Chapter 229: When Narrow Paths Meet, the Brave Win

"Hmm, so it's Nacli, Fidough, and the Miltank line, is it?"

Seeing Luo Mu, who appeared far more confident than during his last visit, Eli Mo Si raised an eyebrow; it seemed Luo Mu's farm was developing well, now even having surplus funds to expand his team, with his sights already set on Miltank.

Mentioning ranches inevitably brings up the topic of Miltank.

As the Johto region's signature Pokémon famous worldwide, the Moo Moo Milk they produce is hailed as the most nutritious, a dream beverage suitable for all ages—from the elderly and the sick to children and overworked office workers—who can all obtain the nutrients they need from it.

Precisely because they are so famous, and since many families prefer to keep their Miltank for self-production and sales rather than selling or trading them externally, compared to farms and ranches that anyone can open, Miltank has always been in short supply, naturally driving their prices somewhat higher.

Purchasing a single Miltank through normal channels requires a full fifty thousand League Coins, whereas Fidough and Nacli, which also possess special by-products, cost merely twenty thousand and fifteen thousand League Coins respectively.

In reality, the effects and value of Pure Salt and Green Grass Milk are only slightly inferior to Moo Moo Milk.

Even so, Miltank's Moo Moo Milk remains pursued by the masses; Eli Mo Si admitted that if he were a customer facing such choices, he would probably also choose the Moo Moo Milk that had stood the test of time and the market.

"We have excellent offspring of Nacli and Fidough here at the ranch, but as for Miltank, unfortunately... you've arrived a bit late; the entire stock was sold out some time ago, and I haven't yet had the chance to travel to the Johto region to select suitable Miltank."

Eli Mo Si spread his hands with a helpless expression; even he hadn't expected Luo Mu's farm to develop so quickly that he now had spare money to purchase Miltank.

"Huh?"

Luo Mu's expression changed slightly; could such a coincidence really happen?

How could it be that just as he planned to buy a Miltank to raise on his ranch, they were all gone?

"Then there's nothing to be done; let's go see the available Pokémon first."

Luo Mu sighed and looked helplessly at Eli Mo Si, who also offered an apologetic smile before standing up to lead the way.

Ever since Luo Mu agreed to help her select a Tauros, Hearing Hearing Nimo had been quietly listening to the conversation between Luo Mu and Eli Mo Si.

Seeing Luo Mu's regretful expression upon hearing that Miltank were unavailable, Hearing Hearing Nimo's eyes darted; she quietly took out her family-produced, supposedly globally limited-edition phone, edited a message, and sent it to her butler.

After doing all this, Hearing Hearing Nimo heard Luo Mu's voice reminding her to keep up; she quickly responded, tucked her phone back into her pocket, and hurried to catch up with the two men.

Inside Eli's Ranch, in an area specifically designated for energetic Pokémon to exercise, a herd of Paldean Tauros with gray fur and black manes around their necks galloped at high speed, shaking the ground as if an earthquake were occurring.

If one stood even slightly closer, some people might not even be able to stand steady under the charge of these angry bulls.

When some Tauros grew tired from running, they would stop and engage in head-butting clashes with their slightly distinct horns; this was their alternative form of rest.

"Wow! Everyone is full of drive, feeling incredibly energetic!"

Hearing Hearing Nimo was more excited and thrilled than anyone else, as if every single Tauros met her approval and shared a fate with her.

"Naturally; except at night, I never restrict their running, and the area is specifically isolated to avoid affecting other Pokémon; Tauros raised this way are naturally brimming with energy and covered in ropy muscles!"

Eli Mo Si patted his chest, his expression quite proud.

Immediately after, as if remembering something, Eli Mo Si asked: "By the way, I haven't asked you this yet; these fellows are full of energy, capable of running all day without issue. Precisely because of this trait, if Tauros are not allowed to run to their satisfaction, many problems may arise, such as depression, mania, disobedience, and so on."

"Do you have enough space at home, or are there large parks nearby where the Tauros can run?"

Eli Mo Si felt that although he was engaged in selling Pokémon, he still needed to be responsible for every Pokémon sold, at least ensuring the buyer could provide a good environment for the creature.

"Space? Parks? I don't have those, but since my home is built by the seaside, I have a large stretch of private beach, about one or two kilometers long; that should be enough for Tauros to run, right?"

Hearing Hearing Nimo looked hesitantly at Eli Mo Si, unsure if her conditions would be acceptable to him.

