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

"My hooded mushroom has three unique characteristics, and the caterpillar adds the finishing touch."

"The elves are developed and bred by themselves, and there are reasons and evidence to support it. What are you going to do about it?"

………………

Chen Yuan: Why is it that lately people keep calling me "Juice Succubus"?

Chapter 318 Who can't fly these days? (8k)

Xia Chen and his group arrived at the perfect time, just as a torrential downpour began.

The rain washed away all the unpleasantness left in their hearts by the previous sweltering weather. Looking at the streams of rain on the airplane window, Xia Chen felt that he should have flown directly from Kanaz City to Liuli City a long time ago.

But this would mean she wouldn't meet Qianli and Serena, and Xiaoxi would also miss out on meeting her Buzzbat.

From a fatalistic perspective, it's no wonder that so many people believe in the idea that "everything happens for a reason."

The location of Liuli City is quite unique, and its formation is supported by two major schools of thought.

The first theory is that long ago, an underwater volcano erupted, and the lava solidified into an island. The crater in the center of the island then formed a lake due to the accumulation of rainwater.

Subsequently, people discovered that the climate here was very warm and suitable for living, so they built the City of Glass in this crater.

The second explanation is simpler and more direct: a meteorite crashed here a thousand years ago, and the crater became the present-day Liuli City.

Both claims are supported by evidence. For example, there is indeed an extinct volcano beneath Liuli City, and this place is indeed the location where a meteorite struck a thousand years ago.

Therefore, both viewpoints have their supporters.

But Xia Chen felt, why not be bolder? Both things have happened before.

Two thousand years ago, Groudon awoke from this island, and lava spread to form the island.

A thousand years ago, a meteorite fell from the sky and shattered the ground of Sootopolis. It not only awakened Groudon and Kyogre, but the natural energy gushing from the ground also allowed the two ancient legendary Pokémon to complete their Primal Reversion, which led to the legend of the Meteor Dwellers.

This is a reasonable guess made by Xia Chen based on the game's plot.

Groudon and Kyogre slumber beneath the Awakening Shrine in Sootopolis.

I just hope those two idiots don't wake up right now when Liuli City is at its busiest.

Xia Chen prayed silently in his heart.

…………

Of course, after entering the modern era, Ruri City could no longer be just a small city located in a volcano crater.

The entire Liuli Island has become its expanded new urban area. It is technologically advanced and full of buildings. Apart from being more beautiful, it is no different from other ordinary tourist cities.

The old town located inside the crater has become a famous tourist attraction.

The Temple of Awakening, the Ancient Tree of Life, the Volcanic Lake, and the Glass Dojo—these architectural landmarks, full of ancient and mysterious charm, have become popular spots for internet celebrities to take photos, receiving a constant stream of tourists every day.

The Iron Spinner landed in the more modern new district. To help them to the end, after dropping off Xia Chen and the others, the plane did not fly back directly, but parked at the airport and waited until the grand celebration was over before taking them back to Violet City.

Due to the grand festival and the weather, Ryuga City has been attracting many tourists lately. Following the sell-out of airfares, a second problem has arisen: hotel rooms are also fully booked.

Although Xia Chen was a special guest and Serena was a contestant, and the organizers prepared rooms for them, Xijiana and Qianli did not.

After thinking it over, Xia Chen decided to stop being coy and ask Kuroda for help.

President Zvoich was very generous, lending Xia Chen his luxurious seaside villa in Sootopolis. The villa comfortably housed four people and a dozen Pokémon, with room to spare.

The villa is located on the north side of Liuli Island, with the crater where the old town is located behind it. It only takes half an hour to get there by cable car.

Of course, it's more convenient to take the flying sprite, which is only about a ten-minute journey.

Today is September 2nd, and there is still a full week before the grand celebration begins. Xia Chen and his friends have plenty of time to explore Liuli City, a historic and beautiful tourist city.

That afternoon, the wind stopped and the rain ceased, and the sky cleared.

After settling into the villa, Xia Chen and his group set off to visit the ancient city of Liuli inside the crater.

Since cars can't drive up the steep crater, the only way is by cable car or flying sprite. The cable car is too slow and looks dangerous, so it's better to "drive" up by flying sprite.

Qianli has a Great King Swellow, Xijiana has a Salamence, and Xiachen has a Guleton. Of the four, only Serena doesn't have a flying-type Pokémon she can ride.

Doronchi can fly, but he's still too small to carry people.

After thinking for a while, Xia Chen felt that Guleton would be more convenient, since it was over three meters long and had previously carried Xia Chen and Pipa in flight.

…………

Whether it was the excitement of riding the legendary elf or something else, Serena's cheeks were already a little flushed before she even got on the vehicle.

In a voice barely audible, she asked Xia Chen a question that struck at the heart of the matter: "Um...should I sit in the front or the back?"

This question really stumped Xia Chen.

There wasn't this problem with Pipa last time; I just told him to get back and sit in the back.

But sitting with a girl doesn't seem very convenient, either in front or behind.

Sit in the front, those who know, know. Sit in the back, those who know, know too.

After thinking about it, Xia Chen decided to sit in the front himself, so that Serena wouldn't feel awkward.

