[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-ring-of-fate":3,"chapter-the-ring-of-fate-the-ring-of-fate-chapter-898":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},2298867,4496,"Chapter 898: Enchantment","the-ring-of-fate-chapter-898",898,"\u003Cp>Seeing that the \"Black Witch\" had no immediate intention to attack and seemed not to have secretly released the \"Plague,\" Francia steadied her nerves and recited the pre-rehearsed lines:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That day, Lu Mi suddenly said the ‘Rose Sect’ had brought an important item to Trill, possibly triggering chaos that could affect us, so we had to quickly relocate to another safehouse…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, Francia blamed all questions and anomalies on Lu Mi, claiming she didn’t know why her lover—met through the Ironblood Cross—hid so many secrets; though his strength was weak, he was suspected of possessing extremely high status, which led to two Blessed semi-gods attacking after a blinding flash erupted suddenly above Trill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Francia honestly described her own role in the subsequent battle, omitting only Jian Na’s abilities and Anthony’s revolver, then added:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At the most critical moment, Lu Mi returned—he had become the ‘Despair Witch,’ and swiftly killed Higton, then dealt with Vazan Sansong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And then?” asked the “Black Witch” from the glass window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She left,\" Francia replied simply, offering no further explanation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had always felt her account, though reasonably constructed, was inherently suspect: someone not of a witch bloodline, with only a seemingly clear background, who had long shared a bed with a man burdened by countless secrets and possessing many unusual traits—how could one be certain she hadn’t been affected in some way?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Added to the brief combat just now, she had completely lost confidence in deceiving the “Black Witch,” offering only a plausible excuse for the other to pretend to believe her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lu Mi Li indeed has many problems; after being exposed, he certainly won’t dare stay here,” said the “Black Witch” in a flat tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she let out a low laugh:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The only pity is, you’ve lost your most courageous lover below semi-god level—I’ve seen you several times, and you clearly enjoyed it immensely. I’m envious.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\" Francia froze, instinctively cursing inwardly, \"Shit! When did you see that? Didn’t we have the 'Vial of Fiction'?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thought of the “Black Witch” having witnessed her state made her face nearly turn green.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She carefully recalled—and realized this was truly her own fault: after the first few times, once she grew accustomed, she found a fun twist—teasing and “enchanting” Lu Mi until he became desperate, even the “Ascetic” couldn’t make him remember to create the “Vial of Fiction.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What’s this called? Self-inflicted doom! I hope the \"Black Witch\" didn’t see what I did afterward to digest the \"Pain\" Elixir… I hope… Mr. Fool, please protect your devout follower from social death! Francia forced a dry laugh:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Indeed, he was far stronger than I expected, but I don’t want to talk about him—no, her. That bastard not only hid so many secrets from me, but also seduced my other lover, Jian Na, making me wear green—and half my ‘Pain’ Elixir was digested because of it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was laying groundwork for her rapid digestion of the “Pain” Elixir.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, as always: give the “Black Witch” a reason to pretend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There’s more to it?\" The \"Black Witch’s\" pale, almost translucent face showed a faint smile—as if she’d long anticipated that Lu Mi Li, a Sequence 5 Positive Pathway adept, frequently interacting with Francia’s female lovers, would inevitably succumb one day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes,\" Francia dredged up her true feelings from that time and ground her teeth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You didn’t cut off his member, or force-feed him a ‘Witch’ pathway Elixir?” The “Black Witch” relaxed, unusually playful. “Then again, his sequence is too high—you couldn’t have made him ascend to ‘Despair Witch.’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Among my lovers, if a male is destined to become a ‘Witch,’ I don’t mind him sleeping with my female lovers—he’ll lose him anyway and become a female lover. But if I never intended him to walk the ‘Witch’ path, I’ll make him understand what pain means.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You true \"Witches\" play some truly twisted games… Francia thought bitterly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I originally wanted revenge, but later gave up. As an adult, I chose to have it all!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here, Francia deliberately hesitated:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Besides, I sensed something odd back then—he seemed to possess a false high status. Torturing him accelerated my ‘Pain’ Elixir digestion, but I hadn’t yet probed the true reason before everything exploded.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The \"Black Witch\" nodded lightly, studying Francia with an appreciative gaze for two seconds:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No wonder you played that game—it’s fascinating, perfectly suited for a ‘Witch.’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\" Francia’s toes were already scrabbling against the floor inside her boots.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But your patience isn’t very good,” said the “Black Witch” in a teaching tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Francia smiled awkwardly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You asked him to endure, not me…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Patience is also a kind of pain—it helps you digest the Elixir from another angle,” said the “Black Witch,” her smile fading, her expression serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s true…\" Francia blinked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why didn’t I think of that before? Otherwise, I’d have already digested the “Pain” Elixir!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah, I was just too caught up in playing!