Number sequence - 5 3 8 9 1 27

By visual inspection we see $3^1,3^2,3^3$ form an ascending sequence of powers of 3. The five given numbers cannot be the next term of this sequence. The numbers $5,1$ are divisible by themselves but $8$ is a composite number. I say the answer is $14$ because $5+1+8=14$.

If the missing number is $14$, then the numbers $18,54,38,14$ have a common factor, the number $2$. In addition to that, by subtraction of these numbers we obtain the squares $54-38=2^4$ and $18-14=2^2$.

One way of thinking about it would be

This would mean that the problem is only solvable because of the specific set of choices provided.

i think the answer is 14 because, in odd position 581=40, in even position 3927=729. then you add 40 to 729= 769. then 769 -53 ( obtained by adding the numbers of the sequence) = 716. 7+1+6 you obtain 14. or you can 3927= 729 then 7+2+9=18, 581=40 you obtain 4. 18-4=14