[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-ascending-to-divinity":3,"chapter-ascending-to-divinity-ascending-to-divinity-chapter-18":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},2280568,4461,"Chapter 18: Peerless","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-18",18,"\u003Cp>At this moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The proctor from Divine Gift University walked over, his gaze filled with admiration as he patted Li Huhai on the shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Director Li, your Guangling City truly surprises us!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other Divine Gift University proctors all nodded in agreement, their expressions approving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One proctor’s face changed, saying, “Trouble!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Outside Anhezhou, other Divine Gift Universities from Linjiang Prefecture have heard the news and are rushing toward Guangling City!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“These two Level 3 talents must stay within our three schools!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Guangling City examination brought three Divine Gift Universities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anhezhou: Anhe College.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neighboring Linchuanzhou: Linchuan University.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neighboring Luoyingzhou: Luoying College.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three proctors exchanged glances, gritted their teeth, and made their decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each turned away, pulled out their identity devices, and began reporting to their respective schools!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter what.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These two Level 3 talents cannot be snatched away by any other school!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the ritual stage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du Fang flipped his palm lightly, and the illusory sword dissolved into light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He smiled warmly at Song Ling: “Sorry, I’m just a little stronger than you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Ling snorted and leapt straight off the stage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dozens of students from Shenzhao Middle School surrounded Song Ling, shielding him tightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this very moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Viewers watching the live stream had already erupted in chaos!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The last time Guangling City produced a Level 3 talent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was over a decade ago!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this Guangling City examination, not only did a Level 3 talent appear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But two at once!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among them, an immensely powerful Level 3 “Martial” talent!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du Fang’s “Myriad Forms Sword Art!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even within Linjiang Prefecture, it was a prize fiercely contested by multiple Divine Gift Universities!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Remember, Linjiang Prefecture has seventeen states.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anhezhou is one of those seventeen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guangling City is merely a remote corner of Anhezhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Level 3 talents are exceedingly rare!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even among Level 2 talents, none are useless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Level 3 talents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the weakest “Body” type can unleash unimaginable potential!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if you have no desire to cultivate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You can still go to the State’s Prayer Hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strip the talent into a light orb and sell it on the trading market.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cheapest Level 3 talent, regardless of type or strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as it reaches Level 3, it starts at no less than one million Alliance Coins!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Second place, Zhao Jianxue, ascend the ritual stage!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“First place, Jiang Jian, ascend the ritual stage!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The great array roared as it rotated, their names echoing across Feiguang Stage!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through live broadcast and relay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Millions of eyes focused here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Du Fang and Song Ling, two Level 3 talents ahead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The first and second place winners are likely to be overshadowed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“With Du Fang and Song Ling’s pearls before them, even if they earn a Level 2 talent, it hardly matters.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On Anhezhou’s forum, a flood of comments rapidly scrolled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tens of thousands of comments flashed past every second!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jianxue stepped onto the ritual stage, glanced at Jiang Jian, and said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian walked alone to beneath the giant mirror and closed his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The giant mirror rotated!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two blinding beams of light descended!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jianxue was bathed in the stream of light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her black hair flowed like a waterfall, her robe fluttering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After several seconds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She suddenly opened her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her gaze held unmistakable disappointment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chief examiner’s voice rang out across Feiguang Stage!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhao Jianxue, Level 1 ‘Art’ talent, Flowing Flame!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Divine Gift Score: 29!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Theoretical Score: 49!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Total Score: 78, listed immediately!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jianxue stood frozen for a moment, staring at the flame dancing at her fingertips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet deep inside, she could not summon a single spark of joy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Level 1 “Art,” Flowing Flame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally, this would already be rare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To call it one in ten thousand might even be an understatement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her Divine Gift Score, moreover, achieved the maximum possible for a Level 1 talent: 29!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Du Fang, Level 3 ‘Martial,’ Myriad Forms Sword Art...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Song Ling, Level 3 ‘Heart,’ Heart Healing...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jianxue recalled the previous scenes, standing motionless, lost in daze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Level 1 versus Level 3.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gap was immense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a chasm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a heavenly barrier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially Song Ling, from the same Shenzhao Middle School.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Before this, I was always Shenzhao Middle School’s top prodigy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jianxue lifted her gaze, biting her lip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked down at Song Ling, surrounded by adoring crowds on the ritual stage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Ling had seemingly replaced her entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhao Jianxue scored 49 in theory but only a Level 1 talent—what a pity!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Level 1 ‘Flowing Flame’ is already quite strong!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But those two Level 3 talents were simply too shocking!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhao Jianxue’s Level 1 ‘Art’ is rare, but compared to Level 3 talents, it’s vastly inferior!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Look at her expression—she’s clearly been badly shaken!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Divine Gift Ritual is always this intense!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard Zhao Jianxue is the Zhao family’s Young Lady!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Zhao family runs array businesses—wealthy enough to buy an expensive second talent easily!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even the best second talent can’t match your original innate talent!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But your original talent cannot be changed—that’s common knowledge.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Divine Gift Level 1 is Level 1—forever unchangeable!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What a pity...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the Anhezhou forum, countless comments flooded the screen, nearly obscuring everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone noticed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian had not yet received his Divine Gift result.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Look!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Jiang Jian, ranked first in theoretical score, hasn’t received his Divine Gift!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But that light column hasn’t vanished!