Chapter 187: The First Talisman Takes Form
“As expected, as soon as multiple Unown appear, they exhibit unfathomable mighty power.” Lu Li thought to himself.
Seeing that Lu Li had finally come to his senses, Yao Yifei asked with concern, “Are you okay?”
Katerina also walked over, looking at Lu Li with worry.
Lu Li nodded and comforted them, “Don’t worry, I’m fine.”
Compared to Ekaterina and the others, Lu Li’s Pokémon were much more composed, not even emerging from their Poké Balls on their own.
It was just one night, after all—Trainers’ peak battles could last three days and three nights!
Tropius thought smugly to itself.
“Good, as long as you’re okay.”
Ekaterina let out a heavy sigh of relief.
She had genuinely been worried about Lu Li’s condition earlier, though the main reason was her concern that her investment would go down the drain—there was no helping it, the sunk cost on Lu Li was now quite substantial.
Yao Yifei was purely concerned about Lu Li, without any other motives.
“What next? Continue exploring, or…?” Ekaterina asked.
After searching for a moment, Lu Li said, “Let’s settle in the Ancient Capital first.”
For Lu Li, the most important thing now was to digest the insights he had just gained and turn them into his own power.
Lu Li said to Yao Yifei, “By the way, I might need you to help me procure some things.”
“Give me the list, and I’ll handle the rest.”
Yao Yifei agreed immediately without even asking what Lu Li needed.
“You’re really not going to continue exploring?” Ekaterina was still a bit reluctant.
There was no helping it—Lu Li’s ability was just too appealing, practically like a Pokémon with an enhanced Pickup Ability.
“We’ll talk after the match ends, and besides…” Lu Li hesitated for a moment before continuing, “I might need to trouble that Fairy Heavenly King then too.”
Hearing this, Ekaterina frowned and asked, “Did you fail?”
Lu Li nodded.
It couldn’t really be called a failure, just not as successful as hoped.
After leaving the Secret Realm, the group checked into the Tsar Hotel.
The Tsar Hotel was an industry of the Yekaterina Family, one of the largest hotel chains in the world.
Lu Li naturally didn’t refuse, and after settling into the hotel, he began sorting through the knowledge in his mind.
First was the issue of localizing runes—from those two Unown, Lu Li had successfully localized several runes representing spatial rules.
Now, with just a bit of familiarization, he could craft spatial-type runes and magic treasures.
First up were talismans.
Lu Li, holding a brush, focused intently on the yellow paper on the coffee table.
With Yao Yifei’s help, Lu Li had gathered all the talisman crafting materials in less than half a day.
Lu Li hadn’t been able to craft talismans before mainly due to the differences in writing systems between the two worlds, like Chinese and English.
As for the other materials, Lu Li had actually found substitutes long ago.
First was the Minor Teleportation Talisman.
Lu Li calmed his mind and began drawing slowly.
The Minor Teleportation Talisman’s effect was simple—essentially equivalent to a Teleport, and one unrestricted by the field.
Those Unown had vanished suddenly because they used this special Teleport, completely unaffected by field control.
Besides that was the Minor Protective Talisman.
The Minor Protective Talisman’s effect was also simple—a passive activation type that would trigger a warning when the carrier faced a fatal threat.
Though the Minor Protective Talisman only warned, combining it with the Minor Teleportation Talisman changed everything.
With both talismans activated, he could teleport away before danger struck.
For now, talismans were limited to these two types; others would require observing more Unown.
For artifact refining, it was spatial magic treasures like Storage Rings or Teleportation Rings.
But due to time constraints, Lu Li only drew nine Minor Teleportation Talismans and nine Minor Protective Talismans.
The divination had said participating in the match was Nine Deaths, One Life—now he could save himself nine times, so it should be stable, right?
Still, just in case, Lu Li decided to bring along that Fairy Heavenly King too.
Minor Teleportation Talismans could break spatial restrictions below the Divine Realm but not above, so bringing Qu Suxin was entirely necessary.
After all, better safe than sorry.
Steady wins the race.
With that in mind, after meditating and resting for a bit, Lu Li took out the turtle shell from his backpack again.
Three ancient copper coins fell once more.
