Chapter 114

"The fourth Pokémon... Should I go to the Pokémon House store and try my luck?"

Lumine had only sold the beautiful scale she found. She kept all the other treasures she'd picked up this week and wasn't in a hurry to exchange them for cash.

If she struck it rich, Lumine thought, she could just empty out the treasures in her backpack, and she wouldn't have to worry about not being able to afford anything!

With this in mind, Lumine became interested. She went to the Pokémon House in Liyue Port.

Then, when she returned to the camp in the ecological zone an hour later, she had a depressed look on her face.

Five opportunities this week, yet not a single practical-level Pokémon was drawn!

All sorts of bad and disappointing results.

"Why."

Life is not easy, Paimon sighed, "Why do I feel like you used up all your luck picking up treasures?"

Lumine glared at the little guy, thought for a while, and took out her Pokedex to reply to Hu Tao's invitation from earlier.

"I agree to team up. Let's work together to catch some high-level, highly qualified wild Pokémon. First, we need to assemble as complete a lineup as possible!"

Not long after, Hu Tao, Xiangling, Lumine, and Paimon teamed up.

This group, along with their growing Pokémon lineup, actually dared to move on a large scale in areas close to the champion's territory.

Soon, Hu Tao excitedly pointed at a swirling sandstorm in the rocky area.

"Found it! That information was indeed correct. There are Vibrava here! Wahaha, our Hall Master's third dragon member has been found!"

...

While Hu Tao, Xiangling, and Traveler Lumine were busy, other members of the group chat were not idle either. They were all taking action to prepare for the competition. Even those who usually goofed around were now focused, making the group chat quieter than usual.

The atmosphere outside was also charged.

Thanks to Takumi's swift supply of Hisuian Growlithes and Hisuian Braviaries, the Pokémon guards in the two regions had gained scale and combat power.

Thus, some of the unease, turmoil, and potential dangers before the competition were effectively contained.

Another week passed in the blink of an eye, and the competition was about to begin.

The Golden House, also the manufacturing place for the unified currency "Mora" of all of Teyvat, was bustling.

Zhongli signed a "strange contract" and left, with Childe and Signora watching him leave.

"Today's Rite of Descension," Childe sighed softly. "The Geo Archon will bid farewell to his ancient form..."

After signing the last contract with the Harbingers, Zhongli returned directly to the research institute.

He planned to go to the headquarters of the institute to continue some kind of research. Zhongli paused, looking as though he was listening.

A look of surprise crossed his face.

Not far away, another tall building stood, now named the "Academy Building." Inside, in the large classroom where trainers were cultivated, Takumi was personally giving a rare lecture.

Zhongli became interested. In an instant, he appeared in the corridor outside the large classroom, peering through the window to observe what was happening inside.

The room was dark and there were no empty seats—because it was an open class. Even students who weren't specializing in Pokémon training subjects, like those from the coordination and research departments, were very eager to attend.

It was so packed that many had to stand at the back of the large classroom or in the corridor outside.

There were many familiar faces in the crowd. Mr. Zhongli actually had a good memory—though he always forgot to bring Mora when going out.

Next to him was a male scholar whom Zhongli recognized, including his previous field of research. Khedive... often visited the underground mining area of the Chasm to conduct research on fungi and ancient organisms.

Zhongli glanced at the ID badge that Khedive wore on his chest and nodded knowingly. Had he become a research scholar at the Pokémon Academy?

Though it wasn't his area of expertise, Khedive was still listening carefully to the lecture in the large classroom.

Takumi was the "Dean."

Though he often shirked his duties, whenever he held an open class, the top students from Liyue and Mondstadt always felt invigorated and learned a lot of useful information.

This time was no different.

You could hear a pin drop inside and outside the large classroom.

Everyone was listening intently.

"Every trainer should develop their own unique Pokéblock formula. After this trainer competition concludes and things stabilize, I will join forces with the Adventurers' Guild and Pokémon Alliances across various nations to officially launch the breeder career system.

"The rankings will be: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Expert, and Master!"

"...This open class mainly focuses on Berries. Berries are the core of all Pokéblock formulas, and there are thousands of ways to process just one kind of Berry."

"Did you know? After each type of Berry is pressed and precipitated, adding certain materials will yield different starches and polysaccharides."

"How do we efficiently obtain the essence of Berries?"

"In this class, I'll demonstrate a senior-level precipitation technique. Watch closely and don't worry if you don't understand everything..."

"This open class has been recorded and will be uploaded to my personal Teyvat Cheers account. Everyone can watch it for free!"

On the podium, Takumi glanced at the student seats with a smile.

