"Quota?" Yang Kai furrowed his brow and looked at Qian Tong. "There's a limit on how many can enter the Flowing Flame Sand Ground?"
"That's exactly what I wanted to discuss with you," Qian Tong nodded. "In truth, when the Flowing Flame Sand Ground first opened, there wasn't any restriction on numbers. But as you know, cultivation resources on the Dark Star are scarce — the higher the grade, the fewer there are. As one of the three great forbidden zones, the Flowing Flame Sand Ground naturally harbored no shortage of treasures, and every major power had their eyes locked on it. That's where the problem began. Long ago, when the Flowing Flame Sand Ground opened, every Saint King Realm cultivator who qualified would charge in all at once. With so many people, each individual's haul shrank, and the precious herbs and natural treasures growing inside were harvested without restraint. By the time the next opening came around, those who entered found almost nothing left."
"Over-exploitation would indeed cause exactly that kind of problem," Yang Kai agreed with a nod.
"Quite right, nephew," Qian Tong said. "So the major powers on the Dark Star came together and established certain restrictions on the Flowing Flame Sand Ground. Specifically, the number of people each faction could send in was capped. The three supreme powers — Star Emperor Gate, Battle Heaven Alliance, and Thunder Terrace Sect — were each permitted sixty people. The next tier, like our Shadow Moon Hall, could send fifty. Below that, the numbers dropped further — minor families and small factions might only be allowed two or three. On one hand, this reduced the attrition of Saint King Realm cultivators on the Dark Star. On the other, it helped preserve the natural treasures within the Flowing Flame Sand Ground. Over thousands of years, every major power has honored this system, selecting their participants according to the quota each time the Flowing Flame Sand Ground opens. That's how the restriction came to be."
Yang Kai gave a slight nod of understanding.
Qian Tong continued, "Even so, each time the Flowing Flame Sand Ground opens, no fewer than ten thousand people enter! But the Flowing Flame Sand Ground is vast beyond measure — no one knows just how large it truly is — so even with ten thousand people, it doesn't make much of a difference."
Hearing this, Yang Kai immediately grasped the meaning behind Qian Tong's earlier words.
If he wanted to enter, he would indeed need to occupy one of Shadow Moon Hall's slots. But since Shadow Moon Hall was entitled to fifty spots, a single quota was well within their means.
"Moreover," Qian Tong went on, "entering the Flowing Flame Sand Ground isn't something you can do from just any location. Only certain special entry points will do. This forbidden zone is peculiar — we've long suspected it to be an enormous formation array laid down by some ancient powerhouse, but we've never found a way to break it. When its searing flames weaken, vulnerable points appear at various locations — sort of like formation gates. Those who wish to enter must pass through these weak points to truly get inside. Otherwise, it's impossible."
Yang Kai listened to every word, realizing he had been far too naive about the matter.
Entering the Flowing Flame Sand Ground required a quota, and moreover had to be done at a specific time through a specific location — it wasn't as simple as he'd imagined, where the moment the barrier opened, anyone could walk right in.
At this thought, Yang Kai quickly said, "Senior, if I am to enter the Flowing Flame Sand Ground, I'll have to trouble you greatly."
Qian Tong laughed heartily. "Nephew, no need to be so polite! If I regarded you as an outsider, I wouldn't have told you all this today. Since you intend to go in, leave the rest to me — I'll make sure you're satisfied."
What Qian Tong feared most was Yang Kai not asking him for help. While he felt he had been genuinely forthcoming with Yang Kai and sincerely wished to befriend him, there was always the worry that the young man wouldn't appreciate it. Young people, after all, tended to be proud and aloof — perfectly normal for them to brush off us old fogeys.
Now that Yang Kai actually needed his help, he was naturally delighted.
Shifting the topic, Qian Tong said, "But nephew, if you want to go in there, you'll need to be fully prepared."
"What kind of preparations are needed?" Yang Kai asked deferentially.
"You'll definitely need some artifacts that can withstand the heat. If you don't have suitable ones on hand, I can provide you with body materials from ice-attribute demon beasts. Artifacts refined from those materials are perfectly suited for use in the Flowing Flame Sand Ground. I've stockpiled plenty of materials, so there's no worry about running short."
Yang Kai was about to decline when a thought struck him. He asked thoughtfully, "Brother Wei and Miss Dong — they're also planning to enter the Flowing Flame Sand Ground, aren't they?"
Qian Tong nodded. "Of course they are. The place is dangerous, true, but they are two of Shadow Moon Hall's most outstanding disciples. How can they grow without facing some storms?"
"And their artifacts..."
Qian Tong smiled sheepishly. "I've managed to acquire some, but most are only Saint King Grade, upper rank — hard to say how much good they'll do. Alas, our Shadow Moon Hall once had a Void Grade artifact refiner, but he's too old now and can no longer forge artifacts."
Yang Kai raised an eyebrow. "If you trust me, Senior, why not hand over those ice-attribute demon beast materials? In a few days, I'll deliver two Void Grade artifacts for their protection!"
Qian Tong had long believed that a Void Grade artifact refiner stood behind Yang Kai, so there was no need for the young man to be coy. Besides, Qian Tong had specifically mentioned he'd stockpiled plenty of materials — an unmistakable hint that he wanted to commission Yang Kai's fictitious master for some artifacts. Qian Tong had helped Yang Kai tremendously over the past days, providing him with a quota for the Flowing Flame Sand Ground as well as intelligence. Yang Kai had no qualms about returning the favor.
If you respect me an inch, I'll respect you a yard.
Sure enough, seeing how perceptive Yang Kai was, Qian Tong was overjoyed and nodded repeatedly. "Rest assured, rest assured! I couldn't be more at ease. Hahahaha — then I'll trouble you, nephew!"
He had been wondering moments ago what he would do if Yang Kai failed to catch the subtext. For the sake of Shadow Moon Hall's future, he would have been forced to swallow his pride and ask directly. He never expected that a single oblique remark would be enough — Yang Kai understood perfectly.
As they spoke, Qian Tong produced a spatial ring and handed it to Yang Kai.
He had prepared the materials long ago, simply waiting for this moment. And earlier, he had specifically brought Wei Guchang and Dong Xuan'er along — partly so they could meet Yang Kai, but also to take the opportunity of having Yang Kai refine artifacts for them.