[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-ascending-to-divinity":3,"chapter-ascending-to-divinity-ascending-to-divinity-chapter-3":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},2280553,4461,"Chapter 3: Wind Penetrates, Cold Seeps","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-3",3,"\u003Cp>Task completed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Black market review passed; payment released.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Payment received: 130 Alliance Coins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Your balance: 139 Alliance Coins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The identity device glowed faintly, emitting a soft beeping alert.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It pulled Jiang Jian’s thoughts back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A new message appeared in the corner of the screen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian swiped his finger to open it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A man’s voice came through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, I’m truly sorry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I had to deal with the Inspection Team and wasted a lot of time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s why the payment arrived late.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian stared at the screen, eyes thoughtful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When the identity device is worn on the wrist, the Inspection Team knows immediately if a citizen dies in the district.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yet Miao Miao and my stepmother died one after another, and the Inspection Team only showed up today.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This client has deep connections.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A thought flashed through his mind, but Jiang Jian did not reply to the message.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, he swiped it away and moved it to the trash folder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The task was already completed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether it was a family murder or a ghost’s malice,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>it had nothing to do with Jiang Jian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiang Jian, I’m back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His sister’s voice came through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian shook his identity device, the screen vanished, and he stepped out of the bedroom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao placed two meal boxes on the table: “Your favorite spicy chicken noodles.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the lids opened, a steaming wave of spicy, numbing, savory aroma rushed to their noses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl set down the bowls and smiled up at him, “Only two left—cost just 4 Alliance Coins!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uncle Wang always looks out for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian washed his hands and sat beside her. “If I bought them myself, it’d be a solid 6 Alliance Coins—no less.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao picked up her chopsticks, her fingers pale and slender as sliced scallions, and said, “Because I’m pretty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian tugged at the corner of his mouth and lifted his bowl to eat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By the way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl pulled out two medicine boxes and placed them before Jiang Jian. “I bought you medicine too—enough for fifteen days.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian’s chopsticks paused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze met Jiang Zhao’s eyes—smiling, yet utterly serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I understand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian tucked the medicine boxes away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More than ten minutes later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian put down his bowl, glanced at his identity device, and said, “I need to get back to Guangling No. 1 High School before ten.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao held up her wristwatch, murmuring to her roommate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, she closed the chat window and turned to him. “Remember to take your medicine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian nodded, packed his bag, and asked, “Aren’t you going back to Chencang No. 1 High School?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao blinked, whispering, “I’ll go back tomorrow morning—save a day’s dorm fee.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do as you like.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian knew her nature; he pulled up his identity device screen and tapped the ride-hail button.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Divine Bestowal Exam is coming soon. Study my notes carefully. If you need money, send a message.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao shook her head. “I have 35 Alliance Coins—enough for now. Go quickly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A mechanical voice spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ride-hail service activated. Estimated arrival: one minute.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian tied his wooden sword with a black cloth and slung his bag over his shoulder as he descended the stairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the entrance of Public Sector Seven, a hovering vehicle waited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Guangling No. 1 High School.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian stepped inside and swiped his hand across the payment panel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Payment successful: 1 Alliance Coin.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your balance: 138 Alliance Coins.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He swiped away the payment notification.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian put on his headphones, called up the screen, opened Teacher Zhou’s pre-exam lesson, and began studying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Divine Bestowal Exam was now only fifteen days away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In every spare moment, Jiang Jian devoted himself entirely to review—not wasting a single second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Half an hour later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’ve arrived.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A hoarse voice spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian’s spirit trembled; his gaze tore away from the screen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lifted his eyelids and stared into the cockpit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sharp warning surged within him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The driver had shoulder-length black hair and wore no safety helmet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The glass separating the cockpit from the passenger cabin had vanished without a trace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sky was dark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the hovering vehicle stretched an endless, profound darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suffocating, heart-stopping.