[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-ascending-to-divinity":3,"chapter-ascending-to-divinity-ascending-to-divinity-chapter-108":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},2280658,4461,"Chapter 108: Prison","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-108",108,"\u003Cp>\"This jade.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji Xue stepped forward, studying it closely. \"It's strange.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian put the white jade away. \"Indeed peculiar.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Keep eating.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in Jiang Jian’s mind, other thoughts arose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Xuan’s mother was clearly dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet inside the black box, Shi Xuan claimed he had found his mother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This matter reeked of something unusual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Xuan said no more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian, likewise, had no intention of pressing further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Something’s arriving soon. You check and receive it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After eating, Jiang Jian picked up Han Guang and walked toward the virtual pod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Ji Xue lay many tasks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Jiang Jian speak, he hastily swallowed his food. \"Alright, I’ll inspect it carefully.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The virtual pod activated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian placed Han Guang on the scanning unit and entered the pod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Verification successful!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The virtual pod emitted a soft hum.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scene before his eyes fragmented and reassembled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Total number of district students: 42,720.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your ranking: None.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Estimated credit settlement: None.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the holographic screen, the rankings had been cleared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian flipped his palm lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A simulated Han Guang sword appeared in his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Begin matching!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The holographic screen spoke again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Detected high historical ranking. Matching priority elevated.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the prompt,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian raised an eyebrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Last week, when he was kicked out of the rankings,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>he had settled credits at rank 3.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d assumed he’d have to fight his way up from tens of thousands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>elevated matching priority would save considerable time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Match successful!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the opposite side of the Suspended Rock Arena, a figure appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Jiang Jian from Linjiang Academy!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Jiang Jian’s face, the man’s expression turned horrified—he immediately chose to surrender!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m only 800-something! How did I get matched against a prodigy like this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid his complaints, the figure dissolved into light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You won this ranking match!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your ranking: 891.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Special notice: You have won 35 consecutive matches!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian stared oddly, then tapped to continue matching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Match successful!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the opposite side of the Suspended Rock Arena,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the figure appeared—and vanished again instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I surrender!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian’s Han Guang aura had barely slashed a few meters\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>when the Suspended Rock Arena erased it entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You won this ranking match!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your ranking: 532.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Special notice: You have won 36 consecutive matches!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The holographic screen flickered faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian’s ranking surged instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It settled at rank 532.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Two more wins.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That should be enough.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he pondered, Jiang Jian tapped match again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few seconds later,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Match successful!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the figure across the Suspended Rock Arena did not surrender.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, he greeted Jiang Jian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Jiang Jian, how did you drop down here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I remember you were rank 3 just a few days ago.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the voice,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian studied him for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He recalled: this was Xu Yu, who took the entrance exam alongside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I haven’t fought the ladder rankings these past few days. Got kicked out.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian held Han Guang and spoke softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yu smiled. \"No problem. I believe you’ll climb back up fast.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your cultivation essence is already the highest among this year’s freshmen.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Qi Ming, Zuo Lu, Lu Tingting—all with Level 4 innate talent—barely surpassed 20% of Divine Bestowal. You're already at 37%.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next second,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yu’s figure dissolved—he chose to surrender outright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You won this ranking match!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your ranking: 229.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Special notice: You have won 37 consecutive matches!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian gazed at the spot where he vanished, eyes thoughtful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yu’s tone had been strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was something indescribable in it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps Xu Yu, seeing Jiang Jian—his fellow entrant—far surpassing him, felt a complex, unspoken emotion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Continue matching.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian did not hesitate—he tapped match again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter what Xu Yu felt,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>it had nothing to do with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Match successful!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A blazing fireball, trailing flames, hurtled toward Jiang Jian!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind it, dozens of flying blades shrieked through the air!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the arena,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian’s face remained expressionless. He raised Han Guang and slashed!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A brilliant white sword light surged upward, sweeping through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fireball and flying blades were swallowed whole.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The momentum continued, sweeping outward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The massive Hanging Stone Arena was cleared completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You have won this round of the ranking match!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your rank: 117.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Special Notice: You have won 38 consecutive matches!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced at the ranking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian tapped the holographic screen and exited the Ladder System.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if this rank slowly dropped over a week, it wouldn’t fall below the top 500.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The virtual pod lid opened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The goods have arrived!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji Xue held a box, looking at Jiang Jian. “I checked it—it’s Li Family’s No. 9 Auxiliary Array.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian picked up Han Guang and walked to the box.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The box was sealed with a simple forbidden array.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only the recipient’s identity device could unlock it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji Xue had already opened it once using an auxiliary identity device.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The No. 9 Auxiliary Array comes with its own energy core.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s a single-use item.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji Xue said, “One array should last about a few dozen days.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian nodded lightly: “Take the array and the cultivation herbs to the campus cultivation chamber.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, he fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian packed his bag, fastened Han Guang, and walked toward the balcony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After becoming familiar with campus regulations,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>he no longer needed to go downstairs every time he went out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could simply input a command.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Directly summon an unmanned aerial shuttle to the balcony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Very convenient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Here it comes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji Xue, carrying a pile of items, leapt onto the boarding ramp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Spiritual energy swirled around him, steady and secure, not a single item falling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian glanced at it, saying nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The aerial shuttle rose and sped swiftly toward the cultivation building.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few minutes later,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian entered the campus cultivation chamber with Ji Xue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How long will you be cultivating this time?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji Xue asked, arranging the items neatly in a corner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian sat cross-legged on the floor, activated his identity device, and logged into the academy platform.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You are about to purchase 150 hours of cultivation chamber time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cost: 1500 academic credits.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Confirm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian swiped the screen and tapped confirm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Purchase successful!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You have spent 1500 academic credits.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your remaining academic credits: 6650.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the chamber’s array roared to life!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your remaining cultivation chamber time: 150 hours.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The notification sounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pure spiritual energy flowed in continuously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“For the next week,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>we will cultivate here for 150 hours.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The night before the Two Academies Debate, go to the specialized cultivation hall and train for 10 hours.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian looked at Ji Xue and said softly, “Prepare meals in advance—I’ll eat only once a day; the rest is up to you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing him speak,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji Xue automatically replied: “Alright, I understand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet his thoughts were complex and hard to fathom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cultivating this long—it’s like being locked up again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sighed inwardly and gathered a box of cultivation herbs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gray claws moved swiftly, arranging stacks of paper-wrapped herbs neatly beside Jiang Jian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Jiang Jian could reach them effortlessly when needed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1180,"2026-06-20T01:21:34.271Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","293de0321339f33a48fa9e8dbf4963c009422c2db4687d69485b761364c3aeef","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-109","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-107",306,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fascending-to-divinity-cover.jpg"]