Chapter 385: Lord of the Crown Unleashes Divine Might

If given the choice, Luo Mu would rather not engage in any speech-based persuasion tactics.

However, looking at the current incident involving the Lord of the Crystal Tower.

Without using verbal persuasion, the most critical problem cannot be resolved; even forcing a solution would only leave behind hidden troubles that grow stronger over time and a complete mess.

The famous philosopher Zhou Zhou Shuren once said that the greatest benefit of possessing Wu Li is that when a villain tries to forcibly indoctrinate you with their fallacies and heresies, you can directly tell them to "shut up and listen," instead of standing there helplessly like a grandson, unable to fight back and forced to stare blankly while this old fool pumps your full of his brain-dead ideas.

If one interprets this statement and then practices it in reverse.

Currently, Luo Mu is using his "Wu Li" to forcibly enlighten Entei, while simultaneously relying on Entei to guide Xiao Mi, who stands nearby.

Ultimately, the root cause of this incident is that Xiao Mi's "loneliness" awakened those Unown dwelling within the wooden boards; just like Xiao Mi's heart, which had sealed itself shut due to her father's disappearance, this created the Crystal Tower, representing the heavy walls of Xiao Mi's heart.

Those closed crystalline petals on the outside represent Xiao Mi's sealed heart.

As long as Xiao Mi harbors the thought of wanting to leave this place, the crystalline petals will naturally bloom.

As long as Entei can leave this place together with Xiao Mi, everything will be easily resolved.

Looking at Entei, who had lowered its head, a clear tear slid down Xiao Mi's cheek; she grievously clenched Entei's fur, acting willfully like a child throwing a tantrum to coax sympathy.

"I don't care, Xiao Mi wants to leave together with Papa!"

Luo Mu's previous few words not only directly broke through Entei's defenses but also allowed Xiao Mi, who had seen Xia, Xiaogang, and Xiaozhi and understood how wonderful the outside world was, to feel a surge of longing.

If only she could go outside with her father, make many friends, and engage in many battles.

Entei was born from Xiao Mi's dream world, so Xiao Mi's wish naturally transmitted directly into its heart.

Entei, having completed its restoration, slowly rose to its feet; the majestic and domineering aura it previously held vanished completely, and it lowered its proud head toward Luo Mu.

"Xiao Mi's wish is what I desire as well."

"But I am an existence born relying on the power of the Unown; separated from them, I cannot maintain my form."

"Since you have leveled such accusations against me, you must possess the power to change all of this; please help us."

"That goes without saying."

Luo Mu nodded slightly; he had originally come precisely for the sake of this willfulness.

At this moment, Huazi also squatted down, gently extending her hand toward Xiao Mi: "Leave this place with everyone, Xiao Mi."

"Mm."

Xiao Mi timidly looked around, emitting a response so faint it was like a mosquito's buzz, then took Huazi's outstretched hand and pressed her face against it.

"It's so warm..."

Xiao Mi, whose parents had divorced when she was young, felt somewhat attached as she experienced the sensation of her mother's palm.

At this moment, the walls of the heart constructed within Xiao Mi's mind, formed by the trauma of her father's disappearance and her parents' earlier divorce, completely melted away.

The entire Crystal Tower trembled slightly, and the crystalline petals began to move slowly, as if blooming.

Musashi, Kojiro, and Nyarth exchanged glances; for once, they did not cause trouble, but instead sighed in unison: "How heartwarming..."

In this instant, a sudden change occurred.

Sharp crystals suddenly erupted continuously from underground, and the phenomenon of crystallization began to spread as if going berserk.

Surrounded on both sides by the erupting crystals, feeling that the slightest difference would mean death, the three members of Team Rocket let out terrified screams.

Huazi hurriedly hugged Xiao Mi in her arms, while Xiaozhi and Charizard, having rested, alertly scanned their surroundings.

"What's happening!?"

Xia shouted in a somewhat broken voice.

Entei seemed to sense something; it glanced toward the void and stated with certainty: "It seems related to the Unown!"

Simultaneously, Professor Oak's voice came through the communicator Xiaozhi was wearing.

"It must be that they have been releasing energy at full power for too long; the Unown can no longer control their power, and even they themselves cannot stop it!"

Next, the slightly distorted voice of Professor Yukinari's assistant rang out.

"The crystallization phenomenon, which had been trending toward calm, is now spreading to the surrounding area at an extremely fast speed; before long, even this Pokémon Center will be affected!"

"What!?"

Hearing the voices coming from the other end of the communicator, Xiaozhi and the others displayed shocked expressions.