Eli Mo Si and Luo Mu: "..."

I'm tired of saying the words 'rich dog'!

The corner of Eli Mo Si's mouth twitched; he nodded helplessly and said, "It's definitely enough; perhaps if you make the Tauros run back and forth all day, it might break its legs."

Receiving Eli Mo Si's affirmation, Hearing Hearing Nimo nodded excitedly, then looked at Luo Mu with pleading eyes; if left to her own devices, she would want to pack all these Tauros and take them home!

Instinct told Luo Mu what strange thing Hearing Hearing Nimo was thinking, such as buying all thirty-plus Paldean Tauros, priced at thirty thousand League Coins each, and taking them home together.

To stop Hearing Hearing Nimo's dangerous thoughts, Luo Mu threw a Poké Ball just as the Tauros were running back, and Swampert's figure appeared on the track.

"Hearing Hearing Nimo, watch closely; what Tauros need is that indomitable momentum; when narrow paths meet, the brave win; I believe the Tauros daring to charge at Swampert has the most value for capture."

Under Hearing Hearing Nimo's admiring gaze, Luo Mu calmly waved his hand and softly issued the command: "Earthquake!"

Facing the charge of over thirty Tauros and the wind-blown sand they kicked up, Swampert showed no fear whatsoever.

The moment Luo Mu gave the command, Swampert erupted with unparalleled ferocity; pressing both fists against the ground, a yellowish-brown energy shockwave instantly spread out, and the ground began to shake violently!

Many Tauros lost their balance and fell due to the shaking ground; their robust bodies would not suffer serious injuries from falling, at most sustaining some scrapes.

Additionally, some Tauros, intimidated by the aura erupting from Swampert blocking their path, halted their charge.

This was already the result of Swampert holding back; the ground merely shook, without even cracking.

Even so, within the first second, over a dozen Tauros had fallen behind, and as time passed, the other Tauros one after another stopped in their tracks.

In the end, only one remained, charging with indomitable momentum right up to Swampert, attempting to ram it with the exceptionally thick horn on its head—

Swampert gripped the horn of this Aqua Breed Tauros with one hand, and no matter how much strength the Tauros exerted, it could not advance an inch.

"Such a powerful Swampert."

Eli Mo Si murmured a few words, seemingly shaken by Swampert's aura of standing alone against a thousand.

Hearing Hearing Nimo's reaction was even more intense; she directly hugged Luo Mu's arm and shouted that Swampert was so cool.

Luo Mu patted Hearing Hearing Nimo's head and pointed at the Tauros suppressed by Swampert: "I think this one is excellent; want to try capturing it?"

Hearing Hearing Nimo's smile was full of vitality, her teeth white and neat as she nodded heavily in response: "Mm! I'll try!"

Hearing Hearing Nimo's team currently consisted of three Pokémon.

There was Pawmi, her starter Pokémon who had once helped her escape the threat of kidnappers; Ursaring, evolved from a Teddiursa caught stealing honey alongside Luo Mu in the Vespiquen territory; and Goomy, a pseudo-legendary (late-blooming) Pokémon hatched from an Egg her family had prepared.

Naturally, the battle to capture the Tauros featured Pawmi, Hearing Hearing Nimo's most trusted partner; the combat proficiency Hearing Hearing Nimo displayed throughout the fight surprised Luo Mu immensely.

In just the short month of spring break, Hearing Hearing Nimo seemed transformed, surpassing her pre-break self; travel and real combat were truly pathways to enhancing a Trainer's strength.

Pawmi's Thunder Punch waved with vigorous force, earning high praise even from Swampert, who looked forward to the spectacle of Pawmi mastering Electro Charge upon growing up.

A thin layer of sweat covered Hearing Hearing Nimo's smooth forehead, and her entire body panted slightly from the intense battle.

Yet Hearing Hearing Nimo's expression was one of great satisfaction; holding the Poké Ball containing the Tauros, she relaxed her strength and leaned against Pawmi, cuddling together.

Luo Mu and Eli Mo Si exchanged a glance; deciding to let Hearing Hearing Nimo rest here for now, they planned to move to another area to select Nacli and Fidough.

Hearing Hearing Nimo and Pawmi were truly exhausted; although the Tauros had been suppressed by Swampert, its strength was indeed formidable, possibly even the leader of that herd—its horns were covered in various scars, proof of the Tauros' strength.

