Chapter 76: The Skirted Lady of Sinnoh

“Regi—” Regirock thanked Guang Tai and hoped Guang Tai would help repair the temple as soon as possible.

Because that temple was extremely important.

This also made Guang Tai realize one thing: the giant before him was subtly different from the giants of other regions.

The three pillars had different fates in different regions.

For example, the three pillars in Hoenn were forcibly sealed by humans.

So generally, the three pillars should not consider the temple that sealed them as their sacred place.

That means the Rock Ruins of Shinzu were truly built to enshrine Regirock.

“Indeed, the people of Shinzu have seen Arceus and the three temporal dragons—how could they fear the three pillars?”

The Light Stage of the Shinzu Ruins was once where Arceus descended; the ancient people of Shinzu, who could coexist peacefully with the Creator God, must have held a completely different attitude toward the three pillars than the ancients of other regions.

For repairing statues, this was Guang Tai’s strongest domain.

After all, his true profession, the family craft passed down through generations, was carving.

At the same time, Guang Tai felt a deep sense of awe!

If the pinnacle of sculptural art might be the statues of ancient ruins, the prayer bas-reliefs of Poplar Town, or ancient stone idols from other regions, there was no doubt that the three pillars were what Guang Tai regarded as the “ultimate masterpiece”—for they could move on their own and repair themselves, having transcended mere observation.

The true master craftsmen were not the artisans of various lands, but Regigigas, who forged the three pillars!

Yet, aside from the three pillars, the electric and dragon pillars had a far more abstract style, making it hard to even call them sculpture.

Regirock sat down to allow Guang Tai better access for repairs, while the surrounding Pokémon watched curiously.

This giant had sparked much discussion in the forest lately, yet precisely because of his presence, several powerful Pokémon that had suddenly wandered into the outer forest had been driven away and vanished.

Sinnoh Boldore listened to the Pokémon’s chatter and felt ashamed, especially since its little brother was among those talking.

Big brother didn’t get beaten by the giant—that proves big brother isn’t a strong Pokémon!

“Ma ru!”

Sinnoh Boldore’s face turned angry.

Give me some face, will you!

“Everyone, could you help me carry some stones?”

Guang Tai asked the Pokémon for help; the surrounding Pokémon quickly scattered, gathering various small stones from the ground. The Lillipup carried stones balanced on their heads, wobbling as they walked; Sinnoh Electrike used Grass-type moves to smash stones from the soil and rolled them forward with their round bodies, though they often got bounced away.

Doublade shook its blades, and both swords instantly unsheathed!

Time to show real skill!

Watch my “Rock Smash”!

Fighting-type moves were exceptionally effective against rock; Doublade smashed stones from the ground and shattered them, leaving the surrounding Sinnoh Electrike stunned and the Lillipup excitedly swaying their leaves!

“Wah wah!”

Guang Tai’s Lillipup took the chance to introduce the others!

Senior Doublade is a Pokémon who often daydreams but is incredibly skilled—its blades can easily slice through rock as if it were mud, and in the workshop, it handles carving and stone slab cutting!

“Yowoo~!”

Hearing Lillipup’s praise, Doublade immediately grew proud.

Rock Smash—cancel!

It cut stones even harder!

“Huh?” As Guang Tai took the stones, he suddenly noticed some were coated in familiar mud—glowing faintly, a pale green hue!

It was “Light Clay”!

“There’s Light Clay here?”

What a pleasant surprise!

The soil of the Ruin Orchard contained this exceedingly rare Light Clay; Doublade, while smashing rocks with Rock Smash, had uncovered these soils and immediately extended its ribbons to dig them up, gathering quite a bit in no time.

Meanwhile, Guang Tai was repairing and polishing Regirock; since Regirock could heal its own cracks by assimilating rock, no adhesive was needed.

But the parts requiring polishing still needed polishing.

Not to mention things polished by one’s own hands become stronger!

“Regi—”

Regirock also sensed Guang Tai’s polishing technique was extraordinary—it felt a strange energy gradually filling its body; ordinary stones, once embedded and smoothed, fused with it faster than ever.

Guang Tai looked at Regirock’s body—and saw another layer of information.

【Craft Bonus: Through your masterful polishing, Regirock has changed—its Defense and Special Defense have increased.】

【Increases Fighting-type move damage!】

【Craft Bonus: Through your masterful rock crafting, Regirock has changed—its type energy has increased.】

【Increases Rock-type move damage!】

“Regi!”

Regirock felt incredible—better than it ever had before!

Human, your craftsmanship is extraordinary!

The giant stood up, emitting a joyful sound; Guang Tai wiped sweat from his brow and, seeing Regirock’s reaction, couldn’t help smiling.

A sense of pride in his own craft rose within him.

Pokémon reactions were the most genuine—his craftsmanship had clearly delighted this legendary giant!

“Repair complete—how does it feel?”

