Chapter 280: The Sacred White Tree

After Sakaki left, Guang Tai did not linger long and soon departed from the oppressive black metropolis with his Pokémon.

The reformed hunters willingly lent their vehicles to Guang Tai to transport the Pokémon, claiming they would launch a redemption campaign in Black City to make other hunters and buyers realize that trading Pokémon was wrong!

Hmm. So they’ve gone from poaching gangs to animal protection activists.

I hope these guys don’t join Plasma Team later!

Guang Tai realized his abilities couldn’t be used recklessly—if these hunters joined Plasma Team later, wouldn’t he be effectively recruiting for them?

Or would they form their own new Pokémon protection group? Another mysterious organization in Unova had appeared!

“Honestly, I never expected to meet Sakaki. After Team Rocket’s operations were suppressed, did Sakaki, following the game’s path, come to Unova to train—and even become the Gym Leader of Black Tower? Unbelievable!”

At this point in time, if Sakaki truly endured the “three brutal beatings” from the game, he should be training with the goal of becoming the strongest in the world.

But he’s still the head of Team Rocket, just operating remotely—Team Rocket hasn’t disbanded! The trio is still following Ash everywhere. This timeline’s changes are quite interesting.

A Gym Leader is the strongest Trainer who rules each level of Black Tower; beyond Region 5, the areas are unregulated and governed by powerful Trainers who set their own rules.

The higher up Black Tower goes, the more levels each region has—and Sakaki became the strongest in Region 8. So are there truly stronger people in the remaining two regions?

Or is Sakaki deliberately staying in Region 8 to scout talented Trainers for Team Rocket?

If that’s the case, isn’t Black Tower just becoming Team Rocket’s interview hall?

Meanwhile, Linking Tree suddenly delivered an extra reward.

【Reward: Release Jade ×8, Battle-Worn Champion Badge ×8, Emerging Power ×1!】

【Battle-Worn Champion Badge: A badge awarded to powerful Trainers and Pokémon who have endured intense battles.】

【Effect: After countless battles, your Pokémon’s maximum stats have increased, and all their stats are boosted by 30%!】

【Emerging Power: Display strength, manifest ability… Awaken power! Turn others’ strength into your own! After defeating Trainers and their Pokémon, your Pokémon gain 100% more EVs and growth!】

【Your actions in Black Market have been recognized by Linking Tree!】

“Nice! Let’s head toward the White Forest!”

With Jessie’s driving skills, the vehicle moved smoothly and at high speed.

Inside the cabin, the rescued Pokémon ate Candy and Energy Cubes—this was the first time they’d rested peacefully since being captured.

No more fear of harm from humans; their desires were fading away. More importantly—The King had appeared.

The King who could command Pokémon, and the miraculous traveler.

All of this felt as unreal as a dream.

The massive black tower receded into the distance, and on the horizon’s edge, beyond the wilderness, the towering white divine tree emerged—radiating a soft glow even at night, astonishing Guang Tai.

Stars glittered in the black sky; a gentle, peaceful breeze stirred the world, lifting leaves and herbs with it.

White Forest—pure white forest.

The Pokémon stared in awe at this new world, where natural energy surged and began healing their wounds.

Then, the forest seemed to sense these distant arrivals.

Glug-glug—fruit after fruit fell from the white tree.

The Pokémon picked them up and ate them, thanking nature’s gift, as more fruit kept falling endlessly.

The wind of nature brushed against them like a gentle hand, calming their once-fearful hearts.

Guang Tai stared silently at the massive tree nearby—it drew the eye like Black Tower, radiating a sacred, pure, and unbelievable power.

Then, the Unova Link occurred.

【Unova Link (White Hollow) has occurred!】

【Description: The sacred tree standing in White Forest—one day, a massive cave appeared beneath its roots, emitting powerful natural energy and divine aura! The forest seems to have a request—listen to the voice of White Forest!】

【Note 1 (from the White Hollow’s voice): The Sacred Tree knows you seek Champion Adik. Come immediately to the deepest layer of the White Hollow!】

【Note 2: In White Forest, your psychic abilities may be strengthened! Your Pokémon’s five stats and HP, as well as their spirit, may be enhanced!】

【Note 3: That is the sacred White Hollow—the Sacred Tree, Linking Tree, has sensed its call!】

【Note 4: Dream energy surges here; the power of dreams seems to be rising!】

【Note 5: The one who holds the key—advance toward the White Hollow! Linking Tree must communicate with it!】

【Note 6: White Forest has given you something—it appears… right before your eyes!】

Forests are alive—they can selectively grant power to others.

Different forests hold different powers; White Forest is the third location Adik investigated.

A short, thick white branch appeared before Guang Tai, glowing brightly—its shape resembled a “key”!

When Guang Tai obtained this white branch key, a powerful force surged from the branch and flooded into his body!

【Obtained: Hollow Key!】

【Effect: A sacred key forged by the power of the natural forest, used to open the deepest layer of the White Hollow. Possesses unique purification and sacred power—enhances Psychic/Grass/Water abilities and amplifies your Sunlight ability.】

【Will +100%, Resonance +100%.】

Linking Tree’s emotions surged—it recalled the existence of the White Hollow. On Unova’s land, many wonders existed, and the Sacred Tree was one of them!

