Sunlight slanted in from the front right, casting a long shadow across the ground that rose and fell with the turning wheels.
After riding for a little over two hours, the entrance to Petalburg Woods appeared ahead.
That vast woodland was still just as he remembered it—towering trees spread out in layer upon layer, their canopies gleaming in varying shades of green beneath the sunlight. A thin morning mist drifted through the forest like gauze draped between the crowns of the trees.
The air carried the scent of damp earth and the distinctive fragrance of humus, mixed with the faint perfume of unknown wildflowers.
Xinhai stopped his bicycle at the entrance to the woods and folded it away.
Eevee hopped down from his shoulder and stood on the forest path. Its large brown eyes gazed down the dirt trail leading deeper into the woods, while its ears twitched slightly as it caught the faint sounds drifting through the trees.
"Let's go." Xinhai slung the Spatial Backpack over his shoulders again and glanced at Eevee beside him. "Let's check on the Beautifly near the flower sea first. It's on the way, in the eastern part of the middle forest."
"Eevee!" Eevee nodded and trotted ahead in tiny steps.
Xinhai followed behind the little one. Gardevoir emerged from her Poké Ball and walked at his side, her red eyes half-lidded as her Psychic Field stretched out around them like invisible tendrils.
The air in Petalburg Woods was as damp and quiet as ever. Sunlight filtered through the overlapping canopy, scattering fragmented patches of light and shadow over the ground.
A thick layer of fallen leaves covered the forest path, soft and soundless beneath their feet.
Several Pidgey swept overhead with crisp calls, soon vanishing into the depths of the canopy.
Xinhai followed