Chapter 209: Tropius’s New Spell
“What attribute is it?” Wei asked curiously.
Yao Yifei looked at Wei in surprise. This little girl actually believed it?
Yao Yifei complained, “He said it’s Steel-type.”
Hearing this, Wei instantly lost interest.
“What a pity.” Wei felt it was somewhat regrettable.
Yao Yifei said helplessly, “Up to you. If you’re going, better hurry. I happen to have time these couple of days, otherwise I’ll have to go hang around the Black Market again.”
Lu Li nodded: “No time like the present. Let’s head out right after this.”
“So urgent?” Yao Yifei looked at Lu Li depressedly.
Lu Li said, “Of course, it’s extremely urgent.”
Not to mention Melmetal was still waiting for Steel Essence to revive, Onix over there needed Steel Essence too, and sometimes artifact refining required Steel Essence as well.
For him, Steel Essence was practically a necessity, and the sooner he got it, the better.
“You go make food. We’ll head out after eating.” Yao Yifei suggested.
It had been a long time since she had Lu Li’s stir-fried dishes. Yao Yifei felt she should take the chance to make a request, since the two of them might have to stay in the Secret Realm for a few days next.
“No problem.”
Lu Li nodded confidently.
She was willing to accompany you to the Secret Realm for that kind of life; what’s wrong with making her a meal?
Hearing this, Bao Bao and Wei’s eyes both lit up, and Bao Bao’s gaze toward Yao Yifei had a bit less hostility.
Bao Bao thought expectantly in her heart: This old woman sometimes fights me for Older Brother, but at key moments she’s still somewhat useful. Finally, she could taste Older Brother’s delicacies again.
As Lu Li entered the kitchen, the atmosphere in the living room instantly cooled down.
“Hmph~”
Bao Bao unhappily let out a cold snort, then bounced toward the kitchen.
Seeing this, Wei hurriedly asked, “Bao Bao, what are you going to do?”
“Go help Older Brother.”
Hearing this, Wei’s eyes lit up, and without thinking she said, “I’ll go too.”
“Count me in as well.” Yao Yifei also stood up.
After all, with everyone else moving, it would be somewhat impolite for her to stay sitting in the living room.
With the assistance of the three females, lunch was quickly prepared.
After eating, Lu Li made a special trip to the orchard.
The fruits in the orchard were already bountiful, except for those two rare berry trees; all the other normal berry trees had already borne fruit.
Lu Li said satisfiedly, “Looks like we can harvest in another two days.”
“Hot~”
Tropius also called out happily.
“Excluding what we need to use, the remaining berries can probably bring in about 2 million in harvest. Not bad.”
Lu Li was still very satisfied. First, the fruit trees in his orchard had shorter growth cycles and lower input costs. Less than two months for a harvest was already quite heaven-defying.
And this was without even counting those two rare berries.
Coming before the Sand Scale Fruit, Lu Li sighed, “The Sand Scale Fruit is still in the flowering stage. These rare berries’ growth speed is indeed much slower.”
Tropius nodded.
“I’m heading to the Volcanic Region next. Want to come with me?” Lu Li asked casually.
“Hot~”
（Is there danger?）
“No, with Sister Yao nearby, the chance of accidents is small.” Lu Li answered.
“Hot~”
（Then I won’t go.）
Tropius hated extreme environments, like the Volcanic Region or icy wastelands.
Lu Li nodded, not insisting.
“Then stay home and guard the place well. By the way, any progress on the Leech Seed Machine Gun?” Lu Li asked again.
Tropius rolled its eyes at its own Trainer.
Who do you think I am? Charmander?
From planning to setup, how many days has it been? Not even a week?
Seeing Tropius’s expression, Lu Li knew there was no progress.
“The only difficult problem is in the step of using Leech Seed to replace the seeds, right?” Lu Li asked again.
Tropius nodded.
“Is that so?” Lu Li narrowed his eyes thoughtfully.
Lu Li asked, “Want me to teach you another secret technique?”
“Hot~”
Tropius looked at Lu Li excitedly. It hadn’t expected its Trainer to have more in stock.
“What secret technique? Like Special Growth?” Tropius looked at Lu Li full of expectation.
It knew the value of its Trainer’s secret techniques. Without exaggeration, its current achievements were at least half due to that Growth secret technique.
