Golden Opportunity · Life Sacred Pearl, and Yanhuang the Ultimate Wingman**
"Master, this is the Sacred Spring."
Upon arriving, Mo Yan (the Bug King) took the initiative to explain.
Despite having 'bug' in its name, the Heavenly Bug Sacred Spring looked nothing like a murky swamp.
The water was crystal-clear—pure, calm, and immaculate.
Ethan crouched down and dipped his hand into the spring.
"…This water feels heavy."
The moment his hand entered, he felt a distinct resistance, as if the density of the water itself was far greater than normal. It wasn't easy to submerge his hand—almost like pushing into a viscous barrier.
Mo Yan didn't answer.
Instead, Yanhuang spoke.
"That is the marvel of this spring, my lord."
"This is no ordinary water."
"It is said to be holy water left behind by Xerneas, the God of Life."
"Thus, it contains incomparably rich life energy."
"For ordinary Pokémon, bathing in it can heal hidden injuries."
"And for Bug-types…"
Yanhuang paused briefly.
"It can extend their lifespan."
Ethan's eyes widened slightly.
Extend lifespan?
Earlier, while traveling deeper into the Bug Valley, Ethan had asked how Yanhuang and Mo Yan knew each other.
That was when he learned—
Mo Yan had once lived in the Time-Space Paradise, serving under Yanhuang.
Unlike Yanhuang, Mo Yan disliked staying confined. He wanted to roam the world.
Yanhuang hadn't stopped him.
Instead, he pointed Mo Yan toward this very place.
To Yanhuang, two centuries in the Time-Space Paradise meant little had changed outside.
But to Mo Yan—
More than one hundred and fifty years had passed.
Which explained why, upon seeing Yanhuang again, Mo Yan had been so overwhelmed.
But those were details for later.
"Master," Mo Yan said respectfully,
"Did you not mention that you still have an unhatched egg?"
"You may take it out now."
"With the Sacred Spring's help…
That little one may be born immediately."
Mo Yan's respect toward Ethan was absolute.
Not only because Ethan was Yanhuang's master—
But because Mo Yan had once been personally guided by Yanhuang.
That debt was lifelong.
Ethan didn't hesitate.
He retrieved the Snivy Egg—the one gifted by Uncle Guan Yi.
Snivy, a Grass-type starter, might seem ordinary compared to Larvitar or Larvesta.
But Ethan liked it.
Not because of appearances—
But because of its Ability.
Contrary.
Officially, abilities had no hierarchy.
Some were weak in battle but incredible in exploration or utility.
But if one spoke purely of combat—
Contrary was undeniably T0.
Its mechanism was absurd.
Leaf Storm normally caused a drastic drop in Special Attack.
But with Contrary?
Not only did power not decrease—
It increased.
Others grew weaker the more they fought.
Snivy would grow stronger.
How could that not be broken?
Ethan gently placed the Snivy Egg into the Sacred Spring.
Under normal circumstances, the egg would have sunk.
But here—
It didn't.
The dense water held it effortlessly, suspended in place.
The surface didn't ripple.
Yet in the next instant—
An overwhelming surge of life energy poured straight into the egg.
Ethan could clearly sense it now.
The生命力 inside the egg was swelling rapidly.
"…This spring is outrageous," Ethan muttered.
Yanhuang continued calmly.
"My lord, you should also let Larvitar enter."
"The benefits will be immense."
Ethan nodded and released another Poké Ball.
Larvitar appeared—
Along with Meloetta.
"Brother Ethan!"
Meloetta smiled brightly.
"Lar~!"
Larvitar beamed, already expecting food.
Because Larvitar was still young, Meloetta often looked after her.
That was why they shared the same Poké Ball.
Usually, Larvitar came out to eat.
But today—
No food.
Confusion crept onto her little face.
"Hungry?" Ethan asked gently.
Larvitar nodded hard and patted her belly.
Ethan laughed.
