[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-ascending-to-divinity":3,"chapter-ascending-to-divinity-ascending-to-divinity-chapter-124":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},2280674,4461,"Chapter 124: Snowfall","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-124",124,"\u003Cp>“Don’t be nervous.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Master of the Prayer Hall looked at Jiang Jian with gentle eyes. “Your Qi is extremely pure.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I haven’t seen such solid spiritual essence in a very long time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the sleeve of his star-patterned robe brushed past, releasing faint light that settled on Jiang Jian’s fingers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Master of the Prayer Hall spoke again: “Demonstrate your talent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a thought, a wisp of moon-white flame spread forth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Karmic Fire is too terrifying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian did not unleash the full Karmic Fire here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, he used his soul to split off its origin, using only a fragment for testing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>a Level 5 talent is a prodigy of critical importance across all seventy surface prefectures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Level 6 talent, however, is an extremely dangerous target!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The former appears occasionally in every prefecture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Hanjiang Prefecture, this year’s new recruits produced two at once!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The latter is rare beyond compare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Across the seventy surface prefectures, one appears only once every few decades.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the disparity in resources allocated between the two is negligible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the seventy surface prefectures already have a complete cultivation system for Level 5 talents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chang’an Prefecture is the advanced training ground for Level 5 talents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Level 6 talents must also go to Chang’an Prefecture for training.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their resource allocation is not much greater than that of Level 5 talents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the pressure they face is countless times greater!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only difference between the two\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>lies in their potential for growth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Earth Alliance’s resources can no longer fundamentally interfere with the cultivation of a Level 6 talent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And unlike Level 5 talents,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>once a Level 6 talent emerges,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>it immediately draws massive attention!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Much of it comes from beyond Earth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although the Earth Alliance has long been sealed tight,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>there are still sporadic infiltrations across the Earth-Moon Four Realms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian’s sole goal is this:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>to reach the Spirit Platform realm before his soul shatters, and fight to survive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Exposing himself like this brings far more harm than benefit—and could invite danger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian absolutely will not do it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>a Level 6 talent sounds far too terrifying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It could prompt extraterrestrial forces to expend immense effort, at all costs, to crush it in its infancy!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because once, on Earth,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>there was a Level 6 talent who fully matured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He slaughtered hundreds of millions of Saturnian lifeforms and severed an entire chunk from Saturn’s rings!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason Earth’s ring could be rebuilt\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>was not only due to Neptune’s “Planetary Covenant,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>but also because that fragment of Saturn’s ring was immensely significant!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>after Earth’s ring was rebuilt,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>a terrifying lifeform from Saturn emerged and ruthlessly crushed the Earth’s ring beyond the Moon’s orbit!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That event became a disgrace to the Earth-Moon Four Realms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since then,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saturn’s rings have expanded wildly, and Spirit Platform lifeforms have emerged in endless numbers, growing immensely powerful!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, the Earth-Moon Four Realms have barely maintained a thin ring, their cultivation landscape steadily decaying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Excellent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Master of the Prayer Hall gathered the flame, and the faint light scattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the holographic screen,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>countless beings from both prefectures held their breath, watching intently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moon-white flame merged with the faint light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, it vanished entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cliff by the waterside was utterly silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Master of the Prayer Hall nodded and whispered: “Level 5 talent, Art: Karmic Fire.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as he spoke,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Wenjian’s expression confirmed what he had expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many officials from Linjiang Prefecture also showed excitement, whispering among themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>this outcome was not surprising.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had long believed the testing equipment in the lower cities and counties had malfunctioned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the Whale-Ray vessel, Zhang Jian slammed his fist hard against the table, heart pounding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It really is a Level 5 talent!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Level 5 talents are exceedingly rare!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chang’an Prefecture has long had a decree:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>whenever a Level 5 talent emerges in any of the seventy surface prefectures,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>once they reach the Gushing Spring realm, they must be sent to Chang’an Prefecture for advanced training!