Chapter 578: The Linglan Conference Runs Deep
The distant river in Michina gleamed under the sunlight.
Regigigas stood silently behind Lu Ye, like an ancient and colossal deity statue.
A gentle breeze swept across the wilderness, waves of wheat rolling, painting a scene of tranquility and vibrant life.
“So…”
Cynthia paused for a long moment after hearing about Lu Ye and the others’ deeds in the Hall of Origin.
“You actually defeated Arceus head-on?”
“That was just one of His clones.”
Lu Ye looked up toward the sky.
The fear when facing Arceus directly, A-Jin’s self-sacrifice, Haunter’s Mega Evolution determination;
The protection from Giovanni for Xiao Yin, the Team Rocket Trio rushing forward, Sirfetch’d fiercely attacking Arceus… All of it transformed into deep fatigue, dissipating in the recent embrace.
A massive ship disappeared into the sea of clouds, engines roaring as wind swept the clouds.
“However, I also proved to Him…”
Lu Ye exhaled and smiled as he spoke:
“The bond between me and my Pokémon.”
“Gengarrr~~” Haunter leapt out of the shadow, making scissors with its eyes near them and grinning fiercely.
The commemorative Poké Ball at its waist trembled faintly, Ducklett shivered nervously: “Quack!! (´థ౪థ)σ”
Stop it, Ducklett! What if Arceus holds a grudge against you?!
Cynthia slowly turned, her golden hair shading her eyes as she gazed at Lu Ye.
Last year, in Gongmen City blanketed by heavy snow, he revealed his heart to me to fulfill a child’s dream.
At this moment, he must be shouldering many people’s expectations, choosing to become the champion.
Her eyes shimmered, a beautiful smile appearing as she asked:
“Are you planning to participate in the Lily of the Valley Conference next?”
Lu Ye nodded. “Didn’t you say you’d be the one presenting the award to the champion?”
“That’s right…” Cynthia pondered, “But with your current strength…”
“Don’t worry.”
Lu Ye was full of confidence. “For this kind of competition, Haunter and I are professionals!”
“Gengarrr~ (๑`▽´๑)۶” Haunter pumped its tiny fists.
Cynthia was slightly stunned, recalling people’s comments about Teacher Lu, and silently smiled.
Perhaps… this is precisely the unique charm of a champion.
“I need to report this incident to the Sinnoh League…”
Cynthia gazed out at Michina, now bursting with renewed vitality, a smile at the corner of her lips.
“Don’t worry, you’ll be home soon.”
“Then we can watch the fireworks together.”
Lu Ye said, “I’m really looking forward to seeing your long hair and you in a yukata.”
Cynthia was momentarily dazed.
Memories of going to the fireworks festival with her grandmother in childhood surfaced.
The image of Professor Mustardseed gradually overlapped with the young man in front of her.
Cynthia beamed a smile: “You’ll have to get Garchomp’s approval first.”
“Roar!!” A streak of crimson light appeared behind, Garchomp glared at Teacher Lu.
Lu Ye sensed the murderous intent and turned to lock eyes with Garchomp.
Garchomp lifted its head and growled forcefully.
“Gyaah!”
You really were brave this time, kid… I’ll let you off this once!
“Looks like Garchomp agreed.” Lu Ye said with a smile.
“Then I have no objections either.” Cynthia’s eyes curved up.
The fireworks festival happens around the Lily of the Valley Conference.
At that time, Cynthia will be busy with the conference preparations and unable to split her attention.
But the preparations can be entrusted to Lucian…
After all, the Sinnoh Champion just resolved Arceus’s rampage and needs time to rest.
As for the other Elite Four, Grandma Kukuno is about to retire, and then there are Aru, the bug-catching boy, and Flint, the passionate fool.
Lucian is the strongest Elite Four member in the Sinnoh League.
Overtime work is reasonable!
Lu Ye gazed at the sky, suddenly feeling some sympathy and sadness.
The roaring of the giant ship gradually faded away.
The noble and dignified golden-haired beauty mounted Garchomp, streaking across the sky like a flowing cloud.
Teacher Lu still needed to return Regigigas to its original place.
At this moment, he was listening to A-Jin boasting about the recent events.
“Old man, Teacher Lu and I joined forces to defeat Arceus!”
Leaning on a billiard cue beside Liu Bo’s wheelchair, A-Jin proudly wiped his nose and grinned:
“This is the true worth of a Pokédex Holder!”
Liu Bo’s expression was cold and unmoving in his wheelchair, yet ripples stirred in his heart.
He always believed that as long as A-Jin took things seriously, he could get things done.
But now, this young man’s expression was indeed a bit irritating…
Xiao Yin had just finished a father-son game and returned calmly from the cliffside.
Lu Ye greeted Xiao Yin and curiously asked, “What did you say to Giovanni?”
“I will personally defeat him.” Xiao Yin said calmly.
Lu Ye was stunned for a moment.
I thought your relationship had already softened…
But thinking about it, this is probably a way for father and son to express their feelings.
Giovanni’s greatest wish is for Xiao Yin to overthrow him.
