The ruins were built by the Glazed People.
Baimu thought to himself that the ancestors of the Glazed People really worked hard; they had to establish Glazed City and hide the meteorite while guarding the Pillar of the Sky, and might even have participated in its construction.
As he was expressing his thoughts, he suddenly recalled and asked, "You said the meteorite was eventually hidden away, but what about the cracked earth?"
"You will know what the cracked earth is like once you see for yourself."
Elder Gang Cang chuckled and pointed to the deep, dark mouth of the cave ahead, saying, "Inside there lies the true Divine Hall of Awakening, a place every Meteor Person should visit."
If the other party wasn't just a frail elder, and there was no hint of hostility, plus there was network on the phone, Baimu would never dare to enter such an unknown realm recklessly.
The unknown signifies danger.
Within the cave, he could faintly hear a rumbling sound, as if water was flowing by.
An underground river?
No, it should be the sea?
He took a deep breath and cautiously walked inside.
In an instant.
Everything before him turned pitch black, as if covered by a cloth.
The ground beneath him was muddy; a slight movement sent the sound of water splashing, and the distant sound of water grew clearer, as if several streams were flowing.
Baimu wasn't too panicked. After a slight blink, he fully adapted to the dimly lit place.
The surroundings gradually came into view.
"...Water Curtain Cave?"
He looked in surprise at the peculiar place where seawater cascaded down from the rocky walls around him, facing a large, shimmering blue deep pool.
"This isn't any Water Curtain Cave. It's the cave of life's origin, the planet's arterial lapse."
Elder Gang Cang followed behind and softly said, "You can see the surrounding environment because the deep pool before you is emitting light, and this light is the natural energy dissipating."
"Eh?"
Baimu was taken aback, turning his head in disbelief and said, "It's still leaking?"
"Once the gap is opened, closing it is easier said than done. Exhausting the wisdom and power of our ancestors, they only managed to patch the leak to a point of insignificance."
Elder Gang Cang shook his head and said, "This degree of leakage not only won't attract Kyogre and Groudon but also benefits the health of the ancestors and Pokémon living here, which can be considered a small gain."
No wonder a large pit was chosen to build the city.
The origin of Glazed City's development in the Gemstone Version is from a long-ago underwater volcano eruption, with the main body rising to the surface, discovered as a place with a pleasant climate, prompting residence within the volcano's crater.
In the Gemstone Reproduction version, after falling meteorites changed the reason for residence to something more mysterious.
Until now, he found the answer.
Baimu realized, feeling a nostalgic sentiment of uncovering buried history, and said aloud, "Is it really okay for you to just bring me here? Considering you haven't verified my identity, and only based on my words..."
"Don't worry, though I'm old, my sight has not deteriorated to the point of blindness."
Elder Gang Cang laughed, "Your name is Baimu, right?"
"...Did Mr Mikoli tell you?"
"Hahaha! As clever as that young man said! Indeed, it was Mikoli who told me."
Elder Gang Cang laughed heartily admitting, slightly embarrassed, "Previously I didn't mean to mislead you intentionally, I just forgot your appearance for a moment, later on, I recognized you after careful observation. Don't be angry, I apologize for causing you disrespect."
"It's my inappropriate behavior. I should have introduced myself first, Elder Gang Cang."
Baimu shook his head, his attention completely focused on the deep pool before him.
The planet's great artery...
In the Pokémon World, every matter and creature has life, even the Tree of World Origin where Mew resides is a living entity; how can the planet not possess a planetary will?
It's just that humans cannot communicate with it.
The source of ancient calamities, if certain villains knew about this place, things might really happen.
The ancients' seal is indeed solid.
But given the current status of black technology in the Pokémon world and the inevitable progression of the story, if someone has intentions, the seal absolutely won't hold.
For a moment.
Baimu felt a shiver.
He knew the Glazed People probably wanted to handle this place quietly, but who can guarantee that one day someone wouldn't break in, leading to a major incident...
"No need to worry, only the Glazed People and Meteor People can enter here."
