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

Xia Chen, unwilling to give up, asked, "Even healing with life energy won't work?"

Gardevoir and Sylveon were blessed by Xerneas and possess the ability to control some life energy.

The Gooo Pokémon Egg and Deoxys Crystal Core were both awakened by this magical energy.

Gardevoir explained, "Sandy—(It's not a question of whether it can be cured; the real problem is that this body can't retain energy. It was only kept alive by the powerful energy leaking from here before.)"

Xia Chen nodded thoughtfully.

…………

Two months ago, Guleton sensed something carrying Groudon's aura on Spirit Island.

It now appears that the Circly Bear discovered the existence of this thing before placing her child here, preventing any human or elf from approaching.

Out of distrust of humans, or perhaps because she felt that human medicine couldn't save the bear cubs and would instead be tempted to steal the treasures meant to keep the children alive, she kept the matter buried in her heart.

Everything connected, and Xia Chen looked at the unconscious Quan Quan Xiong lying on the ground, his eyes filled with understanding and respect.

I wonder how long she endured those days alone. What a great mother she is...

Despite thinking this way, Xia Chen did not revive the oddly colored circle bear.

Her distrust of humans won't be easily reversed in a short time, and being awake now will only cause more trouble.

Xia Chen threw out a Poké Ball to summon Sylveon, and asked the two of them to use their life energy to heal the cub while they waited for the doctor to arrive.

Although Gardevoir said that life energy couldn't cure the strange illness, it was still quite effective in treating the cub's long-standing ailment.

A vibrant, emerald-green energy flowed through the bear cub, and its face, which had been contorted in pain, visibly relaxed considerably.

A short while later, there was a rustling in the bushes behind him. Xia Chen looked back and saw that it was Christina leading the elven doctor stationed on the island.

After a simple diagnosis using the tools he carried, the doctor came to a conclusion.

"The symptoms are very obvious. This bear cub is suffering from congenital empty body syndrome, a disease unique to elves. Simply put, the patient's body is congenitally missing an important tissue, the function of which is to store the body's energy. Without that tissue, the elf's body is like a jar full of holes. Do you understand what I mean?"

Xia Chen nodded heavily.

The energy the doctor refers to is different from the definition of energy in the three elements of nature [energy, information, matter]. Instead, it refers to the energy that Pokémon use when unleashing their moves, and it is also the key to maintaining the life of Pokémon.

It's a miracle that this bear cub has survived to this day, given that something so important was congenitally damaged.

Chrissy asked the crucial question: "Doctor, with the current level of medical technology, is there a cure for this disease?"

The doctor sighed. "Because of the fundamental differences in their physical structure and life mechanisms, human-made elven medicine has developed slowly. So, let's feed the child something good... Constantly infusing energy to sustain them is indeed a method, but the elven will suffer considerable pain. Of course, the decision is yours."

Xia Chen glanced silently at the teddy bear still lying on the ground, thinking to herself that the decision should be hers.

…………

In the end, Xia Chen did not let the mother and cub of the Circly Bear wander in the wilderness. Instead, he brought them back to the temporary Pokémon Center along with the things from the cave.

To be honest, there's nothing special inside, just a huge, bright red carapace, probably something Groudon shed.

However, since it is a legendary Pokémon item, it contains a considerable amount of pure Ground-type energy.

If used as a resource, it can definitely make a Ground-type Pokémon's strength increase by leaps and bounds.

Xia Chen doesn't have any Ground-type Pokémon, and even if he did, he wouldn't do this. This is the last straw for the bear cub and its mother; he's not that despicable.

After settling the bear cub in the ward, Xia Chen revived the heterochromatic circle bear in a separate glass-enclosed cubicle.

The newly awakened Circular Bear was in a dazed state, seemingly trying to recall something. Soon, her sudden change in expression revealed that she remembered what had happened before she fainted.

Before the circle bear could go berserk, Xia Chen took the initiative to subdue it.

"Look how comfortably it's sleeping. I think we'd better not disturb it."

Following Xia Chen's finger, the teddy bear looked over and saw that next door, the baby bear was lying peacefully on the hospital bed.

On the ground to the side, a huge red carapace was radiating a steady stream of energy in all directions, albeit weakly.

Circle Bear was a smart bear; she understood Xia Chen's intention, and her breathing returned to normal within a few breaths.

Then, with a complicated expression, she looked at Xia Chen and asked, "Kuma? (Why did you help me?)"

Xia Chen curled his lip and said, "Is he just bored and has nothing better to do? Otherwise, would he have designs on you guys?"

The saying goes, "When poor, one should cultivate one's own virtue; when successful, one should benefit all under heaven."

If Xia Chen were struggling to survive every day, he probably wouldn't have the mindset or the ability to do so.

However, he still wants to help the elves around him within his capabilities.

Circle Bear wasn't an ingrate after all, and thanked him in a muffled voice.

Xia Chen said, "Don't rush, let me tell you about the bear cub's situation first..."

He then told the mother about the doctor's diagnosis and advice.

"...That's roughly the situation, so the decision is yours."

