Jiang Mo stepped out of the Xicui Secret Realm, the sunlight warming his body, but his heart was still weighed down by Enamorus's trial.
With so many Pokémon, where was he supposed to find them?
After coming out, Jiang Mo quickly took out his phone and dialed his mother Lin Zhiqiu's number.
As soon as the call connected, his mother's anxious voice came through: "Xiao Mo, you're finally out. Are you alright?"
Jiang Mo quickly reassured her: "Mom, I'm fine. I'm sorry to have worried you."
"I need to handle some important matters now. Don't worry about me, and take good care of yourself."
After comforting his mother, Jiang Mo let out a long breath, then immediately dialed Mu Qingxue's number.
After a few rings, Mu Qingxue's pleasant but anxious voice came through.
"Hello, Qingxue, I'm out. Don't worry, I'm fine."
Mu Qingxue asked eagerly from the other end of the phone: "Jiang Mo, where are you now? Why don't I see you?"
Jiang Mo scratched his head, a bit helpless. It turned out Mu Qingxue had been waiting for him at the secret realm entrance, but he had exited through the entrance discovered by Dawn.
He could only chuckle and say: "Oh, I was in a hurry to leave as soon as I came out, so I'm not at the secret realm entrance anymore. Don't worry."
Upon hearing this, although Mu Qingxue was full of doubts, she thought that since Jiang Mo said he was fine, she didn't ask anything further.
After chatting for a while, the two agreed to meet the next day on Neon Country's North Sea Island.
...
The next day, Jiang Mo arrived at North Sea Island by boat, and from a distance, he saw Mu Qingxue in a white dress, quietly waiting at the pier.
Mu Qingxue saw Jiang Mo and quickly walked up to him, her face full of concern: "Jiang Mo, you're finally here. How was the situation in the Xicui Secret Realm?"
Jiang Mo evaded the main point, saying: "The guardian deity within the Xicui Secret Realm is very powerful; it should be a true Legendary Pokémon."
"Legendary Pokémon!"
Mu Qingxue's eyes widened upon hearing this, extremely surprised. After all, Legendary Pokémon are far more powerful and rare than Pseudo-Legendary ones, and are seldom seen on ordinary days.
"That's right, the Legendary Pokémon of the Xicui Secret Realm is a Tier 2 Legendary Pokémon named Enamorus," Jiang Mo continued.
"Tier 2 Legendary Pokémon? Doesn't that mean it's on the same level as the Three Legendary Birds?"
Mu Qingxue was even more surprised. The Three Legendary Birds are Moltres, Articuno, and Zapdos.
This type of Legendary Pokémon has its own family, and there isn't just one. Only the strongest among them holds a divine position, and its strength far surpasses its kin, making it a considerably formidable existence.
"Indeed, and that Enamorus is likely a Tier 2 Legendary Pokémon with a divine position, virtually invincible within the Xicui Secret Realm," Jiang Mo said with a serious expression.
"No wonder. Some time ago, the Alliance already ordered a complete blockade of the Xicui Secret Realm. Now that it has come to this, I'm afraid the development of the secret realm's resources will come to naught."
Mu Qingxue frowned slightly, saying with some regret.
"Who would have thought that what was originally a feast for dividing profits has now resulted in heavy losses for all parties."
She couldn't help but sigh. In fact, the Alliance usually isn't so ruthless in developing secret realms; instead, they strive to establish good relations with the secret realm's guardian deities to pursue long-term cooperative development.
However, the North America Alliance got involved, and to contend for resources, the Alliance had no choice but to resort to such a drastic measure.
Speaking of the North America Alliance, Jiang Mo suddenly thought of something and asked: "Qingxue, when I just arrived, I noticed many warships at sea. Do you know what's going on?"
Mu Qingxue's expression was grave as she said: "It's like this: due to the North America Alliance becoming increasingly arrogant recently, frequently provoking the Shenzhou Alliance, and attacking our strongholds without cause."
"Now, the Alliance high command has decided not to tolerate it any longer and has drafted a counterattack plan, intending to dispatch a large number of Trainers to clear out their military bases in the Pacific Ocean."
"Those warships are used to transport troops and Trainers. This is a major operation, and it's said that the lineup of Trainers participating in the action is very strong."
Jiang Mo's eyes lit up, and he had an idea. With so many Pokémon, they definitely couldn't transport them all in a short time; they were likely temporarily held in some military base.
This was a good opportunity for him. If he could participate and figure out the Pokémon's detention location, he might be able to rescue some Pokémon.
It was certainly unrealistic to rescue all of them as Enamorus had said, so he would just do his best. Enamorus, who desired the world origin, wouldn't make things too difficult for him.
However, seeing that the Alliance built such large warships just for transporting people, Jiang Mo felt it was a huge waste.
If they installed a few large cannons on the warships, their power would be no weaker than the attacks of ordinary Gym Leader Class Pokémon.
If more powerful high-tech weapons were used, the combat power of one warship could completely match that of a Heavenly King Level Pokémon.
Cultivating a Heavenly King Level Pokémon takes at least several years.
This is without considering subsequent costs and with an ample supply of various rare resources. However, resources of this level are finite, which is the main reason for the scarcity of Heavenly King Level combat power.
But high-tech weapons are different; as long as there are raw materials, technology, and production lines, they can be mass-produced.
The Alliance obviously knows this principle, but the foundation of the Alliance is built upon powerful Pokémon. If everyone could control such powerful forces, the Alliance's rule would become unstable.
Therefore, since its establishment, the Alliance has consciously restricted the development of weapons, and the technology tree has completely leaned towards all aspects of Pokémon under this background.
After their casual chat, Jiang Mo and Mu Qingxue strolled around North Sea Island in Neon Country, experiencing the unique exotic customs of this foreign land.
There were also various novel trinkets along the roadside, causing Mu Qingxue to stop and look from time to time.
"Jiang Mo, although this Neon Country isn't big, it's quite interesting. It's just that the people here don't like sitting on chairs; they always sit cross-legged on the ground, which makes my feet a bit numb."
The two had just finished eating at a sushi restaurant when Mu Qingxue complained, and she couldn't help but gently stomp her slightly numb feet.
Jiang Mo looked at her adorable expression and responded with a smile: "No choice, small temple, big rules. How about I massage them for you later?"
"Get out of here..." Mu Qingxue's face flushed slightly, and she gave Jiang Mo a reproachful glare.
...
The two strolled until evening. As they walked down a street, the surrounding lights gradually dimmed, and the pink lights created a unique, ambiguous atmosphere.
Many streetwalkers in traditional Neon Country attire, with revealing outfits, continuously solicited customers, speaking in an incomprehensible Neon language.
Under the management of the Shenzhou Alliance, the lives of the common people in Neon Country were not particularly good. This kind of business, as long as it has fertile ground, can take root and sprout, standing out particularly glaringly on the streets at night.
Mu Qingxue looked at the peculiarly decorated storefronts and asked innocently: "Jiang Mo, what are these shops for?"
Jiang Mo looked at the storefronts and immediately felt very awkward, only able to muddle through: "Uh... they're just some national Featured Industries , nothing much."
"What specialty industries? Why don't we go in and take a look?"
Upon hearing it was a specialty industry, Mu Qingxue immediately became interested, her eyes sparkling, and she pulled Jiang Mo, wanting to go in and see for herself.