Elf: No, it's because he was made the gym leader!

Old Deng had asked around for a long time, and now I've finally got my hands on it, hehe...

"And this too." Sakura clenched her fist and presented it to Lu Yuan with a smile, saying, "This is a small gift from me, please accept it."

Oh my, you've come all this way, and you even brought a gift!

Lu Yuan curiously reached out and took it; it felt like a piece of metal.

[Ding! Mission triggered]

[Mission Objective: Participate in the Quartz Convention and collect badges (1/8)]

???

This system can actually issue tasks?

I thought it could only be used for raffles?

"What is this...?" Lu Yuan asked with a complicated expression as he looked at the water droplet badge in his hand.

“I already said, it’s just a little something to give you as a gift,” Sakura said with a smile.

I remember now, Xia's three older sisters all seem to really like giving away badges. Once, a passerby helped clean the gym, and Sakura immediately gave him her badge.

If this were in Sinnoh, it would definitely rival Denji.

No, Denji's strength is undeniable, but as for Sakura, Officer Jenny would probably have destroyed the gym by now...

"Wow, Brother Lu Yuan, it's a Water Drop Badge! Are you going to challenge the Quartz Conference too?" Xiao Sheng ran over excitedly when he saw the Water Drop Badge in Lu Yuan's hand.

No, I'm not like you. You think I can challenge those six monstrous masters in two months? You're dreaming!

Chapter 50 Where the dream begins

After a two-day journey, the Saint-Tianu finally arrived at its destination.

Dead Leaf City.

This place is filled with high-rise buildings and is an international port city.

"Brother Lu Yuan, I'm going to challenge Kuye City later, do you want to come along?"

As soon as they disembarked, Xiao Sheng extended a warm invitation.

Vermilion Dojo? Lt. Surge!

Well, good luck to you then.

"I've already told you, I'm not going to participate in the Quartz Conference," Lu Yuan said helplessly. He had explained this many times while he was on the ship.

Having a badge doesn't mean you have to participate in the Quartz Conference; similarly, if the system issues a task, it doesn't mean I have to complete it.

But Xiao Sheng seems to be selectively deaf; he's completely wasting his breath.

"Okay, I got it. I'll head to the Pokémon Center now. See you at the Indigo League."

Seeing Xiao Sheng leave, Lu Yuan was speechless.

Ma Xueshi, you'd better not hold back today, give this kid a good lesson for his ears!

"Alright, where are we going next?" Xiao Lan took out a travel guide and pointed to a place, saying, "How about we go to Red Lotus Town and soak in the hot springs there?"

"Or Yuhong City would be nice too; its perfumes and arcades are quite famous."

"Hey, I heard there was another meteor fall at Mount Tsukimi... and a mysterious spirit appeared in the Cerulean Cave... It's so hard to choose."

"Where to?" Lu Yuan chuckled. "Of course, we're going to Zhenxin Town."

If you come all the way to Guan Yu and don't even go to Pallet Town, isn't that a waste of your trip?

"Clam?"

......

The car drove along, traversing the Viridian Forest.

A quiet and peaceful ordinary town with lush vegetation gradually came into view.

Looking at the solid dirt road and the goldfish and tadpoles that occasionally jumped out of the shimmering lake, Lu Yuan was in a great mood.

True new is the color pure white, symbolizing a new beginning.

This is where many trainers' dreams begin.

Lu Yuan still remembers the day when he received Bulbasaur from Professor Oak and embarked on his journey in elementary school. Every time he thinks back on it, he feels warm and nostalgic.

However, people's senses are not the same. Unlike Lu Yuan's enthusiasm, Xiao Lan remained unusually calm throughout the journey.

I felt none of the excitement I had when I first disembarked.

I thought it was a trip, but it turned out to be a trip back to the village.

The stark contrast made her lose all interest in looking at the scenery outside the window, and in fact, there wasn't much to see anyway.

Seeing Xiao Lan's dejected expression, Qiao Yixue quickly comforted her, "Don't be so sad. Lu Yuan might have some time left after he finishes exploring Zhenxin Town."

"We can go to the hot springs in Honglian Town together, or the arcade in Yuhong City, what do you say?"

“Unless there are special circumstances, the dojo can only grant a maximum of three days off at a time. I’ve already booked my return flight for this afternoon,” Lu Yuan said without any hesitation.

Qiao Yixue laughed awkwardly, trying to change the subject to ease the atmosphere: "Haha, we should always try to think of the bright side! Look at that Dodori standing on the roof over there... isn't it cool!"

As she spoke, she pointed to a strange, large bird with three heads on a rooftop in the distance.

"I hate bird Pokémon, and... this damn bird keeps chirping and cacophony every morning, it's so annoying!"

Xiao Lan said with disdain.

Stepping out of the car, the fresh air that greeted Lu Yuan invigorated him.

"The field of vision has become much wider."

"Really? They all seem pretty much the same," Xiao Lan said, completely spoiling the mood.

Walking on the roadside.

Several five- or six-year-old children were directing Pokémon in battle.

There are Nidoking, Graveler, Arcanine, and Tauros, each one more ferocious than the last.

It looks like they were all secretly taken from their parents.

Real combat training should start from childhood.

"Nidoking, the power of the earth!"

"Rumble Rock, big explosion!"

"Arcanine, Flamethrower!"

"Tauro, let's cause some chaos!"

The children are imitating their parents, directing their respective Pokémon.

Goodness, they're unleashing powerful moves like they're free.

Are these the kids from Pallet Town?

Is this what a true newcomer looks like?

Sure enough.

In no time, the area was leveled by the shockwaves from the four Pokémon's skills.

Parents also dragged their children home by the ears.

"They're...fighting?" Joey asked incredulously.

It's so dangerous to let such young children fight!

And how did they survive the explosion?

Does physics not exist?

Xiao Lan, on the other hand, was much calmer. "Kids are naturally playful, there's nothing to be surprised about."

Qiao Yixue: ......

I feel like we're not on the same wavelength.

As the three of them talked, they arrived at the entrance of Oak's Lab.

Oak's lab is easy to spot in Pallet Town, which has very few facilities.

Located on a small hill, it features a distinctive windmill structure.

Following the winding path, the land transport ascends the steps.

"Kou Jie."

Gastly floated to Lu Yuan's side.

What are we trying to do?

“I’m going to visit a doctor,” Lu Yuan said casually.