[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-ascending-to-divinity":3,"chapter-ascending-to-divinity-ascending-to-divinity-chapter-30":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},2280580,4461,"Chapter 30: Feiqiong","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-30",30,"\u003Cp>At some point, it began.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the window, darkness fell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shuttle had already entered the lower levels of the Fifth Jiangcheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Around the shuttle, faint blue lines flickered past.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those were the array patterns of the “Celestial Pillar Mountain Array.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Below, the vast steel city sank into suffocating darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence as death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crash!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After several minutes, a thunderous impact suddenly echoed outside!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Light surged across the window; the shuttle halted at the edge of the array patterns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Information appeared on each of their identity devices.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“First Jiangcheng, East District, Market Zone, Block 32, Xinghua Shopping Mall.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The examination is about to begin.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Remaining preparation time: one minute.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cabin door slowly opened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Xuan stepped forward, long knife in hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian followed closely behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a vast urban square.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Around them, utter darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countless towering buildings stood silent in the dark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Occasionally, faint blue currents flickered into view.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Examination begins!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Remaining time: 120 minutes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the voice echoed from their identity devices.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The towering shopping building ahead instantly lit up!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian looked up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the massive signboard, six characters read: “Xinghua Shopping Mall.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hum!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blinding streetlights flared one after another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In mere seconds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire mall blazed with light, as bright as daylight!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At some point, the examination shuttle had departed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Xuan, holding the Moon-Seeking Blade, walked ahead: “Let’s go in.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yu held an oil-paper umbrella, walking beside Song Ling, a few steps behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian glanced at Du Fang and said: “You walk ahead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du Fang hesitated slightly, then said: “Then be careful.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a thought, he activated the Pure Spirit True Flame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thin strands of blood-red flame curled around his pale, slender fingers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sizzle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flame scorched the air with a hissing sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du Fang and the others had already entered the mall’s entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian stood at the threshold, turned back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced at the dense cluster of buildings hidden in the darkness behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he turned and stepped into the Xinghua Shopping Mall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blinding light flooded his pupils.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before him, gold and jade shimmered in splendor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian squinted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment, he slowly adjusted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This mall looks small, yet it has six floors.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Xuan stood before the service counter, gazing upward at the spiral light staircase connecting all six levels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian fell silent briefly, then said: “We only have 120 minutes. If they hide and stall…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du Fang flipped his palm; a semi-transparent long sword appeared in his grip. “Why not split up and search?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After all, the proctors are watching—we won’t be in mortal danger.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian shook his head, saying nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Xuan smirked: “That’s true—but if you’re attacked, crippled, how many points will your score earn?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned his head, glancing at Jiang Jian. “Jiang Jian, you just said you feared they’d deliberately hide. That’s not something to worry about.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Most unofficial citizens here would rather die than miss a chance to escape.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After all, First Jiangcheng has no sunlight, no end to darkness, and food is scarce.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As time passes, their cultivation regresses.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In the end, they die slowly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Those who hide, hoping to survive one more day, clinging to life, waiting to die—that kind of unofficial citizen is rare.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Xuan suddenly spun, slashing the Moon-Seeking Blade with full force!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A terrifying invisible blade aura roared out, striking the plush toy beside them!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A shrill sound of shattering echoed!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The giant balloon toy swayed unsteadily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next instant, it exploded into countless fragments!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Team Alert: Doll Monster deceased.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Number of unofficial citizens slain: 1.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Xuan sneered: “Still trying to ambush us?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment he spoke,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The surrounding lights suddenly dimmed!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian’s pupils contracted; the Pure Spirit True Flame surged wildly, engulfing his entire body!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next second,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A venomous, piercing shriek pierced his eardrums!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sizzle!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lights blazed back to full brightness!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A ghost clung to Jiang Jian’s back, bound and searing in the Pure Spirit True Flame!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its face twisted in agony, emitting hideous, guttural cries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Die.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian spoke coldly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood-red flames surged violently, reducing the ghost to smoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Team Alert: Shopkeeper Ghost deceased.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Number of unofficial citizens slain: 2.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Personal kills: 1.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The identity device beeped again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s bad!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Ling’s voice, frantic, came from ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian looked up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du Fang was being dragged by a tentacle, foaming at the mouth, drenched in blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Xuan stood motionless before a claw machine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yu had vanished entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian frowned slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment’s thought, he activated the Pure Spirit True Flame and sent it roaring toward the tentacles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sizzle!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where the blood-red flame passed, the wooden-frame dolls instantly turned to ash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tentacle, touched by a single spark of flame, writhed in pain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It thrashed wildly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flung Du Fang hard onto the floor!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Ling rushed forward, gritting his teeth as he activated his talent: “Soul Healing!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A gentle white light glowed forth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du Fang’s wounds immediately stopped bleeding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few seconds later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He awoke from unconsciousness, pale-faced, swaying as he stood up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Xuan still stood before the coin machine, voice hoarse: “I’m trapped by the Coin Ghost, Jiang Jian—smash this thing!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian glanced at him, eyes thoughtful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the boost of Soul Healing, Du Fang had regained some strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Shi Xuan’s words, he immediately activated Ten Thousand Forms Sword Qi, ready to show off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stop!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian blocked him. “Come with me right now!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du Fang’s sword qi swirled in his hand. “But Shi Xuan is trapped there…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian’s tone turned cold. “He’s not Shi Xuan at all!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Open your eyes and look closely!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He doesn’t even hold the Moon-Seeking Blade!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian flipped his palm, took the wooden sword in hand, and walked straight toward the second floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du Fang looked over—and saw that the “Shi Xuan” held nothing in his hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was suddenly chilled with fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few seconds later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du Fang forced himself back to awareness, face pale with dread, and hurried after him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the claw machine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The “Shi Xuan” stood with his back to Du Fang; sensing the three growing distant, his expression turned venomous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Ling asked: “If it can’t move, why don’t we kill it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian shook his head. “We haven’t formally cultivated—we can’t control Qi precisely.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If we accidentally shatter the claw machine, something bad might happen.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian glanced back. “Like dozens of ghost dolls surging out…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Song Ling fell silent at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Spiral staircase.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Ling continuously activated “Soul Healing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du Fang’s wounds slowly healed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Jiang Jian’s depleted Qi had been fully restored.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stop!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian suddenly spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stood on the second-floor staircase, looking up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A three-meter-tall pink doll blocked their path, waving countless tentacles, its mouth shrieking incessantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s the thing that dragged me away just now!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing it, Du Fang’s eyes turned bloodshot with rage—he slashed his transparent longsword downward!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dozens of fine, transparent sword qi streaks lashed toward the pink doll!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sword qi howled, slicing open the doll’s skin, leaving it riddled with wounds!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1201,"2026-06-20T01:21:34.271Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","88373189fc10a9948efe74b832f13924a32f4c8e3b15412b3f52767d8b41bf03","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-31","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-29",306,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fascending-to-divinity-cover.jpg"]