Chapter 368: Revisiting the Veridian Secret Realm
Saffron City's Hongqiao Airport. A good-looking couple emerged from the passenger gate, immediately attracting attention. Basalt's looks were certainly strong enough to hold their own, even when standing next to a beauty like Sylvie.
As an international metropolis, Saffron City prohibited flying below a thousand meters, so Basalt and Sylvie had to use an app to call a car to take them to the coast.
Looking at the shimmering sea, Basalt felt refreshed. "Do you have a flying mount?" Basalt asked Sylvie. "If not, I can let you ride Bronzong." Basalt knew Sylvie didn't have many Pokémon, but he wondered if she had caught any new partners recently.
"I have a Togekiss," Sylvie smiled sweetly, taking a Pokéball from her pocket and tossing it out.
A flash of red light, and an elegant white bird appeared. Togekiss is a bird-like Pokémon with an egg-shaped body covered in fluffy white feathers. It has broad, triangular wings and red and blue triangular markings on its lower belly—the symbol of the Togepi family.
"A Togekiss?" Basalt was surprised. Togepi's evolutionary line was extremely rare, arguably even rarer than Arcanine. He hadn't seen Sylvie in a year, and she had quietly cultivated such a powerful and rare Pokémon.
"I remember Togepi evolves into Togetic based on Friendship. She maxed out the Friendship in less than a year?" Basalt was impressed. That speed was exceptional.
But thinking about Sylvie's personality, Basalt understood. Such people were naturally close to Pokémon and genuinely sincere with them. It was natural that her Friendship level would rise quickly.
"Let's go then. The Life Energy Bureau staff are probably waiting."
Basalt nodded and mounted Bronzong, while Sylvie climbed onto Togekiss's back. Togekiss looked small, but it was quite large, standing at about one and a half meters tall with a wingspan of over two meters. It carried Sylvie easily.
The two Pokémon flew quickly, and soon they spotted their destination island. Just then, a ferocious, brown-feathered bird of prey seemed to spot Basalt and Sylvie and flew towards them rapidly.
"That Pokémon is... Braviary?" Sylvie recognized the Pokémon, the evolved form of Rufflet, a Normal/Flying-type Pokémon. Braviary was rare in the Alliance, being primarily a representative Pokémon of the Unova League.
On Braviary's back was a young man, about twenty-five or six. He glanced at Sylvie, then at Basalt, and nodded. "Follow me."
He clearly recognized Basalt. Basalt had been with the Bureau Chief last time, and the orders this time also came from the Chief. In the young man's eyes, Basalt was a privileged darling who could access the Veridian Secret Realm whenever he pleased. He was clearly jealous. Especially since he has such a beautiful girl with him. He's a complete winner in life!
Led by the young man, Basalt met the captain of the Secret Realm garrison team. This captain was not the same person as last time, suggesting a rotation. However, many members of the garrison had seen Basalt before, so the identity verification was skipped.
At the captain's signal, a staff member opened the spatial gate for them.
"Let's go," Basalt beckoned Sylvie, and they walked into the giant tree hollow side-by-side.
Vision shifted from light to dark, and then from dark to light. After a rotation, they found themselves in a massive, ancient forest filled with towering trees.
"This is Sawsbuck's homeland? It's so quiet! So peaceful!" Sylvie inhaled the fresh air, unconsciously spreading her arms as if to embrace nature. The air quality here was indeed superb, instantly lifting one's mood.
Sylvie then released Sawsbuck. The little guy, home again, let out a joyful cry. Before long, many wild Pokémon emerged from the forest. They gathered around Sawsbuck, chirping and squeaking, seemingly asking if the outside world was exciting.
"Let's go to the Fountain of Life," Basalt said when Sawsbuck finished catching up with its friends. Basalt hadn't forgotten the business at hand.
"Yawn~" Sawsbuck chirped, signaling Sylvie to ride on its back. As a native Pokémon, Sawsbuck was intimately familiar with the Veridian Forest.
Led by Sawsbuck, Basalt quickly arrived at the spectacular Fountain of Life again.
Waiting by the fountain was the massive, imposing Exeggutor Ruler. The moment Basalt and Sylvie entered the Secret Realm, the Ruler had sensed their presence.
"You are the trainer of the Sawsbuck?" The Exeggutor Ruler fixed its gaze on Sylvie, its ancient voice resonating in their ears.
"Hello, esteemed Ruler," Sylvie quickly bowed. She sensed a familiar aura from the Exeggutor, one that matched Milotic's strength.
"Good, good. A pure heart and a calm demeanor. You are the perfect choice for Sawsbuck." The Exeggutor Ruler carefully assessed Sylvie, its profound eyes seeming to pierce her soul.
However, the Ruler didn't say everything it was thinking. From a battle perspective, Sylvie was unsuitable to be a trainer who could help a Pokémon grow strong. Basalt was more suitable for that. But the Ruler believed that a Pokémon's happiness was paramount. As long as Sawsbuck was happy and sincerely approved of Sylvie, it would be glad Sawsbuck had found a companion.
"Exeggutor Ruler, you see? Sawsbuck has not only found a trainer it approves of but has also evolved. About the Fountain of Life water we agreed upon..." Basalt rubbed his hands and stepped forward with a smile. His meaning was clear.
"You have fulfilled your end of the deal. Go take a vial of the Fountain of Life water," the Exeggutor Ruler shook its head. It still felt Basalt was the more capable trainer, but Sawsbuck's choice was final.
"Thank you, thank you!" Granted permission, Basalt quickly rushed to the side of the fountain, took out a 10-milliliter test tube from his dimensional backpack, and filled it completely.
Carefully placing the Fountain of Life water into his backpack, Basalt's small eyes darted around. It was clear he was planning mischief again.
Sensing his intentions, the Exeggutor Ruler didn't give him the chance. It said, "Since the matter is settled, you may leave now."
"Ah? You're rushing us off already?" Basalt expressed his dissatisfaction. "Exeggutor Ruler, Sylvie has never been here before. Shouldn't she at least look around? And Sawsbuck has been away for almost a year. Shouldn't it catch up with its friends?"
"Hm, you have a point." After a moment of thought, the Exeggutor Ruler nodded, seemingly agreeing.
Basalt's heart lifted slightly, but the smile immediately froze on his face.
The Exeggutor Ruler communicated telepathically: "Sawsbuck and Sylvie can stay here. As for you, go back now. You have no business here."
With that, strange light flashed in the Exeggutor Ruler's eyes. Psychic energy flowed out, enveloping Bronzong and Basalt, attempting to send them through the spatial gate.
"Damn it! Playing dirty!" Basalt cursed inwardly. How much does this Exeggutor hate me?
Bronzong attempted to resist, but its psychic power was completely ineffective against the Exeggutor Ruler, like a praying mantis trying to stop a chariot.
But just then, a brilliant light appeared.
At the same time, a clear voice rang out: "Wait a moment!"
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