Chapter 84

"New video?"

"Or did Manager Takumi, who had been missing for days, suddenly upload it to the group chat?"

Hongyi, who was about to leave, immediately stopped, took out his illustrated book, and opened the group chat interface.

Behind a luxurious long table, Ningguang and her three secretaries gathered around her, also clicking on the video to play it.

The video began with a familiar view of the Pokémon House store. The camera zoomed in on the young nightclub manager, Takumi, standing at the center of the screen with an air of confidence and a distinct charm as he introduced himself:

"Some of you may know me, and some may not. So, let me formally introduce myself. I am Takumi, the manager of Pokémon House."

"The ecological zone has been in Liyue for a week. I believe a group of excellent trainers has emerged in this time. More and more people are learning what kind of intelligent beings these creatures are and the kind of power they possess..."

In the video, Takumi took out a classic red and white Poké Ball.

Click! A flash of red light.

An ancient Growlithe from the Xicui Region appeared on the ground, looking alert.

"This is an ancient Growlithe."

Hongyi and Ningguang were stunned upon hearing this.

Click! The Poké Ball retracted, and Takumi released a second creature.

"This is an ancient Goodra from the Sinnoh region."

In the Hall of Rebirth, Hu Tao, who hadn't gone to the ecological zone for training and was instead watching over her evolving Garchomp, stared at the video in awe.

"Goodra... is that a dragon type?" she exclaimed. "Why does this Goodra look like it has a massive shell, almost like a snail!"

On the video screen, Takumi smiled as he released several more Pokémon, including Braviary, Zoroark, and Electrode. The group chat viewers marveled at these ancient Pokémon, feeling a sense of eternity and grandeur from them.

"Aside from special forms," Takumi continued, "some Pokémon can only evolve in specific regions."

The next scene showed transformations that surprised Ningguang and left Hu Tao gaping in astonishment.

A Stantler with antlers evolved into Wyrdeer. A Basculin evolved into Basculegion. And a Scyther evolved into Kleavor.

"Eh?!"

At Wanmintang, Xiangling, taking a break from serving dishes to guests, clicked on the video in the group chat and watched in fascination.

A green Scyther transformed into an insect- and rock-type creature. Its body had taken on a rocky structure, and its original sickle-like forelimbs had become hard and rugged axes.

"Wow, so powerful!" she exclaimed. "This form looks way stronger than the regular Scizor with big claws!"

Xiangling was captivated by the powerful Kleavor. She wondered about the conditions required for this evolution, hoping to learn by watching the rest of the video.

"Some of you trainers may have explored Liyue's ecological zone, but you've likely never seen the creatures I just showed you," Takumi said. "With that sense of curiosity and wonder, follow your manager, Takumi..."

"Let's start the first chapter of this video: Getting to Know the World of Creatures."

The scene shifted. Takumi now stood in an underground ruins space, his voice calm and echoing slightly in the enclosed area.

"Next, join me on a journey to an ancient world of creatures."

"This world was the precursor to the Sinnoh region—a time long ago when humans and creatures coexisted, witnessing a profound history!"

With those words, Takumi, along with Klee and followed by Cresselia, vanished into the portal where space and time converged.

A door to nothingness appeared briefly in the background.

Wendy and Zhongli, who had recently left the ecological zone and temporarily settled in Takumi's research institute, watched the scene with wide eyes.

Wendy gasped, "It can't be...!"

Zhongli's voice was firm. "This is indeed the power of time and space."

The video then unfolded like a curtain, revealing a majestic world of creatures.

Centered around Tianguan Mountain, scenes from Zhuqing Village, Base Camp, and the Obsidian Wilderness unfolded one by one in stunning realism as Takumi traversed them.

In Zhuqing Village, Takumi conversed with Dr. Laben. Later, he signed a contract with Magamu, the Galaxy Team leader, and bartered with the traveling merchant of the Ginkgo Chamber of Commerce, acquiring rare treasures and items.

As a soothing and nostalgic soundtrack played, the first chapter of this "promotional video" concluded, leaving the group chat viewers spellbound.

The chat remained silent for a moment until Hu Tao broke the silence.

"Wow, my scalp is tingling! This is beyond incredible..."

Xiangling: "Mr. Takumi, after watching this, how can I visit the Xicui Region? 😊"

Childe: "I'm feeling it too, Manager Takumi. Just one incredible thing after another! The ecological zone hasn't even been around for long, and now there's already something new?"

Jean: "This ancient world looks so magnificent! I wish I could take a break from Mondstadt and go explore for a while 😅"

Keqing: "In the video, Manager Takumi showed us a future where humans and creatures can coexist in harmony... (Screenshot 1), (Screenshot 2), (Screenshot 3)"

Ningguang: "Exactly! This village may be primitive, but with the influence of these creatures and related technologies, it carries a certain prosperity. I believe Liyue's future could be even brighter!"

Wendy: "Manager Takumi, that feeling of space-time fluctuation is unbelievable. I still can't fully understand it!"

Zhongli: "Considering universal principles, it's likely this place exists beyond Teyvat. Perhaps, one day, I too may become a visitor in that world."

After releasing this meticulously edited video, Takumi watched the enthusiastic response in the group chat. Many quiet members had come forward to express their excitement.

"It seems the first chapter—Understanding the World of Creatures—was a success," Takumi noted, a satisfied smile playing on his lips. He had indeed been busy filming in the Xicui Region for the past few days.

"But," he thought to himself, "if they watch the upcoming chapters featuring Tianguan Mountain and the Spear Pillar..."

"When they see the battlefield of legendary creatures, witnessing battles that impact stars and the universe itself... I wonder if they'll be overwhelmed with excitement or fear."

Standing at the gate to the secret realm, Takumi looked back at the snow-covered Tianguan Mountain, his expression filled with emotion.

"Indeed, as expected of Dialga and Palkia, the gods of time and space!"

Neither he nor Cresselia, despite her power as a junior deity, could intervene in the battle between these two divine beings that transcended time and space.

As a champion-level trainer himself, Takumi recognized the immense gap in power between them. Cresselia, though a first-level deity, was still just at the threshold compared to the powers of Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina.

"Looks like I'll have to rely on the 'plot armor' this time..."