Chapter 1481

Paradox Pokémon, they're still Pokémon.

Although initial research indicated that Ancient Pokémon possess primitive and origin-rooted ferocious traits, while Future Pokémon possess unknown power evolved to its extremity in the distant future.

But through Baimu's deep interaction with them, he discovered they're actually not that exaggerated.

They're merely a bit more fierce, a bit more stupid; put in the effort to interact and raise them, and in the end they're not much different from other Pokémon.

At least Roaring Moon is perfectly normal now.

Mhm.

Baimu felt it was perfectly normal.

What other Pokémon think isn't within his consideration for now; after all, these past few months Roaring Moon has been very well-behaved, aside from causing a bit of trouble with the bear disciple, living life just like an ordinary Jigglypuff.

Today was the same.

When Baimu returned from the League side, it was using its grand, booming voice to wake the other three "Slakings".

*Smack~*

"Alright, let them sleep a bit more."

Baimu's big palm pressed down on Roaring Moon's forehead first thing, forcing it to shut that bottomless maw comparable to Kirby's.

Today was the day to return to the old home.

Last time Roaring Moon worried it would be thrown back to Area Zero, so even after things were explained clearly it was still not too happy, but this time was different.

It was prepared to properly find its mortal enemy and show off!

"Yiya~ Yiya~"

Roaring Moon stepped with happy little steps; the awakened Nemo rubbed her eyes, poked her head out of the room with clothes askew, "What's wrong... I feel like I heard a Bursting Explosion calling outside..."

"Happy~"

Happiny came out from the kitchen and quickly stepped forward to tidy Nemo's clothes, her shoulder and belly mostly exposed.

You'll catch a chill!

The nursing ace concerned with everyone's physical health.

"Oh! Thanks!"

Nemo belatedly realized the situation, face red, returned to her room; her personality was indeed carefree, but she hadn't forgotten she was still a girl.

Seconds later, neatly dressed Penny walked out the door, very naturally heading straight for the kitchen, and shouted: "Baimu! I absolutely have to let you taste my new dish!"

The last to appear was Peony, without glasses, so sleepy her eyes were nearly squinted shut.

Only because she was used to reversed day and night, relying on the aromatherapy Baimu gave, she forcibly changed her standard Umbreon schedule into an Espeon schedule.

"..."

Dazed, she nearly bumped into Roaring Moon, "Ah, sorry."

"Yiya~"

Roaring Moon generously waved its hand.

The old it might have thought Peony was provoking it, but now it wouldn't anymore.

In a blink, everyone and the Pokémon gathered at the dining table, eating and chatting about the next action plan.

"You guys are really idle enough."

Baimu was quite emotional.

Originally thought he, this Orea Champion, was idle enough; Nemo and the others didn't seem far behind.

Nemo scratched her head: "The Student Council side hasn't really needed me recently, Pinap is enough."

"He went back to the Student Council?"

Baimu vaguely remembered Pinap was the previous Student Council President, who faced resistance from other students for establishing crude and rigid rules, and was ultimately forced to step down.

Peony said: "Pinap believes if it's the current him, he shouldn't repeat past mistakes, so he applied to return to the Student Council intending to start over."

"Pretty good."

Baimu nodded approvingly.

Although he once personally taught them a lesson, he always knew Team Star's kids weren't bad people.

Penny, on the other hand, inherited her parents' super straight-A student genes; in the Culture Studies track she could complete her studies very easily, not needing to spend much time on classes at all.

Peony...

She already counts as half a corporate slave.

Many of Paldea League's current internet-related projects have her involvement, such as the recently launched League Points (LP). This is a virtual currency adopted by the Paldea League, currently only provided for Naranja Academy students.

After breakfast, the three headed straight for Naranja Academy's castle.

Baimu planned to discuss the academy cooperation matter with Clavell before heading to Area Zero; of course he had also mentioned it to Yaci just now.

Yaci naturally had no objections; she strongly encouraged Naranja Academy students to go out and broaden their horizons.

Academy castle hall.

Clavell was unexpectedly present here; seeing Baimu's figure, he couldn't help but adjust his glasses, "Champion Baimu?"

"Director Clavell! Long time no see!"

Baimu laughed heartily and stepped forward to shake his hand.

Clavell was undoubtedly a very enthusiastic and student-close director; this could be seen from how he would disguise himself and investigate privately to resolve the Team Star incident.

