Chapter 98: Workshop Expansion and Miss Qun

Shen Du, Traveler’s Workshop!

After briefly trying out a few matches, Guang Tai quietly nodded as his account quickly gained several followers.

Naturally, mistreating others gains attention the fastest.

Luckily, no one came crawling down the internet to Ma me—thank the software developers for not adding stranger direct messaging.

But then again, gaining followers is already a win! This is the start of promotion!

Afterwards, Guang Tai returned to his normal work.

The wood cut by Doujianshao and the stones moved by Lei Jilock were used by Guang Tai and the Pokémon to build a small shed near the workshop.

This shed stood behind the forge—it was a temporary expansion of the workshop, and Guang Tai planned to later convert it into a greenhouse for cultivating rare crops.

After all, Shen Du’s winters were bitterly cold; though he would leave during autumn and winter, many cultivated things couldn’t be abandoned, so he’d simply hire Pokémon from the forest to tend to them then.

For now, this temporary shed mainly served to shield Lei Jilock from wind and rain—after all, customers couldn’t sleep outdoors every day.

In the future, more functional rooms or standalone buildings could be added… Guang Tai pondered carefully!

While Guang Tai built the shed, Miss Qun helped out; Lei Jilock carried materials, while Doujianshao and Caomiaogui handled wood cutting.

Doujianshao instructed Caomiaogui on how to use Leaf Blade precisely to split the timber.

Wei Zhi Tugeng couldn’t help at all, so it just stuck to Lei Jilock’s body, adding extra burden for others.

When the shed’s outline was roughly complete, Lei Jilock raised both arms, clearly showing strong emotional fluctuation—extremely happy.

In terms of responsiveness to the outside world, it was already nearly identical to the Lei Jilock owned by Master Shendai in the anime.

These eternal Pokémon possessed emotions too; it was just that ordinary Pokémon couldn’t understand their speech. Even the Three Divine Pillars within the Origin Tree showed clear emotional shifts.

What reasons and emotions had Lei Jichasi had when creating these divine pillars?

After finishing work, Guang Tai performed daily maintenance and repairs on Lei Jilock, and transplanted some Xiang Guangtai onto Lei Jilock’s body.

These Xiang Guangtai increased the Special Defense of the Pokémon carrying them when hit by Water-type moves, offering protection against rain—ideal armor for Rock-type Pokémon.

Guang Tai studied Lei Jilock now covered in moss.

It looked somewhat like a miniature Lei Jichasi.

After this, Guang Tai received no further inquiries, so he prepared to resume crafting Miracle Candy.

“Miss Qun, try carving some of these stones.”

“Qun?” Miss Qun pointed her leaves at herself.

Me? Carve?

Yay!

Miss Qun was delighted; after Lei Jilock brought over the stones, she stopped him.

Originally, she’d wanted to carve a Trainer, but after last time’s failure, she felt embarrassed—so this time she decided to imitate Lei Jilock.

Pokémon sculptures were always easier to make than human ones.

Thinking of Guang Tai’s superb carving skills—even his wooden human carvings were lifelike—Miss Qun couldn’t help but feel inspired.

“Qun!”

Miss Qun’s invitation was gladly accepted by Lei Jilock.

Since they were companions, of course he’d agree.

So Lei Jilock stood perfectly still.

Caomiaogui had nothing to do during this time, so it curiously watched from the side.

Doujianshao floated lazily around Miss Qun, making “yo wu~” sounds.

This time, I’ll guide you in carving.

“Qun!” Miss Qun happily nodded, then her gaze turned serious.

The leaves on her arms began glowing green.

Miss Qun used Leaf Blade.

Perfect effect on the stone material!

“Yo wu!!”

Doujianshao suddenly cried out, halting Miss Qun’s Leaf Blade—its ribbons lifted and slapped a specific spot on the stone!

No no! You can’t carve here with that much force!

“Yo pu—”

Look carefully at Lei Jilock’s face before you strike!

“Qun?”

Miss Qun studied Lei Jilock’s face—the H-shaped mark showed no expression whatsoever.

“Qun er~?”

Isn’t this face shape simply carving a flat plane with one cut?

Doujianshao immediately began instructing like a teacher, stepping beside Lei Jilock and waving its two ribbons before Lei Jilock’s face:

“Yo wu—yo pu!”

Look closely—Lei Jilock’s eyes are widened! The H-shaped mark is brighter than usual!

“Yo wu.”

And this face isn’t flat—you can tell at a glance: there’s a raised ridge down the center of Lei Jilock’s face, making both sides slant! And the texture of the rock! Do you think carving stone means making a lifeless statue? No—that’s just waste rock.

As Doujianshao spoke, it picked up Wei Zhi Tugeng from Lei Jilock’s body and stuck it onto Lei Jilock’s face!

“Qun!”

Miss Qun stared in shock at the transformed Lei Jilock!

The sides of the face really are slanted!

“An nong.” Wei Zhi Tugeng was speechless; it immediately floated off Lei Jilock and stuck itself to a comfortable spot on the shed.

