Aspiring to become a Pokémon trainer

If you call it a drop of moisture, then it's just a drop that won't quench your thirst.

“Professor Oak, this is not life-threatening for me. Besides, having a champion present not only gives us more confidence for our future actions, but also dispels your current hesitation, doesn’t it?”

It would be a good idea to gain the old man's favor in the process.

Hearing the girl's gentle words and seeing her as calm as ever, shame and guilt spontaneously welled up in everyone's hearts.

Even a child who shouldn't have been involved was willing to set an example, yet they, out of a little cowardice, placed the safety of the region in their hands.

"Nanyin, you can't! Waveguides are essential for life. Doing that will only—"

Helpless, panicked—no words can adequately describe Korni's current emotions.

If Qinglu's departure was still somewhat distant, then her friend's voluntary sacrifice was something that happened right beside her, something she had a real sense of.

Only now has she realized how important Nan Yin has been to her in life.

"Shhh."

Raising her fingertips and holding them to her pale lips, Nan Yin gently exhaled towards the girl.

There wasn't much deeper meaning behind it; she was simply using it to express her determination and to assure the other person that everything was alright and there was no need to worry.

As always, she used the same approach to show that everything was fine during the days and nights they spent together. So, even though she didn't really care about that cheap friend, she still made a promise to him.

Upon seeing this determination, everyone pursed their lips and offered no further objections.

Gently brushing away Fu Ye's tightly gripping hand, and placing a reassuring kiss on Sylveon's forehead, Nan Yin spread her five fingers and placed her palm against the surface of the stone statue.

As the painter's brush touched up the colors again, the stiff youth shed his stone-like skin and gradually began to move.

Even though he was pale and moved slowly, he still opened his eyes and murmured softly.

"Ahem, I'm back?"

Chapter Ninety-One: The True Dragon and Resolve!

"Green..."

With a slight tremor in his voice, the old man's eyes were filled with excitement and disbelief.

"grandfather?"

Looking around at the crowd gathered around her, and even more moved by the tears of her loved ones, even though she couldn't shake off the lingering effects of waking from a long dream, Qinglu quickly pieced together her current situation based on her remaining memories.

"Did you bring me back from the Forest of Orianth? Yveltal has already been captured by Team Flame, and if we don't get to Stonefrag Town soon, I'm afraid—"

He wanted to speak quickly, but a sticky feeling welled up in his throat, followed by a spicy and sweet taste of rust.

"cough."

After vomiting blood and finally breathing, Qinglu felt dizzy and lightheaded, and her body felt weak and her breathing became difficult.

“Mr. Qinglu, your physical condition does not support extreme words and actions. Please be careful.”

Without any emotional fluctuations, Nan Yin calmly stated the facts.

The waveguide that had just been distributed had little effect on her. It was precisely because of the lack of vitality that, even after waking up from petrification, Qinglu was still weak and powerless, like a candle flame that was about to go out.

But this was the greatest help she could offer. As for selflessness, that was a noble virtue that Nan Yin herself claimed she could never achieve.

"Nanyin?"

Watching the girl leave, recalling her abilities, and noticing the guilty expressions on everyone's faces, the brown-haired youth immediately thought of the records about waveguides in ancient books.

Yveltal stripped him of his life force; without the help of that spirit deer, he would likely have been awakened only by the waveguide's equalization.

Transferring one's life force to another organism is a tremendous trauma for anyone.

"Wait, I can't accept this favor so easily, cough..."

Unable to utter complete sentences, the difficulty in breathing and the dulling of her senses made it impossible for Qinglu to support her body, and she could only let her weight pull her down.

Fortunately, the elderly man helped the man in time, preventing an accident from happening.

"Nanyin, I thank you on behalf of Qinglu. I will never forget this kindness."

No words can compare to actions. In that one encounter, Yukinari Ohki remembered this girl, this selfless child.

Once the incident is over, he will definitely thank the other party profusely for bringing back his only two family members.

Nothing is heavier than such a debt of gratitude.

"As for Azure, given your current condition, you can put aside Team Flare for now and leave it to this old man."

"Oh, you brought your old partner along too?"

Referring to the Dragonite that had accompanied him from childhood to adulthood, Green didn't doubt his grandfather's strength; he was simply surprised by the other's determination.

