Pokemon: This Ash Is Too Versatile

Although others have already explored them, those plates are nothing more than hard slabs.

But Xipu believes that since Ash and Cynthia are collecting these plates, it must mean there's something magical about them!

Facing Xipu's inquiry, Ash scratched his face and gave a smile that looked completely honest: "Actually, there's no special reason..."

"My sister and I are from overseas, right? There's a legend that has been passed down overseas. It says that if you gather the eighteen plates left by the Venerable Sinnoh, you might be able to unlock the relic of the Venerable Sinnoh, um, that's it!"

This was the story Ash and Cynthia had agreed upon long ago.

Even if the plates left by the Venerable Sinnoh temporarily seem useless, they can't really just be ordinary stones.

As they gather more plates, sooner or later someone will start questioning their motives.

They can't always say they simply like collecting stones, right?

So Cynthia invented this overseas legend in advance to explain why they were collecting plates everywhere.

Ash was never good at lying, so he even practiced a few times at home to avoid revealing any flaws in front of others.

At that time, Cynthia sat next to him, suppressing her laughter while correcting his expression and tone.

After practicing so much, it finally came in handy.

Xipu stared at Ash for a while but didn't notice any problems.

The main thing was that Ash's foolish grin was really too deceptive.

"Turns out these plates are related to the relics left by the Venerable Sinnoh."

Xipu nodded thoughtfully: "If I discover any other plates in the future, I'll find a way to inform you."

"Really?"

Ash's eyes lit up, and he quickly thanked her: "Thank you, Grandma Calaba!"

"It's no big deal."

Xipu glanced at Ursaluna quietly staying by Ash's side, and her expression softened considerably.

Though Ursaluna is usually gentle, it rarely actively approaches unfamiliar people.

However, after recovering, it has stayed by Ash and Cynthia's side, showing no intention of leaving.

This might be because the two helped it overcome abnormalities, or perhaps because Ash and Cynthia are naturally approachable for Pokemon.

No matter the reason, Ursaluna has clearly accepted them.

"Since Ursaluna likes you so much, I'll teach you the melody to summon it."

"The melody to summon Ursaluna?"

Ash was taken aback for a moment but quickly understood: "Is it the melody played with the Celestica Flute? Grandma Calaba, you can teach my sister. I can't play the flute, hehe~"

After speaking, Ash put his hands behind his head, showing a 'it's only natural' expression.

Playing the flute is really not his thing.

He's better suited for battling with Pokemon than identifying changes in every note of a melody, which would be too difficult for him.

Cynthia gave him a helpless look but didn't force Ash to learn.

After all, the Celestica Flute is always kept by her, and she's responsible for summoning Wyrdeer.

Learning an additional melody to summon Ursaluna now isn't any trouble.

Xipu waved at Cynthia and took out her own Celestica Flute again.

The deep and prolonged melody spread across the Sludge Mound again.

The entire melody only lasted a few seconds, yet it was completely different from the sound used to summon Wyrdeer.

"Did you remember it?"

"I remembered it, thank you, Warden Calaba."

Cynthia took out her own Celestica Flute and played the melody she just heard without missing a note.

Starting from the first note and ending with the last, there was almost no deviation.

In the past month, she has used the Celestica Flute many times and has become increasingly proficient.

For a melody less than five seconds long, it naturally didn't pose a challenge to her.

Xipu nodded in satisfaction: "The method for summoning Ursaluna is similar to summoning Wyrdeer. As long as you play the corresponding melody, they can feel the call of the Celestica Flute."

"Whether this perception comes from the melody or from the Celestica Flute itself, I've researched for many years but haven't found an answer."

"But these aren't important; what you really need to understand is Ursaluna's special abilities."

"Special abilities?"×2.

Ash and Cynthia both looked at Ursaluna.

Speaking of which, Wyrdeer can become a Mount Pokemon in the Hisui Region not just because of its running speed.

It has an extremely strong jumping ability to navigate complex terrain, and while running, it can keep its rider stable.

Even if Wyrdeer sprints at full speed, Ash and Cynthia will only feel a breeze on their faces, not a direct gust of wind.

These abilities alone have saved them countless travel time.

Since Ursaluna also inherited the power of the Venerable Sinnoh, its abilities are naturally extraordinary.

Xipu didn't continue to keep them guessing and directly revealed the answer: "Every Mount Pokemon blessed by the Venerable Sinnoh has its own special power; Ursaluna's special ability is treasure hunting."

"Treasure hunting?"

Ash and Cynthia's expressions suddenly changed.

Able to find treasures buried underground, such an ability could attract countless people both in ancient times and today.

Not to mention anyone else.

If the Miss Fortunes knew Ursaluna had this power, they'd probably show up with shovels to dig up the bear by nightfall.

"Don't get too excited too quickly."

Xipu saw through their thoughts and reminded them: "Where in the world can you continuously find treasures without paying some price? To let Ursaluna use its treasure hunting ability, you must first provide it with enough energy."

"Ideally, items containing Ground Attribute powers, but other High Energy items might work, just not as effectively."

"As long as Ursaluna absorbs enough energy, the treasures it finds will usually surpass your contributions; however, even Ursaluna can't predict what it'll find beforehand."

This isn't really a heavy restriction.

With some energy-infused items prepared in advance, Ursaluna can find things of greater value.

Although the treasures found cannot be specified, it won't be a loss in any calculation.

Where does this count as an ordinary Mount Pokemon?

It's clearly a Divine-level Mount that can find treasures on its own!

In her happiness, Cynthia quickly noticed another issue.

"Warden Calaba, I suppose you've never told anyone about Ursaluna's abilities nor actually used them, right?"

Xipu's expression clearly froze for a moment.

"How did you know?"

She's been taking care of Ursaluna for decades but has never let it use the treasure hunting ability even once.

To most people, this is simply incomprehensible.

Knowing there's a Pokemon nearby that can find treasures and tolerating decades without using it—who would go against money?

Cynthia glanced at the quietly resting Ursaluna and quickly voiced her judgment: "You did this to protect Ursaluna. As long as you never let it use the treasure hunting ability, outsiders won't know whether this rumor is true or not."

"Even if someone heard of Ursaluna's capabilities and secretly observed you for a while, they'd gradually start doubting the authenticity of the information."

"After all, in their view, if Ursaluna could really find treasures, how could you as the warden not use it at least once in decades?"

Xipu: "..."

She looked at Cynthia with an increasingly peculiar gaze.

Just by briefly mentioning Ursaluna's abilities, Cynthia managed to deduce all her thoughts over the decades.

What kind of brain does this girl have?

"Truly a clever girl."

Xipu sighed deeply: "You managed to guess most of my thoughts with just a few words."

"Who exactly are you?"

"Hehe~"

Cynthia tilted her head, closed one eye, lightly stuck out her tongue, and tapped her own head gently with her right hand: "Just a passerby from overseas visiting the Hisui Region~"

Ash: ...

What's happening, Sister Cynthia?

Since coming to the Hisui Region, are you becoming more and more youthful?

That cute gesture, isn't it usually Misty who occasionally does it!

Xipu wasn't aware of Ash's inner critique, she simply felt Cynthia didn't want to reveal more about her identity.

But everyone has their own secrets.

Ash and Cynthia were willing to help Ursaluna and even found the missing Plate Fragment of the relic, which was enough for Xipu.