It was certainly a diversion, this endless, deep, dark staircase, and one couldn't guess how much further they still had to climb. Feeling dizzy and drained of strength, one truly pitied Zhuoma Yangjin, who had to lead the way while constantly devising ways to share stories just to keep their spirits up.

"Actually, we had arranged for other people to garrison Jamba Keshang besides Master Banqin," Zhuoma Yangjin said. "He wasn't the only one."

My head was still fuzzy, so I just managed a non-committal "Mm," without picking up the conversation. Old Li, however, seemed more engaged and asked, "Then why was Master Banqin the only one left in the end? Not even someone to look after him. Where did those others go?"

Wangmu let out a scornful sniff. "Those people had their own destinations." She had never been particularly warm toward Old Li and me, seizing any chance to make that clear. We didn't feel it was worth stooping to her level.

Zhuoma Yangjin ignored her, perhaps tiring herself, and let go of my hand only to quickly grip it again. After a few steps, she explained, "Those people were originally at Jamba Keshang. But during the Second War, the situation in Zhaburang Village became critical; many people arrived, including Xu Zhiwu's grandfather and a contingent of Europeans and Japanese. Nyon and the others simply couldn't cope. Moreover, they all had selfish motives, desperately trying to uncover the secrets of the Guge ruins. So, the High Priest ordered those garrisoned at Jamba Keshang to relocate to Zhaburang Village. Of course, Nyon and the others were kept unaware of these arrangements."

Wangmu’s smiling demeanor vanished. "Princess, don't let your excitement carry you away and reveal everything you shouldn't," she said, clearly displeased.

"I know my limits," Zhuoma Yangjin replied, before continuing where she left off. "The illusions you saw at the entrance—including the entrance exploding, the Germans being injured, attempting to open the entrance with the Gold Eye and Silver Bead, and the vision of Xu Zhiwu's grandfather—all those things actually happened exactly as you witnessed them."

This remark instantly sparked my interest, and my lethargy vanished. "So, you mean someone recorded the scene at the time and played it for us while I, Old Li, and Matias were all there?"

Zhuoma Yangjin countered, "Of course not. Who would have the leisure for such a thing! Don't you realize the magnetic field there is chaotic?"

Old Li and I responded almost in unison, "We know."

"Exactly. The magnetic field there is unstable. Events that occurred there were recorded by the local space's magnetic field, similar to a magnetic tape or video tape. Under certain special conditions, they replay automatically. Furthermore, what you see differs depending on your angle and position." Zhuoma Yangjin’s explanation reminded me of a news report I once read about a place in Sichuan, Nanchong or Guang'an, that was an ancient battlefield. During thunderstorms, people could hear the rumble of chariots passing by, the shouts of soldiers fighting, the clash of swords... Once the storm passed, everything returned to normal. Experts suggested this was due to a unique magnetic field that had recorded the past events, with thunderstorms acting as the 'on' switch for the playback. This seemed analogous to Zhuoma Yangjin's explanation, so I didn't press further.

Old Li looked bewildered, so Zhuoma Yangjin patiently explained the details to him. I suddenly remembered the temporal confusion and quickly asked her about the strange illusions Old Li and I encountered on the second level.

I sensed Zhuoma Yangjin turn to glance at me, offering a very gentle smile. "Multiple magnetic fields coexist, causing different spaces to manifest simultaneously... Do you understand?" So that's it, I thought, it sounds simple enough, but it nearly drove us to total collapse at the time.

Zhuoma Yangjin had been talking incessantly and was clearly tired, her voice becoming hoarse. Wangmu felt great concern for her, chiding us for talking too much while urging Zhuoma Yangjin to drink some water, rest, and stop speaking.

Hearing that Zhuoma Yangjin intended to stop talking, my spirits immediately flagged. Heaven knew how much longer they would have to walk in silence.

Wangmu seemed to fumble around and produced a water flask from her person, handing it to Zhuoma Yangjin. She took a few sips and then asked Old Li and me if we wanted some. I shook my head. Old Li didn't drink either.

Zhuoma Yangjin made no effort to hide her extra concern for me. "Luo Lian, aren't you thirsty?" I shook my head again, replying lazily, "Not really feeling it."

Seeing my listlessness, Zhuoma Yangjin was silent for a moment before saying, "I feel much better after the water. I'll continue telling you stories. Are you interested in hearing more?"

Before we could answer, Wangmu cut in, "No, there’s nothing interesting about it; it’s all ancient history. Princess, you should rest—that’s what matters. Your voice is already hoarse. If Zhoga sees you like this, I don't know how he'll scold me for not taking care of you."

