Beside the farmhouse villa, Chen Shi lay beneath a tree, leisurely dozing.
Next to him was a newly built garden, where Florges was carefully tending the flowers.
Chen Shi had enjoyed half a month of peaceful days.
During that time, he helped his grandparents milk the Miltank in the mornings and occasionally checked on his Pokémon's training.
In the afternoons, he learned about medicinal properties from his grandfather.
Every day was simple yet fulfilling.
"Now this is how life should be. Don't you think so, Florges?"
Florges rolled its eyes at Chen Shi and went back to tending its garden.
Watching the flower seeds Shi had gathered from all over gradually sprout and bloom,
Florges couldn't contain its joy.
These days really were wonderful.
Meanwhile, Chen Shi's Pokémon had all grown considerably stronger.
With its earlier accumulated experience, Drakloak had progressed at an astonishing pace, shooting straight up to level 56.
Swampert and the others had been constantly traveling and battling before, with no chance to settle down and consolidate their gains.
After this half month, each of them had made progress.
Swampert had broken through to Gym level and was now level 52, while Florges was level 48 and Leafeon was level 43.
Togepi had improved the most, reaching level 35, though it still hadn't evolved.
It was upstairs sleeping in at the moment.
Suddenly, Gardevoir appeared before Chen Shi with Teleport.
"Garde~"
(Shi, your grandfather wants you to come over.)
Chen Shi scratched his head in confusion, unsure what his grandfather wanted.
"Then take me straight there."
Gardevoir nodded gently, stepped forward, and took hold of Chen Shi's arm.
The next instant, Chen Shi's vision blurred, and he was already in the first-floor living room.
His grandparents were chatting with a handsome, silver-haired young man.
Seeing Chen Shi, Grandma Chen beckoned. "Shi, come over here. This is the heir to the Stone family."
"You young people should get to know each other and keep in touch."
Realization dawned on Chen Shi. So this was the famous walking money tree, Steven the millionaire bachelor.
Steven stood up and extended his hand to Chen Shi. "Hello, I'm Steven Stone."
"You must be Chen Shi, the genius Pokémon Breeder who made a name for himself two years ago?"
"I've heard a great deal about you."
Looking at the young aristocrat before him, Chen Shi chuckled softly and shook Steven's hand.
"Genius? That's just people exaggerating. Don't take it seriously, Mr. Steven."
"Your name has been on everyone's lips lately, though. Congratulations on winning this year's Ever Grande Conference."
Grandma Chen smiled. "All right, you two. You're speaking so stiffly, just like us old folks."
"Come have some tea."
Both gladly agreed.
Steven lifted the tea before him and took a gentle sip. After savoring it, he exclaimed,
"This really is excellent tea!"
Chen Shi explained from beside him, "My grandmother carefully grows all this tea herself.
"If you like it, Mr. Steven, you can take some with you before you leave."
"Then I'll gladly accept." Steven smiled and agreed.
"I came this time to complete the transaction between our two families."
"We've finished surveying Big Root Valley. It's exactly as the information described."
"What's there is extremely valuable to the Devon Corporation. Thank you for providing us with that information, Mr. Chen."
Steven paused, then continued, "I've brought the Shiny Beldum and its breeding guide you requested, along with two top-grade Shiny Stones."
As he spoke, Steven took out a Luxury Ball and opened it. "Come out and meet your future Trainer."
"Beld~"
Beldum had a crest above its head, a long body, and a single enormous claw at its rear.
Its nearly round head was set into a ball-and-socket joint at the front of its body, with one large red eye in the center.
This Beldum was indeed a silver Shiny, and it was currently studying Chen Shi.
All of Beldum's stats appeared before Chen Shi's eyes.
Pokémon: Beldum (Shiny) Level: 17 (late beginner stage) Potential: quasi-Champion Ability: Clear Body Gender: none Moves: Tackle, Take Down, Zen Headbutt.
Chen Shi was very pleased with the stats before him.
With quasi-Champion potential in its initial form, reaching Champion Level after proper training was practically guaranteed.
"Hello, Beldum. From now on, I'll be your Trainer."
As though sensing something, Beldum flew forward and nuzzled him.
Chen Shi smiled and stroked its head.
Steven seemed a little surprised. "I didn't expect this little one to accept you so quickly."
"Many members of our Stone family tried to catch it, but unfortunately, it didn't take a liking to any of them."
"Really?" Chen Shi was somewhat surprised. "Maybe we were simply meant to meet."
Steven offered no comment. He opened his backpack and took out two small boxes, a handbook, and a Pokémon Egg patterned just like Togepi's shell.
"Here are Beldum's breeding handbook, two top-grade Shiny Stones, and a Togepi Pokémon Egg. They're all yours."
"Someone will deliver the minerals Beldum needs for its growth later."
Chen Shi was a little surprised. He hadn't expected to get two top-grade Shiny Stones out of the deal as well.
Still, that worked out perfectly. Both Togepi would be covered.
Then he glanced at the Togepi Pokémon Egg.
Pokémon: Togepi (unhatched) Level: 0 Potential: Elite Four Gender: female Moves: Covet, Heal Bell, Last Resort
Her potential was good too. With proper training and a top-grade Shiny Stone for her evolution, she could reach Champion Level.
Grandpa Chen spoke up then. "You're paying such a high price. Is it for that fossil revival technology?"
"That's right." Steven sighed. "Unfortunately, we've hit a bottleneck."
"But now that we have Big Root Valley, I believe we'll soon make a meaningful breakthrough."
Chen Shi thought back. That fossil revival technology seemed to rely on dream energy from that Pokémon called Munna.
He had no idea how far the Devon Corporation's research had progressed.
Still, that had little to do with him. He had already gotten what he wanted, and that was enough.
They would figure it out sooner or later anyway, so Chen Shi decided not to meddle.
Just then, an anxious voice came from outside.
"Uncle Chen, something terrible has happened!"
"Pokémon are attacking Verdanturf Town! Please hurry over and take a look!"
Little Steven
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