Chapter 689: Laxi

"Eternal Flower."

To be honest, the Zygarde Core had never expected to see this special flower again here—a bloom that gathered the brilliance of life yet bore heavy karma.

Even though it had left the Kalos region three thousand years ago, it had still heard rumors about certain events that occurred there.

As for the Eternal Flower, which bloomed at the very center of the energy released by that terrifying weapon, it had witnessed it through its "Zygarde Cells."

It was precisely for this reason that the Zygarde Core was curious about where Luo Mu and Comfey had obtained the Eternal Flower.

It remembered that afterward, the Eternal Flower had been eliminated by the combined efforts of those two juniors; aside from that special individual, there should no longer be any Eternal Flowers in existence.

Noticing Luo Mu's arrival, the Zygarde Core hopped onto his shoulder in a few steps, its shrill voice echoing in his mind via telepathy.

"How did you obtain this flower?"

Luo Mu turned his head to meet the Zygarde Core's single eye, seeing the curiosity overflowing in its gaze, while simultaneously feeling no surprise that the other party knew so much about the Eternal Flower.

In fact, it would have been strange if the Zygarde Core did not know.

After a brief moment of thought to organize his words, Luo Mu straightforwardly recounted his encounter with the Eternal Flower in the center of Sootopolis City in the Hoenn region.

The Zygarde Core listened in silence, and after pondering for a long time, it looked up to ask, "Hoenn... Are you referring to that land surrounded by the ocean where the Creator of the Sea resides?"

"Yes." Luo Mu nodded gently.

"In that case, it makes sense."

Not knowing what it had recalled, the Zygarde Core's expression immediately relaxed, and the entire worm-like creature reverted to its usual lazy demeanor.

It leaped down from Luo Mu's shoulder, lay down in the flower field, and began enjoying the spring sunbath, ignoring humans once more.

Thanks to the glass greenhouse's excellent soundproofing and the suitable natural light provided by the transparent glass, this place often became the spot where the farm's Pokémon took their afternoon naps.

The Zygarde Core was no exception.

Ever since it figured out the layout of this place, on sunny afternoons, if one could not find its whereabouts elsewhere on the farm, it was most likely here basking in the sun to perform photosynthesis, before splitting off several Zygarde Cells like defecating to release them into the outside world.

Truly, it was even better at lying flat than Moltres.

A trace of speechlessness floated across his face; Luo Mu abandoned the idea of asking if it knew any inside information and instead adopted a chill attitude, turning to Comfey.

"As agreed, let's transplant some Gracidea flowers out first, and then plant the Eternal Flower."

"Comfey!"

Comfey cried out cheerfully, its small eyes filled with excitement.

For their species, a flower field was a crucial matter, even something that could be called a necessity in their lives.

The flower field in the glass greenhouse was built later, but before that, there had been a flower field outside on the farm, into which it had poured quite a lot of affection.

However, winter in the Paldea region differed from winter in the Alola region; cold currents and blizzards had raged for over a month.

When spring arrived and the ice and snow melted, Comfey discovered that some of the cold-intolerant plants in the flower field had already frozen to death.

This had made it sad for a long time.

Fortunately, Luo Mu had had the foresight to build the glass greenhouse in advance, preserving most of the flower seeds, and even during that winter capable of freezing many plants to death, he had cultivated the Gracidea flowers until they bloomed.

Now, Comfey could not wait to transplant some of the flowers and replant them outside.

This time, it would not be as careless as it was during last winter and would properly take warming measures for the flower field outside.

It was not until the sky gradually darkened that Luo Mu's work finally came to a pause.

However, looking at the vast expanse of blooming Gracidea flowers before him, a smile of joy like an old farmer at harvest time appeared on Luo Mu's face.

—I wonder, since these should be the earliest batch of blooming Gracidea flowers, whether they can attract that flying green little piggy-cat.

At the same time.

Although unclear about the use of the Eternal Flower planted in the glass greenhouse, and unable to transform into the "Comfey · Eternal Flower" state via the Eternal Flower.

But since it had been brought back, it was best to temporarily plant it within the glass greenhouse.

Judging by its vigorous and blooming appearance under the large tree in Sootopolis City, it did not seem like it would suffer from any difficulty adjusting to the environment.

In the midst of transplanting the Gracidea flowers, Luo Mu also encountered the Vespiquen he had not seen for a long time.

