This elf world is a bit strange

Antoine, who had been sleeping soundly not long ago, packed his clothes and looked out the empty window.

"You really don't want to see me off? It may not be long before you meet again."

Dante stood behind his son at some point. No one knows a son better than his father. He knew his son, who was not very good at expressing himself, quite well.

"Yesterday was fine, why bother with the formality? Come on, Dad. I'm going to have special training soon. Next time we meet, at least I can't be left behind by too much."

Antoine wiped his eyes and stared into the distance.

"Special training? That kid's level is really high, especially that dream demon. Even my Brikaron and Coconut Tree are probably no match for him. If you want to keep up, you have to practice harder. I'll wait for you at the training ground."

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The undulating Route 8 stretches into the distance, with two long shadows extending under the morning sun.

Chapter 133: Road of Trial (1/2)

The calendar of time turns over one by one with the wind, and a week passes in the blink of an eye.

The two people who said goodbye to Guxiang Town, a major southwestern town famous for its fossils and aquarium, are now standing in front of the rocky road of Route 9, known as the "Trial Road."

Looking back at the distant town, some memories emerge.

The director of the aquarium, Mr. Rudan, a dedicated fishing expert.

The famous Fossil Research Institute and the newly revived little ice dragon.

There is also a stone market where "gambling on stones" is its selling point.

Several shining gems were held in the palms of Korni and Lucario. These were Firion's "trophies" at the market.

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Guxiang Town has a stone market similar to that of Shixiang Town, except that it does not focus on selling finished products, but rather on "raw stone gambling".

After visiting the aquarium and the fossil research institute, Filio and Korni naturally would not miss such places, so it was natural for them to visit them.

As soon as he entered, Filio discovered some "business opportunity".

With his powerful superpowers, as long as there is any crack on the stone, Firion can see the situation inside clearly.

Most of the raw stones that sell for 50,000 Alliance coins are empty. If you can get a high-quality attribute gem, you will make a lot of money. Firio's superpowers are unique in this regard.

After a few days, the two who tried their luck every day actually added some inventory to themselves. The little guys generally had two or three high-quality attribute gems in their hands, which was enough to cover one or two months of Philio's OEM business.

Such a sure-win business made Korni extremely happy. She was in high spirits and always said that she would bring Firio here to make a fortune if she had the chance in the future.

But Firio knew in his heart that taking advantage in such a place could only be done once or twice by catching the opponent off guard. If he did it often, his trick would definitely be discovered, and then it would not be so easy.

After the cheerful little cucumber was splashed with a basin of cold water, her straight high ponytail drooped down sadly, and she was depressed for several minutes before she recovered.

Then, she discovered the secret hidden by Filio. Under Filio's teasing gaze, Miss Cucumber tapped his arm in a half-coquettish manner: "Then why don't we come here occasionally?"

-----------------

In addition, Firio’s most important task during this week is to complete the OEM orders for energy blocks.

The fruits from the trees of Apei's family, which had been booked in advance, were transported directly from Sala to Shixiang. Working all night long, the process was not slow. In just three or four days, they completed two months' supply. Although long-term storage might lead to some loss in quality, it was only relative.

In just a few days, apart from going to the stone market with Korni to try their luck and go shopping, he was either making energy blocks, using equipment to study the special medicine of the Flash Team, or tinkering with his battle blocks. He was very busy.

It's just a pity for Korni, who has nothing to do in this small town.

But she didn't feel bored. She would either lie on the bed in Firion's room and watch him busy, or enthusiastically train the little ones on the beach, making many innocent passers-by trainers and wild Pokémon complain.

In this way, a week passed, the two's depleted energy block stocks were replenished, and the energy blocks for the store, the cultivation house, Gejihua and Nancy also went through the association's logistics channels. The burden on Firio's heart was finally lifted, and he was able to head northeast and came to Route 9, which was quite famous in Carlos.

This road, which used to be completely rough and bumpy, has now been mostly leveled by the Carlos League, leaving only a small path that remains in its original state for Rhino riding enthusiasts and trainers who dare to challenge themselves.

The first stop of Korni's trial will begin here.

The sharp gravel, the bumpy road, and the scorching sun were difficult to deal with even for a skilled fighter like Korni, who had the unique power of a fighter to protect her.

However, while taking off her shoes and socks, her mood was still very high, and she was in the mood to chat and joke with Filio, talking about the interesting stories in Guxiang in the past few days.

Although she was a little nervous, she also knew that this was a test for her and Lucario.

"Hey! We're going to attack! Lucario, let's go!"

The white little feet stepped on the ground scorched by the sun. In front of them was a ground full of gravel. Korni was in high spirits. She looked at Lucario and walked up with a firm gaze.

-----------------

"Well......!"

The hot and sharp stones pricked Korni's brows.

Unlike Caidou who walks barefoot all year round, Korni's feet are not that tough, and she doesn't have a strong resistance to extreme external environments. She has to rely on willpower to hold on.

A faint current of air surrounded her bare feet, protecting them but unable to stop the pain.

【gas】

This is a special power unique to fighters.

By using a meditation method similar to that of people with super powers, fighters can constantly explore their own physical and mental strength and find a power that is completely different in nature from super powers, but no less powerful.

Fighters who are strong enough to fight Pokémon rely on this special power.

But no matter how strong the power is, there will be a time when it is exhausted. After only a distance of a few hundred meters, Korni was already covered in sweat. The sweat fell to the ground with a "tick-tick" sound, and was quickly evaporated by the scorching sun and the earth.

Lucario followed her worriedly, and tried to reach out several times, but was pushed away stubbornly by Korne.

"I... can still walk!"