It has been so many years since we have seen this old man with such high fighting spirit. Even with the ultimate weapon by his side, Team Flare would probably have a hard time getting the better of him.

"All."

A smile of harmony returned, and though it was just a simple two-word statement, it created a somber atmosphere for everyone.

Beneath that kind face, a fire seemed to burn fiercely, dyeing the afterglow of the sunset.

"This is quite a grand affair."

After calming the throbbing in her lungs and feeling a bit emotional, Qinglu struggled to get up, pulled back the chair, and leaned her exhausted body against it.

He understood that the current situation required someone to lead. Since he himself could not participate in the battle in the short term, it would be wise to use him as a strategist to make decisions based on the information he had.

"Regarding the photos I left behind, I'm sure you've all seen them during this time, so I won't go into further detail. Through the previous crisis, I can confirm that the Vladari Institute and Team Flare have a close relationship and frequent contact. It's fair to say that their current equipment and informational advantages are all thanks to the former's funding."

Looking around, seeing the many museum owners sighing with relief and celebrating their recovery, the brown-haired youth nodded slightly.

This was not a sign of arrogance; he was simply identifying potential inside agents embedded within the alliance.

"Leaving aside the corruption within the alliance, since that research institute cannot escape involvement, then Vladali's stance is extremely suspicious. According to the information compiled by the investigation department, he has engaged in speculation on many occasions and has had dealings with many well-known officials."

"The president of Luna Publishing, Pachira, one of the Elite Four, the manager of the Poké Ball factory... these are just some of the publicly known criminals, and they are all quite influential figures. Therefore, we need to be wary of leaks from within. We must either be poised to strike or act swiftly and decisively."

Compared to other regions, due to its free atmosphere and romantic customs, Carlos does not have a strong tradition of combat and is relatively lacking in talent.

Despite being a champion in her region, Karuni lacks the ability to unite dissent. Her outstanding career as a movie star has also greatly diverted the energy she devotes to training.

It can be said that Carlos lacked a true leader, a strongman who could win people's hearts, and a role model who could inspire trust and reassure the public.

"cough."

With a soft cough, the chairman of the Carlos region looked embarrassed and ashamed as he faced the Kanto champion's subtle gaze and repeated mentions.

It is indeed due to his limited abilities and poor management that Team Flare was able to grow so rapidly and powerfully, leading to its current predicament.

“I don’t mean to blame anyone, that’s just the way it is. Now that Team Flare has the ultimate weapon and has Yveltal’s help, we also need to find a way to fight against them, whether it’s a legendary Pokémon or an elite trainer.”

They assigned tasks in an orderly manner, and aside from being trainers, Qinglv also possessed considerable leadership talent.

Even in unfamiliar soil, facing numerous pairs of different eyes, he remained confident and composed.

“We need Xerneas’s help to fight against that bird of death.”

Having said all he could say, and seeing the bewildered expressions on everyone's faces, Blatano took the initiative to answer Qinglv's question and began to introduce this legendary figure from history to the trainers present.

"Xerneas is a god of life recorded in ancient texts. In the war three thousand years ago, after the final clash of weapons, it devoted itself to calling back many Pokémon that had gone. It is for this reason that it transformed into a giant tree and waits for the cycle of reincarnation in the Forest of Orian."

Earth and sea, time and space, death and life... it seems that the legends of every region are relative. They symbolize contradictory things in nature, which, due to their predetermined contradictions, sometimes rub against each other, yet perfectly constitute a stable order.

"The power of legend."

Chewing on this phrase and recalling the familiar principles of life and death, everyone swallowed hard.

Even with Qinglv's strength, they couldn't gain any advantage against Yveltal, so how could they persuade another legend? They could only try step by step.

Unfortunately--

"Team Flame has already activated its ultimate weapon, and do we still have time to find Xerneas?"

Faced with such an inquiry, Qinglu could not give a definite answer. Given the perilous situation, he had no choice but to take a gamble.

"Gentlemen, this is not something we can hesitate about. We are already standing on the edge of a cliff, and there is no way back. Even if it is impossible, we must try as many times as possible."

