Chapter 347: The Quota

"So it's Fellow Daoist Qin. My surname is Liu." Han Li's expression relaxed slightly as he nodded.

"So it's Fellow Daoist Liu. A pleasure to meet you." The round-faced young man smiled.

This young man named Qin Zhong was extremely talkative, and after a few casual exchanges, the atmosphere quickly eased.

"Fellow Daoist Qin, do you know when this Guanlan City was built? I came here a few hundred years ago, and there was no such city then." Han Li asked seemingly casually.

"Fellow Daoist Liu may not know, but this Guanlan City was built just over a hundred years ago. Inside the city, there is a teleportation array leading to the Black Wind Sea. Occasionally, specialty items from the Black Wind Sea appear here. Over the years, it has become increasingly famous, attracting many people, so it has flourished recently." Qin Zhong explained.

"I see." Han Li nodded, but his heart sank slightly.

It seemed that the connection between the Black Wind Sea and the outside world had strengthened much more than before. For the Black Wind Sea, this might be more beneficial than harmful. Compared to other regions of the Northern Frost Immortal Domain, the Black Wind Sea originally had relatively scarce cultivation resources. With more resources, even Earth Immortals could greatly increase their cultivation speed.

But all of this was not good news for him, who wanted to keep a low profile.

As the two talked, the line moved forward, and soon it was their turn.

After paying a small entry fee, Han Li quickly entered the city.

Everywhere in Guanlan City exuded a sense of novelty. The ground and streets were spotless, truly a brand-new city.

Han Li swept his gaze around, then looked up toward the tall tower in the city.

The white tower had five levels, and at its top floated five blue jade pillars, each several zhang tall and as thick as a bucket, inscribed with countless runes.

The five jade pillars emitted azure light, resonating with each other and radiating waves of powerful star power.

"Fellow Daoist Liu came to Guanlan City to go to the Black Wind Sea, right?" Qin Zhong, who hadn't left, lowered his voice and asked, seeing Han Li looking at the white tower.

"Is it still the same as before, with teleportation once every hundred years?" Han Li slowly nodded and asked.

Coming to Guanlan City with the intention of going to the Black Wind Sea was normal; there was no need to hide it.

"That's right, and you've come at a good time. The next teleportation array activation is less than two years away. However, many people want to go to the Black Wind Sea now, and competition for the quota is fierce. If Fellow Daoist Liu wants to take this teleportation to the Black Wind Sea, it won't be easy." Qin Zhong said meaningfully.

"Oh? From what Fellow Daoist Qin says, do you have a way to obtain a teleportation quota? Please enlighten me." Han Li said calmly.

Judging by the bustling crowd in the city, the teleportation quota was indeed likely to be in high demand.

Of course, if he revealed his true strength, getting a quota would be easy, but that might expose his identity. If he could get a quota from Qin Zhong, even if it cost some immortal stones, it wouldn't matter.

"I wouldn't dare to enlighten you. I do have a quota in hand. If Fellow Daoist Liu is interested, we can discuss it in detail." Qin Zhong smiled mysteriously and glanced at a nearby tavern.

"Of course." Han Li nodded.

The two entered the tavern, rented a private room, and ordered some food and wine.

"The Qingling wine in this tavern is excellent. Fellow Daoist Liu should try it." Qin Zhong poured a cup for Han Li and said cheerfully.

The wine was a clear green, with a faint spiritual mist drifting above it, exuding an intoxicating aroma.

Han Li glanced at it but did not touch it.

Qin Zhong, however, seemed quite fond of wine and drank two cups by himself.

"Fellow Daoist Qin, we can drink slowly later. Let's first talk about the teleportation quota." Han Li spoke only when the man was about to pour a third cup.

"Forgive my indulgence, Fellow Daoist Liu. Although I have long since stopped eating, whenever I travel the world, I can never let go of fine wine and good food. Let's get down to business. I can see that Fellow Daoist Liu is a straightforward person, so I'll speak plainly." Qin Zhong gave a dry laugh, put down the wine flask, and became more serious.

"Please, go ahead." Han Li said.

"This is your first time in Guanlan City, so you may not be familiar with the situation. Many people want to go to the Black Wind Sea now, and for some reason, in recent years, the Black Wind Sea has become much stricter in managing teleportation quotas. It's not just a matter of having immortal stones; you also need a guarantor from a local power. So it's much harder for ordinary foreign cultivators to enter the Black Wind Sea." Qin Zhong explained.

"I've heard that the Black Wind Sea is different from other parts of the Immortal Domain, relatively closed and self-contained, with cultivators mostly practicing as Earth Immortals based on bloodline families. To avoid risks, such measures are understandable. Fellow Daoist Qin, first tell me about your quota." Han Li nodded thoughtfully and said slowly.