As if seeing through his thoughts, Elder Gang Cang suddenly spoke.
"Is that so."
Upon hearing this, Baimu felt slightly relieved and then heard the elder say, "Why don't you draw a jug of water from the pool for daily drinking? It ensures physical health, free from disease and pain. If someone or a Pokémon gets injured, they can drink this to aid in recovery."
Hmm.
Is this water of such effect?
Baimu thanked the elder and took out a jug to go toward the deep pool.
In the animated world, plenty of water sources have similar effects.
Places like Clear Cliff where Mewtwo once resided, and Aokoya Forest where the Salude Clan lives, there are several he knows of, seemingly abundant.
Elder Gang Cang observed his normal expression and thought he didn't believe, so he said, "Lord Baimu, how old do you think I am?"
"Your age... Seventy?"
Baimu turned slightly, and from the spiritual qi, it wasn't difficult to tell that the elder was quite robust, though his skin was dark and lean, and his waist slightly hunched, giving him an aged appearance.
"Seventy? Hahaha! I'm a hundred and twenty-three this year!"
Elder Gang Cang laughed proudly.
"A hundred and twenty-three!?"
He stared in amazement at Elder Gang Cang, halting his water-drawing motion, genuinely unable to see that this elder was already a hundred and twenty-three years old.
Living through two centuries!
"So Lord Baimu, never underestimate this water! It's precious beyond imagination!" Elder Gang Cang spoke sincerely.
"Yes."
Baimu respectfully replied.
At such an age, he had to weigh his words carefully.
After fetching water.
Suddenly, his phone at his waist vibrated. Taking a glance, it was Balza's reply, seemingly sent upon seeing his message while getting up at night.
The main business arrived.
Baimu quickly stowed the jug and informed Elder Gang Cang of an urgent matter, apologizing as he expressed he must leave soon.
Elder Gang Cang cheerfully waved, leading him out of the cave connected to the planet's great artery.
Except.
When Baimu stepped out of the cave, starlight seemed to drift in the air, silently merging into his body.
The deep pool suddenly dimmed for a moment.
It resumed the faint light it started with several seconds later.
——
Returning outside for the second time.
Baimu didn't have much time to appreciate the blue sky and white clouds. After bidding farewell to Elder Gang Cang, he found a secluded spot awaiting Balza to awaken Hoopa and bring him to the Carlos Region.
After a moment.
A round Golden Ring appeared out of nowhere, and a yawning, sleepy-eyed Hoopa emerged from it.
"Ah~ Good evening, Xiaobai, huh? Why is it daylight here?"
It looked in bewilderment at the azure sky.
"Because there's something called a time difference in the world... Sorry for waking you up at night, Hoopa." Baimu clasped his hands, apologetically said, "I'll buy you some donuts to make up for it."
"Donuts!"
The drowsy Hoopa's eyes lit up instantly, becoming energetic, giggling, "Xiaobai! I like you the most! Come here!"
It enlarged the ring.
Baimu stepped through the Golden Ring, suddenly appearing in a brightly lit living room.
Balza was sitting on a chair, gently rubbing his nose, and smiled upon seeing him, "Long time no see, Baimu."
"It's been less than a month."
He smiled back, as on his side Mei Yali entered, dressed neatly.
"Ah~ Good evening, Mr Baimu, but your constant spoiling of Hoopa is troubling me."
She yawned.
Baimu replied, "I'll be more careful next time. Sorry for disturbing your sleep. This time..."
He briefly explained the situation.
The Balza siblings are trustworthy good people, recently assisting in freeing Lugia from the darkness and reformative binding, and they keep things confidential without spreading them around.
Additionally, he needed Hoopa's power, so he shared it with them.
Upon hearing it, both were shocked by Fladari's insane actions.
As natives of the Carlos Region, they naturally knew this era's prominent figure, even in the Valley of Creation people spread stories of his heroic deeds helping impoverished and disaster-affected people.
If Baimu hadn't told them, they wouldn't have believed Fladari would do such a thing.