The Pokémon egg had a red base color, suggesting a connection to Fire-type Pokémon, but the grey-black stripes broadened the search range.
At least, based on Luo Mu's current knowledge, he couldn't accurately determine the species of this Pokémon egg.
But why did Grandma Juzi want to entrust this Pokémon egg to him?
Luo Mu voiced his confusion, and Juzi pondered for a moment, then said softly, "My son is an explorer. He obtained this Pokémon egg while exploring the Sinnoh region. He originally wanted to keep this Pokémon egg and raise it himself after it hatched, but after a very long time, this Pokémon egg still couldn't hatch."
"Later, because carrying a Pokémon egg made it difficult for him to move freely, he left this Pokémon egg with me when he came back to visit last time, saying that if it hatched, it could help me manage the shop."
"Unfortunately, after a long time, the Pokémon egg still hasn't hatched. When I took it to the Pokémon Center in town for a check-up, Joy said the Pokémon egg was still alive; it wasn't a dead egg."
"I've lived for so long, and my judgment is still good. The Pokémon you released last month when you apprehended that peddler was very powerful. Perhaps, as a Trainer, you have a way to bring this little life back into this world."
In reality, Juzi had been considering giving this Pokémon egg to a reliable Trainer or breeder, and Luo Mu undoubtedly seemed reliable. Taking advantage of this opportunity, she brought it up.
Luo Mu took the Pokémon egg; it felt both cool and warm to the touch. He examined it carefully, and the only thing he could confirm was that the Pokémon egg was at least alive.
Even Joy, who specialized in Pokémon medical care, could only reach this conclusion. Luo Mu didn't believe his judgment was better than Joy's.
After all, he only had the knowledge and insights from being a game player and anime viewer, giving him a 'God's eye view.' In terms of professional expertise, Joy could run circles around him.
To accept this Pokémon egg or to politely decline Grandma Juzi's request—faced with these two choices, Luo Mu fell into deep thought.
Selfishly speaking, an egg of an unknown species, and one that might not even hatch, the two risks compounded. Reason told him he should refuse.
Emotionally speaking, whether it was Grandma Juzi, her son, or Joy, they must have tried everything they could. With them at their wit's end, this Pokémon egg had now come into his hands.
After a moment of silence, Luo Mu still chose to take on this responsibility, saying word by word, "I cannot guarantee that it will be born successfully, but I can guarantee that I will do my best to help it come into this world."
"That's enough, that's enough," Juzi's aged hand carefully reached around the Pokémon egg, grasping Luo Mu's sleeve, as if holding onto a sliver of hope.
Being old, she truly didn't want to see a vibrant life trapped in a Pokémon egg like this, dying without even seeing the sunlight.
"If this child can hatch, then let it help out on your farm. That alone would satisfy me."
"Okay."
Luo Mu left the seed wholesale store. He had arrived empty-handed, but now he not only had six bags of crop seeds, but also a Pokémon egg cradled in his right arm.
This Pokémon egg of an unknown species—he searched online but couldn't find any Pokémon eggs with similar patterns. Thus, he would have to make other plans.
Besides seeking help from experts, he also needed to prepare some hatching nutrient solution. This stuff was very expensive. Luo Mu remembered how much trouble he had getting it for Dragonite when it was still a Pokémon egg.
As for the even larger expense of a Pokémon egg incubator, he didn't need to worry about it since Dragonite's incubator was still available.
Next, Luo Mu took the Pokémon egg to other stores to order some ordinary fertilizer, and then found another store to buy enough pasture seeds to cover the ranch land.
All the expenses added up to exactly ten thousand alliance currency. The crop seeds were a mere fraction, while the large quantity of pasture seeds accounted for most of the expenditure.
The pasture seeds and fertilizer were arranged for truck delivery, so Luo Mu didn't have to carry them one by one.
Luo Mu, unburdened, cradled the Pokémon egg and carried the crop seeds, strolling leisurely towards the farm. Looking at the sky, which had already turned dusky, he felt a sense of ease.
The day had passed so quickly.
Back at the farm, the sky had already turned from dusk to pitch black. Bright stars dotted the sky, and with the soft moonlight, it was enough to see the path ahead.
From afar, Luo Mu saw a pair of brilliant golden beast eyes and a flame sword resembling Will-O-Wisp lingering at the entrance, formed by a dilapidated fence.
A warmth instantly surged in his heart, and the chill of early spring couldn't stop Luo Mu's body from warming up. He quickly walked to the entrance, holding the Pokémon egg. The six Pokémon, led by Luxray, stood there without exception, as if they had been waiting for his return for a long time.
Serperior glanced at Luo Mu with a hint of reproach, as if blaming him for often being out of sight when he was free, and now even coming home so late.
Luo Mu didn't explain much, simply taking out the Pokémon egg, which was a bit cold from the chilly wind, from his embrace and saying, "The weather is still a bit cold lately. The Pokémon egg can't stand low temperatures. Let's talk more when we get home."
A trace of surprise flashed in Serperior's snake-like eyes, and upon closer inspection, they were filled with disbelief.
Luo Mu had only gone out for a while, how did he bring back a Pokémon egg?
Weren't the six of them enough!?
Was their already six-way divided love going to be split even further!?
Dragonite carefully hugged Luo Mu, afraid of bumping or knocking the Pokémon egg. It turned its back and flapped its small wings, indicating that it had safely delivered Pai Pa home.
Luo Mu patted Dragonite's head as a reward. His gaze fell upon Mimikyu, who was once again "ignored" by the other Pokémon and had fallen into an emo state. He chuckled, "Mimikyu, hurry up and come home with us!"
Mimikyu's droopy plush doll instantly perked up. Upon closer inspection, one could see the Mimikyu's eyes, resembling Pikachu's plush doll, curving into a smile on its abdomen, and it began to emit bubbles of happiness all over its body.
Luo Mu's voice made Luxray and the other Pokémon notice Mimikyu's presence. Luxray, in particular, showed visible self-reproach on its majestic face. It had reminded itself countless times, yet how could it accidentally ignore Mimikyu's presence again!?
Luxray believed that as Luo Mu's starter Pokémon, it had an obligation to unite every Pokémon and bring everyone closer to form an invincible team.
Only Mimikyu's unique aura of being "ignored by the world, lacking presence" caused it to repeatedly hit a wall.
