[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-ascending-to-divinity":3,"chapter-ascending-to-divinity-ascending-to-divinity-chapter-2":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},2280552,4461,"Chapter 2: Glimmer","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-2",2,"\u003Cp>“Jiang Zhao, you should be studying at Chen Cang No. 1 High, not working here as a cleaner.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian stilled his thoughts and looked at the girl holding the trash bin, his tone slightly cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Overwhelmed by the pressure, Jiang Zhao stood helplessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The pre-exam break is too long—fifteen days—and school expenses are too high.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She tilted her snow-white neck, avoiding Jiang Jian’s eyes, speaking softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So I thought I’d go home first, take on some part-time work, and return to school when exam time comes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Cang No. 1 High is a private school and doesn’t cover students’ accommodation or meals during breaks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian shook his head and took the cleaning tools from her hands. “I’ll do it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiang Jian, I earned thirty Alliance Coins—I can buy medicine for you now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl couldn’t resist him and handed him the broom, her voice bright with joy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian set down his backpack, ready to clean up the trash, but froze at her words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As his younger sister, Jiang Zhao had always known about Jiang Jian’s illness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first time he fell ill was the year they left the public care center.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He slept for five full days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A box of “Soul-Calming Nutritional Tablets,” costing thirty Alliance Coins, saved him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You came back from school, fell behind in your studies, just to save money for medicine?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian looked up at her. “The Divine Grant Exam is coming soon—how can you be so careless?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao pressed her lips tight, hurt inside. “I finished all my coursework before coming back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Finishing only the required coursework will never get you into the Divine Grant University.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian tapped his wrist device, his tone leaving no room for argument. “After dinner, you return to Chen Cang No. 1 High to review.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Transfer successful: 60 Alliance Coins.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your balance: 11 Alliance Coins.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For privacy, the identity device alters voice frequency—only the bonded user can hear it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next moment, Jiang Zhao received the message.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her expression changed as she looked at her wrist device: “Sixty Alliance Coins is too much—it’s enough for two boxes of Soul-Calming Nutritional Tablets!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian said, “It’s vacation now—your school doesn’t cover meals or lodging. Take it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao asked, “But do you still have enough left for medicine?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My meals and lodging are free at school—the savings are just enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian smiled. “The Chen Cang County subsidy should arrive in the next couple of days.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most counties in Guangling City lie within the Shadow Zone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Cang County is one of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Residents of the Shadow Zone receive a monthly “Sunlight Subsidy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seventy Alliance Coins per person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Together, Jiang Jian and Jiang Zhao receive 140 Alliance Coins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though life is tight, they won’t starve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s go home.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After finishing his work, Jiang Jian returned the tools to the cleaning station and took his backpack from Jiang Zhao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao raised her wrist, activated the camera, filmed around the hallway, and uploaded it to the neighborhood’s part-time platform.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few seconds later, a mechanical voice spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hallway cleaning approved. Payment processed: 2 Alliance Coins.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the payment had arrived, Jiang Zhao beamed. “Let’s go home!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How are you doing with this year’s new textbook, ‘Overview of the Divine’?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian asked as he unlocked the door with his key.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao blinked, earnestly replying, “I’ve been studying hard, but I still find some parts obscure and hard to grasp.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian took out his backpack, pulled out two books, and handed them to Jiang Zhao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“One is ‘Overview of the Divine,’ the other is ‘Brief Analysis of Stars’—both are required for the Divine Grant Exam. I made notes while studying them. Follow my annotations closely—don’t slack off during this time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao took the textbooks and opened two pages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the dense, cramped annotations, she felt a wave of dizziness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She placed the books on the sofa and rubbed her forehead. “I understand—I’ll work hard.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Cang No. 1 High is a top-tier school, and Jiang Zhao’s grades rank among the highest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet compared to Jiang Jian, she always felt she could never catch up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian nodded, about to speak—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>when suddenly he gripped the table, swaying unsteadily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao saw this and her expression turned serious at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m going to the bathroom.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian muttered and rose to his feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t go yet!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the bright light, the girl fixed her gaze on him. “Jiang Jian, have you skipped your medicine this week?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian stopped, glancing sideways.