The closing ceremony of the Champion Alliance was solemn and grand.
Beneath the Holy Fire Torch.
Thousands of spectators stood up and applauded.
Da Wu stood at the highest point of the arena, draped in an immaculate white Champion's Cloak, holding the golden Champion Trophy high, his handsome face warm and gentle with a smile.
With just a casual gesture, he elicited cheers from the Hoenn People.
His representative Pokémon, the Altered-color Metagross, stood beside him, its large body exuding a powerful aura, the silver paint and golden intersecting steel beams shining under the sun, exceptionally complementing Da Wu's silver-blue hair.
"Now I've witnessed the entire process of the Champion Alliance."
Baimu gave a barely noticeable nod; taking Genji's boat back to the Ore was a spur-of-the-moment decision, but since coming, he definitely wanted to learn a bit about how Hoenn hosted the Champion Alliance.
While also using the battles of the Four Heavenly Kings and Champion Da Wu to identify his deficiencies.
Fortunately, he gained insights on both fronts.
However.
Shanren seemed to prefer the single and double Gym Battle, Champion Cup league system of the Galar Region, and had little interest in the traditional regional tournaments and Champion Alliance tier leagues.
Simply put, he didn't want to establish positions for the Four Heavenly Kings, but instead use the Gym Leaders as the main competitors to challenge the Regional Champion.
Compared to the year-round Champion Alliance, the Champion Cup happening at most twice a year was undoubtedly less pressure on Baimu.
By then, Baimu could travel around the world without having to frequently return to the region to compete.
Relatively speaking, it was more free.
The Dan Emperor was like this; apart from the two Champion Cups and necessary media interviews, his free time was no less than other champions, yet his fame surpassed them.
Of course, this was inseparable from Gigantification, but Luozi's successful case still made Shanren, who aspired to be like him, envious.
Alas, apart from rich mineral deposits, the Ore Region was barren everywhere.
It had no such mystical regional specialties like Super Evolution, Z-Move, Gigantification, or Great Crystal Transformation.
Currently, the Super Stone Mines in the Ice Cave were about to be mined, and by then, each Gym Leader would have a Super Evolution, diminishing the significance of the Super Evolution Wave that Baimu had procured.
Developing the region was indeed fraught with difficulties.
Fortunately, Shanren was not someone overly ambitious who expected instant success comparable to mainstream regions, only hoping for Ore to develop steadily.
"Baimu!"
A voice from the side interrupted Baimu's thoughts.
He turned his head to look at Furong, who asked in a low voice, "What's up?"
Furong, dressed in Southern Style, clapped her hands and teasingly asked, "When are you coming to God-sending Mountain?"
"..."
Baimu twitched the corner of his mouth; it was the first time he had seen someone urging a guest to visit, and after pondering the schedule, he replied, "In a few months, in a few months, I will definitely come!"
This time returning to the Ore, he did not plan to stay long; once the initial construction of the Lairon mountains was done, he planned to first utilize the clues about the Legendary Pokémon, and then head to the Alola Region to seek opportunities to obtain a Z Bracelet and Z Pure Crystal.
Compared to Gigantification and Great Crystal Transformation, which could only be used in the Galar Region and Padia Region, Z-Moves had no regional restrictions.
Therefore, even if it seemed a bit childish, he had to obtain them.
The more systems, the more choices.
Upon hearing this, Furong pouted, "Last time, you said the same thing."
"Then...within the first half of this year! That should be fine, right?" Baimu provided a relatively fixed time.
Only then did Furong nod with a bright smile.
Spirit Medium...
Ever since exploring that eerie Spirit Realm, Baimu had developed some curiosity about the Spirit Medium profession.
According to the usual logic in film and television, those who frequently deal with spirits often have an unapproachable aura, and their entire demeanor leans toward the ghostly.
Furong had none of that.
She only exuded the vitality of a young girl, and her attire made one feel as if they were on a white sandy beach filled with coconut trees; even if she took out a coconut to drink from right away, it wouldn't feel out of place.
What exactly are Spirit Mediums?
Will there be an opportunity in the future to simulate being a Spirit Medium?
Baimu wondered silently.
Suddenly.
He recalled that he had explored the suspected ancient tomb of Registeel on Route 120.
Back then, he gave up entering due to being unable to decipher the braille on the surface, but later left a message for a prominent figure on a mysterious website researching Legendary Pokémon.
Unfortunately, he received no response.
Speaking of which, Laisa still needed to help him decrypt the braille; there was no movement when he last sought her, she probably forgot.
He'd check again next time.
Compared to Hoenn's Divine Pillar family, Baimu actually preferred Galar Region's two Divine Pillars, one Electric Attribute and the other Dragon Attribute, with traits more useful than the first three.
If he remembered correctly, these two would be captured by Gary Oak and Xiaohao in the future...
Perhaps he should go capture them beforehand?
Given how easily both were defeated by those two, they were likely just ordinary Legendary Pokémon, nowhere near as extravagant as the Three Sacred Birds from the movies or the Three Legendary Birds from Super Wishes...
He should first see which Pokémon the clue pointed to.
Baimu brushed aside his scattered thoughts as he watched Da Wu step down the podium and enter the contestant passage, understanding that this Champion Alliance was completely over.
That night.
At the invitation of the Hoenn Alliance, the champion and the Four Heavenly Kings attended a dinner banquet.
For these five, the positions of Regional Champion and the Four Heavenly Kings were not only former dreams but also critical work at the moment.
Baimu was also invited by the Hoenn Alliance. He thought that since he had nothing to do that evening, and having already dined with Otsuka and the others the previous days, he put on a suit and headed for the banquet.