Ch. 181Becoming an Official Disciple of the Ascension Star Palace
Chapter Summary: Becoming an Official Disciple of the Ascension Star Palace
Key Plot Points and Events
- The first trial, Astral Baleful Tempering, concludes. The intense force eliminates roughly thirty percent of the participants, but Chen Xuan endures it effortlessly due to his fully developed Chaos Body and powerful physical foundation.
- Chen Xuan observes several other exceptional cultivators who also pass with ease:
- Chi Xiao, protected by the Heaven-Burning Sacred Canon.
- Yue Wushuang, whose Lunar Force freezes the surrounding Astral Baleful Force.
- A powerful beast-bloodline cultivator, a silver-scaled young man, and several other hidden prodigies.
- Chen Xuan and Liu Qing exchange remarks about the trial. Liu Qing criticizes its crude, forceful nature, revealing that his own physical body is also unusually strong despite his seemingly low cultivation level.
- The second trial, the Divine Soul Trial, requires participants to send a fragment of their souls into the Eclosion Stele. Chen Xuan’s soul fragment is protected by his Chaos Divine Spark and its connection to the origin of the Primordial Yellow Great World.
- The stele evaluates Chen Xuan’s Divine Soul as twelfth rank, far exceeding the normal standard for a Fourth Layer Saint Realm cultivator. Liu Qing also passes without difficulty.
- The third trial, the Myriad Dao-Sound Array, tests comprehension. Participants must hear and analyze up to 99,999 sounds representing different laws within one month.
- Chen Xuan uses saved Zhaoxi Value to accelerate his comprehension. Thirty years of effective study pass within the month, allowing him to understand every sound of law in the array.
- The final rankings are announced. Chen Xuan takes first place, having heard and fully analyzed all 99,999 sounds. He receives a Supreme rating, described as an achievement occurring only once in one hundred thousand years.
- Chi Xiao ranks second with an Excellent Supreme rating, while Yue Wushuang ranks third with the same rating. Other previously observed prodigies also place in the top ten.
- The Ascension Star Palace announces the final list of 360 official disciples. Chen Xuan and the other selected cultivators are instructed to report to the Star Palace Branch Hall to receive identity tokens and introductory techniques.
Character Developments
- Chen Xuan demonstrates overwhelming advantages in body, soul, and comprehension. His calm performance establishes him as the foremost genius among the participants and confirms the value of his Chaos Body, Chaos Divine Spark, and accumulated Zhaoxi Value.
- Liu Qing continues to appear relaxed and enigmatic. His effortless performance suggests that his true physical strength and abilities are far greater than his apparent Grotto-Heaven Realm cultivation indicates. His playful exchanges with Chen Xuan also establish a friendly but potentially competitive relationship.
- Chi Xiao proves himself a top-tier prodigy by passing all three trials and ranking second, but Chen Xuan’s perfect performance leaves him visibly dissatisfied and competitive.
- Yue Wushuang remains calm and detached throughout. Even after ranking third, she shows little emotional reaction, reinforcing her image as an aloof and exceptionally powerful cultivator.
- Several previously unidentified prodigies are introduced, including the beast-bloodline cultivator, the silver-scaled youth, Feng Wuhen, and Shi Pojun, signaling future rivals or important figures within the Star Palace.
Significant Themes
- Innate foundation versus cultivation realm: Chen Xuan’s accomplishments show that physical constitution, Divine Soul quality, and comprehension can allow a cultivator to surpass those of a higher realm.
- Hidden strength and concealed identities: Many participants appear ordinary at first but possess remarkable physiques, bloodlines, techniques, or origins.
- Comprehensive excellence: The trials test body, soul, and understanding, emphasizing that true genius requires mastery in multiple aspects rather than strength alone.
- Competition and recognition: Chen Xuan’s unprecedented result attracts admiration, suspicion, and hostility, marking his transition from an unknown participant to a widely recognized rival.
- The value of preparation and resources: Chen Xuan’s decision to reserve Zhaoxi Value proves decisive in the comprehension trial, showing the importance of patience and strategic planning.
Character Interactions
- Chen Xuan and Liu Qing engage in light, mutual teasing after surviving the first two trials, acknowledging one another’s unusual abilities.
- Liu Qing openly points out the effect of Chen Xuan’s victory on the other prodigies, especially Chi Xiao.
- Chen Xuan observes Chi Xiao’s displeasure but remains indifferent to the rivalry.
- Chen Xuan briefly exchanges attention with Yue Wushuang, though her detached response prevents any meaningful interaction.
- The announcement of Chen Xuan’s first-place ranking changes how the other successful candidates view him: he is no longer an unknown contestant but a major competitor whom they must take seriously.