Ch. 181Treasure Artifact
Chapter Summary: “Treasure Artifact”
Key Plot Points and Events
- Chen Lie passes the Divine Sense Master Association’s test almost instantly by breaking a high-level Mental Power restriction on a Psionic Crystal Card in under ten seconds. The steward is shocked but allows him access to the second floor and promises him ten jin of Spirit Nourishing Flowers.
- Shen Miaowei also reaches the second floor. Zhang Ruoya from East River Province attempts to befriend her, citing her exceptional Sea of Consciousness Score of 450,000 and boasting about his own powerful Consciousness Spirit. Shen politely declines, prioritizing Chen Lie.
- On the second floor, the group learns that high-level Divine Sense Masters are attempting to unlock a set of Black Prayer Beads containing a powerful Mental Power restriction created by an Outer Stars Divine Sense Grandmaster.
- The artifact is revealed to have been cultivated by a powerful Mental Power practitioner. Although it is not a genuine Mental Power Treasure Artifact, Chen Lie recognizes that it is a valuable spiritual object—roughly equivalent to a half-grade treasure—that could aid long-term cultivation.
- Lu Kun, president of the Guannei Province Divine Sense Master Association, announces a challenge: anyone who can crack the restriction or provide a successful method will receive any Mental Power Treasure they request.
- The assembled Divine Sense geniuses begin trying to solve the restriction, but the early attempts fail. Cui Jinyang also tries and returns after ten minutes, discouraged.
- Chen Lie chooses to observe rather than immediately participate, suggesting that he understands the difficulty and may be waiting to assess the restriction further.
Character Developments
- Chen Lie: Demonstrates extraordinary Mental Power ability by effortlessly breaking the test restriction. His skill is evidently far beyond what others expect, and he quickly becomes one of the strongest candidates to solve the Black Prayer Beads’ restriction. His restrained attitude shows confidence and patience.
- Shen Miaowei: Remains respectful but distant toward people who approach her for connections or comparison. She clearly trusts and prioritizes Chen Lie, and she recognizes that his abilities are unusual even though she avoids openly revealing what she knows.
- Zhang Ruoya: Presents himself as talented and ambitious, emphasizing that his Consciousness Spirit surpasses many geniuses. His pride reflects the rivalry between East River Province and Cloud River Province.
- Shen Huajie: Acts as Shen Miaowei’s elder and representative, encouraging her to participate in the challenge and facilitating her connections with other cultivators.
- Cui Jinyang: Introduced as a Grandmaster Seed with a Sea of Consciousness Score of 230,000. He attempts to establish a relationship with Shen Miaowei but is rebuffed socially and fails to crack the artifact’s restriction.
- Zhao Jinglan: Treats Chen Lie warmly as a younger brother and openly defends him against Zhao Jingchen’s accusations. Her confidence in Chen Lie’s abilities is based on his past help with her cultivation and her knowledge of the strength of his Consciousness Sea World.
- Zhao Jingchen: Continues to resent Chen Lie for injuring her brother and defeating her in competition, but her complaints are dismissed by Zhao Jinglan, who considers the conflicts matters of skill rather than personal hostility.
- Lu Kun: Organizes the gathering and offers an exceptionally generous reward, highlighting the importance and rarity of the artifact.
Significant Themes
- Hidden strength and underestimated talent: Chen Lie’s seemingly simple test reveals abilities vastly beyond the expectations of the association and the assembled experts.
- Competition between provinces and geniuses: Characters compare scores, cultivation achievements, and backgrounds, especially across Cloud River and East River Provinces.
- The value of genuine ability over status: Although many prestigious experts and “Grandmaster Seeds” are present, none can solve the restriction, while Chen Lie quietly stands out as the most capable.
- Pride and social hierarchy: Shen Miaowei’s reserve, Zhang Ruoya’s confidence, and Cui Jinyang’s attempts to connect with her reflect the importance placed on reputation, rankings, and regional identity.
- Mentorship and personal loyalty: Zhao Jinglan’s relationship with Chen Lie demonstrates trust based on past assistance, contrasting with the competitive and transactional relationships among many other cultivators.
- The limits of conventional knowledge: Even numerous high-level Divine Sense Masters are helpless before the Outer Stars restriction, suggesting that Chen Lie’s unique methods may be necessary.
Important Character Interactions
- Chen Lie and the steward: Chen Lie’s rapid success changes the steward’s skepticism into surprise and respect.
- Chen Lie and Shen Miaowei: Shen Miaowei consistently stays near Chen Lie, prioritizes him over potential social connections, and invites him to inspect the artifact with her.
- Shen Miaowei and Zhang Ruoya: Zhang’s attempt to form an alliance fails because Shen is uninterested in his self-promotion and refuses to leave Chen Lie waiting.
- Shen Miaowei and Cui Jinyang: At Sun Zhen’s urging, she reluctantly adds Cui as a Green Bubble contact but rejects his suggestion that they travel together afterward.
- Zhao Jinglan and Chen Lie: Their familiar “older sister/younger brother” relationship is reestablished, showing mutual trust and affection.
- Zhao Jinglan and Zhao Jingchen: Zhao Jinglan firmly takes Chen Lie’s side, arguing that Zhao Jingchen and her brother were simply defeated fairly and that Chen Lie even showed restraint.
- Lu Kun and the gathered geniuses: Lu Kun challenges the group to cooperate in solving the artifact’s restriction, transforming the gathering into a major test of ability.