The pain in the soles of her feet rushed to her mind and her teeth were chattering, but she still didn't want to stop.

At least...at least walk one kilometer before resting!

"ah!"

The strong-willed Korni closed her eyes, made up her mind, ignored the pain, turned a deaf ear to Firio and Lucario's advice, and strode forward.

First there was sweat, and then there were faint spots of blood.

The "Road of Trials" left traces of another challenger.

In the blink of an eye, a distance of a thousand meters has been covered.

......

......

"Yeah yeah yeah!"

Under the shade of the trees in the mountains, Korni, who was sitting on the ground, raised her feet and screamed as Firio applied medicine and massaged her.

She was soaked with sweat and collapsed into a ball as soon as Filio carried her down. Apart from almost unconsciously crying out in pain, she was unable to utter any complete words.

Even with the protection of [Chi], the delicate soles of the feet still had countless tiny cuts. None of them were serious, but there were many of them, and the redness and swelling were severe, which made people feel distressed when looking at them.

The cotton swab soaked in alcohol was rubbed across the wound. Every time it touched the wound, Korni's delicate nose twitched involuntarily and she let out a half-crying hum.

"Why don't we walk slower? Grandpa Kokobul didn't say how long it would take, right? If you walk the ten-kilometer trial path like this, your feet will be gone."

Firio persuaded while gently pressing the severely swollen and red soles of his feet.

“It hurts, it hurts, be gentle!” Korni grimaced again, tears almost falling, but she still didn’t give in. “No… I just have to hold on. I can’t lose my momentum. I will get there if I hold on!”

"You stupid cucumber...how can you hold on so hard?"

Firio pinched the girl's cheek angrily and distressedly.

He knew that once the other party had made up his mind, no one could say anything.

"Luca!"

Lucario, who had been standing silently nearby, also stepped forward with a determined look.

Although such a road also made its feet feel painful and burdened, it still hoped to share some of the pain with Korni.

Without saying anything, it picked up Korni, carried her on its back, and returned to the marked place.

“Luka…!”

Suddenly, there was an extra weight that was almost as heavy as his own body weight. The pressure increased dramatically, and the pain in the soles of his feet also increased sharply.

"Put me down and let's go together!"

Korni was angry and annoyed, and kept slapping Lucario.

"Luca!"

But this time, unlike his previous obedience, Lucario firmly refused Korni's instructions, letting her act up on his back and moving forward step by step.

This walk is nearly three kilometers.

Energy and strength were drained away at an accelerated rate under the sun, and the pain from the sharp rocks underfoot became increasingly unbearable. Even the powerful Lucario was somewhat overwhelmed.

"Luca..."

It let out a long sigh, but then it took a wrong step, lost its balance and almost fell.

Firio, who was following closely, was about to reach out his hand but was stopped by Korni's eyes.

She flipped over and jumped off Lucario's back, planted her feet firmly on the ground, and put the exhausted Lucario on her shoulders.

“Giving each other courage and caring for each other, this is who we are…! Let’s go, let’s walk another kilometer!”

Even the heavy footsteps could not hide Korni's bright eyes at the moment.

Feeling the pervasive power of the waves and some unprecedented presence, Lucario nodded subconsciously, took light steps, and walked forward side by side with Korne.

On the distant mountain, the old man with long eyebrows put down the telescope in his hand and looked at his partner and old friend standing beside him with satisfaction.

"Now, these two children may really be able to harness the power of this bond, which is far beyond the mundane, and belongs to the inherited power of evolution!"

"Luca!"

Lucario, who is old but still stands tall, responded with full energy.

......

......

“Today... let’s move forward with full energy today too!”

"Luca!"

"Okay, okay, go ahead. Be good first and let me apply the medicine. You can't even drink the water honestly. Drink it while it's hot. Salt water is hard to drink when it gets cold."

"Oh my! Be gentle, Firio! How can I drink water if you do that?"

"Lu...Luka!"

"Do you feel the pain now? I see you were full of energy just now. Just bear with it. You are bleeding. I will bandage it tighter for you. You should walk slower too. It is best to rest for a day."

"No... we have to do it all at once! Gulp... Huh... Ha! Anything else?"

"Is that so? That's fine too... Just drink slowly. There's plenty left. I'll get it for you later."

"Hey, I knew you understood me! Let me rest for a while, then I'll set off for the next section! In fact, I feel like my feet aren't as painful as they were at the beginning. Maybe I've adapted to it?"

"That's not called adaptation, at most you're temporarily numb. Once things are settled here, you'll have to endure it. But I'm also curious, other fighters, like Xiba, Ah Si, Caidou, can do these things as if they were flat ground, why can't you endure it?"

"Well... I'm not the kind of person who practices asceticism! Theirs is called thick skin and flesh, which is acquired through years of training. How can it be the same? Or do you want me to be exposed to the wind and sun as well?!"

"I dare not, I dare not. I think Miss Korni is best the way she is now. Anyway, walking barefoot is not a common practice in our civilized society."

"Humph, that's right! Today I'll let you see that I'm not just someone who can only complain, I'm very strong! Ouch, it hurts! Be gentle!"

"Okay, I'll go slowly... Then you should be careful and walk slowly to get used to it."

......

......

In this way, walking and stopping, the short five kilometers, from the time the red sun was high in the sky to the time the bright moon was rising, took more than half a day.

"Lucario, hold on to me, come on!"

The mountain stairs were right in front of them. Lucario, who had carried most of the burden along the way, was exhausted, and most of his weight was on Korne's shoulders.

The sweat wet and dried, dry and wet again, and the clothes stuck to the body, making people feel uncomfortable.

But these are obviously no longer things that Korni can focus on.