"This quota isn't actually mine; it belongs to a friend of mine. He originally planned to go to the Black Wind Sea for business, but recently his cultivation reached a critical breakthrough point and he needs some pills. That's why he wants to sell the quota." Qin Zhong continued, seeing no impatience on Han Li's face.

"I see. But since the teleportation quota is so sought after, your friend should have sold it long ago. It wouldn't still be available. Fellow Daoist Qin, if you have something else to say, please speak directly." Han Li said slowly.

"To be honest, my friend is a bit short on funds right now, so he's asking a higher price for this quota." Qin Zhong laughed.

"How much is your friend asking?" Han Li felt a slight relief and asked.

"Fifteen immortal stones." Qin Zhong hesitated for a moment, then said.

"Fifteen? If I remember correctly, a quota used to be five immortal stones, right?" Han Li raised an eyebrow.

"Heh, the official price hasn't changed; it's still five immortal stones. But as Fellow Daoist Liu knows, the quota is in high demand now. Occasionally, quotas appear on the black market, but they cost around ten immortal stones, and they don't provide a guarantor. Fifteen immortal stones is a bit expensive, but my friend's family is very prestigious locally and can vouch for you for free." Qin Zhong quickly said.

"Is that so..." Han Li stroked his chin, looking thoughtful, as if hesitating.

"Fellow Daoist Liu may not know, but Black Wind Island is paying more and more attention to the teleportation array, strictly checking those who come and go. If someone teleported to the Black Wind Sea causes trouble, the guarantor forces will be severely punished by Black Wind Island. So now, influential powers in Guanlan City are unwilling to casually vouch for an outsider. Even if you spend immortal stones to grease the wheels, it would require a huge sum; five immortal stones might not be enough." Qin Zhong quickly added.

"In that case, why is Fellow Daoist Qin so sure that your friend's family would be willing to vouch for me?" Han Li asked again.

"Heh, my friend naturally considered this. That's why, when entrusting me to sell this quota, he also wanted to know the buyer's identity. Although we haven't known each other long, from our conversation on the way, I can see that you are not a vicious person." Qin Zhong chuckled.

Han Li nodded and said, "Since Fellow Daoist Qin has put it that way, I agree."

"Then I'll immediately notify him to come and complete the transaction." A hint of joy flashed in Qin Zhong's eyes as he quickly said.

"Good, right here. I hope Fellow Daoist Qin will be quick." Han Li nodded.

Qin Zhong drained his cup, then reluctantly stood up, cupped his hands to Han Li, and walked out quickly.

After he left, Han Li immediately frowned, stood up, walked to the window, and gazed at the tall tower in the distance.

It seemed that the once relatively calm Black Wind Sea had undergone considerable changes over the years. He wondered if returning this time was the right decision.

Half an hour passed in the blink of an eye.

The door of the private room creaked open, and Qin Zhong walked in with a beaming smile.

Behind him followed a white figure, wearing a bamboo hat with a veil that concealed their face.

Han Li raised an eyebrow slightly.

The white figure removed the veil, revealing a stunningly beautiful face—it was an exquisite woman.

However, her complexion was unusually pale, her skin seemed covered in a layer of white frost, and her entire body exuded a chilling cold.

A hint of surprise flickered across Han Li's face, but he quickly regained his composure.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Fellow Daoist Liu." Qin Zhong said apologetically.

"Not at all. I can spare the time." Han Li said indifferently, then turned his gaze to the white-clad young woman, showing a hint of inquiry.

"Yes, the teleportation quota belongs to this friend of mine." Qin Zhong glanced at the white-clad young woman, his eyes filled with deep admiration, clearly smitten.

The white-clad woman's pretty face flushed slightly, and she shot Qin Zhong a shy, reproachful look, but her eyes also carried a hint of affection.

Both were clearly cultivators who had cultivated for countless years, yet now they behaved like a young couple deeply in love, which made Han Li roll his eyes inwardly.

"My name is Xue Luo. Greetings, Fellow Daoist Liu." The white-clad woman nodded slightly to Han Li and said shyly.

"So it's Fairy Xue. I am honored. May I first take a look at the teleportation token?" Han Li nodded.

The young woman before him, like Qin Zhong, was at the peak of the Integration stage, and her aura was stirring, indeed a sign of an impending breakthrough.

"Of course." The white-clad woman, Xue Luo, took out a black token, the size of a palm. One side was engraved with the characters "Black Wind," and the other with "Teleportation," identical to the token Han Li had obtained from the Black Wind Island Lord.

Han Li took the token, examined it briefly, and nodded.

Then he waved his hand over the table, and ten immortal stones appeared on it.

Xue Luo frowned slightly at this.

"Fellow Daoist Liu, we agreed on fifteen immortal stones!" Qin Zhong's expression also darkened as he said.