Elf: Re-employment of retired champion of Padiya

Chapter 749 Farm Treasure Hunt!

"More than one!?"

Alice's eyes widened instantly, and even her breathing became slightly rapid.

For Iris, Dragon-type Pokémon were like a huge bundle of banknotes in front of a money-loving person—an irresistible temptation.

Almost instantly, Alice wanted to ask Luo Mu to take her to see those Dragon-type Pokémon.

But in the end, Alice sat down obediently, looking rather dejected.

Although Alice and Guava are essentially the same type of personality, if Guava is a wild monkey, then she is a wild girl.

Essentially, they all have a personality that dislikes constraints and resists rules.

Even so, Alice still remembered some of the things Grandpa Shaka had repeatedly told her before she left home.

Because Cynthia was with him, and because Shaka, as the headmaster, was busy with various matters at the Twin Dragons Academy, he also had to take time out to accept challenges from challengers at the Twin Dragons Gym.

Shaka regrets that he cannot accompany Alice to the Padia region to visit Luo Mu, but he is also worried that Alice will still be as unrestrained and carefree as she was in Twin Dragons City, and it would be bad if she accidentally annoyed people.

Of course, Shaka didn't say these things explicitly. After all, he had gotten to know Alice's personality traits after spending so many years with her.

Shaka chose to subtly remind Alice from a different angle, rather than using his usual lecturing tone, so as not to provoke her rebellious nature.

In short, you don't want to be asked to leave shortly after you arrive, do you?
In that case, let alone eating all kinds of delicious desserts, you might not even be able to see the Dragonite you've been longing for.

Alice knew that Grandpa Shaka, who was usually very serious and spent all his time working out in the gym, would never say such a thing.

The moment Alice heard these words of advice from Shaka, the image of a rather annoying guy flashed into her mind.

—Du Ruo, the grandson of Grandpa Xia Ka.

Given that arrogant guy's personality, it was definitely him who came up with this terrible idea for Grandpa Shaka.

Even though she knew perfectly well that it was Du Ruo who was behind it all, Alice had to admit that there was some truth to what he had taught Grandpa Shaka.

After returning to Shuanglong City from Yanmo City, during her time studying at Shuanglong Academy, she passively or actively received a lot of information related to Luo Mu.

The opponent seems to be getting stronger and stronger, so strong that Alice, who is sometimes quite blunt, often wonders if the opponent still remembers her from that brief encounter and battle in Inkstone City, and whether the opponent will maintain the original attitude.
Because of this concern, Alice sat obediently on the sofa after her initial excitement, temporarily suppressing her true nature.

She chose to listen intently to Luo Mu and Zhu Lan's conversation, just like the guava player beside her.

"By the way, a few days ago, I met two very interesting trainers in the Sinnoh Nature Park."

At Luo Mu's invitation, Zhu Lan, who was sitting calmly on the sofa, accepted the teacup handed to her by Zhi Huixing, lowered her head and gently smelled the aroma of the tea, and started a conversation as if chatting casually.

"Two very interesting trainers?"

Luo Mu paused for a second, not understanding why Zhu Lan would suddenly bring this up.

But Luo Mu found the answer in Zhu Lan's next sentence.

"Those two trainers both claim to be your students/apprentices."

After saying that, Zhu Lan smiled and took a sip of tea, enjoying its richer aroma than other black teas.

"Shinji and Satoshi?" Luo Mu looked at Zhu Lan. Although he was asking, his tone clearly indicated that he was certain.

"Yes."

Zhu Lan nodded slightly, her index finger slightly bent, her neatly manicured nail tapping on the fabric sofa before stopping.

"It's not surprising that you're a student, after all, you seem to be a teacher."

"I just didn't expect you to have taken on an apprentice?"

As she said those words, the image of the boy she had met not long ago subconsciously came to mind.

In her opinion, both Shinji and Satoshi are very promising boys.

Especially between the two of them, she sensed something was brewing there.
Luo Mu roughly knew who Zhu Lan was referring to as her student and "disciple".

It seems the original plot of the anime is still unfolding as scheduled.

