[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-ring-of-fate":3,"chapter-the-ring-of-fate-the-ring-of-fate-chapter-64":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Ring of Fate",{"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},2298033,4496,"Chapter 64: SHOCKING NEWS (REQUESTING MONTHLY TICKETS)","the-ring-of-fate-chapter-64",64,"\u003Cp>“How is it?” Seeing Ryan, Lyra and Valentine asked in unison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although they had already believed Lumian’s words, people always harbor hope, clinging to the expectation that the problem might not be so serious—that the boy simply lacked experience and exaggerated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ryan glanced around and, seeing no one near the elm tree, spoke in a low voice:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I didn’t dare ask too directly, but I know the actual date has already reached late April; I don’t know the exact day.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lyra and Valentine fell silent together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They truly were trapped in a strange time loop!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And judging from all records and data, this was definitely not something the three of them should be facing, nor something they could handle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were all seasoned Exalted Ones who had handled many supernatural incidents—this was the first time they encountered a situation so severe and so abnormal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lyra couldn’t help turning her head to look at Lumian:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just what kind of place is your Kordu Village?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Abnormalities are everywhere, each more outrageous than the last!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t know,” Lumian wore an expression of “innocence,” “Before the loop, the environment here was beautiful, the customs pure, everyone normal, and warmly hospitable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t tell those three outsiders that the man standing before them was also one of the abnormal ones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ryan sighed and said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve never encountered so many abnormalities at once, and each one is severe.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is the most dangerous situation I’ve ever faced,” Valentine added.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lumian, already numb to this, sneered:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s normal you never encountered them before—because everyone who did is dead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...” Lyra glanced at him with a smile, “If you can’t speak well, don’t speak—people like you don’t grow up anywhere else.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Smothered in the cradle?” Lumian muttered self-deprecatingly, then turned to ask Ryan, “Did you get any answers about the chapel priest?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ryan nodded:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s said that in recent years, similar legends have appeared in different places across the Northern and Southern Continents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The legends say Heaven exiled a group of sinful little sprites, sending them to the earth, where they can only dwell inside human bodies, hoping one day to atone for their sins, gain forgiveness, and return to Heaven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In some legends, these little sprites resemble transparent lizards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, the sprites I mean aren’t the ancient elf race—they’re closer to a hybrid concept of fairies and various spirits.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Again, recent years? Lumian remembered the legends surrounding “Night Lady” also emerged only recently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What’s wrong with this world?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He thought for a moment and asked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did they say which god’s Heaven?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ryan shook his head:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Strangely, every person who claimed to have seen the little sprites believed they came from the realm of their local deity.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Local deity” meant the region’s worshipped true god.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Different gods’ heavens? Lumian lifted his head and gazed at the blue sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did that lizard-like sprite come from above?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But according to Aurora’s words, above the sky lies the starry void, each star representing a world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, extraterrestrial beings?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or perhaps from the mystical Star Realm?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As various thoughts swirled, Lumian asked curiously:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Some legends say the little sprites are transparent lizards—what about the others?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ryan shook his head again:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They could only uncover these details in a short time; the full situation may require communication with headquarters to confirm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Lyra said thoughtfully:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve heard a little about little sprites.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Last time I met a man from Lunbao—he said farmers across Zhongnan have recently come to believe in mischievous little sprites that mess up homes and fields, playing pranks, called ‘Jokesters.’” (Note 1)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhongnan refers to the region encompassing small nations like Lunbao, Maxi, and Segar, plus minor areas of the Intis Republic, Ruin Kingdom, and Fenepot Kingdom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most of it lies on plateaus, with mountains, forests, and abundant ruins and legends.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So it’s not an isolated phenomenon... Lumian listened intently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Different little sprites seem to behave differently,” Ryan mused, “and the ‘lizard’ dwelling inside humans is likely the most sinister kind—whether it’s the most dangerous remains uncertain. Hmm, given the sheer number of abnormalities in Kordu, the sprite’s possession shouldn’t be an isolated case; perhaps someone is using it to control the chapel priest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clear thinking... Lumian glanced at villagers returning home after finishing their tasks, then said to Lyra and the others:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Meet behind the hill where the administrator’s castle stands at 3:30 p.m.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re coming with me to search for clues, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes,” Ryan agreed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Lumian about to leave, Lyra quickly called out:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You at least have to describe the castle’s condition, who’s inside, and all the abnormalities Madame Pualis displayed—we can’t go exploring blind.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Lumian disliked recalling anything related to Madame Pualis, he had to admit Lyra’s demand was reasonable, so he forced himself to endure the discomfort and recounted everything in full.