Chapter 1472: Eternal Life

"A bit counterproductive?"

Baimu stood before the wrecked ship, watching the wild Hydreigon group that lingered unwilling to leave, considering the impact on subsequent plans.

It should...

Not be much of a problem, right?

As long as things are worked out with the wild Hydreigon group, there won't be a situation where the students encounter danger.

It might even facilitate a few "matches"!

Several hundred Hydreigon — sooner or later one or two will hit it off with someone else, right?

Good thing! This is a good thing!

After brief consideration Baimu worried no further, departing with the two newly joined Hydreigon Mewsia.

Hydreigon Baluto, ignored by the female Hydreigon, retreated into its Poké Ball to shut itself away; the unlucky kid had no idea what it had done wrong — instinct told it it couldn't keep running away like before, but what was it supposed to do?

The socially anxious dragon was at a loss.

Fortunately it was no longer alone now; Baimu had promised it that once they returned to Platinum Mountain he would help.

Only then did Hydreigon Baluto set its mind at ease, though it still couldn't help wanting to shut itself away for a while.

Passed through the Spirit World entrance.

Returned to a reality that seemed no different.

Baimu gently stroked the Spectrier's mane and said softly: "Trouble you again for this period; I'll think of something."

"Hii-hii~"

The Spectrier whinnied low; it didn't consider staying here any hardship — as a Mythical Pokémon with a long lifespan, it wouldn't care about brief spans like a day or two, a year or two.

Anyway there was nothing to do at Platinum Mountain either — nothing more than changing places to sleep and gnaw carrots.

As they spoke, the Shiny Gengar produced the supplies for this period —

Large quantities of luminous dishes made from black carrots.

In Queen Leiguanwang's lush garden there were two rather abrupt farm plots, growing the black carrots Spectrier loves and the ice carrots Glastrier loves.

Showing that the King of Abundance, Your Majesty, truly loves its horses.

The Spirit World entrance preparations were nearly complete, Mingyi's side had also arranged tasks, and Baimu did not linger on Academy Island, quickly returning to Platinum Mountain.

The two newly arrived Hydreigon Mewsia were in the real world for the first time, and found every single thing around them extraordinarily novel — far, far too many things they had never seen.

Just the sun was a bit hard to adapt to.

The two seemed like vampires that could only live inside the ancient castle; even though they tried their best to avoid exposure to sunlight, they still fell ill before long.

The Huicui Ecology Research Institute's test results showed the cause was acclimatization issues and photophobia.

"Just adapt slowly."

"Okay."

Baimu thanked them and brought the two Hydreigon Mewsia back to Platinum Mountain.

Meanwhile.

Hydreigon Baluto and the female Hydreigon lay on opposite sides of the living room sofa with expressions that didn't know how to get along.

Calling it helping the socially anxious dragon, Baimu actually did very little.

First, asking Hydreigon Baluto if it liked the female Hydreigon; second, asking the female Hydreigon if it liked Hydreigon Baluto.

Both Hydreigon clearly hadn't realized this affection — the socially anxious dragon, an old bachelor who knew not how many years it had lived, how could He Ceng know the emotion called liking?

The female Hydreigon was relatively smarter; it realized its own displeasure, and the reason it gave Hydreigon Baluto a claw swipe.

Yet even with the Trainer piercing that layer of window paper, the two Hydreigon still couldn't pour out their hearts — both their personalities were too twisted.

Baimu, returning home and discovering the situation, decisively dispatched the Hydreigon younger brother.

The already evolved Hydreigon Dreiwel took great pleasure in this situation; it had always been quite fond of Hydreigon Baluto, otherwise it wouldn't have been so easily lured away back then.

With it as a mediator.

The atmosphere between Hydreigon Baluto and the female Hydreigon instantly became somewhat strange.

The newly arrived Hydreigon Mewsia found it inexplicably hard to insert themselves, were entrusted to Hydreigon Dreiwel for care, and watching the younger brother's unrestrained delight, Baimu began to wonder whether he could really rest assured leaving things to it.

Should, probably, be fine, right?

Two days later, this matter had a result.

A result unexpected by Baimu, Porygon-Z, and the other Pokémon —

Hydreigon Baluto and the female Hydreigon decided to be together, and the two newly arrived Hydreigon Mewsia were coaxed away by Hydreigon Dreiwel, becoming the "missiles" atop its head.

'Is the situation a bit off?'

"I think so too."

Baimu looked at Hydreigon Dreiwel with two Hydreigon Mewsia on its head, and Hydreigon Baluto with a female Hydreigon on its head.

