demonic power is certainly low.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qi clapped his hands, smiling. “Junior Jiang Jian, sharp eyes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So—who are you betting on?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing his question,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian smiled but did not answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, he pulled out his identity device and swiped it across the screen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A gentle female voice sounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bet placed successfully!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your stake: 500,000 Alliance coins!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Below the screen, Jiang Jian’s bet record appeared immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the combat in the arena had already ended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The White Wolf Demon transformed into its true form, leaping like a small mountain and tearing the Hyena Spirit apart with its jaws.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid thunderous cheers,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>countless gamblers, eyes bloodshot, began placing bets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next match was about to begin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This place isn’t for lingering.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the fanatical gamblers, Gu Qi clicked his tongue. “Win once, win twice—fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But lose once, and your mindset changes instantly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“One misstep, and you’re ruined.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the Hanging Ghost and the Banyan Tree Spirit had both taken the stage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian walked to the floor-to-ceiling window and looked down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing inside the private booth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if one could hear it all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The frantic roars of the gamblers in the surrounding seats.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Win for me! I’ve bet everything!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t believe it—how could I lose three times in a row?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All in!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kill it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I must win!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The duel began.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Banyan Spirit’s face twisted grotesquely, its demonic energy surging; its heavy canopy burst into brilliant light, engulfing the Hangman entirely!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, cheers erupted deafeningly, shaking the heavens!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next moment, a sound of shattering echoed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Hangman’s sharp claws tore through the confinement, his body lunging forward at speed; his ten fingers elongated into blades, piercing straight into the Banyan Spirit’s skull!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A geyser of blood sprayed forth!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Banyan Spirit, bulky and clumsy, swayed left and right, as if about to collapse at any moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Hangman’s form suddenly froze unnaturally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the blades on his ten fingers shattered piece by piece.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seizing the opportunity,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the Banyan Spirit unleashed its ferocity, opening its bloodied maw and swallowing the Hangman whole!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crunch!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The monster’s chewing sounds echoed throughout the arena.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countless gamblers leapt to their feet, fists clenched tightly, eyes blazing crimson as blood!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many others cheered wildly, frantically tapping their screens to collect their Alliance Coins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiang Jian, you seem to have bet on the wrong side.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qi smiled lightly, “Five hundred thousand Alliance Coins—gone in an instant.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian remained calm, opened his screen, and tapped the claim button.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, a mechanical voice filled the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Based on real-time odds, you have received your bet refund and bonus: 1,350,000 Alliance Coins, transferred to your citizen account.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the voice,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qi’s smile froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stood up and stepped forward to take the screen from Jiang Jian’s hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bet information displayed clearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Duel #131: Hangman vs. Banyan Spirit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bet Status: Combined Bonus Refunded.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Bet: 500,000 Alliance Coins on Banyan Spirit to win.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qi set down the screen and turned his head to look at Jiang Jian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiang Jian, you’re truly hiding your depths.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>a notification chimed on his identity device.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your account has received a transfer: 1,350,000 Alliance Coins.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your balance: 3,837,609 Alliance Coins.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the notification,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian swiped it away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His current balance now stood at 3.83 million Alliance Coins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiang Jian, let’s play another round.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qi said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian shook his head gently. “No more.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qi raised an eyebrow. “What, afraid you’ll lose?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian said, “If I play on, I will definitely lose.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qi fell silent for a moment, then asked, “You just said the Hangman’s strength was greater.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s true.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then why did you bet on the Banyan Spirit?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian smiled. “Because I think this duel is fixed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qi’s gaze shifted slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian walked to the window and pointed to the spectator seats below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Such a massive betting pool must involve fixed matches.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qi said, “What makes you so certain?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Besides, many people are betting—including heirs from powerful clans.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are they all fools, unable to see the fix?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian shook his head. “No—they can see it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Most people suspect a fix.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What they can’t guess is who the fixed winner is.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“they’re gambling too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They’re betting that the fighter they chose is the predetermined victor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s easy to understand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian tucked away his identity device and sat back on the sofa. “Win, and you still get Alliance Coins.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qi’s eyes shone with admiration. “Not only do you stop after winning, but you’ve seen through the arena’s rules so clearly—Jiang Jian, you’re impressive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>people clad in faction robes began entering the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most were third-year students from Linjiang Academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few were second-years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only first-year was Jiang Jian himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiang Jian, I’ve heard much about you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone stepped forward with a smile. “At 37% of the Divine Grant Realm, you’re almost catching up to us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another pulled out his identity device and warmly greeted Jiang Jian, exchanging communication details.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a short while,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian’s contact list had gained over a dozen new friends.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1555,"2026-06-20T01:21:34.271Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","334c9445e27e2a9412e7415f7f5329a892932e0b5a1fc421033f44a8656bb797","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-102","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-100",306,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fascending-to-divinity-cover.jpg"]