If not for the Mudbray gaining an advantage through type matchups, it would not have been so easy for them to capture the Tauros; now is not the time to push one's limits, so it is better to rest well.

Walking along the path toward the living area of the Skiddo, Ai Li Qi Si asked Luo Mu about his affairs with some curiosity.

"Is she also your student? Come to think of it, I still do not know exactly what course you teach."

"Eh? Did I not mention it before? I am a teacher of Battle Studies. Speaking of which, Mr. Ai Li Qi Si, your name is very similar to that of a student in my class; his name is Ai Li Qi Si."

"He is my grandson."

Ai Li Qi Si's calm voice rang out beside Luo Mu's ear like a clap of thunder; after a moment of stunned silence, Luo Mu revealed a surprised smile.

"That is quite a coincidence."

"Indeed."

Ai Li Qi Si's voice was equally unsettled; he had not expected Luo Mu to be his grandson's teacher, but when recalling the overwhelming power displayed by that Swampert just now, it felt very reasonable, and he even felt fortunate.

With such a powerful Trainer as a teacher, Ai Li Qi Si would surely be able to step out from his older brother's shadow.

The two arrived at the gathering point of the Skiddo in silence.

Ai Li Qi Si did not say anything asking Luo Mu to take extra care of his grandson; he understood that without needing him to say more, Luo Mu would teach him well.

Due to the arrival of Luo Mu and Ai Li Qi Si, several Skiddo that had been lying lazily on the grass soaking up the sun lifted their heads and curiously sized up the newcomers.

Clearing his throat, Ai Li Qi Si said briefly, "I have already introduced them to you before, so let us skip that now. Look, they are all gentle, good children."

As soon as Ai Li Qi Si finished speaking, the Skiddo very obligingly gathered around; some rubbed their heads against Luo Mu's thigh to show affection, while a bold Skiddo suddenly took Luo Mu's hanging finger into its mouth, moving its lips slowly as if chewing on fresh grass.

Luo Mu patted the heads of each Skiddo one by one and smiled, saying, "Indeed, they are all gentle and affectionate good children."

After spending a little while with the Skiddo, Luo Mu quickly settled on two that were especially close to him.

Immediately after, Ai Li Qi Si took Luo Mu to the place where the Nacli lived—the Salt Hut.

This place simulated the Nacli's wild living environment, using rocks to construct small huts that provided ample sense of security for the tiny creatures; the rock salt produced by the Nacli would usually be piled up inside the Salt Hut, making it both clean and easy to collect.

Hearing Ai Li Qi Si's introduction, Luo Mu silently pondered the possibility of building a Salt Hut for himself after returning home.

Upon opening the Salt Hut, aside from the clean rock salt piled in the corner, the small Pokémon stacked layer upon layer in the center of the room, with an art style somewhat reminiscent of MC, immediately captured the attention of both individuals.

Ai Li Qi Si whispered, "These are the Nacli; isn't the way they are stacked together very cute?"

"As for the rock salt over there, I also told you about it before we came; not only does it taste excellent, but it also has the effect of healing Pokémon injuries, making it very popular in the outside world."

Luo Mu nodded thoughtfully; how could he not have heard of the great reputation of Lord Salt? This famously high-quality Pokémon, with its salt-curing techniques, had caused countless innocent youths to lie awake at night, their minds echoing with the sinister laughter of the Tera Ghost Garganacl, unable to sleep.

Although his main purpose was to covet the rock salt produced by the Nacli, once the Nacli evolved, he would not mind bringing a Garganacl to teach his students a lesson, letting them know in advance the treachery of society and adults.

The price for a Nacli was fifteen thousand League Dollars per individual; with sufficient budget, Luo Mu thought for a moment and chose three Nacli that appeared to have excellent qualities in all aspects, after all, his intentions were slightly impure.

In his observation, these Nacli were standouts among their kind; with a little training, they should be able to battle the students' Pokémon.

After returning to the main hall, Ai Li Qi Si, completely unaware that his grandson would soon suffer misfortune, quoted Luo Mu the final price: "Two Skiddo total forty thousand League Dollars, three Nacli total forty-five thousand League Dollars, making eighty-five thousand League Dollars in all."

"Card swipe, QR code scan, or cash?"

"Card swipe!"

Now that he had money in his pocket, Luo Mu's motion of pulling out his bank card was exceptionally dashing; after handing the card to Ai Li Qi Si, the transaction was complete!

(End of Chapter)