[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-ascending-to-divinity":3,"chapter-ascending-to-divinity-ascending-to-divinity-chapter-102":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},2280652,4461,"Chapter 102: True Flame Scatters, Karma Fire Burns the Heavens","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-102",102,"\u003Cp>Suddenly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A third-year student turned his head toward the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master Zhang has arrived.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as those words fell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The students laughing in the room fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the gaze of more than a dozen eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qi stepped forward with a smile: “Senior.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young man, clad in the faction’s black robe, entered the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The students immediately made way, letting him take the seat of honor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our Divine Invocation faction truly has no shortage of talent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Young Master Zhang sat down, glanced around, and smiled: “Gu Qi, junior, you’ve worked hard.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qi sat beside him and shook his head with a smile: “Not at all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Young Master Zhang lightly pressed his palm downward: “Juniors and junior sisters, please be seated.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The students took their seats in turn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No need for idle talk.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Young Master Zhang cleared his throat and said directly: “I’ve called you all here for Gu Qi, junior.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned his head toward Gu Qi: “Lingjiang Academy has only one Student slot.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As last year’s Student, I hope you will all support Gu Qi, junior.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Once Gu Qi, junior, secures the Student position, his cultivation chamber will be open for all of you to use.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone immediately voiced their agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Young Master Zhang waved his hand: “As last year’s Student, I still have some trial cards on hand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Each of you here will receive one ten-hour trial card.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone immediately stepped forward, pulled out a stack of black-gold cards, and began distributing them one by one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Trial cards recognize only the card number.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether physical or virtual, once opened, each card can be used only once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holding the cultivation chamber trial cards, the students’ smiles grew more genuine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Student slot competition is decided by Student points.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Young Master Zhang’s voice turned solemn: “In a few days, the Two Academies Debate begins.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve all joined the faction—please actively participate in the Debate, secure a strong ranking, and boost Gu Qi, junior’s Student points.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked at Gu Qi: “First- and second-year students, though their weight is small, still earn Student points.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gu Qi, junior, introduce the two prodigies you mentioned.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qi stood up and first turned to a second-year student: “Second-year First Hall, Xu Fengming.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Fengming stood and extended his hand to Young Master Zhang: “Senior, hello.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Young Master Zhang shook his hand lightly and smiled: “I entrust the second-year faction Student points to you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Fengming replied: “I’ll do my best.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Young Master Zhang nodded and gestured behind him: “It’s my family’s business—go ahead and spend it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone behind him handed over a card.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had no denomination; on its dark black surface were engraved five golden characters: “Jiangcheng Auction House.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Fengming’s pupils contracted, his fingers trembling slightly as he took the gold card: “Thank you, Senior.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No need for thanks.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Young Master Zhang waved his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many third-year students nearby stared with red eyes, brimming with envy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Young Master Zhang is the young master of the Jiangcheng Auction House.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Across all five tiers of Tianzhu Mountain’s Jiangcheng, his family ranks among the top.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This gold card grants access to anything under ten million Alliance Coins at the Jiangcheng Auction House.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All auction fees are fully covered by the Auction House.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the gold card.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Gu Qi raised an eyebrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He clearly hadn’t expected Young Master Zhang to care so deeply about securing his Student slot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet upon reflection, Gu Qi found it perfectly reasonable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cultivation chamber exists only within Lingjiang Academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if Young Master Zhang were fabulously wealthy after graduation, he could never buy the arrays inside the cultivation chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the cultivation chamber’s array technology is a state secret.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The “Divine Power” technique within it is the core of the core, known only to the Divine Invocation Temple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Young Master Zhang has only two paths to continue training in the cultivation chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One: build strong ties with this year’s Student.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two: elevate a Student of his own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Student holds extremely high status.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each Divine Gift university has only one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as one holds the Student position, one is the master of the cultivation chamber for that day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even outsiders of the Divine Gift university.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Can enter the cultivation chamber to train, provided they receive the Student’s permission and approval from the Academic Affairs Office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Young Master Zhang is last year’s Student.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His current choice is to personally cultivate this year’s Student.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That is, Gu Qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This junior is Jiang Jian, first-year First Hall.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qi walked over to Jiang Jian and smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian stood and shook Young Master Zhang’s hand lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Young Master Zhang studied Jiang Jian, his eyes brightening slightly: “First-year, already halfway to Divine Gift Realm? Impressive speed—faster than I was at your stage.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian smiled: “Thank you, Senior, for the praise.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Young Master Zhang paused, then said: “I assume you’re wealthy like me—every day you train with the Source Array. My gold card probably won’t be useful to you…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Senior.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing his tone, Jiang Jian interrupted softly: “I can use it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Young Master Zhang looked at him strangely: “A student in your position shouldn’t be chasing a Level 4 Talent Orb?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qi’s heart sank—he immediately guessed what Young Master Zhang meant, and spoke up: “Senior, Level 4 Talent Orbs are exceedingly rare. Jiang Jian, junior, is only first-year—he doesn’t need one yet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Young Master Zhang nodded slightly: \"I was thinking of granting you a bidding qualification for a Level 4 Talent Orb.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment’s thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Young Master Zhang gestured to his side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone immediately stepped forward, produced another “Jiangcheng Auction House” gold card, and handed it to Jiang Jian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiang Jian, junior, I entrust the first-year faction Student points to you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Young Master Zhang smiled: “A top-ten finish would be best—the higher your rank, the more Student points you add to the faction.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian took the gold card and nodded: “Thank you, Senior. I’ll do my best.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From start to finish, Young Master Zhang never doubted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether Xu Fengming and Jiang Jian could make the top ten.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Divine Invocation faction is naturally a gathering of prodigies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the prodigies Gu Qi personally recruited couldn’t even enter the top ten,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It would only prove Gu Qi’s poor judgment in selecting talent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The banquet began, guests and host alike delighted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid clinking cups and goblets, many students drifted to the floor-to-ceiling windows and began impromptu duels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After several matches, the stakes had already reached over a hundred million Alliance Coins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian stood by the window, cup in hand, gazing down at the combat arena.