Although rumors in the Pokémon world—much like in Silas's previous life—often claimed that Lance, the Dragon-type Elite Four member, was more like a Flying-type specialist, such talk was barely audible in the face of his absolute strength.
Not to mention his fanatical fans, who knew whether Lance might suddenly lower himself to seek trouble with you? No one was willing to take that risk.
What's more, Lance's personal character alone was enough to make people shut their mouths when it came to smearing him, if calling him a Flying-type Elite Four member even counted as slander.
There is a well-known "hot trivia" everyone knows: Lance's absolute trump card, Dragonite, evolved from a Dratini he obtained in Dragon's Den in Blackthorn City.
And according to rumors, Dragon's Den in Blackthorn City is home to every currently known Pokémon that possesses dragon bloodlines.
Pay attention here, it is Pokémon with dragon bloodlines, not strictly Dragon-type Pokémon.
The difference is that the former can include Pokémon like Charizard or Gyarados, which are not Dragon-type Pokémon but are capable of learning Dragon-type moves, while the latter refers exclusively to Pokémon that possess the Dragon type itself, such as Dragonite.
Naturally, the potential and overall capability of these non–Dragon-type Pokémon are generally far superior to their counterparts in the outside world.
Otherwise, they would have long since been driven out by the proud Dragon-type Pokémon.
Dragons do not live with serpents even in this world, that saying still applies.
From another perspective, it is precisely because the dragon bloodline within these non–Dragon-type Pokémon is purer and denser than that of their external counterparts that their potential is so much higher.
In the Pokémon world, Dragon-type Pokémon are synonymous with absolute power, with very few exceptions.
Even a small amount of dragon genes or dragon energy, is enough to cause an ordinary Pokémon to undergo a transformative change.
Even considering that the Fairy type will emerge in the future, the status of Dragon-type Pokémon will not be significantly shaken.
Under such circumstances, it is inevitable that both good people and bad people would harbor thoughts about Dragon's Den.
The difference is simply this: the former wish to enter Dragon's Den through legitimate means to capture Pokémon, while the latter prefer to obtain them directly through violence.
The Dragon Clan, to which Lance belongs, was established precisely for this purpose—a clan that exists solely to protect Dragon's Den, and the greatest power in Blackthorn City.
The current Blackthorn Gym Leader, Clair, is one of Lance's cousins.
Its existence over hundreds of years has proven one fact, violent acquisition is nothing more than a delusional fantasy.
The Dragon Clan has discouraged countless individuals, both overt and covert, who harbored dangerous ambitions toward Dragon's Den.
"Then you should also know the few ways outsiders can enter Dragon's Den, right?"
Elio's voice echoed beside Silas's ear like a devil's whisper.
So-called outsiders referred to those who were not residents of Blackthorn City.
"Yes.
First method: obtain Blackthorn City residency and meet certain conditions.
Second method: as a non-resident, make an enormous contribution to Blackthorn City.
Third method: place within the top ten Trainers in the Rising Dragon Ceremony."
Silas recited them fluently.
Any Trainer would be familiar with these three methods.
Dragon-type Pokémon were the dream partners of every Trainer, without exception.
With such a direct, publicly known method to obtain Dragon-type Pokémon, how could one not investigate it?
The first method was relatively the simplest.
The easiest way was to marry a Blackthorn City resident and transfer residency, which resulted in every Blackthorn resident being highly sought after on the marriage market.
As for the so-called "meeting certain conditions," that was a long grind.
It included both rigid requirements such as tax contributions, as well as flexible criteria in other areas.
But even after completing the entire process, it would be nearly impossible to qualify in under fifteen years.
In other words, even if one married at eighteen, the earliest they could gain entry qualification would be around thirty years old.
Considering the growth cycle of Dragon-type Pokémon, reaching that age essentially meant there was little point in cultivating them anymore, unless one was already a powerful Trainer, in which case it could still be worthwhile.
Blackthorn City's officials were not unaware of this issue, which was why the qualification could be passed down to the next generation.
This was, naturally, good news.
