Chapter 104: The Journey to Find the Champion
The next day at noon, Bai Feng gave Hatterene its last injection of Potion, then took it to the Pokémon Center. The Meowstic siblings accompanied them.
Upon entering, Bai Feng didn't see Nurse Joy, only Chansey standing behind the Counter.
Bai Feng waved and greeted Chansey: "Chansey, good Afternoon! Where's Nurse Joy?"
"Lccky~lucky~" Good Afternoon, please wait a moment, she should be out soon.
Chansey invited Bai Feng to sit in the Hall and thoughtfully prepared a cup of Milk and a Fried Egg for him. Delicious Chansey Eggs are not something just anyone can eat.
Perhaps it was because Bai Feng had spent quite a bit of Money at the Pokémon Center recently; just those few Potions cost hundreds of thousands.
About ten minutes later, Nurse Joy came out of the Examination Room, looking a little tired. Seeing Bai Feng, she smiled and walked over, saying:
"You're here! How is Hatterene doing? Has its condition stabilized?"
Bai Feng nodded and replied, "Just as you said, it woke up yesterday. Everything looks good so far. Have you decided on a treatment plan?"
Hearing this question, Nurse Joy looked troubled. "I have thought of one..."
Bai Feng said happily, "Then let's start the treatment."
Nurse Joy quickly said, "Ah... please let me finish! Actually, the Method to treat Hatterene is quite simple, but..."
Nurse Joy's hesitation made Bai Feng anxious. "Please just say it all at once, don't keep me in Suspense."
Hearing this, Nurse Joy had no choice but to say, "Your Hatterene's Energy imbalance Problem occurred because its Mental Power surged too much.
So the simplest Method is to suppress its Mental Power to be on par with its Fairy Type, and then you focus on cultivating its Fairy Type. Once the Strength of its Fairy Type grows to be similar to its Psychic Type, Hatterene will naturally recover."
Bai Feng asked doubtfully, "But didn't you say before that Hatterene's Mental Power surged because it was too suppressed? Now you want to suppress it again, won't that cause a Problem?"
Nurse Joy slapped her Head. "How can you be so slow? Suppression and restraint are two different things. Moreover, all we need to do is suppress Hatterene's Mental Power to a Strength similar to its Fairy Type, not make it disappear completely.
For example, imagine a jar with Water being poured into it. As long as there's another small hole for the Water Flow to escape, it won't explode.
Although the analogy isn't perfect, that's the basic Reason."
"I see." Bai Feng suddenly understood. "Then how do we suppress it?"
Nurse Joy frowned. "Ah, that's where the Problem lies.
You now need two Items: one that can accelerate Hatterene's accumulation of Fairy-type Energy, and one that can suppress Hatterene's Mental Power. But these two things are not easy to obtain!"
"What should we do?" Bai Feng became anxious upon hearing this.
Speaking of Items that increase the speed of Fairy-type Energy accumulation, Bai Feng immediately thought of the Diamond Pendant Sister Zhi Huo gave to Bai Ye.
However, that was Bai Ye's Item, and Bai Feng couldn't take it without permission. If possible, he didn't even want to mention it to Bai Ye.
Because if he did, Bai Ye would definitely offer it willingly, which would make Bai Feng feel like Bai Ye was losing out. So, it was better to think of another Method.
Nurse Joy added, "Actually, I've already inquired with my grandmother for you. There's someone who happens to have an Item that can suppress Mental Power."
"Who?" Bai Feng asked eagerly.
"Do you know who the current League Champion is?" Nurse Joy asked.
Bai Feng nodded doubtfully. "Yes, I do. It's Grandma Maple."
Bai Feng wasn't so ignorant as to not know something that everyone knew, but Grandma Maple hadn't appeared in public for a long time.
Nurse Joy continued, "Grandma Maple is now living in seclusion on Mt. Moonstone near Shalour City.
She has an Item called the Ancient Crown. That Item can not only suppress the excessive Mental Power of Psychic Type Pokémon but also calm their Spirit, which is very suitable for Hatterene's current Situation.
However, Grandma Maple is not an easy person to talk to. If you want to get that Ancient Crown, you might have to put in some effort."
"I will definitely get the Ancient Crown from Grandma Maple!" Bai Feng said firmly.
Nurse Joy smiled and said, "Okay, I wish you success."
Suddenly, she seemed to remember something and whispered to Bai Feng:
"I'll tell you a Secret. Grandma Maple is getting old and has been considering resigning from her Position as League Champion, which is why she went into seclusion on Mt. Moonstone. She is currently considering taking on an Apprentice."
