At this moment, the miserable travel agency driver could no longer be smug, instead, he wore a bitter expression as he helplessly called his boss:
"Seriously, boss, I've been waiting all day, and there's only one person left! The guesthouse owner said that a tourist from our tour group went missing, and I heard the matter has escalated quite a bit. The entire Zigong government is working overtime during the National Day holiday because of this. What do you think we should do?"
"Boss, what do you mean?
Huh? Why are you suddenly saying I'm the travel agency boss now?""
But before the driver could even get an answer, the phone hung up with a "snap," leaving him alone and bewildered in the wind.
Sitting in the car, Yelena was so angry that she slammed her fist onto the seat.
She was staying in a single room, and when she woke up in the morning, she found that Chen Kai and his group were all gone. She waited until the afternoon, but no one returned, and no one even bothered to inform her!
But there was nothing she could do but wait.
For the next few days, Chen Kai and his group stayed in Zigong.
On one hand, they were waiting for Huang Mao to be discharged from the hospital, and on the other hand, they occasionally went to the police station to assist with statements, and they could also take the opportunity to sightsee and wander around Zigong.
It was hitting three birds with one stone.
Having escaped that scamming travel agency and no longer having to worry about the unreliable Huang Mao, the group could finally embark on a normal trip.
They first arrived at Shenhai Well.
From afar, that ancient salt well stood quietly like an old man weathered by time, silently narrating Zigong's thousand-year-old well salt culture.
Su Yuexi, like a curious child, had her eyes wide open and enthusiastically circled the Shenhai Well several times.
The towering derrick, reaching into the clouds like the arm of a giant, stood firm despite its wooden structure being marked by the passage of time, as if proudly displaying its past glory to the world.
Chen Kai saw several Garganacl skillfully operating the ancient equipment, drawing brine from deep underground, a scene like a magical performance.
However, pure Rock-type Garganacl do not like contact with water, so the extracted brine was transported to the designated location by Corsola.
The scene was like a spectacular performance. The Pokemon moved skillfully and decisively, cooperating with each other with perfect tacit agreement.
Chen Kai walked slowly along the path beside the well, like an explorer searching for treasure.
He reached out and gently touched the rough well wall, his fingertips tracing the grooves left by time, as if engaging in an intimate, cross-temporal dialogue with the long history of Blue Star.
The next evening, they excitedly arrived at Zigong Lantern Park.
Even before entering the park, Chen Kai and his group could see from afar that the colorful lights illuminated the night sky as brightly as day, as if draping the sky in a splendid and dreamy neon gown.
As soon as he entered the park, Chen Kai felt as if he had stepped into a dreamlike world. The various lanterns were uniquely shaped and lifelike, as if a group of magical Pokémon were casting wonderful spells.
Among them, the most eye-catching was the magnificent Ho-Oh spreading its wings lantern in the very center. That Ho-Oh seemed to fly out of ancient mythology, its graceful figure stretching its massive wings.
Its feathers, illuminated by the lights, were vibrant and colorful: red like burning flames, yellow like dazzling gold, green like warm jade. Each feather seemed to be imbued with vivid life, sparkling with dynamic and charming light.
Ho-Oh's head was held high, its eyes sharp and bright, as if gazing at a beautiful vision in the distance, full of sacredness and majesty.
Its long tail feathers trailed on the ground, swaying gently with the breeze, like a brilliant ribbon dancing in the air.
And below the Ho-Oh lantern, there were also three guardian beast lanterns—Suicune, Entei, and Raikou.
The Suicune lantern emitted a serene blue light, its body lines flowing naturally, as if gracefully swimming in water.
Under the illumination of the blue light, its agile eyes seemed to contain an endless power of water, and the surrounding water vapor shimmered faintly in the light, creating a mysterious and cool atmosphere.
The Entei lantern was enveloped in a blazing red light, the patterns of its red fur clearly visible, like fiercely burning flames, exuding a scorching aura.
Its majestic and solemn posture seemed capable of controlling all flames in the world, giving a sense of powerful and shocking strength.
The Raikou lantern shimmered with golden electric light, with yellow lights simulating lightning occasionally flashing around its body, dazzling and eye-catching.
Its eyes were as sharp as lightning, as if it could see through everything, controlling the power of thunder and lightning in the sky, making people feel awe.
"Why does Zigong make lanterns of them?" Chen Kai couldn't help but quietly ask his companions.
