You are not allowed to be a Pokémon Trainer!

Chapter 170 Pipa the Clerk Did Not Lose His Horse (4k)

After saying goodbye to Aoki, Xia Chi and the staff from Zone Zero who were escorting him entered the elevator together.

In reality, the Zero Zone gate in the game does not lead directly to the research institute at the bottom floor, but the elevator is not constructed that way.

On the elevator panel next to it, there was a button for [Zero Zone Research Institute].

Xia Chi thought this design was more reasonable. Otherwise, with the combat capabilities of the researchers in the institute, would they really have to climb out of the treacherous depths of the giant pit little by little?
Swipe the card, and the "Zero Zone Research Institute" button lights up.

Then the elevator started moving, and a feeling of weightlessness instantly washed over me.

The Padia Crater is approximately 1,500 meters deep, not including the yet-to-be-discovered Great Void.

It sounds profound, and it truly is profound.

It took more than two minutes for the elevator to finally come to a stop.

The elevator doors opened, revealing a bright, white room, presumably the interior of the Zero Zone Research Institute.

Dr. Futu and Dr. Orin, who seemed to have been waiting for a long time, came forward with the researchers behind them.

"Advisor Xia Chi, we've finally been waiting for you!"

The more enthusiastic Dr. Orin appears to be the one in the doctor and his wife pair responsible for external communications.

She gave Xia Chi a big hug with a smile.

Dr. Futu extended his hand with a slightly reserved manner and said, "Zero Zone Research Institute welcomes you!"

Xia Chi naturally greeted the doctor and his wife with a smile.

After exchanging pleasantries, Futu and Orin led Xia Chi to a conference room inside the Zero Zone Research Institute.

It seems they're about to get down to business.

Although the welcoming ceremony of "eating, drinking, and taking a bath" that is common in China was skipped, Xia Chi was not surprised.

These two are incredibly talented people who neglect their own sons for the sake of their research; it would be good enough if they even gave me a few polite greetings.

After a researcher brought over tea and snacks, Dr. Orin got straight to the point.

"To my shame, the Zero Zone Research Institute has been established for five years, but our research progress on these crystals that are scattered at the bottom of the Zero Zone, which you call [Tai Crystals], is very slow."

Dr. Furtu added, "Nothing has been found at all regarding the strange creatures described in the Book of Vermilion."

Of course! You haven't even built a time machine yet.

Xia Chi thought to himself, "That's what I'm thinking."

However, this is indeed a very important mystery surrounding the Paddy pits.

According to Dr. Orin, the AI, in the game's storyline, the Paradoxical Species traveled to the Padia Pit via a time machine from the past or future.

But the problem is that more than two hundred years ago, when Heize's expedition first explored the giant pit...

They discovered the existence of paradoxical species, drew it, and published it as a book.

The game's plot doesn't provide an explanation for this paradox, as if it confirms the very meaning of the word "paradox" in paradox.

There are quite a few speculations among the players.

Some say that the paradoxical species Hezer saw was actually a projection.

Some say that the Padia Crater, like the Pillar of the Spear, is itself a point of spacetime distortion.

In short, no official conclusion has been reached, and all the players' claims are just speculation.

------

Pulling herself back to the point, Xia Chi went straight to the point: "I understand what your research direction is, and I also know the reasons for the research stagnation."

After a slight pause, he said, "Because whether it is the crystallization or the paradoxical species, the key to unlocking them lies in the Great Void of Zero located at the bottom of the Zero Zone."

Too crystallized, paradoxical species, the great void of zero!

Dr. Futu and Dr. Orin exchanged a glance, both seeing the shock in each other's eyes.

Apart from the first one, [Taijinghua], which I had heard about in Xia Chi's post-match interview more than half a month ago, I had never heard of the latter two keywords before!

Dr. Futu asked, "Advisor Xia Chi, what are paradoxical species and the Great Void of Zero?"

Xia Chi smiled slightly and explained, "The so-called Paradoxical species are special forms of Pokémon that exist in the past or future, namely the Pokémon recorded and described in the 'Book of Vermilion and Purple' drawn by Hai Zhe."

"And the Great Void of Zero is a mysterious place even deeper than the lowest level of Zone Zero."

Dr. Futu was dumbfounded; the rigor of scientific research made him somewhat suspicious that Xia Chi was talking nonsense.

However, the scene of Xia Chi completing the crystallization in the competition was still vivid in his mind, which made his words highly credible.