Porygon-Z exclaimed: 'Hydreigon younger brother has been plotting this for a long time! It probably wants to evolve again!'

"Is that so?"

Baimu subconsciously opened the Pokédex; Hydreigon Dreiwel's energy level of sixty-six was quite eye-catching — evolution was more than within reach.

Then what about Hydreigon Baluto's side?

As if guessing his thoughts, Porygon-Z whispered: 'Don't forget there are still Pokémon Eggs!'

Got it!

The second "missile" — they'll produce it themselves!

Baimu suddenly understood, then couldn't help twitching the corner of his mouth, "Feels a bit too melodramatic?"

'I think there's nothing wrong with it.'

Porygon-Z was quite supportive.

By this point, the Baimu family officially had their first married Pokémon couple—congratulations are in order.

During this time, he paid close attention to the status of other Pokémon, initially noticing that an arrow could seemingly be drawn between Menas and Boss Cudora.

After further investigation, he realized that the Shiny Menas merely admired the giant monster, while the giant monster felt nothing for the Shiny Menas.

The rest of the Pokémon were largely the same.

The Steel Snake doesn't count.

It had long served as the queen of its group for years; if it wanted, it could easily start a reverse harem, and even before being captured, it had already established a harem in the wild.

Had Baimu not intervened, who knows how many Pokémon eggs would have been conceived by now.

Of course, this restriction can now be lifted.

The rest...

Are all bachelors.

The Three-Headed Evil Dragon feels nothing for the Verdant Moss Dragon leader who, even after reincarnation, still wants to pursue it; meanwhile, the current Sludge Puppy, affected by its body, has not reached breeding age and thus naturally feels little interest in it.

Many Pokémon like Big Mouth Baby, but the ones it likes currently number zero.

Earlier at the victory banquet, facing Wave Man's earnest advances, Big Mouth Baby again gave a cold rejection and clearly stated it had no feelings beyond friendship.

The poor little penguin barely ate anything before retreating to a corner, listless and heartbroken.

Happiny...

If it could marry Joy, it would surely be a popular favorite.

As for Shiny Menas, needless to say—its clueless nature makes it even harder to grasp the true meaning of liking than Dragon Barruletto, and it easily confuses the concept.

I seriously doubt that if Baimu and the Giant Monster don't keep a close watch, they'll someday be tricked by some shameless Pokémon into having a bunch of ugly fish.

Shiny Gengar and Galarian Sun Coral—these two, with a higher proportion of ghostly composition in their body structure, likely have no desire to reproduce; the former won't like any Pokémon, the latter simply can't be bothered to like any.

Porygon, an inorganic lifeform, relies entirely on Professor Akihabara for the next generation.

Alolan Meowth.

As for this one, Baimu has always been rather lenient; being favored by any cat-type Pokémon from Platinum Mountain counts as skill.

Lastly, that whole bunch of legendary Pokémon.

Basically, there's no need to worry about their mates.

After thinking it over, the only thing worth worrying about left is himself.

Baimu suddenly realized a problem: "How come I seem to have never particularly liked anyone?"

"What do you mean?"

Porygon felt strange about his sudden remark.

Actually, it's quite simple.

Though he gets along well with many girls and adult women, saying he doesn't like them would be false; but saying he does like them? Truly, not a single one makes him want to be together.

It's not that they're not good enough—it's that Baimu himself lacks that kind of desire.

After all, reproduction is the fundamental logic of life, a major responsibility of passing on genes; once a living being abandons this instinct, it definitely indicates something is wrong with its body.

In fact, Baimu is somewhat aware of this.

The human physique in the Pokémon world is indeed not bad, but someone like him is extremely rare.

Not to mention his physical strength is no inferior to that of ordinary mid-to-low level Pokémon; spiritually, he has the Dragon's Heart and the Stone Tablet, firmly pushing him toward a non-human direction.

"I might just be able to live a very long time!"

Baimu suddenly stopped panicking.

Even AZ can live for thousands of years—so living a few thousand years himself should pose no problem!

Having figured this out, Baimu felt life had become easier again, and he began preparing for the next important matter—

Spacetime travel.

—

"Back to four years ago?"

The fully prepared Baimu stared at the simulator panel.

Last time, when he spacetime-traveled to Beishang Township, even though he returned midway once, he only brought Porygon with him.

Hopefully this time he won't have to fight alone again.

Shouldn't be the case?

Baimu checked for any omissions—his main Pokémon were all in place, and he also brought Miloton along.

Its high-speed long-distance movement capability might come in handy.

This time, going back four years, on one hand he wants to see if the rescue organization has anything worth his intervention; on the other, he wants to verify certain things.

