[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-ascending-to-divinity":3,"chapter-ascending-to-divinity-ascending-to-divinity-chapter-70":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},2280620,4461,"Chapter 70","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-70",70,"\u003Cp>The machine butler stammered in silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a while.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It walked over and picked up the coffee cup.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I still think, if someone’s truly pitiful, helping them out isn’t wrong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After reflecting on what had just happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The machine butler still held to its own view.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No wonder you only have pseudo-self-awareness.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian set down the wooden sword and said softly, “How can you be sure what it said was true or false?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You need to understand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ghosts are born from grievance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Their essence is the aggregation of resentment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian pointed at the holographic screen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The surveillance replay showed the ghost’s face twisted in fury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To achieve their goal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They disguise themselves using memories from their past lives.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They use every possible means to stir your inner softness.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lying, fabricating, deceiving.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They spare no effort.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian turned off the identity device.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The holographic screen dissolved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The machine butler’s form was that of a young woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing Jiang Jian’s words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its expression clearly wavered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian whispered, “I never discriminate against any race.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All beings with spirit are living beings.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ghosts, filled with resentment, have but one in ten thousand who are truly conscious.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Their thinking differs vastly from that of humans.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What you just saw—the ghost speaking like a human—was merely illusion and disguise.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here, he paused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian picked up Han Guang and placed it into the virtual chamber’s scanning unit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Facing ghosts.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When I was young, I once believed in them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Later, I nearly died outside.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The particle glass dissolved; the virtual chamber flickered with faint light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian stepped inside, looked up at the machine butler, his gaze cold and clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As a technological construct, refusing an order.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If it happens again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I will cut you down with one sword.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The glass lid sealed shut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The machine butler stood frozen for a long while.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It shifted its body and walked toward the mechanical room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Total number of students in the district: 42,720.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your ranking: 650.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Scanning for a divine-awarded weapon… simulating…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Simulation successful!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the floating stone arena, Jiang Jian opened his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fine specks of light coalesced; Han Guang hovered before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As expected.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian took Han Guang, sensing it briefly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This simulation, Han Guang became a Level 3 divine-awarded weapon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian spun a sword flourish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Invisible sword qi scattered in all directions, slicing through the air with sharp whistles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blade’s edge was icy, cold as white frost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian stood with sword in hand, tapped the holographic screen, and initiated the ladder match.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few seconds later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Match successful!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian raised Han Guang and slashed upward!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The swordlight howled past, instantly shredding the opponent into fragments!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You have won this round of the ranking match!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your ranking: 124.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Special notice: You have achieved thirty consecutive victories!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian’s expression was odd; he held Han Guang before his eyes, examining it closely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No wonder.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shi Xuan’s divine palace spiritual essence was clearly weaker than Liu Tiezhu’s.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But his Moon-Chasing Knife was too sharp.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It even let Shi Xuan carve through the ladder matches like cutting melons.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Those millions of Alliance coins weren’t wasted.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Level 3 divine-awarded weapons are extremely powerful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With only a small amount of spiritual energy, they unleash tremendous power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian swiped the holographic screen, initiating another match.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet his mind turned to one thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Level 3 divine-awarded weapons cost millions of Alliance coins apiece.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though expensive, someone always has the means to afford them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Students near the top of the rankings likely possess Level 3 divine-awarded weapons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More than one!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, to purify his spiritual energy, Jiang Jian had bound only the Wish Jade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But theoretically, after the Ritual of Divine Invocation,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone could bind multiple divine-awarded weapons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, the virtual chamber imposed a restriction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its scanning unit could scan only one item at a time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Binding more would be useless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Match successful!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The holographic screen dissolved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dozens of meters away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A beam of light, like lightning, tore through the air!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian had no time to dodge; he thought, and a crimson light barrier instantly appeared before him!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Divine palace spiritual energy surged forth, thickening the barrier!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The light beam struck the crimson barrier, rippling outward and shattering into fragments!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s a spell,” came a flippant voice. “I just love breaking turtle shells.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dozens more beams of light surged forth, hurtling toward Jiang Jian!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dozens more beams of light surged forth, hurtling down toward Jiang Jian!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The beams hammered continuously against the crimson barrier, igniting dazzling fireworks!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brilliant light exploded, rain of sparks!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind the crimson barrier, Jiang Jian stood motionless, expressionless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet his divine palace spiritual energy surged wildly, constantly sensing the opponent’s position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spiritual energy of the Shenque dantian surged wildly, constantly sensing the other’s location.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your turtle shell is pretty tough.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From within the gap of the light rainbow, that flippant voice came again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Found you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian’s gaze turned icy; in an instant, he pinpointed the opponent’s position and slashed out a sword strike!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Hanguang sword light had been building for a long while.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it doesn’t move, it doesn’t move—but when it does, it explodes like thunder!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sword’s howl roared like thunder, crashing like a sudden storm!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A blazing white sword rainbow surged upward, blazing across the arena, instantly obliterating all light streams and slamming toward the corner of the platform!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>CLANG!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>CRACK!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The piercing clash of metal and iron!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A clear, sharp cracking sound echoed across the floating stone arena!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fuck, my treasure armor!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, that voice erupted in furious shock!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its tone carried deep, hidden terror and awe!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the blink of an eye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian gave him no chance to breathe—he leapt upward, pushing the Shenque spiritual energy to its peak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holding Hanguang horizontally, he and his sword crashed straight toward the arena’s corner!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Around him, blood-red light flames roared fiercely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where the true fire passed, the air hissed as if scorched!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>CRACK!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An even sharper, more piercing crack rang out!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The so-called \"treasure armor\" shattered into ash in an instant!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the man was utterly stunned, he still moved in a flash, summoning multiple protective measures before him!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian arrived with sword in hand, the blood-red light flames trailing behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sword light swept through, shredding every defense, its momentum nearly spent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Jingling.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crimson flames instantly surged!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Jingling true fire engulfed and consumed him, reducing him to ashes!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You have won this ranking match!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your ranking: 67.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Special notice: You have won 31 consecutive matches!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian paused briefly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sensed his Shenque spiritual energy had fully replenished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Match again!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few seconds later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Match successful!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Special notice: Opponents in the top 100 receive one minute of preparation time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the floating stone arena, a transparent light barrier separated them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the center of the barrier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A 60-second countdown was prominently displayed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Linjiang Academy, Jiang Jian.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy across from him wore Shaoshuizhou Academy’s uniform and called out Jiang Jian’s name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His weapon was a spear nearly two meters long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spearhead was silver-white, with flickering lightning coursing along its blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian remained silent, his pale fingers gripping Hanguang, threads of bloodlight swirling around them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1212,"2026-06-20T01:21:34.271Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","f79dfb30698914eb97989562917e3d82208d23479cf01839f2cc6e382de68f06","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-71","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-69",306,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fascending-to-divinity-cover.jpg"]