Pokémon: I picked up a reborn Eevee at the start of the game

Aside from the legitimate world, the Blazing Flame Team had no reason not to support him, since he was "one of their own."

He even developed some connections with the future Carlos champion...

No matter how you look at it, it's better to use the Carlos region as a pilot area for development.

…………

Xia Chen was pondering whether Donghuang or Carlos was superior when he suddenly received a strange message from Mingyi.

Are you still planning to return to Donghuang?

What a strange question!

He replied matter-of-factly: "[Of course I'll go back! Where else would I go but Donghuang?]"

Mingyi: [I don't know, maybe she'll stay in Aroma City.]

Xia Chen was completely confused. What was all this about?

He immediately replied, "No, I'm planning to leave after the Sacred Tree Festival. What's wrong with you today?"

After a half-minute pause, Mingyi replied: [Oh...I understand.]

With his profile picture dimmed, Xia Chen had no choice but to delete the message "[What happened?]" before he could even send it.

He could only guess that the girl was probably feeling uneasy because she hadn't bickered with him for half a month.

Interrupted by Mingyi, Xia Chen lost interest in making any further plans and decided to wait and see how Ma Xiu's performance went before making a decision.

If it can generate phenomenal buzz, then it would be a waste of resources not to start in the Carlos region.

……

As Xia Chen was not disappointed, Miss Ma Xiu's performance on the second day was a great success.

Just after 10:30, Ma Xiu's voice came from downstairs saying "I'm back." Xia Chen was already able to see her performance video, which had ended just ten minutes earlier, on the homepage of Pixiv.

Clicking on the video, Xia Chen saw that the post had already garnered over 10 simultaneous views in just a few minutes. He couldn't help but recall the sensation of a certain bubble tea superstar releasing a music video on Pixiv in his previous life.

As is customary, Xia Chen turned off the comments on the first viewing and then clicked the play button on the video.

Compared to yesterday's somewhat immature performance, Ma Xiu improved a lot today. Togekiss, Mawile, Pinkie Pie, and Mr. Mime took turns appearing.

Furthermore, Ma Xiu also took Xia Chen's advice into account and used various moves of different attributes, such as Togekiss's Air Slash, Mawile's Fire Fang, and Mr. Mime's Ice Wind, to create a magnificent visual feast for the world.

Before the video finished playing, there was a knock on the door. It was obvious that it was Ma Xiu.

Because he was focused on the performance video that wasn't over yet, Xia Chen said directly, "Please come in."

The door opened and then closed gently. Footsteps tapped softly behind him, and Xia Chen, as expected, caught the unique fragrance emanating from Ma Xiu.

"Why didn't Mr. Xia Chen go to the site today?" Dressed in casual clothes, Ma Xiu sat on Xia Chen's bed without any hesitation.

"Too many people, too lazy," Xia Chen explained succinctly.

Ma Xiu gazed at the handsome profile of the young man intently watching her video, smiled silently, and did not disturb him.

A few minutes later, Ma Xiu's performance finally came to an end, and the video was filled with enthusiastic applause and cheers.

Xia Chen turned off the video and turned to look at Ma Xiu. "Congratulations, Miss Ma Xiu. After today, you'll probably have another title added to your resume: [World-renowned Elf Performer]."

Ma Xiu smiled brightly, "So what are you? [A world-renowned elf art designer]?"

Xia Chen shook his head and laughed, "I prefer the title 'Father of the Grand Contest'."

Ma Xiu was surprised, "The Grand Contest?"

Xia Chen leaned back tactically in his computer chair, his smile revealing ambition.

"Miss Ma Xiu thinks, what if we expand this performance format and make it a competition that can rival the battles against elves?"

Chapter 128: The Horn of Xerneas Appears!

Three feet frozen, not a cold day.

Similarly, the construction of a grand competition cannot be completed overnight.

Starting a business alone is too difficult, so Xia Chen certainly wouldn't miss out on Ma Xiu, the best partner who is rich, well-connected, and passionate about the industry.

Ma Xiu's response was also delightful. Xia Chen hadn't even fully elaborated on his plan before she agreed without hesitation, making Xia Chen feel that she was just being perfunctory.

In response, Ma Xiu earnestly stated, "Compared to Pokémon battles, I prefer this way of showcasing the charm of Pokémon. Of course, I also hope that [Spectacular Performances] will be loved by more people. It's definitely not enough for just me to perform alone. If we want it to become a nationwide Pokémon sport, it must be promoted through competitions. So, I will support you!"

Thus, Xia Chen successfully obtained his first entrepreneurial partner in the Grand Competition, and the two agreed to make detailed plans after the Shenmu Festival.

A crucial step in his life plan had finally been taken, and Xia Chen felt completely relaxed.

She consulted Miss Maxiu for tips on raising Fairy-type Pokémon, continued studying the information sent by Karune with Ralts, and occasionally lay on Milotic to bask in the sun, living a very leisurely and carefree life.

However, Eevee wasn't having such a good time. As the end of the Sacred Tree Festival drew near, the leaves on the Sacred Tree gradually withered away, and Eevee felt a rare sense of tension.

