“Are we just going in like this?”
Yu Feng looked at the strange crystal in his hand, within which a peculiar blue liquid slowly flowed.
He looked at the Clan Leader with some Confusion, wondering if a whole day of preparation was just for this one item.
“Gardevoir. (What kind of look is that? This little thing is troublesome to prepare... Why am I telling you all this?)”
“Gardevoir. (Get in quickly! Don't you want to go out on a journey?)”
The Clan Leader was a bit displeased with Yu Feng's expression; this item was very troublesome to prepare.
Why was she explaining this to him now? He would understand how difficult it was to prepare this thing once he became the Clan Leader.
She waved her hand impatiently, telling Yu Feng to hurry into the forest to offer tribute to Lord Xerneas.
“Alright, alright, I won't ask so many questions. Let's go, Lao Mei, we're going in.”
“Oh, and please take good care of Charmander.”
Yu Feng looked at the Clan Leader’s impatient expression, then, after asking them to help train Charmander, he wisely shut his mouth and obediently led his sister into the forest.
“Kirlia. (I will take good care of Big Brother.)”
Shiny Kirlia nodded towards Gardevoir and followed Yu Feng into the forest.
“Gardevoir. (How worrying.)”
Gardevoir Mother looked at their retreating backs with some concern; after all, they were her children, and she was naturally worried.
“Gardevoir. (It’s alright, Sister, don't worry. You must have faith, their strength is not weak.)”
The youngest Gardevoir patted Gardevoir Mother's shoulder to comfort her. They had watched these two children grow up and knew their capabilities very well. It was just a matter of entering to offer tribute and obtain the inheritance; it wasn't that troublesome.
“Gardevoir. (Speaking of which, did you go and inform them yesterday about letting them pass?)”
The Clan Leader raised an eyebrow, looking at the youngest Gardevoir who was comforting Gardevoir Mother.
Watching her smiling face gradually stiffen, the Clan Leader knew that this little girl definitely hadn't gone to tell them.
“Gardevoir. (I hope they're alright.)”
The youngest Gardevoir clasped her hands together, praying for Yu Feng and Shiny Kirlia.
Her performance did not earn Gardevoir Mother's forgiveness. With eyes glowing red, Gardevoir Mother lifted her sister by the shoulder with one hand and said very kindly: “Gardevoir. (Come, I'll help you and Charmander with extra training.)”
Although she desperately sought help from her sisters, her pleas were ignored by those around her. Gardevoir Mother in this state was someone even the Clan Leader was unwilling to touch, let alone them.
“Gardevoir. (I hope they're alright.)”
The Clan Leader silently prayed for the Pokémon in the trial. Although these two little ones hadn't evolved into their final forms, their strength was not bad; it was just unknown why they hadn't evolved yet.
Moreover, they could learn many moves, and the Pokémon undergoing the trial wouldn't be particularly strong; it was merely to determine if they were qualified to enter.
However, if you block their path, it means you want to fight them. Inside, it’s generally Psychic-type and Fairy-type Pokémon.
Pokémon who know them would probably let them pass directly, but those who don't know them would be in for a rough time.
In the forest.
“What do you think is inside?”
Yu Feng was a bit puzzled. He and Lao Mei had already explored this forest when they were children.
They hadn't seen anything different, except for this one path they hadn't taken. They had been everywhere else inside.
It was just an ordinary forest, nothing but trees.
“Kirlia. (How would I know if you ask me? We grew up together, you know.)”
Shiny Kirlia shrugged. Asking her that question was pointless, as they had grown up together. What she knew, her Big Brother knew, and what she didn't know, her Big Brother didn't know either.
Their information was completely symmetrical; neither had any extra information.
“Alright.”
Yu Feng didn't know what to say either. After all, this was the only time he had ever offered tribute to Xerneas in both his lives.
Although in his previous life, he had caught countless Xerneas in various Pokémon mobile games.
But that was just a game. The so-called Xerneas was merely a piece of data in a game. If he really wanted to, he could even get dozens of Shiny ones.
But now it was different. Now he had to face a real Legendary Pokémon, an existence that could devastate the world if it truly fought.
Even if Xerneas was one of the more benevolent existences, it was enough to make people feel a deep sense of danger.
Not everyone was Ash, who could be friends with Legendary Pokémon.
Moreover, this was different from Ho-Oh. He knew Ho-Oh wanted to find a way for Pokémon and humans to coexist peacefully.
As long as he didn't do anything dangerous, he would be the best testament to peace in Ho-Oh's eyes.
What could better represent this way than a half-human, half-Pokémon child? This was why he could confidently ask Ho-Oh for a feather.
“Lao Mei, do you feel like there are Pokémon watching us?”
For some reason, Yu Feng felt as if Pokémon were peeking at them from all around. Although there was no malice, this feeling of being watched really made his scalp tingle.
“Kirlia. (You feel it too? I thought I was the only one.)”
Shiny Kirlia frowned. She had thought her perception was mistaken.
But why would Pokémon be peeking at them in a place like this? This was the only way to meet Lord Xerneas. How could any Pokémon be so bold as to cause trouble here?
“Here!”
Yu Feng seemed to notice something, and a Shadow Ball flew out of his hand, smashing towards a tree.
Indeed, there was something strange in that spot. The Shadow Ball was deflected by a beam of colorful light.
A yellow, fox-like Pokémon stood in place, holding a spoon in one hand, its eyes glowing with blue light, representing Psychic power.
“Kadabra, do we have this Pokémon in our forest?”
Yu Feng frowned, using Confusion to twist Kadabra's Psybeam away.
“Kirlia. (No, it's impossible.)”
Shiny Kirlia searched her memory but found no recollection of the Kadabra line of Pokémon existing.
“Then is this a guardian? You or me?”
Now Yu Feng understood what it was for. It was clearly there to test their strength.
He asked his sister who would go first, as there would be others if there was one, and they needed to conserve their energy by not acting simultaneously.
“Kirlia. (I'll go. I really hate being watched like that.)”
Shiny Kirlia revealed a cruel smile. She hated nothing more than being watched.