After Chen Shi spoke those words, Mew looked at him strangely.
If it remembered correctly, those words had originally been spoken by Xerneas to the first Diancie.
So much time had passed since then that no records of it remained.
Even Mew itself had only heard the phrase once during a casual conversation with the first Diancie.
So how exactly did this kid know it?
Perched on Chen Shi's shoulder, Mew thought about it repeatedly but couldn't figure it out.
Meanwhile, Diancie froze after hearing those words.
She stood there blankly.
The sentence seemed to possess a special kind of magic.
It burrowed straight into her heart, instantly stirring an inexplicable sense of familiarity deep within her soul.
Yet she couldn't remember ever hearing those words before.
She only vaguely felt that the sentence carried extraordinary significance.
Something deeply connected to herself.
To the Diamond Kingdom.
And to their future.
"Lord Chen Shi, could you explain it more clearly?"
"What exactly does it mean?"
Diancie asked anxiously.
Chen Shi froze.
A helpless expression appeared on his face.
Honestly, he wished he could explain it too.
But in the anime, Xerneas had only said that single sentence to Diancie.
Nothing more.
The reason he had spoken it just now was simply because Diancie had become too negative, causing the memory to suddenly surface.
Now that she wanted a deeper explanation—
He genuinely had no idea.
After thinking for a while, he finally replied,
"That's something you'll need to discover for yourself."
"No one can help you with it."
"When you truly understand the essence of life and achieve your own transformation..."
"Then you'll be able to create a genuine Sacred Diamond."
"Is that so... I understand, Lord Chen Shi."
Although she hadn't received a concrete answer, Diancie felt a little disappointed.
But she quickly regained her determination.
Lord Chen Shi was right.
The Diamond Kingdom was still waiting for her.
She couldn't allow herself to sink into despair.
No matter how difficult the road ahead might be—
She believed she could overcome it.
Chen Shi was pleased with her attitude.
Then he added,
"Maybe you should try finding Xerneas."
"It might be able to help you."
According to Chen Shi's understanding, the phrase—
Only you can nurture life.
—was closely connected to Diancie's ability to Mega Evolve on her own.
In the anime, Diancie had first achieved Mega Evolution before successfully creating a Sacred Diamond.
Perhaps only Mega Diancie could truly accomplish it.
But autonomous Mega Evolution wasn't something ordinary Pokémon could do.
Only a handful of exceptional Pokémon had ever managed it, and each used a completely different method.
Rayquaza relied on the specialized organ within its body.
Mewtwo used its psychic powers to alter either its body or mind.
Latios and Latias had their own mysterious method.
As for Diancie—
Perhaps she needed to comprehend the essence of life and undergo a fundamental transformation of her existence before becoming Mega Diancie.
"......"
"Lord Xerneas..."
Diancie seemed to think of something, and her expression dimmed.
"But we don't know where Lord Xerneas is."
Before she had become Diancie, Elder Diamond had already suggested seeking Xerneas.
The Carbink had searched for a long time.
They never found a trace of it.
Eventually, they ventured deeper into the Winding Woods to continue their search.
That was when they encountered the Pokémon hunters.
Chen Shi smiled and patted her head.
"Xerneas is actually sleeping somewhere within the Winding Woods."
"You just haven't found it yet."
According to Mew, Xerneas had been seriously injured three thousand years ago and was still sleeping.
If nothing had changed, it was probably still in its dormant tree form.
If Diancie searched carefully enough, she would eventually find it.
Whether that would help was another matter entirely.
After all, it was still asleep.
The moment she learned Xerneas was inside the Winding Woods, Diancie's eyes lit up.
"Really, Lord Chen Shi?"
"Lord Xerneas is truly in the Winding Woods?"
Chen Shi nodded.
"That's right."
"It really is there."
"Though it's probably still sleeping."
"That's okay."
"No matter what, I have to try."
"This is my only chance."
Diancie clenched her small fists.
Her expression was filled with determination.
Then she scratched her cheek awkwardly.
After hesitating for quite a while, she finally spoke with a flushed face.
"Um..."
"Lord Chen Shi..."
"Could I ask you to help me find Lord Xerneas?"
Previously, she and the Carbink had spent a very long time searching throughout the Winding Woods.
They hadn't found anything.
If they searched again alone, the result would probably be the same.
But with Chen Shi helping—
Things might be different.
After all, he knew so much about Lord Zygarde.
Surely he also knew a great deal about Lord Xerneas.
Still—
Chen Shi had already done so much for them.
Now she was asking for even more help.
The thin-skinned Diancie almost wanted to bury herself underground from embarrassment.
Before Chen Shi could respond, Steven and Diantha immediately became excited.
"We're going to find Xerneas?"
"Let's go!"
"I can't wait!"
Steven looked ready to leave immediately.
Diantha nodded enthusiastically.
"I want to meet the legendary Xerneas too."
Chen Shi shot both of them an annoyed glare.
He hadn't even agreed yet.
Yet these two were acting more enthusiastic than Diancie herself.
Were they really that desperate to see a Legendary Pokémon?
Besides—
Xerneas was currently just a giant tree.
What was there to see?
Watching television at home sounded more appealing.
"Lord Chen Shi..."
"Would that be alright?"
Diancie asked nervously, her hands tightly clasped together.
Originally, Chen Shi intended to refuse.
After all, they had already encountered Zygarde in the forest.
Judging from its attitude, it clearly wasn't fond of him wandering around with Mew.
So it would probably be wiser to leave while he still could.
But then—
Mew's voice sounded in his mind.
[Go.]
[I can feel that the big deer is about to wake up.]
Chen Shi replied irritably,
"That's exactly why I shouldn't go."
"What if something troublesome happens?"
"Did you already forget about Zygarde?"
Mew chuckled.
Its tone gradually became more tempting.
[Ignore that giant snake.]
[Its principles are stronger than anything.]
[As long as we don't do anything seriously harmful, it won't interfere.]
[Besides...]
[Don't you want to know the truth behind the disappearance of Fairy-type energy?]
[If you find the big deer, you might finally get your answer.]
Listening to Mew's tempting words, Chen Shi had to admit—
He was tempted.
The disappearance of Fairy-type energy had always been something he wanted to understand.
His intuition told him it was incredibly important.
Yet Mew's behavior this time was unusual.
It seemed determined to push him toward finding Xerneas.
That made him suspicious.
"Are you planning something?"
Mew blinked its large innocent eyes and immediately denied it.
[How could that be?]
[I'm this adorable.]
[How could I possibly have any bad intentions?]
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