Dr. Orin asked what Futu was thinking in a different way: "Did you name these words?"

Xia Chi's explanation was too direct and straightforward.

It's like the last sub-question of the last big question in the college entrance exam math, where someone wrote down the answer without showing the steps.

This is certainly a suspicious matter.

This is what gave Dr. Orin this question in her mind.

Xia Chi had already prepared his explanation: "Actually, this is recorded in the research materials I obtained at the Crystal Pool in Beishang Township, along with the Taijing Bead in my hand."

After a slight pause, he pondered and said, "I suspect this is research data from a timeline that unlocked the mysteries of cosmic crystallization and paradoxical species."

For a selfish reason, Xia Chi did not mention that the research data came from Orin from another timeline.

But he felt it was perfectly reasonable; it was a reward from Brother Tongzi for his hard work in the competition.

This detail is insignificant.

Dr. Futu's eyes lit up, and he quickly asked, "Could we get that research data?"

Before he could finish speaking, he was elbowed by Orin, who was standing next to him.

Even a research geek should know a thing or two about human relationships, right?
Is something so precious and important something that you can just ask about casually?

Xia Chi smiled slightly: "There's nothing wrong with that. President Ye Ci invited me to the Zero Zone Research Institute precisely to explore the mysteries of the Zero Zone, so we should naturally cooperate sincerely."

Professional tasks should be left to professionals.

Having research notes does not mean that Xia Chi can conduct the research independently.

Even if he could, it would take him a lot of time and energy.

Xia Chi didn't have that much time to waste on the Padia pit.

Therefore, handing the research notes over to this doctoral couple would maximize efficiency.

Secondly, just like what's happening right now—

The incredulous looks in Orin and Dr. Fortu's eyes revealed a deep sense of gratitude for being trusted.

These kinds of eccentric researchers who are single-mindedly devoted to their beloved careers are actually the easiest to win over.

Satisfying their deepest desire for exploration is enough.

Of course, most importantly, Xia Chizao and Ye Ci have reached an agreement on the subsequent profit distribution of Taijinghua.

At most, Dr. Futu and Dr. Orin will come in and get a share of the profits; they won't change anything.

Taking out a handwritten manuscript that had been prepared beforehand and had some unnecessary information removed, Xia Chi smiled slightly and said, "Then, I will trouble the two doctors and me to uncover the mystery of the Seeking the Great Pit of Asia together."

Futu and Dr. Orin accepted the gift as if it were a precious treasure, and upon meeting Xia Chi's sincere gaze, they nodded solemnly. ——————

They are able to endure long periods of darkness and the loneliness of not having family and friends around.

While salary is certainly a factor, even so, the researchers who stay at the Zero Zone Institute all have a sincere passion for science.

Hmm. Science isn't always accurate, so let's learn from it.

So there was no grand welcome banquet, and Xia Chi's first day at the Zero Zone Research Institute was spent in a dull and boring way.

Although the exploration and excavation work on the Zero Void is about to begin, such a massive project will certainly take time.

Xia Chi wasn't in a hurry, because he believed that Futu and Dr. Orin would be more anxious than he was.

Seven days passed in a flash at the Zero Zone Research Institute.

Without a clock, Xia Chi would find it difficult to judge the passage of time from the unchanging darkness.

It was only because Tire and Ponpo were by her side that Xia Chi could imagine how difficult it would be for her to endure this place.

Finally, on the eighth day, when he heard from Dr. Futu that the opening of the Great Void of Zero would take at least another week, Xia Chi could no longer sit still.

"I plan to go up to the third floor and take a look around."

When Xia Chi said this, she sounded as relaxed as if she were planning to go for a walk after dinner.

At first, Dr. Futu and Dr. Orlin were strongly opposed, believing that places outside the research institute were too dangerous.

However, when they saw Ponpo knock a big hole in the ground with one blow, they realized they had made a premature judgment.

The danger seems to lie with someone else.

After borrowing a complete set of outdoor camping equipment from the Zero Zone Research Institute, Xia Chi took the elevator to the top floor of the Zero Zone.

They led the elves out of the first observation station.

The moment the sunlight shone on Xia Chi's face, a smile involuntarily appeared on his face.

Not only him, but the elves were the same.

Especially Tiremy and Ponpo, heaven knows how those two grass-type Pokémon have been spending these past few days at the very bottom.

"Tini~"

Bictini also seemed very excited, fluttering her cream-colored little wings as she shuttled back and forth between the summer pond and the flower bushes.

