[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-ascending-to-divinity":3,"chapter-ascending-to-divinity-ascending-to-divinity-chapter-60":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},2280610,4461,"Chapter 60: Sword Beneath the Peach Blossoms","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-60",60,"\u003Cp>The moon hung high in the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian sat by the bed, quietly cultivating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the window, the mansion’s lights burned brightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pale moonlight streamed through the lattice windows, spilling downward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Illuminating the boy’s pale face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Daily cultivation is the best way to hone patience.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Around Jiang Jian, spiritual energy was extremely scarce.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Almost imperceptible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet in his heart, not a trace of irritation stirred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, he morbidly polished his patience, savoring this desolation and solitude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Without noticing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since healing her illness.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It has been ten years.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian’s dark eyelashes trembled; he opened his eyes and gazed at the bright moon outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silver moonlight spread across the mortal world, cold and noble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unchanging since ancient times, silent as death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guangling City, Shadow District.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Public Care Center.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother… brother…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl’s expression was blank; her lips moved faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian looked at her, silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since childhood, Jiang Jian had known.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was foolish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian held a bowl of soup, scooped a spoonful with a wooden spoon, and brought it to the girl’s lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tasty…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl grinned; leftover broth dripped from her soft lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian set down the bowl and stepped out of the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The courtyard was littered with blood, drawing swarms of flies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They buzzed around the stinking corpses, feasting greedily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You came, as I knew you would.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian stood at the door, holding a wooden sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few meters away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man looked at the boy, as if smiling: “You’re only seven, yet you actually killed them all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy, with red lips and white teeth, smiled innocently: “They wanted to send me to die, so I made them die first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man continued laughing until he coughed, even spitting crimson streaks of blood that stained his pure white handkerchief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy’s smile vanished; he asked: “Is the method to cure her real?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course it’s real.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man stepped forward, extending a slender white finger toward the boy’s black hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy’s face was expressionless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tilted his head slightly, avoiding the finger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t move.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man coughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy fell silent for a moment, then did not evade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s her name?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man touched Jiang Jian’s hair and suddenly asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy said: “She has no name.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man said: “She needs a name to be cured.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy looked up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The star-strewn night sky was impossibly distant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only the pale, cold moon illuminated heaven and earth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“From today on.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Her name shall be.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy spoke softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiang Zhao.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sun rose, the moon set.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the blink of an eye, dawn broke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian opened his eyes and ended his cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He checked the time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>7:30 a.m.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s still time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian rose, opened the door, and headed for the bathroom: “Pan-seared hot dog, fresh milk.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mechanical butler stepped out of the machine room with a smile: “Alright.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Twenty minutes later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian had bathed, eaten, and changed into his academy uniform.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He fastened the Hanguang, took the elevator down from the mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiang Jian.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the air-sled, Shan Ye smirked: “Your romantic luck is truly impressive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian boarded the air-sled and asked: “What do you mean?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shan Ye sighed: “A friend asked me for your identity device info—she’s very fond of you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here, the girl blinked: “She’s incredibly beautiful; there’s no girl in our academy more beautiful than her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian sat down and said: “Did you give it to her?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shan Ye nodded lightly, studying Jiang Jian; her smile grew increasingly suggestive: “I wouldn’t give it to just anyone—but she’s truly beautiful, and she suits you perfectly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian fell silent, opened his identity device, and indeed saw several new messages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the adjacent seat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Tiezhu looked awkward: “Shan Ye’s just like this—I’m used to it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Xuan sat beside him, cradling Zhuyue Dao, saying nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cabin door sealed shut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bathed in golden sunlight, the air-sled slowly ascended, leaving behind the Three-Reaches Jiangcheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In just over ten minutes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air-sled merged into the Tianzhu Mountain Corridor, heading toward the First-Reaches Jiangcheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the window, brilliant light streams flashed past rapidly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dense and countless—nearly ten thousand in number.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each streak of light was a commercial air-sled, circling the Five-Reaches Jiangcheng and the Tianzhu Mountain Corridor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From afar, they looked like a magnificent rain of luminous light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shi Xuan, why have you been so quiet lately?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shan Ye turned her head, breaking the cabin’s silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Xuan blinked, then smiled: “Nothing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, the jade bracelet on his wrist emitted tiny glimmers of light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian glanced at Shi Xuan, saying nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For some reason, over these past few days, Shi Xuan’s Shenque spiritual essence had noticeably increased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Tiezhu sat calmly, eyes closed, cultivating his spirit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the window, light and shadow alternated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amidst the dappled play of light and dark, darkness gradually swallowed all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Arrived at mission location.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please disembark.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A cold mechanical voice echoed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sky-skiff slowed to a stop, its hatch opening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Tiezhu suddenly opened his eyes, a sharp gleam flashing in them, leaping down the gangway first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian followed behind him, stepping down from the sky-skiff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Tiezhu lifted his head, gazing at the towering structure nearby, and said gravely: “Demon energy surges skyward, nearly boiling over—we must be cautious.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian’s gaze sharpened as he looked ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The building before them was also an ancient pavilion from centuries past.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It could even be called a “palace.