Chapter 518: The Twin Deities of Zhu Zi

Luo Mu hesitated for a second, then bent down to pick up the mysterious crystal.

The crystal felt ice-cold in his hand yet smooth to the touch, as if meticulously shaped, polished, and treated by a professional artisan.

In short, it did not look like a natural product.

The crystal was hexagonal in shape, with an irregular distribution of cyan-blue and pale yellow, looking unexpectedly not ugly but rather adding to its mystery.

After examining the crystal closely for a few seconds, Luo Mu sighed, "It actually looks a bit like a turtle shell."

As soon as he finished speaking, he walked straight toward Professor Sada and Professor Turo, who were observing from a distance, and handed the crystal to them without hesitation.

"This crystal was the only thing that appeared after the time machine started; do you two know what this is?"

Sada stepped forward to take the crystal from Luo Mu, spreading her hand so that Turo beside her could also get a good look at the crystal, which was only slightly larger than a palm.

The couple exchanged glances, a trace of doubt flashing in Emperor Yan Di's eyes.

Could it be that what floated in their minds was the Terastal Energy source they had finally found months ago while exploring Area Zero, the dormant form of the ancient Pokémon they had named "Terapagos"?

It was also a hexagonal crystal, just much larger and thicker than the one in their hands.

To make an analogy, the crystal in their hands could be made into an accessory like a pendant, while the one in Area Zero was large enough to fill half a drawer.

In terms of color, the one in their hands also seemed brighter and more vivid.

As for any other differences, further analysis with instruments would likely be required.

Seeing that Luo Mu seemed to have no thoughts of keeping the crystal, the same idea they had been planning for a long time surged into the couple's minds simultaneously.

Currently, the only Paradox Pokémon in the world to have formed a bond with a human was Meng Lei Gu, who was standing guard ahead.

Moreover, the couple had originally intended to prepare a thank-you gift for Luo Mu, to thank him for becoming Penny's emotional pillar during the time they were absent.

Originally, they had planned to give Luo Mu the first successfully transmitted individual that appeared after running the prototype time machine to raise.

If everything was as they guessed, this crystal was the dormant Terapagos, the "Foundation of Paradise" that they were absolutely unwilling to let drift outside.

But if the person entrusted with it was Luo Mu, perhaps the two of them could feel safe handing it over to him.

As super geniuses capable of developing a time machine, both Turo and Sada possessed first-rate intellects, and their thinking took only the span of Yi Shun De Gong.

The two exhaled in unison and responded to Luo Mu, "I'm afraid we must wait until the experiment concludes before conducting further inspections."

"Until then, please keep it safe for us."

Professor Sada handed the crystal back to Luo Mu.

"... Oh."

Casting a slightly suspicious glance at the two, Luo Mu did not probe further; he nodded lightly, took back the crystal, and casually tucked it into his pocket.

Even though the first Zhu Zi deity transmitted by the two professors in the game had a relatively gentle temperament, given his own status as a variable, he could not afford to be overly optimistic.

Furthermore, the game never featured both professors appearing together, nor did the Zhu Zi deities appear on stage simultaneously, and it certainly never mentioned that the first individual transmitted by the prototype time machine would be merely a hexagonal crystal.

It was best to remain vigilant about everything.

Luo Mu signaled for the others not to approach; only Professor Sada followed him to the control hub, took Professor Turo's "Violet Book," and activated the time machine once again.

Undoubtedly, the target of this transmission was Professor Sada's expectation, who was devoted to the "ancient": a Pokémon from ancient coordinates.

Powerful energies began to collide once more, and Luo Mu took the opportunity to exchange a glance with Dragonite and Meng Lei Gu in advance.

The tactics had long been prepared and practiced, so there was no need to waste breath explaining them.

If an "Ancient Paradox Species" appeared and displayed hostility, Dragonite and Meng Lei Gu would jointly use the move Rain Dance to maximize the comprehensive strength of Mega Swampert, and that would be all.

If the opponent was so fierce that even Mega Swampert could not withstand them, they would immediately resort to their hidden backup—no, their hidden method: calling upon the ancestor Lei Guan Wang through special means.

With their power, the time required to descend to the deepest part of Area Zero would be at most one minute.

Within that one minute, the majority of the time would be spent finding a horse, mounting it, and transforming.

