[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-ascending-to-divinity":3,"chapter-ascending-to-divinity-ascending-to-divinity-chapter-5":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},2280555,4461,"Chapter 5: Mirror Flowers","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-5",5,"\u003Cp>“Jiang Jian, don’t be too heartbroken.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Chi helped Jiang Jian onto the security vehicle, his face filled with sympathy. “Take my car—I’ll take you back to Guangling No. 1 High!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The armored door slammed shut, leaving no one around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you for your concern, Senior. I’m feeling much better.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian settled into his seat under Zhou Chi’s support and asked, “By the way, Senior, what happened to that man in the suit?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Chi sat beside Jiang Jian, smiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He activated his identity device and pointed to the man’s photo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Captain Wang led the arrest personally—the suspect has been executed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian nodded. “Now that the real culprit is caught, I’m at ease.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The case was just withdrawn—evidence tied to the Zhao family was erased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This case must be reported to Anhezhou and a resolution demanded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Chi’s tone turned serious. “This man hired assassins—his crimes are heinous, and he will face proper punishment!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He leaned close to Jiang Jian, lowering his voice. “But the order to hire killers? That was entirely his own idea.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Zhao family runs a massive array business—even if they had the heart of a bear and the courage of a leopard, they’d never dare openly break the law.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the security vehicle received its directive and left Shenzhao District.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It sped through the clouds, descending toward Guangling No. 1 High below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiang Jian, add me as a contact.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Chi raised his wrist. “If anything comes up, just message me directly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Senior.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian swiped his identity device—there was a soft beep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The contact list flickered, and “Inspector Zhou Chi” appeared instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guangling No. 1 High sat beneath Shenzhao District, at the edge of the Shadow Zone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The security vehicle moved at high speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After just a few minutes, the school’s teaching building was visible through the window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Two years ago, I took the Divine Gift Exam and received the talent ‘Yi’—Level 2 ‘Observant to the Minute’—earning 36 Divine Gift points.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Chi gazed at his alma mater and suddenly spoke. “Though my theoretical scores were poor, I still used this Divine Gift to enter the Inspectorate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian hugged the black cloth bundle, staring out the window, his gaze trembling faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Level 2 Divine Gifts were rare and precious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each year, over thirty thousand eligible candidates took the Divine Gift Exam in both Guangling districts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only dozens or a hundred or so achieved Level 2 talents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The remaining tens of thousands all had various Level 1 Divine Gifts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Divine Gift points had a maximum of 50.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The municipal examination board scored them on the spot based on type and quality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Level 1 talents scored between 0 and 30 Divine Gift points.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Level 2 talents scored between 31 and 49 Divine Gift points.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Level 3 talents, regardless of type, always received the full 50 points.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Chi’s “Observant to the Minute” belonged to the uncommon “Yi” category.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Earning 36 points was already one in ten thousand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Senior’s Divine Gift talent is truly impressive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian said softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The security vehicle stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Chi stood up, gripping the armored door handle, turning to face Jiang Jian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But your thoughts, Junior, are as deep as an abyss—I can’t fathom them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Chi’s tone was strange, as if implying something deeper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian looked up and met his gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The heavy armored door slid open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blinding white light stabbed in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Chi spat. “The bulbs in the Shadow Zone are still just as harsh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian jumped out of the vehicle. “Senior, you’ve been in Shenzhao too long—you’re not used to the Shadow Zone’s light rings.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Chi leaned on the door, squinting. “The Divine Gift Exam is near. I wish you success, Jiang Jian. May you top the list.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll take your good wishes, Senior.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian walked to the school gate and checked his identity device.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was already 1 a.m.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“School rules forbid entry or exit after 10 p.m.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An armed guard blocked his path, expression stern. “For student safety, nighttime entry or exit is prohibited.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian had expected this. “Wait a moment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pulled out his identity device, swiped twice, and initiated a call.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two seconds later,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the device beeped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Student Jiang Jian, what is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A cheerful voice came through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian replied, “Teacher Zhou, I just returned from Chencang County—the school’s locked.