Chapter 12
: The Great Crystallization of Creation and the World of Origin
"Young people these days are just... equally impatient."
Pierre wasn't angry at being interrupted; he just felt helpless, thinking of his daughter's temper.
He was already certain that Xia Ming would agree when he planned to offer this item as an exchange, simply because of the preciousness of the large piece of Creation Crystal!
The Hyperdimensional Operation cannot be participated in for free. To enter and become rich overnight, you need an energy crystal called "Genesis Crystal". It is said to be made from light particles scattered from the legendary Pokémon Arceus and can only be collected from places he has set foot in.
Whether this is true or not, it must be related to Arceus, especially the large crystal of creation.
This creation crystal allows Pokémon trainers to enter a superdimensional world of the "Origin" level, which is a top-tier superdimensional world that surpasses the "conventional" and transcends the "challenge" level.
Among the Pokémon living there are even ancient Pokémon whose normal form is Mega Evolution. They maintain their most original and peak form, and each of them is at least as strong as an ace Pokémon under the command of a Gym Leader.
What's even more enticing is that defeating them guarantees a drop of related Mega Stones, and you can also take their treasured possessions.
This even includes fragments of the Creation Stone Tablet containing an incredible concentration of elemental power! These are hundreds of times more precious than blank fragments!
Indeed, Xia Ming is not qualified to explore that level of superdimensional world right now, but that doesn't mean he can't in the future. Having and possibly having are two completely different concepts. He feels that he must stockpile one or two large pieces of creation crystals, even if it comes at a huge cost.
…………
"Thank you very much, Uncle Pierre. Just tell me your terms, and I will agree to whatever they are."
"Actually, it's nothing much. I just hope you can give Abigail two hundred Holy Ash Crystals. I'll also reimburse you for all the seeds you bought this time. However, I can only provide you with this channel. Whether you have the funds to buy them is up to you."
Pierre generously waived Xia Ming's payment for the seeds this time.
He was actually quite worried about his daughter, and if he could carry some holy ash crystals with him, it would provide some protection.
He never aspired to be a Pokémon Trainer since he was a child. Since the spot was just sitting idle in his hands, he might as well do a favor for his daughter while also helping her. In the future, Xia Ming might keep coming to his house to buy the best berry seeds.
"After that, I'll need to trouble Uncle Pierre to ask how much I need in exchange so I can prepare accordingly."
"No problem~"
"By the way, Uncle Pierre, do you know where the nearest Genesis Crystal is sold? I'd like to take Young Gilas there a couple more times after I'm done with my work."
"Yuichi? Yuichi!"
Young Gilas was overjoyed to hear that he was going to the place where he was born again, and waved while tugging at Xia Ming's trouser leg.
Pierre shook his head apologetically at Xia Ming's question:
"I don't know. I'm not even as good as my dear Abigail in this regard. Mayor Lewis might know."
"Yes, Genesis Crystals are only available for sale in regional central cities and important urban areas. The closest city to Stardew Valley is the central city, but even that takes several hours by train."
Lewis, who is quite knowledgeable in this area, then continued:
"You can go there to stock up on some in the winter. As for now... I still have a few Genesis Crystals at home that I haven't used for a long time. Consider them my graduation gift to you."
With a slight smile, Lewis's eyes made no attempt to hide his affection for Xia Ming.
Xia Ming was overjoyed by this unexpected surprise and thanked Lewis profusely, showering him with sweet words and calling him "Grandpa Lewis" repeatedly!
After all, this is no different from someone casually giving you a million or two. Genesis Crystals are likely very expensive; the official price is 50,000 Alliance Coins for one crystal! That's equivalent to ten high-grade orbs. In some remote black markets, they can even fetch tens or hundreds of thousands of coins per crystal!
Just as the three were chatting happily, the door of Pierre's farm shop was pushed open, followed by a slightly disappointed voice:
"I'm back……"
The voice interrupted the three's conversation. Xia Ming turned around and saw a head of long, jewel-like hair that flowed down the girl's shoulders and framed her beautiful face.
However, what attracted Xia Ming's attention even more than the girl herself was the Pokémon she was holding in her arms—Cocodora.
Rock-type Pokémon? He remembered that most of Pierre's Pokémon were Grass-type or Bug-type, and Pierre himself even raised a Volcarona to pollinate rare berries.
Why would Abigail choose a Rock-type starter Pokémon that her family has never even set foot in?
"Abigail?"
"You are... Xia Ming? Xia Ming! Ha, you actually still remember the town? I thought you weren't planning on coming back."
Abigail's initial dejected expression vanished instantly, replaced by playful banter and joy at her childhood friend's return. But her mood soon returned to its usual low point.
"Sorry, I'm probably not in the mood for catching up today. I'll go back to my room now and tell my mom I want apple pie for dinner. Thank you."
After saying that, she didn't even have time to greet Lewis before turning her head and returning to her room from the nearby cubicle.
Lewis was left standing there in a bad mood, while Pierre was embarrassed.
"Um... Uncle Pierre, I think you need to have a heart-to-heart talk with Abigail. I won't bother you any longer. Grandpa Lewis, aren't we still going to find Aunt Robin? This is the perfect time."
The family conflicts between Abigail and Pierre have been going on for a long time. When they were little, Xia Ming would always whisper to Abigail whenever he came back, and the topic was always this.
So the two of them are still on good terms, and Abigail might come to him tomorrow.
However, despite his words, Xia Ming still didn't want to get involved in this family conflict. He hoped that the father and daughter could reconcile on their own, which would be the best outcome.
"I apologize, Xia Ming, and mayor as well. Please excuse my poor manners."
"It's alright, Pierre, it's not your fault. We need to give the young people more time. Maybe she'll figure it out someday, just like Xia Ming."
Lewis smiled and let the matter drop. He then led Xia Ming and Young Gilas away from the farm shop and headed towards the carpenter's workshop on the mountain in the town.
Unlike most people who live in the town, Robin and her family, the town's only carpenter, live at the foot of a small hill above the town, on a high ground.
Unfortunately, when they arrived, they were told that Robin and her husband Demetrius were temporarily out.