[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-ring-of-fate":3,"chapter-the-ring-of-fate-the-ring-of-fate-chapter-980":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},2298949,4496,"Chapter 980: Wish","the-ring-of-fate-chapter-980",980,"\u003Cp>BOOM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The highly compressed crimson fire serpent exploded, engulfing Zarathustra before Jian Na completed her curse, tearing him into countless scraps of paper that ignited simultaneously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zarathustra once again vanished into the mist of history.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the explosion from the crimson fire serpent subsided slightly, he returned to the present from a corner behind the mirror, dragging out his past self—the version who was Sequence 1 “The Cryptic Attendant.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Zarathustra clad in a black robe, with eyes utterly black and devoid of light, instantly transformed into a vast vortex composed of countless writhing worms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This immense vortex was deep and dark, extending numerous slick, patterned with bizarre floral designs, tentacles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mythical form—the mythical form of the “Fortune Teller” path!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For angels, the mythical form is their truest appearance, so within the Dream City, there is no question of whether it can be summoned or reverted to; of course, this was suppressed to Sequence 7 level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The instant he saw the worm vortex, Lu Mi, even as “The Despair Witch” and possessing divinity, could not suppress the sensation of mental stalling, joint stiffening, his spirit as if under assault by an ultra-powerful hurricane.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He instinctively closed his eyes; Jian Na, near the mirror tunnel, writhed as if her entire body were twisting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seizing this opportunity, Zarathustra’s true self made his wish:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My wish is:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My puppet returns to me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as the words were spoken, two new figures appeared in the area behind the mirror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both were dressed as businesspeople, one male, one female.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for other puppets, they naturally belonged to other “Puppet Masters”; Zarathustra could command their operators, not the puppets themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zarathustra did not wish to leave the mirror world because he had sensed the presence of “Distortion” power from the fact that, despite having hidden within the mist of history, he was still pulled into the mirror world, so he chose not to directly escape the current area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He feared being “Distorted” again, which might cause him to suddenly appear before Ya Ge Ci, the top figure of the Police Bureau.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, since Zarathustra’s mythical form was suppressed to Sequence 7, both divine impact and spiritual corruption were drastically weakened; thus, as “The Despair Witch,” and having closed his eyes and maintained distance, Lu Mi gradually recovered, raised his left hand, and snapped his fingers sharply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In various locations behind the mirror, concealed beneath “mirror mazes” formed by mirrors, clusters of pre-prepared delayed-explosion fireballs received the command to detonate now!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOM BOOM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They exploded simultaneously, interweaving, engulfing the entire area behind the mirror in a furious crimson flame storm, completely submerging Zarathustra’s historical fissure image, the two puppets, Jian Na, and Lu Mi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the \"Hunter's\" home ground, the home ground Lu Mi had meticulously prepared!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Zarathustra’s true self, he once again vanished into the mist of history.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOM BOOM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zarathustra’s two puppets used “Paper Substitute,” and were torn to shreds in the violent shockwave, ignited by the crimson flames.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zarathustra’s historical fissure image retained its mythical form, extending countless tentacles that wrapped around the surging flame storm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He grafted himself onto the flames, thus suffering no harm, merely drifting with the storm toward the other side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally, “Grafting” suppressed to Sequence 7 could not recombine Zarathustra’s historical fissure image with the concept of flame; but the Sequence 7 “Magician” of the “Fortune Teller” path could manipulate flame and was intrinsically closely linked to it, allowing Zarathustra’s historical fissure image to appear like a peculiar flame, constantly flickering within the storm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Mi’s body also shattered like a mirror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immediately afterward, he “teleported” near the newly emerged female puppet, used the mirror in his hand to reflect her image, and smeared the “Flame of Destruction,” infused with “Harvest” power, onto the mirror surface.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the dual influence of Zarathustra’s true self retreating into the mist of history and his historical projection transforming into \"flame\" and drifting with the storm, the female puppet had no time to react or retreat into the mist of history—before her body erupted with waves of intensely suppressed, destruction-imbued black flames.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She rapidly regressed into a paper doll, yet when she reappeared elsewhere in the area behind the mirror, the “Flame of Destruction” upon her had not extinguished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After using “Paper Substitute” twice consecutively, the puppet’s true body turned to ash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, the terrifying scene created by the delayed-explosion fireballs finally subsided; Zarathustra’s historical fissure image extended his right hand and gently grasped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The surrounding space-time twisted, as if a vast curtain had been drawn over the entire area behind the mirror, forming a hidden zone isolated from the surroundings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cryptic Realm!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Confirming that Lu Mi and Jian Na had both been pulled into the “Cryptic Realm” by his historical projection and could not stop him in the short term, Zarathustra returned from the mist of history and landed at the edge of the dark, void-like area behind the mirror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He ignored his historical projection and the remaining puppet also trapped in the “Cryptic Realm,” walking straight toward the glass mirror leading to the hot pot restaurant’s private room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, he had the capacity to remain vigilant and avoid the influence of “Distortion” power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Zarathustra neared the glass mirror, he suddenly heard a gunshot—“Bang!