"Roar!"

Entei opened its mouth and spewed flames, shattering sheets of crystalline structures to prevent them from threatening Xiao Mi's safety.

Recalling Meng Lei Gu, whose large size and lack of agility made it vulnerable to dense attacks, Luo Mu flipped onto Feng Su Gou and, pointing toward the passage he had used to enter the Crystal Tower, shouted loudly: "There's an exit this way!"

As he spoke, with Victini's assistance, Feng Su Gou spewed a terrifying pillar of fire, directly incinerating the large expanse of crystalline structures blocking the exit path.

This was one of the changes he had made.

Unlike in the movie, where one could only walk through the passage, exit through the main door inside the crystallized Snowdon mansion, and then be blocked by the Unown gathered at the entrance.

The escape exit created by Feng Su Gou's "Overheat" should be sufficient for Xiaozhi and the others to leave.

Under Luo Mu's command, the group ran quickly toward the exit; whenever obstructing crystals appeared along the way, there was no need for Charizard or Entei to act—a figure clad in green light, moving so fast it dazzled the eye, would directly shatter these obstacles, ensuring the path remained clear.

Charizard, carrying Xiao Mi, took a deep look at that figure moving so fast that not even an afterimage could be seen, and once again reaffirmed its determination to dominate the entire Charicific Valley, then advance alongside Xiaozhi to become the world's number one Charizard!

Boosted by Victini, Feng Su Gou was like a mud-truck that kills whoever it hits, constantly active around them using "Extreme Speed," without the slightest worry about the severe stamina depletion caused by using "Extreme Speed."

Delibird continuously released Blizzard to freeze the surrounding areas, used to reduce the frequency of crystals erupting.

After running continuously for nearly five minutes, Xiaozhi and the others finally saw the massive gap blasted open by Luo Mu and Feng Su Gou.

Just as Luo Mu had predicted, there were no Unown guarding that spot.

The three members of Team Rocket were truly impressive when it came to escaping; they took the lead and ran straight out.

Seeing that the three little white mice had successfully left without any Unown coming to block them, and urged on by Luo Mu, Xiaozhi and his two companions, along with Pikachu, exited one after another, followed by Huazi and Charizard, who was carrying Xiao Mi.

Looking at Entei, which remained stationary and did not move, Xiao Mi seemed to realize something; she reached out her hand and cried out: "Papa... don't!"

Entei looked with a complex expression at Xiao Mi, who was being lifted off Charizard's back by Huazi; even though it wanted to make a promise to soothe Xiao Mi's emotions, the words stuck in its throat, unable to be spoken no matter what.

Unlike before, when it could leave the Crystal Tower under the support of the Unown's power to abduct Huazi, now the Unown's power had gone berserk, and it could also feel its source of energy gradually disappearing.

Therefore, as long as it leaves the range of the Crystal Tower, it will vanish completely.

As a father, it did not wish to deceive Xiao Mi, nor did it want to make promises it was uncertain it could fulfill.

At this moment, Luo Mu, who had no intention of leaving, patted Entei's broad back, subtly stroked its thick fur, walked over to Xiao Mi—who was being held in Hua Zi's arms and struggling incessantly—squatted down, and said with a gentle expression, "Can you trust me? I will return your father to your side, whole and intact."

"Leave with Auntie Hua Zi for now; with Xiao Mi present, as long as Xiao Mi is in a safe place, your father will be able to use his power without any worries."

Xiao Mi stared blankly at Luo Mu for a moment, then looked at Entei, gazing at it with large eyes brimming with moisture, and asked, "Really?"

Entei fell silent for a second, then nodded lightly.

"As long as it is what you, Xiao Mi, desire, no matter what obstacles lie ahead, I will overcome all hardships and dangers to return to your side."

Xiao Mi was a very well-behaved child; since Entei had spoken thus, she would believe and wait with hope in her heart.

"I'll be waiting for you outside, Father. And Big Brother, I believe in you."

Xiao Mi was no longer distressed; instead, she obediently allowed Hua Zi to carry her out of the Crystal Tower's range.

Before departing, Hua Zi looked at Luo Mu with worry and said softly, "You two must not overexert yourselves."

Watching the retreating figures of Hua Zi and Xiao Mi under the escort of Satoshi and the others, as well as the Messenger Bird and Feng Su Gou specially dispatched by Luo Mu, Entei withdrew its gaze and looked at Luo Mu, who was calmly feeding Victini to restore its stamina, waiting for him to speak.