Team Flare's planning was too meticulous and their preparations too thorough. By the time the sluggish Alliance reacted, the sword of Damocles hanging over their heads was already teetering on the brink of collapse.

"Carlos's crisis is now unfolding before our eyes, and only by working together can we overcome it."

He lacked the strength to tap the table and awaken everyone's thoughts, but as soon as he had an idea, an invisible force gripped his elbow and slammed it heavily onto the cutting board.

Upon closer inspection, the white-haired girl was opening her purple eyes, offering her secret assistance.

I expressed my gratitude in my heart again, and as the heavy sound spread outwards, the noisy conversation was also silenced.

"Everyone, please remember this land beneath your feet, the panicked and disoriented people, and now only we stand before them!"

There were no more chaotic objections. Upon hearing these words, everyone calmed down, some clenching their fists, others bowing their heads.

"I know this task is arduous, but we must not give up because of it. Cities near Shixiang Town must be cautious in dealing with the flash floods or mudslides caused by the earthquake and make preparations for evacuation. Yaoxiang City and Saluo City will be the first to be affected, so Mr. Chalock and Mr. Cocoble, please use the familiar terrain to evacuate as many residents as possible."

Silence fell, and a sense of awe for nature kept everyone silent.

"In addition to confronting them head-on or drawing the attention of Team Flare, we also need to spare some manpower to seek the assistance of the God of Life. Mr. Fu, I'll leave this matter to you. Your familiarity with the forest is probably unmatched by anyone here."

"it is good."

There is no rejection; the word "hometown" is something that everyone cherishes.

"at last--"

Taking a deep breath, Karuni and Qinglv simultaneously spoke, their voices deep and resonant, as they surveyed the hall master and the king present.

"I hope everyone will return safely."

The task assignments were completed, and the meeting that had gathered many people also came to an end, but no one looked too happy.

The Flame Team's attack was too sudden and caught them off guard. They were worried about Carlos's future and uneasy about the success of the operation.

Walking on the road cracked by the earthquake, the leisure of the past is gone, and only silence pervades this tranquil night.

"Nanyin, Ke'erni, it's late at night. You should go back and get some rest with the children. Don't think too much about it."

Patting the girl on the shoulder, Master Fu put his hands behind his back and spoke gently.

Heavy clouds shrouded the sky, obscuring the moonlight and making it impossible to discern the old man's hidden expression.

"Ah."

He nodded in agreement. The scene could not be captured by the eyes alone, but the faint sense of waveguide conveyed his resolute determination.

—Master Fu did not want to get involved in the dangerous operation that was to come. Rather than going with them, he preferred to go alone, clearing the way for her and for them.

Cocoble treated Korne in this way, and so did Fu Ye himself. This was not spoiling, but rather a kind of care between family members, and a legacy of expectations from one generation to the next.

"Cough."

Standing still, the armored dragon following behind accidentally bumped into the girl's leg, causing her to stumble slightly, which also drew a faint smile from the old man.

He was delighted by his apprentice's growth and pleased by the young dragon's transformation, but faced with such a crisis, his apprentice was still somewhat lacking and had not yet reached the point where he could spread his wings and soar through the sky.

Words fail her. Gazing at that figure, Nan Yin choked with emotion, only able to listen to the footsteps receding into the distance and disappearing from sight.

She had always adhered to the principle of self-preservation, but when that old master, with his limp, poured out his heart to her with advice, how could she remain unmoved and disregard the kindness of her master?

"Nanyin."

Sensing the shift in her thoughts, Diancie took the girl's slender hand, tilted her head to follow her heart's desire, and asked with genuine concern.

"I am fine."

The fingertip pierced the flesh, and a dull pain followed as force was applied.

"But your face looks terrible."

Raising her clear eyes, the princess murmured softly.

"..."

A soft spot in her heart was touched, and the ribbon tightly wrapped around her arm did not come loose. Even the pink and white little beast could see her hesitation. How could Nan Yin deceive herself and pretend not to care?

Facing Team Flame, facing the ultimate weapon capable of destroying a city, and even Yveltal, this is destined to be a perilous situation.

With her current strength, she cannot remain in a safe high ground, nor can she guarantee the safety of herself and her child; this is a risky move.

But if you follow Master Fu's advice and let things spiral out of control, can you really have a clear conscience?