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Shadow Zone knows no day or night—only false daylight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where… is this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian reached out and gripped the hilt of his sword, wrapped in black cloth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The driver whirled his head around—his hollow eye sockets gushing blood: “This is your grave!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sword’s radiance flashed like lightning!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian’s face expressionless, he swung his wooden sword down with brutal force!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>SIZZLE!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A semi-transparent sword qi pierced the ghostly face, shredding it into smoke!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A shrill scream erupted!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is impossible!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The driver convulsed violently, black smoke billowing from his face, his voice thick with hatred and shock: “A commoner without Divine Bestowal—how dare you injure me?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian’s expression was mocking; he applied slight pressure to the wooden sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The driver screamed in terror: “Spare me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian sneered. “You’re not from Guangling City.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The driver froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian asked: “Why did you come to kill me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The driver’s ghostly face twisted, but no words came out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wooden sword’s aura surged, slicing clean through half the driver’s skull!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll talk!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The driver, his head half-gone, trembled violently, then collapsed to his knees. “It was a man in a suit!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He found me on the black market and promised ten thousand Alliance Coins!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here, the driver lifted his remaining eye socket. “That much money is enough to make anyone take the risk!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Money can make ghosts push mills.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And even make them kill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian smiled. “Good. The recording is complete. Evidence is solid.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced at his identity device—the Inspection Team was on the way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian’s mood improved further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The laws of the Divine Illumination Zone were brutally strict—nothing compared to the Shadow Zone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether it was the Zhao family’s intention or the suit man acting on his own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Zhao family has already been dragged into this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A marriage contract sold for only fifty million Alliance Credits? That’s still too little.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian looked up at the pitch-black sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several bright beams pierced the darkness, speeding toward this location.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>CRASH!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A fully armed security vehicle arrived first, landing heavily on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who reported this vicious incident just now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An inspector jumped out of the vehicle, his gaze sweeping over Jiang Jian and the driver, asking in a deep voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The driver remained silent, stammering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian sheathed his wooden sword and pulled out his identity device: “I have evidence.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The inspector glanced at Jiang Jian, then strode forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a swipe of his own identity device, the video uploaded instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Other security vehicles landed one after another; inspectors gathered around to watch the footage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian had started recording from the moment the driver turned his head—the footage was crystal clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After watching the video, the inspector walked up to the driver, his expression filled with revulsion: “Hand over your identity device.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The driver trembled, dark smoke swirling as it lifted a semi-transparent wristwatch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ninghai City, non-citizen. Creatures like this should’ve been wiped out long ago.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The inspector wore a look of “I knew it,” and spat on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You hide in the sewers just to survive, yet you dare assassinate an Earth citizen? Who gave you the nerve?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The driver knelt on the ground, stammering in fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In 2785, a god was born on Neptune.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The god’s radiance stained the sun, using stellar light as a medium to illuminate all things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did spirits, ghosts, and demons gradually appear on the surfaces of other planets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The laws of other planets may differ.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But on Earth, only humanity are official citizens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Earth Alliance, bathed in divine grace, embraces all life, permitting all sentient beings to exist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as they do no harm to humans, they may apply under strict conditions to become non-citizens, receive identity devices, and reside in the shadow zones of every city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiang Jian, you’re a student at Guangling No. 1 High School, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The inspector stepped before Jiang Jian, his tone softening. “What’s the story with the suit man?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian smiled and said: “All I know is, he’s from the Zhao family.