It wanted to know what methods this suddenly appearing, mysterious, and powerful man had to achieve everything he had previously stated.

"Bi Mi~"

Seeing that Victini had nearly replenished the energy it consumed after finishing its meal.

Luo Mu had it stay temporarily on top of his head, looked at Entei waiting quietly nearby, and said with a slight hint of apology, "Sorry to keep you waiting."

"It does not matter to me."

Entei shook its head, gathered flames in its mouth, and fiercely shattered the crystal bodies attacking itself and Luo Mu, continuing to speak human words in defiance of common sense.

"I wish to leave this place and live together with Xiao Mi forever."

"I know." Luo Mu nodded slightly. "Your Ji De Xiang Fa was sparked by me, so I will also take responsibility for resolving this difficulty for you."

"Let's go; we must find those Unown. They are the source of your birth; if we wish for you to persist for a long time, they are indispensable."

"However, this place was ultimately built by the Unown to help Xiao Mi forget the pain after her parents disappeared. Now that Xiao Mi has left, their mutations may intensify. To prevent unforeseen circumstances, we must speed up."

Since there was no one else around, Luo Mu could not be bothered to pretend anymore and directly revealed his hand, showing he even understood the reason for Entei's birth.

Entei looked deeply at Luo Mu for a moment, but ultimately said nothing; it simply lay down on the ground, signaling for Luo Mu to climb on.

It knew where the Unown were located.

After Luo Mu mounted its back, Entei, carrying him, reminded him in a low voice to hold on tight, then charged toward the interior of the Crystal Tower with agile movements.

Entei brought Luo Mu to the beginning of everything, the location where this Crystal Tower incident first occurred.

The center of the living room in the Snowdon Mansion.

This was the source of the crystallization; hence, the degree of crystallization here was the deepest. Everything consisted of crystals of various shapes, to the point where one might feel as though they had entered another world.

A vast number of Unown hovered in the semi-air at the center of the living room; an invisible force field enveloped them, and mysterious energy circulated among them. No one knew what kind of power resided within.

Looking at these Unown, Entei, which had stopped in its tracks, displayed an extremely complex expression in its eyes.

Luo Mu flipped off Entei's broad back, and as his feet touched solid ground, he softly called out, "Mimikyu."

Under Entei's surprised expression, two shadowy giant claws emitting an ominous aura suddenly protruded from Luo Mu's shadow, and immediately after, Mimikyu crawled out of Luo Mu's shadow.

Without having Victini directly strengthen Mimikyu, and seemingly to test his own hypothesis, Luo Mu pointed at the area where the Unown were gathered and commanded, "Aim for the center, Shadow Claw!"

As soon as Luo Mu's words fell, Mimikyu leaped high like an arrow released from a bow; those pair of Shadow Claws that made Entei's eyelids twitch slammed fiercely onto the force field barrier that the Unown, sensing the threat, had automatically erected.

The next instant.

Boom—!

Amidst the violent explosion, Mimikyu broke through the smoke and returned to Luo Mu's side, but its neck was tilted to the right; evidently, the defense of its Disguise ability had been broken.

The Unown on the other side were not faring well either.

Even though they were repairing themselves at a speed visible to the naked eye, the force field had indeed been torn open a large hole directly by Mimikyu's Shadow Claw.

"You've worked hard, Mimikyu."

With confidence in his heart, Luo Mu patted Mimikyu's head; only after it returned to his shadow did he turn his head to look at Entei.

At this moment, Entei was shaken by Mimikyu's overwhelming strength.

After all, even if it staked all the remaining energy within its current body, it feared it could barely crash open the force field formed by these Unown.

And the price would be its own disappearance.

Mimikyu clearly still had strength in reserve, and that Pokémon capable of strengthening its partner's power had not even made a move yet.

Entei felt that if Luo Mu were willing, he could even unilaterally break open the force field constructed by these Unown, directly flipping the table and ending all of this.

"Ahem..."

Luo Mu cleared his throat lightly, pulling Entei's attention back, and looking at those Unown who were displaying painful expressions due to their power going berserk, he once again issued his inquiry.

"You are certain you want to stay by Xiao Mi's side, correct?"

Entei nodded solemnly: "I am certain."

Luo Mu nodded gently, then smiled and asked the mobile phone he had tucked into his pants pocket, which had somehow dialed a call without him noticing, "That's the situation; this father very much wishes to stay by his daughter's side. Are you willing to help him?"

The other end fell silent for a breath, then a voice filled with amusement rang out.

"Lei Guan... Moo-Ji-Ji."

The next instant.