Xia Chi thought back for a moment, then recalled Niangguang City, Jinhui Town, and the Zero Zone Research Institute.
This seems to be the first time Bictini has seen such beautiful natural scenery since hatching from its egg, so it's no wonder it's so excited.

However, Xia Chi came up from the bottom floor this time not just to bask in the sun.

And then there's the matter of "leveling up by defeating monsters"!
With such a large "wilderness" to farm in, Xia Chi naturally wanted to make the most of the time to level up Victini.

After all, the higher the level of Victini, the more stats it can share with Tire Meow and the others.

The higher Tire's stats are, the more experience points it can share with Victini.

Perpetual motion machines are a type of machine.

However, there's still plenty of time, so there's no need to be so pragmatic.

So Xia Chi, with the intention of first going on a "spring outing" and then "leveling up," traveled downwards with the elves.

------

It must be said that, because of the sparse population, or even the complete absence of human presence, the elves of the Padia Crater are extremely ferocious.

It refers to personality, not ability.

It's almost exactly like the proverb in the Pokémon world—"Eye contact is the signal that a battle has begun."

Most of the wild elves rushed to Xia Chi as soon as they saw him.

Raven Leader, Slashing Commander, Wrestling Eagleman, Flame Queen Lizard, and the like.

Xia Chi felt no guilt whatsoever about this.

You guys started it!

The general process is that wild Pokémon come to challenge you, and Tirion and the others attack until they lose their ability to fight. Then, you spray them with healing spray and continue on your way.

Those that didn't actively provoke were mostly gentle Pokémon like Babuto and Chansey.

Since most of the spirits didn't have a very strong aura, Xia Chi told Ponpo to avoid taking action as much as possible, leaving the opportunity to "level up" to Tire Meow and the others.

Although the system is different from the game's system where leveling up is solely based on battles, in the real world, Pokémon strength improvement relies more on regular breeding and training.

However, the improvement gained from battles is less, not nonexistent.

Furthermore, with the combined boost from the [Training Assist Device] and [Victory Star] bonds, this "experience point increase" has a significant impact on the Pokémon's strength.

So when Xia Chi led the elves all the way from the first observation station to the third observation station located in the middle of the zero zone.

In just five days, Tire Cat and the others leveled up another level.

Victini, who was "sucking blood" from her older siblings, was even more outrageous, having reached level 15!
Xia Chi specifically checked its stats after level 15—

[HP 88, Attack 58, Defense 58, Special Attack 58, Special Defense 58, Speed ​​58]

hiss--

It truly lives up to its legendary status, even without any other bonds or equipment bonuses.

A level 15 Victini with no equipment already has higher stats than a level 20+ Tire Cat without any synergy gear.

Of this value, 20%, or 12 points, can be shared with all other Pokémon!
The perpetual motion machine is about to start spinning!
However, it is obvious that Victini's leveling speed slows down as its level increases.

But there's nothing that can be done about it; no matter which Pokémon it is, the "experience bar" will get longer and longer as the game progresses.

On the fifth day after leaving the Zero Zone Research Institute, Xia Chi finally made contact with Dr. Orin at the Third Observatory.

She excitedly urged Xia Chi to come back quickly.

The bad news is that the enjoyable time spent grinding and leveling up is over.

The good news is that the passage to the Great Void of Zero has finally opened!
Xia Chi readily agreed, and then led the elves back to the Zero Zone Research Institute from the Third Observatory.

------

"Xia Chi, you don't know, the entrance to the Zero Void was at another site we chose to build the Zero Zone Research Institute!"

Upon seeing Xia Chi return, Dr. Orin said with some regret, "If we had chosen that location back then, we might have discovered it when we were building the research institute a few years ago!"

Xia Chi raised an eyebrow slightly. So there was such a connection?

Perhaps this is why the two timelines are offset.

However, this may not necessarily be a bad thing. Dr. Orin only lost the progress of her crystallization research, but gained her life.

According to the timeline in the game's storyline, the real Orin might have already died in that paradoxical riot, and the one talking to Xia Chi now is the Orin AI.

Xia Chi couldn't say these things directly, so he comforted her, "There's an old saying in Donghuang, 'A loss may turn out to be a blessing in disguise.' Anyway, things are getting better now, aren't they?"

Well, I don't know if you've lost your horse.

At least your son Pipa was lucky not to lose his horse.

(End of this chapter)