: A wild Gastly has appeared!

Looking at the back of the figure blocking her way, Zhu Lan felt a strange and unfamiliar feeling welling up inside her.

As the Sinnoh Champion, she has always been at the forefront, protecting others behind her.

This is the first time in my life that someone has stood in my way, protecting me.

I've been underestimated...

But... it's not so bad?

She suppressed her emotions, took another step forward, and stood side by side with Bai Zhou.

Without a word, Garchomp instinctively stood in front of the two, unleashing the overwhelming aura of a champion Pokémon in an attempt to dispel the eerie atmosphere around them.

"here it is……"

Zhu Lan's voice carried a hint of solemnity.

"I'm not sure."

Bai Zhou's eyes darted around as he quickly scanned the distorted spatial structure around him. After confirming that there was no immediate danger, he turned to look at Zhu Lan with a resolute tone.

"But based on my speculation, this should be a stable alternate dimension attached to the main space of the First Emperor's Mausoleum."

Based on his experience of fighting against the two gods of time and space and his perception of time and space fluctuations, he made a judgment.

This alternate dimension is similar to the spacetime rift in his memory of "Pokémon Legends: Arceus," both being attachments to the main world.

The difference is that the former can exist indefinitely, while the latter is likely to collapse at any time.

"An alternate dimension?"

A hint of surprise flashed in Zhu Lan's eyes.

She was a scholar deeply versed in Sinnoh mythology and intimately familiar with the legend of the Twin Dragons of Time and Space, yet this was the first time she had ever heard of the concrete concept of "another dimension."

But how would he know?

The urge to investigate grew stronger, and Zhu Lan couldn't help but take a closer look at the young man beside her who exuded a strange sense of relaxation.

Younger than me...

He's taller than me...

His nose is very straight, and his eyes...

Hmm, indeed...quite handsome.

"Let's try to return the way we came."

Bai Zhou felt a chill run down his spine for no apparent reason and interrupted Zhu Lan's thoughts with a voice.

Garchomp roared and led the way, the two cautiously attempting to traverse the thick, inky fog.

However, no matter how many times they tried, the final result was always the same: they would be back in the same place, trapped in a maze, and return to the gates of that magnificent palace.

Our escape route is cut off.

Bai Zhou and Zhu Lan exchanged a glance.

With no other choice, they entered the palace and tried to find clues to leave.

The interior of the palace is far more spacious than it appears from the outside.

Several crystal lamps floated above, serving as the sole light source and emitting a cold, flickering purple glow that distorted the massive pillars and shadows.

As you explore, you'll find that almost every compartment is filled with Ghost-type Pokémon of various shapes and sizes, exuding an ancient and decaying aura.

A cursed doll huddled in a corner, a night demon standing beside a stone pillar, a dream monster floating on a mural...

They sleep in various postures, but without exception, they are all surrounded by a powerful aura that is unsettling and seems to have been accumulated for thousands of years. Just getting close to them makes people shudder.

"These are ancient relics that have lived for thousands of years. Even in their sleep, their aura is frighteningly strong."

Bai Zhou lowered his voice and analyzed while pinching his chin.

"We cannot stay here any longer; we must find a way out as soon as possible."

"Yes, I understand."

Zhu Lan silently put the paper and pen she had just taken out to make research notes back into her trench coat pocket, and nodded solemnly.

Even the champions felt immense pressure facing such a large number of ancient ghosts of such age.

The two held their breath and carefully avoided the sleeping ghosts as they crept towards the main chamber at the deepest part of the palace.

Upon entering the main room, Bai Zhou's gaze was immediately drawn to the dark purple jade coffin in the center, which was intricately carved with dragon patterns.

The coffin was nine feet long and five inches wide, with an ancient and majestic design, exuding an aura of imperial solemnity.

however……

The heavy coffin lid had been pushed open and was leaning diagonally over the edge of the coffin.

Peeking inside, there were no remains in the coffin, only a pile of dark dragon robes, faded and worn by time.

"A cenotaph?"

Bai Zhou frowned slightly, noticing the marks on the edge of the coffin lid.

"Someone came... The coffin lid was opened by someone, and it couldn't have been long."

beep beep-

The detector's alarm blared sharply, shattering the deathly silence of the main room.

Bai Zhou looked down at the screen, comparing the wildly fluctuating energy readings, and after a moment said in a deep voice:

"Miss Zhulan, the source of the energy diffusion has been found. It should be the jade coffin in front of us, or more precisely, something that leaked out after the coffin lid was opened. Tsk, now the workload will be even greater..."

His voice carried a hint of helplessness as he turned his head to look at Zhu Lan.

"If you want to record anything, you can start now."

"Um?"

Zhu Lan was puzzled at first, but then she understood, and a slight blush rose on her fair cheeks.

Is my desire to explore... really that obvious?

I thought it was well hidden...

"Um... thank you."

Zhu Lan thanked her softly, but the strange feeling in her heart surged up again.

From the moment they entered the alternate dimension, the boy had firmly held the reins.

Analyzing the space, assessing dangers, deciding on routes, and even caring for and protecting her, the champion.

This role reversal left her feeling somewhat lost, even though she was the champion, the one who should bear everything.

She took out her notebook, forced herself to focus on the present moment, and quickly sketched all the details she saw.

Bai Zhou carefully examined the jade coffin, searching for clues while remaining vigilant about his surroundings.

call--

A cold wind suddenly rose from the ground without warning.

The bronze vessels hanging inside the palace jingled, and the eerie light from the crystal chandeliers flickered intensely.

The temperature plummeted to freezing point, and a bone-chilling cold instantly spread.

Dense purple mist appeared out of nowhere from all directions, gathering wildly and instantly condensing into a hideous, grotesque face that blotted out the sky.

The gaping maw split open, revealing a gigantic, scarlet tongue writhing within, emanating a nauseating malice.

A wild Gastly has appeared!

"Garuda, Protect!"

Zhu Lan reacted swiftly, instantly displaying the qualities of a champion.

Garchomp roared deafeningly, its massive body instantly shielding its master from the threat, and an indestructible blue energy shield instantly unfolded.

however……

The anticipated terrorist attack did not occur.

The giant ghost face emitted a "ga ga ga" sound, full of mischievous laughter.

Its massive body floated lightly backward like smoke billowing in the wind, then reformed into that familiar, chubby Gastly form.

Then, an even stranger thing happened.

Cursed Doll, Night Demon, Dream Demon...

One by one, powerful Ghost-type Pokémon that were originally sleeping in the compartment suddenly appeared from behind Gastly like phantoms.

They moved silently, subtly forming an encirclement. The invisible, suffocating aura of terror acted like a physical cage, trapping Bai Zhou and Zhu Lan firmly in the center.

They are the sleeping Pokémon outside!

They... all woke up!

Zhu Lan was deeply shaken.

Her hand almost instinctively went to the Poké Ball chain at her waist, but just as she was about to throw the Poké Ball, Bai Zhou moved first.