Chapter 68: Selecting Pokémon

Carrying the several Pokémon psychology books borrowed from Nurse Joy, Luo Mu returned to the farm as the sky gradually darkened.

Coincidentally, the saplings, seeds, and fertilizer delivered by Zack in his truck also arrived at this time.

After unloading the saplings, seeds, and fertilizer from the truck, Zack drove away, and Luo Mu immediately called out to the several Pokémon capable of carrying things to help.

A Luxray carried a large sack of seeds on its back, while Dragonite and Swampert walked side by side, holding multiple saplings in their powerful arms, and Serperior's vines coiled around sacks of fertilizer.

Mimikyu's method was quite impressive.

Mimikyu lifted a sack of fertilizer with Shadow Claw, triggered the Phantom Force move, and vanished into a passage along with the fertilizer, reappearing the next instant on the other side several dozen meters away.

Ceruledge, however, was somewhat troubled; its physical structure simply could not help in this situation.

Even though the flaming greatswords on Ceruledge's arms were in a shrunken state during non-combat, the sharp blades and tips, along with the flames burning along the edges, made it impossible for Ceruledge to carry these items.

Under Luo Mu's instruction, Ceruledge could only return to the kitchen to prepare ingredients for tonight's dinner.

With the strength of the Pokémon, moving such a small amount of goods was completed in just a few round trips.

In the warehouse beside the farming area, Luo Mu took inventory of the saplings and seeds; after confirming everything was correct, he turned and left the warehouse, planning to do all the planting the day after tomorrow when he had free time.

After all, tomorrow's schedule was already completely full.

The next day, morning.

Luo Mu was awakened by a moist licking sensation on his face and a heavy pressure on his chest.

When he opened his blurry eyes, the first thing he saw was a Growlithe acting somewhat excitedly in every movement.

"Good morning, Growlithe."

Luo Mu yawned, the corners of his mouth lifting, as he stretched out his body curled up under the covers, reaching his right hand out from under the blanket to grope around the head of the bed.

Brushing past a book titled "Pokémon Psychology" with a bookmark sticking out, Luo Mu found his mobile phone and checked the time.

As expected, the time had already reached 8:30 in the morning.

No wonder Serperior, Mimikyu, and the others who often refreshed inside the blanket were nowhere to be seen; likely because he had been reading late into the night last night, he had finally slept in for the first time in ages.

Remembering today's fully packed schedule, Luo Mu's desire to stay in bed vanished instantly.

First, he extended his devilish hands to hug the Growlithe pressing on his chest, tormenting its strangely textured fur for a while; after huffing the puppy and replenishing his fluffy energy, Luo Mu got out of bed feeling refreshed, quickly washed up, and then prepared today's breakfast for the Pokémon who were eagerly waiting with empty stomachs.

After this whole routine, the time was already approaching ten o'clock.

Luo Mu left behind lunch that only needed reheating, instructed the other Pokémon to watch the house, mounted Dragonite, and flew directly toward Mesagoza.

It still took only about fifteen minutes before the outline of Mesagoza came into view; Luo Mu stroked Dragonite's back, which was covered in fine scales barely perceptible to the touch, and sighed slightly with emotion.

With Dragonite, traveling between cities in the Paldea region was truly simple for him, and even crossing regions with a bit of time was no difficulty.

He felt a great sense of freedom, as if the vast world was open for him to roam at will.

Once Growlithe evolves into Feng Su Gou, he could also try riding it for land travel; according to records, modern Feng Su Gou once set a record of running ten thousand kilometers in a single day and night.

Since modern Feng Su Gou are already like this, one can only imagine the magnificence of the ancient Hisuian form of Feng Su Gou... Luo Mu was very expectant.

The location where Dragonite landed was not the center of Mesagoza, but in front of Grandma Ju Zi Academy.

The Battle Studies class would not begin until the afternoon; Luo Mu arrived in Mesagoza so early not for anything else, but solely for a Pokémon ranch on the edge of Mesagoza.

With Luo Mu present, Dragonite's landing style was quite ladylike; since it was currently noon, there were few customers around the ranch, as most had probably gone to the center of Mesagoza to eat.

Recalling Dragonite into its Poké Ball, Luo Mu looked up at the ranch's signboard, confirmed this was the ranch he was looking for, and walked straight in.

The ranch was named Eli Ranch; its main business was selling by-products generated by the Pokémon within the ranch, with a primary focus on Pokémon suitable for farms and ranches.

As Luo Mu walked into the ranch, an energetic-looking elderly man wearing a hat sat in the main hall, holding a newspaper and watching it while drinking hot tea.

"Eh, is there a customer?" Noticing the sound of Luo Mu entering, the old man folded his newspaper, looked toward Luo Mu standing at the door, and upon seeing Luo Mu's appearance, said, "A student from Grandma Ju Zi Academy?"

The old man's tone was somewhat hesitant; although Luo Mu looked very young, he was not wearing the uniform of Grandma Ju Zi Academy.

"I am not a student of Grandma Ju Zi Academy," Luo Mu shook his head, denying the old man's guess, then paused and added, "Hello, I run a farm in Cortondo Town and wish to purchase a few Pokémon suitable for raising on farms and ranches."

"From Cortondo Town?" The old man neatly folded the newspaper and put it away, set down his teacup, and asked with confusion, "This old man recalls there is also a ranch selling Pokémon in Cortondo Town; why make a special trip to Mesagoza?"

Luo Mu smiled and said, "My side job is as a teacher at Grandma Ju Zi Academy; I heard within the academy that the Pokémon at your ranch are very healthy, strong, and have good temperaments."

"A teacher, huh...!" The old man was surprised for a moment, then his expression returned to calm as he said cheerfully and proudly, "Then you have come to the right place; in fact, not only for farm and ranch Pokémon, but many students from Grandma Ju Zi Academy have also selected Pokémon here."

"This old man's name is Eli Mo Si; come with me to take a look inside the ranch!"

"Alright, Mr. Eli Mo Si."

So, the ranch was named using the two characters "Eli" from Eli Mo Si's name?

Luo Mu nodded and followed Eli Mo Si's steps.

Because it was established on the edge of Mesagoza, Old Man Eli Mo Si's ranch was quite large in scale, even slightly larger than the scope of Luo Mu's own ranch.

Since it had already achieved such scale, the ranch completely simulated a wild environment, providing the optimal growth conditions for the raised Pokémon.

There were many Pokémon here, mostly those that offered some assistance to ranches or farms.

Sweeping his gaze across the vicinity, one could see Fidough gathered together playing, Wooloo strolling leisurely on the grass, Da Nai Guan relaxing and enjoying a sunbath, and Mudbray happily rolling around in the mud.

There were also three different species of Tauros running wildly in a separated area.

The figures of the Combat Breed, the Blaze Breed, and the Aqua Breed could all be witnessed.

These Pokémon were all capable of being raised on a ranch or were helpful to a farm.