Guang Tai stretched his body; the surrounding Pokémon no longer feared Regirock—they found this silent stone giant was actually quite approachable.

They joyfully gathered around it!

“By the way, I need to make some sculptures these days—could you help me create more ancient rocks?”

“Regi!”

Regirock let out a resonant sound, agreeing to Guang Tai’s request.

It was in peak condition now—its strength and body were excellent; to thank Guang Tai for repairing it, crafting some ancient rocks was no trouble at all!

After finishing Regirock’s repair, Guang Tai turned to the Sun Stone resting beside his backpack.

Guang Tai looked at the Lillipup.

The latter seemed to sense its evolution was near—it looked nervous!

All the surrounding Lillipup watched the Sun Stone expectantly.

Without doubt, Guang Tai’s Lillipup had waited too long for this moment, yet still felt anxious.

Though it had been said evolution would inevitably bring a new form, facing this moment now, it was still tense.

But soon, Lillipup cheered itself up.

The climate and environment here were the same as another land.

In the forest lived other forms of Electrike and Boldore—born naturally as such; so surely, so could it.

And Guang Tai’s item would not fail!

“Then, let’s evolve!”

Guang Tai looked around—Doublade, Regirock, and Qun’er Xiao Jie, the Lillipup, even Sinnoh Electrike and Boldore—all stared at Guang Tai and the Lillipup.

As Pokémon, they knew this was a moment of great decision.

“Wah wah!” Lillipup nodded to Regirock in thanks.

“Regi.” Regirock gently swayed its body.

Those stones had been dug up by it to repair its own body—perfect as an evolution gift.

During the search and excavation of stones, strange ores were often found, but those minerals were excellent for repairing the body; for rebuilding the temple, however, these odd stones were useless.

The Sun Stone was also found during this process—just recently, and still sturdy enough to be embedded.

“Clear and solemn—Sinnoh’s land and Shinzu share similarities!”

Guang Tai murmured an ancient verse.

Lillipup nervously touched the Sun Stone!

In the next instant, Lillipup was engulfed in brilliant white light!

Amid dazzling white radiance, the former Lillipup vanished, its form transforming drastically—before them stood a beautiful Pokémon like a ballerina!

Sinnoh Qun’er Xiao Jie resembled a ballerina, wearing a large pink floral ornament atop her head; two larger leaves covered her forehead and back, blending with smaller leaves beneath and beside to form a short hairstyle.

The leaves before her formed a green short skirt; four yellow petals encircled her neck like a scarf; two slender long leaves served as arms.

Her lower limbs were long, fading from white to purple, with petal-like heels resembling yellow ballet slippers!

『Congratulations! Lillipup evolved into “Qun’er Xiao Jie (Sinnoh Form)”!』

『Learned moves: Ice Spin, Leaf Blade!』

『Victory Dance (Mastered)!』

Move mastery? Guang Tai blinked in surprise.

“Doreli~!”

Sinnoh Qun’er Xiao Jie let out a joyful sound!

After evolving, she felt several surging energies—Victory Dance felt even more mastered, and she had gained two new moves!

Looking at her own changes, her once-small body had grown tall and slender; she now had long, powerful legs, and her arms were no longer fused with her skirt—they were leaf-shaped but could now grasp objects freely!

In her excitement, the crown-like flower atop her head began emitting fragrance!

It was an aura that encouraged her companions!

“Congratulations on evolving—you’ve successfully become a new form.”

Guang Tai had wanted to stroke Miss Qun, but realized it was no longer appropriate; yet Miss Qun did not notice this—she still warmly embraced Guang Tai, the flower crown on her head releasing a sweet fragrance.

Thank you, Trainer.

After the embrace ended, Miss Qun seemed slightly flushed, then looked at the excited Lillipup, and embraced the Original Form Miss Qun once more.

“Doredo~”

“Doreli!”

The two Miss Quns gazed at each other, both delighted—the Original Form Miss Qun witnessed the growth of the Washed-Cui Miss Qun, and the Lillipup felt the same!

The Washed-Cui Pachirisu and Pachirisu were not as excited, though the Pachirisu whispered among themselves, saying their boss would now be even less able to defeat the opponent!

“Mamaru!”

It’s all been reconciled now—why even talk about fighting? It hurts feelings!

The Washed-Cui Pachirisu’s pride was wounded by his subordinates’ teasing—he was furious!

“Doreli~!”

The Washed-Cui Miss Qun laughed happily, then joyfully “high-fived” the Doublade—though one used a leaf and the other a ribbon.

“Yowu!”

The Doublade, too, was pleased by the Washed-Cui Miss Qun’s evolution, but turned to look at the dazed Regirock and couldn’t help complaining.

You dig up stones everywhere—why didn’t you dig up the Dark Stone? If you had, I could’ve evolved too!

Whether it’s work, labor, or battle—I was here first!

(End of Chapter)