[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-ring-of-fate":3,"chapter-the-ring-of-fate-the-ring-of-fate-chapter-814":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},2298783,4496,"Chapter 814: Strange Test Paper","the-ring-of-fate-chapter-814",814,"\u003Cp>Hearing Varnack’s question, Lumian, whose study had been interrupted and whose mood had grown irritable, let out a laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can you find them?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No.” Varnack admitted frankly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike him and Lumian, who had fixed residences, Guxin and Medich were elusive, their exact locations impossible to pin down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Varnack continued:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But I can use myself as bait to lure them out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lure them out? Call it the Fishing Master Path instead of the Hunter Path… Lumian silently mocked both Varnack and himself, finally calming his mood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stared at the man in the mirror—those iron-black eyes that had wanted to kill him on first sight, whose body bore suspected contamination from “0—01”—and sneered:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bait? If you dare stroll the streets of Morola now, Ablis and Guxin won’t dare move, they’ll think it’s a trap.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course, they’ll still send someone to test whether you’re bluffing—but then you won’t be able to ambush them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Varnack’s gaze remained sharp, his voice metallic as he said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I won’t treat them as fools. I’ll leave traces, offer clues—let them find my hiding place themselves.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They must use these few days wisely. If they wait for me to recover, it’ll be them who suffer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lumian smiled in the tone of a Hunter:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re confident. Then why not wait patiently until your wounds heal, then take revenge one by one? Why risk setting traps now—and even choose to cooperate with me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Within five days, if they don’t find me, those two rats will retreat into the sewers and hide. I can kill one of them easily—but finding them still won’t be easy.” Varnack’s voice brimmed with murderous intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lumian asked no further questions, instead pondering several things:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This most dangerous figure in Morola appeared to have submitted to “0—01,” receiving both contamination and a boon, possessing pseudo-godlike power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Does his current attitude mean “0—01” dislikes “Red Angel” Medich and the Iron Cross?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or does “0—01” resist anyone attempting to control it? Varnack’s initial reaction to me was proof—yet under current circumstances, he prioritizes targeting Ablis and Guxin, willing to form a temporary alliance with the weaker side?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Varnack, wielding pseudo-godlike power and benefiting from home-field advantage in Morola, was nearly killed and driven to flee his base by Ablis, Guxin, and several Iron Cross members…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ablis is indeed no ordinary man; Guxin must be too. I was right not to unleash my full strength and launch a surprise attack earlier…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“0—01” is also somehow linked to that peculiar mirror world—Varnack can even traverse it…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lumian looked at Varnack, who waited patiently for his reply, and smiled:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since entering Morola, he had not yet used his full strength or any of his powerful items.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We are the same kind of people.” Varnack’s iron-black eyes were icy. “And I can clearly sense you’re not ordinary.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course I’m not ordinary—so much contamination, so many things mixed together—it’d be strange if I were… Lumian raised his right hand, stroking his chin:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aren’t you worried I’ll use this chance to kill you, still wounded, along with Ablis and Guxin?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You can’t afford to let your guard down.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You don’t have the ability.” Varnack spoke bluntly. “And in Morola, it’s not easy to truly kill me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lumian leaned back in his chair, half-closing his eyes, then said after a few seconds:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Time and place.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The time can’t be fixed—it depends on how fast Ablis and Guxin investigate. I’ll inform you of the approximate time and location in advance.” Varnack, with his sharp, rigid demeanor and sharply defined face, showed a rare hint of a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lumian opened his eyes and sat upright again:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“With your power, how could they have nearly killed you? What special abilities did they display in battle?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not nearly killed—just close to it.” Varnack emphasized. “That man Ablis possesses a special power or item that can generate War Mist—something only high-rank Hunters can produce. Guxin, besides being a powerful Hunter, also has partial Witch Path abilities—he can likewise manipulate the mirror world to some extent…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lumian listened intently, a slow smile spreading across his face:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pleasure doing business.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Varnack gave a slight nod, his figure dissolving gradually within the rippling mirror-light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lumian sat quietly in the armchair, murmuring to himself:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is this a trap?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did Varnack, Ablis, and Guxin use lives as props to stage a play, aiming to ambush me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Or does Varnack want to use this chance to kill Ablis, Guxin, and me all at once?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lumian thought of many things, until his head ached.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Forget it. I’ll ponder these conspiracies later. Dealing with Hunters is such a hassle. Better to read. Read…” Lumian turned his attention back to the book: *Examples of Underground Mausoleum Construction*.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After another hour, he closed the book contentedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After nearly a week of effort, he had finally finished the first batch of books assigned by Heraberg—tomorrow he could take the exam at the Knowledge Cathedral!