Ye Qin glanced at the secret scroll held by the proprietor. It was thin, with a metallic sheen, appearing almost like gold yet possessing the texture of paper. It felt coarse and heavy, unlike a manual for immortal arts, leaning more towards schematics for alchemy or artifact refinement.

Yet, Ye Qin couldn't be certain what the contents were.

"Senior, this is a complete schematic for artifact refinement. Follow the blueprint, and you can forge the Spirit Artifact—the Sky-Shaking Cannon. With this in hand, anything can be utterly pulverized," the proprietor said, holding the scroll slightly ajar, lowering his voice, a look of smug satisfaction playing on his face. This item was incredibly difficult to acquire; without a connection to a Foundation Establishment senior from the Demonic Buddhism sect, he never would have obtained it.

Ye Qin only took a cursory glance at the scroll, but based on the proprietor's description, his heart gave a sudden lurch.

He recalled seeing such a thing while serving as the Guardian Immortal Master in the Great Zhou Kingdom.

This spirit artifact resembled the stone siege cannons used to guard secular cities, but its destructive power far surpassed that of ordinary artillery. Fueled by spirit stones, a single blast could flatten a large contingent of the most elite armored soldiers. Even cultivators in the Qi Refining stage, even with their protective shields fully activated, could not withstand a direct hit from this Sky-Shaking Cannon. The cannon’s immense power had one flaw: its rate of fire was somewhat slow, making it susceptible to evasion by swift cultivators.

Furthermore, the raw materials for this cannon were rare and difficult to refine; even a master artificer from the Ancient Artifact Sect could not produce many in a year. He had only ever encountered one small-scale Sky-Shaking Cannon back in the Great Zhou Kingdom.

Recalling its might, Ye Qin found the item novel but somewhat redundant. For one, he had no time to delve into the art of refining Sky-Shaking Cannons; secondly, its utility was limited—a mere flying sword artifact in hand offered greater lethality.

What truly piqued Ye Qin's interest was the material of the scroll itself.

He had browsed extensive collections in the Azure Pill Sect; only during the Ancient Era were such enduring secret scrolls created to record vital information. Later, with the advent of more convenient jade slips, people preferred those, or simply used paper books, abandoning these old, gold-like, paper-like scrolls.

Ye Qin was puzzled. Such an ancient scroll was rare, and he was curious about its origin, though he knew this proprietor wouldn't reveal where he got it.

He considered it, then shook his head, dismissing the Sky-Shaking Cannon refinement diagram. He had no intention of paying a hefty price for an item he likely wouldn't use.

The proprietor, whose eyes held a rat-like glint, saw that Ye Qin showed no astonishment at the schematic and had no desire to purchase it. Clearly disappointed, he carefully tucked the diagram away, muttering resentfully, "No eye for treasure. This was dug out of ruins, a rare find others can’t even dream of getting!"

Ye Qin paused, about to ask about which ruins.

Bang!

The wooden door of the stone house was violently thrust open. A burly cultivator, clad in coarse cloth, with vertical eyes and thick brows, barged in, staring blankly at Ye Qin and the proprietor inside the small room.

The proprietor hastily concealed the secret scroll within his robes and angrily rebuked the intruder, "What are you doing? Don’t you know the rules? When a guest is inside, no one else is allowed to enter. This is a grave taboo. What do you want, storming in like that?"

Even in the famously lawless market of the Chaotic Lands, there were customs that must be observed. For instance, transactions were conducted inside stone houses specifically to avoid being witnessed by unnecessary onlookers. Each room could only hold a very small number of people, and only the parties involved in the trade were permitted inside. Once a "Currently Trading" sign was hung, no one else could enter. This strongman bursting in without a word was enough to explain the proprietor's outburst of anger.

"Rat Old Third, flaunting that scrap of a diagram you have—nobody cares for it. Relax, I’m not here to rob you or cause you trouble!"

The burly cultivator shot a contemptuous glance at the proprietor, then turned to Ye Qin, deliberately smoothing the sleeve of his garment before bowing formally. "Esteemed Senior, my Master is currently hosting a banquet, inviting heroes from across the Chaotic Lands. Since you have the fortune to be in the Chaotic Market, we hope you might join my Master for a small gathering. Do you happen to be free? I can guide you."

Ye Qin looked at the rash, burly cultivator who had forced his way in and asked calmly, "Who is your Master, and why do they wish to invite me?"

The burly cultivator bowed again. "My Master is the Leader of the Setting Sun Sect, surnamed Shi, name Hanyang. My Master is widely inviting Foundation Establishment Daoists to a meeting—regardless of origin or cultivation level—so long as they are above the Foundation Establishment realm. The more the better, to discuss a grave matter. Your strength fully qualifies you to attend. We sincerely hope you can grace us with your presence; you will naturally understand the matter once you arrive."

After speaking, the strongman looked proudly at the proprietor. His assurance in barging in stemmed from confidence; in the face of overwhelming power, no rule was unbreakable.

Ye Qin frowned slightly.

Among the Five Great Sects of the Chaotic Lands, he had never heard of the Setting Sun Sect, suggesting it was a minor faction. The Red Cloud Sect, one of the Five Greats, possessed a Golden Core cultivator and several Foundation Establishment experts. He wondered how many Foundation Establishment cultivators the Setting Sun Sect commanded—perhaps a few worthy ones.

The proprietor looked startled upon hearing the name Setting Sun Sect.

Ye Qin paused for a moment, then asked the proprietor, "Do you know about the Setting Sun Sect?"