In a word, Luo Mu had carried the spirit of caution and prudence to the extreme.

At a certain moment.

The dazzling light arrived as expected, and Luo Mu had already put on the sunglasses he had just taken out, determined never to suffer the same loss twice.

As the massive energy reaction from the time machine gradually faded, the sound of an object landing became clearly audible; accompanied by a Coarse and Heavy breath echoing through the space, Professor Sada, who had retreated to a safe distance, looked at the data displayed on her tablet and could not help but show a fanatical expression.

"A brand-new energy reaction, a brand-new life reaction—we succeeded, Turo!"

"Ah, I see it too, Sada."

Turo nodded lightly, unable to help but look forward to the third activation of the time machine.

But before that—

"As expected, it is you?"

Looking at that creature standing upright on two legs, robust and tall, Luo Mu sighed softly.

Almost its entire body was filled with vivid scarlet, with some areas being white; its thick and powerful tail emitted a clear whistling sound with a mere sweep, antennae like dragon whiskers extended to its back, and coupled with that tuft of blue-purple feathers, it fully displayed its immense power and status.

This was a color scheme possessed only by absolute predators of ancient times, caring nothing for camouflage and fully embodying its own strength.

Even Meng Lei Gu, upon seeing the other party, instantly constricted its pupils, feeling a natural sense of oppression and becoming even more wary of this existence it did not recognize.

This Pokémon's name was currently recorded in ancient exploration journals as Winged King, but Luo Mu knew its true name all too well.

The legendary spirit that splits the earth with its fists—Koraidon!

Its types were Fighting and Dragon.

Suddenly finding itself in a completely unfamiliar environment, Koraidon naturally entered a state of alert; a powerful aura spread out, causing even those researchers standing far away to feel their breathing become rapid, their movements slow and strenuous as if they were stuck in a swamp.

Mega Swampert, Dragonite, and Meng Lei Gu stared intently at the other party; as soon as it showed any intent to attack, they would follow suit.

But before that, they acted according to Luo Mu's instructions.

They did not display any aggression, restraining their auras as much as possible, simply watching Koraidon and waiting for its reaction.

Fortunately, the other party was only curiously looking around; even the amplitude of its tail swings had become gentler, as if it did not want to damage the objects that had sparked its interest.

Seeing this scene, not only Professors Sada and Turo, but even Meng Lei Gu's eyes lit up. Could this fellow, who looked so formidable, also be an intelligent being like itself!? At this moment, Koraidon seemed to have finished observing its surroundings and confirmed that no one posed a threat to it; except for the glances it swept over Mega Swampert, Dragonite, and Meng Lei Gu which still carried a hint of wariness, its movements and reactions were exceptionally carefree.

"... Gah-sih."

Letting out a muffled cry, Koraidon moved its legs and walked toward the group.

Each of its steps felt as though it were stomping directly on everyone's heartstrings, intensely thrilling.

Especially for the few researchers who had seen many fierce Paradox Pokémon in the Great Crater of Paldea, their faces turned pale and their legs shook like sieves, nearly fainting from shock.

Only Moru, having weathered great storms, reacted calmly; even so, his complexion was slightly pale.

Koraidon first walked past Swampert and the others, sniffing Luo Mu as it passed him, then did the same to Arven's family, before finally arriving at the elevator with its doors wide open.

Its wild instincts told it that it could exit through here.

Full of anticipation, Koraidon stepped into the elevator, yet nothing happened.

It simply looked at the few little ones and let out a urging cry: "Gao!"

To the researchers, that mere sound of urging felt like a death knell, leaving them completely frozen stiff.

However, this did not include Arven's family.

Sada's eyes sparkled, her gaze completely stuck to Koraidon; she muttered something unintelligible, making Koraidon feel as though her gaze had licked its entire body, causing it to let out another dissatisfied urging sound.

At this moment, confirming that this Koraidon was faithfully following the original settings, Luo Mu stepped forward, breathed a sigh of relief, and said with a smile, "Could it be that it wants to go up?"

Once these words were spoken, apart from Koraidon's breathing, the air grew even more silent.

Koraidon looked at Luo Mu with appreciation; this guy really understands me! At this moment, Professor Sada, immersed in excitement, spoke up: "Then I will take you up; you must be very eager to understand the world of now."