Miss Qun dashed to Lei Jilock’s side, studying his face closely, nodding occasionally; after fully absorbing the details, she sprinted back to the stone and used Leaf Blade again!

This time, the power was greatly reduced—only a faint green glow seeped from her leaves as she carved carefully, while Doujianshao observed from the side, correcting her whenever she applied too much force.

Precision and elegance—that’s the true essence of stone carving! You must strike with absolute accuracy!

Doujianshao had vast experience in stone processing; now, like a master sculptor, it taught Miss Qun, who learned earnestly. Soon, a half-body statue of Lei Jilock emerged.

“Nah?!” Caomiaogui blinked.

It’s truly different from the earlier carving!

“Yo wu!” Doujianshao beamed with pride—of course! With me, the great sculptor, as teacher, results are immediate!

“Lei ji.” Lei Jilock studied the carved statue, examining it closely, its H-shaped mark flickering constantly.

Studying.JPG.

That’s my face.JPG.

“Lei ji!”

Suddenly, Lei Jilock raised both arms high—this meant he approved of Miss Qun’s sculpture!

This sculpture might be worth bringing back to the shrine.

“Qun er!”

Miss Qun instantly beamed with joy!

Yay! It can be placed in the shrine!

One of the highest achievements in sculpture is placing it in a shrine—and Lei Jilock is the shrine’s master; his approval means her carving has finally succeeded!

“Yo wu.”

But Doujianshao poured a little cold water, making a “not yet” sound.

He merely approved it—without my reminders during carving, you’d have failed countless times. Only when you fully master all carving techniques, know exactly when to strike with precision, and control your force, will you be a Hege sculptor!

Miss Qun carved for three reasons: first, to help; second, out of personal interest; third—and most important to the Trainer—compensating for the negative effects of her “Vitality” ability by improving accuracy and precision.

So this carving level? Still not good enough—it’s far from sufficient!

But Miss Qun wasn’t discouraged; she warmly hugged Lei Jilock, then hugged Doujianshao, and lifted Caomiaogui high, vowing to keep pushing forward!

Thank you, Senior Doujianshao!

“Yo wu.” Doujianshao had no resistance to Miss Qun’s hug—planning to say something harsh, it swallowed the words back.

Then it remembered: Miss Qun had once been Lilygloom. Back then too, she trained and worked hard, striving toward her own goal.

What I hope for, what I admire, what I love, what I recognize—this is precisely the kind of Miss Qun.

That determination, that struggle—how beautiful it is!

“Yo wu!”

That’s right—keep striving! One day, you’ll become an extraordinary Pokémon!

Doujianshao encouraged Miss Qun; Caomiaogui and Lei Jilock added their joyful sounds.

Hmm, in this new kingdom, I appoint you Minister of Gardens; Caomiaogui isn’t grown yet—just make it a potted plant for now!

As for the Dream’s Wavering Water… perfect as a mount!

Doujianshao twined its two ribbons together, mimicking a “crossed arms” pose; the eyes on its blades closed, as if lost in imagination.

Miss Qun listened, initially moved—but when she heard “minister,” she shook her head:

“Qun er~!”

Senior Doujianshao, you’re daydreaming again!

“Yo wu~.”

Doujianshao immediately made an unhappy sound—what do you mean “daydreaming”? That’s called dreaming.

Everyone is gradually realizing this dream.

Haven’t you forgotten those online scammers you saw on the computer that day? That guy built a whole group just by bluffing—do we really fare worse than them?

Trainers must have ideals, and Pokémon must have ideals too. Though I’ve been crushed several times before, I will never abandon the dream of building an ideal nation!

“Huh?”

Treecko replied with a nod; its ideal was to find more rare plants, grow them on its body, collect every strange plant, and grow stronger!

And grow large enough—just as Guang Tai said—to become a Terrakion capable of carrying the entire land!

Grow huge, huge!

Miss Qun looked at the two ancient Pokémon chatting enthusiastically and helplessly swayed her leaves.

But upon reflection, as long as she could stay with her Trainer forever, even building a kingdom wasn’t so bad. And all the ones she loved—every Pokémon here, including Xiang Li Bi who had left.

If such a nation truly existed.

Miss Qun began to fantasize, but soon her attention returned to reality; she gazed at the unfinished lower half of the statue, and green, sharp light flared again across her leaves.

Keep carving the statue!

Statues are vessels for memory and emotion.

Let the statues of everyone remain upon this land—until far, far into the future, we will always be together!

Miss Qun stared at the statue, her leaves gradually growing strong and powerful.

As Miss Qun carved the statue,

Guang Tai, who was crafting Poké Candies, received her feedback.

“Miss Xincui Qun repeatedly completed her task and gained experience and growth.”

“Learned move: Close Combat!”

“Miss Qun gained knowledge: 1.”

“Precision Blade: Accuracy and move power increased by +10%! Carving precision increased by +25%!”

Crack!

Was that the sound of a statue cracking outside?

(End of Chapter)