Chapter 7: The Unique Evolution Stone

The polishing process takes a long time, but with the boost from skilled craftsmanship, the pace accelerated considerably. Guang Tai donned work gloves and a mask, tied on an apron stained with dirt and dust, and prepared his grinding tools.

Rust removal, surface treatment, polishing

Outside, there was no sun; the rain gradually ceased, yet the world grew darker still, signaling the passage of time.

The rust on Du Jianqiao gradually vanished; after prolonged polishing, its surface became mirror-smooth, as if freshly manufactured.

The effect of “Polishing Craft” was remarkably effective, and it also improved the efficiency and speed of polishing, causing Guang Tai to reevaluate the knowledge he had acquired.

Some effects did not appear in the thought information.

Du Jianqiao looked delighted!

It danced lightly through the air, slashing wildly at nothing with its newly polished blade, and Guang Tai saw another layer of information:

【Craft Bonus: Through your expert polishing, Du Jianqiao has undergone changes—its blade sharpness and toughness have increased, and its offensive capability has grown slightly.】

【Slightly increases damage from cutting-type moves.】

Guang Tai nodded silently, his spirits lifted.

A newly polished weapon should naturally be tougher and sharper.

“Yoo!”

Du Jianqiao leapt joyfully through the air, feeling its swings had become far more powerful!

“Can you use cutting-type moves? Try one now?” Guang Tai asked Du Jianqiao, glancing out the window.

The sky was very dark, indicating much time had passed, yet faint light still filtered through gaps in the clouds along the mountain’s edge.

Its single eye blinked, then a faint silver-green energy surged along the blade—upon closer inspection, the energy seemed nonexistent, merely a reflection from the blade’s extreme sharpness and brilliance.

Guang Tai opened the door and stepped outside with Du Jianqiao; the scent of damp earth and moist air washed over them, and Du Jianqiao grew intensely focused.

Du Jianqiao used “Rapid Cut”!

A sharp slicing sound cut through the air, leaving a clear, ringing blade tone; Guang Tai’s eyes brightened instantly. Even Du Jianqiao himself was amazed—it began slashing the air repeatedly, the power of Rapid Cut growing with each strike, until finally, where the blade passed, a miniature whirlwind seemed to rise; visible pressure waves sent grass and water droplets swirling into the air!

With its final strike, Du Jianqiao targeted a distant rock. As the tip touched the stone, a straight crack appeared—one swing split the rock cleanly in two!

“Though never used against an opponent, simply watching it radiates undeniable power.”

“Rapid Cut—a Bug-type move, yet accessible to many Pokémon. The person who discovered this move was probably A Bi, the Gym Leader of Huipi Town. Wait, so you were already using this move in your time?”

“Yoo~? Yoo, yoo.” Du Jianqiao blinked, swaying its blade left and right as if shaking its head—it didn’t know.

It simply knew the move inherently.

If other Pokémon couldn’t use it, it was probably because they weren’t swords.

For a sword, “Rapid Cut” is a perfectly natural attack style!

“Mm-hmm, that makes sense,” Guang Tai mused briefly. Research results came from careful observation—if no Pokémon in nature used this move, then discovering it would be impossible.

After helping Du Jianqiao remove rust, the next task was polishing the Evolution Stone.

But the methods for polishing stones and minerals differ from those for weapons; for softer stones, sandpaper must be used for hand-polishing to prevent cracking.

Fortunately, the Evolution Stone was extremely durable—it was an item that boosted a Pokémon’s Defense and Special Defense. Guang Tai recalled the clues he had seen earlier, and how no game in history had ever explained the origin of Evolution Stones, sparking speculation.

Perhaps these stones formed when the evolutionary energy of countless Pokémon altered surrounding minerals.

Thus, giving such an evolution-influenced stone to a Pokémon capable of evolving but not yet evolved would greatly boost its Defense and Special Defense.

But all this was mere speculation—he was no Pokémon Professor.

When Guang Tai finished polishing the Evolution Stone, night had fully fallen; the day was over.

Guang Tai paused his work, studying the Evolution Stone emitting a soft purple glow, while thoughts gathered in his mind:

【Completed a task: Obtained “Unique Evolution Stone”!】

【Evaluation: An Evolution Stone with exceptionally high polishing precision—its power has been fully unleashed and now subtly influences a Pokémon’s condition!】

【Craft Effect: If a Pokémon carrying this item is capable of evolution, its Defense and Special Defense increase by 50%.】

【Unique Bonus: The inner potential unlocked by the Evolution Stone has increased—prolonged wear leads to significant growth in Defense and Special Defense!】

【Knowledge Gained: 1】

【Improved Polishing: You’ve gained more knowledge about polishing.】

Knowledge converged in his mind, gradually settling.

The Unique Bonus of the Evolution Stone particularly intrigued Guang Tai.

In games, total damage taken is calculated by combining Defense, Special Defense, HP, EVs, opponent stats, and type advantages or resistances.

But in the real world, Pokémon training has no limits—even weak Pokémon, through years of battle, could grow immensely strong, and even become special individuals immune to their original type weaknesses.

“A Pokémon wearing this stone will have its potential developed more thoroughly. Prolonged wear causes continuous growth in Defense and Special Defense—this effect resembles a ‘Base Stat Enhancer,’ though I don’t know whether it boosts EVs or IVs.”

Guang Tai gazed contentedly at the Evolution Stone in his hand. He had merely polished it—but now, this product outperformed natural Evolution Stones!

Now that he thought of it, Guang Tai recalled that in the Pokémon world, whether in games or anime, few trainers—even Gym Leaders and Elite Four members—ever used items in battle.

“How can a weak Bug-type rise to prominence? The Evolution Stone is the perfect item for Scyther!”

At the same time, Guang Tai remembered the unique rule regarding knowledge and craftsmanship—

After completing a new task, a random new material clue is always obtained.

Guang Tai’s thoughts began to coalesce:

【Material Clue: Ruin Stone】

【Ancient human-carved or quarried rock, transformed by time into something mystical, distinct from ordinary stone, unsuitable for sculpture or construction—yet if one masters the corresponding carving craft, Ruin Stones can be used to create special “Symbolic Tablets.”】

【Acquisition Locations: Ruins everywhere, Divine Capital Ruins, Rock Mountain Ruins, Ice Mountain Ruins, Black Gold Ruins.】

【Corresponding Craft: Ruin Carving Craft.】

(End of Chapter)