socalfunplaces Chapter 418 Buhao and Xia Chi have left the mountain...and left the island!
Chapter 418 Buhao and Xia Chi have left the mountain...and left the island!
Chapter 418 Buhao and Xia Chi have left the mountain...and left the island!
Upon hearing that Xia Chi also possessed a meteorite fragment that might have originated from Eterna and was willing to provide it for her research, Sonia's already bright amber eyes lit up even more instantly.
Lodz's blockade of the meteorite has kept her "stuck" for a long time, and many key inferences have stalled due to a lack of direct data.
Xia Chi's sudden suggestion was just as tempting to her as a jar of sweets for a baby bear.
"Of course I'm interested, very interested!"
Sonia practically jumped up from her chair, forgetting even the dessert in front of her, and spoke at an astonishing speed.
"We can do it now. I'll take you to my advisor!"
As she spoke, she reached for her coat hanging on the back of the chair, looking ready to leave immediately.
Seeing this, Lulina helplessly raised her hand to her forehead and sighed, "Sonia... can we finish this meal properly first?"
Sonia waved her hand forcefully, her eagerness undisguised: "You can eat delicious food anytime, but this kind of opportunity is rare. Lurina, put yourself in her shoes. If someone told you right now that they could make your Milotic instantly Mega Evolve, would you choose to wait until after you finish eating before going?"
Lulina: "...."
99
She opened her mouth, but couldn't find a rebuttal for a moment.
If that's the case... then it seems like it really can't be.
She was silent for two seconds, then could only glance at Sonia helplessly. "Sophistry? Fine, whatever."
However, Xia Chi shrugged at this moment, pouring cold water on Sonia's enthusiasm: "Although I completely understand how you feel, there's a small problem."
"The meteorite fragment I mentioned is not with me right now; I left it at my residence on Qiming Island."
"—?!"
Sonia's eager, radiant expression froze instantly, then collapsed like a deflated balloon, her shoulders drooping.
"How could this happen... Teacher Xia Chi, couldn't you have waited until you got the goods before telling me this good news?"
Her voice was filled with the desolation and sorrow of falling from heaven as she looked at Xia Chi with pleading eyes.
Xia Chi was also amused and exasperated by her rapid change of mood: "How was I supposed to know you'd be in such a hurry... Weren't we just talking about historical legends? The topic suddenly shifted to meteorites, and naturally I thought of that one."
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He paused, then reassured them, "Don't worry, I've already contacted the people on the island to help search. Once it's found, it will be sent over immediately, and I'll ask you to analyze it right away."
After a disappointing experience, Sonia was finally persuaded to return to her seat by Lulina, but she seemed rather listless. It wasn't until the waiter brought out a plate of fluffy, tempting soufflés with a sweet aroma that her attention was slightly drawn back.
While poking at the soft dessert with her spoon, she picked up the topic of Mugentana again and continued her conversation with Natsumi.
To be fair, Xia Chi gained a lot from this conversation.
Sonia's family has studied Galar history for generations, and she herself has both professional training and a cutting-edge scientific perspective, providing him with many details and contexts of this real world that he could not understand through games or animations in his previous life.
For example, after the "Dark Night" disaster subsided, it was one of Sonia's ancestors who oversaw the construction of the statues of Zamra and Zammarant to commemorate the heroes.
These family memories and humanistic details, interspersed within the grand narrative, make history more three-dimensional and richer.
They ate and chatted, and time slipped away quietly in their focused discussion.
By the time dinner was over, the town of Shuizhou was already bathed in the soft glow of night outside the window.
Sonia was clearly still not satisfied and even enthusiastically invited Xia Chi to her temporary research institute to continue their "chat," but Xia Chi quickly declined, citing that he had a gym challenge with Lulina early the next morning and needed to rest and prepare.
He realized that even someone as fashionable as Sonia was essentially a research fanatic.
If I actually go, we might chat until dawn.
After saying goodbye to the regretful Sonia and the expectant Lulina, Xia Chi led the elves back to the nearby hotel to rest.
As an important city in the Galar region, Waterboat Town's hotels naturally have rooms large enough to accommodate Xia Chi's entire family of elves.
Just as I sank into the soft, spacious bed in the hotel, my Rotom phone started buzzing.
"Loto's calling! It's Senior Brother Dan Ti on video call!"
