"You really aren't interested?"
Chen Shi's grandfather hadn't expected that reaction at all. Hearing about a top-tier secret realm, his grandson looked completely indifferent.
That was a top-tier secret realm—countless precious resources, rare Pokémon—something others would kill for a chance to enter.
Chen Shi picked up a bite of food and replied lazily, "I honestly don't want to go."
Ever since returning from his travels, all he'd wanted was to stay home, learn potion-making from his grandfather, and live a quiet life.
But then the World Championships happened, and he'd been running around nonstop.
Now that he'd finally won the championship, he really didn't feel like moving anymore.
Staying home and focusing on hatching Victini—wasn't that far more appealing?
His grandfather tried to persuade him again.
"Xiaoshi, this is an official evaluation by the League for the younger generation. If you perform well, they'll pour massive resources into training you."
"You could even be listed as a future Elite Four—or champion—candidate."
"You still don't want to go?"
Cynthia and Phoebe both turned to look at Chen Shi, waiting for his answer.
Chen Shi just spread his hands.
"Grandpa, the moment I come of age, I'm basically guaranteed to become a Professor. Do I really need to fight over Elite Four or Champion titles?"
There was something else he didn't say out loud.
Resources weren't something he lacked anymore. Almost all his Pokémon already possessed legendary-grade resources.
What he needed now wasn't more battles—it was time.
That was why he wanted to stay home.
His grandfather laughed and shook his head.
"You've got a point. If you don't want to go, then don't."
"It's just a shame about that secret realm. I heard the League even discovered a Tyranitar clan inside."
That made everyone pause.
A Tyranitar clan?
As a pseudo-legendary species, Tyranitar numbers were incredibly small—nobody even knew if there were five hundred in the entire world.
And now an entire clan had been found?
That was genuinely surprising.
Chen Shi, however, was only mildly startled. He wasn't particularly interested in Tyranitar, so there was no urge to chase that excitement.
"Cynthia, are you going?" he asked.
"Of course," Cynthia replied calmly. "I wouldn't miss something like that."
"Me too! I'm going as well!" Phoebe raised her hand enthusiastically.
Wherever there was excitement, Phoebe would be there. A top-tier secret realm sounded way too fun to skip.
"Alright then. I'll stay home and wait for you guys," Chen Shi said with a smile.
Even if both of them went, his decision wouldn't change.
Fighting and danger just weren't appealing to him right now. Learning potion-making with his grandfather sounded far better.
Seeing how firm his stance was, no one tried to persuade him further. Instead, curious as always, Phoebe asked about the secret realm.
"Grandpa Chen, how big is that top-tier secret realm? What's inside?"
His grandfather thought for a moment before answering.
"Top-tier secret realms are enormous—about half the size of the Hoenn region."
"And this one is special. Half land, half ocean. The Ground-type and Water-type energy inside is incredibly dense."
"There are many powerful Pokémon living there—quite a few at Champion level."
"So strong?!" Phoebe's eyes widened.
Her family's Ghost-type secret realm was only about the size of two mountains. Yet this one spanned half of Hoenn.
She'd spent more than two months traveling and still hadn't covered half of Hoenn before—just imagining the scale was staggering.
Chen Shi, however, fell silent in thought.
He didn't care how large the secret realm was.
What bothered him was the description—half land, half ocean—and the fact that it was in Hoenn.
A bad feeling…
Could that place be the home of Groudon and Kyogre?
If it really was, that would be disastrous.
What if the League's exploration woke those two idiots up and they started fighting again?
If they fought inside the secret realm, maybe it'd be contained—but if they came out?
Hoenn would become a complete joke overnight.
Chen Shi frowned, then thought it over more carefully.
That didn't make sense either.
Even one mountain couldn't house two tigers—if those two lived together, they'd be fighting every day.
Yeah… probably not them.
Once that thought settled, Chen Shi relaxed again.
"What are you thinking about?" Cynthia asked softly when she noticed him spacing out.
"Nothing. Just something that crossed my mind," Chen Shi shook his head. "No need to worry."
She smiled gently.
"If you ever want to talk about it, you can tell me. I might not be able to help—but I can listen."
Warmth stirred in Chen Shi's chest. He nodded with a smile.
"I know. Thank you."
Cynthia brushed her hair behind her ear, her voice light.
"I thought we didn't need to be so polite with each other."
That familiar line made Chen Shi freeze.
He suddenly remembered—he'd said something very similar to her before.
Now it was being returned to him.
For a moment, he didn't know whether to laugh or sigh.
Just as everyone was enjoying the meal, the landline phone in the living room rang.
His grandfather stood up and walked over.
"Hello, who's this?"
Whatever was said on the other end made his expression change instantly.
After hanging up, he hurried back to Chen Shi.
"Xiaoshi, take Salamence and Garchomp right now and head to Mt. Pyre at full speed!"
Chen Shi froze, instinctively looking toward Phoebe.
Phoebe had heard it too and rushed over, grabbing his arm.
"Grandpa Chen, why Mt. Pyre? Did something happen to my grandparents?"
"There's no time to explain!" his grandfather said urgently.
"The League just informed me—there's been a massive explosion at Mt. Pyre. Suspected Champion-level Pokémon are fighting!"
"Xiaoshi, what are you standing around for?! Go now!"
"Do you want this old man to handle it himself?"
Worried for his longtime friends, his grandfather was clearly anxious.
Chen Shi didn't dare waste another second. He immediately recalled his Pokémon and shouted—
"Bro Shark, stop drinking already! Dragon Sis—move!"
...
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