Chapter 168: Child Of The Jungle
Hearing this, Yao Yifei instantly became interested, then looked at the medicinal herb in front of her with great curiosity, “Is this a Pokémon Secret Treasure?”
“No, this is the main ingredient for Beauty Potion.” Lu Li answered.
“I see.” Yao Yifei said thoughtfully. She didn’t ask for Beauty Potion outright, but instead inquired, “Is this potion effective for Pokémon that don’t evolve based on beauty?”
“It’s effective, and the results are remarkable.” Lu Li nodded.
Yao Yifei requested, “Can you sell me a few bottles?”
This item was just icing on the cake for her. If Lu Li wasn’t willing, she wouldn’t insist, but she would lower her evaluation of Lu Li in her heart.
Lu Li didn’t know Yao Yifei’s inner thoughts. This was originally the compensation method he had thought of, so he naturally wouldn’t refuse.
“No problem, but you’ll have to wait until after my College Entrance Examination. I don’t have time recently.” Lu Li explained.
Yao Yifei nodded. She wasn’t in a hurry for this item, and she was already very happy that Lu Li agreed.
………..
Qingfeng City.
Leng Qianqiu, who had returned in disarray, almost thought he hadn’t been back to the real world for several years.
First, the Jiuzhou Alliance showed signs of independence, then the legendary Ho-Oh appeared in the present world, and now he even heard that gym groups in various cities could form Pokémon Legions.
Leng Qianqiu was directly stunned by this news.
“Is it this crazy? Doesn’t the Alliance worry that those Gym Leaders’ powers will completely spiral out of control?” Leng Qianqiu couldn’t help but mutter in his heart.
For their family powers, Gym Leaders were actually opponents of the noble families.
The reason was simple: those gym groups were equivalent to local powers, and the vast majority of Gym Leaders in cities had risen as emerging powers in the past century.
For the old families, the rise of these emerging powers would inevitably seize their benefits.
Signs of a chaotic world.
These four words suddenly flashed through Leng Qianqiu’s mind.
“If a chaotic world is about to descend, Rayne… will you be the one to end it?” Leng Qianqiu murmured.
Rayne was his good friend, the young master of one of the Eighteen Great Attribute Families, the Electric Attribute Family.
Moreover, Rayne had an even more terrifying identity: Reserve Ideal Messenger. Although Rayne was a few years younger than him and weaker in strength, Leng Qianqiu had always regarded him as an equal.
Realizing he couldn’t stay here any longer, Leng Qianqiu sighed.
“It seems that egg and I are not destined to be.”
After feeling a pang of regret in his heart, Leng Qianqiu said to the Jin Family Patriarch opposite him, “My promise still holds, as long as you can help me find that egg.”
“Is Young Master Leng preparing to leave Qingfeng City?” the Jin Family Patriarch hurriedly asked.
Leng Qianqiu nodded and said, “I need to hurry and break through to Gym Level, so I can’t stay here any longer.”
The Jin Family Patriarch understood very well.
For trainers like them, truly free time was rare. Leng Qianqiu had already delayed here for nearly a week. He was in a rapid growth phase, and spending a week here was already the limit.
After bidding farewell to the Jin Family Patriarch, Leng Qianqiu left Qingfeng City with his Bidoof.
“Do you think this young master of the Leng Family is in such a hurry to go back really just to break through to Gym Level?” the Jin Family Patriarch suddenly looked up at the corridor on the second floor and said.
Yu Zhonggang sneered, “Nine times out of ten, but the reason he’s rushing to break through to Gym Level is probably for the Pokémon Legion matter.”
Leng Qianqiu was tempted by the idea of forming a Pokémon Legion, or rather, the entire Leng Family was tempted by it.
Lifting restrictions on Gym Leaders and allowing them to form Pokémon Legions wasn’t just beneficial to commoner trainers; it was equally beneficial to family trainers, and the benefits were substantial. Otherwise, this policy wouldn’t have passed.
A commoner Gym Leader could at most form a small Pokémon Legion; a large Pokémon Legion was beyond what a commoner Gym Leader could handle.
The Jin Family Patriarch comforted, “Even if the sky falls, there are taller people to hold it up. We just need to manage our own turf in Qingfeng City.”
Yu Zhonggang nodded matter-of-factly. Although he was also of commoner origin, he had now achieved class ascension.
The former commoner had become a noble family member.