The two sat on Guleton's back one after the other. Before they could even adjust their posture, the latter spread its wings and took off immediately.

The rapid start caused both of them to lean backward, and Serena screamed, instinctively grabbing Xia Chen's waist.

"That's too fast, Gulerton! Think about how we feel!"

Xia Chen rebuked him righteously.

Therefore, Leighton replied disdainfully in a telepathic tone: "Ha, do I have to spell out your little schemes?"

Xia Chen vehemently denied it, "Don't talk nonsense, or I'll stop making your favorite boiled beef for you in the future!"

This seems to be the only threatening tactic he can come up with.

The spicy food-loving Guleton was quite swayed by this threat and quickly replied, "Okay, okay, I'll go slower."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Guleton, who was flying at top speed, suddenly slowed down.

The deceleration was very subtle, not the kind of sudden braking under emergency conditions, but it still caused the two people on Guleton's back to lean forward significantly.

Under the control of the laws of physics, the two naturally ended up chest to back.

Then, Xia Chen felt Serena's soft yet intense heartbeat behind him.

"Did you do it on purpose or accidentally?"

Even with telepathy, Xia Chen still displayed a fierce, clenched-teeth demeanor.

Therefore, Leighton proudly replied, "It was intentional!"

Faced with the extremely arrogant Gu Leton Xia Chen, there was nothing he could do but dryly throw out a sentence, "You've run out of food," as a trivial act of revenge.

…………

The journey, which should have taken only ten minutes, felt like an eternity to Xia Chen.

The once smooth-flying Gurrenton was now like a car that had been overhauled several times, jerking violently.

Xia Chen was in a difficult position, and he couldn't very well shift the blame to Gu Leton. After all, few people would believe that Gu Leton had done this without his consent.

The two did not exchange a single word during the flight.

When Serena descended from Guleton, her cheeks were as red as ripe tomatoes.

Xijiana was very confused, not understanding what had happened on the way, but Qianli gave Xia Chen a meaningful look.

Too lazy to explain to Qianli, Xia Chen withdrew the Guleton that had made him look foolish and looked around at the ancient and mysterious city.

The old town of Liuli City is not large. In the center is a volcanic lake whose edge can be seen at a glance. At the other end of the lake is an ancient tree that is almost taller than the edge of the crater.

Legend has it that it was planted by the first generation of people of the Glass Clan, and it has a history of more than a thousand years.

Xia Chen, who had played the Ruby and Sapphire remake, knew that this ancient tree was a gift from AZ, the King of Carlos, who had lived for three thousand years and was an important figure in the Carlos region.

In the game, beneath this ancient tree lies an Eternal Flower. The Eternal Flower is a special type of Flower Leaf Stem, the same Flower Leaf Stem that AZ created the ultimate weapon three thousand years ago, intending to revive it.

In a sense, this flower-leaf bud has little to do with her original elf race; classifying it as a legendary elf might be more appropriate.

I wonder if that flower exists beneath the ancient tree of life in this world.

Behind the Tree of Life lies the most famous attraction in Liuli City: the Temple of Awakening.

Although it is called a temple, it is actually a cave, known as the Cave of Origin of Life, where Groudon or Kyogre rests. Another individual sleeps further east in a place called the Undersea Cave.

Of course, this is all information from the game, and Xia Chen cannot guarantee that it is the same in the real world.

…………

Besides these three significant landmarks, the larger buildings in the Crystal Castle are the Crystal Gym, the Pokémon Center, and the ancient and magnificent Pokémon Arena, [Crystal Star].

This place has hosted many important and large-scale competitions, including the Eight Masters Tournament, the World Elite Tournament, and the World Dojo Master Tournament.

This September, this venue will become the competition venue for the second World Spectacular Festival.

This arena is only a little over ten years old. It is a super-large Pokémon arena designed and built by the Mikuri family at great expense. The whole structure is made of glass-colored alloy, which does not show its luster in the dark, but it will show amazing beauty once the lights are on or on a sunny day.

Such as now.

Looking at the beautiful arena, radiating a dazzling light under the post-rain sunshine, Qianli's expression was somewhat complicated.

"I never expected that Mikey would actually rent out this precious arena for the Magnificent Celebration. Last year, when the Alliance wanted to hold the Alliance Conference in this arena, he refused."

Xia Chen smiled slightly. What's so hard to understand? For someone like Mikoli who pursues the ultimate elegance and beauty, holding a lavish celebration here wouldn't be an insult.

Serena's gaze was filled with longing and anticipation; this was the stage she had always dreamed of stepping onto.

At this moment, a promotional video for this year's grand celebration is being played on the large screen on the exterior wall of the Crystal Star.

The content is roughly a compilation of highlights from the contestants who won five ribbons in various grand competitions.

"Senior, look! That was me and the Demon Flame Red Fox!"

Serena shook Xia Chen's hand excitedly.

"Yes, I saw it."

Not only Serena, but Xia Chen also saw many familiar faces. Hikari, Haruka, Ryukia and Ayako, whom he had met briefly at the Grand Contest in Aroma City last year, were back again this year, continuing to strive for their dreams.

Qianli also saw his son Ruby. Although it was only for a few seconds, his bright smile on the screen, so different from his usual self, stung his heart.