Huh? Bai Feng was completely confused after hearing this. Was Nurse Joy implying that he should go become Grandma Maple's Apprentice? Although he was indeed a Genius, he didn't plan on becoming the League Champion!
Filled with confusion, Bai Feng left the Pokémon Center. He said to the Meowstic siblings, who were perched on his shoulder with worried faces, "Don't worry, I will get the Ancient Crown."
"Meow meow meow~"
Hearing this, the siblings quickly cheered Bai Feng on.
That night, back at Home, Bai Feng injected Hatterene with Potion again. When he left the Pokémon Center, Nurse Joy had him buy some more Potions.
Although the Price of the Potion was ridiculously expensive, for Hatterene's health, Bai Feng could only buy a whole box, spending several million.
He hadn't spent this much Money at once even when building his Career. It was fortunate that he had earned a lot in the past year.
This Potion couldn't be stopped until Hatterene fully recovered. Only after getting the Ancient Crown might Bai Feng's pressure ease a bit.
Once he obtained the Ancient Crown and suppressed Hatterene's Mental Power, Hatterene wouldn't need three injections a day like today; it would only need two injections a week.
However, Nurse Joy also told Bai Feng not to worry too much about the Money. Although the Potion was expensive, it was actually a powerful Medicine that could help Fairy-type Pokémon grow quickly.
The original intention of researching this Potion was actually to quickly enhance a Pokémon's Strength. Unfortunately, the Price of this Potion was too touching (expensive), and ordinary people simply couldn't afford it. In the end, the Joy family could only put it into medicinal use.
After learning from the Meowstic siblings how much Money Bai Feng had spent on it, Hatterene was grateful to Bai Feng but also troubled.
Several million! Even if it sold itself, it wouldn't be able to get that much Money. What should it do? It seemed it would have to "sell itself" to this Home from now on.
Early the next morning, after leaving the Matters at Home to Bai Ye, Bai Feng took Hatterene and the others to Shalour City.
He had to get to Mt. Moonstone as soon as possible to find Grandma Maple and get the Ancient Crown from her. Every day was burning Money; one Potion cost 100,000, and three a day was 300,000... terrifying!
Because they were traveling by Express Flying Vehicle, Bai Feng and the others quickly arrived at Shalour City. They barely stopped in Shalour City and immediately rushed from Shalour City to Mt. Moonstone.
Mt. Moonstone is located east of Shalour City and can be seen from afar outside the city. Bai Feng and the others rode Talonflame Captain and reached it in just one Hour.
However, looking at the Moonstone Mountain Range full of Mountains before him, Bai Feng felt his Head ache. Where was he supposed to find Grandma Maple here?
Fortunately, Bai Feng could understand Pokémon Language. He successfully tricked a Swirlix wandering in the Forest with a Berry.
"Hello there, can I ask you a question?"
"Swirl~ Swirl~"
Swirlix quickly nodded while munching on the Berry, its eyes squinted.
"Do you know where there are humans living nearby?" Bai Feng asked.
"Swirl~ Swirl~" Of course I do.
Swirlix nodded.
"Can you tell me?"
"Swirl~ Swirl~" Of course.
Hearing this answer, Bai Feng was very happy. But then Swirlix started speaking incoherently, saying to turn here for a while, turn back there for a while, and couldn't clearly explain where "here" and "there" were, making Bai Feng's Head hurt even more.
Helplessly, Bai Feng took out another Berry and said softly, "Then can I ask you to lead the way for me?"
"Swirl~ Swirl~"
Swirlix quickly threw away the Fruit Pit, which had no Fruit Flesh left, and hugged the new Berry, nodding repeatedly.
For a moment, Bai Feng almost thought it was deliberately speaking unclearly just to earn another Berry.
Forget it, compared to searching by himself, it would be faster to have a guide lead the way.
Under Swirlix's guidance, Bai Feng and the others climbed Mountains, crossed ridges, and passed through layers of Forest, finally arriving at the Entrance of a Cave.
Swirlix jabbered, pointing at the Cave. Bai Feng asked, "Are you saying that if I go through this Cave, I can meet the person I'm looking for?"
Swirlix nodded repeatedly and indicated that it wouldn't continue leading the way. There was a scary presence in the Cave, and it didn't dare go in. After saying that, it slipped away.
Bai Feng looked at the deep Cave and felt his Head ache again. Why would a perfectly good League Champion, who wasn't young anymore, insist on coming to live in such a deep Mountain Forest? What was the point!
"Hatterene, go back into your Pokeball first. According to Swirlix, there should be dangerous Pokémon in this Cave. If they attack us, I might not be able to look after you, and you can't use Psychic Power." Bai Feng said to Hatterene.
"Hatterene~"
Hatterene nodded.