“A Pokémon Legion composed of 500 Elite Level Steelix—this will be the foundation of my Yu Family.” Yu Zhonggang thought excitedly in his heart.
With the current situation, anyone with a bit of foresight knew that a chaotic world was coming—a new reshuffle opportunity, a chance to become a noble family.
For a Gym Leader of commoner origin like Yu Zhonggang, this was a gamble.
The Jin Family Patriarch suddenly changed the subject and reminded meaningfully, “What about that young man Lu Li? He doesn’t have much growth time left.”
“Let’s see his performance in the Grand Festival. Now he’s been targeted by the young lady of the Ekaterina Family; his future is no longer up to us.” Yu Zhonggang said with some regret.
He genuinely admired Lu Li and was even willing to give President Lu a chance to be a son-in-law, but unfortunately, such talent had been pushed into others’ hands by his wife.
“A genius who doesn’t grow up has no value at all. The brighter the comet, the faster it falls.” the Jin Family Patriarch reminded.
Jin Fengjiao was his sister-in-law, so of course he chose to side with her in this matter.
Yu Zhonggang just gave a wry smile and didn’t dwell on the matter.
Moments later, the Jin Family Patriarch reminded meaningfully, “Clean up Qingfeng City. The higher-ups are watching your abilities.”
“You mean…”
Yu Zhonggang looked at the Jin Family Patriarch with some doubt.
“A spy from Qingfeng City went to Nandu City to assassinate Lu Li and failed. The Fairy Heavenly King personally spoke up, telling us to thoroughly clean up Qingfeng City.” the Jin Family Patriarch said helplessly.
This was completely an undeserved calamity for them. In the entire Asian Alliance, which frontline city didn’t have spies?
If it were that easy to clean up, the Asian Alliance wouldn’t have so many spies.
“Mm, I know what to do.”
Yu Zhonggang nodded.
Since the higher-ups had spoken, even if they didn’t take it seriously, they had to put on a show—at least to save face for the higher-ups.
Lu Li, unaware that he had brought a devastating blow to Qingfeng City’s gray industry, was now on his way to Nandu City.
Considering there was a match at ten o’clock tomorrow morning, Lu Li set off back to Nandu City right after dinner.
With a Gym Level Trainer like Yao Yifei around, Lu Li didn’t have to worry about being ambushed on the road.
After returning to the hotel, Lu Li specially paid to book a room next door for Yao Yifei.
Yao Yifei originally wanted to stay at another hotel, but since Lu Li had done this, she could only stay helplessly.
Yao Yifei also knew why Lu Li did this—it was nothing more than worrying about another assassination attempt.
“Don’t worry. Before the finals, you should be safe.” Yao Yifei comforted earnestly.
“As the saying goes, caution brings success forever. What if those assassins do the opposite?” Lu Li countered.
Yao Yifei: “…”
Yao Yifei speechlessly rolled her eyes at Lu Li. “Alright, I’ll be honest. I just got the news that assassins from various regions have infiltrated the eastern region. Their target should be that high-profile Reserve Ideal Messenger.”
Lu Li wasn’t surprised; this was all within expectations.
That rookie trainer named Rayne was so high-profile; it was only natural that he was targeted now.
After returning to his room, Lu Li began meditation cultivation.
Lu Li no longer dared to sleep in these hotels now, so he generally replaced sleeping with cultivation.
The next morning, Lu Li went to the Pokémon Center.
Since it was the top ten matches, there were more reporters interviewing today. Lu Li sneaked into the Pokémon Center amid the crowd.
Lu Li thought that once he reached the lounge, he could avoid those reporters.
But Lu Li was clearly too naive and didn’t even understand politics.
An official news reporter from Nandu City personally brought a cameraman to find him in the lounge.
Looking at the reporter in front of him, a hint of helplessness flashed in Lu Li’s eyes.
This was one of the reasons he didn’t want to participate in the matches.
“Hello, Lu Li.”
The reporter holding the microphone greeted politely.
Although he was a bit displeased inside, Lu Li still nodded with a smile.
“I’m a reporter from Nandu TV. I’d like to do a pre-match interview with you. Do you have time?”
Lu Li: “…”
Lu Li really wanted to say no, but he still nodded reluctantly.
“I heard you’re a normal trainer from a third-tier city?”
“Yes.”
This reporter was somewhat polite—at least she didn’t say commoner trainer.
Normal trainer was already quite tactful.
The reporter continued, “So how did you make it this far? As someone of normal origin, do you have anything to say to the spectators?”
