Ten days later, the train finally arrived in the Southern Borderlands. It would stop for two days before returning to Nancheng, giving Xiao Ran and the others time to properly explore the City of the Southern Borderlands.
The Southern Borderlands lay between where Nanning, Guilin, and Guiyang had been in his previous life, with Tibet farther west, so the local cuisine was quite varied.
Guilin Rice Noodles, Luosifen, and more could all be found here. As locals, Bai Tingjiao and Lu Yangqiu took them around to enjoy everything the Southern Borderlands had to offer.
After resting for a day, the two of them also visited Miao Yourou at Southern Borderlands Pokémon University. Xiao Ran naturally suffered a thorough teasing, but at least he got the Happiny he had been longing for... or rather, a Pokémon Egg, which he successfully registered at the Pokémon Center.
The two days flew by, and Xiao Ran and the others set off on their return journey. Once they went home, it would be at least next year before they could meet again.
There were no surprises on the way back. Even the Tauros got up to welcome them when they arrived, clearly hoping for Pokéblocks.
The journey went fairly smoothly, and the return trip was even faster, bringing them back to Nancheng in just eight days. After a few days of proper rest at home, their first Little New Year since starting university arrived.
Dad Xiao still did not come home. After celebrating the holiday at home with Mom Qiao, Xiao Ran and Ye Ling headed to Shen Yue's family Gym to help with this year's final exams.
Gyms were different from universities. Their students were people who had failed to get into Pokémon University but still dreamed of becoming Pokémon Trainers, or people who