Chapter 81: Rather Than Dance, It Is Martial Art

The villagers worked as they always had, on this ancient land of Shen Du, year after year doing the same things, no matter how the world changed, the village would never change at all.

And the village was full of Pokémon, which saved some effort in gathering materials—for example, Guang Tai and Dou Jian Shao collected some ground-type Pokémon droppings near the farmland.

“Yowuu.” Dou Jian Shao delivered a sharp critique of the ground-type Pokémon’s droppings.

Who would’ve thought these things could make the soil fertile? It truly amazed the sword! Living long really lets you see everything!

Moreover, the droppings of ground-type Pokémon had no odor—but then again, Dou Jian Shao couldn’t smell anything anyway!

Guang Tai and Dou Jian Shao returned to the workshop with the materials and used what they had on hand to craft a new batch of elemental glass whistles.

This was the morning’s work.

“Lightning Glass Whistle,” “Flying Glass Whistle,” “Steel Glass Whistle,” “Rock Glass Whistle,” “Fear Glass Whistle,” “Water Flow Glass Whistle.”

Their effects were uniform: +10% type damage, enhanced type cultivation effects for Pokémon, and protection against critical hits when sensing energy.

Simultaneously, the repetitive labor granted Guang Tai a new piece of knowledge.

[Obtained Knowledge: Glass Firing Art—Glass Firing Speed +30%]

And the “Psychic Glass Whistle” requested by a client from Unova—this whistle had an especially exquisite design.

[Artifact: Psychic Glass Whistle (Premium).]

[Description: Crafted from carved precious bone, infused with light clay, soft sand, fragments of Cissy’s shoulder armor, and burnt hair—this exquisite glass whistle was meticulously shaped and carved, bearing the style of ancient ruins, a premium product.]

[Effect 1: When blown, increases the move power of Ground- and Psychic-type Pokémon by 20%, increases Ghost-type move power by 10%, and enhances perception of these three types of energy, improving cultivation of corresponding-type Pokémon.]

[Effect 2: Spiritual Art—Precision in controlling Psychic energy +20%, eliminates fatigue from using Psychic abilities and restores mental energy.]

[Effect 3: Atmospheric Infusion—Artistry +20%, Emotion +10%, induces joy and sharpens thought, beneficial for creative work.]

“Artistry and emotion? This doesn’t seem like a tool for Psychic users—it’s more like something meant for artists.”

Guang Tai placed the finely crafted Psychic Glass Whistle in a secure spot. After completing the glasswork, he next attended to Regirock’s body maintenance.

It was nearly noon.

And this kind of work was already considered “rest.”

The legendary giant seemed to greatly enjoy these moments, murmuring indistinct sounds like “Sasha. Shali.”

It was remembering the people of old—the ones who once lived upon the land of Shen Du. Back then, Pokémon and humans lived together, worked together, built together.

They repaired the temples for themselves, and in return, it helped them build their homes. Later, the people of Shen He mysteriously scattered; the temples crumbled, and their dwellings collapsed into ruin.

The ancients received life from Pokémon, and in turn, entrusted their own lives to them.

Correspondingly, humans and Pokémon forged bonds deeper than those of today.

Every human action was intimately tied to Pokémon power.

This was an ancient legend passed down across the land of Shen Du, fragments of which could still be found recorded in the Johto region.

“Shali,” Regirock murmured.

Human lifespans were far too short; many people and things had vanished by the time it awoke.

So now, seeing Guang Tai—blessed by the forests of Shen Du—it was happy.

Just like the first girl who had ever befriended it, long ago.

Guang Tai gently patted Regirock. The giant’s sounds grew deeper, signaling its thoughts drifting farther away.

Finally, it went silent—its H-symbol ceased glowing and dimmed.

It had fallen asleep.

Guang Tai did not disturb Regirock, but turned his gaze toward a nearby figure.

Miss Qun was teaching Cao Miao Gui how to cultivate soil and plants; Guang Tai walked over.

Guang Tai possessed the Knowledge of the Grower and multiple cultivation techniques; though not a master, he was certainly an expert.

“The key to cultivation: light, humidity, tilling, soil quality—all directly affect plant quality and yield. For example, most herbs prefer cool, dry climates and alkaline soil; you can increase alkalinity with lime or eggshells. So if you’re planting on your back, choose alkaline soil—if peat soil is available, even better—use Ground-type energy to optimize it.”

By improving unfavorable soil factors and actively adding beneficial elements, soil fertility can be altered.

Guang Tai explained carefully, and Cao Miao Gui listened, puzzled yet curious—understanding some, though not all.

Then, Guang Tai brought out some curious small materials and began teaching Cao Miao Gui how to “cultivate” the soil by hand.

[Cao Miao Gui performed a cultivation task, gaining experience and growth.]

[Learned Move: Mud Shot.]

[Obtained Knowledge: Soil Neutralization—Cao Miao Gui can mix different soils; crops grown in compatible soil grow stronger and healthier, and Cao Miao Gui absorbs nutrients from the soil more efficiently!]

“Huh?”

Cao Miao Gui tilted its head in disbelief—it felt it had just learned a new move! Gained new power!

And its strength and stamina seemed stronger too? The Unknown Totem was right! It strained to use its new power, channeling Ground energy into its mouth and spitting out special clumps of mud.

[Material: Mixed Mud.]

[Description: Soil infused with Ground-type energy, helpful for improving soil quality and enriching the land.]

“It grew this fast?” Guang Tai was slightly surprised.

