An abstract trainer who taught Charmander the Incinerate move

Chapter 291 A Crazy Party, a Mind-Destroying Initiation Ceremony! (Seeking Monthly Tickets)
Mo Zhen glanced at Wan Long with some surprise, not expecting him to be here as well. His narrow eyes behind his sunglasses narrowed slightly, like a cunning fox that had spotted its prey.

The founder of the online novel website, Qidian.com, was wearing a Lolita dress that was completely different from her usual style. She had exquisite makeup on her face, but her signature red-rimmed glasses and a hint of panic deep in her eyes made her stand out in the crowd, like a ghost-type Pokémon that had wandered into a tropical rainforest.

Wanlong was also very shocked to see Mo Zhen here. The wine glass she was holding swayed suddenly, and a few drops of liquid splashed onto her white silk gloves, spreading a small patch of glaring red.

Her lips parted slightly, as if she were about to cry out, but she held it back. However, her eyes, looking through her glasses, were filled with disbelief: "How could you be here?!"

Mo Zhen reacted extremely quickly. His calm demeanor as an art master remained unchanged, but his feet moved as if using a shadow attack, instantly sliding to Wanlong's side.

He naturally reached out and seemingly affectionately put his arm around Wanlong's shoulder, but in reality, he used a force that left no room for refusal to pull her away from the noisy center area and towards the back of a huge column decorated with distorted elf reliefs.

"Miss Wanlong, what a coincidence! I wonder what kind of show this blessed land is up to this time? I would appreciate your guidance."

Wanlong was embraced by him, the scent of his perfume mixed with high-quality cologne lingering around her nose, her cheeks involuntarily flushed, and her heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was going to jump out of her chest.

She pushed up her glasses in a flustered manner, her voice becoming weak with tension.

"I...I joined here through Cattleya's introduction."

She glanced furtively at the superpowered king not far away, and seeing that he was lazily enjoying Miss Goth's services and not paying attention to them, she continued to mutter.

"Gardelia said that this is a secret organization of the true upper class in the Union, bringing together top talents from all walks of life. Only by becoming a member here can one truly touch the core circle of the Union and get rid of the nouveau riche status. As for the specifics... I don't know much, but I've heard that it can expand one's network and is very helpful for one's career."

Her words were vague, indicating limited knowledge; she seemed more like a newcomer drawn in by the alluring threshold, unknowingly stepping into an unknown territory.

Just then, Wanlong's gaze passed over Mo Zhen's shoulder and landed on the figure standing quietly not far behind him, like a solitary lotus on a snow-capped peak.

When she saw the waist-length blonde hair, the black gown, and the exposed icy blue eyes, Wanlong was immediately horrified. Like a sheep seeing its natural enemy, she trembled violently and almost knocked over the wine glass in her hand.

"She...she...how could she..."

Wanlong's face turned pale instantly, and her voice trembled with fear, as if she had seen something extremely unbelievable and dangerous.

Mo Zhen coughed, seemingly having already noticed Wanlong's change in expression.

He released his grip on Wanlong's hand, elegantly adjusted the collar of his bright red suit, and revealed a smile that was a mixture of helplessness and amusement on his face.

"Ahem, I am also grateful to Miss Zhulan for her kindness in introducing me here... Well, it's just to broaden my artistic horizons, nothing else."

Their commotion seemed to have caught the attention of the two ladies over there.

Gadriya raised her eyes, which were filled with the glow of superpowers, and lazily glanced at Mo Zhen, her gaze as if she were evaluating a novel toy.

She turned her head slightly and spoke to Zhu Lan beside her in her ethereal voice.

"Oh? Zhu Lan, I didn't expect you to value this kid so much. You actually brought him here."

Her tone was unreadable, but carried a sense of detachment, as if she were in a superior casually commenting on someone in a subordinate's position.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Lan's lips curved into a faint smile, like a snow lotus quietly blooming on an icy plain.

Her slender fingers gently caressed the rim of the white porcelain coffee cup, her voice still soft and pleasant, yet carrying a sense of complete control.

“It’s nothing, Cattleya. Mr. Mo Zhen has a strong academic interest in the art of life, and I happen to think that this place can offer some unique perspectives. Bringing him here to see it might spark some interesting ideas.”

Her words were impeccable, both responding to Cattleya and seemingly conveying some veiled message to Mo Zhen.

Mo Zhen did not immediately join the conversation between the two ladies. His gaze, like the most accurate radar, continued to scan the bizarre crowd.

Soon, more familiar faces surfaced like sediment rising to the surface, coming into his view.

Near the buffet table, he saw Wang Ju, the boss of Hezhong Mining—a short, stocky man whose gold chain around his neck was thicker than a fist.