Zhao Jie explained, "There's definitely a reason! The guardian beasts of the Dragon Kingdom are the Three Legendary Beasts, and the Three Legendary Beasts were resurrected by Ho-Oh's power. So in many places in the Dragon Kingdom, decorations related to Ho-Oh are made. It's just like in Yelena's country, they make many decorations related to the Three Musketeers."
Chen Kai turned to Miraidon and teased, "How about making a lantern like this for you too?"
Miraidon quickly shook its head repeatedly: "Let's not."
Xiao Mei, on the other hand, showed great interest in the lanterns.
"Roar~" (I want one!)
At this moment, the Grovyle next to them pointed:
"Chirp." (It looks like there's an Ampharos lantern over there.)
The Xiao Mei approached and saw that there was indeed an Ampharos lantern not far away.
As a famous "Light Pokémon," the Lantern Park naturally wouldn't be without Ampharos-shaped lanterns.
The head of this Ampharos lantern was held high, its eyes sharp and firm, as if gazing at unknown challenges in the distance.
Most striking were the two red orbs on its tail and forehead. The orbs were round and full, emitting a warm and bright light, like lighthouses illuminating the distance, exceptionally dazzling and eye-catching.
Xiao Mei nodded, seriously commenting:
"Roar~ Roar~" (Well made, it captures a third of my charm.)
Just like that, the trip that was originally planned for only three days ended up with Chen Kai spending his entire National Day holiday in Zigong.
However, the various delicacies in Zigong were highly praised, and Miraidon and other Pokemon also ate with great relish, and the travel experience was full of fun, so it was worth the trip.
On October 7th, Huang Mao was officially discharged from the hospital, and the series of events that occurred earlier were also mostly resolved by the Zigong Alliance Center.
Upon discharge, Huang Mao took out a piece of amber, handed it to Zhao Jie, and asked her to help identify it.
Zhao Jie said nothing more, took the amber, put on her professional glasses, and concentrated on observing it. She first used a magnifying glass to carefully examine the internal structure of the amber, then gently tapped it, listening to the sound it made, and then used professional instruments for detailed testing.
After a while, Zhao Jie looked up, her eyes full of surprise, and said to Huang Mao:
"This is a genuine piece of ancient amber. Judging from its quality and inclusions, there's a high probability it can revive an Aerodactyl, and its value is quite high!"
Upon hearing this, Huang Mao felt both excited and a little uneasy. After all, an Aerodactyl—how could he, who was obsessed with Rock-type Pokemon, not be tempted? But he worried that he had no way to revive the fossil.
Zhao Jie saw his concern and said:
"When we return to Da City, my Research Institute has instruments that can try to help with the revival. Of course, if you want better results, you can also go to the Kyoto Fossil Department. Their instruments are newer and more advanced, and the chances of successful revival will be greater."
Huang Mao grinned and said ingratiatingly to Zhao Jie, "No need, no need, Kyoto is too far. It's better to trouble you, Zhao Jie."
Seeing this, Chen Kai also took out his "trophy"—a plant fossil.
Zhao Jie looked at Chen Kai with surprise: "Where did you get this fossil? It looks to be of good quality."
Chen Kai laughed, vaguely saying, "I just happened to pick it up when I was looking for Huang Mao that day."
Zhao Jie didn't ask any further questions, picked up her magnifying glass, and began to examine the fossil again.
Not long after, Zhao Jie looked up in surprise again and said, "This Root Fossil is quite well preserved! There's more than a fifty percent chance it can revive a Cradily!"
This greatly surprised Chen Kai, and he said with a smile, "Then I'll have to trouble you, Zhao Jie, when the time comes."
Zhao Jie waved her hand and said indifferently:
"Alright, it's all revival anyway. The workload for one and two is about the same. Once I get back and arrange for the fossils to be revived, I'll contact both of you."
The three of them agreed on this, but somehow, this matter reached Dong Gang's ears.
Dong Gang immediately approached Huang Mao, his face serious, and said earnestly:
"Xiao Wang, I've been searching for this kind of rare amber containing an Aerodactyl for many years. For the sake of our friendship, please let me have it. Whatever your demands are, just say them, and I'll do my best to fulfill them. Whether it's tens of millions in funds, a pseudo-legendary Pokemon, or even a Legendary Pokémon's token, as long as I can do it, I won't hesitate."
