Hou Qianji's guess startled Ye Qin. "This Headmaster Shi of the Sunset Cult has been searching for a way to break through the Golden Core bottleneck?" Ye Qin couldn't help but fall into thought.

In the next one or two decades, as long as he could cultivate methodically and refine spirit elixirs, he was confident he could smoothly reach the ninth layer of the Foundation Establishment stage. However, beyond the ninth layer of Foundation Establishment, he had absolutely no assurance of how to begin forming a Golden Core.

This was because the Golden Core bottleneck could not be broken solely by accumulating vital energy through the cycles of the sun and moon. It required immense fortuitous encounters, and even during the core formation, one had to withstand a minor heavenly tribulation.

Otherwise, there was no chance to form a core; one might even perish from failing to endure the minor tribulation during the process. In the Cultivation World, every single individual who achieved the Golden Core stage was someone possessing extremely high spiritual root potential and deep reserves of fortune.

The entire Azure Pill Sect, with over two hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators, could only select a few core disciples with the highest spiritual root potential and strongest overall aptitude, supporting their cultivation with the sect's entire financial resources and elixirs, urging them to strike at the Golden Core bottleneck in the shortest time possible. It was rumored in the Cultivation World that there was a formula to create the legendary Core-Forming Elixir, capable of breaking the Golden Core bottleneck.

But this was merely gossip, and no one knew if it was true. Even if such raw materials and a formula existed, finding them would be an incredibly arduous task.

The Azure Pill Sect was the sect with the most Golden Core cultivators among the numerous sects in the Spirit Mist Cultivation World, yet they possessed only nine Golden Core cultivators currently, averaging one new Golden Core cultivator every fifty years. Relying solely on his own arduous effort, he had only just managed to keep pace with the rate of cultivation progress shown by the sect's elite core disciples.

But if he didn't have the opportunity to become a Golden Core cultivator, the day he could meet Huangfu Bing'er openly and legitimately would never come. The Huangfu family would never allow the greatest hope for producing their second Golden Core cultivator to partner in dual cultivation with an ordinary, powerless cultivator.

The two hundred-plus years of lifespan afforded to a Foundation Establishment cultivator could never compare to the five hundred-plus years enjoyed by a Golden Core cultivator. A subtle ache resided deep within Ye Qin's heart, a feeling he always kept hidden in his deepest recesses.

Whether it was for the pursuit of elusive eternal life or for the right to legitimately marry Huangfu Bing'er, he had to become a Golden Core cultivator. It was precisely for this reason that Ye Qin’s heart leaped when he learned of Headmaster Shi's situation.

Since this Headmaster Shi had been stuck at the peak of the ninth layer of Foundation Establishment for decades, he must have attempted numerous methods to break through the Golden Core bottleneck. Even the failed methods represented precious experience that could help Ye Qin avoid making the same mistakes.

He was desperate to know how Headmaster Shi planned to assist him in breaking through the Golden Core bottleneck by gathering so many Foundation Establishment cultivators. If that were the case, it was genuinely worth taking a bit of a risk to meet this Headmaster Shi.

Compared to breaking through the Golden Core bottleneck, taking this small risk meant nothing. This gathering was convened by Headmaster Shi, and over ten sects' Foundation Establishment cultivators were attending.

Even if there were risks, they would be shared by everyone present. Thinking this, Ye Qin suddenly allowed a faint, enigmatic smile to cross his lips.

Headmaster Shi had a terrible reputation, yet he could so easily summon Foundation Establishment cultivators from over ten small sects in the Barren Lands. He wondered if these cultivators harbored the same thought as him—wishing to discover Headmaster Shi's plans for breaking through the Golden Core bottleneck—and that was why they participated.

Hou Qianji and Tie Dadan, seeing Ye Qin lost in thought, dared not disturb him, waiting obediently nearby while making arrangements for their lodging. Three days later, after carefully weighing the pros and cons, Ye Qin decided to attend the gathering hosted by Headmaster Shi.

He instructed Hou Qianji to lead the way to the Cliff East Hermitage near the market town. This Cliff East Hermitage was not far, situated in a hidden cave hall on the easternmost cliff face of the valley.