Guang Tai and his Pokémon advanced with reverence; the rescued Pokémon emitted grateful cries before vanishing into nearby thickets and forests.

“The Pokémon have been accepted by White Forest—they’re… protected. This forest makes anyone with ill intent vanish.”

“Wait—vanish?”

It was confirmed that White Forest was closely linked to the Underworld. Guang Tai entered the White Hollow, where workers and mountain climbers introduced themselves as members of a survey team.

“You’re going to the bottom of the White Hollow? Are you with the survey team? Normal Trainers must challenge their way down. Though this facility appeared recently, the underground caverns are extremely deep.”

“This place hasn’t been fully explored.”

The worker wearing a bulky helmet spoke seriously:

“Who, in what era, dug these caves? Traces of habitation have been found on every level. This tree never had a cave—it only appeared after the black tower was built.”

“But… strangely… when exactly was Black Tower built, and by whom? We have no memory of it.”

“The survey team is now exploring deeper. Trainers from all over Unova have gathered here. We’ve set up challenge zones modeled after Black Tower’s structure—except Black Tower ascends, while the White Hollow descends.”

“If you want to go down, you must challenge each level one by one.”

Guang Tai pulled out the White Hollow Key. The blocking worker froze: “That… that key’s shape—could it be the Tree Key from beyond Region 5?! Are you a Gym Leader?”

“This is indeed a special item found deeper down. Once a key appears, new regions manifest, more caverns are revealed, and elevators become accessible!”

“Hmm… we’re collecting these keys, okay! You can go down—any floor is open to you.”

The worker’s expression held deep meaning: “According to the elders of the town, the Sacred Tree has voice and will.”

The worker opened the downward work elevator—a simple construction lift. The Sacred Tree’s roots plunged deep underground, carving endless rooms and caverns.

Guang Tai rode the excavation elevator down with his Pokémon; a powerful divine aura filled the air!

[Region 7, Underground Level 9.]

This wasn’t the theoretical bottom—but the survey team’s elevator could reach only here.

“Grr….” Shieldon’s single eye scanned the surroundings—it sensed a strange natural energy, just like in the Divine Capital Ruins!

An unbelievable aura permeated here!

“Doreli~!”

Lombre and Torterra were released; Grass-type Pokémon felt wonderful here—the natural energy was abundant, even making Lombre hum a tune!

Compared to the wildness of Divine Capital Forest, the serenity of Vire Forest, and the strangeness of Illusion Forest, White Forest felt utterly different!

Sacred, tranquil… yet hiding immense, fervent power!

The small Linking Tree on Torterra’s back sprouted branches and leaves, then inexplicably absorbed the energy—the forest’s roots whispered, and its spirit felt unprecedented calm and comfort, as if merging with nature.

Torterra stared at the orange four-leaf clovers.

Hmm… rare plants! I could grow these on myself!

Lombre glanced, then shook her head.

No no. Too big. No space to plant.

“Awooo (The life force here is so strong!)”

Lucario sensed powerful natural psychic waves; the blue-furred pup nervously looked around.

This place is perfect for training!

Blaziken stared at the water, then the roots, and the drifting streams of light…

Emmm…

How come there’s no sun but it’s still so bright?

I thought it’d be dark—I was ready to light things up.

Hum—

The White Hollow Key emitted a guiding glow; Guang Tai stared in surprise at the surrounding plants.

Tall, orange-yellow plants resembling Lost Four-Leaf Clovers grew wildly in underground ponds, emitting purifying energy; white roots coiled around cave entrances, glowing brilliantly and illuminating the underground with radiant light.

Many Trainers and martial artists gathered here to train, but they were hard to find; survey team members continued exploring the caverns and occasionally clashed fiercely with martial artists.

But none of this concerned Guang Tai. Following the white key’s guidance, he reached an empty cavern room—where the roots entangling the cave entrance suddenly retracted, revealing a bright glow within!

“I’m here! What do you want to tell me?”

Questions piled like mountains. The glowing cavern revealed unusual plants.

Tall red four-leaf clovers.

Unlike the orange-yellow ones outside—these were special!

Then, the White Hollow Key glowed intensely, hovering before Guang Tai, reshaping into a more refined form, transmitting the Sacred Tree’s power!

【Unova Link (White Hollow) has occurred!】

【Description: The sacred tree standing in White Forest—why did it summon you here? This is the Whispering Chamber of the White Hollow!】

【(The whisper from the White Tree Hollow):】

[The inhabitant of the Connecting Tree, the one who has been born with the power to transmit.]

[You have arrived at the White Tree Hollow, an ancient sanctuary carved underground thousands of years ago, after the world was destroyed by the great dragons. Here, people live beneath the earth, sustained by the sacred white forest, which provides them with light and food.]

[The Adex you seek, the current champion among humans, has indeed come here.]

[His journey began with the search for the legendary dragons, but midway, he acquired another power—one that pulled him into another world, where he received a mission.]

[That power is the same as the Connecting Tree dwelling within you.]

(End of Chapter)