Chapter 285: Lu Li’s Showdown With Ekaterina
Perhaps because of the influence of Contest Style, Lu Li always felt that Xiao Mei seemed even prettier.
This prettiness wasn’t about temperament, but purely about appearance.
Gently stroking Milotic’s neck, Lu Li teased with a smile: “Xiao Mei, have you made any progress lately? Don’t let Charmander surpass you.”
Milotic didn’t answer, but chose to prove it with actions.
Milotic released a Water Cannon at the empty ground nearby. Unlike a normal Water Cannon, the one Milotic used this time was pink, and its shape was like a rose spiraling into bloom.
It looked flashy, but its power hadn’t increased much compared to before; it could even be said to be a bit weaker.
After all, the Water Cannon Milotic just used consumed far more energy than a normal Water Cannon.
“Nice!”
Seeing this, Lu Li exclaimed in surprise.
He really didn’t expect a normal Water Cannon to be so flashy.
Hearing this, Milotic became even happier, then applied a magnificent Aqua Ring to herself.
“So beautiful. If I were your opponent, I definitely wouldn’t have the heart to attack you.” Lu Li didn’t hesitate to praise her.
Hearing this, Milotic became even happier.
“From now on, halve the time you spend learning Contest Moves. Use the other half to train energy control and improvement.” Lu Li instructed.
Flashiness is important, but strength is the foundation of everything.
Before, there was no choice but to cram temporarily, but now it’s different. Since she’s already started on Contest Style, the most important thing next is to improve strength.
As for how to make skills more Contest-like, that can come slowly now that there’s a foundation.
Milotic nodded.
Although she preferred to focus on beauty, the trainer’s orders were absolute.
After bidding farewell to Milotic in the pond, Lu Li found Onix around the farm.
Onix is positioned as a heavy tank, specializing in getting stronger the more hits it takes. Its nurturing plan is actually the simplest.
It just involves improving its own defense, then strengthening close-combat ability and speed.
In Lu Li’s vision, Onix’s main attack method would be charging straight ahead using its massive body.
Onix’s body is made of rock, yet it strangely has pain sensation, as seen in the anime where Onix felt pain when stuck by a Sandshrew.
Originally, Lu Li planned to carve inscription restrictions on Onix’s body surface to make its exterior extremely solid.
But the problem is that Onix isn’t a normal rock lifeform, at least not before evolution.
So all of that would have to wait until Onix evolves. Thus, Lu Li’s training arrangement for Onix remained the same as before.
After encouraging the honest Onix, Lu Li inspected the farm again, then returned to the villa.
With Tropius, Lu Li flew toward Qingfeng City.
He still needed to pick someone up at the airport.
Ekaterina was about to arrive. Normally, unless provoking, trainers from other regions would enter the region without borrowing Pokémon power.
Qu Suxin’s direct use of Teleport last time was an exception.
One reason was that the Jiuzhou Region was strong enough, and two, the South American Alliance was too weak, with no alliance prestige to speak of.
So the South America region was like a prostitute, letting anyone enter however they wanted.
But the Jiuzhou Alliance was different.
For Ekaterina to enter, she first had to submit an application, then could take transportation into Jiuzhou territory.
After arriving at Qingfeng Airport.
Lu Li waited at exit number three of the airport.
This world’s airplanes were anti-gravity ships, not as fast as those from his previous life, but steadier and safer.
“Little Pudding!”
A voice full of surprise rang out.
Lu Li looked in the direction of the voice and saw Ekaterina, wearing sunglasses, looking at him with delight.
Lu Li was just about to speak when Ekaterina rushed over and hugged him tightly.
“Little Pudding, I’ve missed you so much!” Ekaterina hugged Lu Li tightly, as if she wanted to merge him into her body.
Deeply influenced by Western thought, Ekaterina was all about passionate openness, not hiding her feelings at all.
Feeling the softness of the cushions, Lu Li could only gently pat Ekaterina’s back: “Sister Na, long time no see.”
Reluctantly releasing Lu Li, Ekaterina finally looked him over carefully.
Ekaterina muttered: “It’s only been about a month, but why do I feel like you’ve grown taller again.”