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dozens of magnificent palaces, carved beams and painted rafters, glowed with bright lantern light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In stark contrast to the silent darkness surrounding them on all sides.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shan Ye walked over and said: “The mission details state that some of these buildings have mutated into demons. We must supervise their repairs.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Tiezhu nodded: “To repair the buildings, we need their bodies. Now that they’ve become demons, gained sentience, and developed self-preservation instincts, they naturally resist.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Xuan said coldly: “I hope they pretend to obey while secretly resisting—that gives us reason to strike, execute them, and claim more refined iron.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With those words spoken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Xuan gripped his Moon-Seeking Blade and walked straight toward the palace gates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shan Ye’s fingers twitched, forming a spell incantation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The surrounding spiritual energy surged, accelerating its circulation dramatically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian and Liu Tiezhu followed closely behind, entering the palace gate—yet sensing no anomaly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Xuan turned and stepped on a broken stone slab.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All around, silence fell instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Tiezhu sensed something, and suddenly shouted: “Get out of the way!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the words were fully out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The towering palace gate behind them twisted and contorted, rising to its feet, two massive fists slamming down toward Shi Xuan!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Xuan’s expression didn’t change; his surrounding martial aura blazed fiercely, and in a flash, he shifted several meters away, evading the strike!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ground cracked beneath the impact, shards of stone flying everywhere!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Xuan channeled spiritual energy into his martial aura, intensifying the blade’s glow; with his Moon-Seeking Blade, he spun and slashed at the demon gate’s waist!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With martial aura enhanced, the blade's light blazed brilliantly, shattering countless fragments of buildings and carving a massive gash across the demon's waist!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You dare ambush me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Xuan spoke coldly, leaping into the air, driving his spiritual energy into the blade’s aura, slashing again with another devastating cut!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stones exploded outward in all directions!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ten-meter-tall palace gate demon was cleanly severed at the waist!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dust billowed; the demon’s eyes lost their luster, collapsing like a mountain falling, crumbling entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demon was slain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet neither Liu Tiezhu nor Shan Ye showed any sign of triumph.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian’s expression grew grim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dozens of palace buildings had come alive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One by one, they rose to their feet, cold eyes gazing down upon them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dozens of building demons—some towering nearly ten meters!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The overwhelming pressure nearly suffocated them!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sudden sound shattered the silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A stone-like object fell to the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian knew—it was refined iron.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>no one dared to pick it up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Each of them individually is merely ordinary.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s just that there are too many.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Tiezhu said gravely: “They seem afraid of casualties—unwilling to fight us head-on.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian whispered: “That demon just now—it sacrificed itself deliberately, to test our strength.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With those words spoken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Tiezhu and Jiang Jian exchanged a glance, both vaguely understanding the demons’ intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They wanted to survive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Open rebellion meant breaking the law—no matter what, death was certain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So they sent only a few demons to probe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they judged that killing Jiang Jian and his group would cost too many lives, they’d change their plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the distance,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>a pillar demon approached and spoke: “That one just now lost control—did he hurt you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Xuan snorted, about to reply, but Liu Tiezhu stopped him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Tiezhu stepped forward and shook his head: “No harm done. We’re only here to supervise repairs—no other intentions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pillar demon, its top crowned with a pavilion, smiled without warmth: “Which buildings need repair?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shan Ye activated her identity device, opening the mission details.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before them appeared a lifelike holographic projection of the palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shan Ye checked it and said: “Fuyun Pavilion must be restored to 100%.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Piaoyu Pavilion must be restored to 100%.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Most importantly, Feiluan Palace must be restored to at least 60%.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she spoke,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the pillar demon grew visibly tense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Shan Ye fell silent,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the pillar demon exhaled as if relieved: “Ah, just those three pavilions. Rest assured—we’ll begin repairs immediately.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It turned and walked back into the crowd of demons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few minutes later,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>over a dozen towering pillar demons stepped forward, moving to the original location of “Fuyun Pavilion.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their expressions twisted in agony, spiritual energy surging wildly as they tore off massive chunks of their own bodies to fill in Fuyun Pavilion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each fragment was part of their demonic bodies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some even tied to their spiritual essence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Losing their spiritual essence could mean severe injury and near-death—or complete bodily collapse and instant death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian and the others stood silently, watching the demons repair the building, saying nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few meters away,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the refined iron lay on the ground, reflecting flickering light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Half an hour later,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the golden and splendid Fuyun Pavilion rose anew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dozen demons staggered back, exhausted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several, having lost too much essence, collapsed outright, dust rising as they slipped into unconsciousness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next instant,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>more demons stepped forward, taking position at “Piaoyu Pavilion,” beginning repairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Piaoyu Pavilion gradually regained its full form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Xuan lowered his voice: “We can’t let them complete the repairs.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian’s expression remained calm; he whispered: “Don’t rush.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With those words spoken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian turned his head and looked at Liu Tiezhu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Tiezhu gave a slight nod and said, “Leave it to me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before these few, Liu Tiezhu had never revealed his talent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Jiang Jian had long suspected something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Tiezhu’s divine gift was likely related to detection, sensing, thought, or consciousness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few minutes passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Tiezhu looked at Shan Ye: “Are you ready?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shan Ye nodded: “Recording has started.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many demons had already repaired the “Fuyun Pavilion” and the “Piaoyu Pavilion.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The remaining demons had nearly all gathered before the “Feiluan Palace.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1899,"2026-06-20T01:21:34.271Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","70d589a93413a3982b85a534666b55681b1beabb5616bf059fc5bbcea1cf89f0","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-61","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-59",306,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fascending-to-divinity-cover.jpg"]