[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-ascending-to-divinity":3,"chapter-ascending-to-divinity-ascending-to-divinity-chapter-75":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},2280625,4461,"Chapter 75: Shadows","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-75",75,"\u003Cp>By the Shaoshuizhou River.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The river water was cold, never seeing sunlight all year round.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The vegetation along both banks was thick, appearing in a strange black-yellow hue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hundreds of meters above, floating lantern wheels hung, casting pale, sickly light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The bulbs in the Shadow Zone are truly unbearable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The aerial shuttle glowed blue as it landed on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hatch opened, and Shi Xuan leapt out first, his face pale. “I feel like throwing up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He leaned on his Yueyue Dao, hunched over, gagging several times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian descended the gangway, gazing up at the lantern wheels, silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This place was the Shadow Zone of Dayan City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No different from the Shadow Zone of Guangling City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiang Jian.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Tiezhu landed lightly, raising an eyebrow. “You don’t seem to mind the Shadow Zone’s environment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A city was divided into two zones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Shenzhao Zone floated in the sky, its vast city-ring spreading outward, blocking out the sun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Shadow Zone’s illumination relied entirely on floating lantern wheels, with no distinction between day and night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many who came to the Shadow Zone suffered nausea and discomfort from the lantern wheels’ radiation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m used to it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian said softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Tiezhu’s eyes widened. “Do you often come to the Shadow Zone?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>students admitted to the Divine Bestowal University were assumed to come from the Shenzhao Zone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not to mention the First Academy of Linjiang Academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Xuan clutched his chest, raised his head, and explained: “Jiang Jian is a resident of the Shadow Zone in Guangling City.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These words fell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only did Liu Tiezhu’s gaze tremble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Shan Ye and Yin Yin showed surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A Level 3 talent from the Shadow Zone still has such good grades?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shan Ye looked at Jiang Jian; after shock, his expression turned to admiration. “As far as I know, even Level 2 talents are rare in the Shadow Zone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No wonder.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Tiezhu snapped back to himself, opened his identity device. “Let’s go check the pasture first—something here is unusual.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regarding Jiang Jian’s identity as a Shadow Zone resident,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>none of them showed any discrimination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Xuan stepped forward, fearing Jiang Jian might harbor resentment, his face apologetic: “I just vomited because it was truly unbearable—not because I look down on the Shadow Zone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian smiled. “I know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they spoke,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the pasture gate thirty meters away opened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you students from Linjiang Academy?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A delighted voice rang out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A man in sportswear strode out, his tone urgent: “The White Jade Sheep are almost all stolen!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Tiezhu stepped forward, his voice grave. “You’re the owner of the Dayan Pasture?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man in sportswear nodded. “I’m Zhao Lei, responsible for this pasture.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over a dozen soldiers stood in two rows, rifles in hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Academy entrusted this task to your pasture, and in just one week, you’ve lost over twenty White Jade Sheep!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Tiezhu stepped through the gate, comparing the information on his identity device, his expression dark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian walked beside him, approaching the fence to gaze at the herd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over a hundred White Jade Sheep were scattered sparsely across the vast pasture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pasture was filled with black-yellow vegetation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The surrounding fence was tall; armed soldiers stood guard every few dozen meters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At this rate, even a mosquito couldn’t fly in.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shan Ye walked up beside Jiang Jian and whispered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian nodded. “This is a Non-Citizen Incident.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Non-Citizen Incident.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It referred to non-citizens within the Shadow Zone violating laws, destroying property, disturbing the peace, or causing harm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If reported, such incidents were typically handled by the Inspection Court.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this pasture was entrusted by Linjiang Academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Dayan City Inspection Court had come to investigate but dared not take it on themselves, instead reporting it upward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve reviewed all the surveillance—I can’t find any cause!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Lei’s plaintive voice came. “You don’t believe me? Go check the footage!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surveillance room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A massive holographic screen split into hundreds of small panels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It monitored every detail of the pasture, twenty-four hours a day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Here!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Tiezhu suddenly spoke, his finger swiping.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One screen replayed the footage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dozens of White Jade Sheep were grazing by the riverbank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few seconds later, they returned to the pasture’s interior—but several were missing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Have you gone down to this river?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Tiezhu asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Lei replied: “I sent people to check multiple times. There’s nothing in the river.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Tiezhu frowned for several seconds, then looked at Jiang Jian. “This river is definitely suspicious. Let’s go take a look.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian nodded. “Agreed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fence opened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dozens of armed soldiers followed behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tell them to go back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian glanced at them and spoke softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Lei waved his hand; the soldiers immediately turned and walked away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian sensed these men were poorly cultivated; their Shenque Spiritual Resonance ranged from 1% to 3%.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most adults, without passing the Divine Bestowal University entrance exam,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>never surpassed 3% Shenque Spiritual Resonance in their entire lives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There doesn’t seem to be anything unusual here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the riverbank where the White Jade Sheep vanished, Liu Tiezhu sensed the area, his frown deepening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The river water was icy cold, the chill almost striking the face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet looking down from the bank, the river was crystal clear, with barely any aquatic plants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian turned his head, glancing at the riverbank’s end. “Let’s split up and search.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Tiezhu walked left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin Yin’s expression shifted slightly as she walked beside Jiang Jian. “Jiang Jian, have you noticed anything?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian followed the riverbank to the fence’s end. “This is a forbidden array set by the Academy’s staff.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The river’s source is Shaoshuizhou.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This array was likely meant to prevent something from sneaking in from the river.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beneath the fence, faint light pulsed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian bent down, examining the array closely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The array is intact.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin Yin said. “But the White Jade Sheep did vanish right here by the river.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>his identity device buzzed with a communication.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Tiezhu’s voice came through: “My section of the river’s forbidden array is undamaged.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mine too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After replying, Jiang Jian shut off the communication, staring at the clear river water, his brow slightly furrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin Yin whispered, “The white jade sheep is very valuable—could the ranch owner have stolen it himself and used fake surveillance to deceive us?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian pondered for a moment, then shook his head. “The surveillance here has backups at the academy; he shouldn’t dare do this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But you just said he stole it himself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian’s gaze sharpened. “I’ve thought of another possibility.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1102,"2026-06-20T01:21:34.271Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","cdb8a0d8997dc56c8704a9c7ab7777a6a85a42b1c306dd1ff4c23df862cee556","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-76","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-74",306,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fascending-to-divinity-cover.jpg"]