Chapter 319: The Guardian Deity of the Dragon Sanctuary, the Great Fast Dragon's Trial!

To one side, the Great Fast Dragon tilted its head, listening carefully to the exchange between the two.

Only when it caught the keywords "Hidden Trial" did the Great Fast Dragon's eyes light up, as if enlightened, recalling something.

It seemed to have been a week ago; though in its memory the red-haired man still appeared as a child, in the blink of an eye he had become an adult, bringing the Dragon Elder to the Dragon Sanctuary and instructing it that if anyone found the Dragon Sanctuary, it should grant that person a Hidden Trial, with the content of the trial left for the Great Fast Dragon to decide.

Before Luo Mu and Xiang Xiang Jiana could continue their discussion, the Great Fast Dragon, which had been sitting in the flower field, stood up, its gaze falling upon Luo Mu and Xiang Xiang Jiana.

Although there was still some time before sunset, it decided to conduct the trial for the two people before it first.

Once the Great Fast Dragon stood up, the advantage brought by its body, which was even larger than that of an ordinary Fast Dragon, became apparent.

Just as Xiang Xiang Jiana's Salamence walked on all fours while the Great Fast Dragon stood on two legs, the Salamence, with a height of only one and a half meters, could at most see the Great Fast Dragon's legs, which made the already ill-tempered Salamence even more displeased.

Xiang Xiang Jiana dared not let her Salamence cause a scene; she softly soothed the Pokémon beneath her, her gaze shifting to Luo Mu beside her as she slightly pursed her lips.

Whether fighting the Great Fast Dragon before her or battling Luo Mu under the Great Fast Dragon's witness, she actually had no confidence in her heart.

But Xiang Xiang Jiana understood that she must struggle and must obtain victory; only then would she possess sufficient strength recognized by Lord Dragon God when summoning Him.

Luo Mu had no intention of helping Xiang Xiang Jiana; he went directly to the Butterfree flying around the Fast Dragons, intending to borrow some of the nectar they usually collected.

Although she was the Successor, she was more bound by a duty and mission passed down through generations, possessing no special abilities and unable to understand the expressions of any Pokémon other than her own.

She made a decision that was slightly underhanded but, for someone like her who was a culinary Bai Chi, the most correct one—to follow Luo Mu and gather ingredients.

The Great Fast Dragon wore an expression of "I really can't do anything with you," patting its large belly that had naturally grown from sleeping too much, as it "earnestly advised" Xiang Xiang Jiana.

Five: Whoever provides the afternoon tea dessert more loved by the Pokémon will win the Hidden Trial and receive the only copy of the Extreme Speed Secret Manual, deposited here with the Great Fast Dragon itself by Watanabe.

Glancing at Xiang Xiang Jiana, whose face showed embarrassment, Luo Mu sighed lightly, stepped forward, and asked.

Xiang Xiang Jiana had fallen into a crisis!

"Your Hidden Trial... is for us to make Pokémon food for you to eat, right?"

Seeing the Great Fast Dragon stride to one end of the flower field and let out a loud roar.

But no matter how Xiang Xiang Jiana collapsed in despair, the Great Fast Dragon, surrounded by many Pokémon, still smiled kindly as it laid out several requirements for Luo Mu and Xiang Xiang Jiana.

Xiang Xiang Jiana, unable to maintain her smile: "..."

Luo Mu felt the Great Fast Dragon's requirements were quite simple; based on his observations, the Dragon Sanctuary already possessed a complete ecosystem, with clear lake water, flowers, grass, and trees everywhere, along with many Pokémon.

Three: Near the Dragon Temple, there is a small room suitable for cooking; because Genji from the Dragon Perch and the Charizard Valley often came to the Dragon Sanctuary to train, corresponding living tools had been prepared here as well.

"Bo-wu~ Bo-bo~ Bo-wu!"

Two: You must use ingredients from within this Dragon Sanctuary for preparation; external products are a definite no!

"Bo-wu~~~"

The Great Fast Dragon looked at Xiang Xiang Jiana with a strange expression, sighing slightly, as if lamenting how this young Miss's brain was not as flexible as Luo Mu's or the Fast Dragon's.

Xiang Xiang Jiana was now his competitor; he was not kind-hearted enough to help his rival, especially since this mattered greatly for the Fast Dragon to remedy its own deficiency in agility.

Xiang Xiang Jiana made no sound; she simply recalled her Salamence and directly followed in Luo Mu's footsteps.

