Pokémon: I picked up a reborn Eevee at the start of the game.

Three feet frozen, not a cold day.

Similarly, the construction of a grand competition cannot be completed overnight.

Starting a business alone is too difficult, so Xia Chen certainly wouldn't miss out on Ma Xiu, the best partner who is rich, well-connected, and passionate about the industry.

Ma Xiu's response was also delightful. Xia Chen hadn't even fully unfolded his plan before she agreed without a word, so quickly that Xia Chen felt she was just being perfunctory.

In response, Ma Xiu earnestly stated, "Compared to Pokémon battles, I prefer this way of showcasing the charm of Pokémon. Of course, I also hope that [Spectacular Performances] will be loved by more people. It's definitely not enough for just me to perform alone. If we want it to become a nationwide Pokémon sport, it must be promoted through competitions. So, I will support you!"

Thus, Xia Chen successfully obtained his first entrepreneurial partner in the Grand Competition, and the two agreed to make detailed plans after the Shenmu Festival.

A crucial step in his life plan had finally been taken, and Xia Chen felt completely relaxed.

She consulted Miss Maxiu for tips on raising Fairy-type Pokémon, continued studying the information sent by Karune with Ralts, and occasionally lay on Milotic to bask in the sun, living a very leisurely and carefree life.

However, Eevee wasn't having such a relaxed time. As the end of the Sacred Tree Festival drew near, the leaves on the Sacred Tree gradually withered away, and Eevee felt a rare sense of tension.

After all, this wasn't some trivial adventure like digging for evolution stones; it involved something related to legendary Pokémon, and it was something she hadn't personally experienced in her previous life. She wasn't sure if there were any risks involved.

But the allure of Xerneas's horns was too great to be true, and it was worth the risk!

Late at night on the second day after the Sacred Tree Festival, Ibu gently pried Xia Chen's arm off him, opened the window, and leaped into the night.

…………

The Aroma Gym is located directly beneath the Sacred Tree. Not far away, Eevee stepped through the thick layer of fallen leaves and arrived at the tree roots.

Although Ibrahimovic recalls the news report saying that a local resident found the strange branch at the end of the last day of the Sacred Tree Festival, what if a clue is found today?

Opportunity only favors the prepared Ibrahimovic!

Around the massive tree roots, Eevee began searching for any possible anomalies.

The sacred tree has an exceptionally thick trunk. According to the official data of the Incense Dojo, the thickest part has a diameter of 22 meters, and the circumference of the tree is nearly 70 meters.

Searching is inherently a time-consuming and energy-intensive task, let alone in the dark of night.

Fortunately, most of the leaves have fallen in the past two days, and the soft moonlight provides some visibility.

However, after going around in circles, Ibrahimovic did not find the anomaly he had expected.

Forget about the strange branches that radiate multicolored light, there wasn't even a single ordinary branch; all that was there was a thick layer of leaves covering the ground.

Ibrahimovic wasn't particularly frustrated, after all, there was still a day until the Sacred Tree Festival, and that was when things were most likely to go wrong.

The withering of the sacred tree was inevitable; all I needed to do was wait for tomorrow to arrive.

If we are too hasty and interfere too much, we might even change the future, which would be counterproductive.

With that thought in mind, Ibu returned to the room the way he came.

After washing his hands in the bathroom, Ibu crawled back into his warm bed.

With Xia Chen's hand on his body, Ibu slowly fell asleep.

It was as if nothing had happened.

…………

On the last day of the Sacred Tree Festival, the once lush canopy of the trees is now reduced to a few scattered leaves, its bare appearance resembling that of a seasoned professional in a certain industry.

Naturally, apart from a few local residents praying under the sacred tree, there were hardly any tourists left.

For tourists from other places, apart from the performance by Miss Ma Xiu, there is nothing to look forward to at the Shenmu Festival.

Just by looking at the long line outside the gate of the Divine Tree Arena, Xia Chen could already imagine how crowded it was inside, so he naturally continued to stay at the dojo and slack off.

However, he didn't notice that Eevee beside him was gazing longingly at the sacred tree outside the window.

As dusk lingered, an ordinary day quickly passed for Xia Chen.

Outside the window, in the afterglow of the setting sun, the last leaf of the sacred tree slowly drifted down.

The residents of Aroma City, gathered under the sacred tree, cheered and jumped for joy, preparing to welcome the new year.

But no one knows that the day they are hoping for may never come again.

Except for Ibrahimovic.

Watching the crowd gradually disperse below, Ibrahimovic knew it was time for him to make his move.

Inside the room, Xia Chen and Ma Xiu were discussing the grand construction plan for the Grand Contest, while Ralts was playing with Mawile, whom they had met a few days ago, and Milotic was probably soaking in the pond in the courtyard.

Ibrahimovic figured that disappearing for half an hour wouldn't attract attention.