The Circle Bear showed no surprise or sadness. Having watched over the bear cub for so long, she had more or less anticipated this outcome.

As for the sorrow... perhaps all her sadness had already been worn away in the process of being with him.

Circle Bear just stared blankly at the cub on the pristine white hospital bed, then suddenly said, "Kuma? (Can I go see it?)"

Xia Chen nodded and said, "Of course, whatever you want."

This once majestic and imposing bear was walking extremely slowly today.

With a slight tremor, she pushed open the glass door and walked gently to the bedside, a hint of sadness finally showing in her eyes.

The circly bear stuck out its tongue and licked the cub, grooming its actually very neat fur.

Perhaps sensing something, a sense of relief and comfort appeared on the bear cub's pained face, and its tightly clenched paws relaxed.

The Gardevoir in the cubicle turned its head away, unable to bear to look, and Xia Chen also watched this scene in silence for a long time.

Suddenly, as if he had thought of something, he hurriedly went outside and found the Azure Flame Blade Demon practicing his moves outside.

…………

"Can your elixirs cure diseases and save spirits?"

Azure Flame Blade Demon sheathed the sharp sword wrapped in jagged bone fire and said seriously, "Crunch—(That depends on the illness.)"

In that world, alchemists and physicians were related in some ways but different in others, as many elixirs were intended for healing.

Since Azure Flame Blade Demon inherited all of Yao Chen's pill formulas, it's not impossible for him to handle some of the difficult and complicated diseases in the Elf World.

As I led the Azure Flame Blade Demon into the ward, the Circle Bear had already calmed down.

Seeing Xia Chen enter, she said firmly, "Kuma! (I will not abandon my child!)"

It seems that she had already made her decision in secret while Xia Chen was away.

Xia Chen nodded and pulled Cang Yan Ren Gui over. "If you don't give up, let him give it a try. He's a very skilled... doctor."

In order to gain the trust of the patient's family, Xia Chen introduced the Azure Flame Blade Demon in this way.

Azure Flame Blade's aloof and ruthless demeanor was indeed quite intimidating, so Circle Bear quickly made way for him.

Instead of using the traditional Chinese medicine diagnostic methods of observation, listening, questioning, and palpation, Cangyan Rengui stood by the bedside with his eyes closed, presumably using his spiritual power to probe the patient.

A moment later, he opened his eyes, his expression unreadable.

After standing there in a daze for a while, the Azure Flame Blade Demon finally nodded and said, "Karu... (You can try...)"

Although the meaning behind their words wasn't entirely certain, Quan Quan Xiong and Xia Chen still showed expressions of relief.

The former seems to be grasping at a last straw, while the latter believes that the powerful figure behind the Azure Flame Blade Demon likely has a solution.

The Azure Flame Blade Demon was just staring blankly; wasn't that him communicating with the old man?

Both the man and the bear had their own thoughts, but the Azure Flame Blade Demon had already turned and left the ward.

He left behind one last sentence.

"Click—(Give me some time.)"

For the next few days, Cangyan Rengui seemed to have disappeared, staying indoors all the time, and even his meals were delivered by Xia Chen alone.

There's no need to worry too much about the cubs for now. They've already weathered the storm for several years, moved to a better environment, and are being regulated by life energy. There's no reason for their situation to get worse.

On the other hand, because the Shiny Ursaring stopped causing trouble, construction on all aspects of the island—gyms, residences, Pokémon centers, farms, berry forests—was completely unimpeded.

…………

After about a week of peace, the Azure Flame Blade Demon finally reappeared, much to the anxious anticipation of the Circle Bear. However, the healing pills did not come with it.

"We're still missing a crucial material. The material needs to contain sufficiently pure and concentrated energy, ideally from the same source as the energy that the bear cub has been absorbing over the past few years."

"That's what Azure Flame Blade Demon said."

Xia Chen pondered. The original owner of that shell was Groudon, so the last material needed must also come from Groudon.

That guy woke up, but then he's gone back to sleep somewhere else... Where are we supposed to find him...?

"Isn't that thing in the ward enough?"

Xia Chen tried asking.

Azure Flame Blade Demon shook his head. "No, the active energy in it is too low."

Xia Chen frowned. Didn't that mean they wanted to take a ready-made piece from Groudon?

This is no easier than beating up Millardon.

Most importantly, he didn't even know where Groudon was...

The situation has reached a stalemate.

In the end, Xia Chen could only sigh and say to the dejected Quan Quan Xiong, "I'm sorry, we did our best."

Without a word, Quan Quan Xiong stood up, walked to the bedside, picked up the unconscious bear cub with both hands, and then prepared to leave.

Before she left the room, Xia Chen called out to her, "Wait, you should take this with you."

He pointed to Groudon's shell, "If that makes you feel any better."

The Circly Bear shook its head and replied, "Kuma—(Never mind, I don't want it to spend the last part of its life in pain.)"

Seeing the completely disheartened Quan Quan Xiong, Xia Chen also fell silent.

For the first time, he felt powerless, powerless against death.