Zhuoma Yangjin quickly replied, "No, I'll tell Zhoga it's not your fault." Wangmu muttered something under her breath in Tibetan. Zhuoma Yangjin ignored her and simply asked Old Li and me if we were tired and needed a break. If not, she would lead us slowly while continuing her narrative.

Naturally, I responded enthusiastically that I wasn't tired. Old Li remained silent.

Zhuoma Yangjin paused to think. "What should I tell you about? It seems there are so many things you don't know... Hmm... Let's take them one by one. I’ll talk about whatever comes to mind, so please don't mind if it seems disjointed."

Without waiting for our reaction, Zhuoma Yangjin began, "Let's start with the Cocoon People. I’ve already told you the principle of their growth, but did you know that nearly the vast majority of Guge subjects ended up in that state?"

This statement shocked me to the core. "What?! Doesn't that mean they all turned into monsters? Tens of thousands of them!" What a huge latent threat—what if they suddenly decided to come up to the surface?

"You're the monster!" Wangmu retorted indignantly. "The Princess is exhausted, and you won't even let her rest."

"Wangmu!" Zhuoma Yangjin sharply rebuked her. "Since you consider me the Princess, then do not be rude or unruly to the Princess's guests!" Wangmu was clearly surprised that Zhuoma Yangjin would truly lose her temper, quickly saying a submissive "Yes," and falling silent.

I knew Zhuoma Yangjin was exhausted, but if she didn't unravel every mystery in my mind, I felt I would perish slowly climbing these endless steps in silence.

After scolding Wangmu, Zhuoma Yangjin continued, "However, even though they were Cocoon People, they were also not Cocoon People, because they were superior to the standard Cocoon People. The standard Cocoon People could only mechanically replicate and grow their bodies, but their consciousness would perish with the death of the original host body—put simply, eventually, they would just become walking corpses. But for the subjects of Guge, their bodies were replicated, and their thoughts were also replicated. Thus, for all eternity, they remained their original selves."

I see! "So, you mean all the subjects of the Guge Dynasty are still alive and well now?" I asked, profoundly amazed.

"Yes," Zhuoma Yangjin replied without room for doubt. "They are all well. And we... are meant to protect them from harm."

"You?" I couldn't help feeling a sudden urge to laugh. "You aren't immortal, so how can you protect people who are impervious to all poisons and live forever? Are you serious?"

"No," Zhuoma Yangjin stated calmly. "Myself, the High Priest, and the Guge craftsman who initially agreed to remain in the mortal realm to guard the ruins but later reneged—we are the ones who protect them."

This sounded like another story. Was that Guge craftsman the serf from the Laba family? But Zhuoma Yangjin's voice was already showing signs of fatigue, and I truly couldn't bear to selfishly demand she continue speaking. "Let's rest for a bit," I suggested.

This time, Zhuoma Yangjin did not object. "Fine. Everyone, let's rest for a while." Having said that, she carefully directed the three of us to sit down. The steps appeared to be made of stone, but they weren't terribly cold, making sitting bearable.

Old Li seemed quite energetic. As soon as he sat down, he began discussing with me, "Technician Luo, so that serf from the Laba family was actually a guardian of Guge. What a pity... I wonder why he suddenly decided to give the Gold Eye and Silver Bead to Shengtai."

I corrected him. "It wasn't the serf who wanted to give them; it was the head of the Laba family who intended to give them."

Old Li countered, "I don't see it that way. Technician Luo, you always think things are too simple. That serf definitely didn't think that way. I suspect he had another motive."

From Old Li's tone, it was clear he was deliberately trying to prompt Zhuoma Yangjin into speaking. Wangmu likely noticed this as well and sneered, "Li Zeng, you’re the one with the motive—not even letting our Princess rest properly..." She then turned to Zhuoma Yangjin. "Princess, you rest. I happen to know about this matter too, so let me fill in the gaps for them to save them from trying to trick words out of you again."

Zhuoma Yangjin chuckled, "Oh, Wangmu, you little thing... Alright, you tell them. But you have to tell it right; no exaggerating about the guests."

Wangmu replied, "I know, I know. Please, old lady, shut up and rest now. Your throat is raw." Indeed, Zhuoma Yangjin fell silent, clenching my hand tightly without speaking further.

"Weren't you just discussing that Laba family serf? I know about this. His ancestor was originally a craftsman who specialized in making the Guge Silver Eyes and was quite skilled. When the King led everyone to the Land of Eternal Life, he left behind a princess, a High Priest, and one craftsman—the ancestor of that serf—and assigned several attendants as the guardians of the Guge Dynasty remaining in the mortal world. None of that is the main point. The important thing is that one day, the descendant of that craftsman suddenly felt life held no attachment and no comfort, and he wished to follow the King into immortality. But,"