Chapter 651: A Solid Bird

A hot spring egg was definitely out of the question for Victini to eat.

Besides, the sturdiness of most Pokémon eggs far exceeds ordinary imagination; they can withstand certain degrees of high heat and severe cold, so they are not actually that delicate.

This was also why Luo Mu dared to place the Pokémon egg in a wooden basin, enjoying the hot spring alongside them.

Hot spring, hot spring—this temperature was hardly enough to actually cook a Pokémon egg into a hot spring egg.

For all he knew, before being entrusted to him, the old woman might have already taken the Pokémon egg soaking in hot springs.

—However, recalling what Glacia had just said, Luo Mu, who inexplicably felt a sense of being watched, subconsciously sank his body into the hot spring, leaving only his head, topped with a towel, exposed.

Perhaps at this very moment, members of the so-called "Village Entrance Intelligence Network" organization were secretly observing whether he would treat the Pokémon egg like a hot spring egg.

"Yikes, since things have come to this, I might as well eat some snacks first."

Shivering slightly, Luo Mu decided against scaring himself and immediately began unwrapping the Lavaridge Senbei given to him by the old woman.

The sound of the packaging tearing instantly caught the attention of the Pokémon enjoying the hot spring.

When Luo Mu looked up again, he found these gluttonous boys and girls all casting longing gazes at him.

Among them, Victini, the little foodie, cast the most eager gaze of all.

Moltres also had that look, but in order to avoid entering the water, it would rather struggle against its own appetite.

Luo Mu couldn't understand where this stubborn obsession of theirs came from.

Under the gaze of the Pokémon, Luo Mu took out the first piece of Lavaridge Senbei from the packaging.

Amidst the curling white steam of the hot spring, he carefully examined the Lavaridge Senbei in his hand.

Compared to traditional Japanese senbei, the Lavaridge Senbei presented a light beige color, its surface dotted with faint caramel-colored spots; it felt rough to the touch, covered in tiny pores.

One could immediately tell the difference between the Lavaridge Senbei and the ordinary senbei he had tasted while staying at Mr. Xue Zhong's home in the Kitakami Region, which were hard, smooth, and oily on the surface.

There was also a significant change in flavor.

Ordinary senbei mixed rich soy sauce aroma, seaweed fragrance, and the scent of roasted rice.

The Lavaridge Senbei, while retaining the base aroma of roasted rice and a slight salty-savory scent from light soy sauce seasoning, carried more of a caramel-like sweet fragrance and a faint alkaline smell reminiscent of baking soda.

From this point, the different textures and flavors of the two types of senbei were determined.

One could say one was purely savory, while the other offered a refreshing balance of salty-savory and sweet.

Luo Mu tried taking a bite of the Lavaridge Senbei.

Crack!

Upon entering the mouth, the Lavaridge Senbei offered a light, fluffy airiness, with a crispness somewhat similar to puffed snacks.

When the tip of the tongue touched the senbei, a sensation of tiny bubbles bursting seemed to dance on the tongue, somewhat similar to drinking a carbonated beverage, though not quite as intense.

Furthermore, since the Lavaridge Senbei was non-fried, its refreshing taste, balanced between sweet and salty, made one hardly feel any greasiness.

It could be said that this was a snack perfectly suited for the elderly residents of Lavaridge Town.

In terms of flavor, it lacked the impact of ordinary senbei, but it left a sweet aftertaste that made one unable to resist taking another bite.

"Delicious!"

Luo Mu's eyes lit up as he gave a simple, unadorned, yet utterly genuine evaluation.

After finishing the Lavaridge Senbei in his hand in a few bites and wiping his hands with the Mao Jin, Luo Mu finally began distributing the Lavaridge Senbei to the craving Pokémon.

—Ask him why he didn't share with the Pokémon immediately but tasted it himself first?

That was naturally because favoring one Pokémon over others would make the rest unhappy.

It was better for him to take the lead from the start; if they couldn't compete for first place, then such issues wouldn't arise, right?

On the shore, Moltres, squatting like a hen, watched this scene, a hint of envy flashing in its eyes, feeling somewhat unsettled.

But soon, as if remembering something, the envy in Moltres's eyes was quickly replaced by determination.

Before long.

The Lavaridge Senbei given by the old woman was swept clean by Luo Mu and the Pokémon.

In the middle of it, Luo Mu even poured himself a few cups of oolong tea, which paired with the Lavaridge Senbei to create a unique flavor.

However, this was just a snack after all.

After thoroughly enjoying the hot spring, Luo Mu changed into the sleeping robe prepared by the inn and ran to the front desk to order a large table full of dinner specialties from Lavaridge Town.

Although the inn was equipped with a restaurant and had seats for Pokémon, Luo Mu had no intention of taking the Pokémon there.

Eating in the room was simply safer.

While ordering, Luo Mu encountered Glacia again.

This noblewoman, possessing absolutely no self-awareness of being a proprietress, was mixing among the many people seated in the restaurant, head down, eating a steaming bowl of super-spicy ramen.

