[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-ascending-to-divinity":3,"chapter-ascending-to-divinity-ascending-to-divinity-chapter-89":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},2280639,4461,"Chapter 89: Near the Divine","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-89",89,"\u003Cp>The interdimensional shuttle hovered in the sky, surrounded by churning clouds and mist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Only after entering the Divine Gift University did I realize.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When you cultivate, money isn’t money at all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl fiddled with the Frost-Flight Bracelet and walked to the viewport, gazing down at the Anhezhou region.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji Xue followed Jiang Zhao, snuffling loudly with her nose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao turned around, stroking the gray fox’s head, and asked: “Jiang Jian, must you cultivate?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian said: “Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao asked: “Can’t you just live without cultivating?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian fell silent for several seconds, then said: “In the Divine Gift realm, lifespan is 150 years.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In the Gushing Spring realm, lifespan is 300 years.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked at his sister: “That feeling of death—complete loss of awareness, loss of self.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve experienced it many times.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Every time I recall it, it suffocates me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t want to go through it again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not even once.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian’s tone was calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao said: “But I didn’t think that far—I just want you to be happy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing her words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian’s voice softened: “Just being able to live forever is enough to make me happy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pointed to the three books on the bed: “For the next few days, stay here and study in peace.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian walked toward the cultivation chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the door closed, Jiang Jian glanced at Ji Xue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji Xue flicked her tail, signaling she would take care of Jiang Zhao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you a demon?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao stroked the gray fox’s ears, her expression curious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji Xue sneered: “I’m a spirit beast, not a demon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao asked: “What’s the difference?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course there’s a difference.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji Xue waved her paw, and threads of spiritual light shimmered into view: “Demons cultivate demonic power.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Spirit beasts cultivate spiritual power.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She lifted her head: “Besides, my bloodline is extremely valuable—far more precious than wild demons without identity artifacts.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gray fox had been raised since infancy by the Academic Affairs Office, her mind carefully shaped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had long since come to believe, deep in her heart, that she was not independent—that she was an expendable appendage to be traded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao curled her fingers and gently rubbed the fox’s fur, falling silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cultivation chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian took out the wooden box and opened the lid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A snow-white pill, no larger than a bottle cap, appeared before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian stared at the pill; heavy memories surged from deep within his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There. Done.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black-robed man withdrew his hand, looking at the girl lying motionless on the bed, his tone relaxed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But you must pay attention to a few things.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy knelt on the floor, his face as pale as paper: “What things?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black-robed man said: “Soul Separation Syndrome means her spirit and body are naturally disconnected.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve temporarily repaired it—but there are side effects.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When she wakes, she’ll develop an unusually strong attachment to whoever provided the repair material.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If that person rejects her or distances themselves…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Her emotions will tremble, and her spirit and body will immediately risk separating again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black-robed man looked at the boy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By the time she reaches adulthood, her spirit and body will be able to fuse autonomously.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then, the side effects can be completely eradicated.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy asked: “How do you eradicate them?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man turned away; his long, flowing robe stirred as jet-black strands of hair lifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When that time comes, find a woman. She will give you what you need.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After consuming it, her spirit and body will merge perfectly with the repair material.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She’ll be indistinguishable from a normal person.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black-robed man stepped forward, ascending upward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A bloodstained white handkerchief drifted down from his sleeve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy stared at the handkerchief, stepped forward, and picked it up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment’s hesitation, he asked: “Where are you going?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black-robed man did not turn back; he chuckled softly: “Of course, to keep saving lives.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I am a Divine Learning physician, whose skill borders on the divine—able to restore the dying to life.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This twisted world…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Has too many, too many pitiful souls waiting for me to save.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wide black robe faded into the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dissolved into dust within his memory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian put away the wooden box, sensing his fragmented spirit, his emotions churning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few seconds later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian suppressed his thoughts, steadied his mind, and forced himself into cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the Shen Que point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demonic power water mass continued to deplete.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cultivating here greatly hones precise control over spiritual energy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Spiritual energy surged within the chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian guided the spiritual energy in a cycle while stripping away its impurities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the demonic power water mass sustaining him, his cultivation speed didn’t slow—it accelerated further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun rose, moon set.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The interdimensional shuttle hovered among the clouds; several days had passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the cabin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you want to eat today?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gray fox trotted on all fours to the virtual cabin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Same as yesterday—pounded chili pork trotter rice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cabin lid opened; Jiang Zhao stepped out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On her slender white wrist, the Frost-Flight Bracelet glowed faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over these past few days,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>she had been attending classes regularly within Anhe Academy’s virtual environment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though she had taken seven days’ leave, Jiang Zhao had missed not a single lesson.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gray fox curled her tail around the ingredient pack, placed it in the food machine, and pressed the start button.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within minutes,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>a steaming bowl of fragrant pounded chili pork trotter rice sat before Jiang Zhao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the cultivation chamber door opened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiang Zhao.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian placed the wooden box gently on the table: “Take your medicine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao whispered: “Okay.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She opened the box, cupped the pure white pill in her palm, and sniffed lightly: “So fragrant.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian fell silent, just watching her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll eat it now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl placed the pill into her mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few seconds later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked up at Jiang Jian, her expression strange: “Why are you staring at me like that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian stared at her and said: “What do you feel?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nothing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao shook her head. “Just cold—like a chill seeping into my lungs and organs. Now I can’t feel it at all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian said, “Eat. Afterward, I’ll take you back to the academy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More than ten minutes later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Cross-Domain Shuttle descended through the clouds, heading toward Anhe Academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My sister’s illness is cured.