At this moment, Boss Ju was holding a thick cigar in one hand and with the other hand, adorned with a huge gemstone ring, he was unceremoniously embracing a dragon-headed mole dressed in a revealing maid outfit.

On the sofa to the side, the renowned Pokémon professor, Yew, displayed a demeanor completely different from her academic identity.

She was dressed in a daringly tailored, almost transparent, modified white research gown that accentuated her curvaceous figure. She was leaning against a muscular old construction worker, her slender fingers casually playing with the concrete pillar in his hand, as if she were conducting some kind of in-depth study of elven ergonomics.

Suddenly, Mo Zhen caught a glimpse of a very familiar red hair, like a burning flame, flashing past the edge of the crowd.

Who is that figure?! What is he doing here?!
Mo Zhen's heart skipped a beat, and he was about to push through the crowd to confirm...

"Shua——!!!"

Just then, from the direction of the main stage, several spotlight beams so intense they could blind even the most discerning viewers, like the light of judgment descended by Arceus, tore through the dim light in the hall without warning, and precisely enveloped Mo Zhen, Ya Di, and Wan Long, who had not yet recovered from the shock brought by Zhu Lan!
The three of them instantly became the absolute focus of the entire venue. The dazzling light made Mo Zhen subconsciously raise his hand to shield his eyes, and his red suit seemed to be burning under the strong light.

Yati looked bewildered and excited, and the sketchbook in her hand fell to the ground with a "thud".

Wanlong screamed in fright, nearly throwing her glasses off, like a dark raven caught in a searchlight, with nowhere to hide.

On stage, a host whose face was covered by a silver mask inlaid with unknown gems appeared like a ghost.

He spread his arms wide and, in an extremely impassioned tone, as if announcing the arrival of a new era, broadcast his voice through the microphone throughout the entire hall.

"Ladies and gentlemen! And our dear companions who transcend mortal boundaries! Let us welcome with the warmest and most harmonious voices our three most vibrant and dazzling new members of the [Elf Era] tonight!!!"

His voice possessed a bewitching magic, instantly drawing everyone's attention. His eyes, hidden behind the mask, swept over the three people frozen in the light, and his tone became even more ardent.

"They are—one an artistic master who uses his brush to depict the soul and perceive the essence of life! Another is an ideal painter who uses color to depict harmony and pursue ultimate beauty! And the last is a media queen who controls the torrent of information and leads the tide of the times! These three new members are undoubtedly—absolutely outstanding and excellent—in their respective fields!"

The spotlight followed the host's words, scanning back and forth between the three people, as if displaying three rare treasures.

"Now! Let us welcome these three future stars of the era with applause and waves of enthusiasm! Let them step onto this stage, a symbol of glory and ascension! Let them undergo their... initiation baptism!!!"

The spotlight, like thick honey, enveloped the three people in the center of the stage.

Wanlong squinted slightly at the sudden attention, his gaze behind his glasses unconsciously drifting to the bright red figure beside him.

Mo Zhen stood there, tall and straight, a signature, nonchalant smile playing on his lips, as if he had everything under control. His bright red suit shimmered like blood-red jade under the bright light, creating a strangely harmonious effect against the absurd and bizarre scene. On his other side, Cattleya also appeared quietly. This superpowered superstar still possessed that languid, cat-like expression. Her pale pink, almost transparent starry-white dress accentuated her graceful curves, yet exuded an aloofness that kept everyone at arm's length.

Her gaze briefly met Wanlong's, and she nodded almost imperceptibly, her eyes seeming to say something.

"Since you're here, enjoy the game."

With the introducer's tacit approval, Wanlong's inner turmoil strangely subsided a little. She took a deep breath and, with slightly unsteady steps, followed the crowd toward the center of the stage.

Mo Zhen, on the other hand, was completely different from Wan Long's hesitation.

He seemed to have long been used to being the center of attention, and even quite enjoyed the feeling of being the center of attention.

Without any hesitation, he swaggered towards the center of the stage, his steps unhurried, the hem of his red suit drawing an elegant and confident arc, as if he were the true master of the night, rather than some newcomer waiting to be "baptized".

Inspired by his passion for art, Yati quickly picked up his easel and followed closely behind Mo Zhen like a devout pilgrim, his face a mixture of excitement, nervousness, and anticipation for the initiation ceremony.

The three stood in the center of the stage, and instantly, the entire luxurious underground hall erupted in cheers!

All the well-dressed men and women, along with their various elven companions, stopped their intimate conversations and turned their gazes toward them.

A wave of enthusiastic applause and incomprehensible cries from some elves surged up, converging into a distorted sonic wave that crashed against the stage.

