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

Not only because of strength or potential, Xia Chen currently has no intention of capturing another main Pokémon.

Even if we capture the Berserker Turtle, we'll probably just dump it at the Blatano Research Institute. It's better to leave it in its homeland.

Ultimately, all the unnecessary things I have to consider are the fault of that seemingly angelic but actually devilish, adorable sprite.

"Don't do this kind of thing again!"

Xia Chen lectured Xianbu, who was squatting in the basket in front of the bicycle, enjoying the cool breeze.

"Buyi~"

Xianbu responded nonchalantly, but it was unclear what he meant.

Xia Chen had no choice but to look up and gaze at the snow-capped mountains in the southwest.

Behind the snow-capped mountains lies Yingxue City, Xia Chen's next stop on this journey.

------

Niangxue City is a city that experiences snowfall year-round and is surrounded by forests.

The snow cover makes the temperature here rarely above zero even in summer, let alone in early spring.

The closer you get to Eyjafjallajökull, the more you can feel the dramatic changes in temperature.

When Xia Chen left Lianli Town, he was only wearing a simple thin coat. By the time he arrived in Yingxue City, he was fully armed with a down jacket, thick cotton pants, and snow boots.

Perhaps because they had plenty of energy in their bodies, the elves were alright, unlike Xia Chen who was so weak.

Even more amazing is that Zorua, a Ghost-type Pokémon, can radiate a continuous stream of heat from its body, making it a perfect giant hand warmer when held in your arms.

Thankfully, the hand warmer was there; in such cold weather, Xia Chen was only slightly more inclined to go out.

Perhaps due to its unique climate, Yingxue City is not a bustling city.

The busiest place in the city is the lowland area where Yingxue Dojo is located in the city center.

Even so, in less than two hours, Xia Chen had led the elves on a tour of the area.

"What a boring city."

Xia Chen rubbed Ralts's little head, which was licking a lollipop, on his shoulder and sighed softly.

He dared not say such low-EQ things out loud. In his experience, people who grew up in cold climates were mostly tough and fierce. What if the locals heard him and insisted on a duel with him?

However, Xia Chen was telling the truth. Compared to bustling cities like Miarei and the unique Aroma City, the snow-covered city of Yingxue was quite boring.

So he decided to shorten his trip to Yingxue City and set off tomorrow for the Enchanted Forest located at the foot of the snow-capped mountains north of Yingxue City.

That is the place where Xerneas is said to have awakened.

Xia Chen wasn't actually going there to find some adventure related to Xerneas, but rather to catch a few elves for Dr. Blatano's research, as he had promised.

Just as he was about to turn around and leave to go back to the hotel to rest, several familiar orange-red figures suddenly appeared in his field of vision.

…………

Team Flare?

Why are they here?

Xia Chen frowned slightly, puzzled as to why he would encounter his "colleague" in this icy, snowy city.

After traveling around the Carlos region for the past few months, Xia Chen has a pretty good idea of ​​the current state of development of Team Flame.

While it wasn't quite in its nascent, pioneering stage, it was far from having spread throughout the Carlos region and even the League of Legends in the game.

In a few years, when Vladali's plan is fully launched, Xia Chen can barely be considered a veteran of Team Flare.

Therefore, their area of ​​operation is still in the vicinity of Lucerne City and Stonestreet, where Team Flare is based, in short, the mid-western part of the Carlos region.

For this reason, Xia Chen deliberately traveled in the eastern part of Carlos during this period.

Therefore, the presence of Team Flare in Snowdrift City, which is located in the southeast and is still freezing cold, seems quite suspicious.

Given that the Snowfall Gym Leader, Defur, is not a member of Team Flare, the most plausible guess is only one:

They've come to investigate Xerneas's whereabouts!

Xia Chen was not directly under Vladali's command and did not know what stage his "Thanos Plan" was currently at.

But he knew that as long as Frada was carrying out this plan, he would have to rely on the power of those two legendary elves to achieve his ultimate goal.

Therefore, it is perfectly normal for them to continue searching for Xerneas's whereabouts.

It's even possible that Team Flare has a sizable branch base in Snowdrift City.

So here's the question: given that Team Flare is active and may be searching for Xerneas, should I still go to the Enchanted Forest?

Xia Chen pondered this question on his way back to the hotel.

When he returned to his room, he already had the answer in his heart.

go with!

The most important thing is that I am now a legitimate member of Team Flare.

Moreover, Team Flare hasn't shown any villainous side yet, so what's there to be afraid of?