Riding a jet-black steed, its demeanor exuding utmost majesty, the former King transcended space and appeared beside Luo Mu.

Riding a jet-black horse, the former king, whose expression radiated majesty, crossed space and appeared beside Luo Mu.

Since he had decided to help Entei, Luo Mu had already pondered this during his journey.

Judging by the strength of the Unown's force field within the movie theater version, with himself present, he had a ten-out-of-ten certainty of breaking through it without requiring Entei to sacrifice itself.

Based on the strength of the Unknown Unown's psychic field in the movie version, with him present, he had a ten-out-of-ten chance of breaking through without letting the Flame Emperor sacrifice himself.

But once the Unown scattered, the Fire Emperor became like a castle in the air without support, shattering at the slightest touch.

Knowing that strength alone could absolutely not achieve a perfect ending, Luo Mu had used telepathy on the way here to ask Lei Guan Wang, who couldn't use telepathy himself, if there was any way to keep the Fire Emperor here.

Lei Guan Wang said there was a way.

Seemingly due to Lei Guan Wang's appearance, the Unown, sensing immense pressure, showed signs of their power going further berserk; with a humming sound, space seemed to crack, and a pitch-black vortex began to expand.

Lei Guan Wang narrowed his eyes slightly, penetrating the true nature of that object.

"Spatial Collapse."

As the pitch-black vortex continued to expand, Lei Guan Wang, riding his Spectrier, showed no intention of retreating; instead, he glanced at Luo Mu and the Fire Emperor and said in a deep voice, "In times past, before I ruled Galar, I once encountered a group of strange people."

"They shared a very profound connection with these Pokémon called 'Unown'; through communicating with them, I learned certain characteristics of the Unown."

"Aside from the countless Unown said to live within spacetime rifts, the Unown existing in this world all take as their vessel some object inscribed with ancient script."

"My friend, you should know what I intend to say, correct?"

Luo Mu's gaze wandered across the crystallized hall until, quickly, it locked onto a specific crystal.

Inside that crystal, approximately twenty-six wooden tablets were sealed.

Luo Mu stated with conviction, "Therefore, we need these wooden tablets; they are the key to keeping the Fire Emperor here."

"Correct." Lei Guan Wang glanced approvingly at Luo Mu, then added, "I have already used my psychic energy to probe its essence; as expected, only three conditions need to be met for it to remain."

The Fire Emperor's heart tightened; it hadn't even noticed Lei Guan Wang probing it with psychic power.

Pulling tight the reins in his hand, Lei Guan Wang gave the final answer.

"Condition one: It must possess a strong desire to remain; the Unown are influenced by intense thoughts."

"Condition two: The Unown must cease their rampage, and their chaotic power must return to calm."

"Condition three: Using the wooden tablets as a foundation, cause the Unown originally dwelling within them to return, and send the remaining summoned Unown back to the regions where they belong."

Luo Mu felt somewhat surprised; according to Lei Guan Wang's explanation, handling this matter indeed required multiple conditions, as well as favorable timing, location, and human harmony, to achieve a perfect ending.

Taking a deep breath and patting Victini atop his head, Luo Mu said softly, "I'm counting on you all."

"Tini~"

Victini flew to Lei Guan Wang's side, touched him with its small hand, and infused him with its versatile infinite energy.

Lei Guan Wang nodded slightly toward it: "I will finish this as soon as possible."

As soon as he spoke, Lei Guan Wang's expression changed instantly.

Amidst Gao Ang the Spectrier's high-pitched neigh, Lei Guan Wang became enveloped in a fierce vortex of spiritual power; aiming at the hundred-plus Unown, he clenched his right hand and said calmly, "Seal!"

In an instant, under Lei Guan Wang's control, spiritual power surged forth, violently breaking through the Unown's protective fields; like a giant sphere of spiritual energy, it wrapped them up, precisely severing the power connections between each Unown.

Immediately after, Lei Guan Wang punched out a Star Shatter that sealed its own power toward the void, breaking open the spacetime barrier that had been weakened by the Unown's presence.

"Release!"

Following their aura, Lei Guan Wang threw the Unown that originally belonged to the spacetime rift back inside.

Next, only twenty-six Unown remained, their pressure drastically reduced, their single eyes filled with joy and gratitude.

A smile appeared on Lei Guan Wang's face; he dissolved the sphere of spiritual energy and spoke again: "Return!"

Sensing the seal lifted, the twenty-six Unown happily flew into the wooden tablets, which hovered under Lei Guan Wang's psychokinetic control.

Containment complete!

(End of Chapter)