[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-pokemon-the-reemployment-of-a-paldea-former-cham":3,"chapter-pokemon-the-reemployment-of-a-paldea-former-cham-pokemon-the-reemployment-of-a-paldea-former-cham-chapter-669":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Pokemon: The Reemployment of a Paldea Former Champion",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2324686,4546,"Chapter 669: Mysterious Crystal","pokemon-the-reemployment-of-a-paldea-former-cham-chapter-669",669,"\u003Cp>The night was deep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nimo and the others, who had decided to try bonding with the Rock- or Steel-type Pokémon on the mountain to see if any would willingly leave with them, returned ahead of time to Go’s mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had been assigned guest rooms; resting overnight and leaving early in the day would be more appropriate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, night is when most non-nocturnal Pokémon sleep; persistently disturbing them would only leave a bad impression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wally had originally planned to depart immediately on Dragonite to report to the Kanto League, but under Go’s insistence, he agreed to stay overnight so Dragonite could recover some of its energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Luo Mu and Brock, they were directly invited into Go’s private collection room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though called a private collection room, its scale could rival a small museum.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the building itself was standalone, situated beside the “lavish” mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Go personally owned countless priceless artifacts, and his collection room’s security was extremely tight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>——Though, honestly, few fools would dare target a Champion’s collection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just one Champion-level Pokémon guarding here could wipe them out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for criminals with black-tech, unless they specifically needed one of the artifacts, they’d rather not break in and make enemies with both a Champion and the Devon Corporation—it simply wasn’t worth it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a rigorous verification process, the door to the inner collection room finally opened for the three.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Go apologized, saying it was his father who insisted on installing the security system—otherwise, he could’ve just used a key to let Luo Mu and Brock right in, and they wouldn’t have had to wait so long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Mu and Brock exchanged a glance, their lips twitching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This… they didn’t even know how to comment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what surprised them went far beyond the tight security system; as Go led them inside, the moment they saw what filled the vast space as the lights gradually brightened, they both gasped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Display shelves were arranged neatly throughout the room; beneath custom glass cases, various stones lay quietly, meticulously cleaned of all dust, treated like rare treasures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some looked utterly ordinary—dull, gray rocks—while others sparkled brilliantly, clearly priceless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the number of artifacts was slightly fewer than Luo Mu had expected, their quality surpassed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Go pressed a button before a display case; the glass cover automatically lowered, exposing the artifact to the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a pure, beautiful pink diamond, glowing under the light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Carefully lifting it, Go caressed it as if touching his lover’s delicate hand, his expression entranced, his eyes—beneath unexpectedly fine long lashes—filled with deep affection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brock even thought that if he were female, he’d collapse instantly under the intensity of Go’s gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She was mine from an auction in a region called Kalos. The moment I saw her through the glass, my heart was struck.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Go didn’t know the diamond’s origin, nor did he care about its price.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He only knew he fell in love with it at first sight, so he bought it and brought it back to Hoenn to keep as a treasure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Mu watching this: “.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’m fucking with a rock fetishist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Come to think of it, Go—who treats stones like lovers—gave me and Brock stones as gifts. Isn’t that like giving away his “girlfriend”?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, I’m curious what’s going on in Go’s head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point, Go had already returned the pink diamond to its display and carefully wiped off his fingerprints with a handkerchief, now turning to introduce his other artifacts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This artifact looked like an ordinary gray rock, oddly shaped, with no inherent value.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Go still adored it, treating it with the same reverence as the pink diamond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Mu and Brock had assumed Go would introduce a few items, then let them pick one, after which everyone would return to their rooms and sleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>——But Go clearly intended to recount his entire story with every stone, all the way until dawn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As drowsiness pounded his cerebral cortex, Luo Mu, seeing Brock’s worshipful expression, interrupted Go’s endless monologue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uh… maybe we should just look around ourselves first?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the #1 most desirable man in Hoenn, Go had excellent upbringing and high emotional intelligence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though not necessarily when it came to anything involving stones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyway, the moment he noticed the dark circles clearly visible on Brock’s dark face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Go instantly realized his mistake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He loved stones, but he wouldn’t force his views on others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After today’s battle, both Brock and Luo Mu were surely exhausted and needed rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His behavior had been inappropriate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He apologized slightly: “Sorry, I got lost in it again. Please, look around—ask me if anything’s unclear.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brock exhaled in relief and sincerely said: “In my hometown of Slateport, various stones are abundant. My father has studied them extensively. If Mr. Go doesn’t mind, tomorrow I can spend the entire day chatting with you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s a deal!” Go’s eyes lit up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brock nodded seriously. “It’s a deal!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching them, Luo Mu smiled genuinely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to Du Ruo, Brock—the Rock-type Gym Leader—actually got along better with Go; their interests were quite similar, aside from Brock’s peculiar tastes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, Go’s rock fetish was well known.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under his father Wu Neng’s influence, Brock had considerable knowledge about stones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two would likely enjoy their conversation immensely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Looks like I don’t need to save face. Good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muttering this, Luo Mu greeted Go and began walking through the collection room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly, Go’s artifacts were genuinely captivating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the ordinary elemental Evolution Stones that trigger Pokémon evolution here were selected under strict criteria: shape, color, and energy saturation—all indispensable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among them were rare items like meteorites and comet fragments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Mu even spotted a damp rock as large as a basketball.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was much bigger than the palm-sized damp rocks on the market.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too bad—it was still too small.