After all, this wasn't some trivial adventure like digging for evolution stones; it involved something related to legendary Pokémon, and it was something she hadn't personally experienced in her previous life. She wasn't sure if there were any risks involved.

But the allure of Xerneas's horns was too great to be true, and it was worth the risk!

Late at night on the second day after the Sacred Tree Festival, Ibu gently pried Xia Chen's arm off him, opened the window, and leaped into the night.

…………

The Aroma Gym is located directly beneath the Sacred Tree. Not far away, Eevee stepped through the thick layer of fallen leaves and arrived at the tree roots.

Although Ibrahimovic recalls the news report saying that a local resident found the strange branch at the end of the last day of the Sacred Tree Festival, what if a clue is found today?

Opportunity only favors the prepared Ibrahimovic!

Around the massive tree roots, Eevee began searching for any possible anomalies.

The sacred tree has an exceptionally thick trunk. According to the official data of the Incense Dojo, the thickest part has a diameter of 22 meters, and the circumference of the tree is nearly 70 meters.

Searching is inherently a time-consuming and energy-intensive task, let alone in the dark of night.

Fortunately, most of the leaves have fallen in the past two days, and the soft moonlight provides some visibility.

However, after going around in circles, Ibrahimovic did not find the anomaly he had expected.

Forget about the strange branches that radiate multicolored light, there wasn't even a single ordinary branch; all that was there was a thick layer of leaves covering the ground.

Ibrahimovic wasn't particularly frustrated, after all, there was still a day until the Sacred Tree Festival, and that was when things were most likely to go wrong.

The withering of the sacred tree was inevitable; all I needed to do was wait for tomorrow to arrive.

If we are too hasty and interfere too much, we might even change the future, which would be counterproductive.

With that thought in mind, Ibu returned to the room the way he came.

After washing his hands in the bathroom, Ibu crawled back into his warm bed.

With Xia Chen's hand on his body, Ibu slowly fell asleep.

It was as if nothing had happened.

…………

On the last day of the Sacred Tree Festival, the once lush canopy of the trees is now reduced to a few scattered leaves, its bare appearance resembling that of a seasoned professional in a certain industry.

Naturally, apart from a few local residents praying under the sacred tree, there were hardly any tourists left.

For tourists from other places, apart from the performance by Miss Ma Xiu, there is nothing to look forward to at the Shenmu Festival.

Just by looking at the long line outside the gate of the Divine Tree Arena, Xia Chen could already imagine how crowded it was inside, so he naturally continued to stay at the dojo and slack off.

However, he didn't notice that Eevee beside him was gazing longingly at the sacred tree outside the window.

As dusk lingered, an ordinary day quickly passed for Xia Chen.

Outside the window, in the afterglow of the setting sun, the last leaf of the sacred tree slowly drifted down.

The residents of Aroma City, gathered under the sacred tree, cheered and jumped for joy, preparing to welcome the new year.

But no one knows that the day they are hoping for may never come again.

Except for Ibrahimovic.

Watching the crowd gradually disperse below, Ibrahimovic knew it was time for him to make his move.

Inside the room, Xia Chen and Ma Xiu were discussing the grand construction plan for the Grand Contest, while Ralts was playing with Mawile, whom they had met a few days ago, and Milotic was probably soaking in the pond in the courtyard.

Ibrahimovic figured that disappearing for half an hour wouldn't attract attention.

With that thought in mind, Ibu tiptoed to the balcony and performed another Leap of Faith.

The setting sun hung obliquely on the horizon, dyeing the surrounding clouds a large expanse of orange-red.

Taking advantage of the still relatively bright time, Ibrahimovic quickly ran to the tree roots and continued circling along the route he took yesterday.

Although the Sacred Tree Festival has ended, some local elderly people are still chatting and strolling under the sacred tree.

Most of them were accompanied by Pokémon like Meowth, Dedoo, and Yamper. A little Eevee circling the sacred tree looked a bit strange, but her appearance didn't attract anyone's attention.

Night always falls early in winter. Just moments ago, the sunset was a beautiful sight, but soon the sky darkened.

The elderly people taking a walk gradually dispersed, and fewer and fewer people and spirits remained lingering under the sacred tree.

No one noticed that Eevee, which had been circling the tree trunk, had not yet left.

…………

Ibrahimovic gradually stopped walking.

It wasn't that she was tired; such a short distance wasn't even a warm-up for Eevee right now. It was just that she felt her method seemed a bit clumsy.

Since someone will eventually find that thing and won't take it, why can't we identify that person who might find it first?

Having figured this out, Eevee began to stroll leisurely around the sacred tree, searching for that person.

Although Ibrahimovic did not know what he looked like, he remembered that the news said he was an old man who was not young.

This eliminates many potential targets, and since he is definitely heading towards the sacred tree, there are fewer and fewer suspicious individuals.

Soon, Detective Ibu noticed a key person to focus on: an old man with a pink hamster perched on his shoulder, slowly walking towards the sacred tree with a cane.

Could it be him?

Ibu looked at the other elderly people walking home under the sacred tree and felt that it was very likely.

There was no one else around, so Ibrahimovic circled around and quietly followed behind him.