"Now, I need a classroom assistant to help with tasks during the practical demonstration. If you're willing to come up, please raise your hand."

Suddenly, everyone raised their hands. The sight was quite spectacular.

Takumi was not surprised, nor was Zhongli.

"Alright, you, the student in the third row."

The female student called upon looked as if she was about to faint with excitement.

She was a petite girl named Chloris.

In fact, Chloris was a botanist from Mondstadt. She often conducted research between the Temple of the Wolf and the Temple of the Falcon.

Ever since she had discovered Berry botany in the Pokémon World, Chloris had become enamored and obsessed.

"May I have your name?"

"Chloris."

Takumi nodded and gestured to the berries that had been prepared on the practical table.

"Chloris, help me press all the berries."

Hearing this, the young student started to operate the pressing machine. The residue and juice quickly flowed into the sedimentation vessel, and the students were stunned by the next step.

Takumi lit an alcohol lamp and began heating the bottom of the sedimentation vessel.

"Temperature control is one of the key techniques in this demonstration. Even a slight change in temperature can make a big difference in the precipitation effect and subsequent reaction."

"Right now, I'm controlling the temperature at 63 degrees Celsius. Pay attention to the thermometer! Note the temperature changes!"

Tick, tick, tick.

The heated essence juice passed through a transparent tube and flowed into another glass container. Takumi picked it up, shaking the pot.

It was originally a green Berry. After being purified, the pulp in the pot was as green as the finest jade, dazzling Chloris beside him.

"Did you see that? This pot of pulp is an excellent product from the precipitation step.

"But... don't celebrate too soon. This is only the first step in the entire Pokéblock production process."

Takumi spoke leisurely, then shifted gears.

"However, an excellent or even perfect start makes the rest of the process much easier. In simple terms, the first step is to remove as many impurities as possible—substances that Pokémon can't digest or absorb."

"In a previous open class, I mentioned that the higher the quality of the Pokéblocks, and the fewer impurities, the less your Pokémon will have to... well, poop."

The class chuckled quietly.

Takumi glanced at the time on the wall clock behind the large classroom and, before announcing the end of class, looked at the diligent assistant Chloris with a smile.

"To thank you for your help, you may ask one question."

Chloris asked excitedly, "Dean Takumi, can a breeder make Rare Candies?"

Rare Candies...

It seemed this botanist had heard about Rare Candies from some of the group members.

Currently, Rare Candies were only sold internally to the customer group.

"Of course. Any kind of Pokémon food, including treats, falls within the scope of a breeder's expertise. As for Rare Candies, I can tell you that even the lowest quality ones require at least an advanced-level breeder to research and produce."

Takumi said nothing more and announced the end of the class with a smile.

Chloris was very satisfied, leaving with her face glowing.

Once the large classroom was empty, Takumi walked toward Zhongli.

"What's wrong? Have you decided to retire permanently?"

Zhongli replied, "Originally, I was still somewhat concerned, but lately, seeing the Pokémon Age you've brought to Liyue has allowed me to see a glorious and magnificent future where humans are the protagonists of this world."

"I have nothing to worry about anymore."

Takumi asked, "Uh... Then why did you have the Harbingers sign that strange contract?"

He almost wanted to complain outright.

The original plot had taken so many twists and turns, yet Zhongli still ended up collaborating with Childe or Signora.

Zhongli replied, "Everything has to be done thoroughly. In fact, if you want, I can even give you my Geo Archon's Gnosis."

Takumi waved his hand in refusal.

The Gnosis was a good thing—an incredibly powerful resource, far beyond even the Heart of Yggdrasil.

But the more powerful it was, the more it was tied to Celestia.

It wasn't worth being bound and monitored. The weaker powers of Yggdrasil's Heart were enough to allow Legendary Pokémon to break through instead of being controlled.

Suddenly, Takumi's Pokedex chimed—a private message.

Takumi glanced at it and then said to Zhongli with a strange expression, "Lady Ningguang has invited me to attend the Rite of Descension. Can I broadcast it live on Teyvat Cheers Station? Will the Geo Archon be assassinated there?"

Zhongli couldn't help but twitch at the mention.

"Do as you wish."

He thought for a moment. The more people believed that the Geo Archon was dead and the throne was vacant, the better it would be.

As for the potential for chaos in Liyue—without the support of the Geo Archon, would the return of another Archon cause calamity?

Zhongli was not worried in the slightest.

Who would dare stir up trouble at such a time, provoking the founder of the Pokémon Age standing beside him?

Zhongli's current thoughts could be summarized as follows—

I am the retired Geo Archon. Time to take it easy!