Chapter 546: Why Aren't You Saying Anything, Are You a Mute?

Outside the Divine Stone Instance, everyone stared wide-eyed at the score on the screen, their expressions filled with disbelief.

The original score of 100 points was already shocking enough, breaking the highest record since the Divine Stone Instance was discovered. This feat made people realize that the score of the Divine Stone Instance was not limited to 95 points, but could reach or even surpass 100 points.

However, the changes that followed were even more jaw-dropping.

As Jiang Chen slaughtered the powerful puppets in the instance with unstoppable momentum, the score began to skyrocket like a rocket. When Jiang Chen first stood before the pavilion and successfully passed the tenth level, the score had already reached an astonishing 400 points.

Everyone thought this was the limit, but the score did not stop its mad climb.

Now, the score frozen on the screen was a full 1000 points. This meant that Jiang Chen had defeated twelve Level 80 puppets with combat power close to Divine Level in the instance, each puppet bringing him a huge Contribution of 50 points. The scores from the twelve puppets added up to exactly 600 points.

This achievement once again reshaped people's understanding, making them realize that Jiang Chen's strength had far exceeded their imagination.

After Jiang Chen successfully dealt with those puppets, his score instantly soared to 1000 points, shocking everyone.

This achievement had already gone far beyond the scope of breaking a record.

The people outside knew nothing of Jiang Chen's experiences in the instance, but from the soaring score, it was clear that he must have undergone a series of unprecedented trials.

The Difficulty of these trials was probably beyond imagination.

Everyone present, including those Divine-level Strongmen, had tried to enter the Divine Stone Instance, but without exception, they had all failed to qualify for the subsequent trials.

Hong Jishi couldn't help but mutter, "What exactly did Jiang Chen experience inside?"

Li Xueru frowned and pondered, "What's certain is that the trials inside must be exceptionally difficult."

"When Jiang Chen comes out, I must ask him thoroughly." A voice rang out, filled with a thirst for the unknown.

"Me too, what secrets does this ancient Instance hide?"

…

At this moment, Jiang Chen was excitedly holding a stone box. Inside the box, a Divine Stone shone brilliantly, as if it contained the stars of the entire universe.

"Skill Divine Stone: Possesses the ability to strengthen Skills, can strengthen one or more Skills, allowing them to break through their limits."

Looking at the description of the Divine Stone, Jiang Chen couldn't help but murmur, "So it is... this is the legendary Skill Divine Stone."

"This kind of thing really exists." His voice was filled with incredulity.

"How far did the development of professionals reach in the previous era? Why did they suddenly disappear?" Countless questions surged in Jiang Chen's heart.

He desperately wanted to know what had happened in that glorious era.

"I wonder if Antares can answer my doubts." Jiang Chen silently recited this name in his heart, deciding to seek his advice when he had the chance.

"Skill breakthrough limits..." Jiang Chen looked at the Skill Divine Stone in his hand again, a glimmer of anticipation shining in his eyes.

He did not use the Divine Stone immediately, because he knew that any precious item needed to be used at the right time.

His Skills were not yet fully learned, and he had not reached a point where there was nothing left to improve.

But Jiang Chen had already grasped the information conveyed by the Detection Technique—the Skill Divine Stone could break through the limits of Skills.

He looked forward to the day when his Skills reached a bottleneck; this Divine Stone would be his savior.

After breaking through the limits of his Skills, what kind of power would they display? Jiang Chen's heart was filled with endless anticipation.

Jiang Chen's gaze passed over the pavilion and looked behind, where a lush green Garden came into view. Further back was an open space, with no new paths or statues appearing.

Clearly, the trials had come to an end here.

When he put away the Skill Divine Stone, the entire Instance seemed to have some mysterious seal lifted. A faint fragrance drifted from the Garden, refreshing the heart.

Jiang Chen stepped into the Garden, and the sight before him instantly stunned him.

In the center of the Garden stood a rockery, only a little over three meters high, yet it appeared exquisite and elegant. What shocked him was not the shape of the rockery, but its material—it was actually built from Talent Divine Stones.

Any small piece of rubble taken from the rockery was a complete Talent Divine Stone.

"This must be tens of thousands of Talent Divine Stones, right? Using them to build a rockery—how wealthy must the people of that era have been?" Jiang Chen marveled. In their era, obtaining a single Talent Divine Stone was already a great fortune.

Now, before his eyes was a rockery made of Talent Divine Stones. He only needed to reach out to easily obtain these precious Divine Stones.