This location usually served as a meeting point for the leaders of the various sects in the Barren Lands, but it was currently occupied by cultivators from the Sunset Cult. Rows of red-robed Sunset Cult disciples stood along the path leading to the cliff, buffeted by the mournful mountain winds, yet unmoving.

At this time, cultivators dressed in various attires were also present near the cliff. They were clearly subordinates from the various sects, looking quite capable.

Their leaders were inside the Cliff East Hermitage, discussing important matters, while these Qi Refining cultivators stood guard nearby. Only Foundation Establishment cultivators were permitted to ascend to the Cliff East Hermitage; merely stating one's name sufficed, and the guards would not diligently verify identity.

This gathering had no restrictions on status. Ye Qin stated his name and passed directly through the guard line, arriving at the main hall of the Cliff East Hermitage.

Hou Qianji and Tie Dadan remained below the cliff, waiting. ...

"Oh, isn't this Headmaster Wang? Brother Wang's presence is truly an honor for this old Shi!" "Heh heh, Brother Shi, you are always well!" "Thanks to you, Brother Wang, I am excellent.

Please come in!" Headmaster Shi, serving as the host, stood at the entrance of the hall welcoming the arriving guests. Occasionally, someone inside the hall would let out an exclamation of surprise, murmuring in low tones about which renowned heretical cult leader had also come to this meeting.

Ye Qin had no reputation in the Barren Lands, and coupled with his moderate cultivation level, he naturally did not receive much attention. Upon Ye Qin's arrival, Headmaster Shi merely gave a slight cupped-hand salute as a form of greeting.

Ye Qin stepped into the main hall. This hall was essentially a large, hollowed-out stone chamber, hundreds of feet wide, vast and empty, furnished with some simple stone tables and chairs.

At this moment, forty to fifty Foundation Establishment cultivators were already inside the hall, gathered in small groups, occupying different areas and discussing things in low voices. Their clothing clearly indicated that their statuses and origins were extremely diverse, definitely not from a single sect.

Ye Qin's cultivation at the third layer of Foundation Establishment was neither very low nor considered high; he was in the lower-middle range, unremarkable among this crowd. Upon entering, a few cultivators occasionally glanced at him, but after finding nothing outstanding, they quickly turned their attention elsewhere.

Ye Qin was naturally content to remain unnoticed, quietly standing alone in an inconspicuous spot within the hall. As evening approached, most of the guests planning to attend the gathering had arrived.

Ye Qin was astounded to find that nearly a hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators had assembled in the hall. With the five major sects having traveled to the Spirit Mist Cultivation World, the sheer number of Foundation Establishment cultivators present here made him secretly astonished.

The strength of the cultivators in the Barren Lands should not be underestimated. At least half of the cultivators in the hall belonged to various sectarian forces.

The rest were many like Ye Qin—alone, scattered quietly throughout the hall. Since the Barren Lands served as a sanctuary for refugees from the Three Realms, there were undoubtedly many hidden cultivators here.

Hostilities ran deep between many cultivators in the Barren Lands. The host, Headmaster Shi Hanyang of the Sunset Cult, a slightly plump middle-aged cultivator with a ruddy complexion, showed no resemblance to a cunning schemer.

His strength at the peak of the ninth layer of Foundation Establishment undoubtedly placed him at the pinnacle of everyone present. Besides him, there were several renowned headmasters and rogue cultivators in the hall, all at the eighth or ninth layer of Foundation Establishment, who stood as equals to Shi Hanyang and offered him little deference.

"Headmaster Shi, you gathered all the brothers here, what is it you want? Now that everyone is here, you should speak.

Our time is precious; we don't have time to listen to useless chatter," stated a gray-robed cultivator wearing a conical hat, his arms crossed, speaking in a chilling tone. Ye Qin quickly noticed that many lower-level Foundation Establishment cultivators looked toward this gray-robed cultivator with a degree of awe.

This cultivator seemed almost as famous as Shi Hanyang. "Brother Ma, no need to rush.

Since all the brothers have arrived, I shall speak plainly," Shi Hanyang glanced around and said with a light smile, "A few days ago, I observed the Heavenly Stars and used the Heavenly Manifestation Art to divine the constellations. I discovered the stars shifting, with the Sun Star and Moon Star misaligned.