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What’s going on?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without warning,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>all around,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>silence gradually settled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Guangling City’s Shenzhao District, the Shadow Zone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even across Anhezhou, Luoyingzhou, and surrounding regions,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>more and more people held their breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the Feiguang Stage through live streams.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian was unaware of the outside situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His entire body was bathed in a warm beam of starlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet his consciousness suddenly vanished!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the moment his consciousness dissolved,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian’s spirit trembled—he realized he was having a seizure, but had no time to think further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His vision went black—he collapsed into unconsciousness!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He did not know how long had passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian opened his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What he saw was suffocating darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Am I dreaming?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian frowned in confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To have dreams while unconscious... this is new.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Never happened before.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the darkness, Jiang Jian groped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All around was a lifeless, empty silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No direction, no time, no space.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the ground beneath his feet was pitch black.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian bent down and reached out to touch it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ground suddenly collapsed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Impossible to touch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is that?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian caught a flicker of light in his peripheral vision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His spirit trembled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He walked toward the light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Closer and closer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After walking for what felt like an eternity, Jiang Jian finally reached the source.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a flame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flame danced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its color was transparent ice-blue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Around its outer edge, moon-white auroras swirled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Exquisitely beautiful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, Jiang Jian’s spirit clarified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This darkness is within my divine soul.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So my unconsciousness brought my consciousness into the divine soul’s origin.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then this ice-blue flame...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian extended his finger and gently touched it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint sound echoed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ice-blue flame curled upward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wrapping around his pale finger, brimming with sentience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next instant,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the flame passed through his fingertip and vanished into his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That flame!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian’s pupils shrank sharply!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the instant the flame merged with his consciousness,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>he instantly knew its name!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A name that made even Jiang Jian’s spirit tremble!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Pureworld Divine Fire!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bearing the character \"Divine,\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>enough to drive the world mad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On Earth,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the highest Divine Gift ever recorded was Level 7.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even so,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>it never bore the character \"Divine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What level is this thing...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian extended his finger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A strand of ice-blue flame curled out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It burned quietly there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the surrounding darkness slowly receded, warping as it did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian felt a wave of dizziness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flame at his fingertip vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Its rank is unknowable.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Controlling this flame is already pushing me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Jiang Jian’s thoughts churned, his spirit naturally understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pureworld Divine Fire, rooted in the origin of his divine soul, burned quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One strand separated from it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reformed upon his fingertip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its color was no longer the beautiful, transparent ice-blue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But a blinding crimson!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"PureSpirit True Fire...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian gazed at the flame—he knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was merely a fragment of the ice-blue flame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Named \"PureSpirit True Fire.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PureSpirit True Fire was the maximum he could currently summon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>CRACK!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The surrounding darkness shattered abruptly!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In mere seconds,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the shards of darkness faded, and Jiang Jian’s gaze sharpened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scene of the Feiguang Stage grew clear!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And at this moment,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>a dazzling, blazing golden light column erupted skyward!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countless people surged to their feet, staring fixedly at the ritual platform!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Another Level 3 talent!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Guangling City has produced another Level 3 talent!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Huhai sat where he was, eyes vacant, voice hoarse, “And his theoretical score is perfect—50 points!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under countless gazes,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>an examiner strode forward, trembling with shock, leaping down and landing heavily on the ritual platform!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His body shook as he fixed his gaze on Jiang Jian and roared out:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiang Jian!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Level 3 ‘Art’!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pure Spirit Flame!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Divine Gift Score: 50 points!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Theoretical Score: 50 points!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Total Score: 100 points!!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The grand ranking scroll spanning the heavens suddenly shuddered!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countless streams of light converged and wove together at breakneck speed!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the eyes of all,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian’s name erupted in ten thousand rays of radiance, tearing through every other name and shooting straight into the heavens!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Towering above thirty thousand examinees, seated at the very top!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Ling and Du Fang’s names also glowed with golden light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before Jiang Jian’s dazzling name, they paled into obscurity!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A Level 3 ‘Art’...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In my lifetime, I actually saw a Level 3 ‘Art’...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My god...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On Anhezhou’s forum, one hundred thousand comments poured in every second!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Divine Gift Examination discussion board had completely exploded!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1658,"2026-06-20T01:21:34.271Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","81648ce343adfaef1d148f3f8157c3541616a6a17b6541b7b0b79641f00c1960","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-19","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-17",306,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fascending-to-divinity-cover.jpg"]