Compared to when it was bullied as a child, likely due to having more and more subordinates, the current Vespiquen possessed an increasingly imposing aura.

It made Pokémon like Appletun and Tropius, who had entered the farm in the same batch, look like children who could not grow up.

Vespiquen enthusiastically invited Luo Mu to taste the first honey of spring, which it had led its worker bees to brew within the hive.

That unique sweet aroma and flavor could already compare to the honey Luo Mu had once exchanged with wild Vespiquen colonies.

However, it probably had not yet reached the level of the honey found within that mysterious Amber Castle in the Sinnoh region from the anime plot.

Luo Mu considered that if there was a chance in the future, he must definitely take Vespiquen to the Amber Castle to learn and draw reference from how they brewed such special honey there.

The next morning, the third day of February.

Early in the morning, Luo Mu was awakened by the sensation of a wet tongue licking his cheek.

He had originally thought it would be Espeon or Umbreon, or even a prank by Feng Su Gou.

But when he opened his eyes, what he saw was the furry, cool, and handsome cat face of Laxi.

"?"

A question mark popped up on Luo Mu's head; he could not even remember how long it had been since Laxi had woken him up like this.

"Meow."

Laxi waved its tail, lifted its front paw, and placed its thick paw pads on the quilt covering Luo Mu.

Luo Mu understood at a glance what Laxi meant to convey.

—Get up quickly.

Under normal circumstances, Laxi would not call him awake like this.

Despite its appearance seeming somewhat domineering and aloof, its personality was actually quite stable, and it was reliable in everything it did.

Precisely because he knew Laxi's personality, Luo Mu's first reaction was not to wonder why Laxi was waking him, but rather to ask himself if something had happened on the farm that required Laxi to wake him early.

"Wait for me to get dressed and wash up."

Seeing Luxray's calm and composed demeanor, Luo Mu figured the matter wasn't urgent, so he didn't rush out wearing only his pajamas.

He changed his clothes, washed up, and quickly ran a hand through his hair.

After swiftly completing this routine, Luo Mu finally followed Luxray out the door.

"This direction leads to the Berry Orchard?"

Recognizing the direction, Luo Mu blinked, a slight premonition arising in his heart.

For Luxray to specifically bring him to the Berry Orchard, could it be that one thing...

Luo Mu didn't let his mind continue guessing; after all, the Berry Orchard was right before his eyes, and he would know the answer once he entered.

Thinking thus,

he decisively strode forward, taking long, rapid steps to enter the Berry Orchard alongside Luxray.

It was likely due to the early morning hour.

At this moment, on the neat rows of Berry trees in the orchard, emerald green leaves hung heavy with morning dew, looking delicate and vibrant, full of vitality.

If one occasionally looked up at the surrounding branches, there was a chance to spot small "apples" hopping about upon them.

Those were the Applin that Luo Mu had brought back to the farm from deep within the Bamboo Grove.

It was precisely their "Ripen" ability that created this orchard, wresting the title of Kitakami's Special Apples from them.

Luxray led Luo Mu past row after row of Berry trees, finally arriving at a somewhat special location.

Here, the soil had been replaced by Luo Mu with the "black soil" scavenged from Seeing Seeing Kapu Tapu Tapu Moumou's Harvest Ruins, and the plants grown using this crucial black soil were exactly the three Berry trees Luo Mu had obtained on the Hoenn Plateau, bearing the names of the Gold and Silver series.

Not far from these three Berry trees, fields for planting the five types of Herba Mystica were also arranged.

It could be said that this was also the most strictly guarded area within Luo Mu's farm.

Luxray, Feng Su Gou, Mawile, and Houndoom frequently patrolled near here, while the Skarmory and Corvisquire of the Sky Defense Team also kept a focused watch on this spot.

Setting aside the matter of the Herba Mystica not yet ready for their second harvest, Luo Mu turned his attention back to the present.

Gazing at the three Berry trees that had long since grown to "adulthood," Luo Mu finally understood why Luxray had woken him.

There, amidst the lush canopy of the trees, quite a number of Berries hung delicately from the branches.

Most were still in an unripe but fully formed state.

It was clear that the Berry types were respectively Pecha Berries, Nanab Berries, and Pinap Berries.

Although these Berries were not common, they were far from exceptionally rare; however, the fact that these three trees were given as a gift from the Hoenn Plateau meant they certainly possessed unique qualities.

