It had been two days since everyone arrived at Rivendell, and during this time, the members of the three Squads of Reincarnation had been treated as honored guests by the Elves. From some of the Elves, the group learned that only an envoy from a nation, or a famous warrior or wizard, such as Gandalf the Grey, would typically receive this level of treatment. The fact that their group of over thirty people all received such courtesy was, indeed, a rare event for the Elves.

"It's all because of our immense strength," Neos declared dismissively.

"Indeed. It is precisely because we are powerful that the various races need us to participate in the discussion regarding the fate of the One Ring," Zheng Zha replied directly.

Whether it was the guest-of-honor treatment from the Elves or the Ring Council being convened, everything was owed to the strength of the three Squads. For a moment, everyone felt a pang of emotion; it seemed that whether in the real world or the world of reincarnation, no one could escape the favor shown to the powerful.

Finally, the veterans of the three Squads of Reincarnation deliberated and decided that the three captains would represent their teams at the meeting. However, the Middle-Continent Team encountered a slight hitch in selecting their representative. Zheng Zha intended for Chu Xuan to attend in his stead, reasoning that since they could communicate via the Mind Link, Chu Xuan's intellect was better suited for a matter reliant on verbal persuasion.

Chu Xuan’s response was: "I need to discuss something with Haotian. The general plot surrounding the One Ring has already been decided. You only need someone to show up... That settles it then. We can use the Mind Link to contact me if anything comes up during the meeting." With that, Chu Xuan turned to find Haotian and continue their discussion.

...Not that I'm one to gossip, but your behavior is highly suspicious. Who exactly is this Haotian? A newcomer shouldn't warrant this much of your attention, should they? The only impression you give me is this: either you've taken a liking to Haotian and are planning some sort of romantic entanglement, or you're plotting some new scheme. I'm not asking you to abandon your schemes, just hoping you'll give me a heads-up this time?" Zheng Zha was startled, quickly grabbing Chu Xuan and daring not let him leave. If Chu Xuan departed, what if he was planning to blow up the Elven capital? Then Zheng Zha would have no choice but to fight to the death. Of course, this was just a metaphor; if it were Chu Xuan, he might indeed be plotting an outrageously large scheme.

Chu Xuan turned back, his expression solemn. "No schemes... and no romantic entanglements."

Zheng Zha, equally serious, replied, "The romantic entanglement was just a joke. Do you swear you truly have no scheme? Then why are you seeking out Haotian for a conversation?"

"Because there is something very interesting..."

"Then you still claim there's no scheme?" Zheng Zha instantly flared up. Remembering the times he had fought desperately due to Chu Xuan's machinations, a surge of rebellious anger rose within him.

"It's not a scheme," Chu Xuan said calmly, displaying an infuriating ability to provoke.

"Then what are you talking about with Haotian for?"

"Because there is something very interesting..."

In the end, Zheng Zha could only feel utterly helpless toward Chu Xuan, believing anyone who engaged seriously with this man of few emotions must be insane. Zheng Zha was so angry he almost wanted to bite him, but ultimately, he had to let the impassive Chu Xuan leave. If he didn't, Zheng Zha feared a bloody incident might erupt on the spot—a bloody incident triggered by a scheme.

In any case, Zheng Zha attended the One Ring meeting with a stomach full of righteous fury. The two accompanying him were secretly alarmed by the murderous intent on his face. Did the Middle-Continent Team have some major move planned? For a time, they were extremely wary, especially Neos, who began compulsively consuming chocolate as if addicted, his mind racing over the Middle-Continent Team's supposed plans.

Thus, putting aside Zheng Zha's simmering rage, the One Ring Council finally commenced. At the meeting site, Zheng Zha and the other two spotted several famous characters from the Lord of the Rings narrative—the Elven Prince, the Dwarven warrior, the Human knight—all of whom would be central figures in the earth-shattering war to come.

"Strangers from afar and old friends, you have gathered to discuss how to counter the forces of Mordor..." The host of this Council was none other than Elrond, the King of the Elves whom Zheng Zha and his companions had met earlier. He gazed solemnly at the assembly, pausing for a few seconds before continuing, "Middle-earth faces annihilation. No one shall be spared. Therefore, you must stand united. If you remain divided among yourselves, destruction will surely follow!" Here, Elrond turned to Frodo and said, "Frodo, bring forth the One Ring."