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the changing mirror, he saw his own pale face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao stood and stepped before him, speaking slowly, each word deliberate: “Do you know the doctor said your illness is dangerous—you must take one box of Soul-Calming Nutritional Tablets every week?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian lowered his eyes, meeting her clear gaze, but said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll buy you medicine right now!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao bit her lip and tapped her identity device.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s still medicine left—no need to buy more.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian caught her wrist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao couldn’t pull free, her face filled with suspicion. “Then why haven’t you taken it? Show me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian released her hand and rummaged through his backpack for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pulled out a medicine box and held it before her. “Why would I lie to you? I just forgot today.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao still didn’t believe him—she snatched the box, confirmed it was indeed “Soul-Calming Nutritional Tablets.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She shook it twice, verified there was still medicine inside, then slowly relaxed, urging, “Then take it now!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl warned: “The doctor said your illness is dangerous—if you’re careless, you could fall into a coma. Don’t be stingy with your medicine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her tone turned serious. “Jiang Jian, if you keep doing this, I won’t eat at school—I’ll save every coin for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian couldn’t help but smile wryly. “You’re seventeen—don’t say such childish things. Focus more on your studies.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, he slipped the medicine box back into his backpack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mood eased. Jiang Zhao gave a cheerful gesture. “Jiang Jian, you’re top of Guangling No. 1 High—you might actually get into the Divine Grant University!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then we’ll have money to buy better medicine and cure your illness!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t notice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The “Soul-Calming Nutritional Tablets” box in Jiang Jian’s hand was already faded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an unremarkable corner, the production year was marked: “3220.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was now 3227.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And 3220 was the year she and Jiang Jian left the public care center.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian put away the box and said, “The Divine Grant University isn’t that easy to enter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pointed upward. “Guangling City is huge—we don’t just compete with students from the Shadow Zone, but also those from the Divine Illumination Zone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In my opinion, students from the Divine Illumination Zone aren’t better than you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao frowned. “Your theoretical scores are perfect—even in the Divine Illumination Zone, you wouldn’t be worse than them!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You know those are only theoretical scores.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian looked at his sister, calm and steady. “The Divine Grant Exam: theoretical scores account for fifty points, Divine Grant ability for another fifty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao rolled her eyes. “I’m going to change clothes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She walked to the changing mirror and removed her soiled uniform.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Divine Grant ability has ten tiers.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But a Tier-3 talent already earns the full fifty points.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl picked up a tissue and carefully wiped her face. “Remember when we were kids? A Tier-3 talent from the Divine Illumination Zone was hyped for years—we’re sick of hearing about it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiang Jian, with your theoretical scores—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even the lowest Tier-1 talent, if you can get twenty Divine Grant points…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here, Jiang Zhao’s voice cut off abruptly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She turned her head, her slender fingers resting on the faucet, gazing at Jiang Jian on the sofa. “It’s time to pay the water bill.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tangled strands of black hair brushed past Bai Xi’s earlobe, revealing the girl’s exquisite profile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian looked at her, fell silent for a moment, then said, “Actually, your theoretical scores and Divine Gift levels aren’t entirely unrelated.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Teacher Zhou said studying the ‘Overview of the Divine’ can slightly raise your Divine Gift rank.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As Guangling City’s top teacher, Teacher Zhou’s talent is ‘The Unstoppable Tongue’—famous throughout the city.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Though unsuitable for cultivation, it’s a genuine Level 2 Divine Gift.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian, while packing his bag, said, “If you study carefully the two books I annotated, perhaps the Divine will take pity and grant you a Level 3 talent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl sat back on the sofa, heard this, and instinctively glanced at the ‘Overview of the Divine’ beside her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiang Jian, stop joking.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though she spoke thus, her hand reached out unconsciously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She took the book Jiang Jian had annotated and flipped through it idly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The front page of ‘Overview of the Divine’.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In 2785, on Neptune, thirty astronomical units from Earth, a god was born.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Interstellar dust trembled; countless civilizations along the Orion Arm sensed it and turned their gaze toward the Solar System.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That year, the tiny Solar System was accepted by the Orion Nebula, becoming one of its protected star systems.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That year, the Earth Alliance was founded, and technology underwent an unimaginable explosion of development.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That year, the god appeared before mortals; all things in the world were bathed in divine grace, igniting a surge of biological evolution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl, lost in reading, murmured to herself, “It’s been centuries since the god’s birth.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No wonder Divine Gifts have ten ranks, yet in centuries of Earth’s history, the highest ever recorded was Level 7…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So the god isn’t Earth’s god.