“The secret technique I’m teaching you is called Spirit Infusion Technique. Let me explain it to you…”
Lu Li then began teaching Tropius the Pokémonfied Spirit Infusion Technique nearby.
Pokémonfying spells from the Cultivation World had certain prerequisites.
It had to be that the Pokémon had skills similar to spells from the Cultivation World, right?
Like Growth corresponding to Growth, Spirit Nourishing Technique corresponding to ploughing, and now Spirit Infusion Technique corresponding to Energy Ball.
Energy Ball, a special Grass Attribute move.
Effect: Launches life energy gathered from nature, condensed into an Energy Ball, sometimes lowering the opponent’s special defense.
Spirit Infusion Technique, second-tier spell for Spirit Farmers.
Effect: Gathers life essence and energy from spirit plants, condensing them into seeds.
Both skills gather life energy; the difference is that Spirit Infusion Technique also collects the plants’ life essence.
After Pokémonfication, Spirit Infusion Technique’s effect is to condense seeds with life.
This might be hard for other Pokémon, but for Tropius with the Harvest Ability, it was simple, because Tropius had already touched the threshold before.
Normal Pokémon must meet several conditions to learn the Pokémonfied Spirit Infusion Technique.
First, comprehend the Origin of Life, comprehend Grass System Law; second, have Harvest Ability, where the Pokémon itself can bear fruit; third, know Special Growth, i.e., Growth.
Though Spirit Infusion Technique wasn’t a higher-tier spell than Growth, Growth was indeed one of its foundations.
After listening to Lu Li’s guidance, Tropius nodded thoughtfully.
It vaguely remembered already touching the threshold of this skill, because during a match, it had achieved a similar effect using Leech Seed and the enemy’s vitality.
“Just comprehend this well. If all goes as expected, once you’re proficient in Spirit Infusion Technique, the Leech Seed Machine Gun won’t be a problem.” Lu Li encouraged, patting Tropius’s leg.
Tropius nodded solemnly.
Having comprehended the Origin of Laws, Tropius was full of confidence in itself.
After inspecting the orchard, Lu Li went to the garden again.
Because of Vespiquen, Lu Li found no traces of Pokémon near the orchard, not even underground.
As for how he was sure?
Of course, because he had scanned with spiritual sense.
Several Gracidea Flowers were growing vigorously. It wouldn’t be long before Gracidea reached double digits.
Once Tropius learned Spirit Infusion Technique, he wouldn’t need to handle Gracidea Flower reproduction anymore.
He could escape another troublesome chore. Though it would trouble Tropius a bit, it was well known that there were differences between Pokémon and humans.
Like energy…
Tropius only needed three hours of sleep a day, sometimes even less, plus it loved plants. Without exaggeration, Tropius could be called a natural farming holy body.
Most importantly, Tropius liked being a workhorse. This wasn’t disdain; it was Tropius clan’s nature.
They loved seeing berries grow vigorously. To others, it might be work, but to Tropius, it was a hobby.
While Lu Li was inspecting the Gracidea Flowers, a Combee blocked his path.
Lu Li asked using Telepathy, “Little one, do you have business with me?”
“Buzz~”
（Our Queen has business with you.）
“Vespiquen has business with me?” Lu Li raised his eyebrows.
He wasn’t very familiar with Yao Yifei’s Vespiquen, but since her younger brother had come to call, Lu Li naturally had to give Vespiquen face.
After all, Vespiquen was the head captain of the gardeners and bodyguard team.
Soon, Lu Li arrived before Vespiquen’s nest again.
“Vespiquen, I heard you have business with me?” Lu Li asked proactively.
“Buzz~”
（I’m here to thank you. The pollen quality here is very good; you’ve given me hope for progress.）
Vespiquen, flying out of the nest, thanked him sincerely.
Vespiquen had originally thought she’d be stuck at Gym Level for life, but coming here, she finally saw hope.
Not mentioning the orchard’s pollen quality, just those few Gracidea Flowers alone could bring her continuous improvement. Of course, more Gracidea Flowers would be perfect.
Under Vespiquen’s order, a Combee flew over carrying a small wooden bucket the size of a wine glass.
“This is a gift for you. Thank you for letting us stay here.” Vespiquen thanked sincerely.
A sweet scent mixed with floral aroma instantly surrounded Lu Li. Taking a deep breath, Lu Li felt his spirits lift, like being injected with adrenaline.