This will be the most powerful celestial event in the last three decades. Have any of you also noticed this alignment?" After speaking, he smiled faintly, looking toward the assembled cultivators.

A moment of silence fell over the hall. The Heavenly Manifestation Art was a mysterious spell used to measure the constellations, and cultivators proficient in it were extremely rare in the Cultivation World.

After all, cultivators barely had time for their primary cultivation, let alone learning such an auxiliary art with little direct benefit to their practice. Only a cultivator like Headmaster Shi, who had been stuck in the high stages of Foundation Establishment for decades, would have the inclination to study miscellaneous, auxiliary skills.

Before long, a clamor of questioning and discontent erupted throughout the hall. "Headmaster Shi, you gathered everyone here just for this matter?" "Headmaster Shi, what is the meaning of this?

You called us all here just to say this?" Only a very small number of high-level cultivators showed expressions of delight, seemingly understanding what Shi Hanyang intended. Shi Hanyang roared with laughter three times, silencing the noise in the hall, and declared, "I certainly didn't bore you all by asking you to gaze at the stars, the Sun Star and the Moon Star.

This phenomenon appears only once every thirty to fifty years. Every time this alignment occurs, it signifies that the Earth Fire Tide has been weakened to its lowest point.

In other words, the gateway to the most perilous location in our Barren Lands—the Imperial Tomb Ruins—is about to open for us." In the hall, the cultivators finally understood the reason Shi Hanyang had made such a grand effort to summon them. However, upon learning the cause, they couldn't help but gasp in shock.

"The Imperial Tomb Ruins are opening?" "We have Headmaster Shi to thank for his marvelous art. Looking across the Barren Lands, only Headmaster Shi can accurately calculate the changes in the stars.

Otherwise, we might have missed such a great opportunity." Only a very small number of cultivators new to the Barren Lands were unaware of the situation. Ye Qin was also confused, wondering what this Imperial Tomb Ruins was, and why it was the most dangerous place in the Barren Lands.

He glanced to his left and right and saw a lower-level Foundation Establishment cultivator in a yellow shirt beside him looking visibly excited. He clearly knew what the Imperial Tomb Ruins were all about.

Ye Qin immediately cupped his hands toward the yellow-shirted cultivator, "Brother, might I ask what this Imperial Tomb Ruins is all about?" The cultivator rolled his eyes and studied Ye Qin. He said in surprise, "You don't even know about the Imperial Tomb Ruins?

Brother, are you new here! Do you know that our Barren Lands had another name thousands of years ago?" Ye Qin asked with confusion, "Oh?

What name?" The yellow-shirted cultivator said, "The Sacred Emperor Cultivation World! This Sacred Emperor Cultivation World was once immensely powerful, boasting a massive Immortal Fate City called 'Sacred Emperor City.' But alas, for unknown reasons, the Sacred Emperor Cultivation World gradually declined, later suffering attacks from three sides—the Sky Vault Plain, Myriad Moon Lake, and the Spirit Mist Cultivation World—turning it into a desolate wasteland.

Sacred Emperor City was destroyed in the north, its cultivators decimated; some fled, others escaped. The Sacred Emperor Cultivation World completely withered and was forgotten.

Over time, this area became the Barren Lands, ironically gathering a large number of cultivators who came from the Three Realms." Ye Qin stood stunned for a moment, unable to fully process it. This Barren Lands was once a Cultivation World?

The yellow-shirted cultivator wet his lips and continued, "The Imperial Tomb Ruins are the ruins of this Sacred Emperor City. However, this Sacred Emperor City is actually divided into two parts: the surface Sacred Emperor City and the underground Sacred Emperor Tomb.

The surface city was completely destroyed, but the underground tomb was not entirely ruined. It is said that a considerable number of treasures remain to this day.

There is a secret passage that opens only when the Earth Fire Tide drops to its lowest point, allowing entry into the underground tomb. Shi Hanyang is likely aiming for that Imperial Tomb." Ye Qin let out a long breath, slowly nodding, and cupped his hands, "Thank you for enlightening me, Brother!" The yellow-shirted cultivator waved his hand, "This ruin is common knowledge; it's normal for a newcomer like you not to know."