[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-ascending-to-divinity":3,"chapter-ascending-to-divinity-ascending-to-divinity-chapter-113":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},2280663,4461,"Chapter 113","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-113",113,"\u003Cp>On the dock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seventeen whale-ray boats moved in sequence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They dispersed according to their academic divisions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“First Division students, follow me aboard!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the bottom of the gangway, Zhang Jian stood with his hands behind his back, his voice echoing across half the dock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countless eyes turned toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many other divisions’ lead instructors frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our teacher Zhang really loves to show off.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Tiezhu muttered bitterly and walked toward the whale-ray boat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miaomiao walked up to Jiang Jian and said seriously: “Jiang Jian, if our Shan Gui team meets yours, I hope you give it your all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wore the academy’s standard skirt, with a white butterfly knot tied in her hair, “We will too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her words faded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl turned and walked toward the whale-ray boat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shan Ye stopped and said: “By the way, Jiang Jian, haven’t you checked the Hanjiang Fu forum?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian shook his head: “No.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Better not,” Shan Ye hinted, “or it might affect your mindset.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian watched her back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did he remember.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone in his communications had mentioned the Hanjiang Fu forum.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To log into the Hanjiang Fu forum for the first time, you need an identity device.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How few fourth-rank talents are there among Linjiang Fu’s new students this year? Hahaha!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s just feeding them to us!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not a single fourth-rank team!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In Hanjiang Fu alone, we have nearly ten fourth-rank teams!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Every member of our teams is fourth-rank!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Some are even led by fifth-rank talents!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the Hanjiang Fu forum, posts scrolled rapidly—almost all the same nonsense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next moment, Jiang Jian’s gaze paused slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Linjiang Fu is getting worse and worse—some third-rank talent is ranked above fourth-rank talents!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A post, its title bolded and enlarged, was pinned to the Hanjiang Fu forum.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Below it, comments exceeded several thousand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Isn’t this just a student-made unofficial ranking?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But the likes on this power ranking have surpassed thirty thousand!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait, so third-rank talents really are this weak in Linjiang Fu?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahaha!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the screenshot, the unofficial power ranking of Linjiang Fu students was clearly displayed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among them,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian, with a third-rank talent, ranked second—drawing endless mockery and laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, by common logic,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A fourth-rank talent utterly overwhelms a third-rank talent in every aspect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether it’s cultivation speed, the upper limit of spiritual essence, control over qi, the power of spellcasting, the potency of divine weapons, or the lethality of talent techniques,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fourth-rank talents far surpass third-rank ones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet in Linjiang Fu’s new student ranking, Jiang Jian was placed above several fourth-rank talents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hanjiang Fu students naturally took it as a joke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among them,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few rational comments pointed out that Jiang Jian’s spiritual essence cultivation was far higher than any other Linjiang Fu new student.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But these comments were quickly drowned out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because in Hanjiang Fu, there were twenty divine-bestowal universities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More than ten new students had spiritual essence cultivation exceeding 30% of the Divine Bestowal realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian’s previously tested spiritual essence cultivation was 37% of the Divine Bestowal realm—already a decisive first in Linjiang Fu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in Hanjiang Fu,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could only rank within the top five.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian swiped his finger and closed the forum, his expression calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These comments meant nothing to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They couldn’t affect him at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beneath his black-gold-threaded robe sleeve, the black cloth-wrapped Hanguang trembled slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian gently caressed the long sword and walked toward the whale-ray boat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiang Jian.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the bottom of the gangway, Zhang Jian blocked him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian replied: “Teacher Zhang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jian sighed and said: “You still didn’t sign up for the solo combat.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In team combat, we’re no match.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hanjiang Fu has many fourth-rank combat teams.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In contrast, Linjiang Fu has not a single fourth-rank combat team—everyone is just randomly paired.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Only solo combat gives you a chance to climb the rankings through personal strength.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression grew somewhat desolate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It seems this forum gathering,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The convergence of the two rivers’ spiritual currents,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Will be ceded again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, he said no more and climbed the gangway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching his back,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian was momentarily speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In the overall evaluation,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Team combat carries greater weight,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Than solo combat.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recalling the rules of the two-fu forum,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian set aside his thoughts and boarded the whale-ray boat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First Division: fifty students.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only forty-nine showed up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Xuan was not in the cabin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiang Jian.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiang Jian, sit here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Quick, sit down—we’re leaving.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many familiar classmates greeted him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian smiled in response and found a window seat, sitting down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most were excited, chatting animatedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noise buzzed around him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian remained unaffected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaning back comfortably, he closed his eyes and meditated quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhang Jian didn’t seem to notice my true spiritual essence cultivation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he meditated, Jiang Jian recalled the earlier scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Liu Tiezhu excels at sensing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yet he noticed nothing either.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But Zhang Jian is a Spring Flow realm…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deep in the Shenque, the frost-white karmic flame burned silently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian’s heart stirred slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Could it be…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Could it be.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Can the nature of Karmic Fire conceal spiritual essence?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A talent separated from an innate gift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Karmic Fire has many traits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But its cultivation method is not recorded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Karmic Fire is at least a Level 5 talent.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Perhaps even.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It might reach Level 6.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian sensed the blazing white flame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He clearly perceived it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His comprehension of spiritual essence had improved terrifyingly in many aspects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This comprehensive enhancement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had not yet manifested.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As his cultivation advanced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The all-around boost from Karmic Fire would only grow stronger!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Whale-Ray vessel rose into the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just a few minutes later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It pierced through the Celestial Pillar Range.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Racing toward the Linshui Cliff at the broken water vein.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The azure sky churned with cloud seas.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whale-Ray vessels from the second-year and third-year zones also converged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dozens of massive Whale-Ray vessels blotted out the sky as they surged forward in grand procession.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Across both prefectures, nearly all video platforms, video channels, news networks, and live streams.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their screens shifted instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Switched to the live broadcast of the Two Prefectures’ Dao Debate!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Two Prefectures’ Dao Debate was not merely an academic exchange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It concerned another matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A wager made centuries ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Linjiang and Hanjiang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once a single vast river.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Later, the water vein fractured, splitting into two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the break, torrents of spiritual energy flowed forth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And around the cliff, countless spiritual resources emerged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To compete for the water vein’s spiritual energy and its endless precious resources,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two prefectures agreed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To hold the Two Prefectures’ Dao Debate at regular intervals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a means to determine resource allocation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In the past century, over a dozen Dao Debates have been held—Linjiang Prefecture won only once.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the window, Jiang Jian reviewed the debate materials.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They clearly showed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Linjiang Prefecture’s last victory had been twenty years ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the Divine Gift Universities in each prefecture admit students annually,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each inevitably enrolls some students with Level 4 talents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Level 5 talents are exceedingly rare!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under comparable cultivation time,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Level 5 talent is immensely powerful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So powerful, it can even tip the balance!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Dao Debate,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Linjiang Prefecture has no Level 5 talent freshmen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Hanjiang Prefecture has two at once!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Vessel about to land. Prepare for arrival.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A cold mechanical voice echoed in the cabin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First Academy students on their seats whispered among themselves, faces alight with excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1239,"2026-06-20T01:21:34.271Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","fdd5bb925580f186b264d741df248f9a8cb2c21f0bbed8a99250065f4b53937b","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-114","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-112",306,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fascending-to-divinity-cover.jpg"]