The next morning, the two boarded a ship bound for Slateport City and set off.
"Big brother, where are we going after Slateport City?" Liu Yuan asked, standing by the ship's rail and gazing out over the endless sea.
"Slateport City has a luxury liner, the S.S. Tidal, that sails to Lilycove City. We'll go to Lilycove first, then take a ship from its port to Mossdeep City, followed by Sootopolis City. Finally, we'll visit Fortree City, where the last Gym is, then return to Slateport to wait for the Grand Festival," Liu Qing said after taking the Navigator from Liu Yuan and checking the map of Hoenn. "Unless anything unexpected happens, that'll be our route from now on."
"Hearing you settle our whole route so quickly makes me worry about whether I can earn enough Ribbons before the Grand Festival," Liu Yuan said anxiously.
"Liu Yuan, have confidence in yourself. With your current strength, earning enough Ribbons won't be a problem at all," Liu Qing told him earnestly. "Besides, you already have three. You only need two more. What's there to worry about?"
"You're right, big brother, but lately I feel as though I'm finding more and more shortcomings in myself," Liu Yuan said in frustration.
"Heh, that's a good thing." Liu Qing suddenly chuckled.
"Huh?" Liu Yuan exclaimed in surprise, looking at Liu Qing in confusion.
"Doesn't recognizing your own weaknesses show that you're getting stronger? If you weren't strong enough, how would you even notice them?" Liu Qing explained. "What you need to do now is keep identifying those weaknesses and overcoming them. As you overcome more of them, you'll grow stronger too."
"Really?" Liu Yuan hesitated, then said firmly, "All right. Starting today, I'll work hard to overcome those weaknesses."
"That's the spirit." Liu Qing nodded