The proprietor hesitated. Seeing that the strongman did not object to him speaking, he addressed Ye Qin, "Senior, the most powerful forces in the Chaotic Lands are the Five Great Sects. After the Five Great Sects launched a massive offensive against the Spirit Mist Cultivation World, the Setting Sun Sect rose to prominence within the Chaotic Lands. Leader Shi’s cultivation has reached the peak of the ninth layer of Foundation Establishment, nearing the Golden Core stage. He is the most promising cultivator in the Chaotic Lands to break through to the Golden Core realm. The Setting Sun Sect is recognized as the sixth major power, ranking just below the Five Great Sects..."

The proprietor offered this brief explanation, then dared not say more, worried about saying the wrong thing. As a minor figure who relied on the favor of a Demonic Buddhism Foundation Establishment Senior to maintain his stone house in the market, he could not afford to cross the powerful influence of the Setting Sun Sect.

Ye Qin maintained a placid expression, but his mind raced. In just three years, without a single day of slackness, he had surged to the third layer of Foundation Establishment—his progress was undeniably swift. However, he knew his current strength was no match for a cultivator at the peak of the ninth layer of Foundation Establishment. Those who could establish dominance and found sects in the Chaotic Lands were never simple figures. He was unfamiliar with the local situation, and meeting Leader Shi presented an unknown scenario. Receiving an invitation from the Leader’s subordinate for a meeting with an unclear purpose, Ye Qin saw no need to involve himself.

With this thought, Ye Qin turned to the strongman and stated in a calm, concise, and unmistakable tone, "I have prior engagements and cannot meet with your Leader. You may go."

The burly cultivator was stunned. In the Chaotic Lands, very few dared to outright refuse an invitation from Leader Shi, outside of those belonging to the Five Great Sects. Fortunately, he was aware that his own life was precious and he could not afford to offend this mysterious Foundation Establishment cultivator before him.

He quickly said, "Since Senior does not wish to attend my Master's banquet, I dare not press the matter. However, my Master has already invited Foundation Establishment cultivators from over a dozen sects to attend the evening three days hence. If Senior reconsiders and decides to come, please proceed to the Eastern Cliff Cottage near the market and state your name to be admitted."

The burly cultivator offered a slight bow and promptly left the stone house.

Ye Qin lingered in the room for a moment before continuing to browse the market's various goods. By evening, Ye Qin saw Hou Qianji and Tie Dadan return to report that they had sold all the ore and fire raven eggs collected from the Fire Raven's nest.

They, of course, sold them in batches, not one by one, to more than a dozen merchant cultivators in the area. The prices were slightly lower than market value, but the payment was swift, yielding a total of nearly three thousand low-grade spirit stones.

Hou Qianji handed the spirit stones over to Ye Qin.

Ye Qin accepted the stones, highly satisfied with the efficiency of Hou and Tie. These thousands of low-grade spirit stones would suffice for a year, ensuring he wouldn't need to worry about procuring spiritual energy resources during that time.

Hou Qianji and Tie Dadan’s waists were bulky, and their faces showed contentment; clearly, they had benefited handsomely from the transaction. Ye Qin turned a blind eye. To ensure his subordinates were willing to work for him, offering them some benefit was necessary. Within the scope of his tolerance, he wouldn't pry. Hou Qianji, being intelligent, knew what was permissible to take and what was not.

Ye Qin casually asked Hou Qianji about the Setting Sun Sect, knowing that as a local fixture who had spent over a decade here, Hou would possess more knowledge.

Hou Qianji’s expression shifted, showing shock. "The Setting Sun Sect? Senior, did you get into trouble with someone from the Setting Sun Sect?"

"No. Why? Is there something wrong with the Setting Sun Sect?"

"Senior, have you ever heard the saying, 'The King of Hell is fierce, but the petty devils are difficult to deal with'? If the Golden Core Ancestors of the Five Great Sects are the Kings of Hell, then Leader Shi of the Setting Sun Sect is the petty devil. The Golden Core Ancestors maintain their dignity and won't easily strike at lower-level cultivators. But this Leader Shi, a dignified cultivator at the peak of Foundation Establishment, stoops to despicable acts that tarnish his status. This man delights in torturing low-level cultivators, having personally executed hundreds through slow death, draining their souls and vital essence over many days before they finally perished."

"There's such a thing?! Forget it, no need to elaborate on that aspect." Ye Qin was momentarily speechless. He recounted the encounter in the stone house, then asked, "I want to know what Leader Shi intends to do by gathering Foundation Establishment cultivators from various sects. Do you know anything about this Leader Shi?"

"This subordinate has never participated in the major affairs of a sect, so I do not know what Leader Shi intends."

Hou Qianji shook his head, then his eyes lit up suddenly. "Oh, right! This subordinate once overheard disciples from the Red Cloud Sect mentioning that Leader Shi has been stuck at the ninth layer of Foundation Establishment for a long time, desperately trying to break through the bottleneck to the Golden Core realm. But as Senior knows, breaking the Golden Core bottleneck requires immense fortune. He has been stalled at the peak of Foundation Establishment for decades, unable to breach that barrier. Leader Shi's entire focus is on this; he pays no attention to other matters. As far as I know, he didn't even dispatch his sect disciples to participate in such a major event as the Five Great Sects' invasion of the Spirit Mist Cultivation World—clearly showing no interest. Therefore, this subordinate has a guess: although I don't know what Leader Shi aims to achieve by summoning the Foundation Establishment cultivators of various sects, I suspect it is somehow related to his Golden Core bottleneck. Otherwise, there would be no reason to cause such a stir."