[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-ascending-to-divinity":3,"chapter-ascending-to-divinity-ascending-to-divinity-chapter-257":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},2280807,4461,"Chapter 257: Painting the Heart","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-257",257,"\u003Cp>Moments later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian made up his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He still decided to use the conventional method.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He activated the spiritual essence of two dantians and slammed it against the Divine Illumination barrier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Divine Palace realm cultivated this way follows the Path to Heaven, with an incredibly solid foundation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though attaining breakthrough through spiritual insight and divine wisdom is also a legitimate path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But compared to the traditional method,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>it causes the Divine Illumination barrier to turn to powder and merge into the Divine Palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet it lacks one crucial process.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That is, the process wherein a living being, after breaking through, gradually dissolves the barrier fragments while continuing to cultivate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Jiang Jian’s view,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>this process is equally vital for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to his cultivation plan,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>every insight gained during cultivation must be experienced fully, to avoid missing anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the tiniest detail warrants attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then can one go further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As his mind stirred,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the spiritual essence materialized once more!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The accumulated foundation from his two realms erupted completely!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An obsidian phoenix instantly took shape, furiously striking the Divine Illumination barrier under the supply of spiritual energy!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Wheel Dharma Form, clad in black-gold imperial robes, scattered golden streams across its body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It stood motionless, sleeves swirling wildly, coldly observing the barrier before it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Occasionally,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>it seized the perfect moment and struck with ruthless force!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each strike by the Wheel Dharma Form consumed massive spiritual energy, wearing away a large chunk of the barrier!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian’s cultivation foundation was also being rapidly depleted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Divine Illumination barrier was being swiftly thinned, growing increasingly transparent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After an unknown length of time,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the Divine Illumination barrier, uniformly thin from top to bottom, had been greatly reduced—now slightly translucent!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first glance,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It resembled a layer of translucent light curtain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every fragment that fell vanished soundlessly, swept away by the barrier, passing through the transparent curtain and sinking into the Divine Palace!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian’s face was pale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His accumulated cultivation foundation was nearly gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With his perfect cultivation foundation from the two realms,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>he had now thinned the Divine Illumination barrier to just a thin layer—crackable with a flick of the finger!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So this is how it is.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian sensed the transparent curtain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sudden enlightenment arose deep within his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The final size and thickness of the Divine Illumination barrier is not random.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It corresponds directly to the true peak of a living being’s own cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as one refines their cultivation to perfection,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>then,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>with their own cultivation foundation,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>it will surely be sufficient to erase the entire Divine Illumination barrier!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet most living beings cannot reach such a limit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The level of divine-given talent also plays a part.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many terrestrial and lunar beings, upon reaching their peak, attain fullness in the Divine Bestowal and Gushing Spring realms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But their talent levels never exceed Grade 7.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This leads to:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>among all existing Soul Platform beings in the Four Realms of Earth and Moon, the highest recorded achievement was only shattering ninety percent of the Divine Illumination barrier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only those with talent levels above Grade 7\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>can truly shatter the Divine Illumination barrier completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian clearly sensed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>with his two-realm spiritual essence, if he shattered the transparent curtain, there would still be some left over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And these leftovers,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>were precisely the 121% overflow from his Divine Bestowal realm,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>plus the excess spiritual energy from exceeding the Gushing Spring realm’s limit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“These spiritual energies seem capable of pulling more Divine Illumination barrier from the void.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian activated his spiritual essence and sensed something faint.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Carefully, he used the remaining spiritual energy to consume the last of the curtain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, he sensed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>every bit of the remaining curtain consumed,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>more transparent substance surged from the void, reforming the Divine Illumination barrier!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These substances came from the starry cosmos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They appeared as if from nowhere—profoundly mysterious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian gazed at these substances and instantly understood: this was the cosmic rule of the Solar System after the birth of a deity!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If a living being shatters the barrier to its absolute limit,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>its overflowed spiritual energy will not be wasted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, within the cosmic rule, it will pull forth new Divine Illumination barrier to replenish the foundation!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As it was consumed,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the thinned barrier fragments also passed through the curtain and sank into the Divine Palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As his cultivation foundation was entirely exhausted,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>no new substance surged from the void.