Chapter 347: Secret Tale

Huo La heard the words, calmly nodded, his face showing no extra emotion.

To be honest, Bin Lian's recounting of the tribe's past ties to the area was not crucial information for his current goal of finding the Stone Tablet and opening the Stone Gate, and he did not pay much attention.

But the other party was willing to voluntarily lay out these hidden histories without concealment; this frankness clearly showed their regard and trust in him.

He did not press further about past disputes, but immediately brought the topic back to the core, his gaze steady on Bin Lian: "Field Master Bin Lian, since you know the attributes of the Stone Tablet, do you also know where these three Stone Tablets are now?"

"Then you're asking the right person," Bin Lian said, "but this isn't a place for conversation; let's go outside first."

Huo La glanced at Shan Kui and Xiao Zhao, then fixed his eyes on the spots where the three Stone Tablets were embedded, and nodded: "Fine. Since we already know this place and can't get in now, let's go outside first. After all, it's a test from Regigigas, and I have to do it eventually."

Hearing about Regigigas's test, a flash of light passed through Bin Lian's eyes, but he said nothing, silently turning and walking toward the outside.

Leaving the depths of Snow Peak Temple, Huo La and his party eventually arrived at the Ice Mountain Battlefield in Chunbai Dongtu, which is the core territory of the Pearl Team.

Upon stepping into this area, the stark contrast with the Diamond Team territory under Shan Kui became evident; Shan Kui's camp was orderly and cozy, bearing a rare warmth in the frozen soil.

Here, most structures were built against ice cliffs, rugged and sturdy, exuding a cold, hard combat atmosphere; the facilities were simple and practical, lacking softness and gaining a harsh, lethal feel.

Looking around, most Pearl Team members were shirtless men, unafraid of the biting wind, displaying robust physiques; the occasional female members dressed similarly lightly, each lithe and exuding a resilience that dared to defy the severe cold, a stark contrast to the Diamond Team's attire.

The group settled in a house deliberately heated to block the piercing wind; Shan Kui cradled a warm teacup, sipping gently, exhaling a plume of white vapor, the warmth spreading through his limbs and finally dispelling the night chill that had seeped into the temple.

She looked at Huo La belatedly, her eyes full of realization, her tone clearer: "So that's how it is; Huo La, you received Arceus's orders and came specifically to collect the Type Plates."

After all the trouble along the way, from battling the Warrior Male Eagle King outside Snow Peak Temple to delving into the temple at night to search for the Stone Gate, Shan Kui finally fully understood Huo La's actions and the reason he was determined to go deep into the temple.

"Since you freed the Warrior Male Eagle King from Interdimensional Energy's control and saved its life, that Stone Tablet it possessed will be given to you as a reward, but you'll have to wait until I go back and retrieve it for you." Shan Kui waved her hand, speaking cheerfully without any reluctance, after all Huo La had done a great favor for Chunbai Dongtu.

Huo La heard this, a hint of warmth flashing in his eyes, and solemnly nodded in thanks: "Very well, then thank you, Field Master Shanbei."

"You're welcome, you're welcome; it's only natural. You solved a big trouble for us; a single Stone Tablet is nothing." Shan Kui waved her hand, her tone bright, without any hesitation.

Having settled the Stone Tablet matter with Shan Kui, Huo La immediately withdrew his gaze, turned to the silent Bin Lian beside him, his tone steady and earnest: "Field Master Bin Lian, earlier in the temple you said you knew the attributes of those three Stone Tablets; I suppose you also know their current exact whereabouts."

Bin Lian gave a gentle nod, offering no riddles, his tone firm: "Of course I know. The whereabouts of these three Stone Tablets aren't secret; if Shan Kui can settle down and carefully read the sealed texts in Snow Peak Temple, she could tell you everything without my needing to elaborate."

Suddenly teased by Bin Lian for disliking the texts, Shan Kui's cheeks puffed up in anger, she waved a small fist as if to strike Bin Lian, scolding: "Stop bringing that up! If you keep it up, I'll really take action!"

Bin Lian, seeing this, quickly laughed and changed the subject, no longer teasing Shan Kui, his expression becoming solemn as he slowly recounted the dust‑covered ancient secret: "After that world‑shaking war ended, Arceus entrusted the eighteen Type Plates it possessed to ten Pokémon Kings and savior heroes, asking them to guard them; this is the legend most of you have heard."

Xiao Zhao sat nearby, obediently nodding; this legend she had already heard while traveling with Huo La, so she understood it roughly.

Bin Lian paused briefly, then continued, revealing the unknown latter part: "But you don't know this—only eleven Stone Tablets in the story have traceable clues; the remaining seven Stone Tablets are unaccounted for."

"Their whereabouts unknown?" Huo La raised an eyebrow, immediately seizing the key point.

Bin Lian gently shook his head, his tone measured, correcting: "It's not exactly unknown—uh... keep listening and you'll understand. The legend you heard has always been only a part; the more secret details are all recorded in the top‑secret texts of Snow Peak Shrine."

"Back then, fighting side by side with Arceus, besides the savior heroes and his ten Pokemon partners, there was also an Ancient Tribe and seven powerful Wild Pokemon."

Bin Lian's voice deepened slightly as he recounted this little‑known past: "That tribe, which has existed since ancient times, received Arceus's personal blessing and was also granted a Stone Tablet to guard through the generations."

Huo La understood instantly, realizing that Bin Lian was referring to the tribe where Miss Wusi belonged; yet a pang of melancholy rose in his heart—once a flourishing ancient tribe, now after the passage of time, it has...

"Besides that, the remaining six Stone Tablets also have owners; four Wild Pokemon each captured a Stone Tablet and hide it for themselves, and among them is the one that guards the depths of Snow Peak Temple—Regigigas."

"And the final three Pokemon, bound by deep ties, jointly hold the last remaining Stone Tablet."