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Ryan and the others, who already knew the general outline, were shaken, their expressions growing somewhat vacant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, Lyra laughed merrily:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t mind—I’ll probably experience something like that someday anyway. But you two? This is an opportunity no other man will ever have—treasure it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Valentine ignored her joke, his expression grim as he whispered:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All of this must be purified. Must be purified!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lumian didn’t want to provoke him, waved his hand, and said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“See you this afternoon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After walking a few steps, he turned to Ryan, asking warily:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did Bertrand find out what your telegram said?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bertrand was the telegraph operator in charge of this matter—if he knew the date and the sprite legends, then the administrator knew, and if the administrator knew, then Madame Pualis knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t worry,” Ryan said gently, “We have coded phrases—he can’t understand them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lumian finally exhaled in relief, left the village square, and headed back toward his house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After walking a distance, he saw Ava Liziye herding a flock of white geese home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, isn’t this our ‘Spring Sprite’?” Lumian forced himself to forget the bloody, cruel final scene of the Lenten Festival, greeting Ava with his usual jest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ava looked slightly embarrassed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not chosen yet!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her delicate features made her gray-white long dress seem less rustic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No problem,” Lumian smiled, “Ryan and I will campaign for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ava’s expression turned startled:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You don’t know?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Know what?” Lumian’s heart skipped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had something happened in the village outside the “history” progression?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ava studied his expression, suspecting he was teasing her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a few seconds, the girl frowned slightly with concern:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ryan is missing. You didn’t know?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah?” Lumian was so shocked he couldn’t mask his expression as usual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the second-to-last week, he and Ryan Craig met almost daily from the next day, March 30, until April 5, Lent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then, following the riverside ritual, they lifted Ryan—the one who threw the final offering—and tossed him into the river. Ryan, like all previous ones, swam farther away, only returning to shore once clear of the ritual site, staying indoors until nightfall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since then, in the two subsequent loops, Lumian had too many things to handle and didn’t bother seeking Ryan out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who knew that today, Ava suddenly told him Ryan was missing!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This had never happened in the second-to-last loop!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Lumian’s expression, Ava’s blue eyes lost all doubt:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You really didn’t know...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ryan’s father might come looking for you today, asking where Ryan went.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lumian suppressed the storm inside him and asked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When did Ryan go missing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it because I didn’t follow the “history” progression and seek him out, causing this change?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Two days ago,” Ava recalled. “He left on the afternoon of the 29th and never returned. His family thought he was drunk, sleeping at the old tavern or chatting with the ‘watchman.’ They only started searching last night—today they’ll probably come ask you...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She paused, lowering her voice:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They suspect Ryan ran away to avoid becoming a shepherd.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They think I persuaded him? That’s why they’ll come confront me? Lumian understood the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the time point—afternoon of the 29th—immediately linked to the loop’s beginning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The last two loops both began on the afternoon of the 29th!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Ryan went missing right at the start of the loop? That meant no one deliberately altered “history”—there wasn’t enough time... Then why this deviation? Lumian fell into deep thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ava glanced at him and asked softly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you know where Raymond went?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I haven’t seen him these past few days,” Lu Mi said truthfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He began to suspect Raymond’s disappearance was connected to being thrown into the river during the second-to-last cycle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Raymond couldn’t have left Keldu Village because of it—that would trigger the cycle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After saying goodbye to Ava, Lu Mi forced himself to remain calm and returned home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t bother with anything else; he immediately told Aurora about Raymond’s disappearance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aurora’s expression grew solemn, her brows slightly furrowed as she whispered:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You didn’t mention it, I’d almost forgotten about this person…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wore a simple rose-red long dress and paced back and forth; Lu Mi also began considering possible explanations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a while, Aurora looked at her brother and said seriously:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I recall the Lenten ritual by the river’s edge is meant to offer sacrifices to the concept of ‘water source’—could it be that Raymond, thrown into the water, was counted as a sacrifice and taken away by some entity?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then, because there’s no corresponding physical form left, the cycle manifests as his disappearance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Mi shook his head:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That would trigger the cycle.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Any human leaving Keldu Village and its surrounding area should trigger it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aurora replied in a low voice:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What if it’s in the form of a corpse?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Note: In Swiss folklore, a type of small sprite is called “Jester.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: Please vote for monthly tickets~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1619,"2026-06-20T06:22:34.374Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","86a868164f38349bef10f55e058b0614f7842a9dd456dee109e3c983a3129f43","the-ring-of-fate-chapter-65","the-ring-of-fate-chapter-63",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-ring-of-fate-cover.jpg"]