[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-ascending-to-divinity":3,"chapter-ascending-to-divinity-ascending-to-divinity-chapter-127":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},2280677,4461,"Chapter 127: Heartfire","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-127",127,"\u003Cp>“That’s your bloodline, lying to you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian looked at her and continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young lady’s expression froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian asked: “This pulse from your bloodline—did it only appear after the aftereffects were cured?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao’s silver light faded; after a moment of silence, she said: “Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then that’s it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian said, “Your illness was cured, and your dormant bloodline awakened with it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You must control your bloodline—not let it control you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao paused, recalling carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did she realize in horror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without noticing, her thoughts had been influenced by the bloodline’s tremors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All she could think about was finding the aircraft and leaving this place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only now, awakened to the truth, did she realize this wasn’t her own intention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a mad, ceaseless pulsing from the deepest depths of her bloodline.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao came back to herself; the silver glow vanished completely. She murmured: “How could I have had such thoughts just now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She reached up and pinched her temples hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Black strands of hair tangled between her fingers; her knuckles turned bone-white from the force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After several seconds,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>she lifted her head and looked at Jiang Jian: “My personality… has truly been affected.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Control the bloodline. Don’t let the bloodline control me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young lady whispered to herself: “Can I really do this? This bloodline instinct… seems impossible to suppress.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian nodded: “I believe you can.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Really?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Really,” Jiang Jian said calmly, “you’re my sister.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If I can do it, so can you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the sky-ship pierced through the clouds and descended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guangling City, Shenzhao District.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao family estate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is that!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Look at the emblem—it’s a government warship!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A warship!?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why is a government warship coming to our Zhao family!?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Such overwhelming pressure!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many Zhao family members looked up, watching the approaching sky-ship, their faces filled with shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sky-ship landed; its bottom array flared brightly, absorbing most of the impact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Still looking for an aircraft?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao smiled faintly and shook her head: “No need. Let it stay underground.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian nodded and said: “Do you remember that man? The subordinate of the old Zhao patriarch who impersonated my guardian?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aside from the treatment details.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao stepped out of the array’s glow: “I remember everything—from childhood to now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiang Jian, your Level 5 resource package is safely secured.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As long as that man hasn’t died.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she spoke,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the young lady walked over to Zhao Jianxue and smiled: “Zhao Jianxue, hello.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jianxue stood up, meeting Jiang Zhao’s gaze; gazing at her pale, exquisite face, she felt momentarily dazed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a few seconds,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>she came to herself and extended her hand: “Hello, Jiang Zhao.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A moment later, Zhao Jianxue added: “You’re truly beautiful.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao smiled lightly: “So are you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She walked ahead: “All inspection troops, follow me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Captain Yang glanced at Jiang Jian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian nodded: “Listen to her. She can find the clues.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Inspector!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Captain Yang saluted, then sharply waved behind him: “Follow!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A squad of fully armed inspection troops marched in perfect formation behind Jiang Zhao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the government’s primary combat unit,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>inspection troops were equipped with highly advanced—and extremely expensive—technology.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even against Foundation Establishment cultivators, they possessed specialized countermeasures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under Captain Yang’s command, with dozens of inspection troops firing at full power, they could even kill a Foundation Establishment cultivator outright!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Foundation Establishment cultivators were exceedingly rare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Guangling City, with millions of people,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>there were no more than a hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Zhao family were merchants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally, they had no Foundation Establishment cultivators.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Faced with the ferocious government inspection troops, every Zhao family member panicked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s going on!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why are government inspection troops here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A government warship, inspection troops—what’s happened to our Zhao family!?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where’s the patriarch? Go report to him at once!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Zhao family members were in chaos, murmuring frantically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until a few seconds later,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>someone spotted Zhao Jianxue on the gangway and cried out: “Zhao Jianxue! How is it her!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Isn’t she the second young lady who cut ties with the patriarch!?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhao Jianxue is a student at Linjiang Academy—wasn’t she participating in the Two Provinces Dao Debate? How is she on a government warship!?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why is she here!?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wasn’t she at Linshui Cliff? I saw her live-streaming just recently!