Towards Baimu's straightforward proposal, Clavell's attitude was surprisingly consistent with Yaci's.

"Of course! If students from all over the world can exchange with each other, that couldn't be better!"

Everyone went to the office to discuss in detail.

But saying discuss in detail, the actual specific affairs Baimu had to hand over to the academy's administrative staff to handle; this Champion was only responsible for making connections.

Little Yin, receiving the call and hearing the reason, was full of question marks, "Sister school?"

"Yes, whenever you're free, come to Paldea's Naranja Academy and we'll work out the specifics." Baimu had zero awareness of exploiting a minor.

Xiao Yin was quite unfamiliar with the Paldea region, and knew even less about Naranja Academy, but since the order had come down, he could only comply.

"I'll find some time; I haven't been too busy lately anyway."

Uva Academy was formally on track, the other administrative staff all understood their duties, and the pressure on Xiao Yin dropped sharply.

Clavell asked, "As for Blueberry Academy, have you gone to inquire?"

"Haven't had the chance yet."

Baimu shook his head.

This time it was just taking advantage of the trip to Paldea, a thought that came along the way.

Clavell said, "I recall Professor Briar of Blueberry Academy should still be in Paldea; you can try contacting her. Everyone can form a university alliance and bring more academies in."

"Sounds good!"

Baimu was all for a bit more excitement.

As for Briar, if his guess was right, she was definitely in the Great Crater of Paldea researching Terastal.

——

Jinhui Town.

Due to the Paldea League's frequent entry and exit from Area Zero, the cave originally outside town had changed appearance.

Penny had built another metal gate here, making it look like a military base.

However, her vigilance was not without reason; Baimu could easily suppress wild Paradox Pokemon, but that didn't mean others could. A single one escaping would be an unprovoked disaster for ordinary people.

And after the unrest inside the Great Crater of Paldea had completely stabilized, the Elite Four no longer garrisoned the observation stations; most of those remaining here were researchers.

The group passed through both gates with ease and reached the First Observation Station very easily.

Compared to the past, this place had evidently been expanded considerably, enough to accommodate over a hundred people living here, with all kinds of basic facilities fully equipped.

"Baimu!"

Professor Futou's projection appeared in the First Observation Station's hall; as an AI, he had known they were coming since they passed through the gates and verified their identities.

Baimu smiled: "Long time no see, Professor! How have you been?"

"Very well, my research has advanced another step." Professor Futou paused. "However, ever since you left last time, Gouleton hasn't been too happy."

"After I left?"

Baimu was slightly startled.

Professor Futou affirmed: "At first I didn't pay much attention, but later I discovered it seems to be getting increasingly 'lazy.' It used to often seek out various Paradox Pokemon to fight, but the most recent fight record was last week."

"Uh..."

Baimu looked at Penny.

Penny sighed: "That guy's just throwing a tantrum. I told Dad, just ignore it."

"Penny, I think you care too little for Gouleton." Professor Futou argued logically: "It's also very close to you, isn't it?"

Penny twitched her mouth: "It wants me to take it out, but I can't control that guy at all!"

Although she didn't blame Gouleton entirely for Professor Futou's unfortunate death, Penny also understood this was a Pokemon difficult to control; taking it out casually would pose enormous danger.

Unless it could be like Miraidon, beaten half-crippled and directly devolved into a Koraidon, unable to stir up much trouble.

"..."

Seeing Professor Futou frequently glance at him while speaking with Penny, Baimu knew exactly the other's implication.

——This Professor Futou's artificial AI is simply incredible, right?

More and more like a real person!

He said: "Professor, this time I've come to take the Ancient Roaring Moon Squad away."

"Oh?"

Professor Futou's eyes lit up. "Then perhaps you wouldn't mind taking one more?"

"No rush."

Baimu did not agree directly.

Compared to the Ancient Roaring Moon Squad, Gouleton's threat level was far greater. First, it clashed especially badly with Miraidon — basically a fight on sight. Second, as a Cover Legendary-tier Legendary Pokemon, its destructive power far exceeded ordinary existences.

Professor Futou: "... Alright, you consider it carefully... Oh! It seems to have noticed you!"

The projection trembled violently; Gouleton squeezed over like a big dog, staring at the group with round eyes, then turned and ran off.

"Guooo—!!"

A long, faint cry rang out from outside the observation station, very light but caught by Baimu's ears.

Hard to imagine what volume it must have used for the sound to travel all the way from the crater's lower levels to the upper levels.

