Chapter 1226: Visiting the Orange Courtyard Again

"Gyao~!"

Boom!

"Gyao~!"

Boom!

Deafening explosions resounded through the entire valley, occasionally kicking up vast clouds of dust that billowed skyward, sweeping over the surrounding silent jungle.

Someone blasting a mine?

No.

It's a herd of Steelix moving inside the mountain, digging tunnels.

Led by their clan queen, the gigantic Steelix that lost a battle recently, they work away with heads down.

"Working hard, huh."

Baimu rode Miltank, who wore a face full of curiosity, overlooking the drifting dust below; he could faintly make out some figures dressed in red.

—The Magma Team's construction crew, currently building a high-speed railway connecting Xionghuang Town and Huang Tie City.

Once completed, going to Xionghuang Town would no longer require driving oneself or transferring in Xipei City.

But because most Magma Team members have been dispatched to Nian Island for island remodeling and academy construction, manpower shortages occur frequently.

The Baimu family's Steelix, relying on their outstanding digging ability, joined this project.

And the reason for expending precious energy and time on this sort of thing naturally relates to the civil war some days ago.

Menas's previously exaggerated growth curve made the Steelix envious to the extreme.

It desperately craved equivalent progress.

Who knew that when the opportunity finally came, it was defeated by Duolong Baluto's Water Z-Move.

Remember last time it also lost to Menas's Water Z-Move.

This point genuinely made the Steelix hard to accept; depressed, it couldn't muster spirit for training, and ran off to ram mountains to vent.

But its commotion was truly too great, rumbling continuously accompanied by earthquakes.

Many wild Pokemon were harassed until they couldn't bear it; through Alolan Meowth's mouth they complained to Baimu and Aggron, the latter deliberated deeply and dispatched it to join the engineering crew to clear its head.

Pressure must be relieved; Pokemon are both tough and fragile. Baimu clearly knew why the Steelix was sad, how could he turn a blind eye to its heart-knot?

Of course, one pig, one catching method.

The Steelix's personality is rather straightforward, unlike Duolong Baluto who often shuts himself in and runs away from home; just give it a favored venting channel and it's fine.

Like a hearty, satisfying big dig.

"Steelix!!"

He shouted loudly.

Below, the wild Steelix's neat, unified chanting ceased; seconds later a silver long dragon roared through the dust, stretching its massive body into view before him.

"Gyao~!"

The gigantic Steelix lowered its head toward him.

Baimu gladly accepted his own Pokemon's invitation, jumped off Miltank's back, crouched down and patted lightly: "Still, your back here is spacious."

Though it's a bit hard on the butt.

"Gyao~"

The Steelix responded happily; Miltank shot it a resentful glare.

"Aga-shi~!"

Before you accompanied someone racing, called them invincible supercar; now new dragon replaces old dragon, complaining its back isn't spacious enough!

Hmph!

Humans!

Miltank turned its head away, but hearing Baimu and Steelix's departing conversation, it immediately scampered after them.

This guy's personality is like a cat yet like a dog — cold as ice outside, lively as can be inside running everywhere; perhaps only 'Siamese', the dog among cats, can accurately describe it.

Below, the thick dust gradually dispersed.

One Steelix after another stood still, gazing up at the descending "queen" and her trainer, postures looking just like a herd of Seahorses.

"Gyao~"

"Ha-gyao!"

The gigantic Steelix's roar drew countless responses; it revealed a satisfied expression.

Compared to Aggron who likes to claim mountains as king with extremely strong farming consciousness, it is more keen on leading its clansmen to dig holes.

After all, before being captured by Pokemon hunters and transported to Orre, it had always lived this way.

"Really can't remember?"

Baimu suddenly lowered his head to ask.

The gigantic Steelix blanked briefly, then lightly shook its head to indicate no.

They once tried to find the gigantic Steelix's former clan, thinking if they still acknowledged this leader, they'd migrate to Platinum Silver Mountain.

Unfortunately, its past home it had long forgotten.

And without sufficiently detailed intelligence, Hu Pa also found it hard to locate the gigantic Steelix's former companions.

After all, there are too many Onix in the world.

Baimu tried asking Cang Zhi Lang; the latter said it came from a tribute from below, and this underling was killed by Dark Pokemon troops during the process of going to Xipei City to rescue the Flowing Sand Team's real boss.

Including this underling's underling, all who might know how it came here, vanished entirely in the boundless desert.

Clues completely severed!

Baimu truly had a headache.

Fortunately, the Big Steel Snake itself didn't mind much either; it had long grown accustomed to its new life and its new underlings.

Occasionally, it would feel a pang of nostalgia for the past.

After greeting the project supervisor, Baimu took the Big Steel Snake away, with a group of Big Steel Snakes and Big Rock Snakes following behind.

The passage of the colossal creature rumbled loudly; fortunately, only plants were nearby, with no wild Pokémon, so no one would be disturbed.

"How impressive..."