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Zhao Jianxue descend, the Zhao family grew even more confused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jianxue ignored them and turned to Jiang Zhao beside her: “Shall we go find my grandfather’s relics now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao shook her head, scanning the Zhao family crowd, frowning: “He’s not here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jianxue asked: “Jiang Zhao sister, when you say he’s not here, what do you mean?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao raised an eyebrow and turned around: “What did you just call me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jianxue froze: “Jiang Zhao sister.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked at Jiang Zhao, slightly embarrassed: “You’re so beautiful—I unconsciously thought of you as my little sister.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao stared at her silently for several seconds, then looked away: “It’s fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She turned back to the Zhao family, her voice cool: “Inspection troops!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Captain Yang and the others responded in unison: “Present!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao said: “Contain these people for now, then follow me into the Zhao family estate!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The inspection troops, fully armed, flanked from both sides and immediately fired their weapons at the Zhao family!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brilliant beams of light erupted from their array rifles!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sealing array manifested, flipping the Zhao family members upside-down within its bounds, immobilizing them!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many struggled desperately—but could not break free.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More people glared with bloodshot eyes, fixed on Zhao Jianxue: “Zhao Jianxue, what are you doing?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You traitor!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve brought outsiders to unjustly provoke our Zhao family!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Zhao family raised you through hardship—this is how you repay them? Unfilial daughter!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhao Jianxue! What exactly are you planning?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let us out!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let me out!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the sealing array, the Zhao family members turned crimson-faced, wailing like ghosts and wolves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiang Zhao sister,” Zhao Jianxue sighed, “they haven’t committed any crime.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t worry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao waved her hand. “I’m only looking for someone. I won’t harm them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She led a squad of inspectors through the perimeter of the array, entering the Zhao clan grounds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jianxue hesitated a moment, then followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the Sky Vessel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian stood before the viewport, gazing silently outward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He did not go down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The strength of the inspection squad was sufficient to suppress the Zhao family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his own memories, he could not clearly recall that person’s appearance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Secondly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was what Jiang Jian wanted to know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was his sister still his sister?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had she become another kind of life, controlled by bloodline?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Humans and such beings were not of the same life tier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their modes of thought differed vastly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian himself was an Earth human.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His sister’s bloodline had begun to awaken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If her essence of life changed completely,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>then her mode of thought would change drastically too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When that time came,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao would no longer be Jiang Zhao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She would be a being of another tier—bearing Jiang Zhao’s memories, yet possessing entirely different thoughts, behavior patterns, and existence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Jiang Zhao, here and now, could wield powerful conviction and terrifying willpower,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>master her bloodline, and harness its power,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>then\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>she would still be an Earth human, still his sister.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that case,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the bloodline would merely be a tool.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiang Zhao, you can do this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside the viewport, Jiang Jian meditated quietly, murmuring to himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Zhao clan grounds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Insolent!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Zhao patriarch trembled with rage, pointing at Zhao Jianxue. “You ungrateful daughter!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jianxue bit her lip. “Father, we’re only looking for someone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Unfilial! Don’t call me father!” The patriarch’s face turned ashen as he stared at the dozens of inspectors. “What are you doing?! I’ll report this to the city government! You’ve illegally breached a private residence!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Make him quiet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao stood before a stone tablet, studying it closely. “It’s interfering with me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>several inspectors stepped forward, surrounding the Zhao patriarch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The patriarch, furious enough to spit blood, glared at Zhao Jianxue: “I worked my fingers to the bone raising you, feeding and clothing you—this is how you repay me?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“First, the one who raised me was Grandfather, not you, Father.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jianxue said calmly, “Second, you never provided me with food or clothing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After Grandfather died, I worked part-time jobs—I never took a single coin from the Zhao family.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She extended her hand, pointing to her clothes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A plain white dress, pilled and worn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old, but clean.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even her shoes were a pair of scuffed white sneakers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aside from the standard Linjiang Academy uniform, she owned only a few garments—extremely frugal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lastly,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jianxue said, “we are acting under the direct order of Jiangfu’s Regional Military Commissioner.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Father, don’t fear. No Zhao family member will be harmed—not even you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is that clear enough?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the Zhao patriarch clenched his teeth, lips quivering, yet unable to speak for a long while.