[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-ascending-to-divinity":3,"chapter-ascending-to-divinity-ascending-to-divinity-chapter-21":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},2280571,4461,"Chapter 21: Meeting, But Never Again","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-21",21,"\u003Cp>“Number 40, Zhao Jianxue!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A mechanical voice rang out!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the gaze of all present.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jianxue bit her lip and stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among the 46 students, she was one of the few with a Level 1 talent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because her theoretical score was simply too high.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A full 49 points!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though her talent was Level 1—Flame Flow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the pinnacle of “Art.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She earned 29 points in Divine Gift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her total of 78 points was very high.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So high, in fact,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That it surpassed many students with Level 2 talents!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhao Jianxue…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the most radiant spot on the ceremonial stage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Ling gazed at the white-robed girl, her expression complex.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du Fang smirked and said, “You’ve been overshadowed by her for years at Divine Illumination High—now at last you’ve risen above her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Ling sighed and said, “Her grades have always been excellent—even with a Level 1 ‘Art,’ she’s surpassed most others.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But all of us here are Level 3 talents!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du Fang’s expression turned proud, “From now on, we are no longer on the same path as these students.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He and Song Ling stood, one on each side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside Jiang Jian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Forming a small circle of Level 3 talents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Occasionally,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Students would turn their heads and glance this way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their eyes filled with envy and longing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the chief examiners and Divine Gift University proctors\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had not come near to disturb them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Student Zhao Jianxue, it’s time to choose your school!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chief examiner spoke gently, reminding her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jianxue lifted her head, gazing at Jiang Jian not far away, her mind reeling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just now,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She finally remembered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy from the Shadow Zone, with a Divine Gift score of 50.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who he truly was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Coupled with the sense of familiarity she’d felt when hearing Jiang Jian’s name earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He… is that one.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The husband I signed a Divine Covenant with—to marry him upon coming of age!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jianxue’s mind churned with chaotic thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, she recalled:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When she was ten, her grandfather had told her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jianxue, I’ve arranged a marriage for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man, his hair and beard streaked white, stroked the girl’s head, smiling broadly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl chirped, “Grandpa, you were away these past few days—was it to do this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The white-haired elder chuckled, “Foolish child, I just returned from the Divine Prayer Hall—just signing the Divine Covenant cost one hundred thousand Alliance coins!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But I’m only ten!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl lifted her face, “This is arranged marriage!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The white-haired elder stroked her hair, his expression complex, speaking slowly, word by word:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If my divination is correct, this Divine Covenant will ensure the Zhao family’s prosperity for a thousand years!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His talent was famed throughout Guangling City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Level 3—“Intent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Reading Qi and Gazing at Men.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In nearly a century, he had made almost no errors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countless people had traveled thousands of miles, spending fortunes, just to beg for one reading from Old Zhao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even in Anhezhou and neighboring Luoyingzhou, Old Zhao’s “Reading Qi and Gazing at Men” was nearly universally known.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even in Anhezhou and neighboring Luoyingzhou, Old Zhao’s talent for “observing people and sensing qi” was nearly universally known.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jianxue shook her head hard, snapping out of the memory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did she recall:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A message she’d ignored days ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had come from the Divine Prayer Hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She’d been busy preparing for the exam and assumed it was just an advertisement, so she’d ignored it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was busy preparing for the exam and assumed it was just ordinary advertising, paying it no mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jianxue hurriedly opened her identity device and pulled up the trash folder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Divine Prayer Hall’s message lay there, glowing blue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“February 14, 3227.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Divine Prayer Hall Director has completed the ritual!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Divine Covenant has been successfully dissolved!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Attached: Original Divine Covenant (invalidated).”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Earth Alliance, Guangling City, Divine Covenant No. 785639.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Type: Marriage Covenant.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Contract Date: Earth Calendar 3210.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Contract Method: Blood Covenant.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Signatory: Earth Citizen Jiang Jian, citizen ID hidden.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Signatory: Earth Citizen Zhao Jianxue, citizen ID hidden.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Contract signatory: Earth citizen Zhao Jianxue, citizen ID hidden.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jianxue turned as pale as paper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She lifted her head again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And stared once more at the boy at the very center of the ceremonial stage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So my husband… looks this beautiful…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jianxue bit her lip, her expression tangled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her grandfather was the person she respected most.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had never once considered resisting this marriage covenant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For seven years,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jianxue had often imagined\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What her future husband might be like.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had warned herself countless times:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if he were ugly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if his talent were abysmal,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She would obey her grandfather and marry him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He would also obey his grandfather’s words and marry the other party.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why did this Divine Covenant become invalid?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jianxue was dazed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Chenshuang and the Zhao family head had never told her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire Zhao family assumed Zhao Jianxue would surely enter Divine Gift University.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her future was boundless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While Jiang Jian of the Shadow Zone\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was merely dust in the mud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Jiang Jian in the shadow zone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Merely dust in the soil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This divine covenant was established by the late Zhao Lao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, it has become.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A shackle upon Zhao’s second young lady.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Zhao family has grown so arrogant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That they never even bothered to learn Jiang Jian’s theoretical scores.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, they directly dispatched negotiation experts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At all costs, they must dissolve this covenant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because they believe that people from the Shadow Zone can never possess outstanding divine gifts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Theoretical scores, good or bad, are utterly irrelevant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though Zhao Lao’s final wish came first, the current Zhao family head has always resented his father.