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s the god of the entire Solar System.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bedroom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Water fee paid successfully: 2 Alliance Coins.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your balance: 9 Alliance Coins.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After paying the water fee, Jiang Jian glanced at his sister reading on the sofa and closed the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He swiped his identity device; a translucent screen instantly appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the corner of the screen lay a sheet covered in text.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The top four characters glowed brilliantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Divine Proof Contract.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One day earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiang Jian, have you decided?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The middle-aged man set down his paper cup, striving to sound calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you agree to dissolve the engagement.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll immediately transfer one hundred thousand Alliance Coins to your citizen account.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Steam from the coffee filled the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sunlight streamed through the carved window, making dust motes dance in the beams.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian leaned back in the padded chair, gently swirling his cup, saying nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A silence lasting over ten seconds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The middle-aged man cleared his throat, unconsciously brushing his suit sleeve, then spoke again: “Jiang Jian, think carefully—even with the Divine Proof Contract as proof, your gap with her is too great. I advise you to give up…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian suddenly gripped the paper cup, stared at the swirling mocha inside, and interrupted: “You misunderstand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The middle-aged man was stunned: “What do you mean?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian smiled, extended his pale finger, and tapped the identity device.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A translucent sheet appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neat rows of small text glowed with a deep blue light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The middle-aged man’s eyes widened; his breath quickened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Earth Alliance, Guangling City, Divine Proof Contract No. 785639.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Contract type: Engagement; Contract date: Earth Calendar 3210; Contract method: Blood Pact.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Contractor: Earth citizen Jiang Jian, citizen ID concealed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Contractor: Earth citizen Zhao Jianxue, citizen ID concealed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The middle-aged man stared fixedly at the contract, his hand reaching out unconsciously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian smiled faintly, shook his wrist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The paper shattered into light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dissolving the engagement? Of course.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian’s expression was calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But Zhao Jianxue and I have been classmates since childhood, raised together, deeply fond of each other…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nonsense!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The middle-aged man’s eyelid twitched. “You live in the Shadow District—you’ve never even met Zhao Jianxue. Where’s this ‘childhood friendship’?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then I’ll be blunt.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian sneered. “The money’s too little.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The middle-aged man cursed inwardly but forced a smile. “How much do you want?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian pointed upward. “The Zhao family is wealthy beyond measure—offering only one hundred thousand Alliance Coins is pitiful.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The middle-aged man adjusted his expression, stared at the boy in his school uniform, and lowered his voice: “I can authorize fifteen thousand Alliance Coins.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian’s smile vanished. “Are you treating me like a beggar?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The middle-aged man gritted his teeth. “Two hundred fifty thousand Alliance Coins!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You look like two hundred fifty thousand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian’s face darkened. “So the Zhao family has already decided to marry Zhao Jianxue into the Shadow District.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiang Jian! How much do you want?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The middle-aged man’s eyes grew red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Zhao family’s bottom line for him was four hundred thousand Alliance Coins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rest was his commission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a master of deception in negotiations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each time he raised the offer, his heart bled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Five hundred thousand Alliance Coins. Deposit it into my citizen account. Not a single coin less.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian stood up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slung his worn backpack over his shoulder and walked straight out of the café.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“H-how much?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Five hundred thousand?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The middle-aged man gnashed his teeth, sat frozen for a long while, then muttered under his breath, “Fuck you…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The café’s entrance was opulent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A staff member approached Jiang Jian with a warm smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sir, your total today is 3 Alliance Coins. Could you…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian’s clothes were faded from washing, but the staff member recognized them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were the uniform of Guangling No. 1 High School.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian tilted his head and nodded toward the middle-aged man seated behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The staff member understood, smiled, and stepped aside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2263,"2026-06-20T01:21:34.271Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","8eb3d30e3e7fdb93d454c17cd76ae1763fc4779b0716d7a6f16157a0df8024f5","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-3","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-1",306,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fascending-to-divinity-cover.jpg"]