Shinji needs no explanation, as he was originally a student in the class he personally taught. As for Satoshi—

"As for Xiaozhi, I have only taught him for a period of time, and I have not yet taken him as my apprentice."

Luo Mu offered an explanation, but whether Zhu Lan believed him or not was beyond his control.

Zhu Lan's reaction was similar to Luo Mu's guess. She covered her mouth and chuckled, "So, I haven't gained your approval yet."

Luo Mu remained silent, and Zhu Lan didn't dwell on the topic, but instead changed the subject.

"Oh right, Shinji-kun also challenged me."

"What was the result?" Luo Mu raised an eyebrow.

"I won!"

Zhu Lan stated the facts in a confident tone.

But thinking about it, it makes sense. Even though Shinji has successfully won a league tournament under Luo Mu's training, he is still far from being Cynthia, the Sinnoh champion.

"However, his thinking was also quite calm and meticulous. In the end, he really seized the opportunity to let that Torterra launch a long-planned attack on my Garchomp."

"In this respect, he is quite like Wusong."

Ran's tone revealed an undisguised admiration for Shinji.

"Wu Song, the Sinnoh Elite Four member who covered for you when you skipped work?"

Luo Mu was slightly taken aback, and in his heart he also felt the same way about the description of Zhu Lan, and he subconsciously uttered these words.

Shinji's command style is indeed very similar to that of a trainer like Gosho.

The phrase "calm, meticulous, and strategic" perfectly describes the situation.

"Cough cough."

When Luo Mu mentioned "Wu Song, who covered for her when she skipped work," a rare hint of embarrassment flashed across Zhu Lan's composed expression.

After clearing her throat, she chose to summarize the topic directly.

"Ash and Paul seem to be going to challenge the Sinnoh League's Lily of the Valley Conference. I'm really looking forward to the moment when these two rivals meet on the field."

"And then, I'll look forward to the day when I face them in the Champions League."

For Cynthia, who now mainly studies the Sinnoh legend.

She firmly believes in the statement that "all encounters between lives will eventually give birth to something new."

Although they had only met once, she did see that possibility in the two boys.

She specifically brought this up with Luo Mu because she knew clearly about Luo Mu's relationship with those two people, so she shared this information with him.

"That's quite a high compliment." Luo Mu glanced at Cynthia. He remembered that not long ago, when they were discussing matters related to the Pokémon World Championships, Ye Ci had mentioned that the Sinnoh League had just held a semi-annual Champion League event.

It seems that this is because the Champions League is so popular and its popularity is as high as ever.

The Sinnoh League did not choose to accept the invitation from the Pokémon World Championship Organizing Committee.

The so-called "Championship League" is where various powerful trainers and the Elite Four stand on the same stage, battle each other, and compete for the final winner, who then gains the qualification to challenge for the League Champion.

Luo Mu remembered that this was a unique setting in the anime. In the game, you only need to collect badges and then directly challenge the Four Heavenly Kings and the Champion.

Regardless of the settings in the anime and games, the trainer who ultimately won the "Champion League" in the Sinnoh region in the first half of this year and stood in front of Cynthia was Shojiro.

In the "Champion League" in the second half of the year, the trainer standing in front of Cynthia was replaced by Bigleaf, one of the Fire-type Elite Four.

This also means that from beginning to end, only the Elite Four were able to stand in front of Cynthia and issue a challenge, while other trainers were nowhere to be seen.

Cynthia's words basically express her high hopes for Shinji and Ash, believing that they will be able to defeat the Elite Four and stand before her in the future.

Although Ash did actually do it in the original anime timeline.

"hehe."

Zhu Lan smiled slightly as she met Luo Mu's gaze, while her eyes glanced at Alice, who was already getting restless.

She was very understanding, or perhaps she herself had long wanted to do this, and said in a suggestive tone:
"Oh right, the last time in Yanmo City..."

Unlike her cold and powerful aura during battles, Zhu Lan usually displays the personality of a typical intellectual older sister.

At this moment, the intellectual older sister winked playfully, which was quite a contrast.

Luo Mu instantly understood what Zhu Lan was trying to express.

So, it seems the main reason Zhu Lan accompanied Alice was because of the desserts.
In this respect, Zhu Lan's preferences are in stark contrast to her temperament.