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The inspector immediately grew serious. “Which Zhao family?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian replied: “Guangling City, Shenzhao District—the Zhao family that controls the array business.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The inspector froze in surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned to glance at the man beside him, then looked back at Jiang Jian, his voice tinged with excitement: “Do you have proof?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian raised his identity device: “The video of the suit man negotiating with me, and my divine covenant with Zhao Jianxue—all here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is… perfect!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After reviewing the evidence, the inspector’s heart leapt with joy—he nearly shouted, “We’ve hit the jackpot!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next moment, he became even more amiable toward Jiang Jian: “Student, you can call me Captain Wang. Come with us to the Inspectorate. I’ll immediately apply for a summons to seek justice for you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several inspectors, faces flushed with excitement, clustered around Captain Wang, whispering eagerly, all eager to act.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>an inspector bearing the Shadow Zone armband stepped forward to Captain Wang, his voice hesitant and low: “This Jiang Jian is a Shadow Zone resident. By protocol, this case should be handed to me...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next second, the inspector flew backward over ten meters, slamming hard into a armored vehicle!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lay sprawled like a dead dog, spitting blood, barely breathing, ribs surely broken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Get lost!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Captain Wang retracted his fist, his face icy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other Shenzhao District inspectors all wore cold smirks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Student Jiang, don’t be afraid.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Captain Wang walked beside Jiang Jian, forcing a smile: “Guangling City’s law enforcement is strict. For such a vile hired-assassination case to occur—unforgivable!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Captain’s right! We’ll help you get justice!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Inspectorate stands for justice—no crime will be tolerated!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rest assured, student, this murder will be fully uncovered!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The inspectors spoke one after another, brimming with righteous fury!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even a young inspector stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Jiang Jian, radiating moral conviction: “Younger brother, don’t fear! I was once a student at Guangling No. 1! What of the Zhao family!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Above, the Divine! The truth is clear!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I swear to bring the true culprit to justice—or I’ll resign on the spot!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian watched their performance, his mind calm as still water, yet his face showed heartfelt emotion: “Senior, you have great courage!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young inspector winked and replied: “Younger brother, you’re lucky!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian frowned: “What do you mean?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young inspector slung an arm around Jiang Jian’s shoulder and lowered his voice: “I’ve heard Zhao Jianxue of the Zhao family possesses celestial beauty—flowers blush, the moon hides.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You have a divine covenant with her. Once you turn eighteen, you’ll legally become her husband. Isn’t that great fortune?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian smiled, saying nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Student Jiang, I’m Zhou Chi. I’m two years ahead of you, and I also climbed up from the Shadow Zone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young inspector, arm still around Jiang Jian, stepped onto the armored vehicle and shut the heavy door tightly, speaking sincerely: “Actually, the Shenzhao District Inspectorate hasn’t paid bonuses for three months.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian looked surprised. “It’s that bad?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Chi snorted: “Shenzhao District’s laws are strict—hardly anyone breaks them. Where do bonuses come from?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression darkened. “If I’d known this, I’d have stayed in the Shadow Zone Inspectorate. Sure, I’d be living under others’ thumbs—but at least there’d be some grease to scrape.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian wrapped his wooden sword in black cloth, listening quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Chi knew Jiang Jian was just a student and didn’t expect him to respond. His gaze fell on the wooden sword: “That wooden sword looks decent—is it for warding off spirits?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian looked up and smiled: “Senior, sharp eyes. This sword is family heirloom—it’s especially potent against spirits and monsters.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Chi dismissed it: “Hundreds of years ago, every family had ancestors who received Level Three Divine Gifts. My family has a legendary longsword—bestowed by the Divine upon my great-great-grandfather. It’s a true ‘Weapon’!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian’s voice held astonishment: “A Level Three Divine Gift—‘Weapon’?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Chi beamed with pride: “Of course! Even today in Guangling City, he’d still be considered a prodigy! Your wooden sword? It’s nowhere near my great-great-grandfather’s blade!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where no ordinary eyes could see, the wooden sword trembled slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian lowered his eyelids, stroking the hilt, a faint smile curling his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next instant, he looked up, voice filled with reverence: “Senior, what realm did your ancestor reach? I’d like to have him as a model.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Chi’s expression turned awkward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My great-great-grandfather, though favored by the Divine, had a tranquil heart and no taste for killing. He abandoned cultivation and stopped at the Divine Gift realm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2145,"2026-06-20T01:21:34.271Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","b84d3e3a5313a0b795f9ee6fe07b139c8dd0ca62efa0c708c29e957666550978","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-4","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-2",306,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fascending-to-divinity-cover.jpg"]