One: Since it is afternoon tea, it and the Pokémon want to eat sweets.

"..."

For Luo Mu, using these things to make delicious afternoon tea desserts posed no difficulty at all; in fact, during the exchange, he had already identified quite a few ingredients.

Acting as a slide for the little dragons, the Great Fast Dragon, whose temperament was explosively good, looked at Xiang Xiang Jiana, tilted its head, as if asking why she had not yet gone to gather ingredients.

"Bo-wu?"

To Luo Mu's request, the Butterfree readily agreed; signaling for Luo Mu to follow them, they danced gracefully through the air toward their nest.

Through the efforts of both people translating, along with the help of Luo Mu's Serperior assisting with vine translations nearby, they finally figured out the Great Fast Dragon's requirements.

With a roar from the Great Fast Dragon, the culinary showdown between Luo Mu versus Xiang Xiang Jiana officially began.

The Great Fast Dragon happily patted its belly; it was almost afternoon, and now it and these children could have afternoon tea!

Seeing the Great Fast Dragon confirm Luo Mu's guess, Xiang Xiang Jiana not only felt no sense of relief, but completely lost the ability to maintain her smile, her heroic face stained with despair.

On the contrary, Xiang Xiang Jiana's usual food consisted of those bagged instant meals and Pokémon food plus Energy Cubes that required no cooking; she focused solely on training, pathologically squeezing out training time, so naturally, she knew nothing about culinary arts.

Four: Entering the Dragon Temple is prohibited.

"Bo-wu~!"

This was worse than not understanding at all!

"Bo-wu!"

Luo Mu's space backpack and Xiang Xiang Jiana's bracelet were both confiscated by the Great Fast Dragon; Luo Mu didn't care, but for Xiang Xiang Jiana, even her last hope was cut off.

Several Gible, Charmander, Swablu, and a somewhat timid Goomy also rushed over at the Great Fast Dragon's roar, gathering around it, chirping as if demanding something.

Xiang Xiang Jiana ranted wildly in her heart: Where in the world has a Fast Dragon of the Dragon Clan skipped a combat strength test, only to crave mere gluttony?

But the Great Fast Dragon's next action not only stunned Xiang Xiang Jiana, who kept hypnotizing herself that she could do it, but also made Luo Mu and the Fast Dragon beside her reveal expressions of surprise.

Could it be...

Xiang Xiang Jiana did not clearly understand what the Great Fast Dragon was doing; she still maintained her non-hostile smile and asked aloud, "May I ask, what exactly is the content of our Hidden Trial?"

Seeing this scene, Luo Mu and the Fast Dragon exchanged a glance, both seeing shock in each other's eyes.

Still didn't understand.

The Fast Dragon's roar immediately echoed through this ring-shaped valley surrounded by mountains; the dancing Butterfree and Jumpluff were not frightened by the Great Fast Dragon's roar, but instead flew to its side, landing on its body.

This completely dashed Xiang Xiang Jiana's idea of making do with the Pokémon food and Energy Cubes she had brought with her.

But to fulfill that mission she must complete, for the obsession in her heart, to save the world, what harm was there in being underhanded?

Xiang Xiang Jiana continued to hypnotize herself that perhaps Luo Mu's culinary skills were also poor, and that under equal ingredient conditions, she might be at an advantage.

Having just obtained excellent honey from the Butterfree who were looking forward to afternoon tea desserts, Luo Mu discovered that Xiang Xiang Jiana, following far behind him, had also obtained nectar from the Butterfree.

Because Xiang Xiang Jiana was also a participant in the Hidden Trial, the Butterfree likewise looked forward to what delicious afternoon tea desserts she could provide.

Thus, whenever Luo Mu gathered a certain material, the moment he left, Xiang Xiang Jiana would imitate him to acquire that same ingredient; finally, when Luo Mu returned with a full harvest to the Great Fast Dragon and proceeded to the small kitchen near the Dragon Temple under its guidance, the ingredients Xiang Xiang Jiana carried were almost identical to Luo Mu's.

Even, because Xiang Xiang Jiana wanted to exceed Luo Mu in quantity, she had requested much more.

Xiang Xiang Jiana's series of actions made Luo Mu shake his head slightly; he felt she was too greedy and too eager to do everything perfectly, which had already become an obsession.

However, Luo Mu paid her no mind and simply began skillfully preparing delicious afternoon tea desserts in the small kitchen.