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the voice, the armed guard’s expression changed. He asked, “Is this Teacher Zhou Yu?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The device’s voice replied, “Yes, let Student Jiang Jian in.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood, Teacher Zhou Yu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guard hurriedly pulled out his key, pressed his fingerprint, and unlocked the gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Yu, Guangling City’s top teacher and the pride of Guangling No. 1 High.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Schools in Shenzhao District had offered him huge sums to join them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Zhou Yu never wavered—he stayed at Guangling No. 1 High, earning deep respect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Teacher Zhou, sorry to bother you so late.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian walked along the tree-lined path, leaves rustling softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Yu’s voice came through, gentle. “Student Jiang Jian, I’m glad you returned to school so quickly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Divine Gift Exam is near—every minute counts. Don’t waste time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The call ended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian reached the dormitory building and swiped his identity device.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Verification successful.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mechanical voice announced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door opened. Jiang Jian stepped into the elevator and pressed a button.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next second, the doors sealed shut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The world fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if he were utterly alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian’s gaze passed through the glass, catching his own reflection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reflection in the mirror stared back—then twisted into a grotesque grin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian’s face remained expressionless. “I’m not placing an order.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reflection clung to the elevator door, sounding disappointed. “Your pre-exam break is too long—fifteen days! I lose so many Alliance coins.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Non-citizen, Mirror Spirit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These creatures existed only in the Shadow Zone, in scarce numbers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After capture, they were deployed in various roles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within a few hundred meters, their speed was extraordinary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One moment they retrieve an item, the next they deliver it to your room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They charge 1 Alliance coin per 100 deliveries, paid by Guangling No. 1 High.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elevator doors opened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian walked toward his dorm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Mirror Spirit’s voice came through, different from usual: “Actually, I envy you—you were born as Earth citizens.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its tone grew low. “I, a demon spirit, though born under divine grace,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>have no freedom whatsoever.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To gain Earth citizenship requires a price so astronomical it’s hopeless.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It shook its identity device. “The cost of freedom is simply too high.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian stopped walking and sneered, “You’ve been lucky enough—technically, you’re a nonofficial citizen with basic Earth human rights.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned around and looked at the twisted Mirror Spirit: “Countless ghosts are slain the moment they’re born—where do they go to seek justice?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Mirror Spirit blinked, then said, “Compared to them, I truly have no reason to fear for my survival.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian raised his hand and traced it across the dorm door, saying, “You don’t need to wallow in self-pity—in some ways, you’re no different from Earth citizens.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A mechanical voice echoed: “Verification successful.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian stepped into the dorm and shut the door behind him; soft light glowed to life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smoke curled from the mirror on the desk; the Mirror Spirit poked its head out, puzzled: “What do you mean by that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian smirked slightly and said, “Above the Shadow Zone lies the Divine Illumination Zone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Above Guangling City lies Anhezhou, and beyond that, Linjiang Prefecture.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To us, Linjiang Prefecture is already vast enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yet it’s still just a backwater corner of Earth.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian sat down, gazing at the swirling smoke in the mirror: “Of the 130 prefectures across the Earth-Moon Four Realms, billions of lives drift aimlessly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All are ants.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s the difference?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Mirror Spirit fell silent, stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian opened his backpack and began organizing his textbooks himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The top two books were his sister’s “Overview of the Divine” and “Brief Analysis of Stars.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Mirror Spirit suddenly asked: “If what you say is true, then what makes one not an ant?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian paused his movements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tilted his head slightly, gazing at the Mirror Spirit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed he had given the answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or perhaps he had said nothing at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence stretched for a long while.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Mirror Spirit suddenly seemed to realize something, trembling all over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It dared not utter another word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The smoke churned wildly, frantically burrowing back into the mirror, falling utterly still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1427,"2026-06-20T01:21:34.271Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","985da77f9166709c92dbbbfd3d177fc10c82231941a62df1006c04fa01167a00","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-6","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-4",306,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fascending-to-divinity-cover.jpg"]