Xiao Ran paid no attention to their departure. A plan Franklin had spent so long preparing had fallen apart at the last hurdle, so he must have been feeling miserable. But that was no longer Xiao Ran's concern.
His attention was now focused entirely on Laud Austin beside him. Facing a Champion Class Pokémon Trainer, even Yun Mengqiu would have to remain on full alert, let alone him. What was more, Laud was the Federation Empire's highest military commander.
Even if he killed Xiao Ran and the others here and now, he might not face any consequences. Neither the Federation Empire nor the Pokémon League would go after a Champion Class Pokémon Trainer for an Awakened who had yet to reach his full potential.
"All right, head back, all of you. I'll accompany these youngsters from China deeper into the cave!" Laud waved his subordinates away, then turned to Xiao Ran and the others.
"Young fellow, you don't mind if I tag along, do you? Don't worry. I won't intervene unless things get dangerous!" Laud said with a smile.
"It would be an honor!" Xiao Ran smiled and gestured that they could set off.
"My subordinates found a special crystal on Akala Island earlier. Can you tell me what it is?" As they headed deeper into the cave, Laud took out a blue crystal and asked.
At the sight of the crystal, their gazes sharpened.
"You seem to have had quite a stroke of luck, Minister Laud. That's a Z-Crystal. I take it you've already encountered a Totem Pokémon?" Xiao Ran answered after a moment's thought.
There was no point in lying to a Champion Class Pokémon Trainer. The changes in their expressions when they saw the Z-Crystal had already made it clear that they knew exactly what it was.