Meanwhile, with the help of her partner, a Whismur named Little Little Dandan, Xiang Xiang Jiana clumsily attempted to learn Mu De Shou Fa, ultimately producing a misshapen, poorly seasoned dessert a beat too late.

When Luo Mu's and Xiang Xiang Jiana's desserts—drastically different in both appearance and aroma—were placed before the Pokémon led by the Dragonite, they hesitated only for an instant before unanimously happily devouring the delicious treat Luo Mu had made with the Dragonite's assistance.

At that moment, Xiang Xiang Jiana knew she had lost.

But, she had not yet lost.

In Xiang Xiang Jiana's heart, that heavy sense of mission and the belief that only she could accomplish it drove her to make a decision.

Driven by all this, just as the Pokémon, though somewhat reluctant, decided to eat the dessert Xiang Xiang Jiana had specially made for them, she accelerated toward a small shrine by the lakeside not far from the small kitchen!

The shrine's overall color scheme was red, with two Shi Zhu standing on either side; this was precisely the Dragon Temple the Dragonite had mentioned was absolutely forbidden to enter.

Xiang Xiang Jiana had thought about it for a long time; items were difficult to carry on the Dragonite, yet it had explicitly stated that it was keeping the Extreme Speed secret technique.

Aside from the small kitchen, which Xiang Xiang Jiana had already rummaged through while making desserts, the only place the Dragonite would feel safe hiding the Extreme Speed secret technique was naturally this Dragon Temple it had specifically mentioned as off-limits!

Since the Dragon Temple was very close to the small kitchen, amidst a chorus of exclamations from the Pokémon, Xiang Xiang Jiana quickly reached the temple entrance, pushed open the great doors without hesitation, and began searching left and right with rapid breathing.

Even Little Little Dandan the Whismur, who was treasuring the taste of its Trainer's first-made dessert while leaving Luo Mu's dessert aside, had not expected Xiang Xiang Jiana to act so suddenly.

Xiang Xiang Jiana's gaze swept past the flames burning fiercely in the Golden Cup and landed on a nameless book with a cover lying quietly on a small table nearby.

Without hesitation, Xiang Xiang Jiana grabbed the Extreme Speed secret technique, rushed out of the Dragon Temple, and shouted to the Whismur, "Little Little Dandan, come here!"

Saying this, Xiang Xiang Jiana took out a Poké Ball and immediately released a Salamence.

This series of sudden events not only caused the wild Pokémon to display expressions of confusion and shock, but the giant Dragonite also rose up as if its reverse scale had been touched, erupting with a terrifying aura.

Luo Mu, who had been leisurely enjoying the delicious afternoon tea desserts alongside the Dragonite and Serperior, sighed; had it ultimately turned out like this after all?

"The obsession is just too deep..."

Although Luo Mu could not quite recall the plot details related to Xiang Xiang Jiana, remembering only vaguely that it involved Rayquaza, a meteor, and a Key Stone, he still remembered that Xiang Xiang Jiana's actions were somewhat paranoid.

Just because of that obsession in your heart, must you plunge the people and Pokémon around you into trouble?

Luo Mu did not understand; where in this world was there such logic?

"Dragonite, do not let the Dragonite remain in a state of anger for too long, or it may very well lose its reason."

"Serperior, stop Xiang Xiang Jiana and the Salamence!"

Luo Mu clearly assigned different tasks to the two Pokémon.

In the anime, the Dragonite also entered a reverse-scale state and began destroying everything because Team Rocket opened the Dragon Temple and knocked over the mysterious fire known as the "Flame of Prayer."

The more tame the Dragonite appeared now, the more violent it would become when rampaging.

Under Luo Mu's command, the Dragonite directly suppressed the Dragonite; despite the latter's immense size and strength, suppressing it still proved slightly strenuous.

"Gah-loh."

As for Serperior, it glanced disdainfully at Xiang Xiang Jiana, who was already mounted on the Salamence waiting for Little Little Dandan the Whismur to return so they could take off; it hated those who arbitrarily snatched items the most.

The energy within Serperior surged to an unprecedented high under the sunlight, causing the entire land of the Dragon Sanctuary to suddenly tremble; the next instant, countless trunks thicker than the trees themselves burst from the earth, and despite their massive mass, their speed was not slow in the least.

In merely an instant, Frenzy Plants dancing wildly like wooden dragons filled the sky above the Salamence and Xiang Xiang Jiana.

Each of those Frenzy Plants, taken individually, was thicker than the Salamence's body, causing Xiang Xiang Jiana and the Salamence to display expressions of shock.