And Xiao Yin’s wish is to personally defeat his father—
Translate that, what is filial piety really about!
“Mew~~ ꉂꉂ(ᵔᗜᵔ*)”
Mew was playing with Togepi, two little cuties chasing and frolicking on the tall hill covered in pampas grass.
Mew floated in the air like a cat, Togepi chased behind and accidentally tripped over a stone: “Toot!”
Seeing Togepi about to tumble down the hill, Mew used psychic power to lift Togepi, spinning once before covering its mouth to chuckle: “Mew~~”
“Chaji Toot~~ヾ(◍°∇°◍)ﾉﾞ” Togepi bounced twice, signaling it wanted to play again.
So the two cuties started playing the game of jumping from high places and then being lifted by psychic power.
Lu Ye, the old father, watched with his heart in his throat… but with Mew around, there was no need to worry about danger.
Mew rarely went out, so naturally it wanted to play with its friends.
“Mew~~ ꉂꉂ(ᵔᗜᵔ*)” “Chaji Toot~~ヾ(✿ﾟ▽ﾟ)ノ”
Even though Mew has lived thousands of years…
Who isn’t still a baby at heart?!
Darkrai floated in the elongated shadow of Lu Ye, its black sash fluttering in the wind.
It looked up at the clearing sky, the epic battle just now felt like a dream.
But… it had also fulfilled its promise to help its partner.
Even if it meant facing Arceus.
Darkrai coldly closed its eyes.
Suddenly, a twitch appeared on its forehead.
The more it thought about it, the angrier it got!
Who would’ve thought this kid really provoked Arceus!!
I was too rash when I made that promise!!
Darkrai shook its head and exhaled.
However, Lu Ye really saved the world from the enraged Arceus.
That courage and faith is precisely why Darkrai favored this human.
Darkrai’s expression was icy as it crossed its arms and closed its eyes to rest.
Hearing Lu Ye’s footsteps approaching,
Darkrai opened its eyes and shouted angrily: “This matter can’t be solved without a truckload of it!”
Teacher Lu was stunned for a moment.
Your appetite… seems even bigger than my Larvitar’s?
“I’ll have someone send it to White Poplar Town.”
Lu Ye smiled, a gentle white light of the Power of Transcendence blossoming in his hand.
“Before that… let me mark a location first!”
“What’s that?”
Darkrai was stunned, staring at the white light as Lu Ye’s telepathic voice echoed in its mind.
“This way, we can contact each other whenever needed.”
Darkrai showed a surprised expression.
It came to help Lu Ye because of the food… no, because of the bond.
And now the Power of Transcendence makes their connection even tighter, allowing Darkrai to sense Lu Ye’s situation.
“Fine then…”
Darkrai shook its head, the image of Lu Ye facing Arceus appearing in its mind.
Since Alicia left… this might be the second human worthy of my trust.
Moreover,
Having fought Arceus, what’s there to fear from other legendary Pokémon?!
Suddenly, Darkrai’s expression turned strange, and it whispered:
“Better not…”
…
The Team Rocket Trio was currently aboard Giovanni’s airborne warship, looking around curiously.
“So many precise instruments, meow!” Meowth’s eyes sparkled as if it had found a treasure.
“So this is how it works…”
James was examining the ship’s main engine, stroking his chin:
“Next time, the three of us can build one too…”
Copying an air warship was no problem for the trio.
The main issue was funding;
technology was the lesser concern.
Giovanni was lying in the main cabin, tending his wounds with bandages, glancing at the Trio on the surveillance screen.
“They came along too…” Giovanni was startled.
Thinking they were under Lu Ye’s command,
He didn’t want to reveal the mentor’s identity and needed to leave early, so he felt relieved.
Suddenly, Giovanni’s mouth curled into a smile as a plan appeared in his mind.
It was Lu Ye who first suggested the “Rainbow Plan” to him, then sought Xiao Yin’s understanding.
When facing Xiao Yin directly, Giovanni realized the boy had his own persistence.
If so… setting aside a reserved leader for Team Rocket was necessary.
Perhaps no one but Giovanni could hold the title of ‘Team Rocket Leader’.
But after this battle, Giovanni had already decided on the candidate.
Giovanni stroked the cat boss and stared at the Trio on the monitor.
Just like back then, Aj, Nassi, and Marshal were his three key subordinates.
Lu Ye also needed his own team.
This team couldn’t be mediocre;
they had to be capable, agile, and powerful.
Giovanni’s eyes flickered.
The image of the playful Musashi, James, and Meowth appeared in his mind.
“Maybe their image doesn’t quite fit the three key subordinates.”
Giovanni tapped his temple, frowning and muttering:
“Forget it, let Lu Ye worry about it.”
Having settled on the leader and three key subordinates,
Leaning back on the sofa, Giovanni exhaled, his wrinkles smoothing in the silence.
The day Xiao Yin defeats me… and then we go on vacation together.
Giovanni closed his eyes and chuckled softly.
Maybe it’s not too far off…
**
Sinnoh region, Snowpoint Temple.