But this time, the revealed destiny was completely different.
This divination only showed he was no longer in life-threatening danger, with no other hints.
For Lu Li, knowing that much was enough.
As for the cause and outcome of the disaster?
Lu Li figured he was just an ordinary rookie Trainer for now—it wasn’t time for him to step up.
Unlike Spider-Man, Lu Li believed that great power came with great responsibility.
“The Pokémon World is still the best—divining heaven’s secrets costs absolutely nothing.” Lu Li happily put away the turtle shell.
At that moment, there was a knock at the doorway. Hearing it, Lu Li casually said, “Come in.”
Yao Yifei pushed the door open and handed Lu Li a tablet.
“This is the information on the players for this Grand Festival. Want to check it out ahead of time?”
After taking the tablet computer, Lu Li didn’t look right away but asked curiously, “What’s Ekaterina up to?”
Yao Yifei shook her head. “No idea, she slipped out mysteriously early this morning.”
Lu Li nodded and didn’t press further.
…………
Tsar Hotel top floor.
As everyone knew, the top floor of the Tsar Hotel wasn’t enough.
Ekaterina looked lazily at the middle-aged man before her. “I recall your code name is Joker, right?”
“I’m honored, Your Highness the Princess actually knows my nickname.” The middle-aged man called Joker thanked her.
“Joker, Vice President of the Progressive Association, Champion Level Trainer under 60 years old, signature Pokémon is the legendary Ultra Beast Garbodor. My intel on that’s correct, right?” Ekaterina countered.
Joker smiled and admitted, “The Yekaterina Family’s intelligence system is indeed formidable—spot on.”
“Just the tip of the iceberg.” Ekaterina neither confirmed nor denied.
As everyone knew, though Joker’s signature Pokémon was Garbodor, his starter Pokémon was unknown, and there were even rumors he’d stepped into the legendary Divine Realm.
Rumors were just rumors—whoever took them at face value lost.
Froslass had already hinted to her in secret: this man was merely a Champion Level Trainer, not yet in the Divine Realm.
“So what do you want from me?” Ekaterina continued.
Joker asked meaningfully in return, “Wasn’t it Your Highness the Princess who sought me out?”
Ekaterina picked up the wine glass from the coffee table, gently swirling the tall glass before downing the red wine inside, then stood up.
Ekaterina didn’t beat around the bush. “I hear your group has plans for the Asian Alliance’s Grand Festival. Mind if I join in?”
Joker wasn’t surprised at all that Ekaterina knew of their plans.
The Great Russia Region was showing faint signs of independence, so the Progressive Association had naturally reached out to the Yekaterina Family.
Though the Big Goose Region and Jiuzhou Region were in a honeymoon phase now, both sides were happy to see the other bleed a little.
Initially, the Yekaterina Family had refused, but for some reason, this Princess Ekaterina seemed to have new ideas.
“I don’t know what you’ve discussed with others, but the Yekaterina Family will provide one Heavenly King with a single demand: kill that Ideal Messenger during the chaos.” Ekaterina said in a low tone.
Though she trusted Lu Li and believed that Ideal Messenger was no match for him, for insurance, she didn’t mind playing some dirty tricks in the shadows.
Joker nodded directly and guaranteed, “No problem! Your request aligns perfectly with another collaborator’s.”
Ekaterina added, “Also, that Heavenly King has no connection to the Yekaterina Family.”
Joker shrugged, indicating it didn’t matter.
As long as they provided the firepower, who cared about acknowledgment? No sane person would admit to such things.
After Joker left, Ekaterina poured herself a glass of vodka.
“Little Pudding’s Ideal Power is too intriguing—his worries were spot on.” Ekaterina said softly.
“Looks like you two are getting along well.”
A seductive voice suddenly sounded in the room. Qu Suxin, who had appeared at some point, was now sitting across from Ekaterina.
Picking up the red wine from the table and pouring herself a glass, Qu Suxin gazed deeply at Ekaterina with her eyes.
Ekaterina said smugly, “Of course. In your Jiuzhou Region’s terms, he’s my child bridegroom.”
A cold glint flashed in Qu Suxin’s eyes—this woman had indeed been too idle lately.