Mudan quietly hid in an unnoticed corner.

For some reason, both Miraidon and Gouleton liked to tease her, even though she had never provoked either of them.

Nemo laughed heartily: "What a lively guy! Looks like it really likes you, Baimu!"

"I think it might just be going crazy from boredom."

Baimu shook his head.

The Great Crater of Paldea of the past was nothing like the peaceful place it is now.

The group left the First Observation Station. Baimu didn't stay to wait for Gouleton; he decided to go see the Ancient Gouging Fire first.

"You stay here to receive it. Remember, if you're going to fight, go somewhere farther away."

Baimu lightly patted Miraidon's neck.

Miraidon had long wanted a fight with Gouleton too, so naturally wouldn't refuse, floating eagerly in midair, overlooking the bottomless deep pit below.

Gouging Fire's nest was located on a sheer cliff face higher than the First Observation Station but lower than the gates.

When the group arrived, this lazy big cat resembling a Haxorus stood up alertly, its eyes slightly sharp, "Roar..."

"It's me."

Baimu waved at it.

Po Kong Yan froze, then tentatively walked forward, squeezing past Nimo and Pipa, observing with its eyes while sniffing with its nose.

It seemed unsure whether the person before it was the one it knew.

Clearly Po Kong Yan was more sensitive to certain things.

"Paga~"

Tai Le Ba Ge Si poked its head out from Baimu's arms, likewise looking at this big guy with curious eyes.

It had never seen Po Kong Yan before.

"Roar~"

Once it basically confirmed the person before it was Baimu, Po Kong Yan relaxed, half-crouching as it continued observing.

Baimu straightforwardly reached out, feeling the high temperature emanating from the golden horn on its head, and smiled: "Long time no see, any interest in going on a trip with me?"

"Roar?"

Po Kong Yan clearly didn't understand what travel meant, but faced with the Poké Ball Baimu held out, it didn't refuse either.

It entered very cooperatively.

The first retrieval could be said to be quite smooth; outside, roars and the roaring of thunder and lightning also rang out.

Boom——!!

The air trembled violently.

The great battle between Milodon and Gulodon, separated by half a year, continued.

The other side.

Hou Jiao Wei quietly left the team; it went to find that guy it didn't get along with.

Unfortunately, after circling several times, it found no trace of the other party.

"Yiya?"

Hou Jiao Wei tilted its head.

Duo Bian Phone: 'Maybe it doesn't live in this area anymore, think about it, Po Kong Yan has already returned here, the giant pit has stabilized... Hey! Where are you going?'

Before it could finish speaking, Hou Jiao Wei had already taken a deep breath, turning itself into a giant hot air balloon, then slowly descending toward the bottom of the pit.

Clearly Hou Jiao Wei only understood the first half.

Duo Bian Phone sighed endlessly, 'Communicating with this guy is really hard.'

But it couldn't just ignore Hou Jiao Wei, whether out of concern for a companion or the Trainer's secret orders.

Back on the cliff.

The four looked outward, soon seeing flashing Lei Guang and surging flames in midair.

Nimo said with a face full of anticipation: "Who will win this time?"

"Definitely Milodon, do you even need to think?"

Pipa said listlessly: "Magic Shine is destined to be a hurdle Gulodon can't overcome."

Mudan agreed completely.

But unexpectedly, the battle ended very quickly; before it took at least ten minutes, even half an hour, this time it was settled in five minutes.

Most of Gulodon's body was embedded in the rock wall, its whole body wrapped in numbing lightning, strong muscles twitching nonstop.

"Milodon seems to have gotten stronger!"

Nimo realized.

She turned to look at Baimu.

Baimu nodded: "These past months he hasn't fought less against all kinds of Pokémon."

Energy level is indeed hard to raise, but combat power can still be cultivated through constant fighting.

During the preparation for the Eight Masters and after the Eight Masters ended, Milodon's opponents ranged from Level 100 Bastiodon to Shiny Rayquaza — truly a full set.

No reason for his strength to stagnate.

Conversely, on Gulodon's side, doing nothing all day, it's already good if its combat power didn't drop.

"Guo..."

The quickly defeated Gulodon looked with difficulty at the backlit Milodon; that contemptuous gaze made it jealous and displeased.

If I could go out too...

"Ga Hou~"

Milodon laughed wildly without a care, expressing that mere Gulodon was nothing but a muscle worm from the countryside!