The sweet, pungent smell in the air seemed to intensify with the sudden surge of passion.

On this stage, which was like the center of a vortex, Wanlong, standing side by side with Mozhen, felt the scorching gazes and deafening noise around him, and his heart began to pound uncontrollably.

This scene of them standing side by side in full view of everyone created the illusion that the whole world was cheering for them...

The scene before Wanlong's eyes changed instantly!
The twisted and eerie relief columns have transformed into a solemn and sacred pure white hall. Instead of crystal chandeliers, thousands of flickering candlelight hangs from the dome, like stars.

The somewhat incongruous Lolita dress she was wearing had somehow transformed into an extremely gorgeous dark gothic wedding gown, with layers of black lace interwoven with blood-red roses, and a long, trailing veil that resembled the ethereal smoke of a nightmare.

Standing opposite her was Mo Zhen.

He changed out of his signature red suit and into an impeccably tailored pure white tuxedo, with a crystal lampshade brooch radiating a ghostly blue flame pinned to his chest.

His handsome face was filled with unprecedented affection and solemnity, and his eyes, which always hid a hint of mockery and calculation, were now as clear as a lake reflecting starlight.

On the emcee's platform, a Gothic lady dressed in a little suit floated in mid-air, using her superpowers to vibrate the air and emit an ethereal and sacred sound.

"Ms. Wanlong, are you willing to take this man beside you as your partner, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, until the end of your life, and even beyond the limits of life, so that your soul may be eternally intertwined with his art?"

Wanlong was so excited she almost fainted. Her hands, clasped tightly together in black spiderweb gloves, were pressed against her chest, and her voice trembled with happiness.

"I...I do!"

Then, she heard Mo Zhen speak clearly and firmly in that magnetic voice that could make your ears pregnant.

"I am willing."

"Now, the groom may kiss the bride..."

Mo Zhen smiled and leaned down, his handsome face looming large before her eyes, his warm breath brushing against her cheek...

closer, closer...

"Snapped!"

A crisp snap of her fingers jolted her back to reality from her pink fantasy—it was the host on stage!
Wanlong's cheeks instantly turned bright red. Fortunately, she was wearing glasses to hide it. She hurriedly lowered her head and pretended to straighten her skirt, but her heart was pounding wildly as if it were being pounded by a bunch of rats.

She glanced at Mo Zhen furtively and saw that he was looking at the audience with great interest, seemingly unaware of her lapse in composure. She breathed a slight sigh of relief, but a strange sense of loss welled up inside her.

Meanwhile, below the stage, the senior members' burning gazes had already scanned the three newcomers back and forth, and their comments were made without any attempt to conceal their opinions.

Several scantily clad and glamorous ladies fixed their greedy gazes on the crystal chandelier spirit that had quietly appeared beside Wanlong.

The four eerie blue candle flames of the crystal chandelier flickered uneasily, emanating a cold, ghostly aura.

"Oh...look at that candlelight, that chilling temperature, that touch that seems to burn the soul yet brings a shiver...it's practically the perfect material for low-temperature candles! If it could be developed, it would surely bring an ultimate physical and mental experience. Tsk tsk, this media queen truly understands the beauty of darkness..."

On the other side, a plump gentleman wearing a monocle and holding a gold-plated cane took a keen interest in the nanny bug that lay quietly at his feet, looking like it was wearing a bright green kimono.

The babysitter's slender forelegs rubbed together nervously, making a soft rustling sound.

"Look at its silk threads, so strong, and carrying the fresh scent of grass and trees. This ability to spin silk, used for the art of binding, is impeccably functional! This artist seems to have a natural party assistant!"

Of course, most of the discussion focused on Mo Zhen.

"This Master Mo Zhen, with such astonishing artistic attainments, I wonder what unique hobbies he might have?"

"Perhaps he has a penchant for role-playing? Recreating scenes from his novels one by one?"

"Or is it performance art? A pursuit of inspiration bursting forth under extreme conditions?"

Just as the audience was buzzing with discussion and the atmosphere was becoming increasingly agitated, the host on stage once again opened his arms and used his highly persuasive voice to draw everyone's attention back.

"Ladies and gentlemen! Quiet! Quiet! The moment of witnessing has arrived! The grand welcoming ceremony is about to reach its climax! Now is the time to hold the most sacred and passionate initiation ceremony for our three brilliant new members who are destined to illuminate this era!"

He suddenly waved his hand, pointing to the reveling crowd below.

"Let's welcome them to the [Elf Era] family with the hottest party storm of the night! Let's party, my brothers and sisters! Let the glory of the era bathe every great member, the party—begin!!!"

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

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(End of this chapter)