Someone in the construction crew, watching the Big Steel Snakes' retreating backs, couldn't help but sigh: "This is the champion!"

"Are all those Big Steel Snakes and Big Rock Snakes his?"

"I heard he has a mountain full of Pokémon!"

"A mountain!? Impossible!"

"How could it be impossible? Look at the map—the only mountain range marked in the east is the Platinum Silver Mountain Range, and that's his!"

"Hiss!"

The crowd gasped in unison, drawing in a breath of cold air.

The project supervisor waved his hand: "Alright, alright, since the Big Steel Snakes are off work, we knock off too! Let's all go for a drink! I'll treat!"

"Whoa!"

The crowd's attention shifted, and they burst into cheers.

In early autumn, Ou Lei's weather hadn't cooled down yet; after being baked by the sun all day, a cold beer after work was incredibly refreshing!

——

"Cheers!"

Glug~

The crisp sound of glass clinking.

Baimu's family was again hosting a celebration banquet, and the Pokémon happily enjoyed their dinner.

But this time, the star was Big Mouth Baby, which, after its fans on Poké音 successfully surpassed one million, had a plaque mailed to it by the Ether Foundation.

——Without a doubt, Baimu's suggestion was simply copying those video websites from his previous life.

Since we're copying, let's just copy thoroughly.

Tsk~

Big Mouth Baby cherished the finely crafted plaque in its arms; though it seemed a small step, it was actually a crucial step toward becoming a big star!

The alternate-colored Gastly wore an expression of envious longing; it hadn't had a proper appearance in ages, and even when it had free time to stream games, its follower growth paled compared to Big Mouth Baby's mere three minutes on stage a few days prior.

"Hng~"

It clung desperately to the corner of Baimu's clothes.

Let it perform next time~

It can't be that all good things pass it by! Such a well-behaved little ghost~

Seeing Dual-type Beast 2's fawning demeanor, Dodrio 2 felt disdain; it, too, hadn't formally competed in a while, but it certainly wouldn't—

"Sure."

Hmm???

Dodrio 2 widened its eyes in disbelief, staring at Baimu: "Papari!?"

Trainer, what did you say?

Baimu explained: "It insists."

"Papari!"

If it insists, you just give in!

Dodrio 2's mindset was a bit shattered; it didn't care about face anymore and mechanically imitated the action.

Baimu then said: "Don't worry, I've got it all figured out."

Which Pokémon should battle, which can rest for now—I have my own arrangements.

Dodrio 2 eyed him suspiciously.

You'd better be!

"You don't believe me?" Baimu glared back.

Dodrio 2's aura instantly shrank: "Papari..."

What else was there to say...

After settling those two, he searched everywhere for Multi Dragon Baruluto: "How did it hide again."

After painstakingly building its confidence through battle, and then raising it to level ninety, the result was that it now refused even to show its face at home.

Bossgodora waved its claws: "Guhu~"

"What? Uncomfortable from being stared at too much? Who's got nothing better to do than stare at it?" Baimu looked around.

Dodrio 2 lowered its head, while Gastly's gaze drifted aimlessly as it whistled.

Baimu: "..."

He suddenly grabbed both of their mouths, shaking them up and down: "What do you two want to do?"

"Hng..."

"Pap..."

The two Pokémon, neither having reached level ninety, gave an embarrassed chuckle.

Obviously, they were jealous.

Especially Dual-type Beast 2, which prided itself on being a veteran—it had joined the team before Alternate-colored Menus, yet ended up being surpassed twice in a row by "junior" members.

Saying it wasn't painful would be impossible.

But there was no helping it — not meeting the level requirement was an objective fact, and clever as it was, it knew full well its Trainer wouldn't deliberately neglect any of his Pokémon.

Even a slacker like Corsola had been given a chance to try by Baimu, hadn't it?

He'd even "threatened" it to give its all.

Too bad it didn't see any real use.

Fresh off its victory, Multidrago surged forward aggressively — first taking it down, then taking down Steelix, becoming the sixth level-100 Pokémon in one fell swoop.

Porygon2 was jealous, so these past two days it had been paying a bit more attention to the Social-Anxiety Dragon.

Gengar, likewise.

So the Social-Anxiety Dragon started hiding.

It was sensitive to others' gazes to begin with, and as a Ghost-type, even more so to resentment and other negative emotions……

In short, it had been very hard to spot lately.

The Social-Anxiety Dragon knew Baimu could find it, so it would inevitably hide in even more concealed places.

But you say it's being unsociable like this — there are plenty of Pokémon in the team far more unsociable than it.

Baimu had always believed that close partners aren't made by words, but by actual actions.

Munchlax didn't feel the slightest bit that the Social-Anxiety Dragon not showing its face, hiding in a corner eating on its own, was any disrespect toward it or anything.

Having known loneliness well, it understood clearly — some liveliness, no matter how much you yearn for it, if you don't want to join in, you just don't want to join in.

It never forced itself, and wouldn't force others either.

"Chido~"

Munchlax laughed as it smeared cream on Baimu's face; seeing this, he smeared some on it too.