However, this surreal feeling made Jiang Chen hesitate.

He deeply understood the principle that fortune and misfortune depend on each other; the safer a place seemed, the more unknown dangers it often hid.

Nevertheless, with a hint of excitement, he cautiously approached the rockery.

Every step he took was extremely careful, afraid of triggering any mechanisms or traps.

When he reached the rockery, the sight before him was even more stunning.

He only needed to take half a step forward and reach out his hand to touch those Talent Divine Stones.

However, just as he was about to touch them, an invisible force blocked his way.

This force was incomparable to any Barrier or formation; it was intangible yet substantial, its level far surpassing any defensive means Jiang Chen knew.

It was very similar to the suppressing and disturbing force he had felt in the ninth level earlier, but now it was even stronger.

If before it was just a fine thread, now it had turned into a tough rope.

Jiang Chen tried several times but could not break through the restraint of this force.

He could only watch the rockery made of Talent Divine Stones, unable to touch a single one of them.

He walked around the rockery and found many Talent Divine Stones scattered on the ground behind it.

However, these Divine Stones did not seem complete; they all had some flaws.

Jiang Chen's heart stirred; he understood that these flawed Talent Divine Stones were the rewards the Instance gave to everyone.

The half Talent Divine Stones everyone had obtained actually came from this Garden. The half Talent Divine Stones, considered treasures in the outside world, were here like casually discarded stones, scattered in every corner of the Garden.

"Can I get these flawed Talent Divine Stones?" Jiang Chen curiously walked toward those Divine Stones and tried to reach for them. However, his hand still could not touch these seemingly within-reach Divine Stones. After several attempts, Jiang Chen could only give up helplessly.

He began to stroll through the Garden. Every flower here was so peculiar, as if they did not belong to this era. They emitted a captivating fragrance, each one appearing incredibly magical, as if containing endless power.

Jiang Chen's gaze was drawn to a flower burning with a blue Flame. This flower had six sapphire-like petals, swaying gracefully in the blue Flame, radiating a charming luster.

"It's so beautiful." A surge of impulse rose in Jiang Chen's heart, wanting to pick this flower for Lin Cai'er. However, just as he was about to touch the flower, a strong sense of alarm surged in his heart, and he abruptly withdrew his hand.

A thin layer of cold sweat broke out on Jiang Chen's forehead. He felt that his action just now was unusually impulsive, completely unlike his usual cautious self.

"Yo, not bad, you managed to wake up at the last moment." A voice suddenly rang out, breaking the tranquility of the Garden.

Jiang Chen looked up and saw a young man sitting on the rockery formed by Talent Divine Stones. The young man's figure was slightly hazy and illusory, as if light could easily pass through his body.

"Is this a soul body?" Jiang Chen's heart tightened. He could sense a powerful soul force emanating from this young man.

The young man laughed heartily, jumped down from the rockery, and instantly appeared before Jiang Chen. "You may call me Stone Spirit. I am the manager of this Instance." He introduced himself with a smile.

"I have been waiting for you to pass the trial, but it seems you still need some time." Stone Spirit continued, his gaze revealing admiration for Jiang Chen.

"Fortunately, you held back at the last moment, or the consequences would have been unimaginable." Stone Spirit said, a hint of relief in his tone.

"Do you know how dangerous the Flame on that Enchanting Blue Flower is? That is the Enchanting Blue Flame that can burn souls. Even if you possess Fire Element Immunity, you cannot withstand it." Stone Spirit's tone turned serious.

"If you had truly touched that Flame, do you know what would have happened? Your soul would have been burned to charcoal in an instant, a pain you could never bear." Stone Spirit continued describing the terrible consequences.

"Although as the manager of this Instance, I have the power to save you, why should I save you?" Stone Spirit shifted his tone, as if pondering something.

"However, I will still save you, because you are the first person in all these years to make it this far. I don't want you to die like this. I will do everything I can to protect you." Stone Spirit's voice revealed an inexplicable emotion.

"Luckily, you are quite clever. Your instincts are remarkably sharp!" Stone Spirit seemed satisfied with Jiang Chen's performance.

Stone Spirit seemed not to have spoken with anyone for a long time. Now he said many things in one breath, as if pouring out years of loneliness.

Jiang Chen listened quietly the whole time, never interrupting. He observed this soul body, trying to learn more about this Instance from its words and demeanor.

"Oh, why aren't you talking? Are you mute?"

When Stone Spirit finally stopped, Jiang Chen slowly spoke: "I am not mute." His voice was calm and firm, breaking the previous silence.