Chapter 268: The Veridian Forest
The next morning, just as the sun was rising, Director Sheldon led Basalt to a small island not far off the eastern coast of Saffron City.
Before they even landed, Basalt could see a dozen trainers standing in neat rows on the island. They looked like soldiers, but they weren't wearing military uniforms.
"Director!"
As Director Sheldon touched down, the trainers on the island saluted in perfect unison.
"Mm."
Director Sheldon gave a simple nod and then led Basalt directly into the island's dense forest.
"The Veridian Forest is deep within this island," he explained as they walked. "As a large-scale secret realm, its entrance is guarded year-round by an elite squad to prevent any trainers from accidentally wandering in."
"An elite squad? How elite?" Basalt asked, raising an eyebrow as he glanced at the men following five paces behind them.
Although they hadn't released any Pokémon, Basalt could still sense that they were far from ordinary. At the very least, they were no weaker than the soldiers stationed at the El Mutun Mega-Mine. By that logic, the captain leading them was probably a Gym Leader-level expert, with more than a dozen Pro-level members under his command. A force of that caliber was as strong as an average prefecture-level city. In a smaller foreign league, they could probably overthrow a city without much trouble.
At this thought, Basalt's anticipation for the Veridian Forest grew even stronger. Clearly, this was a treasure trove on par with the El Mutun Mega-Mine.
After walking for about five minutes, Director Sheldon stopped in front of a towering, ancient tree.
Basalt looked closely. The tree was enormous, with lush branches and leaves, but strangely, there was a huge, hollow cavity at the base of its trunk.
Director Sheldon pointed at the massive hollow. "This is the entrance to the Veridian Forest. Go on in."
"Huh? Don't you need to open a spatial gate?" Basalt scratched his head, confused. From his experience, most secret realms seemed to require an external force like gravity, magnetism, or psychic power to be opened.
"Not necessary." Director Sheldon waved his hand. "This tree hollow is the permanent entrance to the Veridian Forest. You just have to go in. Also, remember what I told you: once you're inside, don't cause any trouble. If the ruler really doesn't let you find the Fountain of Life, then you must give up. Don't make a scene. It will only annoy the ruler, and that will do you no good."
"I understand," Basalt said with a cheerful, obedient smile. But in his heart, he thought, "I will absolutely get to the Fountain of Life."
From his conversation with Director Sheldon the previous night, Basalt now clearly understood the Fountain's importance. It was a small, emerald-green pool where pure life energy had accumulated and condensed into a liquid state. Every drop of its water contained incredibly pure life energy, capable of completely cleansing and transforming a Pokémon's body.
If Lileep could enter the fountain, it would have the chance to achieve a "perfect evolution," undergoing a fundamental leap in its life essence and gaining a massive boost in strength.
Getting in versus not getting in were two entirely different realities.
So, Basalt had already made up his mind. He would make sure Lileep evolved in the Fountain of Life.
The bad news was that the ruler of the Veridian Forest was apparently extremely stingy. Not even one in ten Pokémon were granted access to the Fountain, and in recent years, the chances had been dropping even lower. Some in the Alliance speculated that the ruler was intentionally hoarding the Fountain's power, but the reason was unknown.
"I hope the kid succeeds," Director Sheldon mused, stroking his beard as he watched Basalt's back. Although it was a long shot, he couldn't help but feel a sliver of hope.
...
This was a vast, boundless primeval forest. Countless verdant plants grew tall and straight, piercing the sky with their lush branches and leaves.
In a corner of this vast forest, Basalt and Lileep silently took in their surroundings.
"So this is the Veridian Forest? The air is so fresh."
Basalt closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He felt as if every pore in his body had opened up, refreshing and invigorating him.
"Nee-nee~ Nee-nee~"
Lileep wobbled its head, its petals opening and closing, equally excited.
Compared to the Veridian Forest, the Cinnabar Sanctuary was a full tier lower, if not more. Only the central garden where the Mega Venusaur resided could even begin to compare.
On the leaves of a nearby bush, the morning dew had not yet evaporated. Lileep sensed something and wobbled over, gently touching a dewdrop with a petal.
Hiss!
Its Storm Drain ability activated, and the dewdrop was instantly absorbed into its body. A look of pleasure appeared on its face. The pure, natural dew here actually contained a faint trace of life energy. Although it was very dilute, it was still very beneficial for a Pokémon to absorb.
"Nee-nee~"
Wanting more, Lileep's eyes curved into crescents. It began to wave its body and petals, and with just a slight exertion of its power, the dewdrops on all the plants within a thirty-meter radius, as if summoned, automatically gathered towards its petals. As the dewdrops lifted, the leaves rustled with a pleasant sound.
"Lileep, take it easy. Don't get full. Save some room for the Fountain of Life, that's the real good stuff," Basalt said with a smile, shaking his head.
Lileep paid him no mind.
But a moment later, it suddenly stopped, aiming its petals at a round bush with pink flower buds to the east.
"Huh? What's this?"
Basalt also sensed something and quickly turned his gaze in that direction. He saw a small, fawn-like Pokémon. Its face, belly, and limbs were cream-colored, and it had a black nose. On its head was a yellow, five-petaled flower, and its body had six small yellow spots. It had a long, thin tail.
"A Deerling!"
Basalt was pleasantly surprised. Deerling were a very rare sight in this country. The primary deer species in Asia was Stantler.
And unlike Stantler, the color of a Deerling and its evolution, Sawsbuck, would change with the seasons to pink, green, orange, or brown, which was quite magical. Of course, the main point was that Deerling was just adorable.
The one in front of him, for example, was pink—its Spring Form, and the cutest of all.
"Deer~"
The Deerling tilted its head, curiously observing Basalt and Lileep.
Actually, it was mostly looking at Lileep. It had occasionally seen humans like Basalt in the forest, but it had never seen or heard of a Pokémon like Lileep before.
"Nee-nee~"
Lileep wobbled forward, as if to say hello, but the Deerling instinctively took a few steps back. It was clear that while this Deerling was curious, it was also very timid.
"Lileep, don't scare it."
Basalt quickly stopped Lileep's advance. He then took a vial of emerald-green liquid from his dimensional backpack and gently uncorked it.
The moment the cork was removed, a rich scent of life energy wafted out, far more concentrated than the energy in the forest.
"Deer~"
The Deerling's nose twitched, and its eyes were instantly glued to the vial.
"Want to try some, little one? It's delicious."
Basalt had a "big bad wolf" smile on his face.
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