The two Delcatty gazed at each other, laughing uncontrollably.

Then Munchlax called Porygon2 over to help take their picture.

Post it with a fan sign and it'll definitely pull in another wave of followers!

"Iya?"

Exploud watched from the side, feeling the atmosphere here was great, and seeing the cream on Baimu and Munchlax's faces, happily scooped up a big glob wanting to join the fun too.

But it was too careless, didn't see the empty bowl in front, and stepped hard on it——

*Screech~*

It slipped!

Its body involuntarily toppled sharply downward, its thick tail whipping toward Baimu like a lash!

"Hm?"

Baimu leaned back, successfully dodging.

But just as the mantis stalks the cicada, the oriole waits behind — the cake in Exploud's hand flew along with it, and even with nimble dodging, he was hemmed in by Munchlax on the left and Aggron on the right.

No room to maneuver!

*Thud! *

His head first knocked against Aggron's arm, then half his face got caked in cake.

Baimu: "......"

"Wuu——"

The circle of Pokémon around them held back laughter.

Gengar covering its mouth, its cheeks puffed up nearly higher than Alolan Raticate's.

Exploud scratched its head and stood up, seeing Baimu's sorry state — not only did it not feel guilty, it was the first to burst out laughing.

"Iya~ Iya~"

With one Pokémon starting, the others all burst into laughter at once.

Hydreigon didn't laugh; it strained to come over and help lick the Trainer clean, while glaring at Aggron.

"Posha!"

Why are you sitting so hard right next to the Trainer!

This spot rightfully belongs to me!

Aggron couldn't be bothered with it, laughing heedlessly without a shred of shame, completely unconcerned by the Trainer's disheveled state.

"Come with me."

Baimu stood up, forcibly grabbed Exploud's tentacles, dragged it into the room and gave it a thorough humiliating beating.

Only then did he walk out feeling refreshed.

"Iya……"

The furious Exploud, tears lingering at the corners of its eyes, protested to him, "Iya! Iya!"

"You did wrong and won't apologize — what's wrong with me hitting you? Don't accept it? I'll hit you again!"

Baimu glared at it.

Exploud puffed its cheeks high with anger.

The other Pokémon nearby, seeing this, each wore helpless expressions.

Though the Trainer shows different attitudes toward different Pokémon, why is it that whenever he faces Exploud, there's always a feeling his IQ gets dragged down by the other party?

Truly wondrous!

Amid the ruckus, Munchlax's victory feast came to an end.

And under Baimu's order, Gengar and Porygon2 stopped directing such intense attention at Multidrago.

This terminal-case social-anxiety guy finally showed its face, no longer trying to find places to hide.

——

Several days later.

The day he was set to depart for Blueberry Academy.

A phone call came in.

"Baimu!"

An energetic voice rang in his ears — it was none other than Baimu's "senpai," Nemo, the student council president and Champion Trainer of Orange Academy.

She said with a smile, "When are you planning to come back to school?"

"Did I say I was coming back?"

Baimu froze for a moment.

He didn't recall having any agreement with Nemo, especially not one about returning to Orange Academy.

Nemo grew anxious. "Didn't you receive Blueberry Academy's invitation?"

"I received it, but I was planning to go directly." Baimu understood what she meant.

Though, did Orange Academy receive an invitation too?

Another voice came from the other end of the phone.

"Baimu! Let's go together! My cooking skills have been honed! Guaranteed to satisfy you!"

This was Pipa.

Then came a timid voice, "That... is Miltank doing well? Hmm... how are you?"

It was Mudan.

Baimu fell silent for a while, then said helplessly, "Alright, since you're all looking forward to my coming so much, how could I possibly let you down?"

It had been too long since he returned.

He had almost forgotten that he still had three friends in Paldea who had once adventured together with him.

"Yay!"

A joyful voice came from the other side.

Nemo shouted, "We'll come pick you up! Remember to send your flight info! Hurry up! There's so much I can't wait to show you!"

"Is that so?"

Hearing her say that, Baimu couldn't help but feel a bit curious as well.

When he left, the adventure in Paldea hadn't actually ended but was interrupted; the secrets of Area Zero, the Treasures of Ruin — they were all things still not understood.

However, the World Championships were more important than the adventure, forcing him to leave early.

Now that he had advanced to Master Rank, perhaps he could adventure once more?

?? ps: recommending a new book

?"High Martial Card Spirit, But the Virtual Realm Has Descended"

? Strongly recommending veteran author "Peach's Spirit" new work.

? 【High Martial Card Spirit Virtual Realm Descends Future World Two Queen Moms】

? Chen Xiao swore, at first he just wanted to out-compete his peers, get into a good university

? Who knew this "Birth Mom System" would go overboard, tearing open the 【Virtual Realm】

? 【Deep Virtual Realm】 descended early.

? Good news, the world "version" updated, now it's even more competitive.

? Bad news, Chen Xiao became the most eye-catching pig at the wind's mouth.