Chapter 69

"An Oricorio"

"The other one is Chesnaught?"

Takumi used his system authority to identify the two Pokémon vying for dominance. Goodness, Oricorio is level 60, and Chesnaught is level 65. They are both at an advanced elite level, very close to the Champion level!

"Well, it's not surprising. This is the deepest part of the forest in the ecological zone, where legendary Pokémon could potentially appear!"

Chesnaught is the final evolution of Chespin.

And keep in mind, Chespin is one of the starter Pokémon from the Kalos region.

As a formidable Pokémon from the final evolution of a starter line, if Takumi hadn't wanted to build a full lineup of mythical beasts, he might've just used a Master Ball to catch it right away.

"The potential is impressive as well; its limit is Champion level," Takumi remarked. "I wonder who will come out on top."

Boom.

Suddenly, a massive rumbling came from the hilly area.

Takumi discovered another intense battle at the overlord level—a gigantic Onix facing off against a Tyrantrum in ancient armor.

However, in a hidden lava cave, Takumi spotted a creature stronger than the two quasi-overlords outside. It was level 69, just one level shy of Champion level.

"Whoa!"

"It's actually an Aerodactyl?"

"It makes sense!"

Normally, fossils and genetic materials are required to revive Pokémon from the ancient era, yet here was a living specimen in the ecological zone.

Moreover, the underground lava cave held an abundance of treasures!

Takumi scanned the area closely.

He saw several buried Rock-type treasures.

There were fossils, shells, and carapaces likely to give rise to various fossil Pokémon.

There were also orange-yellow Rock-type gems, capable of enhancing skills when worn...

Wait?!

Takumi's eyes narrowed.

"Is that… an Orb forming?"

He couldn't help but feel his heartbeat quicken.

Whether it's the Lustrous Orb, the Adamant Orb, or others, these items are known to boost the powers of mythical and legendary Pokémon, making them extraordinarily valuable.

But unfortunately, these orbs were still in the process of formation.

Takumi marked this cave location in his mind:

"With Aerodactyl guarding this treasure trove, there's no immediate risk of someone unearthing the Orb embryo."

He turned his gaze away, sighing.

There were hidden areas nurturing treasures like this.

No wonder when nature established this Pokémon world, the spirit of the alpaca-like figure appeared.

"Arceus!"

Takumi recognized the figure immediately.

It's considered the original creator of the Pokémon world, said to have crafted the entire universe. No one knows how long it has existed.

Thinking of this,

Takumi glanced at the old emperor.

In the form of Zhongli, Morax continued looking up at the sky where Arceus's silhouette had vanished.

His face was filled with a mixture of solemnity and deep contemplation.

Seeing this,

Takumi spoke softly:

"That being is... the universally acknowledged god of creation in the Pokémon world."

Zhongli nodded slowly.

"I suspected as much."

"Its presence and aura make even someone like me feel small."

As he spoke, Zhongli sighed and looked toward the moon.

Though it was daytime and the sun was bright, Zhongli's gaze was profound, tinged with something strange. He seemed to see an island floating in the sky near the moon.

He gazed across the entire sky. The floating island was enveloped in an eerie silence.

Then, Zhongli turned and looked intently at Takumi, whose expression remained calm:

"Did you anticipate this result?"

Takumi smiled slightly.

"I'm afraid not."

"If you're referring to Sky Island's silence…"

"I had no way to foresee it!"

Takumi thought to himself, Who could have predicted that using a golden item card to summon the ecological zone would create such an earth-shaking event that it would be noticed by all the nations and even reach Sky Island?

Yet, just before the situation could spiral, Arceus's shadow appeared in time, likely preventing Sky Island's intervention. In the end, it worked out well. If he could avoid a confrontation, Takumi was perfectly content to continue as an advocate for Pokémon, rather than ruling Teyvat. That kind of power struggle was exhausting.

Zhongli, however, still appeared somewhat skeptical.

Just then, both Takumi and Zhongli were drawn to a strange inland sea below. Due to the ecological zone's influence, a deep trench had appeared.

The trench reached nearly a thousand meters in depth, forming a vast, mysterious pit.

At the bottom, a peculiar egg happened to crack open. Emerging from it was a large, serpentine Pokémon with a body several meters long, glancing around curiously.

It let out a delighted cry, flapping its wings as it soared upwards, creating a storm over the narrow inland sea.

Soon, the creature seemed to understand how to control its power and settled back down at the bottom of the trench to sleep.

"Lugia!"

"No way!!"

"The first wild Legendary Pokémon in Teyvat is actually Lugia!"

Takumi couldn't help but exclaim.

Lugia?

Zhongli focused on the newly hatched Pokémon resting at the trench's bottom.

"Resembling a dragon in flight, with scales like feathers," he noted.

"Though it's young, it seems calm and reserved?"

Takumi couldn't look away.

"Lugia, known as the guardian of the seas."

"It usually resides at the bottom of deep ocean trenches."

"Due to its immense power, even the slightest flap of its wings can easily stir up massive waves in the sea."

Lugia has its own lineage, with the most powerful among them wielding complete dominion over the seas, comparable to Ho-Oh or Kyogre.

Takumi opened Lugia's Pokédex entry.

Seeing that its potential capped at level 120, putting it in the range of a Tier One Legendary.

"Wha-?!"

Takumi couldn't hold back any longer. He teleported back to the main store and grabbed an array of top-tier Poké Balls.

He even brought Meloetta as backup to subdue the young Lugia in case it resisted, prepared to battle if needed.

Hu Tao: "Hey, hey, what's happening? I just got back near Wangshu Inn, and there's a major uproar!"

Xiangling: "If you're in the mine at Mingyun Village, don't ask. I'm already stunned!"

At that moment, a group announcement popped up:

"Attention, all members: there is no need to worry about the scene in the Liyue region. This is an announcement from me, Takumi (Nightclub Manager), regarding the establishment of the first wild Pokémon ecological zone.

The ecological zone is now open in Liyue.

As it is an open nature zone, entry and exit are unrestricted, and there are no entry fees. Everyone is welcome to bring their Pokémon to explore, train, and grow!

And don't forget to bring Poké Balls! You're free to catch wild Pokémon!

Please note, however, that any form of poaching is strictly prohibited."