It was just like how Grusha, despite being an Ice-type specialist Trainer, was not only afraid of heat but also afraid of cold.

As an Ice-type specialist Elite Four member hailing from some cold region, Glacia quite contrastingly loved everything related to heat.

To temper herself, she had traveled thousands of miles to the Hoenn Region, where the climate was tropical year-round, claiming it was to train herself and her Ice-type Pokémon.

Even though most areas here were unsuitable for Ice-type Pokémon to live in.

She also loved eating steaming hot spicy ramen; even when it made her sweat, she considered it a form of tempering for herself.

—This was what Glacia said personally when she saw Luo Mu ordering food and dragged him, insisting he eat a bowl of ramen with her.

Glacia also said that she felt this level of training was far from enough; speaking purely of the resilient will and physique forged under extreme environments, she could not compare to Drake, who had ridden the wind and waves at sea for decades.

This was also why, although she was an Ice-type Elite Four member, when facing Drake, she was unlike Lorelei and Lance from the neighboring Kanto Region, who relied on type advantages to achieve victory, firmly blocking their opponents from the Champion's throne.

Most results of her battles against Drake ended in more losses than wins.

Glacia could already feel that she had been stagnant in the realm of being a Trainer for several years.

She had never been able to break through herself.

Precisely because of this, seeing Luo Mu defeat Drake without even sending out his main Pokémon, her mood was quite complex.

In Luo Mu, she saw a brilliance comparable to Wallace and Steven, and even surpassing them after the Mossdeep City incident.

Even the blurry photographs of that figure's back while battling such a powerful Super Ancient Pokémon had deeply inspired her.

Therefore, she had to thank Luo Mu even more, for he had helped her make up her mind.

It was only upon hearing from Professor Londo that the other party intended to come stay here that she made a special appearance at this inn, which she had long since entrusted entirely to others to manage.

"Originally, I even entertained the thought of simply quitting as a Trainer altogether, returning home to inherit my family's business and title."

"But now, I perhaps have the courage to venture into areas I never previously attempted, to temper my physique as well as my mind and will."

"—And then, when the Ever Grande Conference concludes in one month, I shall challenge the Champion League once again."

Glacia set down her chopsticks; before her sat an extra-large ramen bowl, its broth consumed until not a drop remained.

Though the slight flush on her face was clearly caused by the intensely spicy ramen, Luo Mu inexplicably glimpsed beneath this Ice-type specialist Elite Four member's cold exterior a heart burning fiercely like Xiong Xiong.

Even if Drake's Dragon Pokémon had, over decades of sea voyages, accumulated day by day to forge a formidable physique,

his own unyielding ice would surely be able to freeze it solid.

She was merely a Trainer in her thirties or forties; now was precisely the age for striving.

As if finally venting the turmoil pent up in her heart, Glacia revealed an expression of great relief and smiled at Luo Mu, saying: "In summary, I will depart tomorrow to train; Mt. Chimney, which no longer erupts, offers little challenge, so my destination this time should be the desert."

"Thank you for staying here and listening to my outpouring; you may remain at this inn for as long as you wish during this period, with all lodging and meal fees waived; I hope this slightly expresses my gratitude."

After being unexpectedly exempted by Glacia from all inn charges, Luo Mu, having already ordered his meal, returned to his room.

They did not have to wait long before sumptuous delicacies were soon served one after another into the room.

Upon the long table, food was arranged abundantly, its enticing aroma constantly drifting into their nostrils.

After indulging in a hearty feast alongside Luxray and the others, Luo Mu then took those Pokémon who were willing and whose sizes were not too conspicuous to experience the nighttime streets of Lavaridge Town.

The bustling, crowded streets, teeming with people, nearly scattered them apart; when they finally escaped the throng, Luo Mu remained somewhat shaken.

So terrifying... Is this what tourists at a scenic spot are like?

Rather than walking under their own power, it felt more as though they were being pushed along by the crowd.

Given this, he would sooner stay cooped up in the inn soaking in the hot springs; Luo Mu would sooner die than venture onto Lavaridge Town's streets at night again.

Late night.

The Pokémon had all fallen asleep, but Luo Mu, likely due to having drunk considerable oolong tea, felt not the slightest drowsiness.

He could only lie flat upon the soft bed, gazing blankly as he counted Mareep, attempting to induce sleep sooner.

But at that moment, a faint, unusual sound suddenly arose from the courtyard outside.

It sounded like water?

Without waking the Pokémon surrounding him closely, Luo Mu quietly rose, slid open the sliding door, and proceeded toward the source of the sound in the courtyard.

—The sound originated from the hot spring.

As if realizing something, Luo Mu instinctively slowed his pace, then used a large rock positioned at the corner to conceal his form, peering into the hot spring pool.

A stranger? A wild Pokémon? Or perhaps a domesticated Pokémon that had wandered in here by mistake?

Luo Mu had considered all these possibilities, yet he never expected to witness this scene.

