[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-ring-of-fate":3,"chapter-the-ring-of-fate-the-ring-of-fate-chapter-857":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},2298826,4496,"Chapter 857: The Corpse (End-of-Month Request for Guaranteed Monthly Tickets)","the-ring-of-fate-chapter-857",857,"\u003Cp>For Franca, the sentence now translated by Armor Shadow Chen Tu was utterly ordinary—something she had often seen before her crossing—and she couldn’t understand why the Major Arcana cards thought such words might cause contamination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it the words themselves?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like the word “I,” which changes completely when spoken in Intis versus Ancient Hermes!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But isn’t there something wrong with this phrase? ‘Yin and Yang unite, and all things begin…’ Shouldn’t it be ‘Yin and Yang unite, and all things are born’?” Before her crossing, Franca had been a young person immersed in intense online entertainment; novels and anime were among her favorites, yet she had only ever encountered “Yin and Yang unite, all things are born,” never “Yin and Yang unite, all things begin.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, after careful thought, she found this understandable:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin and Yang intermingle, give birth to all things; all things emerge and intertwine to form events!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So the logic still holds—it’s just omitted ‘all things’ as the middle bridge…” Even as Franca distractedly pondered this, she still listened intently to the rest of Armor Shadow’s translation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t take notes; for a “witch” skilled in divination, recalling the full content later in a dream was effortless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The subsequent sentences were much like the first—discussing yin and yang’s opposition, contradiction, conflict, reflection, harmony, and unity, all abstract principles without deep interpretation or practical details; Franca was almost bored enough to yawn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only part worth pondering, she felt, was the final half-sentence of the text:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To draw near the Heavenly Dao.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Interpreting this phrase, Franca naturally recalled the knowledge that blessings cause recipients to gradually draw closer to the benefactor—and the way the “Man of the Ming Dao” granted power to Amandina was indeed a blessing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To draw near the Heavenly Dao… So this text is really about how to skillfully use body and mind, harmonize yin and yang, attune oneself to the so-called Heavenly Dao, and thereby gain power? Is this a method of petitioning for a blessing?” When Armor Shadow Chen Tu finished translating and the text floated back, Franca immediately stilled her thoughts, preparing her next question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After catching the text, she immediately asked in her true mother tongue:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“First question: Have you heard of anyone crossing from your world and the world of the ‘Man of the Ming Dao’ into another world?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Franca hadn’t translated this question into Intis for Lu Mi to ask, fearing Amandina might learn of the crossing—though later, she could ask Anthony to hypnotize Amandina and “help” her forget; why not use the simpler method?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Armor Shadow Chen Tu turned its gaze toward Franca, who spoke a similar language.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After several seconds, it looked back at Lu Mi, transmitting the thought: “Should I answer?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—The current ritual’s conductor was Lu Mi; only with his consent could Franca and Armor Shadow communicate. Otherwise, even if Armor Shadow broke its promise, it could not take the gold from the altar without violence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Mi nodded:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That is the first question.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Armor Shadow replied in a low, hoarse voice:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Unknown.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It still used the language similar to Franca’s mother tongue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amandina grew more confused by the moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She understood nothing at all!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Throughout the entire process, she could only comprehend what Lu Mi said!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amandina glanced at her side at Jianna, lowering her voice, casually asking:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are they saying? What language is that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jianna let out a quiet laugh:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t be fooled by how serious and focused I look—I don’t understand either.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amandina couldn’t help exclaiming, “Oh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll tell you secretly—Lu Mi doesn’t understand it either,” Jianna said, smiling faintly at Lu Mi, who was closely watching Armor Shadow’s movements, and whispering to Amandina.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amandina looked from Jianna to Lu Mi, recalling the expression, tone, and manner of that last remark, and silently thought, “Wow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some things reveal themselves unintentionally!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She asked curiously:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why don’t you learn that language from Ms. Franca?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We just started these past two days—it’s hard,” Jianna unconsciously wrinkled her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It really was hard!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, hearing Armor Shadow’s reply, Franca felt inevitable disappointment but maintained composure, speaking in her mother tongue:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Second question: Can you use illusion or something similar to manifest the corpse that drifted from Penglai onto the river?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This question had only occurred to Franca in the past two days, directly triggered by Amandina hearing the “Man of the Ming Dao” say “Beware Penglai,” and Armor Shadow Chen Tu having previously mentioned that Penglai, long vanished, had reappeared, with corpses from there floating onto the river.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Franca thus suspected Penglai-related matters might be crucial—perhaps tied to their hope of returning home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as she asked, Franca suddenly realized her mistake and wanted to slap herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t that the question shouldn’t be asked—it was the phrasing!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With this wording, even if Armor Shadow agreed, it only needed to answer “yes,” without showing the corpse’s actual appearance; the question contained no binding requirement!