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once a Level 5 talent is confirmed,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>their home prefecture receives massive rewards!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the forum still had little discussion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyone with eyes could see Jiang Jian was unquestionably a Level 5 talent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Almost everyone waited in silence,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>awaiting the most crucial bloodline test to come next.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Student Jiang Jian, where are you from?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Master of the Prayer Hall swept his sleeve lightly as he performed the technique, asking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian replied: “Anhezhou, Guangling City.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Anhezhou lies in the corner of Linjiang Prefecture, a very poor place,” the Master smiled. “How many people are in your family?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian said: “I was raised in a public care center. My family consists only of me and my sister.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your sister—is that the girl who spoke to you last during the combat?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Master said, “She’s truly beautiful. Within both prefectures, only that girl matches her in bone structure and appearance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian did not ask who the girl was, only smiled and said: “Thank you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the Master of the Prayer Hall retracted his sleeve, gathered the faint light, and nodded gently. “The test is complete.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under countless gazes,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the Master of the Prayer Hall turned, stepped into the air, and rose. His robes shimmered with a brilliant river of stars, radiating magnificent light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Blood sample extracted by the Linjiang Prefecture Prayer Hall,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the Master ascended the floating platform and stood beside the Hanjiang Prefect, speaking softly before all eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Linjiang Prefecture, Anhezhou, Guangling City.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiang Jian.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused briefly, then continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bloodline: Earth Human!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Master swept his sleeve, and a vial of blood materialized, hovering before him!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the holographic screen, the camera instantly zoomed in!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blood sample’s details appeared clearly before everyone’s eyes!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s definitely human!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course it is! What ‘Jupiter spirit’? Liu Yanshou is just spouting nonsense!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Liu Yanshou is disgusting!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Director Liu of this Hanjiang Mansion is deliberately provoking people!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I think he’s the Jupiter spirit himself!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s not impossible!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“With his level of cultivation, how could he possibly be?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahaha!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the two-mansion forums, comments flooded the screen once again!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, the comments were overwhelmingly one-sided!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countless people denounced Liu Yanshou, nearly turning him into a sieve of insults!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the floating terrace of Hanjiang Mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yanshou glanced around and sensed many hostile glances; he instinctively shrank back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next moment, after a brief pause, he stepped forward, his eyes filled with regret: “My lord, it is all my fault—Hanjiang Mansion has lost so many resources.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No harm done,” the Hanjiang Mansion lord chuckled. “Every new prodigy emerging in the Earth-Moon Four Realms is a good thing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yanshou immediately showed admiration: “My lord, your heart holds mountains and seas—truly magnanimous! Your vision is far beyond anything I could ever match!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Far away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the floating terrace of Linjiang Mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Wenjian stared at Liu Yanshou and called out loudly: “Director Liu, what do you have to say now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yanshou looked embarrassed and forced a smile: “Congratulations to Linjiang Mansion on producing a Level-5 Talent prodigy!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And one of the rarest types: the Art Talent!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He nearly spat out the last sentence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Hanjiang Mansion lord waved his hand: “Enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yanshou fell silent and stepped back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Jiang Wenjian softened his expression and asked respectfully: “Hanjiang Mansion lord, regarding the previous wager…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Hanjiang Mansion lord spoke softly: “Are you questioning me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Wenjian’s expression hardened, and he grew even more deferential: “I would never!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Hanjiang Mansion lord said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, he lifted his gaze toward the white-haired elder standing motionless above the sea cliff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under his gaze,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Gui forced a smile; his earlier arrogance had vanished entirely. He bowed and spoke carefully: “Little spirit greets my lord—may my lord be well!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Hanjiang Mansion lord said: “Announce the results.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Little spirit obeys!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Gui replied promptly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next moment,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>he cleared his throat and turned around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His snow-white hair and beard fluttered in the wind, exuding an aura of a master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I declare,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“For the Two-Mansion Dao Discourse, first-year squad combat,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The winner is Jiang Jian’s combat squad!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Member: Jiang Jian!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He crushed over one hundred thousand new students and claimed the top rank!