—Because they were all extremely rare, Gold and Silver series Berry trees.

According to research conducted by the Kanto League Headquarters on the Hoenn Plateau, this one-in-ten-thousand special tree species has a probability of bearing special Berries different from ordinary Pecha, Nanab, and Pinap Berries during their fruiting period.

These are what are known as the Gold/Silver series Berries.

It is worth noting, however, that although they are called Gold/Silver series Berries, their colors are not actually gold or silver.

Luo Mu's gaze fell upon the central Pinap Berry tree; his excellent eyesight allowed him to spot several fruits with slightly different colors among the multitude of small yellow Pinap Berries.

Pale purple Pinap Berries, and orange-red Pinap Berries.

Just like Shiny Pokémon, their existence was exceptionally conspicuous.

If Luo Mu remembered correctly, the pale purple Pinap Berries were the Silver series, while the orange-red Pinap Berries were the Gold series.

The effects of the Gold series would also be many times stronger than those of the Silver series.

Luo Mu recalled that, according to that researcher's notes, the Silver/Gold Pinap Berries seemed to subtly enhance the luck of those who consumed them?

On the other hand, the Silver/Gold Nanab Berries soothed emotions, while the Silver/Gold Pecha Berries increased the consumer's "Affection" toward the one who fed them.

If all three were combined... according to the Hint System's statement...

—Then there was a probability of cultivating a special Partner Pokémon!

Initially, Luo Mu had thought that if the Eevee sisters did not wish to evolve, he would wait for the Berries to mature and then try to cultivate them into Partner Eevees.

But now, a bold idea floated into Luo Mu's mind.

As everyone knew, apart from changes in their official artwork, Partner Pokémon did not alter the Pokémon's appearance or abilities.

Luo Mu turned his head to look at Luxray, who had merely come to report this news.

In that case, couldn't these fruits also be used to cultivate Luxray into a "Partner Luxray"?

Given the current uncertainty over whether Luxray could obtain a Mega Evolution form, rather than hoping that Game Freak would someday act out of kindness and grant Luxray another evolution into a "Luxray Bridge Cat,"

this seemed to be a path right before his eyes that could allow Luxray to advance further.

If Luxray could truly become stronger through this, then when the time came to fulfill the promise with the Shiny Rayquaza, it might add a few more chances of success.

Luo Mu admitted this idea was perhaps somewhat bold, and might result in wasting the hard-to-grow and limited-quantity Gold and Silver series Berries.

But compared to catching another Eevee or Pikachu to pursue that form of safety,

Luo Mu was more inclined to take a gamble.

—Simply because Luxray was his starter Pokémon, the most important partner who had supported him all the way to this point.

For Luxray's sake, bearing a risk that amounted to nothing more than potential waste was something Luo Mu would gladly accept.

After a brief silence,

Luo Mu took a deep breath and said to Luxray beside him, "Call Oranguru and the others over; during this period, the security strength of the Berry Orchard needs to be increased further."

The maturation of the Herba Mystica alone would attract assaults from many wild Pokémon.

If the Gold and Silver series Berries were to mature, or even before they ripened, Luo Mu dared not guarantee that wild Pokémon wouldn't target this place.

Luxray nodded slightly, turned around, and immediately returned home to fetch Oranguru, Lei Guan Wang, and the others.

After all, it had only immediately reported its patrol discovery to Luo Mu and hadn't yet had time to notify the other Pokémon.

Taking advantage of the gap while Luxray went to call the Pokémon,

Luo Mu tilted his head back and, with the most serious attitude of his life, stood beneath the Berry trees to count the number of Berries one by one.

Moments later, the conclusion was reached.

—Just like the introduction from the Shi Ying Plateau stated, the yield ratio for the Gold and Silver series berries was indeed terrifyingly low.

Among the three or four hundred fruits hanging on a single berry tree, surprisingly, only a dozen or so bore different colors.

This probability was truly too low.

No, Luo Mu remembered that the data provided by the Shi Ying Plateau indicated that for a single harvest of a Gold and Silver series berry tree, obtaining four or five differently colored fruits already counted as a bumper crop.

Looking at it this way, the effects of replacing the soil with black earth and having Comfey and the others frequently nourish the berry trees with the Combined Grassy Terrain seemed quite good.

(End of Chapter)