The four Hobbits were also present, seated at the periphery of the gathering. As Elrond finished speaking, the Hobbit Frodo walked to the center of the meeting dais and carefully placed the One Ring upon the stone platform.

It was an ordinary gold ring, appearing utterly unremarkable; its surface lacked even the faintest decorative engraving. Yet, the moment it was revealed to everyone, every gaze was instantly drawn to it. For some inexplicable reason, seeing it was like seeing the entire world laid bare; this ring was the world in their eyes.

Zheng Zha also felt something strange. As his eyes fixed on the Ring, he heard peculiar whispers seemingly playing in his ears. The voice urged him to take the Ring into his hand, promising infinite power, dominion, eternal life, and a godlike status. In short, the voice was filled with temptation, making Zheng Zha desperately want to grasp the One Ring.

(...No, something is wrong, this strange feeling is...) Just as Zheng Zha started to rise, he instinctively sensed danger. Simultaneously, the Hunyuan Yi Qi Gong internal energy within his body began circulating autonomously. After completing one full cycle, his body felt instantly refreshed, and he snapped back to clarity. Only then did he fully observe his surroundings: aside from the Elven King Elrond, Gandalf, and the four Hobbits, everyone else in the room had unconsciously risen to their feet. Even the captains of the other two Reincarnation Squads beside him had stood up, though they were both covered in sweat, appearing to struggle more than the others.

Gandalf suddenly roared, uttering syllables of unknown meaning. The cadence of these syllables seemed to possess infinite power, and as he began to bellow, the surrounding light suddenly dimmed. A massive pressure forced the standing individuals back into their seats until everyone was seated again. Only then did Gandalf's shouting cease. Looking at the One Ring again, Zheng Zha found that the feeling of temptation had completely vanished.

Elrond let out a breath, glaring at Gandalf. "No one dares utter the evil incantations of Mordor within Rivendell..."

Gandalf also relaxed slightly, bowing briefly to Elrond. "I do not seek your pardon, King Elrond, but the wicked tongue of Mordor may soon echo throughout the West. The One Ring is an evil power; we must utterly destroy it!"

However, as Gandalf finished speaking, a Human knight stared at the Ring and murmured, "Perhaps it is not as terrible as you imagine. The Ring might be a gift, a weapon for us against Mordor... Gentlemen, my father is the Steward of Gondor, and he has strived tirelessly to resist Mordor. It is the blood of our Gondorians that has protected you. Therefore, give us this Ring, let us use its power to fight Mordor and destroy the evil!"

Aragorn, who had remained silent, suddenly spoke up. "Wait. You cannot wield this Ring. No one can wield it. It has had only one master since the beginning of time: the Dark Lord Sauron. It has no other!"

The Human knight turned to look at Aragorn, his face instantly filled with disdain. "What does a Ranger know? Do you think you can lecture me, a Knight of Gondor?"

This remark caused visible dissatisfaction among several Elves nearby. The Elven Prince attending the council was the first to stand. "He is not just a Ranger! He is Aragorn! Son of Arathorn, and the King of your Gondor! You owe him fealty!"

Upon hearing this, many people around looked toward Aragorn in shock. No one would have guessed that this seemingly down-at-his-heels Ranger was the sole heir to Gondor, the greatest human kingdom. This news truly stunned some attendees, especially the Human knight, who looked foolishly at Aragorn. "Aragorn? You are a descendant of Isildur?"

The Elven Prince continued, his tone already showing clear anger, "Yes! He is also the rightful heir to the throne of Gondor!"

Aragorn could only say helplessly, "Sit down, Legolas."

The Elven Prince, however, ignored Aragorn's request, focusing instead on the Human knight. After a long moment, the knight snapped back to attention and then said resentfully, "Gondor has no King... and Gondor needs no King!" With that, he sat back in his seat.

The atmosphere in the hall immediately grew silent. The internal power struggle within Gondor, the greatest of the human empires, left everyone speechless for a moment, each person reflecting on what had just transpired.

Gandalf sighed in resignation and took the initiative to speak. "Aragorn is right. This Ring cannot be used; we must destroy it... But the question remains: how do we destroy it?"