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every word Zhao Jianxue spoke was undeniable fact—he had no rebuttal, no words left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they spoke,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao had already led the inspectors deep into the clan grounds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here stood the former residence of the old Zhao patriarch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rarely visited in daily life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stop right there.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A gloomy voice echoed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Captain Yang’s expression turned grave. He halted. “Little Inspector, there’s a powerful expert ahead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao raised an eyebrow. “And how did ‘Little Inspector’ come about?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Captain Yang looked utterly reasonable. “You’re the Inspector’s sister. Calling you ‘Little Inspector’ is perfectly natural.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiang Zhao sister. Little Inspector.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao sighed. “Why are there always such strange titles?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dust billowed as a heavy, creaking door opened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A hunched figure emerged slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whether you’re an Inspector or Jiang Zhao sister,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the old woman, her hair ashen, leaning on a cane, her expression dark, said, “go back whence you came.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though hunched and frail-looking,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the aura of spiritual energy around her was immense!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Captain Yang’s face darkened. “How dare you obstruct an official inspection? How bold!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A twisted vortex of wind erupted, hurling Captain Yang into the air and slamming him dozens of meters away!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gray-haired old woman sneered. “I’m a Level Two Artisan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other side,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Captain Yang lay on the ground, covered in dust, looking disheveled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Captain!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Captain, are you alright?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several inspectors rushed to help him up, expressions filled with concern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Captain Yang, clad in luxurious gear, was unharmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He brushed off the dust, activated his identity device, and his face turned icy. “All of you—gather here!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After fifteen seconds,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the entire inspection squad filed in, standing in unison behind Captain Yang, radiating deadly intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gray-haired old woman said nothing, only leaned on her cane and watched coldly, exuding an air of a high cultivator.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She lived deep within the Zhao family’s territory in the Shenzhao District of Guangling City, rarely stepping outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The technological equipment she encountered in daily life were all outdated models from decades ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, from beginning to end, she never believed these soldiers with low spiritual energy cultivation could harm her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Opposite her, Captain Yang waved his hand sharply!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You openly resist a supervisor officer and defy the government office’s laws. I hereby declare, according to government office statutes, that you are to be suppressed immediately!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Captain Yang sneered repeatedly, “Act!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A squad of inspection troops immediately activated their technological gear, their bodies glowing brightly!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Array guns, purification lamps, spirit-lock cannons—all hurled at the gray-haired old woman!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her cane flew from her hand, shooting dozens of meters away!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gray-haired old woman lay sprawled on the ground, dirt caked in her mouth and nose, brutally suppressed!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Multicolored light flared across her back, crushing force pinning her down so hard she could barely breathe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ease up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao said, “She’s about to suffocate—I still need to question her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Captain Yang waved his hand: “Didn’t you hear? Ease up!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Click.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Click.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The light streams faded; the suppression seal was mostly lifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gray-haired old woman’s face was pale; she struggled to sit up, vomiting violently while frantically digging dirt from her ears and nose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You all step back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Captain Yang looked worried: “Young Inspector, is this safe?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao smiled: “Her spiritual energy cultivation might even be lower than mine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Captain Yang hesitated a moment, then waved his hand, leading the inspection troops to withdraw and temporarily leave the area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It really is you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao stepped before the gray-haired old woman, studying her for a moment. “You’re likely the last person who knows about this matter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the gray-haired old woman froze as if struck by lightning, trembling, instinctively turning her head to glance behind her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There lay the Zhao family’s forbidden zone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She guarded it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the current Zhao family head could not enter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before his death, the old Zhao family head had given orders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only when the gray-haired old woman was near death could this matter be revealed to the current Zhao family head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Could you possibly be the other child from inside there!?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gray-haired old woman stared fiercely at Jiang Zhao, voice hoarse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You guessed right.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao smiled lightly, “But there’s no reward.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next second,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the gray-haired old woman suddenly calmed, speaking with confidence: “Dare you lay a hand on me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She pointed to the hidden storage room behind her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t forget your true identity!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That flying device behind you—shouldn’t it be yours?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If I blow this wide open without hesitation,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“you two are finished!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao’s pupils shimmered with silver light, calmly saying, “Then go ahead. Do it now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why aren’t you moving?