After recalling Talonflame Captain, Hatterene, and the Meowstic siblings, Bai Feng sent out Heliolisk and Brionne and said, "Alright, let's go in. I hope everything goes Smoothly."
The Cave was pitch black, so Heliolisk used its Flash Move as soon as they entered. The most convenient use of this Move was as a lighting tool.
"Screech screech screech..."
The strong light produced by the Flash Move startled a group of Zubat in the Cave, but these Zubat were very timid and flew away together with a whoosh.
Bai Feng continued walking forward with his two Pokémon. After walking for an unknown amount of time, they suddenly heard the sound of Wings flapping again.
More Zubat?
But just as this thought arose in Bai Feng's mind, ten or so Woobat appeared in his line of sight.
Huh? Woobat? So many?
Woobat, being Dragon-type Pokémon, are relatively rare. Bai Feng didn't expect to encounter so many here.
Before Bai Feng could communicate with the Woobat, they collectively launched an attack on Bai Feng, Brionne, and Heliolisk.
"Woobat~ Bo~"
Over a dozen Woobat simultaneously used Supersonic, causing Bai Feng and the others' Heads to ache violently.
"Brionne, deal with them." Bai Feng said with difficulty.
Competing with sound-based Moves? Brionne couldn't lose!
Brionne opened its mouth, and a beautiful Singing Voice came from its throat. The Woobat's Supersonic was instantly disrupted by Brionne's Charm Voice, and the chaotic sounds mixed together, no longer forming a Complete Move.
As the Woobat became flustered, Brionne used the Sing Move again. In the beautiful Singing Voice, the Woobat fell to the Ground one after another, falling fast asleep.
"Phew~ That was close." Bai Feng said.
However, as soon as he finished speaking, a pair of Golden eyes suddenly opened in the darkness.
"Roar!!!"
A Dragon Roar echoed in the Cave.
Heliolisk projected its Flash towards the sound, revealing a sturdy Noivern in front of them.
This was the parent coming after the children!
"Roar!!!"
Noivern roared angrily at Bai Feng and the others. Bai Feng could hear its anger.
How dare you! Not only do you trespass here, but you also injure the Woobat! Unforgivable!
A Sound Pillar suddenly shot out from Noivern's two ears. Heliolisk quickly flashed forward and shot out a Thunder Pillar to clash with Noivern's Boom Burst.
Boom!
The Sound Pillar formed by Boom Burst and the Thunder Pillar formed by Thundershock collided, causing an explosion in the Cave and making Rocks fall from the ceiling above Bai Feng and the others.
Noivern seemed somewhat surprised that Heliolisk's Strength was so great, so it rarely restrained the anger on its face, only roaring:
"Leave here! Leave here, and I won't pursue anything!"
"I need to go through here to see Grandma Maple!" Bai Feng naturally couldn't leave.
"Roar!!!" You want to see Grandma Maple? Then you'll have to get past me first!
Seeing that the other side wouldn't listen to its advice, Noivern had no choice but to continue its attack. Another Sound Pillar shot towards Bai Feng and the others.
Judging from Noivern's meaning, it was very likely familiar with Grandma Maple, perhaps even placed here by her.
"Brionne~"
"Heliolisk~"
Brionne and Heliolisk simultaneously used Water Gun and Thundershock, defeating Noivern's Boom Burst.
The next second, Heliolisk's figure disappeared. Noivern turned its Head, trying to find Heliolisk's whereabouts, but Brionne took the Opportunity to use Water Gun.
Bang!
The Water Gun hit Noivern on the Head, making its Head tilt.
"Roar!" Noivern shook its Head in pain.
At this moment, Heliolisk had appeared behind Noivern. It condensed a Golden Light Orb in front of itself and quickly threw it at Noivern.
"Roar!!!"
Noivern wanted to use Boom Burst to counterattack again, but countless Electric Currents suddenly flashed across its body, forcibly interrupting its Move.
Noivern fell into a Paralyzed State.
"Brionne, Sing!"
Taking this Opportunity, Brionne used the Sing Move again.
In the beautiful Singing Voice, Noivern's movements became slower and slower, and its eyelids grew heavier and heavier. Soon, it lay on the Ground and fell asleep.
Bai Feng felt that this Noivern must know Grandma Maple, so he didn't intend to harm it. Just putting it to sleep was enough.
It was also fortunate that the Cave's space was limited, making it inconvenient for Noivern, a Flying-type Pokemon, to move around. Otherwise, Bai Feng and the others might not have been able to defeat the highly mobile Noivern.
After defeating Noivern, Bai Feng and the others continued forward. After that, they didn't encounter any other Pokémon blocking their way. About ten minutes later, they successfully exited the Cave.
(End of Chapter)