Zhuqing Breeding Center.
"Where is Professor Oak? When is he coming?"
This was the question Li Wei had heard the most these past two days.
Li Wei's family and the staff of the Breeding Center were all eager to meet Professor Oak.
Although Li Wei himself was also looking forward to meeting Professor Oak, he wouldn't dare ask his grandfather.
As a good grandson, how could he betray his own family?
His grandfather was the most amazing!
Even his father, Leon, had defected.
Fortunately, the old man wasn't angry; he just scolded his son.
"He's still competing; how could he come over before the finals?"
The old man's temper was much better than when he was young.
Especially after coming to the Breeding Center, the old man smiled much more than when he was in the countryside.
His father, Leon, scratched his head, "That's true."
The Breeder Competition was still ongoing; if Professor Oak came over openly, it would inevitably invite criticism.
As for being scolded?
Comrade Leon was already used to it.
...
The competition was in three days, but Li Wei felt no tension at all.
His theme was sweet, most likely related to berries, and less likely to be sweet vegetables.
He didn't need to worry about any of that.
So he was still diligently practicing his Squirrel-shaped Mandarin Fish and Chopped Pepper Fish Head.
There was no trick to this; it was all about practice.
Just as the old man said, the heat wasn't right.
Practice more, and one day, he would suddenly have an epiphany and succeed.
Li Wei's family, plus the staff meals, totaled two tables.
Li Wei made two dishes for lunch and two for dinner, so the staff constantly talked about fish.
Although Li Wei's cooking was delicious, eating it all the time could get tiresome.
As a result, when Li Wei was about to go out, he received a warm send-off from everyone.
"Go out and clear your head quickly!"
"When you come back refreshed, your cooking will be even better!"
"Why are you mixed in there?!"
Li Wei was truly speechless at how seamlessly his own father blended in with them.
The day after the 16-to-8 matches,
accompanied by exclamations of surprise,
Mr. Daigo made another appearance.
Steven didn't show up unannounced;
he had an appointment with Li Wei.
They were going to Floaroma Town to take Shaymin home.
Although security in Floaroma Town had been strengthened later, Li Wei still wanted to check.
After Shaymin, Eevee, and Turtwig finished their hide-and-seek, Li Wei picked up Shaymin,
"Shaymin, let's go, I'm taking you home."
"Shaymin~"
Hearing "home," Shaymin's emerald green eyes blinked as it looked at him.
"If you wanted to go home, why didn't you tell me?"
(You were busy... Shaymin can play by itself.)
Shaymin didn't particularly miss Floaroma Town, but it was its hometown after all.
Steven smiled slightly,
"Hello, Shaymin."
(You... hello.)
Shaymin could feel the clarity of Steven's heart, but it was a bit shy.
Going with Mr. Daigo was just a casual suggestion from Li Wei, and Steven expressed his interest.
Li Wei's current strength was enough for self-preservation; Lucario was already Master Class, and he could Mega Evolve Metagross.
But with Steven accompanying them, the safety factor increased by who knows how many times, so Li Wei naturally welcomed it.
"Then we're off. We might not be back today."
The old man nodded, "Just remember to go to Hearthome City for the competition the day after tomorrow."
Comrade Wen Hui smiled at Steven, "Steven, I'll leave him in your care."
Steven said seriously, "Please rest assured."
Although Steven didn't think Li Wei needed his care, the proper etiquette still had to be observed.
Two Metagross flew into the sky, with Drakloak and Dragapult escorting on the left and right.
The Black Rayquaza had given him three Dragon Scales.
The last one had already been eaten by Drakloak.
Its strength had already reached Professional Intermediate.
This could be considered Drakloak's opportunity.
After all, this item was only suitable for Drakloak and Dragapult to eat.
According to Rayquaza, once the three Dragon Scales were fully digested, Drakloak would be able to evolve.
Li Wei estimated it would happen in the next two days.
There was no need to stay at home and wait for evolution; evolving in battle was a common occurrence.
Pokemon were not fragile creatures.
Floaroma Town was located directly north of Jubilife City.
Metagross only needed to fly northwest.
Holding Shaymin in his arms, Li Wei asked curiously,
"Two days ago, when you went to Reflection Cave, did you go to another world again?"
Yesterday, Lance explained in the group that they had traveled to a parallel world.
However, Lance didn't explain the matter in such detail.
Steven sighed, "That world wasn't as beautiful as imagined; Oreburgh City had fallen."
Li Wei frowned, "Fallen? For what reason?"
Steven shook his head, "We didn't have enough time to investigate the specific reason.
But the buildings in Oreburgh City were already dilapidated, covered in moss and vines, clearly abandoned for a long time.
When we tried to leave Oreburgh City to search, we were attacked; you should know about this."
Lance had mentioned in the group yesterday that they were attacked by a joint force of Pokemon.
"We could have continued exploring, but considering the special nature of Reflection Cave, we decided to retreat."
Li Wei nodded slightly; retreating was the right decision.
If Reflection Cave collapsed, there would be no way to return.
According to Steven, Oreburgh City was in ruins, with buildings covered in moss and vines, meaning it had been dilapidated for a very long time.
Forcing an investigation might not even be meaningful.
"How is the League handling Reflection Cave?"
Steven pondered, "They're still discussing a plan; sealing it off and stationing guards are definitely necessary."
"Currently, no people or Pokemon have been found coming to our world through reflection stone, but we still need to be on guard."
It wasn't just guarding against people, but also against Pokemon.
From Li Wei and Steven's experiments, Pokemon could also pass through reflection stone.
Assuming Pokemon were responsible for destroying Oreburgh City, what if they suddenly discovered the function of Reflection Cave and came to their world?
So, precautions were definitely necessary.
While they were talking, Metagross had already flown over the northern suburbs of Jubilife City and reached the northern suburban coastline.
"This is where Shaymin and I met," Li Wei briefly explained the process to Steven.
"Shaymin!"
Recalling that memory, Shaymin didn't just feel fear; it also felt excitement from meeting Li Wei and Lucario.
Steven rubbed his temples, "Pokemon Hunters are a headache for any region."
The profits brought by rare Pokemon were too great,
leading many people to take risks and become Pokemon Hunters; they were simply inexhaustible.
Furthermore, with Pokemon Hunters from A to Z leading the way, poaching groups became even more rampant.
That's why Lance was so eager to expand the ranks of investigators to crack down on criminals everywhere.
But their whereabouts were elusive, and they had invisible warships, so they could only be apprehended when they made a move.
While talking, Li Wei and Steven had already arrived at Floaroma Town, and Metagross landed in an open space in the small town.