With that thought in mind, Ibu tiptoed to the balcony and performed another Leap of Faith.

The setting sun hung obliquely on the horizon, dyeing the surrounding clouds a large expanse of orange-red.

Taking advantage of the still relatively bright time, Ibrahimovic quickly ran to the tree roots and continued circling along the route he took yesterday.

Although the Sacred Tree Festival has ended, some local elderly people are still chatting and strolling under the sacred tree.

Most of them were accompanied by Pokémon like Meowth, Dedoo, and Yamper. A little Eevee circling the sacred tree looked a bit strange, but her appearance didn't attract anyone's attention.

Night always falls early in winter. Just moments ago, the sunset was a beautiful sight, but soon the sky darkened.

The elderly people taking a walk gradually dispersed, and fewer and fewer people and spirits remained lingering under the sacred tree.

No one noticed that Eevee, which had been circling the tree trunk, had not yet left.

…………

Ibrahimovic gradually stopped walking.

It wasn't that she was tired; such a short distance wasn't even a warm-up for Eevee right now. It was just that she felt her method seemed a bit clumsy.

Since someone will eventually find that thing and won't take it, why can't we identify that person who might find it first?

Having figured this out, Eevee began to stroll leisurely around the sacred tree, searching for that person.

Although Ibrahimovic did not know what he looked like, he remembered that the news said he was an old man who was not young.

This eliminates many potential targets, and since he is definitely heading towards the sacred tree, there are fewer and fewer suspicious individuals.

Soon, Detective Ibu noticed a key person to focus on: an old man with a pink hamster perched on his shoulder, slowly walking towards the sacred tree with a cane.

Could it be him?

Ibu looked at the other elderly people walking home under the sacred tree and felt that it was very likely.

There was no one else around, so Ibrahimovic circled around and quietly followed behind him.

"Fragrant Pink, you'll be a year older tomorrow!"

"Chirp~"

"Fortunately, you and the Arrow Eagle have been with me all these years. When I die, you can come back to this tree."

"chirp"

"Don't be sad. Life is a cycle of death, just like this sacred tree. Tomorrow morning, it will be full of life again."

"chirp"

An elderly man, seemingly enlightened by life and death, walked slowly ahead, chatting casually with the pink-scented girl on his shoulder.

…………

Ibrahimovic followed quietly behind them, maintaining a respectful distance.

Suddenly, the old man stopped, as if he had discovered something extraordinary. His cane trembled uncontrollably and then fell to the ground with a thud.

Even the pink-scented baby on his shoulder let out a surprised "Chirp!"

Seeing the unusual reaction from the person and the bird, a glint of light flashed in Ibrahimovic's eyes.

She knew that the thing that resembled the Horn of Xerneas had appeared!

In fact, even without observing their reactions, the vibrant, multicolored light emanating from beneath the lush green leaves was dazzling enough to shine brightly in the dim light of approaching night.

Ibrahimovic suppressed his excitement and didn't rush over.

Since the old man in his previous life did not choose to take it, he had no reason to change his mind this time.

If you are impatient, you might be seen as "blaspheming the sacred tree" by the elders, and then the predetermined future will be changed.

Ibrahimovic didn't want to clash with the old man, whether he wanted to or not was another matter. According to the old man, he also had a Talonflame, and Ibrahimovic might not even be able to defeat him.

So she patiently stayed where she was, waiting for the old man to leave.

……

"Chirp!"

As if guided and stimulated by something, Fenxiang reacted violently to the light.

She fluttered her little wings and flew toward the light hidden under the leaves.

However, the old man stopped her the next second.

"Fenxiang, come back!"

The elderly man's voice, however, was now filled with authority: "This is a miracle. Do not do anything that would blaspheme the sacred tree, or you will be punished by the gods!"

"chirp"

Fenxiang listened to the old man and only hesitated for a moment before flying back to his shoulder, her eyes still filled with lingering reluctance to leave the light.

The old man slowly picked up his cane that had fallen onto the leaves, silently gazed for a moment at the place where the light was obscured, and then turned and walked away with faltering steps.

call

Watching the old man's receding figure, Ibrahimovic breathed a long sigh of relief; his patience had finally paid off.

Then, I, Lord Eevee, will accept the legacy of the Divine Tree!

With an excited heart and trembling hands, Eevee took cheerful little steps toward the light.

As she drew closer to the light, she finally understood why Pink Fragrance had involuntarily flown towards it.

The aura emanating from this item was incredibly attractive to elves.

Eevee could clearly feel the restlessness of the Fairy-type energy within its body; that aura was guiding the surge of energy!

Having seen many precious elf items, Eevee was absolutely certain that even if this thing wasn't the Xerneas Horn as he had imagined, it was definitely a unique and precious treasure in the world.

Looking around, there was no one, no Pokémon, so Eevee felt relieved and lowered its head to use its little paws to pry open the leaves that were blocking the light.