[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-ascending-to-divinity":3,"chapter-ascending-to-divinity-ascending-to-divinity-chapter-23":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},2280573,4461,"Chapter 23: Reed Marsh","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-23",23,"\u003Cp>Du Fang turned his head and looked at the Whale-Ray Craft.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There seem to be quite a few new students inside.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Ling nodded and said, “Didn’t Gu Qi say he traveled through six entire provinces?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as she finished speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her communication link had already connected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Ling stepped aside, activated privacy mode, and began calling her family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du Fang looked at Jiang Jian: “Jiang Jian, we only have ten minutes. Aren’t you going to send a message to your family?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian smiled and said, “I live in the Public Care Zone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du Fang froze, then realized, his face flushing with apology: “Sorry, I didn’t know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more prosperous the place, the more human rights are respected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Public Care Zone is a highly sensitive topic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the Earth Alliance enacted the Anti-Public-Care-Discrimination Law specifically for this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian waved his hand, slightly tilting his head as his gaze shifted elsewhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A girl in school uniform also looked up, gazing toward them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dū!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A notification sound rang out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian opened his identity device and tapped the new message.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiang Jian, I’m Level 2 ‘Yi,’ Mind Follows Spirit’s Hiding.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl’s pleasant voice sounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian nodded, “Linjiang Academy only accepts ‘Shu’ and ‘Wu’ students with Level 3 talent or below.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao asked, “If I can’t go to Linjiang Academy, which school should I choose?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian thought for a moment and said, “Choose Anhe College.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao accepted immediately, without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian smiled and said, “Aren’t you going to ask why?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao blinked. “Actually, I just received several messages—Anhe College offered the highest resource allowance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She paused, then continued, “With money, we can fully cure your illness.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian fell silent briefly, then said, “Once you enter Divine Gift University, you’ll need to focus entirely on cultivation—and you’ll need money for everything.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao’s smile faded. She said seriously, “Jiang Jian, after you get to Linjiang Academy, send me a message every night.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, go choose your school now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian replied, then ended the call.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A short distance away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After communicating with Guangling City’s government,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qi had already selected all the ‘Shu’ and ‘Wu’ students from the 43 applicants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The remaining students stayed on the Flying Light Platform to choose their schools.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Some of you, under normal procedures, would find it nearly impossible to enter Linjiang Academy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qi stood on the ceremonial platform, his expression amused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But this is my final recruitment stop.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To pick up three Level 3 talents, I’ll need to bring more students along.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he finished speaking,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qi walked through the crowd, occasionally pointing, “You, you, and you—go back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The students he pointed at turned red-faced and stepped back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of them, resentful, stepped forward and said, “You just said you’d take all the ‘Shu’ and ‘Wu’ students!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I did say that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qi smirked. “But I just counted—there were too many names. Eliminating a few more, what’s wrong with that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The student clenched his teeth and asked again: “Why was I the one eliminated?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Because your talent is average!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qi grew impatient. “Students like you are everywhere in Linjiang Academy!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qi pulled out a few more students.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until only 26 students remained before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These 26 were almost all Level 2 talents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You have five minutes to communicate with your families and gather what you need.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qi pointed at the Whale-Ray Craft. “Then board with me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two staff members descended from the Whale-Ray Craft.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One was responsible for registering the 26 Guangling City students.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other walked toward Jiang Jian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian had just finished organizing his belongings, wrapping his wooden sword in black cloth and securing it to his backpack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Student Jiang Jian, hello.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The staff member smiled warmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian fastened his backpack and looked up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The staff member raised his identity device: “I’m responsible for registering Level 3 talent freshmen. Student Jiang Jian, please cooperate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian opened his identity device and lifted it slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dū!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Anhezhou, Jiang Jian, 17 years old.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Level 3 talent, Shu, Pure Spirit Flame.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Admission score: 100.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Information registered!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Student Jiang Jian, your theoretical score is perfect too—impressive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The staff member looked impressed, recorded Jiang Jian’s information, then turned to Du Fang and Song Ling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Both of you, please present your identity devices.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Ling had just finished her call. She exchanged a glance with Du Fang, then both extended their wrists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Anhezhou, Du Fang, 17 years old.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Level 3 talent, Wu, Ten Thousand Forms Sword Art.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Admission score: 99.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Information registered!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Anhezhou, Song Ling, 17 years old.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Level 3 talent, Xin, Spiritual Healing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Admission score: 98.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Information registered!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After recording the information,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the staff member exhaled in relief and gestured politely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please proceed to Cabin 1, and board the Whale-Ray Craft using your identity devices.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du Fang raised an eyebrow and pointed at the 26 students nearby. “Aren’t you going with them?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The staff member shook his head with a smile. “Cabin 1 is exclusively for Level 3 talent freshmen. They aren’t eligible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du Fang looked up at the massive Whale-Ray Craft and murmured, “So that’s how it is.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The staff member led the way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian, Du Fang, and Song Ling followed behind him toward Cabin 1.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they passed through the crowd,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>many eyes turned toward them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most of those gazes fixed on Jiang Jian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiang Jian and his two companions have their own boarding passage!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiang Jian, Level 3 Shu…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our Guangling City’s top student!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’re all from small towns—we’ll need to stick together once we get to Linjiang Academy!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Does anyone have Jiang Jian’s contact info?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I want to add mine ahead of time!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you really don’t have any, Du Fang’s is fine, Song Ling’s works too!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The twenty-six students whispered among themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just a few minutes passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had already passed around Jiang Jian’s, Du Fang’s, and Song Ling’s contact information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Whale-Ray Craft hovered beside the ritual platform.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A massive shadow fell, nearly obscuring half the Feiguang Platform.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A rumbling sound arose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The heavy No. 1 hatch slowly opened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beneath the hatch, along the hull.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A double-deck gangway extended downward and settled into place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Three students, please proceed!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The staff member smiled. \"I’m crew of the Whale-Ray Craft—I’m not authorized to enter the No. 1 hatch.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian stepped onto the gangway first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du Fang and Song Ling exchanged a glance, then hurried after him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The handrails of the gangway glowed with crystalline blue light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Whale-Ray Craft loomed like a mountain spanning the heavens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing before them, radiating a suffocating sense of oppression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This massive craft was simply too large.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian briefly measured it with his gaze, making an approximate estimate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Whale-Ray Craft was equivalent to ten Jiu Cha Yuan buildings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Such a huge thing is used just to pick up new students?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they drew closer to the hatch, Du Fang couldn’t help speaking: \"This Whale-Ray Craft can hold at least tens of thousands of people.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian gripped the gangway and said: \"The No. 1 hatch has only nineteen people inside.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du Fang looked down at the receding Feiguang Platform and asked, \"How do you know?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where are your eyes?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Ling tapped his shoulder and pointed to a delicate screen beneath the hatch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The screen glowed faintly: \"No. 1 Hatch Capacity: 19 passengers (1000-passenger cabin).\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du Fang looked up, his mouth twitching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1250,"2026-06-20T01:21:34.271Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","e548c59ff704ca5693e28ef854e23e862347a2170dd43eb405624c6d03c7388e","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-24","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-22",306,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fascending-to-divinity-cover.jpg"]