But as Huang Mao listened to Dong Gang's words, his gaze remained firm, and he slowly spoke:
"Master Dong, I've always been especially grateful for your guidance to me, and if it weren't for you lending me money, I wouldn't have been able to dig up this amber at all.
But this amber, to me, is a miracle on my path to becoming a Rock-type Pokemon trainer.
I love the Way of Rock, and I enjoy the process of exploring the mysteries of nature with Rock-type Pokemon.
Just as you taught me, I will persevere. It's like a medal from this journey, and I cannot give it up for any material conditions."
Wang Yi, who was standing by, was shocked to hear her cousin say these words. She had never heard Huang Mao speak so seriously in her life.
Dong Gang had originally thought that with his relationship with Huang Mao, plus such generous conditions, he could definitely persuade Huang Mao.
Before, he only thought Huang Mao was sweet-tongued and good at flattering him, but at this moment, seeing Huang Mao's unwavering gaze, he seemed to see himself from many years ago, who, in order to become a Rock-type Pokemon Master, had forgotten sleep and food and devoted himself wholeheartedly.
At that time, he too was driven by pure passion, unswayed by external temptations.
Dong Gang was silent for a long time, then gently patted Huang Mao's shoulder and said:
"Xiao Wang, you're right. Our pursuit of the Way of Rock should be with passion and perseverance. It was I who was presumptuous."
After speaking, he pulled out a book from his embrace—"The Mysteries of Rock."
"These are some insights and experiences I've casually recorded over the years. Consider it an apology for my earlier abruptness, a gift to you. I hope it can help you on the Way of Rock."
Tears of emotion welled up in Huang Mao's eyes. He tightly grasped Dong Gang's hand and said:
"Thank you, Master Dong! I will definitely carry this passion and continue to persevere!"
Dong Gang squeezed his hand back and said, "Likewise!" Then he turned and left gracefully.
Wang Yi, listening from the side, couldn't help but exclaim:
"Tianxiang, I didn't realize you thought that way!"
She had originally thought Wang Tianxiang was just fooling around, but she never expected him to have such firm conviction regarding his beloved Way of Rock.
Wang Yi recalled the past, how she always scolded Huang Mao, disliking his unreliability.
But Wang Tianxiang never defended himself, only silently sticking to his hobbies.
Now it seemed he wasn't being idle, but rather holding onto his dream.
Wang Yi wished she could immediately return to Zining Mountain and tell Wang Tianxiang's parents how ambitious their son was.
But only Huang Mao himself knew that while he spoke so grandly, his own little calculations were rattling away in his mind!
Are you kidding? The pseudo-legendary Pokemon Dong Gang mentioned was still uncertain, but he had a ready-made Larvitar by his side. Wasn't that even better?
If tens of millions could really buy an Aerodactyl, Dong Gang would have already had one. Why would he wait until now?
As for the Legendary Pokémon's token, that was even more of a pipe dream, probably mostly just a gimmick.
He was just a bit reckless, not truly foolish.
On the same day, the Zigong Alliance Center's judgment came down: Tyranitar was ultimately only ruled as being sent back for observation.
The Alliance would arrange for staff to send it back to Daliang Mountain, and for the next two years, staff would regularly check on it to ensure it wouldn't cause trouble again.
Huang Mao, relying on his friendship with Larvitar, insisted on accompanying Tyranitar and Larvitar back to Daliang Mountain.
However, before departing, he secretly told Chen Kai that he would first learn the way, and in the future, he would definitely find an opportunity to go to Daliang Mountain to find Larvitar and see if he could bring Larvitar to Zining Mountain to "enjoy life."
Chen Kai knew immediately that he had ulterior motives.
This time, Chen Kai would not accompany them. The holiday was almost over, and he had to go home.
Only Wang Yi was worried and specifically took a few days off to accompany Huang Mao to Daliang Mountain.
After their wonderful journey in Zigong, Chen Kai and his group hired a legitimate car, and with joyful hearts, they embarked on their journey back, arriving all the way back to the peaceful Zi Ning Town.
The car slowly drove into the small town, and familiar sights came into view one by one.
The distant rolling green mountains, like an elegant ink wash painting, appeared exceptionally tranquil and peaceful against the blue sky and white clouds.
The town hadn't changed much after the National Day holiday. The biggest difference was the many notices posted along the roadside looking for Pokemon, all put up by Chen Ma, who was searching for her Exeggutor, "Ya'an."
It seemed that Ya'an hadn't been found yet.