“I have grown taller.” A sunny smile appeared on Lu Li’s face.
After breaking through from Qi Refining Layer One to Qi Refining Second Layer, his height had indeed increased a bit under the influence of spiritual energy.
Lu Li also complimented: “Congratulations on becoming Empress.”
“Don’t mention it. Being Empress is no fun at all.” Ekaterina pouted and complained.
“Let’s go, we’ll head home first.” Ekaterina directly took Lu Li’s hand and said, as if she were the lady of the house.
Lu Li nodded, then followed her into the exclusive car waiting there.
The Yekaterina Family’s industries spanned the world, so there was no worry about her lacking attendants.
After getting in the car, Ekaterina looked at the scenery outside and asked: “Why refuse the exchange student spot? You should know I prepared it specially for you.”
“Didn’t dare to go.” Lu Li answered honestly.
Hearing this, a glint flashed in Ekaterina’s eyes: “Why?”
“My ability told me I’d be in danger in your secret realm, the very dangerous kind.” After saying that, Lu Li turned to look at Ekaterina, trying to read something from her face.
“Danger?” Ekaterina pondered.
She seemed to know what was going on and realized she’d unintentionally used Lu Li.
After using psychic power to block the surroundings, Ekaterina asked seriously: “Kyurem?”
“Can’t be sure, but probably.” Lu Li nodded.
Getting Lu Li’s affirmative response, Ekaterina took a deep breath, forcibly calming her emotions, then sincerely remarked: “Good thing you didn’t go.”
Kyurem, the legendary dragon of world destruction, the strongest dragon!
Lu Li was an Ideal Messenger, surely carrying the aura of the Ideal Dragon. If Kyurem was really in the Cambrian Secret Realm, the Ideal Dragon aura on Lu Li would definitely awaken the sleeping Kyurem.
Whether the real world would have issues, Ekaterina didn’t know, but one thing was certain: Lu Li would definitely die.
So she was so relieved.
Ekaterina hadn’t expected a simple invitation to nearly bring death crisis to Lu Li.
Not wanting to continue this heavy topic, Ekaterina asked: “How’s the secret realm deep in the Qingyun Mountain Range?”
If they kept talking, the Yekaterina Family would take the blame, at least the malicious intent label wouldn’t come off.
Lu Li shrugged indifferently: “Same as before. It’s covered in ice full of malice. With the entrance sealed by ice, no one can get in or out now.”
He wasn’t very interested in the secret realm deep in the Qingyun Mountain Range anymore, not even thinking much about it.
Ekaterina’s lips curved up slightly, her tone carrying some pleasure: “Then it seems I need to go down and take a look.”
Lu Li made no comment on this.
After leaving Qingfeng City, Ekaterina released Jynx.
“Sister Jynx, please take us back.”
Jynx nodded, and Teleport activated.
The two instantly returned to the villa’s doorway.
Looking at the villa before her, Ekaterina sighed lightly: “Phew! It’s only been a month away, but it feels like forever.”
Ekaterina glanced at Lu Li, then asked meaningfully: “New housemates?”
“Yao Yifei, you haven’t forgotten her, right?” Lu Li asked helplessly in return.
Ekaterina nodded; of course she knew Yao Yifei, since they’d met.
And the new tenant he mentioned wasn’t Yao Yifei.
Lu Li added: “The other is An Feng, Sister Yao’s mother.”
It seemed Sister Yao hadn’t managed to send her mother away, Lu Li thought with a smile.
As for whether An Feng stayed or left, Lu Li held an indifferent attitude.
“Bringing family along.” Ekaterina said meaningfully.
Lu Li always felt she was shading Yao Yifei.
“Today I’ll cook personally to welcome you, but tomorrow I might go to school for the Freshman Competition, and the next couple days I’ll probably be busy.” Lu Li said while leading the way.
Seeing Lu Li about to cook personally again, Ekaterina eagerly replied: “No problem. The next couple days I should head to the depths of the Qingyun Mountain Range anyway. Right now, I just crave the delicacies you make.”
An Feng stayed precisely to see who her daughter’s rival was and what level she was at.
Seeing Ekaterina, An Feng despaired.
