[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-ascending-to-divinity":3,"chapter-ascending-to-divinity-ascending-to-divinity-chapter-44":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},2280594,4461,"Chapter 44: Susu","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-44",44,"\u003Cp>Five hours passed quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the cultivation chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian opened his eyes; invisible energy surged around him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Shenque energy formed a self-sustaining cycle, extremely stable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cultivation is not something achieved overnight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It requires steady, persistent effort.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian exhaled and stood up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chamber door was half-open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The teaching assistant walked in, smiling: “Jiang Jian, your time is up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian nodded: “I know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each department’s lead instructor carries several teaching assistants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The status of teaching assistants is not low.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because during cultivation classes, assistants often train alongside students.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, the position of teaching assistant is very important.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It has even become indispensable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian stepped out of the cultivation chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not far ahead, a glowing orb floated in midair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please extend your hand and place it on the Spirit Array Tester.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assistant smiled, “Just a slight surge of spirit energy is enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian stepped forward, extended his hand into the orb, and activated the Jing Ling Zhen Fa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A thread of spirit energy drifted out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beneath the orb, a delicate mechanical spirit array was connected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The instant the spirit energy appeared,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the mechanical spirit array activated immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Light interwove.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few seconds later,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>a cold voice emanated from the mechanical spirit array.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cultivation Progress Test: Duration 5 hours.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pre-test spirit energy cap: approximately 5% of Divine Bestowal Realm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Post-test spirit energy cap: approximately 5% of Divine Bestowal Realm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Estimating improvement score…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Estimation successful!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Score: 83.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing the test result, Jiang Jian’s expression remained calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spirit energy cap rises slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is common knowledge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This mechanical spirit array, capable of detecting minute increases in spirit energy cap through energy fluctuations, is already remarkably precise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few meters away,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Tiezhu heard the voice and his eyes lit up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He strode over and extended his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiang Jian, hello.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian paused, then reached out and lightly shook his hand: “Hello.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Tiezhu spoke gently, with goodwill: “My test score is 79—slightly lower than yours.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian said: “That gap is negligible, almost insignificant.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Besides, my innate talent is Shu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shu, whether in cultivation speed or foundational strength,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>is slightly superior to the other five Divine Bestowal types.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Tiezhu lifted his wrist and activated his identity device: “I live in Fourfold Jiangcheng, a local student from Linjiang Province—I’m fairly familiar with this place.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Locking yourself away won’t yield results.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiang Jian, if you have cultivation questions, let’s exchange communications and share insights.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian replied: “Alright.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They exchanged identity device information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two stood aside, watching others’ score tests.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other students had begun exiting the chambers one by one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Tiezhu leaned closer, lowering his voice: “Shi Luohua’s score is low.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian raised an eyebrow and turned his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dozens of meters away,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>a girl with a ponytail stood alone, still scrolling through her identity device.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had not enabled privacy mode.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Faintly, the sound of a soap opera could be heard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Tiezhu’s expression was peculiar: “She spent five full hours—not cultivating, but watching dramas.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>he extended his hand toward the testing mechanical spirit array: “I came out early—I heard her score. I couldn’t believe it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian turned his gaze away and fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He did not ask what Shi Luohua’s score was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Tiezhu had no intention of telling him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression, however, was deeply odd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Xuan stepped out of the cultivation chamber, eyes gleaming with excitement, stopping before the testing array.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cultivation Progress Test: Duration 5 hours.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pre-test spirit energy cap: approximately 1% of Divine Bestowal Realm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Post-test spirit energy cap: approximately 1% of Divine Bestowal Realm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Estimating improvement score…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Estimation successful!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Score: 75.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing the score,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Xuan’s smile widened as he glanced around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He strode toward Jiang Jian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiang Jian, I got 75!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Shi Xuan spoke, spirit energy leaked from his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>his control over spirit energy was imprecise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian nodded: “That’s already quite high.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Tiezhu also nodded in approval: “Your cultivation speed isn’t slow—you’ll likely rank in the top ten!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I hope so!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Xuan grinned, “I never expected that using Spirit Energy to Form a Gang  would boost cultivation so fast!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>fifty new students emerged from the chambers in sequence for testing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the massive aerial vessel,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just what is going on with the Shi family’s eldest daughter?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jian stood at the hatch, gazing down at the students and assistants below, speaking in a low tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside him, an assistant stepped forward and whispered: “From my observations, she seems to have her own cultivation plan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jian snorted: “Arrogant due to her talent, stubborn in her ways—she’ll pay for it someday!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A Level 4 Divine Bestowal is indeed impressive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assistant smiled: “But to you, my lord, it’s nothing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve trained far too many Level 4 talents.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Still,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“this year’s new students are abysmal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Out of 1,800, she’s the only one with a Level 4 talent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's only natural to become arrogant.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Speaking of which,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The teaching assistant smiled with a look of recollection. \"I remember one year, when you first became head of the department.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That cohort of freshmen had fewer than ten students who broke through to Level 4 talent.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In the seventeen prefectures of Linjiang, prodigies gathered!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This young lady of the Shi family.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If she had been in that cohort,\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The teaching assistant chuckled. \"She wouldn’t even have been able to keep up with the tail end of the convoy!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they spoke,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fifty freshmen had completed their tests!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jian adjusted his expression, then leapt down directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dust scattered in all directions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The freshmen of the First Academy all turned to look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jian walked up to the test spirit array and said solemnly: \"The tests are complete. Rankings will now begin!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mechanical spirit array surged with streams of light, revealing a luminous screen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the semi-transparent screen,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fifty names gradually became clear, from top to bottom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Number One: Jiang Jian, 83 points.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Number Two: Shan Ye, 82 points.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Number Three: Liu Tiezhu, 79 points.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Number Six: Mu Ying, 75 points.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Number Seven: Shi Xuan, 75 points.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Number Fifty: Luohua, 0 points.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The results were out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most of the freshmen wore expressions of disbelief, staring at the girl with the ponytail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Zero points!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How can someone with Level 4 talent have no score?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is impossible!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She’s Level 4 talent!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The top freshman of this cohort!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The freshmen whispered among themselves in small groups.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Jiang Jian, who had taken first place,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>it drew little discussion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Level 3 talent, Art.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was already rare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian had scored the same as Liu Tiezhu in the departmental assessment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To these freshmen,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian was already universally recognized as an outsider prodigy from another continent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several seconds passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many withdrew their gazes and turned to Zhang Jian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the test,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jian had said outright:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The five students at the bottom of the rankings would be expelled from the First Academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of this, the freshmen felt a sense of schadenfreude, their eyes fixed on Zhang Jian, waiting to see how he would handle it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Xuan, equally stunned, whispered: \"Level 4 talent gets expelled? I don’t believe he has the guts!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Tiezhu’s eyes gleamed with amusement. \"If Level 4 talent gets kicked out, our First Academy would become a joke.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian shook his head, saying nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Be quiet.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jian pressed his hand downward and cleared his throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This test is your first exposure,\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"to your secondary talent.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When paired with your innate talent, cultivation is inevitably awkward.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Therefore,\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jian’s expression remained unreadable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This ranking will not use an elimination system.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as he spoke,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the freshmen’s expressions shifted dramatically, and a chorus of boos erupted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1299,"2026-06-20T01:21:34.271Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","d6f3d73489942b81fcba8ea74ae091af780d978085e277ad5cc5b87a7f0a1844","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-45","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-43",306,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fascending-to-divinity-cover.jpg"]