Arc 29Chapters 701–725
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After the Spring Race, Shen Qi comforted Lilligant, who was upset about losing to the Lurantis Sisters and jealous of their lingering scent on him. He then learned that Imite was recovering but struggling to support her Pokémon, and offered her a possible job at a Pokémon Resort if she pursued a breeder license.
Shen Qi pursued a Pokémon Resort for Island 6 with Principal Gui and Pokémon High School, then rested after making the project a shared goal. He caught Oricorio neglecting her owed updates and invited Emolga to join a barbecue.
Shen Qi told Lilligant he would join her as co-driver in the next T2 race, while the Pokémon Breeders Association began inspecting Shamouti Island and Island 6 as possible Pokémon Resort sites. The chapter ended as the inspection team arrived at a school on Shamouti Island and was greeted by students.
The Pokémon Breeders Association inspected Shamouti Island and Island 6 while searching for a breeder with an exceptional affinity for wild Pokémon. After wild Pokémon flooded Shen Qi’s courtyard and clung to him, the team reported his apparent gift and favored Island 6 for the Pokémon Resort, leaving Shen Qi trapped and baffled.
The Aether Foundation and Pokémon Breeders Association chose Marker Mountain on Island 6 as the leading site for a Pokémon Resort after Shen Qi learned the project had been awarded partly because of a misunderstanding about his bond with Pokémon. Brock and Gladion joined the survey, and the chapter ended with the team planning to inspect Trail Mountain as well.
Shen Qi and Gladion began preparing Marker Mountain for the Pokémon Resort by feeding the wild Pokémon whose territory would be affected by construction. The chapter leaves Shen Qi realizing that the project’s groundwork is far more extensive than he expected.
Shen Qi helped prepare the Pokémon Resort and investigated a Deerling that was driving away workers, but the Script Detector triggered as he approached the feeding area. The chapter ended with his phone heating against his thigh before it exploded.
Shen Qi met a Deerling whose Emotional Script, “Four Seasons God,” suggested powers of wishes, divinity, and foresight. After viewing her memories, he suspected she could foresee seasonal changes and warn the forest, but he still did not know how to earn her trust or complete her script.
Shen Qi investigated Deerling’s wish to become the Four Seasons God and learned that seasonal prophets were Deerling who sensed changes in natural energy with support from their herd. He realized Island 6’s weakened tradition and lack of collective belief stood in the way of Deerling’s dream.
Shen Qi learned that Deerling hoped to become the Four Seasons God and began trying to help her, while consulting breeders about how to restore the wild Pokémon’s faith in her. He also discussed buying Gladion a beginner racing car and planned to compete in a Regular Race with Lilligant.
Shen Qi and Lilligant raced in Vermilion City to improve their teamwork, then Shen Qi bought and repaired Li Yizi’s damaged Autumn Leaves for Gladion. Gladion saw the Class B car and questioned Shen Qi about its low price.
Shen Qi investigated why Deerling was obstructing the Pokémon Resort and sought Professor Juniper’s advice, while preparing to recruit Deerling as a companion. He met Deerling again at the resort, where she watched him dramatically encourage Meowstic to become a ruler of cats.
Shen Qi tried to help Deerling pursue her dream of becoming the Four Seasons God while maintaining the Pokémon Resort plans, but she avoided discussing the conflict and ran away. Over the next three days, he continued training with Lilligant for the T2 race as he waited for Professor Juniper’s reply.
Shen Qi received a Cat-Ear Headband and the team skill See-All Items, then read Professor Juniper’s explanation of what Deerling needed to become a Seasonal Prophet. The email revealed that the Four Seasons God succession on Island 6 had already ended and suggested the Pokémon Resort might occupy a Natural Energy Spot.
Shen Qi arranged a trail through the Pokémon Resort so Deerling could reach a Four Seasons God patrol point, and Deerling realized he had made it for her. At the T2 Race in Oldale Town, Shen Qi received a plant-assessing item and watched Lilligant prepare for the competition.
Shen Qi and Lilligant explored Oldale Town’s Pokémon-packed streets before their race and visited Florges’s food truck. They discovered Blissey and Lopunny competing with Electabuzz’s team at rival food stalls, while Mime Jr. insisted Blissey would win.
Shen Qi watched the bustling pre-race stalls, then co-drove Lilligant to a qualifying time of eight minutes and three seconds and fourth place in her group. The Flower Crown surged into second at the start of the main race, leaving Lilligant excited as Shen Qi prepared another power boost.
Shen Qi guided Lilligant through the first lap of the race, helping Flower Crown recover from a blocking maneuver and take the lead with a risky jump. After crossing the line first, they focused on defending a top-four position as their track-vision advantage faded.
Shen Qi and Lilligant advanced through the first round of the Oldale Town T2 Race, while Lilligant made friends with Ivy’s team and advised them on ways to please their trainer. The chapter ended with Lilligant pleased that she had helped other Pokémon.
Shen Qi followed a small Lilligant into an alley, where she asked for advice about shortening her skirt and encountered the Lurantis Sisters and a Shiny Petilil. The Lurantis Sisters cornered Shen Qi while he remembered to tell them to inform Sayaka that Lilligant recognized her.
Shen Qi and Lilligant competed in the second elimination round, with Lilligant’s anger at the Lurantis Sisters driving her into extraordinary concentration. They broke eight minutes with a 7:59 qualifying time, and Shen Qi later visited Sayaka, who congratulated them.
Shen Qi sought the Lurantis Sisters’ help before the Main Race, and their scent left Lilligant’s mental state worse but her concentration higher. Lilligant and Shen Qi began the race, used Cacturne’s Sandstorm to advance, and ended the chapter in fourth behind Morty’s Phantom Dance, the Rose-Red Flower Crown, and Cacturne.
Shen Qi and Lilligant’s Flower Crown fought through the S-bends, briefly climbed to third, then fell to fifth after One Wing’s Pidgeot used Fly with extraordinary precision. As the second lap began and their track-reading advantage faded, Lilligant regained the ability to speak while struggling to hold fifth place.
Lilligant and Shen Qi used a double-levitation tactic and [Jet Energy] to regain fifth place, securing their spot in the T2 finals. Afterward, Lilligant thanked Shen Qi for believing in her, and he recognized that she could aim for the top ten.
Shen Qi and Lilligant used risky Mega Evolution and Dynamax tactics to improve their qualifying time for the Oldale Town T2 Race Finals. Their strategy began well as Flower Crown surged through the opening corner, but the car’s components came under extreme strain.