[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-ascending-to-divinity":3,"chapter-ascending-to-divinity-ascending-to-divinity-chapter-299":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},2280849,4461,"Chapter 299: Fishing for the Moon in Water, Seeking Flowers in the Mirror","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-299",299,"\u003Cp>“Jiang Jian, how many cultivator slots do you have?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Tiezhu stepped forward, lowering his voice: “With so many classmates watching, even if you have plenty of slots, they won’t be enough to go around—you need a clear system.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian glanced at him, nodded slightly, then turned to the other classmates and said: “Let me be clear—being a cultivator in Guanxi Pavilion isn’t a cushy post; you’ll actually be sent on missions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Extraterrestrial beings are extremely dangerous.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian paused, then continued: “The fatality rate for Guanxi Pavilion missions is very high—over fifty percent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These words fell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The classmates who had gathered, half-familiar, instantly paled and halted their steps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They sought positions in the Star Court to gain power and wealth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if they truly faced death, sent on missions against extraterrestrial beings—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These people were already scrambling to retreat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du Fang wrestled internally for a moment, then made his decision, gritting his teeth and stepping forward: “Jiang Jian, I want to join Guanxi Pavilion. I hope you’ll give me a chance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Ling said nothing, stepping forward as well and standing firm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian lifted his gaze, looking at the two students from Guangling City, his eyes filled with approval.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other students exchanged glances, murmuring among themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though many classmates hesitated, most of them, faced with such a high fatality rate, had already backed away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the crowd, a girl with a ponytail stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiang Jian, can I join?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice was hoarse, her face pale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A short distance away—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin Yin and Liu Tiezhu exchanged glances, each slightly raising an eyebrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This girl was Shi Xuan’s cousin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Luohua.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Shi Xuan dragged Jiang Jian into the earthly realm of Cangzhou, their arrival had caused a sensation across Linjiang Prefecture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Shi family inevitably suffered the fallout.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether from the Linjiang Prefecture government or the divine envoys, immense pressure was placed upon the Shi family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a result, the once-mighty clan began to decline under the weight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under these circumstances—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Luohua became even more reclusive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She moved alone through the academy, devoted solely to her cultivation, barely interacting with anyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During the turmoil of the Moon Realm, space distortions filled the Linjiang Prefecture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Luohua, along with other students, was brought to the Star Palace projection by the prefecture’s divine envoys through a portal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course you can.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian sensed her for a moment, and was rare in his surprise at her cultivation progress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon receiving his affirmation—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Luohua’s expression turned solemn, and she bowed to Jiang Jian: “Thank you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian waved his hand, turning to Liu Tiezhu: “Now that you know the fatality rate, do you still want to join?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Tiezhu spread his hands and grinned: “Do you think I’m afraid of dying?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian murmured: “Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Tiezhu froze, his smile unchanged, replying: “I am afraid—but I won’t die.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian stared at him for a moment, then looked away and asked: “By the way, where’s Shan Ye?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew well—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After he left for Chang’an Prefecture—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shan Ye became the core of the squad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether Liu Tiezhu, Yin Yin—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or later additions like Jiang Zhao and Zhong Ling—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All relied on Shan Ye to mediate, strategize, and finalize every plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Together with Liu Tiezhu, she kept the squad running.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the Star Palace projection—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shan Ye was nowhere to be seen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shan Ye didn’t come here. She moved with her family to Hanjiang Prefecture.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Tiezhu sighed: “Once she left, our top-ranked combat squad in Linjiang Prefecture fell apart.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside him—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin Yin rolled her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao pulled Zhong Ling close and smiled lightly: “In the squad, I’m the fighter, Zhong Ling’s the support—we both lack Shan Ye’s talent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Ling, timid in expression, whispered: “Zhaozhao, I don’t want a Star Court position.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao’s smile stiffened slightly, then melted away as she comforted: “I’m here—I won’t let anything happen to you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Ling was her roommate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And a close friend for years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao had full confidence in her own strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was certain she could complete missions alongside Zhong Ling—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as she had done every time she took on academic assignments over the past two years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhaozhao, I really don’t want to go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Ling gently pulled away her hand, stepping back two paces: “I just want to be an ordinary person. I don’t want to join the Star Court and become a hero who might die at any moment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao said nothing, her slender wrist hanging empty in the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin Yin stepped forward, taking Jiang Zhao’s arm and whispering: “Everyone has their own path. Don’t force her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao lowered her eyes, silver-white spreading deep within her pupils, softly replying: “Alright.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Ling retreated to a distance, biting her lip, glancing at Jiang Zhao occasionally, her whole body trembling slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few minutes later—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two or three more classmates, under the watchful eyes of others, stepped forward and exchanged identity device information with Jiang Jian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiang Jian, my father has prepared a family banquet and sent me to invite you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The white-robed girl released Jiang Zhao’s hand and walked to Jiang Jian’s side, her tone gentle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Earlier—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Jiang Jian chatting with classmates and the crowd growing larger—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The prefecture’s divine envoy had quietly slipped away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin Yin had delivered the invitation on his behalf.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian nodded: “I am deeply honored.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shortly after—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group boarded star-stream flyers, trailing fiery tails as they soared skyward toward the highest reaches of the Star Palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Star Palace projection, divine envoy’s quarters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Linjiang Divine Envoy stood alone before the window, holding a dossier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The quarters were silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only he remained, his expression dark, repeatedly studying the dossier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the top of the dossier—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In glaring crimson, a bold heading was clearly marked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Linjiang Prefecture Full-Region Surveillance Report (3210 Edition).”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Monitoring Equipment: Star Palace Projection Array, Linjiang Prefecture Sub-array.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Security Level: Confidential.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Access Permission: Linjiang Prefecture Divine Envoy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“March 14, 3210: Suspected unidentified flying object, via unknown means, descended from an unknown location into Guangling City, Anhe Prefecture, Linjiang Prefecture.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Projection array calculations place the impact coordinates at Zhao Clan territory, Shenzhao District, Guangling City.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Projection array measurements indicate the object contains unknown energy. Recommend collection by the prefecture’s divine envoy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“ALERT!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“ALERT!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“ALERT!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Projection array monitoring detects life signs from the unidentified object!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Divine Envoy of the Prefecture, proceed immediately for inspection!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At some point, he did not know when.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The documents in his hand were crushed into scraps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Linjiang Divine Envoy stood with his hands behind his back, gazing out the window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze was deep and elusive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My Lord Divine Envoy!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A servant entered the sleeping chamber, kowtowing respectfully, “Miss Yinyin has brought the Lord of Yinshan and awaits outside the chamber.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Linjiang Divine Envoy turned around, his expression returning to normal, and said calmly, “Bring her in at once.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1166,"2026-06-20T01:21:35.424Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","77af408057c490c70424f99729d5d24228ec14aa596f8b8acd302d4cf0e4b6a8","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-300","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-298",306,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fascending-to-divinity-cover.jpg"]