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of the two-meter-wide damp rock at the bottom of Thunder Lake on his farm, big enough to lie on, Luo Mu felt this one still had a long way to go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That thing was a treasure beyond price.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the way, if Go ever visits the farm, I should show him that rock. I wonder what expression he’d make?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of this, Luo Mu found himself looking forward to it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once Go finishes his current tasks, probably around the time Ash challenges Kalos, he’ll have time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Mu continued moving through the collection room, and soon large piles of fossils of various shapes appeared before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shell fossils, armor fossils, secret amber, root fossils, claw fossils…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though not many in number, each type had a decent stock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fossils from later regions—Sinnoh, Unova, Kalos, and Galar—were absent from this room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Probably because Go hadn’t spent long periods digging in those regions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After examining the fossils, Luo Mu’s gaze fell on the pile of gemstones—each uniquely shaped, all gleaming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly, Luo Mu felt nothing for most of the artifacts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did he not want them?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course not. Though he desired valuable things, his craving wasn’t strong enough to reach that level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right now, he was already considering selecting a precious gemstone to take back to Paldea and ask Yi Ci to auction it to find someone with Yuan Ren.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That way, he could at least save up funds for future construction of the Ecological Egg.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was worldly, with no refined hobby of collecting artifacts. Choosing gemstones—items inherently tied to monetary exchange—hardly disrespected Go’s intentions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Far worse than selling these gems would be selling the stones Go had personally dug and selected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among these gems, Luo Mu also spotted Evolution Stones and multiple Mega Evolution Stones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Imitating Go’s manner, he opened the glass case, picked up a smooth “glass bead” with a pale green base and orange-and-dark-green gene-spiral patterns, and murmured: “This must be the Evolution Stone for Salamence.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were also Mega Evolution Stones corresponding to Froslass, Cofagrigus, and Absol.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the matching Evolution Stones, he saw at least three.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don’t think they’re few—these were items Go had collected unconsciously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that Soryu has demonstrated Mega Evolution in yesterday’s exhibition match, information about it should soon land on Hoenn’s high-level officials’ desks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though it might remain secret from the general public for a while, someone of Go’s status would receive the news immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, with Go’s wealth and his deep knowledge of stones,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without doubt, whether by purchase or excavation, the number of Evolution Stones and Mega Evolution Stones in Go’s collection will only grow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And when Go finally uncovers his own complete set of Evolution Items, his power will surge again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Returning the stone to its display, Luo Mu exhaled softly, then turned to pick up the blue gem he’d previously favored—the one named “Ocean’s Heart.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But his peripheral vision caught a display stand in the corner, one he’d accidentally overlooked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One glance, and Luo Mu froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, he didn’t recognize the artifact, and his shock wasn’t due to knowing its value.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He simply felt an inexplicable tremor the moment his eyes landed on it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The artifact’s appearance wasn’t remarkable; its surface was covered in thick rock and dust, and for some reason, Go hadn’t cleaned it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beneath these irrelevant layers of rock and dirt, a portion of the object revealed a crystal with a nearly pale-blue hue, displaying its smooth curves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the limited visibility, the crystal itself showed nothing extraordinary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet for some reason, Luo Mu’s eyes glued to it—he couldn’t look away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps because he’d lingered so long, Go, who had been explaining fossils to Brock, walked over and smiled: “Found anything you like?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Mu blinked, originally intending to ask about the sapphire, but somehow found himself pointing at the crystal instead: “What’s this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Da Wu’s gaze settled on the artifact, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t that he minded the discovery of his precious collection—it was that he hadn’t expected Luo Mu to be interested in this crystal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment’s thought, Da Wu explained: “To be honest, I don’t know what it truly is or what special abilities it might have.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The only thing we know is that under Deoxys Corporation’s equipment, this mysterious crystal was found to contain a unique form of energy—but that energy cannot be used by any known Pokémon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So I call it the ‘Mystery Crystal.’ Its secrets remain unsolved for now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mystery Crystal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Mu murmured those four words, head lowered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A voice suddenly came from behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mr. Da Wu, I’ve made my decision.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both turned to see Brock walking over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his hand was a Secret Amber, as if this was the result of deep deliberation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Da Wu asked solemnly: “Are you truly certain?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Earlier, Da Wu had told Brock that the genes preserved inside the Secret Amber could only be identified once extracted—and there was no guarantee it would be Aerodactyl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It could just as easily be Kabutops, Omastar, or other fossil Pokémon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fossils with clear, identifiable shapes were easier to classify as specific ancient Pokémon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet after a difficult choice, Brock had decided to select this Secret Amber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter which fossil Pokémon it revived, he would accept it willingly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brock nodded firmly. “I’ve decided!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, a smile appeared on Da Wu’s handsome face. “Since this is your choice, I won’t interfere.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tomorrow, I’ll arrange for specialists to airlift the Fossil Revival Device back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Mr. Da Wu!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brock bowed deeply to Da Wu with solemn respect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he looked up again at the display stand before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be honest, Brock was quite curious about which artifact Luo Mu would choose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But when he saw the faint blue crystal, barely visible beneath the surface of the display, a look of confusion crossed his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huh? Why does this crystal seem familiar to me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brock tried to recall more details, but could not remember ever having seen anything identical to this “Mystery Crystal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1973,"2026-06-20T17:11:50.049Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","8f3a03addcb164e4fc66ec622683af1bd34971e8718464d8cd8a452d199dd947","pokemon-the-reemployment-of-a-paldea-former-cham-chapter-670","pokemon-the-reemployment-of-a-paldea-former-cham-chapter-668",695,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fpokemon-the-reemployment-of-a-paldea-former-cham-cover.jpg"]