—Moltres, which that afternoon had stubbornly refused to enter the hot spring pool, was now soaking more than half its body in the pool water.

Though immersed in water, its folded wings still blazed with orange-red flames, burning like Xiong Xiong.

It appeared quite miraculous.

Yet none of this was the main point.

"... Hiss."

Instinctively gasping in a breath of cold air, at this moment Luo Mu finally understood why Moltres had stubbornly refused to enter the water.

Among the Pokémon he had brought to Hoenn this time, Luxray, Victini, Ninetales, and Delibird were all Pokémon entirely covered in fur.

As everyone knows,

when fur encounters water, unless it possesses waterproof qualities, most fur will become limp and drooping once soaked.

Similar to how Altaria's wings appeared when wet during that incident with Lisia, today Luxray's rather majestic mane had received the same treatment.

However, even though its wet fur looked somewhat disheveled, Luxray's agile and explosively powerful physique more than compensated for this.

Then there was Ninetales.

Even with its fluffy fur soaked, its demeanor diminished not at all; its figure was impeccably proportioned, possessing aesthetic beauty.

As for the two small Pokémon, Delibird and Victini, needless to say.

But observing Moltres now in the hot spring pool, Luo Mu, with an expression of Sang Biao Qing Ning Zhong, pondered for a long while before ultimately finding only one term suitable to describe Moltres's current state.

Even though its entire plumage was soaked, Moltres's figure showed no reduction whatsoever, meaning—It was solid!

This completely contradicted Moltres's usual claim that it looked fat only because its feathers were fluffy!

Luo Mu dared not make a single sound; he feared that if Moltres realized he knew its secret, it would truly become enraged out of shame to protect that secret and kill him without hesitation.

He resolved to take this secret to his grave, and additionally, upon returning to the farm, he would need to urge Moltres to lose weight again.

Burdened by complex emotions, Luo Mu slept hardly at all throughout the night.

The next day, he could only sport a pair of Little Little Dandan panda eyes as he continued touring Lavaridge Town's scenery.

Luo Mu relaxed in Lavaridge Town for a total of three days.

During this period, he also received phone calls from Hearing Hearing Nimo, Paul, and May.

On the other end of the line, Hearing Hearing Nimo excitedly asked Luo Mu whether he was still in Mauville City; Luo Mu denied this without hesitation, regretfully stating that he was currently in Lavaridge Town, their travel routes being completely opposite.

Ignoring Hearing Hearing Nimo, who immediately fell into dejection, Luo Mu exclaimed inwardly, "That was close!" relieved that his strategic planning had successfully averted the risk of being challenged by Hearing Hearing Nimo, then he inquired about Paul and May's recent circumstances.

Compared to Hearing Hearing Nimo, who had already begun training her second team, the Hoenn League's Ever Grande Conference that these two would next challenge was the Top Priority.

Their responses also filled Luo Mu with considerable gratification.

They had successfully defeated the twin Gym Leaders, Tate and Liza of the Mossdeep Gym, in a Double Battle, earning the Mossdeep Badge.

Currently, to collect all Ba Mei Hui Zhang of the Hoenn region, they lacked only the Sootopolis Gym's Sootopolis Badge.

Shinji planned to scout a small island near Mossdeep City to train for a while, and only after making sufficient preparations would he head to the final Gym.

One could only say that this decision was very much in his style.

Luo Mu remembered that when Ash was in LaRousse City, he had mentioned already clearing the Fortree City Gym and was currently on his way to the Mossdeep Gym.

It was said that after hearing about the Battle Tower in LaRousse City, he had taken a detour to come over.

Looking at it this way, compared to Ash, who had been traveling continuously through the Hoenn region, Shinji and his group, who had returned midway to Paldea for nearly half a month, were actually moving faster.

After encouraging them a bit more, Luo Mu finally hung up the phone.

In short, he had full faith in his students and did not feel in the least that collecting Ba Mei Hui Zhang would stump them.

Rather than worrying about whether Shinji and Shizuka could pass Wallace's trial, Luo Mu was more concerned about another matter.

"Let's calculate the time; it will likely be within these few days."

Since Ash, after the incident in LaRousse City, had been making his way all along to Mossdeep City,

then the plot point where Team Aqua and Team Magma caused trouble, and Groudon and Kyogre revived, should be very close.

However, considering the distance from Lavaridge Town to that area, plus the fact that in the anime's plot, the scope of the disaster only affected a single small island,

Luo Mu thought that barring any unexpected factors, there was no need for him to meddle in such a minor affair.

Besides, Lance should have already infiltrated Team Magma; with him there, protecting those children wouldn't be a problem.

As for himself... he should just enjoy his vacation peacefully.

Anyway, Groudon and Kyogre wouldn't really fight; after exchanging a few beams and serving briefly as mounts for Ash and Pikachu respectively, they would each return home.

Rather than getting involved in this matter, it would be better to search for Lugia and the giant Dragonite, and while at it, make a trip to the Kanto waters to look for traces of the giant Tentacruel.

(End of Chapter)