“Daughter, why didn’t you say one of your rivals is the Extreme Ice Empire’s Empress!” An Feng pulled her daughter aside and muttered.
Yao Yifei rolled her eyes speechlessly at her mother: “Mom! Can you have some backbone? It’s just Ekaterina.”
Yao Yifei admitted Ekaterina’s strength and status were higher, but in looks and age, she still had a big advantage.
Seeing her daughter so confident, An Feng couldn’t bear to discourage her: “True, you’re younger than that Empress. That’s your biggest advantage.”
Hearing this, Yao Yifei complained unconvinced: “Why not say I’m prettier than her too?”
An Feng: “…”
“Confidence in a daughter is good, but narcissism isn’t.” An Feng advised earnestly.
The beauty between the two could only be said to be each with their own merits; it was hard to say who outshone the other.
Lying on the sofa, Ekaterina observed Yao Yifei and her mother’s interaction from the corner of her eye.
“This figure, this temperament is really foul play! Good thing this old aunt isn’t a rival, or which youth could resist this temptation.” Ekaterina thought to herself.
Busy in the kitchen, Lu Li was unaware of the weird atmosphere in the living room.
But Wei He and Bao Bao on the second-floor corridor could clearly sense the invisible gunpowder in the living room.
Bao Bao asked innocently: “Sis, do you think brother likes lolis or mature women?”
“Could also be tomboys.” Wei He answered seriously.
Hearing this, Bao Bao rolled her eyes.
Tomboy? Just say he likes you directly.
The love triangle ultimately didn’t erupt; all disputes dissipated after the delicacies were served.
Tasting Lu Li’s homemade delicacies again after so long, Ekaterina focused entirely on the food. Even An Feng, who had planned palace intrigue, was drawn in by the food on the table.
After eating and drinking their fill, they chatted idly. Everyone tacitly avoided topics that might ruin the mood, instead discussing Pokémon training matters.
In the midst of chatting, Ekaterina suddenly asked in surprise: “Royal Jelly brewed from Rare Flowers?”
Realizing she’d let it slip, Yao Yifei hurriedly cast a pleading look at Lu Li.
“Don’t listen to Sister Yao. You’ve seen the Precious Flowers too; there aren’t even 10 in total.” Lu Li complained from the side.
Royal Jelly’s quality is closely related to the pollen the bees collect. What could 10 Rare Flowers do? Nothing.
Seeing Ekaterina nodding along with the explanation.
She’d been to Lu Li’s garden and seen it, of course knowing there were Rare Flowers.
Instantly having an idea, Ekaterina said kindly: “Little sister, I heard Royal Jelly is a beauty elixir. Doesn’t my skin look a bit dull?”
Yao Yifei looked at Ekaterina’s smooth, delicate skin, wanting to speak but hesitating.
Is this dull skin? You’re just complaining it doesn’t glow!
“None left. The recent Royal Jelly was all used in soup.” Yao Yifei pointed at the nearly empty crock pot on the table.
Ekaterina: “…”
“No wonder I felt this soup had an enticing sweetness.” Ekaterina complained after hearing it.
Ekaterina asked curiously: “Your Vespiquen is about to break through, right?”
Yao Yifei nodded; there was no need to hide this.
“By the way, Lu Li, have you been to the Yamato Region recently?” Ekaterina asked again.
Hearing this, Yao Yifei immediately looked at Ekaterina warily.
As someone who experienced it firsthand, she knew best what Lu Li gained in the Yamato Region, and it involved a god—that was a huge secret.
Lu Li had no intention of hiding it; this was a good time for a half-reveal. After all, a fake was just a fake.
Lu Li nodded: “Yes, and the gains were pretty good, beyond what you can imagine.”
“Lu Li!” Yao Yifei looked at him worriedly.
Lu Li gave Yao Yifei a reassuring look.
Him being able to command a Divine Beast wasn’t a deadly secret; the more people who knew, the safer he was.
No one would want to provoke a Divine Beast Trainer, just like few would provoke a master-level trainer.
Hearing Lu Li say his gains in the Yamato Region were unimaginably big, Ekaterina also recalled what her grandmother told her.
Thinking of this, Ekaterina’s facial expression instantly became extremely colorful.