"You all stay here and press on with the third verification in one go."

"Sada, isn't this a bit..."

Turo frowned slightly, wanting to stop Sada's actions.

"If the future verification succeeds, you will be even more excited than I am, Turo." Sada gently stroked the beast-tooth necklace around her neck, casting a "rest assured" smile at Turo, "Besides, I have a premonition that we will get along very well with it."

"Mom..."

Arven suddenly grabbed the hem of Sada's clothes, hesitating to speak.

In the past, Sada might not have explained much to Arven.

But recalling her exchange with Luo Mu several months ago, Sada calmed her temper, leaned down, and whispered softly into Arven's ear, "The most important moment of your father's life also needs Arven to witness it; rest assured, I will wait upstairs for you all to come find me."

Having said this, Sada left a light kiss on Arven's forehead, turned around, and stepped into the elevator where Koraidon, seeming somewhat impatient, was waiting.

Luo Mu did not open his mouth to stop her throughout the entire process; merely watching the elevator slowly ascend, he turned to look at Professor Turo and reminded him, "The third experiment can begin about now."

Unlike the first and second times, this transfer via the time machine was quite quiet.

Bright light still burst forth, but the creature transferred over did not emit any sound of landing like the crystal or Koraidon had.

Because it was in a hovering state.

A pair of rather cool lightning-shaped dragon horns grew on its head, with some kind of golden-yellow energy constantly transmitting from the tip of its dragon tail to the top of its head.

Deep purple metal wrapped most of its body; its arms, bearing sharp dragon claws, hung by its sides, its hind limbs tucked in, hovering in mid-air through some method.

Rather than a living creature, it looked more like a mechanical organism, full of a futuristic style.

The same principle applied as with Koraidon.

This Pokémon's name was currently recorded in ancient exploration journals as Iron Serpent, though Luo Mu knew its true name clearly.

The legendary Pokémon that turns the earth to ash with lightning—Miraidon!

Its type was Electric/Dragon.

Unlike Koraidon's straightforwardness of writing all its emotions on its face, Miraidon's reaction was quite dull.

It simply hovered quietly in mid-air, its "non-living" electronic eyes, which seemed constructed entirely of other materials, scanning the surroundings continuously like a scanning device.

Even though Luo Mu knew that according to the game's settings, this guy probably couldn't understand any of this, he still couldn't help but wonder if the principles of the time machine would be completely analyzed by this mechanical creature that looked as though it came from the future.

Just as Professor Sada had said, Professor Turo immediately spread his arms with an expression of excitement and fanaticism, actively walking toward Miraidon.

Perhaps annoyed by his noise, Miraidon simply began to move slowly, circling the area as if inspecting its territory, before leisurely flying toward the elevator just like Koraidon.

Passing by Swampert and the others, as well as Luo Mu, Miraidon did not glance sideways, yet Luo Mu always felt it had secretly taken a look at him.

For some reason, Luo Mu actually saw a sense of déjà vu in Miraidon.

It was just like when he had first arrived in this world and encountered the Luxio wandering in the city.

It looked like a aloof big cat, yet possessed an unstoppable surging curiosity, but this curiosity was concealed by its own aloof appearance, making it completely invisible.

As for Koraidon, currently, one could not yet tell that it had the personality of a big dog.

And Turo, who usually looked quite aloof, had transformed at this moment into Miraidon's "simp," chasing after it into the elevator, leaving Luo Mu with only a remark that the experiment was over before departing without looking back.

Luo Mu: "..."

It seemed like a wasted trip.

Swampert & Dragonite & Meng Lei Gu: "..."

It seemed like they had gotten nervous for nothing.

"... Phew, everyone worked hard; let's all go up together."

Luo Mu's words were addressed not only to Swampert and the others but also to the few researchers.

However, the few researchers led by Moru waved their hands repeatedly; the two professors were unreliable, abandoning the prototype time machine that had just successfully operated three times, but they could not abandon it.

They still had to stay behind to finish the cleanup work, record data, and review the filmed videos! Since that was the case, Luo Mu said nothing more.

He only, while boarding the elevator, looking at Meng Lei Gu who had half a foot inside and was eager to try, tactfully advised: "How about we return to our Poké Balls first?"

(End of Chapter)