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Blow the whistle.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Need me to help?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl reached out, touching the gray-haired old woman’s identity device.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are you doing!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gray-haired old woman’s face changed; she hastily pulled away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao sneered: “Your greed, your hesitation, your desire to hoard the treasure—it’s laughable!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Zhao family’s array business thrives so well, and grows ever more popular,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“because the old Zhao family head sat daily beside the damaged flying device, studying its patterns, until he finally grasped a sliver of array theory!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Before that, he was nothing but a waste!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Seventeen years ago, what was the Zhao family? Just a low-tier clan, unable to pay fixed taxes, about to be expelled from Shenzhao District!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s call him the old Zhao family head, for now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao stepped back half a pace, gazing at the trembling gray-haired old woman with a mocking smile: “With that sliver of theory, he began crafting arrays, entering the array business—and that’s how the Zhao family rose.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now, if you report this, there’s no problem.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao spread her hands, “It’s just a bloodline test.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But whether or not I’m a being from the Earth-Moon Four Realms,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“it has nothing to do with you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But what’s behind you,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“will no longer belong to the Zhao family.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The government office might give you a few thousand Alliance Coins and a few congratulatory banners—that’s already generous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“you know better than I do: the Zhao family cannot survive without it, without this vast profit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao smiled, “Now, do you still have any leverage to threaten me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the contrary, I can threaten you by reporting the presence of an extraterrestrial object here to the government office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Guess whether I’d dare to do it, once I confirm I’m of Earth bloodline?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each of the girl’s words struck the gray-haired old woman’s heart like a hammer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her face turned deathly pale, nearly devoid of all color.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the gray-haired old woman collapsed helplessly to the ground, her face ashen, as if drained of all spirit: “What do you want?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao pointed to her identity device: “The abandonment-of-guardianship certificate from eighteen years ago, and the complete video recording of your contract with the old Zhao family head.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a dozen seconds,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the gray-haired old woman’s trembling fingers finally surrendered, opening her identity device.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She lowered her gaze, but her eyes revealed a venomous glint.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though she didn’t know why Jiang Zhao possessed memories from age one,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>she knew even better:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the Zhao family’s possession of the extraterrestrial flying device must never be revealed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was their foundation, their treasure that made them prosper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guarding it was like guarding a money tree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Here is the video recording.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gray-haired old woman lifted her head, holding out the identity device with a false smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beep!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A notification sounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian received a file.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She opened and glanced at it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It clearly showed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the gray-haired old woman holding Jiang Jian, the old Zhao family head holding Zhao Jianxue, signing the contract in the Prayer Hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Afterward, Jiang Jian was abandoned in the public care center.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By normal standards,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the Prayer Hall should have retained these surveillance records.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Guangling City was too poor, its laws poorly enforced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The city’s Prayer Hall database had been wiped clean multiple times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And the abandonment-of-guardianship form you signed when you delivered Jiang Jian to the public care center.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gray-haired old woman nodded meekly: “Found it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She raised the identity device again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Shenque spiritual essence, however, remained taut, poised to strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dum!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A warning tone sounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao opened the identity device, about to check it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sharp wind blade tore through toward her!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It formed with astonishing speed, nearly instantaneously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the blink of an eye, it pierced the air with a sharp crack and struck right before Jiang Zhao’s eyes!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Die!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gray-haired old woman, already envisioning Jiang Zhao’s brains splattering, wore a manic grin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao stood frozen, pupils contracted, staring at the wind blade mere inches away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wind blade would slice open her eyeballs, spraying blood and flesh, mingling yellow and white.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A prickling pain had already begun to creep in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time seemed to slow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wind blade spun toward her, the divine wind arriving first, lifting her jet-black hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The icy, razor-sharp blade hovered just against the girl’s cold, clear eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time slowed further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within even shorter units of time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A cold, silver-white light quietly surged from within her pupils.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silver light spread, soaking into the wind blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an impossible moment, it came to a sudden halt!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countless time units passed in the blink of an eye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gray-haired old woman still wore a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the next second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao stepped back half a pace and said softly: “You want to kill me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she saw the scene before her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gray-haired old woman’s smile vanished, her face turning ashen!