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But adepts can’t constantly think about “performance”—they must learn to relax, to use pure play to ease mental pressure and suppress the tendency toward loss of control!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Francia didn’t want to continue this embarrassing topic and changed the subject:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But I’ll fully digest the ‘Pain’ Elixir in two or three weeks at most.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recently, she’d been reviewing past knowledge, purchasing universal textbooks, and trying to design exam papers for Ludwig.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She believed one attempt would be enough to achieve her goal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It would take only a few days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The \"Black Witch\" didn’t mention her next ascension, and Francia wasn’t surprised—she herself was highly suspect; if the \"Black Witch\" truly promised the \"Despair Witch\" formula and materials, it would mean the next arrangement held a deadly trap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What a mess this is… I know I’m lying, the \"Black Witch\" knows I’m lying, and I know she knows I’m lying… As Francia sighed, she detailed Lu Mi’s appearance and abilities after becoming the \"Despair Witch,\" responding to the \"Black Witch’s\" questions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The “Black Witch” listened in silence, then stepped out of the glass window and entered the living room, now ruled by gray-white.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Francia’s internal alarm blared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scene clearly resulted from “Petrification”—a unique ability of high-ranking “Witch” adepts—and yet the “Black Witch” hadn’t asked a single question about what had happened!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The \"Black Witch\" gazed at Francia, a smile blooming on her lips that illuminated even the stone room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Francia involuntarily lost all focus, unable to tear her eyes away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The “Black Witch” extended her right hand, her voice soft:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You now have only one lover left—but you can become mine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Francia suddenly felt the \"Black Witch\" radiated holiness—she wanted to protect her, yet also to ravage her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, the \"Black Witch’s\" eyes shimmered with watery light, soft and sorrowful, making Francia yearn to merge with her out of pity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The “Black Witch” stepped closer, her right hand still extended, like a queen awaiting her knight’s kiss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Francia was suddenly overwhelmed by a fierce desire to conquer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, the \"Black Witch\" continuously altered her aura, seemingly searching for the form most likely to ensnare Francia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Francia’s breathing grew heavy; instinctively, she blurted out:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No thanks!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those words acted like a spell, instantly dispelling the enchantment—the “Black Witch” returned to her original form, stopping just two steps away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Give me a reason,” said the “Black Witch,” showing no disappointment or anger, her tone perfectly calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Francia’s cheeks were flushed, her body trembling slightly—as if refusing had drained all her strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her thoughts flashed; she quickly found a perfect excuse:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Madam, you said patience is also a kind of pain. I wish to use the loss of one lover as an opportunity to practice abstinence, accelerating the complete digestion of the ‘Pain’ Elixir.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The “Black Witch”’s face regained its faint smile:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your willpower exceeds my expectations. Though I didn’t fully use ‘Enchantment’ just now, your ability to reject me even without me suppressing it proves your willpower ranks among the best among Sequence 5 adepts.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is that so… what exactly had I thought of when I rejected that overwhelming temptation? Francia recalled—and her expression shifted slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that moment, she thought of Jian Na—and also of Lu Mi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This surprised her, yet didn’t surprise her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not surprising: recalling Jian Na at the critical moment of enchantment. Surprising: she’d also recalled Lu Mi!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The “Black Witch” glanced around:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll wait for you to fully digest the ‘Pain’ Elixir. In the meantime, I assign you a task: contact core members of the Emperor’s Party. You heard the voice ‘Your Emperor Returns’—those fantasists who worship Luo Saier and seek imperial restoration seem to have new ideas. Perhaps we can use them for something.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nisea will inform you of the details. She was originally a government spy assigned to monitor the Emperor’s Party, and now she’s only just become a ‘Witch.’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Here is her contact information…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you want the ‘Despair Witch’ formula and materials from me, you must contribute meaningfully to the sect.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Francia took the paper the \"Black Witch\" offered and replied sincerely:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Lady Clarisse.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The “Black Witch” said no more; layered dark spaces flickered in her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her figure vanished from the room—she didn’t mention the complete gray-white scene at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon after, Lu Mi stepped out of Jian Na’s bedroom, took Francia’s arm, and entered the full-length mirror in the living room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The “Black Witch”’s shattered remains behind the mirror had vanished entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1564,"2026-06-20T06:22:37.987Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","344fdaa2b34ceb4ee0d2f0baec630ce0c8946c03d067dd156cc7a845dbb530a8","the-ring-of-fate-chapter-899","the-ring-of-fate-chapter-897",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-ring-of-fate-cover.jpg"]