Lu Li could tell that this reporter wasn’t chasing headlines. It made sense; she was from the official TV station and wanted politically correct content, not sensational news.
“Hard work! Solid, down-to-earth hard work. You might not believe it, but I sleep less than 4 hours a day.
And it’s because of that I met my current companions and became who I am today.” Lu Li said earnestly.
He did meditation cultivation every day and hadn’t even slept an hour, so in terms of effort, Lu Li felt he was definitely diligent enough.
The reporter feigned surprise and asked, “Wow! That diligent? Don’t you have any entertainment activities usually?”
Lu Li smiled faintly and replied, “My biggest entertainment is training with Pokémon. I really can’t think of anything in the world happier than growing stronger bit by bit with your Pokémon companions.”
“I heard that besides excelling on the trainer path, you’ve also achieved impressive results in other professions?” the reporter continued.
“Not really. Although many say I already have Junior Breeder level, I actually don’t dare to take the exam yet.” Lu Li answered.
The reporter hurriedly asked, “You mean you’re not a Junior Breeder yet?”
Lu Li nodded: “In fact, I’m indeed not a Junior Breeder. I don’t even have a Junior Breeder certificate.”
Lu Li deliberately wanted to downplay his talent, like his breeder talent—knowing it himself was enough; too many people knowing would be bad.
The reporter nodded in satisfaction. Lu Li’s answers were all positive energy: modest, hardworking, and mild-mannered.
“Are you confident about this match?” the reporter asked again.
“Of course I’m confident! I absolutely believe in the bond between me and my companions.”
Lu Li’s mouth was full of words like bond and companions, but as an experienced reporter, she knew this was exactly what both the higher-ups and the masses wanted to hear.
The interview ended quickly, mainly because Lu Li was cooperative and the reporter wasn’t trying to stir trouble.
After sending the reporter away, Lu Li let out a heavy sigh. This reporter was much more polite than the last one.
Ten minutes later, as the announcer’s voice sounded from the speakers, Lu Li entered the match channel.
This opponent’s trainer specialized in Poison types, and their starter Pokémon had also reached the second stage of evolution.
After arriving on the battlefield, Lu Li narrowed his eyes and sized up the purple-haired youth opposite him.
The purple-haired youth was named Gib, a child of the jungle.
So-called children of the jungle were a minority tribe born and raised in the great mountains.
They often had their own secret realms and unique Pokémon nurturing methods. Children of the jungle were generally skilled in Grass, Poison, and Bug types.
Gib specialized in Poison types.
“Come out! Nidorino!”
A purple-bodied, mouse-like Pokémon with deep purple patches and a horn on its forehead appeared on the field.
Nidorino was the evolved form of Nidoran. From its condition and size, this Nidorino surprisingly had Normal Level Late Stage strength.
“This Pokémon doesn’t look like it’s only been nurtured for two months.” Lu Li thought with a frown.
But considering the opponent came from a mountain village in the deep jungle, a place beyond even Alliance law, it was normal for him to have nurtured his Pokémon early.
What Lu Li cared about wasn’t the opponent’s strength, but the meaning behind it.
Normally, Gib shouldn’t have been matched against him.
The Grand Festival’s matching mechanism had patterns. According to the Alliance Grand Festival matching rules, Gib’s opponent should have been a rookie trainer from a noble family.
Strictly speaking, both Gib and he couldn’t be considered noble family origins, and in the top ten matches, the only two non-noble family backgrounds were him and this trainer named Gib.
Gib spoke first, “To be honest, you’re the only opponent I have no confidence in beating. I didn’t expect to run into you so soon.”
Gib’s tone carried some depression and bitterness. Only the top five in the regional matches qualified for the Alliance Grand Festival.
If Gib lost two matches in a row, he would lose qualification for the Alliance Grand Festival, meaning not only no rewards but also no entry to Jiuzhou Alliance University.
Lu Li noticed Gib seemed completely unaware he was being targeted. Feeling fondness for the youth, Lu Li smiled and encouraged, “That’s not okay. As your opponent, I think you should face me with the determination to win.”
“This is respect for me and for your companions. Don’t you think?” Lu Li said as he released Tropius.
Originally he planned to release Charmander, but for an opponent like Gib, Lu Li was willing to show maximum respect: going all out within the rules!
After the conversation ended, Yu Zhonggang returned to the gym, then started making calls to gather people and put on some show.