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Do I have to prepare another 100,000 Fier gold? I’m nearly bankrupt—I only have two thousand Fier left… Franca regretted it deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, Armor Shadow Chen Tu was honest; once Lu Mi approved the question, it immediately made the countless transparent faces on its scales bulge outward violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The surroundings instantly turned sickly green, cold winds swirling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Water droplets rapidly condensed on the altar’s surface, pooling into a mirror reflecting a human silhouette.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The silhouette floated within a deep, formless darkness, as if a void had been carved out; its black robe and body were severely decayed, oozing pus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its face remained relatively intact; through the bone-deep rot, one could still see pale, dull skin, soft contours, and a thin layer of black hair…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Franca froze:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This… this isn’t Harrison, the visitor from the Resurrection Isle?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had long died, his corpse floating on what seemed to be the “River of the Ming Dao”—why was he still active in Triel?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And this corpse appearing on the river happened years ago—only afterward did the “Devil Wizard” encounter Harrison!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Lu Mi didn’t understand Franca’s question, he deduced from the “floating state,” “corpse,” and “Harrison’s appearance” why she was so stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned his head toward Franca and saw in her lake-blue eyes astonishment, shock, and confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Mi nodded slightly to reassure her, then said to Armor Shadow Chen Tu:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you for your answer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gold on the altar dissolved into pure light, flowing like water onto Armor Shadow’s surface.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the fish-scale armor now mostly gleaming golden, sacred and heavy, Lu Mi slightly frowned and ended the ritual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After extinguishing the candles, he immediately told Franca:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Two more times, and Armor Shadow should fully restore its golden form—we can summon it at most once more.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm.” Franca finally broke free from the shock of seeing Harrison’s past corpse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Lu Mi tidied the altar, she smiled at Amandina:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We can leave now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?” Amandina was bewildered. “Didn’t you say I was supposed to help? I haven’t done anything yet…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You already helped,” Franca said with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amandina was even more confused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jianna helped explain:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Didn’t you notice the language Franca and the Armor Shadow spoke sounded similar to what that figure whispered in your ear?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amandina thought carefully:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It did sound similar.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Mi, having finished tidying the altar, walked back and said casually:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That shadow was likely sealed by your teacher—yes, that figure. Your presence here misled it into thinking this represents your teacher’s stance, lowering the difficulty of communication and preventing its attacks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s the help you provided—just standing by.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amandina suddenly remembered the Armor Shadow’s initial gaze and reactive response toward her, and understood:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, uh, what’s my teacher’s name?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though we all know this question is normal, it still sounds strange… Who doesn’t know their own teacher’s name and has to ask outsiders? Jianna muttered inwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Franca smiled and answered in Intis:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Man of the Ming Dao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And you must call him Master, not teacher.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Man of the Ming Dao…” Amandina softly repeated the term rendered in Intis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a few seconds, she asked contentedly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s the difference between Master and teacher?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master implies ‘possessing the status of a father,’” Franca explained wearily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amandina didn’t ask further, her eyes glistening as she said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I can help again in the future!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can you help me gather mid- and low-rank Potion formulas and Extraordinary Characteristics of the ‘Night’ Path?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No problem,” Franca didn’t tell Amandina those would soon be available.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Mi chuckled:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I thought you’d say take me back to the ‘Woman of Samaria’s Spring.’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amandina smiled weakly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll wait a while longer to adapt, and only go once my own rank reaches the Blessing level.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she muttered silently:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t want to turn into an old man with a white beard…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After seeing off Amandina, Lu Mi, Yu Jianna, and Anthony sat in the living room of Apartment 702, No. 9 Aoluosaijie, listening as Franca explained the few phrases translated from the armor shadow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do they mean?” Yu Jianna felt she understood a little, yet understood nothing at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Franca could only improvise a translation in her own language and her own understanding of what “solitary yin does not grow, solitary yang does not arise…” meant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Yu Jianna listened, her body gradually grew uncertain how to position itself, and she dared not let her gaze wander.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Mi took a tactical sip of water; Anthony’s expression remained unchanged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I think these sentences are too ordinary to warrant such high-level attention,” Franca concluded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Mi pondered for a few seconds, then spoke slowly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, they may be extremely important.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: Beginning of the month, requesting base monthly votes~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1616,"2026-06-20T06:22:37.987Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","36df7985d577b88993f47d493a33eae474c787c0c11596092ada6ee41eb2aaf4","the-ring-of-fate-chapter-858","the-ring-of-fate-chapter-856",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-ring-of-fate-cover.jpg"]