Secondly, Fradali definitely knew that he was carrying out the task entrusted to him by Dr. Blatano.

Because it was through Bratano that he approached him, it would be suspicious if he didn't go.

Xia Chen even regretted not greeting the Blazing Flame team earlier. When encountering colleagues who were "on business trips" outside, it would be more polite to say hello.

However, going back to them now would seem a bit deliberate, so after thinking about it, Xia Chen decided not to do so.

That evening, Xia Chen went out again to buy some easily stored food, prepared supplies, and made ample preparations for her long trip before falling into a deep sleep.

…………

The next morning.

After giving Ralts and Zoroa a bath, Xia Chen was blow-drying and combing their hair when a knock on the door suddenly sounded.

In an unfamiliar place, and without having ordered takeout, who could be knocking on the door?

Xia Chen had a vague answer in his heart.

Xia Chen transformed Zorua into its normal form and went to open the door, with Sylvanas following closely behind.

The door opened, and as Xia Chen expected, standing outside was indeed the person he had imagined—a person wearing an orange Flame Team uniform.

However, this time it wasn't a cadre he knew; it was probably just an ordinary grassroots team member.

He brought that familiar metal box again.

"Mr. Xia Chen, this is a gift from the boss. I hope you will like it."

Sorry, I had a lot of work at the company today.

Departmental meetings, government audits, and all sorts of other things all came at once.

This was all typed at home after I got back.

Please forgive me

I don't know if I'll be busy tomorrow.

In short, I'll try to post more this weekend.

By the way, I'd like to recommend this book: "How I Became the Most Debtor in the Immortal Realm".

Lighthearted and cheerful everyday writing.

Chapter 155 The Enchanted Forest

After seeing off the Team Flare members, Xia Chen stared at the metal box on the ground, lost in thought.

How did Vladali know that he had come to Eyjafjallajökull and that he was staying in this particular room at the hotel?

Did he put a tracking device on himself?

What kind of tactic is it to knock on someone's door and have them deliver something to you without even putting on an act?

Showdown?

Am I a stalker?

Xia Chen felt that his normal reaction would be to call and question Vladali.

Without hesitation, Xia Chen opened his phone, found the number he had saved with Vladali a few months ago when they met, but had never called it, and dialed it.

To his surprise, Vladali answered immediately.

How can a villain so busy destroying the world have time to play on his phone?

Xia Chen was a little confused and didn't say anything for a moment, but Vladali, who was on the phone, spoke up enthusiastically.

"Haha, Xia Chen, what brings you here? How was your travel kit last time? It's a new product from our research institute, and I'm sending you a set to try out. It even includes transportation suitable for snow activities."

Xia Chen coldly interrupted, "Let's not talk about that. Boss Vladali, how did you know my exact location? You were following me? I trusted you so much, and you actually did this!"

Xia Chen asked directly without beating around the bush, showing the anger of a normal teenager who discovers he is being followed.

At times like this, behaving evasively and playing mind games with Vladali doesn't seem like the behavior of an innocent young man.

…………

There was a moment of surprise on the other end of the phone, followed by a burst of laughter. "Haha, so that's why Brother Xia Chen called me. I'm so sorry, I didn't explain it clearly to my men. The hotel you're staying at is owned by our Blazing Flame team. The front desk notified me immediately after they found out you were there. I saw that you used that escape device last time, and you're going to the Enchanted Forest next, so I specially brought it over to you."

Xia Chen suddenly realized, and feigning a youthful embarrassment and guilt, he said, "Uh... I'm sorry, Mr. Vladali, I shouldn't have doubted you like that, really..."

Not daring to overact, Xia Chen pretended to be embarrassed and at a loss.

A kind voice came from the other end of the phone: "It's alright, I have my own questions too. I didn't explain things clearly to my subordinates, so your suspicions aren't unreasonable. But Team Flare is an organization established to make the world a better place, and why would I follow my own people? However, I understand your feelings, Xia Chen, after all, you don't fully understand us yet. By the way, you've accomplished quite a lot in the past few months in the Kalos region! Whether it's promoting the Grand Festival or the evolution of Sylveon, you've made this world a better place!"

Vladali generously forgave Xia Chen's misunderstanding, changed the subject to avoid embarrassing him, and even praised Xia Chen, demonstrating his leadership qualities.

Xia Chen smiled sheepishly, took the opportunity offered by Vladali, and began a mutual flattery session.

"Not at all, my achievements are nothing compared to yours."

The misunderstanding was cleared up, and the two chatted happily for nearly half an hour.

…………