Chapter 323: Entering the Ancestral Secret Realm
Although Bator lost to Basalt, everyone had two chances to challenge the rings, so he wasn't eliminated.
He was in a bad state after his defeat, but his underlying strength was still there. After being treated by Granny Ayim and her Clefable, he chose another ring to challenge. He won easily, and after that, no one dared to challenge him.
A Sand Stream Hippowdon, a blademaster Leavanny, and the steel beast Aggron—none of Bator's three aces were to be trifled with.
And so, Bator became the second person to secure a spot, right after Basalt.
As for the other rings, the battles were still raging.
Basalt saw Amuyar take the stage. His Hippopotas wasn't very strong, as he had only just caught it, but his Camerupt and Cacturne were very reliable. His Cacturne, with its Sand Veil ability, was especially tricky, appearing and disappearing within the sandstorm.
Of course, Amuyar's Palpitoad and Skarmory weren't weak either, and he would use them as needed.
In the end, Amuyar also successfully secured a spot.
However, compared to the decisive victories of Basalt and Bator, the other six youths had to fight grueling wars of attrition to win, as none of them had that same level of absolute power.
By the time the ring battles were over, it was almost dark.
The Roba tribespeople built a massive bonfire. The moment it was lit, the blazing light was as bright as day, visible for several kilometers.
The Tribal Gathering was the most important festival of the year for the Roba people.
In the firelight, the young men and women of the tribe sang and danced, a lively and joyous scene.
The eight youths who had won their rings became the targets of countless young women. Compared to looks, the Roba women clearly desired strong and capable men.
But even so, quite a few young women still came over to strike up a conversation with Basalt and toast him. They were both gentle and passionate, which was a bit overwhelming for him.
"Sorry, sorry, I don't drink."
Basalt gritted his teeth and refused.
He was afraid that if he got drunk and passed out, he'd earn a reputation for being "all show and no substance," or do something embarrassing.
The young women formed a tight circle around him, making his head spin.
Fortunately, his will was firm, and he politely refused them all. This left the Roba girls deeply disappointed, and they began to look at him strangely.
Is something wrong... up here? Or... down there?
Adil, watching from the side, had a thoughtful look on his face.
"Basalt's alcohol tolerance isn't great, but he definitely drinks... Could it be... that there was no one he liked among the girls who toasted him?"
Adil's eyes lit up. He called Reya over and gestured for her to offer Basalt a drink.
"Bro, why do I have to go toast him?" Reya looked down, her face blushing.
"Basalt is an honored guest of our tribe, a colleague and friend of mine, and he even gave you a drop of the Fountain of Life to help your Grotle evolve. Shouldn't you go and thank him?"
Adil looked at his stunning sister and said softly, "Besides, you'll be going to Centralis University soon, and Basalt will be your senior. When you're in a new place and don't know anyone, you'll have to rely on him to take care of you, won't you?"
"Why would I need him to take care of me? I can take care of myself!" Reya pouted, unconvinced.
But under Adil's pressure, she finally gave in. It was just one toast, not a death sentence.
"Now, let's see if Basalt accepts Reya's toast," Adil thought, his eyes full of anticipation.
Reya poured a cup of clear grape wine, but then she remembered Basalt's "lightweight" tolerance and that the eight youths had to enter the secret realm in the morning. She poured out most of the wine and topped the cup off with water.
"Basalt, today is the Roba Tribe's biggest day. It's not right for you to not drink a single cup, is it?" Reya walked up to Basalt, smiling as she subtly hinted that the drink was watered down.
Basalt felt she had a point. He decisively accepted the cup and drank the "wine-water."
"It worked!" Adil punched his fist, excited.
As for the other young women who had been rejected by Basalt, they all looked dejected. So when he said he "didn't drink," it was just an excuse. And there was nothing wrong with him... he just hadn't been interested in them.
The one he was interested in was the Roba Tribe's "Purple Butterfly."
...
That night, the Roba people partied until the early hours.
The next morning, Basalt and Amuyar were woken up. The eight youths gathered and were led by Khara-Khan and the Council of Elders to the Ancestral Secret Realm.
The entrance to the realm wasn't far from Roba City, only about ten kilometers away, on top of a rocky mountain.
"Chieftain! Elders!"
The mountain was guarded by Roba warriors. The leader, a large man, exuded a fierce, battle-hardened aura.
Near the mountain, Basalt also saw many Pokémon: Probopass, Steelix, Rhyperior, Flygon, Magnezone... Every single one of them had an astonishing presence and immense strength.
"Adil, go and prepare the offering. It's time to communicate with the ancestors."
At Khara-Khan's command, Adil bowed and left.
On a long, rectangular table, eight plates were arranged in a neat row. In the center of each plate was a sand-colored rock.
"Smooth Rocks!" Basalt's eyes lit up.
Eight plates, eight Smooth Rocks. And from their luster, Basalt could tell these were not low-grade.
After the offering was placed, Adil clasped his hands and began to chant, as if in prayer.
"In a moment, you will enter the Ancestral Secret Realm. A sandstorm rages there at all times. The sandstorm in the outer ring will not be difficult for you to withstand. But I must tell you, the outer ring is not where the 'inheritance' is."
Khara-Khan nodded, then turned to the eight youths. "To obtain the inheritance, you must advance toward the heart of the storm, through countless obstacles and trials. Each trial you pass will be of great benefit to you. The more trials you pass, the greater your potential, and the more the tribe will invest in you."
"Trials?"
Basalt's eyes narrowed.
He had thought the Ancestral Secret Realm was just a good place for Sandstorm Pokémon to train. He hadn't expected there to be trials.
Interesting. I'm not afraid of a trial. Bring it on!
"You will see the specific trials when you get inside."
Khara-Khan's gaze swept over them. "However, Pokéballs are forbidden in the Ancestral Secret Realm. You may release all your Pokémon. Each of you may bring a maximum of six Pokémon, and they must all be Sandstorm-compatible Pokémon."
"The trial is for the Pokémon. If one of your Pokémon cannot pass a trial, you must leave it behind. The duration of the trial is one month. After one month, I will open the gate again to bring you out. If you are ready, release your Pokémon."
At his command, everyone released their teams. All of them, except Basalt, had a full six.
"This is a disadvantage," Basalt muttered to himself.
Vmmmm!
Just then, a small spatial gate flickered into existence in front of the offering table. The eight Smooth Rocks floated up and entered the gate one by one, disappearing.
A few moments after the rocks had vanished, the spatial gate suddenly expanded, becoming large enough for even a large Pokémon to enter.
"The gate to the Ancestral Secret Realm is open. You may enter."
Khara-Khan looked at the eight vibrant youths and waved them in. They lined up and entered with their Pokémon, one by one.
"Excadrill, you take the lead."
Basalt had Excadrill go first, with the other Pokémon following closely behind.
Vmmm!
He stepped through the gate. After a wave of dizziness, Basalt's vision cleared. He found himself in the middle of a massive sandstorm.
☆☆☆
-> SUPPORT ME WITH POWER STONE
-> FOR EVERY 200 PS = BOUNS CHAPTER
☆☆☆
-> 20 Advanced chapters Now Available on Patreon!!
-> https://www.pat-reon.co-m/c/Inkshaper
(Just remove the hyphen (-) to access patreon normally)
If you like this novel please consider leaving a review that's help the story a lot Thank you