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If only we had investigated a little more back then, learned that Jiang Jian’s theoretical scores were perfect every time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I would never have let Chenshuang take on this task.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the Zhao family’s grand hall, the family head sat alone in his chair, staring blankly at the massive screen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His heart was filled with regret.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even his expression had twisted!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Father.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I am unfilial.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I should not have defied your words!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Zhao family head clenched his fists tightly, his face contorted in agony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If only this Level-3 divine gift could become my Zhao family’s son-in-law…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flash of lightning struck the Zhao family head’s mind!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He seemed to realize something, sat up straight, and gave orders to his side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pull up the surveillance footage of the eldest young lady at the Inspection Bureau!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the darkness, someone responded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few seconds later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The massive screen above the hall split in two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One half streamed live footage of Feiguang Terrace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other half.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Played back the conversation between Zhao Chenshuang and Jiang Jian!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On screen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian looked utterly shattered: “To love her is to give her freedom…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Right here! Pause!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Zhao family head leapt to his feet, his face alight with ecstatic joy!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The video clearly shows he has feelings for Jianxue!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of this,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Zhao family head had no time to think further—he immediately dialed Zhao Jianxue’s comm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feiguang Terrace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the ritual platform.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chief examiner waited patiently as Zhao Jianxue chose her school.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Choosing a Divine Gift University.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, it was a major decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many students hesitated for a long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beep!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jianxue looked apologetic and said, “Teacher, I have a family comm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chief examiner smiled. “Answer it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jianxue nodded, activated privacy mode, and accepted the call.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jianxue!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Zhao family head nearly screamed, “Go find Jiang Jian immediately!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He loves you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He has feelings for you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The future of the Zhao family rests in your hands!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you can persuade him to re-sign the covenant,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our Zhao family still has a chance to rise again!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jianxue’s face turned icy, and she cut him off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Father, that’s enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Zhao family head stared, stunned: “Jianxue, how dare you speak to me like that?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jianxue said coldly, “You and my elder sister were the ones who dissolved the Divine Covenant, weren’t you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In privacy mode,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The identity device’s comm audio was audible only to the bonded user.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Was it you two, under the pretense of doing what’s best for me,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jianxue’s tone grew colder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who, as my direct guardian, revoked my Divine Covenant before the major exam?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You despised Jiang Jian for coming from the Shadow Zone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You feared he lacked a strong divine gift.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And yet you defied Grandfather’s will, acting without my knowledge!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This was Grandfather’s decree!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Father, I grew up with Grandfather.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve told you before.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even if he were an ordinary person, unable to cultivate,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even if he were worthless, hideous beyond measure,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I would still marry him!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But what did you do?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine, you secretly dissolved the Divine Covenant—fine, let it end there.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But what are you doing now?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You saw with your own eyes: Jiang Jian’s divine gift is Level-3 ‘Art’—he’s about to soar!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So now you’ve changed your minds and want me to go after Jiang Jian?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you think I am?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A tool?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve never even met him once. I’ve never spoken a single word to him!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Regardless of whether he truly loves me,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I could never do such a mercenary, vile thing!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If such fickle, hypocritical behavior ever appeared in Zhao Jianxue…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just thinking of it makes me sick!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saying this,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the Zhao family head could speak,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jianxue extended her hand and terminated the call.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the Zhao family hall,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Zhao family head stared blankly at his identity device, fists clenched, speechless for a long while.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to Federation law,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Earth citizens reach the age of eighteen and become fully adult,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Direct guardians have the authority to participate in the signing or dissolution of their ward’s covenants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jianxue is only seventeen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She remains under the control of her direct guardian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian’s situation, however, differs from hers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian lives in the Public Care Zone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He is a child raised by the Public Care Center.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the age of ten, she has possessed full Earth citizen rights!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feiguang Platform, the ceremonial dais.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jianxue turned off her identity device and walked up to the chief examiner: “Teacher, I’m sorry for taking so long.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chief examiner looked at the girl before him and smiled: “Not long, not long.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jianxue, the prodigious young lady of Shenzhao Middle School.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the Divine Bestowal Examination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was also the top scorer in the Shenzhao District.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beautiful in appearance, and with a delightful personality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Extremely likable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the eyes of many teachers, Zhao Jianxue was all but certain to pass the Divine Bestowal University entrance exam.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although now,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>she possessed only a Level 1 talent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, she barely passed with a score of 78.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I choose...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jianxue gazed at the three spectral buildings, her eyes settling on Luoying Academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had not yet finished speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No choice needed!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A commanding voice echoed across Feiguang Platform!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A massive shadow descended upon them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All students, chief examiners, and proctors looked up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1854,"2026-06-20T01:21:34.271Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","f1fdc35762c0922c077a7b8dbdebb36f50c92127cb2fcc1095c28b19720feec8","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-22","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-20",306,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fascending-to-divinity-cover.jpg"]