"Hah..."

Baimu lightly exhaled a mouthful of turbid air, no longer hesitating as he pressed the confirm button: "Depart!"

The words faded.

His entire body, from head to toe, turned into a semi-transparent hue, his vision filled with surging azure and crimson dual-light.

Countless flowing light bands shot backward at high speed, as if he were inside a spacetime tunnel.

And when his vision shifted from clear to blurry, Baimu suddenly noticed two colossal figures appear before him.

"Oh—!!"

"Ooh—!!"

They were Origin Form Dialga and Palkia!

The two stood in separate domains, gazing at him with the same look.

Baimu felt a chill run down his back.

What does that mean? How did they bring him here?

Could it be that the simulator's spacetime travel is like stowing away, and these two guys caught him? No way! I don't want that!

However, before he could say anything, the Qianzhou Wrist on his chest emitted light and floated up.

The Origin Dialga and Origin Palkia immediately leapt, like agile antelopes and divine steeds, rushing deep into their domains.

Baimu's vision once again became the scene of a spacetime tunnel.

This is…… ID verification?

He seemed to realize something; the flowing light before his eyes no longer shot purely backward, but gradually gathered before him, forming many blurred objects.

After a few brief breaths, these objects gradually became clear.

It's……

A cabin?

Baimu looked around and found himself in a narrow cabin under ten square meters; judging from the carpet underfoot and the large bed beside him, this should be a room on the ferry.

"Have we arrived?"

He first felt his body to confirm that Bosukedora's Poké Balls were still with him, then put on his mask and baseball cap.

Minimizing impact on history is his principle for this trip.

After all, even without his help, the rescue organization could free Ore; if he acted recklessly and changed the ending, what then?

Even if the probability is low.

A mere three-generation Shadow Squad—what leader Ejin, or the Sand Stream Squad boss, etc. —he could easily handle them now.

The only thing troubling him is the identity issue.

As he pondered, footsteps came from outside, seemingly heading toward his room.

Baimu's eyes flickered; he quickly hid behind the cabin door.

Creak—

The cabin door opened.

A face both familiar and unfamiliar appeared before Baimu; he instantly recognized the person—exactly the sailor from the simulator story!

Did I actually board the ship directly?

Baimu held his breath completely, nimbly flipping over the top of the cabin door, moving silently like a spider.

Outside the cabin was a long corridor, with no other people in sight and no cameras.

So he didn't hide inside the belly of the differently colored Gengui, but walked straight toward the deck.

Remembering the end of the simulator story, where the sailor boarded a ship, it was likely this very one beneath his feet—

The Coconut Egg Tree Oasis.

On the surface, it's a passenger and cargo ferry; in reality, over half are members of the rescue organization, providing manpower and material aid to Ore's native members.

"This is indeed the case."

Baimu was glad he saved himself the trouble of buying a ticket.

The multi-sided phone let his clone become an earpiece, facilitating communication with trainers: "How do you plan to handle this? Surrender directly?"

"Let's get off the ship first and then talk."

Baimu reached the deck; with the loud whistle, he faintly saw the former Qinggang Harbor.

Dilapidated, resembling an abandoned industrial port.

He remembered this was the rescue organization's foothold for liberating Ore; though it seemed still under Shadow Squad control, internally it had already been replaced by rescue organization members.

Precisely because they grasped this key transportation route, the rescue organization could smoothly dispatch personnel to attack Silicon Beryllium City and Yellow Iron Town.

The ferry soon docked.

Compared to the bustling scene years later, present-day Qinggang Harbor was quite desolate, as there were few crops worth collecting nearby and no wild Pokémon worth catching, so even ordinary ships were scarce.

At the dock, several hippie-dressed hooligans shouted and yelled.

"What's in your hand? Let me see!"

"Want to run?"

"Listen up, all of you! From today on, the Qinggang Harbor dock is under our Shark Squad's rule! Every one of you must pay protection money to me!"

Their voices were loud; people at the dock scattered in panic, desperate to avoid them.

The multi-sided phone couldn't help but complain: "Was Ore always like this before?"

"Yeah, just like this."

Baimu nodded, seeing them approach the ferry where he was, wondering if rescue organization members would intervene.

Unfortunately, no.

Those few hooligans easily boarded the ship, grabbed a sailor, and demanded he lead them to the captain's cabin.

"Should we make a move?"

"Go take a look; even if we act, we shouldn't do it in a crowded place."

Baimu worried that acting rashly might affect the rescue organization's plan, so to be safe, he refrained from attacking randomly.