[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-ascending-to-divinity":3,"chapter-ascending-to-divinity-ascending-to-divinity-chapter-24":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},2280574,4461,"Chapter 24","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-24",24,"\u003Cp>Jiang Jian stepped up to the cabin door and stepped inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few meters ahead, there was another door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This door looked extremely heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its surface was woven with spiderweb-like beams of light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At every moment, they swept back and forth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please present your identity device.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A cold mechanical voice sounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian stepped forward and raised his wrist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immediately, several beams of light scanned over, stopping at Jiang Jian’s hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few seconds later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Verification successful. Level-3 Talent, new recruit, Anhezhou, Jiang Jian.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Admission to Cabin 1 authorized.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dense beams of light receded inch by inch, and the second door opened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du Fang and Song Ling also raised their wrists to verify their identities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Anhezhou actually has a Level-3 Talent?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A voice of surprise rang out as they stepped through the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blinding light faded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian squinted, and the scene before him gradually sharpened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before him stood a vast cabin, towering like a skyscraper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not far away,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>numerous luxurious sofas and chairs were arranged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Farther still, they were separated by the cabin’s scanning beams.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only faintly visible were many large instruments glowing blue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing else could be seen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>although the cabin was enormous,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the new recruits’ movement range within Cabin 1 was quite limited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man who had spoken earlier sat on a sofa, watching Jiang Jian and the others: “None of the other cities in Anhezhou have a Level-3 Talent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yet Guangling City has produced three at once!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wore a middle school uniform.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, he too was a new recruit about to enroll.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several others sat beside him, eyeing them with curiosity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Among these three, there probably isn’t a ‘Shu’?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can’t tell yet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides these people,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>most others sat in small groups, scattered across different areas, silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s go over there.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian ignored them, scanning the surroundings until he found an empty bar counter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several chairs stood beside it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although the open area of the cabin was small,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>there were seven or eight bar counters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each was filled with expensive wines and all kinds of beverages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gu Qi said he’s traveled through all six states of Linjiang Prefecture.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian sat down. “These people are likely the only Level-3 Talent new recruits from all six states.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du Fang picked up three drinks and sat beside him, lowering his voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiang Jian, I just received a message from home.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Ling sat on the chair to the left and said, “Stop dragging it out!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du Fang opened a drink and took a long gulp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wiping his mouth, he finally spoke: “Linjiang Academy’s main recruitment area is actually its direct jurisdiction, Linjiangzhou.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Eighty percent of Linjiang Academy’s new recruits come from Linjiangzhou!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All of us—including those who just spoke—are external recruits.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As Linjiang Prefecture’s premier Divine Gift university,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>whenever a Level-3 Talent emerges in any of the seventeen states, Linjiang Academy sends people to snatch them up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Most of the time, they succeed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But occasionally, they arrive too late.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In such cases, Level-3 Talent candidates sign enrollment agreements and remain at their local Divine Gift universities.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Listening to him,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Ling frowned and asked, “I just checked—the second cabin already has over two hundred people.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How many new recruits does Linjiang Academy have this year?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du Fang pulled up his identity device’s data: “Last year, Linjiang Academy’s first-year intake totaled 1,800.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of those, 1,500 were from Linjiangzhou.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The remaining 300 came from the other states.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This year may vary slightly, but it should be roughly the same.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian smiled and said, “Now I understand why Gu Qi brought those students along.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du Fang and Song Ling exchanged glances, both turning to Jiang Jian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian pointed to Du Fang’s screen: “Linjiang Academy scours the entire prefecture for Level-3 Talents, yet local city governments and Divine Gift universities harbor no resentment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s because,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“these students in Cabin 2,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“by all normal standards, have no qualification to enter Linjiang Academy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But because of us,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“they’ve gained the chance to enroll.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Ling’s eyes lit up: “Jiang Jian, you mean this is an exchange?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“While Linjiang Academy takes away Level-3 Talent students,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“it must also take a few local students who don’t meet the standard?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian nodded: “Exactly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ordinary students, once they advance in cultivation, often give back to their hometowns.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Local city governments know their resources are limited.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They can’t adequately support the growth of Level-3 Talents.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So they’re willing to hand over their Level-3 Talents to Linjiang Academy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But with a condition:”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“they must also take some local students.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du Fang raised his drink with a grin: “So those 26 people who just entered Linjiang Academy? They’re all basking in our three’s glory.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Ling glanced at him: “I don’t like seeing you look like this, but it might just be true.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du Fang clucked his tongue: “I was just wondering why Gu Qi seemed to look down on those students, yet still recruited them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now I finally understand why.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they spoke,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>someone approached the bar counter, smiling and extending a hand: “Hello, fellow students. I’m Shi Xuan, from Shaoshuizhou.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du Fang stood up and shook his hand: “I’m Du Fang. We’re from Anhezhou.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Xuan glanced at the three of them and raised his identity device: “My talent is Level-3 ‘Wu.’ Let’s be friends.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du Fang exchanged identity data with him and smiled: “Mine too—Level-3 ‘Wu.’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What a coincidence.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Xuan smiled and turned to Jiang Jian and Song Ling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Ling stepped forward to exchange identity data: “I’m Song Ling. Level-3 ‘Xin.’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nice to meet you, Song Ling.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Xuan’s gaze shifted to Jiang Jian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Xuan's gaze shifted and landed on Jiang Jian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian offered a formulaic smile and swiped his identity device.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m Jiang Jian, Level 3 ‘Art’.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he finished speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Xuan’s eyes instantly lit up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gave Jiang Jian a pointed look and said, “We’re all one in a million, clawing our way up from backwater towns. Once we’re at Linjiang Academy, we’ll look out for each other.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian smiled. “Naturally.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Xuan shook hands with Jiang Jian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he tapped a few times on his own identity device and grinned. “Classmate Jiang Jian, I’ve sent you a document—might be useful for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned and walked away from the bar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dū!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A notification chimed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian’s identity device had received a new message.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was an extremely detailed document.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Linjiang Academy: Admission and Division Assignment Rules.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Ling and Du Fang both received this message.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This Shi Xuan is actually quite decent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du Fang opened the document and praised it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How can you trust people so easily?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Ling sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian said nothing but opened the document and studied it closely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Linjiang Academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The premier Divine Gift university of Linjiang Prefecture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its scale was simply enormous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each grade had its own separate campus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within each grade’s campus, there were even seventeen divisions!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Linjiang Academy enforced a brutal ranking system.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Student subsidies were distributed according to division ranking—from most to least!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cultivation is all about securing resources!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you’re assigned to a lower-ranked division,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>resources become scarce.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fall behind one step, and you’ll never catch up!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Seventeen divisions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They’re named after the seventeen prefectures of Linjiang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“First Division: Linjiang Division.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Most abundant subsidies!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Top-tier faculty and teaching system!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du Fang stared in shock, pointing at the top line of the document.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Level 4 Talent: Direct admission to Linjiang Division!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Anyone below Level 4 Talent must follow the division assignment rules and take the entrance assessment!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve never met anyone with Level 4 Talent!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Ling shook his head. “Didn’t Gu Qi, that third-year student just now, have Level 4 Talent?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gu Qi does indeed have Level 4 Talent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du Fang snapped back to himself and nodded numbly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1314,"2026-06-20T01:21:34.271Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","b4fdcba10ef5fcfc1eab9b94a86e1b89d73c76136f4a638d55a3666efddbe6e1","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-25","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-23",306,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fascending-to-divinity-cover.jpg"]