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Authorized jointly by the two mansion administrations and the two mansion Prayer Temples,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They jointly bestow upon Jiang Jian the title:”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Scholar-Head of the Two Mansions!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, Elder Gui swept his sleeve!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The holographic screen trembled violently!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The names of the hundred thousand new students vanished!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Golden light surged and wove together, forming a brilliant line of golden characters:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Scholar-Head of the Two Mansions, Jiang Jian!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian’s identity device buzzed with dozens of notifications in rapid succession!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each notification glowed with golden light!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some mansion officials, who could not yet fly, descended in small aerial shuttles and landed before Jiang Jian, gesturing respectfully:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please, Scholar-Head, accompany me to meet the Deputy Mansion Lord!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian followed the official onto the aerial shuttle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The holographic screen slowly dimmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The live broadcast of the Two-Mansion Dao Discourse was temporarily suspended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It would resume only during the individual combat segment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A dozen seconds later,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shuttle pierced through the clouds and landed on Linjiang Mansion’s floating terrace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Scholar-Head, please proceed,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the official opened the hatch, smiling broadly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian descended the ramp and walked to the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dozens of high-ranking mansion officials sat there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the head seat sat the Deputy Mansion Lord of Linjiang Mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Wenjian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No wonder you’re Scholar-Head of the Two Mansions!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Wenjian studied Jiang Jian closely, his eyes filled with approval, and extended his hand first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian, sleeves folded, lightly shook his hand: “Jiang Mansion lord.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Wenjian laughed: “No need for such formality.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned and retrieved a list.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“These are the rewards for the Scholar-Head of the Two Mansions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Also,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Wenjian handed the list to Jiang Jian: “You possess a Level-5 Talent: Art.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Today, I will report to higher authorities and attempt to secure a Level-5 resource package for you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The resources inside are immense!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian stepped forward and accepted the list: “Thank you, Jiang Mansion lord.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Wenjian nodded, his tone gentle: “I heard your sister attends Anhe Academy. Would you like me to transfer her to Linjiang Academy?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian paused, then said: “Jiang Mansion lord, I must consult her opinion before making any transfer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You can transfer anytime,” Jiang Wenjian smiled. “As a Level-5 Talent, the mansion will register your records—you hold many privileges within the mansion’s territory.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Wenjian suddenly frowned and asked: “By the way, your original household registration has been lost, which hinders your application for the Level-5 resource package.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The mansion has found that your guardian once appeared and signed a Divine Oath Contract on your behalf.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It was the marriage contract between you and Zhao Jianxue of the Zhao family.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But the contract only lists you and Zhao Jianxue; the Prayer Temple’s records contain only the two of you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Therefore,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The mansion cannot locate any information regarding your guardian.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Wenjian’s expression grew slightly stern: “I urge you to recall any memories concerning your guardian.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Otherwise,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Level-5 resource package may be delayed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It might not be issued for years.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian frowned slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few seconds later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian shook his head slightly and said, “Director Jiang, since I can remember, I’ve lived in the Public Care Center—I have no memories of any guardian.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Wenjian was not surprised; he nodded and said, “Good. When you were very young, the Public Care Center was still under the Shadow Zone’s administration.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If it had been a few years later, and the center had been contracted to non-citizens, you might not have survived to grow up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not far away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An official opened the hatch, his voice filled with delight: “Deputy Director, we found her!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve brought her here!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She says she once saw a photo of the Learning Head’s guardian at Grandfather’s place!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Level 5 resource package—there’s hope now!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Wenjian smiled and hurried over: “Where is she? Bring her at once for questioning!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian felt something stir within him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned his head in the same direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Below the gangway,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>a young woman stood quietly in a plain dress, gazing directly at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her attire was simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet her gaze was clear and calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jianxue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2089,"2026-06-20T01:21:34.271Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","5c4a2b18573360faf2bd402ea0532c77cbb701c4c6407cfa57858e18a0e8a1eb","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-125","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-123",306,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fascending-to-divinity-cover.jpg"]