As Clair drew closer, she realized the figure was none other than Lance.
"Cousin, when did you arrive?" Clair asked, looking at Lance in his signature black cape.
"Not long ago," Lance replied, gently stroking the Dragonair and Dragonite beside him. "I saw some of the Dragon-type Pokémon were injured, so I'm using my Viridian Power to help them heal." The dragons bowed their heads, basking in the soothing green energy flowing from his hands.
"I heard something happened at the Dragon's Den in Kanto," Clair said, her expression turning somber. "I wanted to go investigate, but the Second Elder wouldn't allow me to leave."
"You don't need to worry. The situation in Kanto has been resolved," Lance said, his gaze turning icy. "It was the League. They are no longer satisfied with our clan's independent status. They tried to force our submission by targeting our Sacred Tree. Luckily, their plot was uncovered."
"I had a heated argument with Goodshow. He actually had the audacity to claim it was 'for my own good.' I owe a great deal to my Alchemist friend; without his help, I couldn't have saved the tree. Fortunately, Johto is still under the jurisdiction of High Priest Shamouti, so Goodshow can't touch it yet. But I fear his ambition will eventually lead him to target the Priest as well."
"The Priest won't be easily harmed," Clair said confidently. "The Dragon Clan and the Tin Tower are eternal allies. We will protect him. Don't worry too much, Cousin."
"Do not let anyone know I was here," Lance said coldly as he vaulted onto Dragonite's back. "Soon, I will do something that will reshape this world and bring about a true dawn. I don't want to drag you into it." He soared away, disappearing into the thick mists of the den.
"Cousin..." Clair whispered, her heart filled with unease.
The Hidden Forest
Feng Che was focused entirely on the Bubble Fruit. His crystal blade moved in a perfect arc, peeling the gossamer-thin skin in one fluid motion. A flawless, shimmering piece of fruit lay before him.
"Perfectly handled," Alakazam said, walking over with a look of admiration. "In just three days, you've mastered the processing of an S-rank ingredient. Most people consider the Bubble Fruit a mere delicacy, but it has a magical effect: it calms the mind and raises a Pokémon's happiness, bringing out a smile from the bottom of their heart."
Alakazam offered a silver spoon. Feng Che was curious; the fruit looked like iridescent glass and emitted an aroma that made his mind feel instantly refreshed. He split the fruit and offered half to Sabrina.
The fruit was as springy as jelly. As they tasted it, a complex flavor exploded on their tongues—a mix of sparkling citrus and every berry imaginable. It was the taste of pure happiness. Feng Che felt his fatigue vanish, replaced by a surge of vitality.
If I add this to energy blocks, I could create Epic-tier stamina restorers, he thought,灵感 (inspiration) flooding his mind.
"Thunder Banana, Pomegranate..." He began muttering a list of ingredients, almost in a trance. He quickly processed more Bubble Fruits, using his telekinesis to pull the necessary herbs from Alakazam's hoard. He spun the juices at high speed to remove impurities and called out, "Torracat, heat this mixture to exactly 75°C!"
Torracat carefully enveloped the juice in a controlled flame. Within minutes, a translucent, jade-like energy block took shape. Feng Che sliced it into perfect cubes. "Epic-tier recovery blocks... done."
Now, he turned his gaze to the Ten-Thousand-Year Rainbow Fruit.
With the experience gained from the Bubble Fruits, he skillfully split the legendary resource into seven segments. The final synthesis began.
"Old Alakazam, it is finished."
Feng Che presented a vial of Legendary-grade Rainbow Potion. It radiated a shifting spectrum of light far more intense than the previous batch.
Alakazam's hands trembled as he took the vial. "Legendary quality... I've waited so many years. With a 70% success rate, if I still cannot break through, then it is simply my destiny to fade."
"Keep them all, Old Alakazam," Feng Che said with a playful smirk. "But remember, once you break through, you have to pay me back double. And more importantly... you still owe me a debt, so don't you dare die."
Alakazam's eyes welled with tears as he nodded solemnly.
Feng Che stepped out of the tree cave into the cooling afternoon air. He had been working for nine straight days. Nearby, a stream bubbled, and the sun cast long, dappled shadows across the grass.
He saw Sabrina sitting by the stream, her white dress contrasting with the lush green. Her porcelain skin glowed in the light, and her long black hair was adorned with fallen petals. She was playfully splashing the water with her bare feet.
"You did it, didn't you? You made the Legendary Potion," Sabrina said, her eyes curving into crescents as she looked at him. "Alakazam must be overjoyed. He raised me, you know. When my powers were out of control and everyone called me a monster, he was the only one who cared for me. He taught me how to use my power and told me not to hate. He's my mentor and my family. Thank you, Feng Che. Thank you for giving him a chance to live."
At this moment, Sabrina didn't look like a cold Rocket Executive. She was just a girl sharing her heart in the only place she felt safe.