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Other students gathered in small groups, chatting casually, making no effort to avoid others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Demon source cultivation is too slow—the arrays don’t match.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nearby, a third-year student complained: “I switched to a spirit beast source, and my progress improved instantly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another added: “The Li family’s source arrays are getting worse by the day.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They heard them speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian’s eyes filled with thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, he recalled something he had long ignored.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many students use demonic essence for cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And there are many supporting arrays designed to improve conversion efficiency.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although demonic essence and spirit monster essence are both extremely expensive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Demonic essence is just like cultivation-specialized apartments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both are scarce, top-tier cultivation resources.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But those aristocratic heirs have no reason to lack several million Alliance coins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Have those with Level 4 talents already been using essence for cultivation?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian’s thoughts surged, thinking of Qi Ming, Lu Tingting, Zuo Lu, and others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Shi Luohua carried traces of demonic essence energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So all along, my assumptions were wrong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian’s expression grew slightly grim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I thought my rapid cultivation speed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Was largely due to the river demon’s essence.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But now it’s clear—this isn’t true at all!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Other students are using demonic essence too, and some even have higher-efficiency supporting arrays!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Under these circumstances.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My Shenque Lingyun still far surpasses theirs.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian recalled his own Lingyun, nearing half of what was required for Divine Bestowal Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he thought again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of Qi Ming, Lu Tingting, and others—all under 20% of Divine Bestowal Realm’s Lingyun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A terrifying thought surfaced in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My cultivation talent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“May be far more terrifying.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Than I ever imagined.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My rapid cultivation speed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Has nothing to do with demonic essence.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My daily, relentless effort accounts for part of it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But another part—my innate talent has reached a level beyond imagination…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian recalled the data on cultivation difficulties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Divine Bestowal Realm at 15%, 20%, 30%.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These were all thresholds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many students struggled painfully to climb past them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet he had never encountered any stagnation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Moreover, my talent and comprehension.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Seem not yet fully awakened.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian clearly sensed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His fractured, incomplete divine soul.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the ice-blue flame buried deep within, utterly motionless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These were signs his talent remained incomplete.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“With my current capacity…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, Jiang Jian had an idea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian focused his spirit, and a wisp of Pure Spirit True Fire emerged, surging toward the ice-blue flame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without a sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That crimson flame actually changed color!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crimson faded, fully transforming into frost-white.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cultivation method of Pure Spirit True Law collapsed entirely!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In its place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was frost-white flame, like snow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And a new cultivation method: “Karma Fire.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This frost-white flame—is Karma Fire!?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian’s heart reeled, yet his expression remained calm as he walked to Gu Qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Senior Gu Qi, I need to return first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qi, holding his wine cup, turned and smiled: “In such a hurry? There’s more fun coming—guaranteed to delight your senses.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian did not refuse outright, but offered a polite smile: “This…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Gu Qi did not press.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stepped beside Jiang Jian and lowered his voice: “You owe me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master Zhang initially thought you weren’t short on money, and wanted to grant you bidding rights for the Level 4 talent orb.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But what use is that right to you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even if you could bid, you couldn’t afford it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qi winked. “Would a gold card worth ten million be worth it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian sincerely thanked him: “Senior Gu Qi, thank you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No need to thank me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qi lightly patted Jiang Jian’s shoulder. “Just aim for top ten in the Two-Fu Martial Contest—earn me some faction student points.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian smiled faintly. “Senior, I’ll do my best.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good. Go ahead. I’ll speak to Young Master Zhang for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qi turned and walked away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian left the luxurious villa and descended the steps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hailed an unmanned aerial pod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then could he sense his new innate talent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Frost-white flame—Karma Fire.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What level is this talent?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the pod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian extended his palm; thin strands of white flame drifted between his pale fingers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He flicked his hand casually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pod’s seat was instantly sliced open by invisible force, splitting into a gaping tear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The frost-white flames spread relentlessly, reducing the entire seat to nothingness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Detection: Unmanned aerial pod damaged!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Detection complete. Please pay 1,900 Alliance coins.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian’s expression grew odd, but he ignored the alert.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, he carefully read the cultivation manual: “Karma Fire.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Karma Fire: wherever it passes, it burns all into nothingness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Level 4 talents don’t manifest like this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian recalled Shi Luohua’s and Lu Tingting’s talents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could now confirm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Karma Fire’s talent level was definitely above Level 4!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Could it be Level 5…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this thought, Jiang Jian’s gaze trembled slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Level 5 talent, within the Prefecture Realm, would shock the world!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Above Level 2.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each level difference multiplies the gap exponentially!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Level 3 talents can dominate an entire province.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They hold high status, far surpassing Level 2.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Level 4 talents are coveted by every Divine Bestowal University, personally overseen by the Academic Office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Level 5 talents? Rare beyond measure!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1986,"2026-06-20T01:21:34.271Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","675d0fa0742dcb823e2f8692445a7b576e064470870bb5fbd0ebe1144e7f70c7","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-103","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-101",306,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fascending-to-divinity-cover.jpg"]