“This is…”
Lu Li looked surprised at the small wooden bucket in the Combee’s hands.
“This is Royal Jelly made from Gracidea Flowers. For you humans, it’s also a rare sacred item. It can beautify and nourish the skin, and make your human bodies healthier and stronger.” Vespiquen explained.
Of course, there was a prerequisite: long-term consumption.
Vespiquen was returning the favor.
Don’t think this small bucket is too little; there were only that many Gracidea Flowers right now.
“I’ll accept this gift.” Lu Li didn’t refuse Vespiquen’s kindness.
First, this thing really helped his cultivation; second, Royal Jelly here was a renewable resource.
After taking the gift, Lu Li immediately painted a big pie for Vespiquen.
“Don’t worry, there will be more and more Gracidea Flowers.”
Hearing Lu Li’s guarantee, Vespiquen was even happier.
“I’ll guard this place well too, I swear on my life!” Vespiquen also guaranteed.
This thing was an irresistible temptation for women, practically the world’s best beauty product.
Though Yao Yifei definitely wouldn’t lack it, since Vespiquen was her Pokémon.
Such a good thing, Lu Li decided to send some to Ekaterina.
Though Royal Jelly had cultivation acceleration effects, it was similar to Pokémon Items’ acceleration. Since there were substitutes, Royal Jelly should be used where it cut deepest.
In an extremely good mood, Lu Li brought the Royal Jelly back to the villa.
Coming to the backyard, Lu Li called out Milotic who was meditating underwater.
“Milotic, want to go out and play with me?” Lu Li asked.
Milotic, poking her head out, asked curiously, “Where to?”
Lu Li said, “To a volcano in a Secret Realm.”
I’m a Water Type Pokémon, and you ask if I’ll go play in lava? What’s the difference from inviting the Earth God to play outside the atmosphere?
Milotic rolled her eyes at Lu Li.
“Na~”
（No way, I’m a Water Type Pokémon. Go to Fire-type Pokémon’s territory to find trouble?）
Rejected again, Lu Li smiled, then could only bring Charmander and Onix, um! Plus a Pokémon Egg.
By the time calculation, Beldum would hatch tomorrow.
Before leaving, Lu Li specially called Ekaterina, asking her to arrange people to collect the berries, and by the way deliver the Royal Jelly.
Just like that, after temporarily handling the household chores, the two left Qingfeng City.
Deep Gray City was one of the rare mineral cities in the Southern Kyushu Region.
The Pokémon World’s natural resources were ridiculously abundant, mainly because this world had a very outrageous setting: every World Reset, all natural resources would refresh.
Actually, in the Third Era, Deep Gray City’s mineral resources had been mined empty, but after the World Reset, Deep Gray City’s mineral resources miraculously recovered.
And that wasn’t the most outrageous part. The most outrageous was that minerals already used didn’t disappear during the epoch reset, like those eaten by Pokémon or made into crafts.
Anyway, Lu Li thought this setting wasn’t very scientific, but it was very Pokémonology.
If Pokémon were only used for production, not Pokémon Battle, this world might really become a utopian great harmony world.
After arriving in Deep Gray City, Yao Yifei introduced the city’s basic situation to Lu Li.
“Deep Gray City’s Local Tyrant is the Shin Family. Like the Jin Family, the Shin Family is a Gym Level noble family, but in recent years the Shin Family has been declining. Overall strength isn’t as good as the Jin Family. Deep Gray City’s Secret Realm is similarly controlled by a conglomerate alliance centered on the Shin Family.”
“They control a Secret Realm, so why is the Shin Family’s development not as good as the Jin Family?” Lu Li asked puzzled.
Yao Yifei continued explaining, “Mainly a Gym problem. Deep Gray City’s Gym Leader is parachuted in. In recent years, Pewter Gym has been challenging the Shin Family on the arena.”
Lu Li nodded.
This flavor was too familiar.
New nobles against old aristocracy, huh.
With his gossip soul burning, Lu Li curiously pursued, “So which side has the advantage now?”
Yao Yifei said matter-of-factly, “Of course Pewter Gym. You know, Deep Gray’s Gym Leader is from the Qu Family. If Pewter Gym Leader hadn’t gone out for training, the Shin Family might be gone already.”
Lu Li: “…”
He originally thought it was new nobles vs. old aristocracy, but unexpectedly…
It was “old aristocracy” vs. “royalty.”