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lumian lay back on his bed and fell asleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a daze, he saw an army.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its members wore iron-black armor, marching in vast numbers across a crimson plain, where something distant seemed to drift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if sensing Lumian’s gaze, they turned their heads in unison, their eyes like solidified light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lumian saw the soldiers’ faces:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beneath their iron-black helmets, their skin was pale and shriveled, as if all moisture and flesh had been drained, clinging tightly to their skulls; within each eye socket burned a dark red flame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Corpses…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was this an army of undead?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment this realization flashed through Lumian’s mind, overwhelming fear surged from his core, urging him to kneel before some unknown entity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He fought desperately against the sensation, finally waking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He opened his eyes to find it had only been a dream—the sky outside the window was still dim, dawn yet to break.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did too much exposure to “0—01”-related knowledge worsen the contamination? Lumian thought for a few seconds, forced himself to sleep again, until six in the morning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Li had not returned all night. After breakfast, Lumian stuffed the books into the Traveler’s Satchel and headed straight for the Knowledge Cathedral.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heraberg, dressed in a plain white robe edged with golden copper thread, was briefing a new group of exiles. Lumian waited until they had left the cathedral before smiling and presenting the books to Heraberg:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Grace, I’ve finished reading these books.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now you’re adding ‘Your Grace’?” Heraberg teased with a smile, took the books, and pointed to a corresponding golden copper bookshelf. “Go pick out a test paper from there.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lumian had expected this. He walked to the shelf and randomly drew a test paper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he searched with his peripheral vision for a table and chair, he glanced at the paper’s contents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, his gaze froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first question on the test was:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Have you had nightmares recently?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second question was:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Describe the nightmare in detail.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is this really an exam on knowledge? Doesn’t seem like it… more like those psychological tests Anthony brought back from the Psychotherapists’ Guild…” Lumian, thinking deeply, began writing his answers swiftly against the protruding edge of the golden copper bookshelf.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He answered every question on the test truthfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Done.” Lumian felt as if he were back in Kordu Village, reporting to his sister that he’d finished his in-class quiz.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let me see.” Heraberg extended his right hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After reviewing Lumian’s test from start to finish, he nodded slightly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You don’t need to finish all the books on these three shelves. These, these, these…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heraberg named seven or eight books in succession, smiling:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Finish these, and that’ll be enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huh? Not all three shelves? Just these eight? Lumian was momentarily confused—he didn’t understand the basis of the Morola Archbishop’s judgment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had the remaining books on the three shelves suddenly become irrelevant?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recalling the content of the test he’d just taken, Lumian suddenly had a suspicion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He thoughtfully told Heraberg:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood, Your Grace.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he placed the corresponding books into the Traveler’s Satchel, Lumian roughly estimated the time required.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he focused entirely and wasn’t disturbed, he could finish one book per day—but he couldn’t do that; it would raise suspicion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’ll take two weeks, maybe a bit more… but according to Archbishop Heraberg, finishing these will be enough—far better than my original estimate of six months to finish all three shelves…” Lumian exhaled quietly, his mood lifting considerably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He mimicked the erratic mutterings of his sister Aurora and Franca, smiling inwardly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ablis, Zhu Li, Guxin, and Varnack—wait two more weeks. Once I’ve finished studying, I’ll kill you all!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“For now, I’ll use Varnack’s ‘invitation’ to find clues from Ablis about where the severed hand’s head is hidden…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And I need to gather information on the Witch too…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saturday night, Trier, Memorial District.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Franca watched Jian Na, who had naturally moved into the guest room after returning from Leseer Port, and without asking why, muttered inwardly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You seem unhappy. Did Julian insist on returning to Trier?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. He’s such a stubborn man.” Jian Na sighed deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You’re the same, and so is your mother… Franca muttered inwardly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No need to rush. You still have nearly a month to figure something out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm.” Jian Na glanced at Franca, now dressed in a wizard’s robe. “You’re replacing Lumian at the esoteric gathering?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\" Franca tossed the silver-white \"Lie\" earring and caught it again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to her initial hesitation and unease, she now felt mostly anticipation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is interesting, isn't it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1576,"2026-06-20T06:22:37.987Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","0207ba47b23217b898b50e2e32898e1e6528b6566887b19882f6edbbb4470252","the-ring-of-fate-chapter-815","the-ring-of-fate-chapter-813",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-ring-of-fate-cover.jpg"]