[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-ascending-to-divinity":3,"chapter-ascending-to-divinity-ascending-to-divinity-chapter-52":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},2280602,4461,"Chapter 52: Pity","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-52",52,"\u003Cp>Shan Ye is a local student from Linjiangzhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She has an extremely high sense of self-worth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her innate talent, “Endless Vitality.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Greatly aids her Qi cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until now,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>she believed Jiang Jian had only secured the top rank in the cultivation class competition through his “Technique” talent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He just earned first place in the ranking match for the cultivation class.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>she witnessed Jiang Jian’s battle with Shi Luohua with her own eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And just now, she had brief contact with Jiang Jian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It deeply shook Shan Ye’s heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Time meant for entertainment, used for cultivation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Time meant for play, used for cultivation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Time meant for daydreaming, used for cultivation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Time spent on the vehicle, used for cultivation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can I do this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shan Ye silently shook her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I simply cannot.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I am human.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have seven emotions and six desires.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have countless needs.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cultivation is only one part of my life.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not the whole of it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I simply cannot be like him…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shan Ye gazed out the window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countless thoughts swirled within her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I am not his equal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking this,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shan Ye suddenly exhaled, relieved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All the minor prejudices she had held before\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>collapsed completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without realizing it,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>fine beads of sweat had formed on her pale forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The airship halted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shan Ye took a deep breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next instant,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>she picked up her bag, walked up to Jiang Jian, and said seriously: “Jiang Jian, my name is Shan Ye.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian gave her a strange look but replied: “Alright.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Xuan was also surprised and added from beside: “We already know that—why repeat it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shan Ye smiled without answering and stepped off the airship first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shan Ye is always so thoughtful—I wonder what she’s thinking now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Tiezhu watched her back and changed the subject.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The meals here are expensive—don’t overcharge me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the restaurant,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the group took their seats.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Clear-simmered bird’s nest, 11 Alliance coins.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lemon cod, 9 Alliance coins.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Curry crab, 6 Alliance coins.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Caramelized fruit custard, 7 Alliance coins.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Exquisite dishes arrived one after another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to their usual meals,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the cost here was clearly much higher.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Tiezhu picked up a piece of cod and said: “What are your thoughts on the study mission?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian said softly: “I need a large amount of credits.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Tiezhu replied: “The reward must be good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Xuan said gravely: “I agree with Jiang Jian—ideally, it should also refine our combat skills.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Tiezhu said: “It must help us grow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here, he turned to Shan Ye: “Shan Ye, what about you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was eating heartily, a spoonful of soup still in her spoon; after swallowing, she said: “I’m fine with anything.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Tiezhu nodded, opened his identity device, and swiped rapidly: “I found a study mission that roughly fits our needs.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was eating heartily, a spoonful of soup still on her spoon; hearing the question, she swallowed the food and said, “I’m fine with anything.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian opened his identity device and viewed the mission Liu Tiezhu had forwarded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Study Mission: Silt Removal from the Grey River.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Credit Reward: 800.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mission Brief: The Grey River, a tributary of Shaoshui, runs through Shaoshuizhou. Shadow zones have lax enforcement and weak patrols; non-citizens dominate the river, using its water veins for cultivation. Silt has clogged the riverbed, blocking water flow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mission Details: Drive out non-citizens from the river.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mission Note: Those who defy regulations will be arrested on the spot and sent to First-Weight Jiangcheng. Those who actively resist will have their actions recorded immediately and executed on the spot for resisting patrol officers.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mission Basis: Linjiang Prefecture Patrol Order, River Management Law, Non-Citizen Protection Law.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Additional Reward: For each non-citizen criminal arrested and sent to First-Weight Jiangcheng, 100 credits.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Task basis: Linjiang Prefecture Inspection Order, River Management Law, Non-Citizen Protection Act.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bonus reward: Arresting non-citizen lawbreakers and escorting them to Chongjiang City. 100 credits per non-citizen criminal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Xuan frowned and said: “I know Shaoshuizhou well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Grey River flows through seven shadow districts.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s filled with spirits, ghosts, and demons.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Some are powerful—some have cultivated for over a hundred years.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We couldn’t defeat them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Tiezhu shook his head and pointed at the device: “Look closely—you only need to clear silt in one district to get 800 credits.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He swiped the screen, pulling up a map of Shaoshuizhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of these seven districts, we only need to pick one.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shishan County is perfect.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Xuan thought for a moment: “Shishan County is indeed remote—likely no strong figures there.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shan Ye shook her head beside him: “But 800 credits is far too little.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Tiezhu laughed: “That’s where you’re wrong—this kind of mission’s real reward lies in the bonus.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Xuan asked: “What do you mean?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“These non-citizens are cunning,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Tiezhu continued. “They know,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“that every so often, someone comes to clear the river.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So no matter if they can fight or not,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“they hide away.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Letting us complete the silt removal easily.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But our real goal isn’t silt removal at all!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Tiezhu tapped the table, turning to Jiang Jian: “If this mission is handled well, we can earn massive credits!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian, after studying the Shaoshuizhou map, nodded slightly: “I understand your idea.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Tiezhu’s eyes gleamed with anticipation: “Go on.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian smiled faintly: “First—set a trap.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Xuan asked: “What trap? Are you going fishing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian shook his head: “Setting a trap means gathering them together.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Xuan asked, “What are you baiting for? Are you going to fish?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“make these spirits and demons break the law.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let these spirit and ghost creatures violate the laws.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then can we act and arrest him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deliver him to First River City to earn credit points.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian’s expression turned thoughtful. “I even suspect.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This learning task was invented by Linjiang Academy just to fill up First River City.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Tiezhu turned to look at him; their eyes met, and he smiled with a simple, earnest expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First River City holds non-citizens who have committed capital crimes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Non-citizens who violate the laws are growing fewer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The number of non-citizens sent from the seventeen prefectures of Linjiang Province is also declining year by year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gods, in their mercy, permit all living beings to exist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether the Solar System Code or the Earth Alliance Law.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both clearly stipulate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No living being may be discriminated against.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Earth Alliance explicitly forbids the buying, enslaving, imprisoning, or abusing of non-citizens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So in recent years,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tianzhu Mountain’s Linjiang Prefecture has exhausted its efforts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet still found no way to fill the increasingly empty First River City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although the Earth Alliance is predominantly human,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>with the Prayer Hall in place, no one dares openly violate the laws.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shan Ye continued eating, head down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Xuan thought for a moment, then came to his senses and said, “I understand, but we’re still new students—we don’t have Xu Kequan to accept learning tasks.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Tiezhu nodded: “So this is only a temporary plan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“On Saturday night.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’ll exit the new student phase and gain full student Xu Kequan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At that time,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“we’ll not only be able to accept learning tasks, but also join the Ladder Rankings.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Xuan asked: “Only the Hui River dredging? Do you have any other options?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Tiezhu shook his head. “No rush—we still have several days. We’ll take our time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There are many learning tasks.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hui River dredging isn’t the only choice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1247,"2026-06-20T01:21:34.271Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","413f2be643536876d5524f71e14857b0ee1efa1b50e0495013c8297b86239a02","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-53","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-51",306,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fascending-to-divinity-cover.jpg"]