Chapter 288: Wusi

Huo La quietly lies on the broad back of the Moon Bear King, saying nothing all the way, his gaze fixed on the scenery rushing backward along the route, his heart full of doubt.

Ma Jia Mu and Xingyue each sink into thought; the former ponders Wusi's connection to the Pokemon King Crisis, the latter watches the surroundings, and the atmosphere becomes a bit oppressive.

Only Ming Yao and Xiao Zhao, lying on the Moon Bear's back, mutter softly; at times they curiously size up AZ's upright silhouette, at other times they peek at the strange flowers and exotic plants along the way, their tiny laughter barely lightening the silence.

The Moon Bear was specially borrowed from Xi Pu, its massive, steady frame perfect for carrying the five of them on the road.

Because AZ is too tall, the Moon Bear's back cannot hold him, so he must walk on his two legs.

Yet even so, his strides are no slower than the Moon Bear bearing the others, always leading the group and keeping a neither too near nor too far distance from the party.

The group walked in silence, not knowing how long they had traveled, until a hidden Valley entrance finally appeared ahead.

At the Valley entrance a row of weeping willows stood, their branches hanging like curtains; a gentle breeze stirred the leaves, partially obscuring the view inside the valley, giving it a touch of serene elegance.

Looking deeper along the willows, at the deepest part of the Valley stood an unnamed ancient tree, its trunk so thick that dozens of people had to clasp it together, its sturdy branches spreading wildly in all directions, dense foliage layered like a massive opened umbrella, shading the entire Valley in green.

The setting sun's afterglow filtered through the leaves, casting dappled light that fell beneath the ancient tree.

There sat a black silhouette, dressed in a black long dress, her snow‑white hair tied up, wearing a matching black brimmed hat, holding a cup of tea, quietly watching the flickering light, her expression gentle and serene, as if she were one with the Valley and the ancient tree, and time itself seemed to slow at that moment.

When AZ saw the figure, his steps unconsciously quickened, and he walked straight toward it, the sound of his wooden staff striking the ground breaking the Valley's silence.

Huo La, seeing this, felt a stir in his heart, thought briefly, then flipped and leapt off the Moon Bear's back, landing lightly and following AZ inside.

Ma Jia Mu, Xingyue, Ming Yao and Xiao Zhao also jumped down; after exchanging a glance, they followed the two's steps into the Valley, moving lightly for fear of disturbing the rare tranquility.

Getting closer, they finally saw the person's appearance.

Her features were delicate, a faint aloofness in her brows, yet also a composure that seemed to have seen through the ages; the tea cup in her hand emitted a light tea fragrance that mingled with the valley's plant scent, soothing the spirit.

Hearing the footsteps, Wusi slowly lifted his eyes, first fixing his gaze on AZ, a faint smile flashing in his eyes, then turning to Huo La and the others, his expression calm and unruffled.

AZ stood beneath the ancient tree, his gaze on Wusi, his tone returning to the plainness of their first meeting, yet carrying a few years' worth of relief: "People have brought you, what I wanted to know has already been asked. The rest is your matter. I... must continue on my path."

His hand gripping the wooden staff tightened slightly, the aura around him grew distant again, clearly preparing to set out once more, to continue seeking a chance to reunite with Huaye Di in time.

Wusi held the tea cup, quietly watching AZ, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes, he sighed lightly, his voice gentle yet tinged with unmistakable melancholy: "My time, I'm afraid, is not much left. In the next hundred years, you probably won't see me."

Those words fell like a light stone into a still lake; AZ froze, the motion of turning halted, and in those eyes that had absorbed a millennium of solitude, a barely perceptible bewilderment and loneliness flickered.

He remained silent for a long time, finally exhaling a slow breath of foul air, offering no follow‑up, only gently turning his head toward the sunset beyond the Valley; the lingering aura of loneliness around him grew even denser than before, as if to merge with the dusk.

He had long become accustomed to parting, yet each farewell remains a silent torment.

Ma Jia Mu and the others stood aside, daring not to breathe, merely watching the two.

"Wait a moment," Huo La suddenly spoke, his voice bright, calling out to the AZ about to step forward.

AZ turned around in confusion, his eyes full of puzzlement, looking at Huo La.

Huo La carefully fished several Pokeballs from his backpack, handed them to AZ, his tone sincere and gentle: "Time is too long, wandering alone is too painful. Besides Huaye Di, you can have other companions."

These Pokeballs are not future models; they are the ones he obtained in Hisui—though he cannot fathom AZ's three‑thousand‑year solitude, he wishes to add a bit of companion warmth to this long search.

AZ lowered his head, watching the Pokeballs Huo La handed over; his fingertips trembled slightly, after a moment of silence he finally reached out, his palm cradling the cold spheres, his hoarse voice carrying a rare softness: "Thank you."

There were no many words, yet it surpassed a thousand.

These Pokeballs may not fill his obsession with Huaye Di, but they can add a spark of liveliness to countless lonely days and nights, so the long wandering no longer leaves him entirely alone.

Wusi watched this scene, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes.

Just as Huo La turned, a cold, void-like voice suddenly rang in his mind: "The curse of life..."

It was Dai Ouqixi Si!

Huo La's whole body stiffened, his steps halted instinctively, his face full of astonishment.

He never expected that this Pokemon, silent for dozens of days, would suddenly speak up at this moment.

"Are you talking about AZ?" Huo La suppressed the turmoil in his heart, silently asking himself.

In his view, AZ bearing a three‑thousand‑year lifespan and an endless quest for Huaye Di truly qualifies as a "curse of life".

But Dai Ouqixi Si's voice did not hesitate, echoing again in his mind, its tone flat: "No, these two are both curses of life..."

"These two?" Huo La's heart jolted, his pupils suddenly constricted, and he instinctively looked toward Wusi not far away.