So not only was the Dragonite in Luo Mu's possession powerful, but even this Serperior was so strong?

However...

"You really underestimate us; Salamence, whip up a Hurricane!"

At this point, Xiang Xiang Jiana could no longer turn back; displaying a look of determination, she unhesitatingly ordered the Salamence to launch a wide-range attack.

In her view, the Serperior's Grass-type attacks equated to four-times resistance for the Salamence; even if there was a gap in raw power, this type advantage would be sufficient to make up for the difference between the Salamence and the Serperior.

"Roar!!!"

At this moment, the Whismur Little Little Dandan finally ran near Xiang Xiang Jiana; without hesitation, she recalled it with a Poké Ball, while the Salamence let out a furious roar, its body enveloped in sky-blue light, and using its blood-red dragon wings as a focal point, streams of high-speed airflow immediately swept outward in all directions, emitting a piercing shriek that vibrated the eardrums of all in its path.

Terrified wild Pokémon scattered in all directions under the momentum of the Salamence turning hostile, turning the scene into complete chaos.

Serperior admitted it had been provoked by Xiang Xiang Jiana; this person was truly capable of doing anything for the sake of her obsession.

Under Serperior's control, countless Frenzy Plants coiled toward the Salamence; even though the Hurricane whipped up by the Salamence struck the Frenzy Plants, it could only leave superficial white scratches, whereas the Salamence appeared extremely haggard under the pursuit of the Frenzy Plants.

Xiang Xiang Jiana gripped the Salamence's back tightly to prevent being shaken off, gritting her teeth; she had completely failed to anticipate that the Serperior's Frenzy Plant would be so terrifying that even her Salamence, stronger than a Gym Leader, could not sever a single root with its full-power Hurricane.

Under conditions of type advantage combined with comparable strength, the Serperior's Frenzy Plant could naturally be severed, and the Salamence's power had indeed reached the level where it could cut through several of the Serperior's Frenzy Plants.

However, at this moment, Serperior was not fighting alone; to ensure safety, Victini, dispatched by Luo Mu and maintaining an invisible state to continuously boost Serperior, was providing assistance.

With Victini's support, Xiang Xiang Jiana's Salamence was simply no match for the Serperior; neither Hurricane, nor Hyper Beam, nor Fire Blast, nor Dragon Claw could sever the Frenzy Plants.

Finally, a sky full of wooden dragons captured Xiang Xiang Jiana, who had attempted to steal the Extreme Speed secret technique and flee, along with her Salamence.

On the Dragonite's side, it also employed a few methods to physically calm the Dragonite down.

The Salamence and Xiang Xiang Jiana, tightly bound by vines, were "accidentally" dropped to the ground by the Serperior, emitting a muffled groan.

At this point, Luo Mu walked before the bound Xiang Xiang Jiana and Salamence, sighed, and said, "Why must you do this? For the sake of a secret technique, you have even harmed those Pokémon who, considering your feelings, chose to struggle through eating your overly salty desserts."

"The Dragon Sanctuary, originally like a paradise untouched by the world, has become like this solely because of your actions."

Luo Mu took the Extreme Speed secret technique from Xiang Xiang Jiana's hand, glanced at her indifferently, and then walked over to the Dragonite, which had already calmed down but was now sunk in sorrow as it looked at the surroundings filled with craters and beautiful flowers broken by the Hurricane into a mess.

Given the huge commotion caused here, Lance and Clair of the Drake family, who were likely monitoring the situation of the Dragon's Den and the Dragon Sanctuary nearby, would probably arrive soon.

Luo Mu cared not at all how the Drake family would deal with Xiang Xiang Jiana; everything this person had done today was dancing on his pet peeves—could an obsession really affect a person so greatly?

Approaching the dejected Dragonite sitting on the ground and looking at the wild Pokémon who were frightened and pitiful, Luo Mu asked, "Would you like to see a magic trick?"

The Dragonite and the Pokémon wore expressions of complete confusion; with the Dragon Sanctuary in such a state, where would they have the mood to watch magic?

Luo Mu smiled, released an Oranguru from a Poké Ball, and then took a Z-Ring from his spatial backpack, embedding a green crystal into it.

Victini came to stand beside Luo Mu and Oranguru; a golden aura rose up, pouring reinforcement and charging power without reservation into the bodies of Luo Mu and Oranguru alike.

"Oranguru, Grassy Terrain Z!"

In an instant, green grass spread like a carpet, and a hundred flowers bloomed in full splendor!

(End of Chapter)