"You can eat."
"But before that… we need to do something else."
Something else?
Larvitar blinked.
At that moment, Meloetta noticed the Sacred Spring and froze.
"Brother Ethan… this is—"
"A spring made of pure life energy?"
Despite being only six months old, Meloetta was a Mythical Pokémon.
Inherited knowledge flowed naturally within her.
Ethan nodded.
"That's right."
He turned to Larvitar.
"This spring will help you a lot."
"I know being hungry is uncomfortable…"
"But how about we absorb the energy first—
Then eat properly?"
Mo Yan flapped his wings.
"Food will be prepared immediately."
"I'll have the best Bug Valley fruits delivered."
With that, he departed.
Larvitar hesitated.
She was Rock/Ground-type—
Water instinctively scared her.
But food afterward…
She gritted her teeth and nodded.
Ethan couldn't lift her physically.
But with his psychic power—
He easily guided Larvitar into the spring.
To her surprise—
No cold.
No drowning sensation.
Instead—
Warm, gentle life energy flooded into her body.
"…Lar?"
This was nothing like water.
Realizing the benefit, Larvitar shut her eyes and absorbed everything she could.
Her strength surged visibly.
1.17
1.18
1.19
…
1.30
Within minutes—
She jumped from mid-stage to Peak Outstanding.
Then—
Whoosh!
She broke through to Elite-tier.
Light enveloped her body.
She began to evolve.
At the same time—
Crack.
The Snivy Egg split open.
Snivy was born.
And the system chimed.
[Ding! You have obtained Red Opportunity · Heavenly Bug Sacred Spring]
[Opportunity Multiplier: ×30]
[Obtained: Golden Opportunity · Life Sacred Pearl]
Life Sacred Pearl?
Ethan paused.
Based on precedent, shouldn't this have been a "Bug Sacred Pearl"?
Then he understood.
The core of this spring wasn't Bug-type energy—
It was Life energy.
Thus, the Life Sacred Pearl.
The pearl in his hand was transparent, glass-like, overflowing with vitality—
Even richer than the spring itself.
Ethan immediately thought of Hatterene.
His team's sole healer.
This pearl would be perfect for her.
When Ethan looked back—
Two Pokémon stood near the spring.
One was the newly hatched Snivy.
Fearless and curious, she blinked her large eyes and—
Suddenly jumped straight onto Ethan.
Clinging.
Refusing to let go.
"Snivy~"
The reason was simple.
The Life Sacred Pearl radiated familiar energy.
The same energy she had known since birth.
Naturally—
She mistook Ethan for her parent.
Ethan smiled helplessly.
Who could resist an affectionate little green snake?
Xu Xian's joy—nothing more than this.
Nearby, a stone cocoon-like Pokémon stood silently.
Pupitar.
Larvitar had evolved.
Though it looked clumsy, Pupitar was anything but weak.
In this form, its control over Ground-type energy was exceptional.
Earthquake? Easy.
Snivy hatched.
Pupitar evolved.
Life Sacred Pearl obtained.
This trip—
Was perfect.
That night, Mo Yan hosted a feast.
Ethan had expected insect cuisine.
Instead—
High-quality berries filled the tables.
Mostly Green-tier.
Several even Blue-tier.
Snivy and Pupitar ate like maniacs.
Especially Pupitar—
One basin per bite.
Snivy watched nervously, half-worried she'd be eaten next.
Elsewhere, Mo Yan spoke quietly with Yanhuang.
And Yanhuang—
Praised Ethan to the heavens.
Even stating his ascension to God-tier was due to Ethan.
Mo Yan was stunned.
Then Yanhuang glanced at Larvesta.
"Your son is promising."
"And he seems to like my lord."
"How about letting him follow Ethan?"
"Perhaps…
He may reach God-tier one day too."
Mo Yan's mind went blank.
"…My son?"
"…God-tier?"
Is that… real?
O_o?
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