This meant Cao Miao Gui learned soil-related matters quickly.

After a busy morning, the sun began to tilt downward; Guang Tai had other plans for the afternoon.

“Let’s make sculptures. Besides the orders we’ve received, let’s try making ‘Cold Rock.’”

Guang Tai recalled that Miss Qun, after evolving, had learned the unique move “Ice Spin”—its description: feet covered in thin ice, spinning to strike opponents, disrupting the battlefield.

If there was ice, couldn’t he use “Unique Ice Sculpting”?

Even thin ice contained Ice-type energy; sometimes, ice sculpture didn’t require solid ice blocks. Guang Tai began recalling the ice sculpting technique—the artificial Cold Rock method required no large ice chunks, only Ice-type energy.

Washed-Cui Miss Qun lifted her thigh, performing a ballet motion; as she spun, snow and ice gathered and piled into a small mound!

But the ice pieces were too small to carve into full sculptures.

“Qun…” Miss Qun looked displeased. Guang Tai comforted her: “It’s fine—these small ice pieces can still be used. In fact, I never intended to make large ice sculptures!”

In Johto, the most famous ice sculptor was Leader Pryce of Cianwood City. Though in this world Pryce also excelled at ice sculpting, the images found online showed him resembling his game design more than the “Masked Man” from the Specials—meaning this world’s Pryce was not the Specials version.

In ice sculpting, Pryce was unquestionably the best; in Johto, he and Mr. Steel were the twin masters of craftsmanship. Guang Tai did not believe his unique ice sculpting could surpass Pryce’s works.

So from the start, they were not on the same path—Guang Tai only intended to use Ice-type moves to create Cold Rock.

Meanwhile, Cao Miao Gui, tending to herbs nearby, opened its mouth wide, staring dumbfounded at Miss Qun using an Ice-type move!

Can a Grass-type Pokémon use an Ice-type move?!

Merely watching from afar made it shiver—it felt so cold!

Under Miss Qun’s gaze, Guang Tai began crafting.

Combining Ancient Rock + Ice-type energy + fragments of Ice Stone, he added Pokémon materials to activate the sculpture.

Guang Tai had once collected some Ice-type Pokémon materials in Sinnoh, but during his last trip to Ancient Spirit Peak, he found no Pokémon and thus could not gather any.

“Chisel off a small piece of Ice Stone, embed it into the ice, then embed the ice into the Ancient Rock, adding fragments of Clamperl’s shell, Pidgeot’s feathers, and Weavile’s fur.”

Guang Tai began carving and assembling; meanwhile, Miss Qun continuously used Ice Spin to replenish the ice.

*Crack.* Guang Tai embedded the Ice Stone, Pokémon materials, and ice formed from energy into the Ancient Rock, creating a positive energy cycle, then carved it into a shape allowing energy to flow freely.

Soon, frost appeared on the Ancient Rock’s surface, and ice clumps began growing upon it.

[Completed a craftwork!]

[Craft Item: Cold Rock (Artificial).]

[Description: Cold Rock crafted from Ice Stone, Ancient Rock, Ice-type moves, and corresponding Ice-type Pokémon materials—but if Ice-type energy depletes, it must be recharged by Ice-type moves or Pokémon.]

[Craft Effect 1: When the bearer uses Hail, Snowfall, or Joke, the duration of snowy weather is extended.]

[Craft Effect 2: Infusing the stone with Ice-type energy can actively trigger a small-scale “snowfall,” beneficial for Ice-type Pokémon growth.]

[Washed-Cui Miss Qun assisted you in completing a craftwork! Gained experience and growth!]

[Learned Move: Clear Fog!]

[Obtained Knowledge: Elegant Dancer—Dance power, grace, and aesthetic beauty +25%.]

Miss Qun sensed her change; within her heart, a new “dance” gradually took shape—different from her previous Victory Dance, this one summoned whirlwinds. She joyfully danced in place!

Whoo—

A whirlwind lifted all the grass blades around her! This was the Wind Dance!

And Ice Spin was the Ice Dance!

In her feeling, every move could become a dance!

“Qun~”

Miss Qun swayed her leafy arms, utterly delighted!

“Clear Fog… an extremely practical move—it removes all field conditions. That’s one of Washed-Cui Miss Qun’s traits.”

“Dance? So Miss Qun can weave moves into ‘dance’? Rather than dance, it’s martial art—its purity has greatly increased!”

Immediately after completing the new work, a material clue was obtained.

[Material: Volcano Town Stone.]

[Clue Obtained: Harsh Mountain, Reverse Mountain… volcanoes everywhere.]

[Corresponding Craft: Volcano Forging Craft.]

Volcano Forging?

But Sinnoh and Unova are too far away—set aside for now. Also, Volcano Town Stone is from Shaymin’s domain; acquiring this material requires extreme caution.

“Then, let’s make other sculptures!”

After Lilybelle evolved into Washed-Cui Miss Qun, not only did its species change, but its body became more agile. Of course, the lily leaf, once used as a medicinal ingredient, vanished—something Guang Tai found slightly regrettable.

At that moment, Washed-Cui Miss Qun’s arms suddenly glowed green; under the gaze of Dou Jian Shao and Guang Tai, they condensed into blade shapes!

Leaf Blade!

“Qun’er~” Miss Qun’er happily told Shuangjianshao that she could now also do the carving work!

“Oh?”

Shuangjianshao suddenly realized something was off.

Huh?

“Owuu?”

“Oopu?”

If you do the work, then what am I supposed to do!

(End of Chapter)