It was also one of the reasons Blackthorn City attracted talent from all over the world.
The second method sounded difficult and it truly was.
Putting everything else aside, according to Blackthorn City's definition of an "enormous contribution," if you multiplied that effort by roughly three, you could directly petition the Pokémon League for a pseudo-legendary Pokémon Egg.
Ignoring potential variations, this alone illustrates just how difficult this method is.
By comparison, the third method appeared exceptionally reasonable.
The so-called Rising Dragon Ceremony was, in essence, a competition attached to the Dragon Clan's once-every-three-years sacrificial ritual.
Any Trainer who placed within the top ten during the Rising Dragon Ceremony would gain qualification to enter Dragon's Den.
It is important to note that all three methods only grant entry qualification, they do not guarantee that one will obtain a Dragon-type Pokémon.
Any Pokémon with dragon blood is exceptionally proud, and earning their recognition is an extremely difficult task.
Otherwise, Blackthorn City would not have so few Dragon-type Trainers.
If every Trainer could capture one Pokémon just by entering, the number of Trainers wouldn't matter, Dragon's Den would certainly be empty.
Compared to the ubiquitous Bug-type Pokémon, Dragon-type Pokémon had an extremely low reproductive rate.
This was probably the law of energy conservation manifesting in this world.
As the rule-makers and guardians, the Dragon Clan decreed that Pokémon could only be taken from Dragon's Den through mutually recognized methods; forcibly capturing Pokémon was prohibited.
By "forcibly capturing," they meant using a powerful Pokémon to knock out adult Pokémon in the den and then take the young Pokémon. Simply battling a Pokémon and capturing it according to battle rules still counted as a mutually recognized method.
There were people who tried the former method before, and they were all taught harsh lessons.
"This is the essential token for participating in the Rising Dragon Ceremony."
Speaking of this, Elio proudly lifted the black object in his hand.
It was his greatest acquisition in recent years.
Upon closer inspection, the object resembled a Rising Badge, shaped like a dragon's head but the internal pattern was not a dragon's eye or other typical features. Instead, it was a ball of burning flames.
This was somewhat odd, as flames do not represent Dragon-type Pokémon.
"Although, with your strength and ability, you could certainly pass the extra tests at Blackthorn Gym and obtain the same token, saving a little effort is still a benefit, isn't it?"
Elio said with a smile.
"I no longer need it. This thing cannot be passed on to the next generation, so it's better I give it to you."
Such tokens, commonly used in major family or clan events, were numbered and had expiration dates. Once expired, they could no longer be used. In this sense, Elio was correct.
"The reason I wanted to head to Blackthorn City directly via the Dark Cave this time is because of this token. For me, it may even represent misfortune, so please, accept it. Consider it a favor for me."
Elio's series of "requests" came in quick succession, leaving Silas momentarily stunned.
By the time he recovered, the black token was already in his hands.
"Then I won't be polite."
Silas hesitated for a moment, then accepted it.
Perhaps it was a bit insincere, since given his abilities, Elio would never have handed it over without intention.
But one had to at least acknowledge the gesture.
"If you want to do business, you can contact this person. Just tell them I referred you."
Silas gave Elio the private contact of a friend from his address book.
Elio didn't technically need it, but that didn't mean it couldn't be used for profit.
The market value of such tokens was extremely high. Even though Silas had saved him, he still felt it was appropriate to offer a small return.
For both him and his friend, it was just a small gesture compared to the value the token could bring.
"Then I also thank you."
Elio did not refuse the gesture.
As a man in middle age both physically and mentally, he was more straightforward than Silas in such matters.
As time passed, the raging floodwaters gradually receded.
...
Hi For access to additional chapters of
Director in Hollywood (40 chpaters)
Made In Hollywood (60 Chapters)
Pokemon:Bounty Hunter(30 Chapters)
Hollywood:From Razzie to Legend(40 Chapters)
The Great Ruler(30 Chapters)
Btth: Ascend to Pinnacle (30 Chapters)
Douluo Dalu: My Martial is Tyranitar (30 Chapters)
Join pateron.com/Translaterappu