Feeling a bit dizzy from eating too much, Xia Chi was too lazy to get out of bed, so she simply called her Rotom phone, "Rotom, answer the call, hover mode."
"Received Loto!"
The Rotom phone responded cheerfully, floated up, and turned its screen towards Xia Chi, connecting the video call.
However, when the screen lit up and Xia Chi saw the two faces side by side on the screen, his previously languid and slumped body suddenly sat up in shock, as if he were dying.
"Master, you're here too?"
Xia Chi looked at Ma Shide, who was standing next to Dan Di on the screen with a "I'm very unhappy" expression, with some surprise.
The old man's signature mustache seemed to twitch slightly due to his emotions. He blew on his mustache and glared, his booming voice coming through the loudspeaker: "What? Such a big thing happened, and you didn't even think to tell me? Do you think this old man is too old, his arms and legs are useless, and he's no longer of any use, is that it?"
Xia Chi quickly waved his hand and said with a forced smile, "Of course not, Master, what are you saying? Your strength is legendary, tested by time. Who dares to say it's useless?"
Ma Shide snorted through his nose, his expression softening slightly, but he immediately straightened up again: "Oh? So you think this old man isn't discreet, unreliable, and will ruin things?"
Xia Chi immediately felt an invisible pressure, and cold sweat seemed to be seeping from his forehead. He quickly racked his brains for words: "That's not true at all. Master, your character is renowned throughout the martial arts world. You are a model of benevolence and righteousness, a paragon of morality. My senior brother and I have one hundred percent trust in you..."
However, this level of flattery clearly did not meet Masted's approval.
The old man persisted, narrowing his eyes: "Then tell me, why didn't you tell me about something so important? If it weren't for Xiao Dandan feeling uncertain and coming to ask for my opinion, would I have had to wait until you all started fighting in Galar before I saw on the news that my apprentice was off maintaining world peace again?"
Seeing that his master was about to lose his temper, Xia Chi immediately straightened his attitude and sincerely admitted his mistake: "I was wrong, Master! I misunderstood. I was mainly afraid that you would worry, and I thought that Senior Brother Dan Di and I could handle it, so I didn't want to bother you... I promise that if a similar situation occurs again, I will definitely report to you immediately and will never hide anything!"
Xia Chi's attitude was so upright and his tone so resolute, it was as if he were making a solemn pledge.
Dan Di chimed in at the right moment on the other end of the screen, with an apologetic smile on his face: "Teacher, this matter cannot be entirely blamed on Junior Brother Xia Chi. He only raised suspicions based on his observations at the time, without any solid evidence. It was only recently that I noticed some unusual movements of Rose... Rose, and confirmed that Junior Brother's worries were likely to be true. It was also because I hesitated for a moment and did not immediately consult you."
Upon hearing this, Xia Chi glanced at the Pill Emperor on the screen, deeply moved.
Good senior brother, you stepped up at the critical moment to share the firepower!
May you and Sonia grow old together, and may your Charizard give birth to eight babies in one litter!
The two brothers worked together, one sincerely admitting his mistake and the other taking responsibility, and the anger on Ma Shide's face gradually dissipated.
He stroked his meticulously groomed white beard, his tone softening as he regained his usual composed and masterful demeanor: "Alright, alright, you two brats, since things have come to this, let's proceed according to plan. The search for Zacian and Zamazenta will be handled by me and Dandan... As for Rose, and the possibility of Mugentana reviving, Ikechi, I'll leave that to you."
Xia Chi immediately straightened his back and replied confidently, "No problem, Master, don't worry!"
Ma Shide nodded, his gaze drifting to a spot off-screen. He seemed to recall something, a hint of wistfulness in his voice: "Speaking of which... it really has been a long time since I've seen Mulan. Time flies..."
Seeing the unusual look of remembrance in Ma Shide's eyes, Xia Chi remained silent for a moment.
"Master, did Mistress Honey Leaf know about your trip to the island this time?"
The old man puffed out his beard and glared again: "You brat, you dare to talk back to your master... *beep*"
Dudu Xiachi had already anticipated her master's reaction. Before Ma Shide could finish speaking, she quickly made a "hang up" gesture to her phone, Rotom.
The video call abruptly ended, and the screen went dark.
Xia Chi didn't know exactly what Ma Shide said next, but it probably wasn't very polite.