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stared at Jiang Zhao as if seeing a ghost, her eyes rolling white, fingers trembling as she pointed at the wind blade, suspended motionless in midair: “You… I…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl swept her sleeve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wind blade instantly fell, dissolving into dust carried by the wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao’s expression was icy, eyes lowered, gazing at the gray-haired old woman on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A torrent of silver-white light surged forth!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gray-haired old woman froze completely in place!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her entire body—clothes, hair, flesh, and cane—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was riddled with countless strange cracks, crumbling into fragments within the silver light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When she looked again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gray-haired old woman had been utterly pulverized into specks of light, erased without a trace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even her identity device vanished with her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not even the postmortem alert triggered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Data complete.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao opened the identity device and murmured with a faint smile, “This woman is from the Zhao family. Her identity records are clear—more than sufficient.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She shut off the holographic screen, about to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A terrifying tremor suddenly surged from deep within her bloodline!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silver-white light surged through Jiang Zhao’s pupils like a roaring tide, threatening to burst forth!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She turned and walked deeper into the storage chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The closer she drew to the storage chamber,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The colder her gaze became!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her pupils had turned entirely silver-white, cold and unfeeling!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the bloodline Jiang Jian had severed from himself to cure her soul-loss illness and given to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can I do it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I believe in you. You’re my sister.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A barely audible voice rose from deep within her spirit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can I do it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I believe in you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sister.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You can do it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment this voice appeared,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was extremely faint.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in an instant,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It became a wildfire, a star illuminating the night, sweeping across heaven and earth, rising in a towering wave!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice had become a deafening roar, thundering wildly within her spirit!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master your bloodline.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do not let your bloodline master you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her brother’s voice was calm and clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Jiang Zhao’s silver-white pupils, a streak of black suddenly appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This black carried calmness, carried resolve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With unstoppable, radiant force, it tore through the silver-white!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After an unknown length of time,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl closed her eyes, then reopened them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her gaze was calm and cool.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s time to end this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao whispered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deep within her pupils, silver-white light surged forth!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The storage chamber before her was engulfed in white light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without a sound,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The massive structure, along with its broken contents,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Turned to dust, collapsing silently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When she looked again, ahead lay only flat ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao opened her eyes gently, the silver light fading from her pupils: “Master my bloodline—I am myself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few minutes later,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao returned to the stone tablet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sister Jiang Zhao, did you find any clues?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jianxue asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course,” Jiang Zhao smiled. “Solved easily.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good,” Zhao Jianxue exhaled in relief. “Let them release my father.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao turned her head toward Captain Yang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Captain Yang said sternly: “Release him!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Zhao family patriarch gasped deeply, nearly collapsing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glared at Zhao Jianxue, teeth clenched with hatred—but with the inspectors nearby, he merely shot her a furious look and said nothing more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jianxue did not look at him. Instead, she frowned in confusion and asked: “Sister Jiang Zhao, what clues did you find? Are we going to the city government or the Public Care Center next?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Return to the Skyship first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao walked forward without looking back, \"Nowhere else needs to go.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jianxue, sensing her certainty, did not press further and replied, \"Alright.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Skyship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Jiang Jian.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl stepped onto the gangway, activated her identity device, and transmitted the data, \"Your Level 5 resource package.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian raised an eyebrow, examined the two documents carefully, and said, \"Thank you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're welcome.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao found a seat and sat down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She pressed her identity device, raising a partitioning light screen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within her pupils, a faint silver glow flickered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I did it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I didn't let you down.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her sister whispered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",3804,"2026-06-20T01:21:34.271Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","f400d8c5da6cfbaf97faa95e4166d74c43409b8de884c533493e9b7980e9f5f3","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-128","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-126",306,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fascending-to-divinity-cover.jpg"]