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A weight has been lifted from me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian stood before the cabin window, watching the academy draw nearer, and for once, he exhaled in relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His mind was pure, his thoughts clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the speed of his Qi’s natural circulation had increased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the academy gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Cross-Domain Shuttle cast a massive shadow, drawing countless students to stop and look up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just days ago, this luxurious shuttle had arrived once, causing a huge stir.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The forum at Anhe Academy had already exploded with rumors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao, a first-year student at this academy, was actually the sister of Jiang Jian from Linjiang Academy!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Linjiang Academy—the number one Divine Gift university in the prefecture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian himself ranked third in the Ladder Ranking Tournament!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among seventeen Divine Gift universities, over forty thousand new students.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian’s name had long been legendary; his battle recordings had been viewed over a million times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even at Anhe Academy, there were many supporters of Jiang Jian!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many students gathered, gazing up at the Cross-Domain Shuttle, whispering among themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Linjiang Academy treats top students way too well!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Look at their luxury shuttle—compare it to our school’s broken one!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t talk nonsense—I have a friend at Linjiang Academy. This shuttle belongs to Jiang Jian himself, not issued by the school!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What? His own? He bought a shuttle this big? How rich is he?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So Jiang Zhao is actually a rich, beautiful girl?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A noble lady has been right beside me?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But most people’s attention remained fixed on the Cross-Domain Shuttle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such a luxurious shuttle had never appeared in Anhezhou before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the public shuttles of the prefecture paled in comparison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhaozhao, are you feeling better?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boarding ramp lowered. Zhong Ling stood at the academy gate, her face filled with concern as she stepped forward to support Jiang Zhao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao nodded lightly: “Much better.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good, that’s good—I don’t have to worry anymore.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Ling exhaled in relief, then turned her gaze to Jiang Jian on the ramp, her eyes bright with excitement and shyness: “But your brother is really handsome.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao was speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Ling turned her head aside and whispered: “Can you help me get his identity device info?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s doable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao nodded. “But he’s been training nonstop since morning—he probably won’t have time for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Ling blinked, her inner gossip flame igniting: “Linjiang Academy has so many beautiful girls. Is your brother still single?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes,” Jiang Zhao glanced back. “He has his own goals. He’s not interested in romance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they spoke,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian descended the ramp and stopped beside Jiang Zhao, transferring another sum to her: “Focus on your training. If you have any questions, message me anytime.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On her identity device, a notification chimed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Transfer successful: 400,000 Alliance Coins.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your balance: 387,609 Alliance Coins.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian turned and walked toward the cabin door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He briefly calculated his own training resources.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After giving his sister this sum, he had 380,000 left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His spending limit still had 400,000.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For now, it was more than enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, he still had sixteen pieces of refined iron unsold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The massive income from selling the refined iron was the main source of his Alliance Coins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Below the ramp,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao bit her lip, falling silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Another 400,000 Alliance Coins.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She knew clearly—this was the resource Jiang Jian gave her for training.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Everything related to training is so expensive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The average citizen barely earns enough to eat. Training? It’s a dream.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao returned to Anhe Academy, her mind filled with thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She no longer resisted training as she once had.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Maybe I should try hard at training.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao sensed the talent orb floating within her Shen Que: “Perhaps I’m not worse than others.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the “Spiritual Wisdom” talent Jiang Jian had purchased for over a million Alliance Coins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that instant, her mindset underwent a fundamental change.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But Jiang Jian must train too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Perhaps the money he gave me was scraped together from his own needs.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I need to find a way to earn credits myself, climb the rankings, seize resources.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking this, her gaze hardened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unconsciously,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao’s Soul-Departure Syndrome had fully healed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her soul and body now merged seamlessly, indistinguishable from a normal person’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Cross-Domain Shuttle sped through the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Far in the heavens, the silhouette of Tianzhu Mountain was barely visible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My sister still cares about me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian opened his identity device, staring at over a dozen messages of concern, his brow furrowing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are the aftereffects still lingering?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment’s thought, he replied to one message.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I haven’t had an episode in a long time. Maybe I won’t need medicine anymore.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few seconds later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhao sent back: “Take your medicine on time, or I’ll transfer the money back to you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reading the message,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian exhaled in relief: “She clearly refused me, yet showed no extreme reaction.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The aftereffects must be completely gone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He swiped away the message.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deep within his spirit, as if a massive boulder had been lifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Qi in his Shen Que circulated faster, unconsciously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Next,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Before my fragmented soul collapses entirely,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I must glimpse the Spirit Platform.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Reach that realm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No matter what.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All must be done.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian stood before the porthole, spiritual energy surging around him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demonic power water mass within his Shen Que gradually diminished, strand by strand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji Xue stopped beside Jiang Jian, all four paws planted: “Just now you told me to send the message—Liu Tiezhu has replied. He’s shared the learning task; we depart tonight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian nodded: “When the time comes, park the interzone flyer at the fleet yard, then return to the dormitory building.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll get off directly and head to Liu Tiezhu’s interzone flyer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji Xue flicked his tail: “Alright.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian flipped his palm lightly, taking Han Guang in hand; the blade shimmered with flowing light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Spiritual energy brimmed—just a slight infusion would summon frost-white sword qi, sharp and peerless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Two Prefectures Martial Duel.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rich in resources.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After completing this large learning task, the Martial Duel should begin.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jian looked at the holographic screen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On it was Liu Tiezhu’s shared message.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Learning Task: Clear the Tianzhu Mountain.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Reward: 10,000 study credits.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Duration: 20 days.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2124,"2026-06-20T01:21:34.271Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","231291395c0883612a95c51f61ea493a8996be37e39fe3b45bb51a45c4e74d68","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-90","ascending-to-divinity-chapter-88",306,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fascending-to-divinity-cover.jpg"]