I slept soundly through the night, undisturbed by dreams.
Sufficient rest brings a boost of energy.
The next morning, Xia Chi, as usual, completed his routine morning exercise with his partners in the hotel's high-end training room.
Even during the journey, they never relaxed their basic physical fitness and teamwork.
After morning exercise, it's time for a leisurely breakfast.
The hotel's buffet breakfast offered a wide variety of options, and Xia Chi and the elves each took what they liked.
He sipped his hot tree fruit tea and checked the news coming from the island.
Yui replied that she had found the special storage box containing the meteorite fragments in his study and was preparing to personally deliver it from the island.
Xia Chi replied with a "Okay".
Then, the Rotom phone vibrated slightly.
It was a message from Lulina.
Good morning, Teacher Xia Chi. How did you sleep last night?
Although no words were explicitly mentioned in the text, the intent to fight was palpable in every word.
Xia Chi smiled and quickly typed a reply on the screen: "I rested very well and feel refreshed. Are you free this morning? I'd like to officially start the dojo challenge."
Messages are replied to almost instantly.
We look forward to welcoming you anytime.
Look, as soon as he agreed to the match, he even used the honorific "you" (formal).
Xia Chi shook his head inwardly, sighing to himself.
Therefore, women who enjoy competitive gaming are the easiest to please; just satisfy their desires in this area.
Having almost finished breakfast, Xia Chi, not wanting to keep his opponent waiting, immediately replied, "Okay, I'll set off right away."
He put down his phone and looked around the dining table.
Most of the elves had finished eating, except for Victini, who was still clutching a small piece of dessert, reluctant to let go, while Milton...
Xia Chi's self-light fell on the extra-large energy cube bucket in the corner of the restaurant.
Milton was showing off a bucket that was almost as big as its body.
"Millerton, it's time to go."
Xia Chi greeted it helplessly, walked over and gently patted its cold shell.
"Gaaah..."
Millerton gave a mumbled response and reluctantly put down the nearly empty bucket.
The buffet restaurant manager and waiters who had been watching this scene almost simultaneously breathed a sigh of relief and gave Xia Chi grateful looks.
The water park and hotel are both located in the bustling city center, just two blocks apart and within walking distance.
The morning sun pierced through the clouds, bringing a touch of warmth to this seaside city, and there were many more pedestrians on the street than the previous evening.
No transportation is needed; you can stroll leisurely through streets lined with various shops and exuding a maritime atmosphere.
The massive, azure-blue building, resembling solidified ocean waves, the Water Boat Arena, once again came into view.
Although it wasn't the weekend, the magnificent entrance to the arena was still bustling with people, with tourists and trainers coming and going in droves.
This isn't because there's a fashion show or commercial event for Lulina today; it's just a typical scene at the Galar region's gym arena.
The Galar League perfectly embodies the operational philosophy of commercializing, elevating, and entertaining Pokémon battles.
The Water Boat Arena is far more than just a simple battleground; it's more like a large-scale integrated entertainment complex themed around "water-based combat."
Xia Chi approached with the flow of people, his gaze sweeping across the perimeter of the arena.
This place not only features limited-edition pop-up shops selling exquisite figurines of Lurina, the main Pokémon, but also themed shops displaying valuable merchandise from past Galar All-Star Invitational Tournaments, as well as themed restaurants and cafes with diverse interior designs...
The area boasts a full range of entertainment facilities and is bustling with activity.
Staff and elves dressed in uniforms bearing the Water Boat Arena logo move about, maintaining order and providing guided tours.
As Xia Chi moved slowly towards the inner area with the flow of people, a complex admiration for Loz's operational capabilities rose in his heart once again.
Without such strong resource integration and commercial operation capabilities, the Galar Alliance would probably not have been able to develop to its current scale and influence in such a short period of time.
It's a pity he didn't awaken Eterna's ambition...
No, if he didn't have that kind of ambition, he probably wouldn't have been able to manage the Galar Alliance so well.
Such a personality has always been a double-edged sword.
The shopping area outside the arena was bustling with people, but the entrances leading to the main arena were rather deserted, with only a few staff members on duty.
The electronic screen above the entrance displays the information clearly and continuously.
[Regular gym challenges are temporarily suspended today. Please check for updates regarding the new opening times.]