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A bright yellow bullet, radiating an indescribable sense of decay, shot out from one of the web-like tunnels and struck directly for his back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anthony, dressed in a cheap black T-shirt with a crew cut, flashed out from the tunnel alongside the bullet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had been lying in wait there using the power of “Ice Mirror Talisman,” never entering the area behind the mirror, so he was not included within the “Cryptic Realm” created by Zarathustra’s historical projection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Zarathustra’s true self dodged the bullet, Anthony, using residual “Mirror Transit” power, instantly appeared beside the white-haired elder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He raised a painting he had pre-drawn, while his eyes turned golden and stood upright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Chaos!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anthony believed Zarathustra had revived by seizing Loki’s body; the two might still be struggling internally, so targeting Zarathustra’s mental state with “Chaos” might yield extraordinary results.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The painting in his hand was drawn on a blank sketchbook, depicting a door, a lock, and wooden bars completely sealing the door shut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The painting spontaneously ignited, becoming a phantom, and adhered to the glass mirror leading to the outside world, sealing it with wooden bars and adding a lock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zarathustra, directly affected by “Chaos,” suddenly faded, becoming a phantom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the “Magician’s” ability to create illusions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After returning from the mist of history, Zarathustra’s first action was actually to create an illusion—not to approach the exit directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He used this to mislead Anthony into misjudging his position, striking only the phantom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zarathustra’s true figure swiftly materialized nearby, speaking coldly in Dragon tongue:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My wish is:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Banish the enemies here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Anthony could use a ranged “Intimidation,” his vision went black, as if an invisible force had lifted him and hurled him into the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he regained consciousness, he found himself in a prison, with no mirror-like objects available—all iron bars were wrapped in cotton cloth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zarathustra chose to banish Anthony rather than wish for his death because this angel believed enemies allied with “The Witch” likely possessed one or two “Mirror Substitutes,” which would cause his wish to briefly fail and waste time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, this meant Lu Mi inside the “Cryptic Realm” remained unaffected by the miracle and stayed within.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zarathustra’s wish was to banish “here’s” enemies, but the “Cryptic Realm” no longer belonged to “here!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Freed from Anthony’s interference, Zarathustra turned his gaze once more toward the glass mirror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had already fulfilled two wishes, creating two miracles, consuming considerable energy; thus, he merely opened his mouth, preparing to use an “Air Cannon” to shatter the wooden bars and lock sealing the exit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the “Cryptic Realm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jian Na had vanished; Lu Mi, having recovered slightly, “teleported” behind Zarathustra’s historical projection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He raised his head, gazing upward, letting his eyes—whose capillaries had shattered from staring directly at the mythical form—turn iron-black, and let out a low “Hmph.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As two beams of white light shot from his nostrils toward the dark vortex of worms, he hurled the “Sword of Courage” upward toward a point high above.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That spot appeared pale white in his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the weakness of the “Cryptic Realm!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though the “Cryptic Realm” is a power usable only by Sequence 1, its current strength was only at Sequence 7!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the “Cryptic Realm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zarathustra fired an “Air Cannon,” producing a “Bang,” shattering the wooden bars and lock drawn on the glass mirror into fragments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, several figures emerged from another tunnel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was Ludwig, dressed in children’s formal attire; there was the female version of Anthony, slightly plump, mature in demeanor, and still attractive; and the male version of Jian Na, handsome, with his light brown hair styled neatly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The real Jian Na remained hidden within the tunnel, never entering this area behind the mirror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The earlier appearance of Jian Na was a shallow mirror image she created using a special fragment of the Mirror World, which could last longer to deceive Zarathustra; but that weak shallow mirror image had been destroyed by Lu Mi’s earlier area explosion and the influence of the “Cryptic Realm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The current male version of Jian Na and female version of Anthony were deep mirror images created in advance using special Mirror World fragments held by Fu Lan Ka and Lu Mi; they could last only three minutes, nearly perfectly replicating their originals’ abilities while also borrowing limited power from the special Mirror World.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the battle with the resurrected female corpse, Lu Mi and the others had begun to value the abilities attached to the special Mirror World fragments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the real world, their effects were not obvious; but in the Dream City, where everyone was suppressed to Sequence 7, mirror helpers were certainly better in greater numbers!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jian Na had not allowed the male version of herself, the female version of Anthony, or Ludwig to accompany Anthony in attacking Zarathustra, remembering Lu Mi’s prior warning:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If the assassination fails, subsequent attacks must come in waves—not all at once—lest Zarathustra’s special ability sweep them all away at once; this also consumes his spiritual energy and the number of times he can use his special abilities…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the \"Hunter's\" home ground, although one cannot fully orchestrate the enemy from start to finish, at least the first few waves of attacks can still reflect one’s intentions!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1764,"2026-06-20T06:22:37.987Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","11cf361b95faed91749304c1e9bcac40a1606b49e1d06520ce8723a7839baf26","the-ring-of-fate-chapter-981","the-ring-of-fate-chapter-979",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-ring-of-fate-cover.jpg"]