[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-ascending-to-divinity":3,"chapter-ascending-to-divinity-ascending-to-divinity-chapter-43":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},2280593,4461,"Chapter 43","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-43",43,"\u003Cp>Zhang Jian’s gaze was sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He scanned the crowd, then looked at Shi Luohua.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression softened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“According to the examination rankings.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You start first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the sound of the voice,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the girl with a ponytail lifted her head and said softly, “I have nothing to ask.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jian paused, studying her closely, then said, “Then here is your resource package.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With those words,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jian turned around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He waved toward the aerial shuttle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More than a dozen staff members descended from the aerial shuttle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each carried a heavy crate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In addition,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>there was a man clad in star-patterned robes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression was calm, standing to one side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jian stepped forward, gazing at the star-robed man with a smile: “Thank you for your efforts.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The star-robed man shook his head and said, “Conducting the binding ceremony is the duty of the Prayer Hall.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Transporting the resource packages is merely incidental.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nothing more.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even so,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jian still bowed his thanks: “We are in your debt.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the staff moved with swift efficiency.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had already delivered Shi Luohua’s resource package into her hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among them,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>was an extremely precious “Level 3 Talent Orb.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Luohua stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She bowed slightly to the star-robed man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The star-robed man waved his hand and said, “Take the Talent Orb and the Divine Gift Weapon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl obeyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In her fingers, she cradled a crimson stream of light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Radiance shimmered brilliantly, drawing all eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint, delicate cracking sound echoed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Luohua’s body trembled slightly, her brows furrowing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if enduring pain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few seconds later,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the star-robed man said, “The Talent Orb has been placed into your Shen Que acupoint.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Divine Gift Weapon has also been bound to you. You may begin using it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jian looked at Shi Luohua and said, “Timing begins now: five hours!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With those words,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>a screen immediately appeared on Shi Luohua’s identity device.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Remaining Time: 300 minutes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Luohua glanced at her identity device.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her face turned pale, and she stepped back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jian turned his head and continued calling names: “Liu Tiezhu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Tiezhu stepped forward, his smile earnest, and asked, “Teacher Zhang, I do have some questions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nearby,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Xuan’s face darkened as he muttered, “Five hours—what can you possibly achieve?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His talent was “Guiyuan Gangqi.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although it came with a corresponding cultivation method,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>its cultivation speed was extremely slow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian looked up at Shi Xuan and said, “Your second talent is Qi Transformation into Gang, isn’t it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Xuan nodded. “Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian said, “Qi Transformation into Gang comes with a cultivation method.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Begin cultivating with that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It should be faster than your innate talent, Guiyuan Gangqi.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Xuan sighed. “I can only do this for now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he said so,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Xuan knew well:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Transformation into Gang was merely his second talent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its cultivation ceiling\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>could never compare to that of his innate talent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at this moment, with the ranking tournament approaching,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>if he ranked too low,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>and got kicked out of the First Academy by Zhang Jian,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>it would be a terrible loss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they spoke,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Tiezhu had already completed his binding ceremony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He too began his 300-minute timer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Second place: Jiang Jian.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jian called out loudly, his gaze turning to Jiang Jian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>two staff members lifted a crate together\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>and set it heavily down before Jiang Jian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Student Jiang Jian, inside this crate\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>are the academy’s benefits, the First Academy’s benefits,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>and the official seal and approval from the Prefecture Office—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>a Level 3 resource package.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the staff member spoke, he opened the heavy crate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside, neatly arranged, lay numerous cultivation materials.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most striking of all,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>in the corner of the crate,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>a flow of Hua Yu light swirled and danced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hold it in your hands.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The star-robed man’s voice was gentle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian extended his palm and lightly touched it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The delicate petals of light immediately spiraled around him, dancing joyfully between his fingers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And your Divine Gift Weapon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The star-robed man spoke again, “Without a binding ceremony, you cannot use it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The staff member quickly bent down, retrieved a jade pendant from the crate, and handed it to Jiang Jian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Level 2 Divine Gift Weapon you selected: Qiyuan Jade.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiyuan Jade enhances divine affinity and slowly improves Qi recovery and circulation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian stepped forward and took the Qiyuan Jade in hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint, delicate cracking sound suddenly arose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian felt a sharp pain pulsing in his Shen Que acupoint.