Arc of Fire - Chapter 654: The Touchstone

Is magic really a wish machine?

No! In a universe where magic actually exists, the ultimate nature of magic must be as simple and beautiful as the laws of physics.

This is the story of a mass-produced magic warfare tool man who learned the ultimate nature of magic.

But so what?

Just as a bird can fly without understanding aerodynamics, so a wizard does not need to understand the ultimate nature of magic to use magic.

Knowing the ultimate nature of magic does not mean that the tool man can become a great magician.

But the desire for knowledge is human instinct, and curiosity is the first driving force of human civilization. Humans hope to understand the inner workings of magic, even if it is supposed to be unreasonable.

An inquiry into the ultimate nature of magic, without any justification!

The story in the book takes place in an age where steel dances with gunpowder.

Here, muskets are in the ascendant, armor is still the protagonist, military theories are changing with each passing day, and innovations in systems and craftsmanship are emerging one after another. And this world has one more thing than ours: magic.

The world is undergoing earth-shaking changes, and no one can stay out of it.

- Description from novelbuddy

In her past life, Qin Ruan was deeply embroiled in a family feud, framed, and died with unfulfilled desires.Having been reincarnated, she returned armed with a pregnancy report and made her way to the gate of the prestigious Huo Family in Capital City, one hand on her lower back.It was rumored that Huo Sanye, the legitimate grandson of the Huo Family, was decisive and ruthless, endowed with an aloof sophistication, unpredictable mood swings, and was utterly unfeeling and heartless.Sanye was about to take a wife, an illegitimate daughter located and brought back by the Qin Family.This news exploded throughout Capital City!No one believed that an illegitimate daughter could securely hold the position of the Huo Family Head's wife; everyone was waiting for their divorce.Leveraging her reincarnated mystical abilities, Qin Ruan set up shop under Tianqiao, stirring up the major power dynamics within Capital City.The fourth-generation golden grandson of the Huo Family even crawled out from Qin Ruan's belly.As her true identity gradually revealed itself, no one dared to belittle her anymore.Year after year passed by, not only did Qin Ruan and Huo Sanye not divorce, they flaunted their love daily.Everyone was frustrated to the point of smashing their bowls, they had their fill of this sickening sweetness!——Mini-theater:Qin Ruan: “Young man, you have a peach blossom curse, and you are likely to encounter a blood disaster soon.”The famous movie star scorned her remark and turned to leave.That evening, the movie star, disheveled, begged Qin Ruan, “Miss Qin, save me!”Qin Ruan: “Sir, I see a dark aura surrounding you, you're likely in grave danger.”A tycoon in the business world nearly upturned her stall in anger.But two days later, the big shot knelt before Qin Ruan, pleading for his life!From then on, everyone from newly established nobility to members of the prestigious and powerful families all treated Qin Ruan as a respected guest.

She roused from a pool of blood, vowing to exact retribution on those who had harmed her.

Zheng Nianru went from being a Commandery Princess who could be killed at any moment to the position of the Empress Dowager, wielding power over the world. What she couldn't accept was that she didn't end up with a good fate. However, Zheng Nianru thought that no one would have been able to save Nanzheng State.Yet, she was reborn and, having deeply reflected upon her pain, also considered several past mistakes. Firstly, she should not have married down into the family of Ju Nanyi, a man with a narrow mind who came from a minor house, who only thought about romantic affairs and entangled with her in desperate affection, incapable of assisting Nanzheng. Secondly, she should not have killed everyone in Qiandao Temple, which was the spiritual pillar of the people of Nanzheng State. After all, there were better ways, weren't there, like seduction? Thirdly, she should not have been so confident that the monarch of the neighboring country would fall at her feet, nor should she have trusted the promise of that fickle neighboring monarch, which led to years of drawn-out conflict between the two states.Um, Zheng Nianru felt she was not wrong. She just wanted to live well and to be a good Empress Dowager. Since she had the chance to live again, why did she have this chance? Could it be that she was expected to once again turn Nanzheng State upside down?