This is my gift

DaCongYa Brand Scallion Restaurant.

As the premier upscale restaurant in Di'an City, it is not a battle-themed restaurant, but it has been renowned for many years for its dishes made with top-quality scallions, and has consistently ranked high on the food charts.

Bai Zhou jumped out of Garchomp's embrace, put down Gastly which was almost blown away by the strong wind, and while tidying up her messy hair, looked at Cynthia, who was gracefully getting up, with a resentful look.

stare--

Feeling a little uncomfortable under that intense gaze, Zhu Lan stiffly turned her face away, coughed lightly, and quickly walked into the restaurant.

After the meal.

Zhu Lan picked up her bone china cup, took a sip of coffee, and casually brought up the topic.

"Before I came here, Professor Oak asked me to inquire whether you needed him to help you register for the Spark Tournament, which is being held by the Eastern Alliance soon."

"The Spark Conference?"

Bai Zhou put down his teacup, a hint of curiosity in his eyes.

"What kind of competition is it specifically?"

"It's a traditional tournament set up by the Donghuang Alliance specifically for new trainers."

Zhu Lan put down her cup, and deliberately emphasized the words "newcomer" with a subtle tone.

"I heard... the rewards are quite generous."

"Little A's Assistant reminds you: Spark Tournament! Step onto the Alliance stage where masters gather, and climb to the top as a savior!"

"Rewards: Determined based on ranking"

Ignoring the system pop-up, Bai Zhou poured himself another cup of tea.

He wasn't interested in the league-organized competitions, but the thought of Gastly...

Since getting the strategy book, Gastly has been engrossed in it every day, and hasn't practiced the new moves it learned before.

It's not enough to just talk about techniques and tactics on paper.

He was thinking of taking it to the battle center to practice in a safe and reassuring way, and to put his knowledge into practice.

However, since Zhu Lan mentioned the Spark Conference...

Bai Zhou's mind started to wander.

Participating in the official tournament organized by the league means you can use the top-notch professional venues for free and engage in real battles with trainers from all over the world with different styles.

If you're lucky enough to get a ranking, you can even get a free reward...

This is such a wonderful thing.

Under Zhu Lan's strange gaze, Bai Zhou put down his teacup and said with an extremely serious expression:

"I think this competition is very meaningful! It's a good opportunity for Gastly to experience the harsh realities of the world and hone its combat skills!"

"All right."

Zhu Lan sighed helplessly and rubbed her temples.

She found herself unable to keep up with this man's train of thought, and he always made unexpected choices at such moments.

He's clearly a very skilled trainer, yet he's interested in these rookie competitions...

"I'll tell Professor Oak to register you."

"There's one more thing."

Bai Zhou picked up the conversation, casually took out a black scale from his pocket, and handed it to Zhu Lan with a smile.

"This is my return gift."

"These are... dragon scales?"

Zhu Lan subconsciously took it, her slender fingers gently caressing the black jade-like scale. The unique patterns on it and the gentle energy it emitted made her reluctant to put it down.

However, the more she handled it, the more doubts she felt.

As the Sinnoh Champion and Mythology Scholar, and with a Dragon-type partner like Garchomp, Cynthia's knowledge of Dragon Scales is unparalleled.

But the scale in her palm was completely beyond her comprehension.

She was 100% certain that it was a dragon scale, but she couldn't match it with any known Dragon-type Pokémon.

The energy contained within those scales... was so vast it startled her.

This is something that ordinary Dragon-type Pokémon cannot possess.

An almost absurd idea suddenly popped into my head.

The legendary Pokémon?

impossible……

She was about to deny herself, but looking at Bai Zhou, who seemed to lack motivation, she suddenly felt that nothing was impossible.

"What Pokémon shed these scales?"

She raised her eyes, trying to catch a clue on Bai Zhou's face.

"They are scales shed by the Flying Serpent."

Bai Zhou answered immediately, his tone casual.

He did not hide anything, nor was there any need to hide anything.

Zhu Lan's cherry lips parted slightly, then she pursed them helplessly, glaring at Bai Zhou fiercely. The frustration of being teased in her heart swelled up instantly.

It was absolutely intentional!

He knew perfectly well that she, as a scholar of mythology, had studied in depth the records of Rayquaza, the god of the sky.

Those ancient books, murals, and blurry images all depict its majestic body, entirely emerald green and adorned with golden patterns!

Where did those dark scales come from?

They lie so carelessly, they can't even be bothered to come up with a decent excuse!

This man... is absolutely despicable!

but……

Regardless of its true origin, the immense dragon-type energy contained within this scale is priceless to any dragon-type trainer.

A hint of stubbornness flashed across Zhu Lan's fair face. She carefully wrapped the scales with a plain handkerchief and pushed them back towards the white boat.

"It's too precious, I can't..."

"This is also my gift to Garchomp."

Bai Zhou had anticipated this, and with a smile playing on his lips, he calmly interrupted her.

"You have no reason to refuse, Miss Zhulan."

At this moment, just as at that moment.

When positions are reversed, the offensive and defensive strategies change.

"Rusty?"

The Garchomp, which had been quietly crouching beside Cynthia, turned its fierce gaze to Shirafuji, scratched its pointed head with its sharp arm blades, and looked confused.

Do you think we're that close?

Zhu Lan was momentarily speechless. After hesitating for a moment, she took back the scales wrapped in her handkerchief. However, looking at Bai Zhou's smiling, handsome face, she felt a surge of displeasure and suddenly said:

"Don't forget the investigation mission."

"what……"

Bai Zhou's smile instantly froze on his face.

To be more precise, it shifted to Zhu Lan's face. She packed her things, got up, and as she left, she casually uttered:

"See you tomorrow."

……

Professor Oak's efficiency is astonishing.

Just three days later, Bai Zhou received an official notification from the alliance on his phone.

"Bai Zhou, contestant number 404 from Di'an City, is requested to arrive at the city's Alliance Battle Center before 3 PM today to participate in the Spark Tournament preliminary rounds."

Bai Zhou turned off his phone, got out of bed, and went to find Gastly.

Finally, in the living room, I saw Gastly doing sit-ups under Rayquaza's supervision.

As for how he knew Gastly was doing sit-ups, just look at Gastly's constantly folding and twitching face.

What kind of core strength are you trying to forge with a lump of gas?!

Training Shadow Fist?

But you're clearly a special forces soldier!

"Ghost, stop training! If you keep going, bad news is coming from the bodybuilding world. Get some rest; we have to go to the Spark Competition auditions this afternoon!"

"Gas!"

Upon hearing Bai Zhou's words, Gastly's eyes widened suddenly. Instead of stopping its folding motion, it trained even more vigorously.

(･ㅂ･)

Only through hard work can you become stronger!

Seeing this, Bai Zhou keenly sensed that something was wrong.

Gastly is usually mischievous and active, but today its energy seems excessive.

Gastly itself may not have realized anything was wrong, but as Gastly's trainer, Shirazumi had been paying close attention to its real-time status.

He immediately stepped forward and stopped Gastly from folding and convulsing.

Gastly wanted to resist, but seeing the serious look on his face, it decisively turned into a soft, cuddly little baby.

The super-power converged, and a warm, soft white light flowed from White Boat's palm, slowly seeping into Gastly's body, causing it to let out a soft moan.

"Gasp~"