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the Divine Palace,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the once-thick Divine Illumination barrier\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>remained only as a single transparent layer, thinner than a cicada’s wing!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deep within the Divine Palace, not only had it absorbed all the barrier, but also gained additional new barrier fragments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These resources are non-renewable!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They remain within the Divine Palace, slowly digestible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once breakthrough is achieved,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian’s foundational potential will surpass his own limits entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reaching an unimaginably terrifying level!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Divine Palace realm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The most crucial step toward glimpsing the Soul Platform.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian checked again, recalled meticulously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Confirmed that his cultivation had no omissions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As his mind trembled, he finally prepared for breakthrough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Firmly resolved, he unleashed his remaining cultivation essence toward the transparent curtain!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hiss!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sound that should not exist reached his ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian’s pupils contracted; his expression changed instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all his essence poured into the curtain,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>it rippled—not shattering completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, new substance surged from the void, smoothing the Divine Illumination barrier back into place!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>his cultivation foundation was utterly depleted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Divine Illumination barrier remained only a thin layer!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Realm breakthrough failed!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An unimaginably massive backlash surged violently!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every meridian and acupoint in his body was crushed under immense pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countless fissures appeared instantly!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian suddenly opened his eyes, his black hair disheveled and hanging down, his face as pale as paper, blood oozing from all seven orifices!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The backlash intensified further!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Puff!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian’s throat turned sweet, and crimson blood mixed with spiritual energy spewed from his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More severe than this was the condition of his two core acupoints.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both major acupoints had exhausted their spiritual essence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were meant to break through to the Divine Palace, awaiting spiritual replenishment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Divine Illumination barrier had not shattered, yet the two acupoints were drained to the last drop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gray mist spread along the edges of their walls, even showing signs of decay!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Once a breakthrough fails,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“an even more terrifying backlash lies ahead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian endured the excruciating pain, forcing himself to regain focus—there was no time yet to investigate why the breakthrough had failed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countless thoughts flashed through the depths of his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first thing he thought of was the terrifying consequences of the failed breakthrough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The acupoints under pressure were merely the beginning!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Next,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>would come spiritual chaos and the most terrifying backlash of cosmic rules!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As cracking sounds continued, thirty-six meridians each developed terrifying fissures of varying sizes!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Piercing, bone-chilling pain surged from every pore, like countless needles stabbing wildly at Jiang Jian’s senses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even with Jiang Jian’s unyielding will, he now knelt half-bowed, face twisted in agony, beads of sweat falling steadily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rule backlash arrived silently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An even more terrifying crack echoed suddenly from the depths of his soul!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing that sound,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian’s heart sank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next moment,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>an even more dreadful pain pierced clearly from the source of his soul!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fissures on his soul, once repaired after fragmentation, now cracked open anew!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An indescribable exhaustion, vast and overwhelming, crashed over him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian clearly felt this suffocating, boundless drowsiness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His previously hazy consciousness snapped instantly awake!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t sleep.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He struggled to sit up, forcing himself to stay alert.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The end of this drowsiness was not sleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the complete loss of consciousness, sinking into true death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The soul’s fissures continued to widen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Faint glimmers of ice-blue light barely held on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the moon-white robe he wore suddenly shattered apart!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Streams of soft white light rolled over him, seeping into his forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Weaving Fate Divine Art brushed gently across him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In harmony with the ice-blue light, it temporarily silenced the soul’s cracking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian’s expression darkened; enduring endless agony, his thoughts raced—suddenly, a flash of insight struck his mind!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It was the Physician!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When she cut away a piece of my soul, she planted something inside me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Realizing this,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian’s heart turned icy cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An indescribable, towering surge of murderous intent erupted!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Physician.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Physician.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood streamed from Jiang Jian’s seven orifices as he smiled coldly, whispering softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1431,"2026-06-20T01:21:35.424Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","7c5c5329d7d82f241b03cf9196afce2c8c46dbacc2b1068604bac7abf5191594","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-258","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-256",306,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fascending-to-divinity-cover.jpg"]