I Contracted All Ancient Divine Artifacts

When Emperor Chong’en unveiled the speculations about the Queen Mother of the West and the events in the Kunlun Twin Fruit World.

An explosion went off in Shang Siteng’s mind.

”I take Knowledge Dao as my path. Though it is not as effortless as the Queen Mother of the West integrating the Original Dao Soldiers to achieve Ascension to Saint, mine prevails in stepping a thousand miles with small steps. As long as I keep moving forward, there will be a day to cross that threshold.”

”After the Queen Mother of the West ascended to saint, she broke the barrier of the Fruit World, leaving for the outside. This departure lasted countless years.”

”During these endless years, I too, eventually, by the grind of time, reached the end of Knowledge Dao.”

What is the end?

The end is becoming a Saint, is the Realm of Transcendence.

”But at this time, the Queen Mother of the West returned. Her first act upon return was to hold the Penglai Feast.”

Emperor Chong’en paused at this point.

Even if he did not continue, Shang Siteng could roughly infer the developments to follow.

Emperor Chong’en expressed suspicion about the Queen Mother of the West’s motive for holding the Penglai Feast, but as the only Saint of this Fruit World, one could hardly oppose her will.

The immortals gathered at the Penglai Feast, expecting a joyous banquet, but it ultimately became their grave.

The Queen Mother of the West killed all the immortals.

No one achieved Ascension to Saint.

”So, those heads I saw hanging on the Flat Peach Tree after nightfall in the Peach Garden, they’re all real?!”

This time, Emperor Chong’en gave a negative answer.

”We have long since turned to dust, what talk is there of heads or corpses? Those shadows wandering in the Peach Garden are merely the lingering grievances from our unwillingness before death.”

As he spoke, the mountain within the Bronze Gate suddenly shook.

The piled memory bubbles slid to the sides, and a real figure emerged from the mountain.

That was the true appearance of Emperor Chong’en.

”If you still have doubts about me, believing all I’ve said to be too false, you can see how I look now.”

Emperor Chong’en spoke as he walked out from the Bronze Gate, not far in front of Shang Siteng.

His appearance... looks quite normal?

In front of her, Emperor Chong’en appeared like a middle-aged man, exuding generosity and kindness, with an aura of scholarly elegance.

Shang Siteng still did not understand what problem he meant by ”appearance,” but Emperor Chong’en’s voice once again echoed.

”You may try moving to my side and take a closer look.”

Upon hearing, Shang Siteng moved to the right side of Emperor Chong’en, and when she turned to look at him again, she finally understood.

Shang Siteng’s eyes were filled with shock because she saw that Emperor Chong’en, whose features were distinct just a moment ago, had turned into a thin layer of... skin?

That was, human skin?

”As you see, we perished in the massacre at the Penglai Feast long ago; now, everyone you see is merely a ’human skin.’

”The Queen Mother of the West wove these human skins, depicting them as the likeness of each of us.”

”This is the answer to your initial question.”

Shang Siteng’s initial question was why there were no others living on the Fangzhang Immortal Mountain.

The answer given by Emperor Chong’en was that the entire Kunlun Twin Fruit World had long been empty of people.

And these beings can hardly be called people; at best, they are just ”human skins.”

The purpose behind the Queen Mother of the West weaving human skins is unknown, but it is certain that she wouldn’t go about weaving human skins for every nameless Tom, Dick, and Harry.

Thus, whether it’s the Kunlun Immortal Court or the Fangzhang Immortal Mountain, the presence of the living is scarce.

”You mentioned earlier that we are currently in a cycle of time.”

”You also said all immortals died, leaving behind only false human skins. Then why, as a false human skin, can you narrate these...”

These truths.

Shang Siteng asked, puzzled.

The human skin representing Emperor Chong’en turned to face Shang Siteng and pointed directly at her.

Thus, he reverted to the scholarly middle-aged man appearance, vivid as life.

”Regarding this point, I have explained it to you before: because I cultivated the Knowledge Dao.”

”Memory and knowledge, amidst the ever-flowing River of Time, are those beautiful waves that will never utterly disappear.”

As Emperor Chong’en spoke, he raised his hand, and a memory bubble fell from between his fingers, which he casually burst.

”I have been reborn again.” The voice of Emperor Chong’en emerged from the bubble, he sighed.

”The twelve thousand four hundred thirty-sixth rebirth. The Queen Mother of the West still hasn’t abandoned the time loop; I still haven’t found her true purpose for doing so.”

Emperor Chong’en was silent as he casually burst a second bubble.

”The thirty-five thousand five hundred seventy-seventh rebirth. She seems like a madwoman, and we are nothing more than shadow puppets for her manipulation.”

The third bubble.

”The sixty-nine thousand one hundred twenty-second rebirth. Memory to me, has turned into a punishment that gradually drives one insane. The sad part is, I can no longer die again.”

Each bubble recorded each rebirth of Emperor Chong’en.

They also represent the time loop within the Kunlun Twin Fruit World.

The same voice repeated continuously, the number of deaths and rebirths increasing each time, exuding an indescribable eeriness.

”I think there is no need for further proof from me, wouldn’t you say?”

Emperor Chong’en ceased his action of bursting bubbles.

He directed his gaze at Shang Siteng.

”Then, Your Highness, did you finally understand the Queen Mother of the West’s purpose in doing this?” Shang Siteng couldn’t help asking.

Emperor Chong’en shook his head.

”However.” he switched the topic, his gaze still on Shang Siteng, ”Initially, I had no clues, but after seeing you, I had a hypothesis.”

”Do you mean to say that the Queen Mother of the West is maintaining this endless cycle of time because of us?” Shang Siteng asked.

”I don’t know. I can’t rule out this possibility, but for other reasons, I don’t know either.”

Emperor Chong’en had been dead for an immense length of time; now, he was just a human skin, retaining some memories due to the Knowledge Dao.

Remaining conscious is already an achievement; not to mention uncovering any truth.

”By estimation of time, the Penglai Feast of this cycle should be about to begin.”

As Emperor Chong’en spoke these words, a mixed express of crying and laughing appeared on his face, and the mountain of memory bubbles behind him collapsed once more.

The flying bubbles filled the sky, and Shang Siteng instinctively raised her head, watching them pass overhead, the colorful lights refracting from them.

”You need to leave quickly, before I lose control over this knowledge.”

The expression on Emperor Chong’en’s face suddenly turned pained.

He finished speaking, quickly walking towards the Bronze Gate behind him. The next second, the Bronze Gate closed heavily.

Seeing this, Shang Siteng finally understood what was meant by:

Memory and knowledge are also a burden.