Without Zhu Lanming saying anything, Luo Mu took the initiative to say, "I remember I invited you to the farm to taste the desserts back then."

"If you don't mind, would you like to try it now?"

"Soap Fairy is in the kitchen trying out her creation for the dessert competition."

"Then I would rather obey your orders than be respectful."

Hearing the response she wanted, Zhu Lan subtly licked her cherry-pink lips, and a genuine smile spread across her face.

Ever since she tasted Luo Mu's desserts, she's been longing for that flavor.

In the Sinnoh region, the butler found a pastry chef to try to replicate the dish, but the taste was always a little off.

This really made her drool.

But in order to maintain her "respectability" as the champion, she couldn't show it, and could only subtly remind Luo Mu.

Unlike the reserved Zhu Lan, Alice on the side didn't care about any of that.

Her demure facade crumbled in an instant, and she excitedly jumped up from the sofa.

"Great!"

On the other side, Gua Shilang, who had finally accepted that he might face severe consequences if he returned, also revealed a look that could be described as "resolute".

Since going back might bring even more chaos, he didn't know what kind of hell awaited him.

So!

At least for now, I can still enjoy those delicious desserts before I'm taken back.

At least he can preserve the good memories of this moment by eating until he's stuffed.

While Zhihui Xing went to the kitchen to find Alcremie to get the finished product, Zhu Lan casually mentioned it during the wait.

"By the way, I've been invited again this year, and I'll be appearing as a guest once more."

Luo Mu paused for a second, then asked, "...Is this Miss Z?"

"Yes."

Zhu Lan nodded, showing no awareness or shame that she was planning to slack off again. Instead, she said in a teasing tone:
"Since Alcremie is participating in the competition as a pastry chef, I can finally taste her skills today."

"Maybe I'll give you a high score then~"

"Then I'll leave it to you."

Luo Mu knew that Zhu Lan was joking, after all, this champion was actually quite upright and incorruptible in terms of personality.

Anyway, I have absolute confidence in Alcremie.

Conquering the stomach of bamboo orchids is a piece of cake.

While chatting casually with Zhu Lan, Alice, and Gua Shilang, Luo Mu's gaze fell on Zhi Hui Xing, who was walking out of the kitchen.

Zhihui Xing walked slowly out of the kitchen, the tableware behind him as if elegantly lifted by an invisible hand, tracing smooth arcs in the air.

The handmade desserts from those Creamy Fairy desserts are emitting an irresistible sweet aroma—

The fluffy soufflé is topped with raspberry jam, like a crimson flower blooming in the snow.

The surface of the chocolate lava cake is cracked, and you can vaguely see the warm lava flowing slowly inside.

The Macaron Tower is quite exquisitely designed, with each level featuring the silhouette of a different Pokémon, and the very top is a cute Pikachu wagging its tail.

Under Zhihui Xing's control, all sorts of desserts were steadily placed on the table in front of the four people.

Before anyone knew it, Zhu Lan had picked up a cup and was savoring her drink.

“This juice…” she said, her eyes closed as if trying to discern something, “has been mixed with sweet bamboo sweat?”

Fondant cookies shaped like Dragonite!

On the other side, Alice cheered as she grabbed the wing-shaped cookie, the icing shimmering in the light.

Gua Shilang stared wide-eyed at Bao Fen in front of him.

—That's a special flavor made by Alcremie using a blend of tree seeds and fruits. Every bite releases a different fruity aroma on your tongue.

Luo Mu then took the starry sky mousse handed to him by Zhi Huixing. The azure mirror surface was decorated with edible silver powder, and when scooped up, it stretched out sugar threads like shooting stars.

It has to be said that even he felt that the desserts made by Alcremie these days were not only incredibly delicious, but also incredibly exquisite.

Is this what they call talent?
Watching the three of them now immersed in the joy of tasting delicious desserts, Luo Mu, who had suddenly received a message from Zhihui Xing's telepathy, unconsciously raised a mysterious smile on his lips.

"Cough cough."

After clearing his throat to draw the three people's attention, he announced:
"I've prepared a treasure hunt. After we finish enjoying the desserts, would you like to join in?"

(End of this chapter)