Brandon received a call from Lu Ye, looking confused:
“Send the sealed stone ball to Michina?”
“That’s a long story.”
Lu Ye scratched his cheek and looked back at the motionless Regigigas, clearing his throat: “Anyway, Regigigas is with me.”
Brandon’s eyes widened.
No wonder the Snowpoint Temple kept collapsing every few days.
Why not just capture it and stop sending it back?
“I will teleport it near the Michina Pokémon Center.”
Brandon cleared his throat. “The principle of the sealed stone ball is similar to a Poké Ball;
communication devices can work on it too.”
“By the way,” Brandon asked, “What happened in Michina? The space there was completely shielded yesterday!”
“A minor matter,” Lu Ye smiled. “It’s already resolved!”
If it really needed Regigigas’s intervention, would it be a minor matter?
At least use a better excuse! Like suddenly encountering Arceus?
Seeing that Teacher Lu didn’t plan to mention it, Brandon shook his head helplessly.
After hanging up, Brandon looked toward the rebuilding Snowpoint Temple and murmured:
“This should be the last time… right?”
…
Michina, Arceus Shrine.
Using the sealed stone ball, Regigigas was safely stored inside without trouble.
Mainly because Teacher Lu used Aura to give the Colossal Pokémon a “massage.”
On the way back to Masago Town, he would drop off the stone ball at Snowpoint Temple.
In the restored chat group,
“Aru reported seeing signs of Arceus at the Unown Ruins’ divine capital.”
A-Jin frowned: “Heading toward Sinnoh.”
Inspector Grimsley said sternly: “A few days ago, Teacher Lu and A-Jin were investigating the Unown Ruins.”
“Can’t reach Xiao Yin.” The girl was worried. “Neither Teacher Lu nor A-Jin.”
Everyone fell silent, a bad premonition rising.
Whether White Poplar Town or the glacier incident, Teacher Lu’s strength was well known.
But this time, they might face the legendary creator Arceus…
Even if it was just a clone, it was not something an ordinary human could oppose!
At the summit of Mt. Silver, Red frowned slightly;
even he wasn’t confident of defeating Arceus.
However… he had strong trust in Teacher Lu, his formidable rival, and in the carefree A-Jin.
“Believe in Teacher Lu and A-Jin,” said Administrator Red. “And Ash. They will surely overcome danger.”
A-Jin just logged in, glanced at the chat content, and scratched his head.
“Haha, so much chatting.”
A-Jin grinned: “Just got back from the Hall of Origin and finally connected to the signal!”
Aru sighed and asked, “What happened?”
Considering A-Jin’s exaggerated storytelling,
Xiao Yin roughly told the story of Arceus’s revival and Teacher Lu leading the three Legendary Beasts to resist it.
But he omitted Giovanni’s part.
After all, Giovanni was openly hostile to the Pokédex Holders, even though he had helped Red many times…
“So…”
Lance was somewhat dazed and said in confusion, “Teacher Lu commanded three Legendary Beasts alone to fight Arceus?!”
Even a champion known for command skills, that’s just too broken!
“Where are you now?” Green asked.
“We’re back alive.” A-Jin chuckled.
Just waiting for Teacher Lu to give me admin privileges!
Red pondered: “Then Arceus…”
“Arceus was smashed by Teacher Lu!”
Ash’s eyes widened. “I saw it with my own eyes!”
Lance: “…”
Red: “…”
Green: “…”
The group fell into a deathly silence.
This scene felt familiar yet impossible to doubt.
After all, Arceus’s revival was obvious.
The only truth behind Teacher Lu and company’s survival was one thing…
Teacher Lu glanced at Ash’s group message and twitched his eyelid.
You little rascal, number one Lu fanboy, it’s you!
“The main reason was the emotional bond that moved Arceus.” Lu Ye explained.
“Mega Evolution? That must be that Haunter.” Green said.
Ash nodded. “Exactly, thanks to Mega Haunter!”
Lu Ye: ::
Feels like you two aren’t talking about the same thing!
Shaking his head, Teacher Lu planned to report this incident to Professor Samuel Oak later.
Next up was standing on the same starting line as Ash and preparing for the Lily of the Valley Conference…
Teacher Lu rubbed his chin.
Ash, this Lily of the Valley Conference is deep waters;
you won’t handle it!
Better let Teacher Lu demonstrate personally!
The shrine guardian Sina invited Lu Ye and others to a banquet in Michina.
Ash was busy continuing his training, aiming to crush rival Paul at the upcoming conference.
A-Jin and Xiao Yin planned to go back and continue playing Pokémon, so they politely declined the invitation.
Liu Bo silently pushed his wheelchair, preparing to leave.
“Where are you going?”
Lu Ye held the back of Liu Bo’s wheelchair and smiled: “Let me take you there.”
There was no other intention;
it was just Teacher Lu’s habitual courtesy.
Liu Bo coldly looked up, staring at the warmly smiling young man.
Whether in character or strength, Liu Bo favored this young man greatly.
“I remember your Blastoise.”
Liu Bo slowly said, “It can also learn Ice-type moves…”
Teacher Lu: ?
…