Golden Opportunity: The Lava Qilin, Guardian of the Sanctuary**
The Thorn Forest lay in the southwestern region of the Donghuang Alliance.
It was a Level-One National Nature Reserve.
At this moment, Ethan and Qin Yingying had already arrived at its outskirts.
From what Ethan had learned from Ye Kui's family, her disappearance had occurred deep within the Thorn Forest.
An Impossible Disappearance
The Thorn Forest was undeniably dangerous.
Yet for Ye Kui, it was no different from Falling Thunder Valley—
a natural playground she had grown up in.
Back then, Ye Kui had encountered Celebi here,
the mythical Pokémon that granted her extraordinary healing abilities.
More importantly, Ye Kui had a gentle nature.
Whenever she encountered injured or endangered Pokémon in the forest,
she would always stop to help them.
Over time, many Pokémon within the Thorn Forest came to recognize her.
By all logic—
Ye Kui should never have gone missing here.
And yet, half a month had passed without her return.
Her family had reported her disappearance immediately.
Police forces from several surrounding counties had been mobilized.
Even so, they had searched less than one-thousandth of the Thorn Forest.
To comb through the entire forest was simply unrealistic.
That was when Ethan stepped in.
Though young, Ethan was now a Five-Star Professional Trainer.
In any alliance, that status carried tremendous weight.
When he presented his credentials and explained that Ye Kui was his friend,
the local police chief welcomed his assistance without hesitation.
And so—
Ethan and Qin Yingying entered the Thorn Forest.
Into the Forest
Inside the forest, Ethan rode atop Entei,
heading rapidly toward the depths of the woods.
Behind him, Qin Yingying followed closely,
riding a powerful Luxray.
Yes—
this Luxray was none other than Big Lei, the guardian Pokémon from Falling Thunder Valley.
During her last visit home, Qin Yingying had convinced Big Lei to venture into the outside world.
To be precise—
Big Lei hadn't followed her because he acknowledged her strength.
He followed because Qin Yingying was Ethan's friend.
And following her meant staying close to Entei.
At first, Big Lei and Entei hadn't gotten along.
But Entei's overwhelming power and vast experience soon earned Big Lei's respect.
Before long, Big Lei had come to see Entei as both elder brother and mentor.
So when he heard he could continue training by Entei's side—
Big Lei didn't hesitate for a second.
After all, once he returned to Falling Thunder Valley,
he'd be the undisputed king of lightning there.
A Growing Unease
As they ventured deeper into the Thorn Forest,
the undergrowth grew thicker and more oppressive.
Qin Yingying couldn't help but ask anxiously,
"Ethan… are we sure this is the right direction?"
"The deeper we go, the worse this place feels…"
Ethan slowed Entei and glanced at Meloetta, who sat on his shoulder.
Meloetta closed her eyes briefly, sensing the flow of fate.
"This is the path," she said softly.
"Ye Kui was led deeper by her Gengar."
"…And based on my prediction, we're not far from her now."
Ethan nodded and turned to Qin Yingying.
"Meloetta's judgment is reliable."
"But we can slow down if you're uneasy."
They were here to find someone.
Losing Qin Yingying in the process would be unacceptable.
Qin Yingying hesitated—but ultimately nodded.
"Let's keep going."
"Just… carefully."
The World Shifts
Suddenly—
A strange ripple spread through the air.
Ethan felt it instantly.
So did Entei, Meloetta, Metagross—
even Qin Yingying and Big Lei sensed it.
Before Ethan could react—
"Ethan! Look ahead!" Qin Yingying cried out.
Ethan raised his head—
And froze.
The towering trees and thorny bushes were gone.
In their place bloomed endless fields of vibrant flowers.
They were no longer in a forest.
They stood in a mystical garden, untouched by time.
Ethan's expression sharpened.
Beautiful or not—
this was dangerous.
Then—
A shadow slowly emerged in midair.
"Gengar~"
A familiar voice.
Floating before them was Gengar—
not a wild one, but Ye Kui's Gengar.
"Gengar?" Ethan called out.
The ghost Pokémon's face lit up with delight, as if seeing family.
"Gengar~!"
Without hesitation, Gengar gestured for them to follow.
After exchanging a glance, Ethan and Qin Yingying followed.
The Space-Time Paradise
Two minutes later, Gengar led them out of the flower fields—
And back into a forest.
But this forest was different.
No suffocating undergrowth.
No oppressive danger.
Instead, it was tranquil and vibrant.
Along the way, Ethan saw countless Grass-type Pokémon living peacefully.
Eventually, they arrived before an enormous ancient tree,
the largest in the entire forest.
"Gengar!"
Gengar called out.
Astonishingly—
A wooden door appeared on the tree's trunk.
The door opened.
Standing inside—
Was Ye Kui.
"Ethan… Yingying?"
"Why are you here?"
Qin Yingying rushed forward immediately.
"Ye Kui! You're okay?!"
"You vanished for half a month—we were terrified!"
Ye Kui blinked, stunned.
"Half a month…?"
"I've only been here for three days…"
Ethan's brows furrowed.
"Three days?"
"Then this place…"
Ye Kui nodded.
"This is the Space-Time Paradise."
The Truth Revealed
She explained calmly,
"This paradise was created by the Forest God."
"It shelters all beings who have formed bonds with it."
"When I was a child, I accidentally entered this place."
"That's how I met Celebi—and gained the ability to enter freely."
Ethan listened carefully.
"Then why didn't you leave after three days?"
Ye Kui smiled bitterly.
"I couldn't."
"When I entered this time, Celebi had just entered its once-in-fifty-years slumber."
"To protect Celebi, the Space-Time Paradise seals itself completely."
"I've been trying to find a way out… but normally, no one should be able to enter while it's sealed."
She looked at Ethan and Qin Yingying, puzzled.
"How did you get in?"
Ethan sent Metagross back toward the entrance to test the barrier.
Moments later, Metagross returned.
Even with its power—
The seal couldn't be broken.
"That leaves only one option," Ye Kui said quietly.
"To awaken Celebi."
"But to reach Celebi's resting place…"
"We must defeat the guardian of the deepest layer."
She hesitated.
"That guardian is said to be an ancient king—
a being that swore an oath to protect Celebi during its slumber."
"I… was never allowed to approach."
Ye Kui lowered her head.
"I'm sorry… I dragged you into this."
Ethan exhaled slowly.
Then smiled.
"Then we'll meet this guardian."
"Best case—we talk."
"Worst case…"
He glanced at Metagross.
"We fight."
He had no intention of being trapped here for years.
The Guardian Appears
They journeyed deeper.
Forest.
Ocean.
Desert.
Finally—
A volcanic realm.
At its center stood a massive stone statue,
shaped like a Growlithe, yet far more imposing.
Before Ethan could study it—
The statue's eyes ignited with light.
"ROAAAR—!"
Cracks spread.
Stone shattered.
From within emerged a majestic beast,
its body wreathed in molten lava—
A blazing, ancient guardian.
And at that moment—
The system chimed.
[Ding!]
[Golden Opportunity Detected: Lava Qilin, Guardian of the Paradise]
[Recommendation: Acquire immediately]
Ethan's gaze locked onto the beast.
The real trial—
Had just begun.
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