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scattered flow of light had already vanished between his fingers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shenque Point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crimson flower rain danced and fluttered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dark Scent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Includes cultivation method: Dark Scent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without a sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian already knew the precise details of the talent orb.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The simple binding ritual was already complete.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Wish Jade was placed in the uniform pocket.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Against the heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The touch was cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it an illusion?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian instantly felt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flow of Qi had genuinely quickened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the binding ritual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Divine-gifted weapons establish a connection with Qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even at the Shenque Point, there was now the aura of the divine-gifted weapon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Making it hard to lose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“One Wish Jade.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It is enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Binding more divine-gifted weapons will only scatter the Qi.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian lowered his gaze to the jade bracelet on his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Qi Gathering Bracelet, manufactured with Jupiter technology, was worth 170,000 Alliance Coins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Microscopic arrays were engraved on the jade bracelet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It could absorb starlight to slightly accelerate cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had arrived last night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is a technological device.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It does not require Qi to activate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It complements the Wish Jade.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It can increase my cultivation speed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By thirty percent!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian half-closed his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Carefully sensing the surging, vibrant Qi at the Shenque Point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not far away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The staff member pointed to the crate and said, “We’ll deliver these cultivation materials to your dormitory building.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian took ten portions of cultivation herbs from the crate and packed them into his backpack. “Send the rest to my room.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jian looked at Jiang Jian and said gravely, “Jiang Jian, do you have any cultivation questions?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian paused, then said, “Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jian nodded. “Speak.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian asked, “Can cultivation fully replace sleep?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jian was stunned, then looked deeply at Jiang Jian and said, “Yes—but not yet for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jian continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cultivation requires conscious awareness, or accumulated subconscious habit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To draw in Qi.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And guide it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To complete the cycle.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve only recently participated in the Divine Gift Ceremony and just begun cultivation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your subconscious has not yet formed the habit of cultivation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not until at least six months later.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Will you be able to cultivate while sleeping.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At this stage.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Never abandon sleep.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Otherwise.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your physical strength will weaken, your spirit will grow hazy, and your mind will become weary and heavy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That is not beneficial.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saying this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jian activated the timer. “Five hours. Go cultivate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Toward Jiang Jian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone was gentle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the department head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jian had watched all fifty students’ division evaluation videos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A score of 97 was dazzling enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Jiang Jian were not an out-of-region student.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could very well have been the top-ranked newcomer among the 1,800 in this division evaluation!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He is very likely the top-ranked among the 1,800 new students in this divisional examination!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A notification came from his identity device.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Remaining time: 300 minutes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian stepped aside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Carefully sensing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The subtle changes in Qi after “Dark Scent” was implanted at the Shenque Point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cultivation speed has increased by thirty-five percent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Half a percent higher than I expected.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian activated the Pure Qi True Method, his eyes brightening slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since “Dark Scent” was a genuine Level 3 talent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The activity of Qi at the Shenque Point had also increased accordingly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Added to the divine-gifted weapon, the Wish Jade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the technological device, the Qi Gathering Bracelet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian’s cultivation speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had increased dramatically compared to before!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beneath the indoor training ground were many cultivation chambers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All these chambers had their doors half-open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These quiet rooms all had their doors half-open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could accommodate one student.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian found a clean chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sat down directly on the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Activated the Pure Qi True Method and began cultivating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Above the chamber, slanted and bright, a skylight poured in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Starlight converged into a single beam.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Forty percent!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian gently closed his eyes, feeling the warm sunlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cultivation speed increased again!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shenque Point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thin strands of Qi continuously formed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Circulating again and again along the meridians.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Circling the meridians, again and again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each cycle slightly strengthens it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spiritual energy limit of the Shenque acupoint is also slowly increasing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1479,"2026-06-20T01:21:34.271Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","4e1b2b7e892a5b1ac69779aec9a5caaf8a7b8f738eeb99525457100ee37a331a","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-44","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-42",306,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fascending-to-divinity-cover.jpg"]