“Plotting this in front of me—you’re not afraid I’ll report it?” Qu Suxin countered.
“I think you won’t.” Ekaterina said confidently.
Qu Suxin sneered disdainfully, neither refuting nor agreeing.
Rayne’s death would indeed benefit her, and she was happy to see him die in this operation—Qu Suxin had no intention of reporting it.
“Rayne has too many enemies; he can’t become the true Ideal Messenger.” Ekaterina said confidently.
Qu Suxin neither confirmed nor denied—Ekaterina had a point.
Rayne had too many enemies.
Born into the Lei Family, Rayne was branded with their label from birth. Hostile noble families wouldn’t let him off, and the commoner faction didn’t want a noble faction Ideal Messenger either.
That meant Rayne had enemies in noble families and no allies in the commoner faction—other regions hated him even more, wishing he’d drop dead soon.
“This match involves at least three Champion Level Trainers—no wonder that kid wanted to back out.” Qu Suxin sighed.
Ekaterina flattered deliberately, “That’s why we’re here to trouble you, the Fairy Heavenly King, right?”
“My Gardevoir will protect him from the shadows in the coming days, but what I don’t get is why the Yekaterina Family is wading into this mess?”
That was what puzzled Qu Suxin most—normally, the Yekaterina Family’s wisest move would be to sit back and watch the fun.
This was a prime chance to watch the Jiuzhou Region bleed; Ekaterina had no need to get involved, as one more or less Heavenly King wouldn’t make much difference.
Ekaterina: “Of course, for a greater future.”
“Heh.”
Qu Suxin sneered coldly, then downed her glass of red wine.
“Don’t get too brazen in the Jiuzhou Region. I’ll pretend I don’t know about this for Lu Li’s sake—leave Jiuzhou right after the match.” With that, Qu Suxin vanished instantly.
Looking at the empty glass before her, Ekaterina chuckled lightly.
“Homeland vodka still hits harder. Hope Little Pudding grows to like the taste. By now, he must miss me too.”
After muttering to herself, Ekaterina left the room as well.
…………
Lu Li carefully browsed the player information on the tablet computer.
The Grand Festival preliminaries were inter-regional competition, so as a Jiuzhou Region player, Lu Li wouldn’t face locals right away.
His opponent tomorrow was a Yamato Region Trainer named Natsuhiko Kiri.
The Yamato Region had only Natsuhiko Kiri as a contestant—it was said Yamato Region players looked down on the Grand Festival and mostly refused to come to Jiuzhou Region.
Natsuhiko Kiri was the Yamato Region Grand Festival Champion, from commoner origin, and quite desirous of a pseudo-legendary, so he’d come alone to compete.
“Natsuhiko Kiri is very strong! He’s the top of Yamato Region’s younger generation. They say after the Grand Festival, he’ll apprentice under Master Kiri.” Yao Yifei explained from the side.
“Master Kiri?” Lu Li recalled hearing the name somewhere.
Yao Yifei explained, “Master Kiri is the Yamato Region’s only living Master-level Trainer.”
Lu Li nodded in sudden realization.
“That’s a tough opponent indeed. How strong is he?” Lu Li asked.
“A normal late stage Froakie.”
“Greninja! Good thing it’s not the third stage evolution.” Lu Li complained with relief.
If Natsuhiko Kiri’s Froakie had evolved, Lu Li figured he’d pull a Bond Evolution on him.
Lu Li had no doubt about Natsuhiko Kiri’s talent.
As the strongest of Yamato Region’s younger generation, Natsuhiko Kiri was absolutely a cheat-code existence.
“I’ll win.”
Lu Li stated in an unquestionable tone.
Elite-level Tropius versus normal late stage Froakie—wasn’t this a father beating his son?
Level suppression plus type advantage—Lu Li couldn’t fathom how he’d lose.
As for if the opponent cheated? As if Tropius wasn’t a cheat itself.
Everyone was cheating, and with type and level advantages on his side, Lu Li couldn’t think of a reason to lose.
As a conspiracy theorist, Lu Li pondered deeper.
Lu Li asked curiously, “I feel like this ranking has some shady dealings. Do they not want Natsuhiko Kiri to advance?”