It's clear that Lulina adjusted her schedule specifically to focus on her battle against Xia Chi.
It is foreseeable that once the battle officially begins, all the screens throughout the arena—whether it's the giant screen on the outer wall of the arena, the information screens in the internal passageways, or the TV walls in the surrounding shopping area—will simultaneously switch to live streaming of the battle.
At that time, Guild Master Rose, who is deep inside the energy plant in Palace City, will probably be the first to know that he has arrived in Galar and is currently fighting against the Gym Leader of Waterfowl Town.
Forget it, we'll deal with whatever comes our way.
Xia Chi cleared her mind of distractions and focused her attention back on the present moment.
Following the directions provided in Lulina's information, he walked towards a VIP channel where staff members were specifically assigned to verify his identity.
After presenting the electronic pass sent by Lulina, the staff respectfully let him through.
The passageway is spacious and bright, with reliefs of outstanding trainers and Pokémon from the past generations of Waterport Town adorning the walls, and the floor is as smooth as a mirror.
After walking through a slightly curved passage, push open the door at the end bearing the emblem of the Water Boat Arena, and a bright and open space opens up.
The massive stadium, unique to the Galar region and comparable in size to a professional football stadium, was fully presented before Xia Chi's eyes.
The view is extremely open, with the high dome casting even simulated skylight.
The layout of the space clearly indicates the owner's specialized attributes.
This is not an ordinary rocky or grassy field, but a meticulously designed water field with land islands and water bodies interspersed.
Clear, flowing water ripples gently under the action of a special circulation system, occupying more than 60% of the site area, with floating platforms of varying sizes and several relatively large rocky landmasses scattered throughout.
This is undoubtedly the home turf where water-type trainers excel.
Xia Chi was not particularly worried about this.
Apart from the prison guard, the rest of his crew were capable of handling the water battle.
His gaze swept across the shimmering expanse of water to the contestants' platform on the opposite side.
There, Lulina had already changed into a professional competition outfit that allowed for easy movement: a fitted dark blue top and matching shorts, topped with a white sleeveless jacket with a water ripple pattern. Her long hair was neatly tied into a high ponytail, revealing her beautiful neck and defined jawline.
Lulina stood there tall and straight, her violet eyes, though separated by a great distance, precisely capturing Xia Chi as he emerged from the passage, her fighting spirit solidified as if it were a tangible substance.
Almost as soon as Xia Chi stepped onto the edge of the arena, Lulina's clear and penetrating voice, transmitted clearly and steadily through the sound system that was spread throughout the arena, reached every corner of the arena.
"Welcome to the Water Boat Arena, Teacher Xia Chi."
There were no microphone devices visible around her, which is clearly part of the voice control system integrated into the contestant's platform.
The sound not only echoed in the empty main stadium, but was also simultaneously transmitted through internal lines to all the screens outside the stadium that were playing announcements or GG (game over).
The screens all changed at once, switching to live camera footage from inside the main stadium, focusing on Xia Chi and Lu Lina respectively.
Outside the venue, tourists and trainers who were browsing, dining, or taking photos in various shops were stunned for a few seconds, seemingly not reacting to the sudden change in the broadcast and screen.
Immediately afterwards, like a drop of water falling into a pot of boiling oil, a huge commotion exploded with a "boom".
"It's the gym challenge, let's begin!"
"The challenger is... Xia Chi? That Xia Chi?!"
"Quick, there should still be room in the inner stands!"
"Don't push, let me see the screen!"
The crowd erupted in cheers, with countless people surging towards the entrance to the inner stands.
The once orderly shopping area suddenly became somewhat chaotic, and staff members rushed forward to guide the flow of people.
Many others quickly pulled out their phones to take photos or videos on the big screen, or to post messages on their social networks.
[Breaking news! Xia Chi has appeared in Galar's Waterfowl Town and is challenging Lurina's Gym!]
This news spread instantly throughout Galar and even the world via the social networks of countless people in the Water Boat Arena.
Upon hearing the news, onlookers immediately opened the Water Boat Arena's official live stream on Pixiv.
At this moment, Xia Chi and Lu Lina appeared on the screen, each with their eyes filled with fighting spirit, one on each side.
The whole world was instantly in an uproar.
Buhou, this is not a rumor.
Xia Chi has really come down from the mountain... no, he's left the island!