Elf: Start your slow-paced life after becoming a farmer.

When Nemo led the two of them through the coffee shop door, Carl noticed the curious stares they were casting at him.

Although Carl didn't know how the three kids had found him, he couldn't pretend he hadn't seen them since he'd run into them.

"Hey, Pipa, Nemo, and Shinji, what brings you here?" Carl raised his hand and waved to them.

"Brother Karl, who is this?" After Nemo came to Karl's side, she first glanced at Zhu Lan sitting in front of Karl, and then asked him curiously.

“This is Cynthia, my friend.” Carl said, giving Cynthia an inquiring look. After seeing her nod slightly, he continued, “She’s the current champion of the Sinnoh region.”

"Hello, Sister Zhulan, it's a pleasure to meet you." Nemo greeted Zhulan familiarly, "I'm Nemo, Karl's student."

"Hello, Nemo." Zhu Lan smiled slightly at Nemo and said, "It's nice to meet you too."

“This is Pipa, my cousin from the Parthian region,” Karl said, pulling Pipa towards him with a warm voice.

“Hello, Miss Zhulan.” Pipa’s expression was slightly stiff, as if she were a little shy.

“Hello, Pipa.” When Zhulan heard Carl’s introduction, her heart stirred. She knew about Carl’s family situation. She thought that Carl had no relatives other than Dr. Yamanashi. She did not expect that he had a relative in Padia.

'Could this be one of the reasons Karl came to Padia?' Zhu Lan thought to herself.

Carl was unaware of what Rin was thinking at that moment. After introducing Piper, he reached out and pulled Shinji over: "This is Shinji, my student. He's from our Sinnoh region."

Upon hearing this, Ran looked at Shinji with some surprise and said, "Hello, Shinji."

"Greetings, Senior Zhulan." Shinji bowed slightly to Zhulan with a slightly respectful tone.

After introducing the three little ones to Zhu Lan, Karl asked them with a hint of curiosity, "What would you like to drink? It's on me. Also, how did you three find me?"

"Master, a student from Orange Academy took a picture of you meeting with Rin-senpai and posted it on the school forum." Shinji explained, ignoring the glances Pipa and Nemo were giving him.

"I see." Karl's lips curled slightly, his gaze sweeping over Nemo and Pipa beside him. "So you two came to watch the show as a group?"

“No, we were just, well, curious, just curious,” Nemo explained vaguely.

"Alright, I don't care if you're just watching or curious." Karl tapped the table lightly with his hand. "I'm going to the Third District in the South tomorrow to find the owner of the treasure. Do you want to come?"

"A Pokémon Master? What's that?" Shinji was unaware of the secret seasoning and Pokémon Masters. "A special Pokémon from the Paradis region?"

“Papa, you introduce the secret seasoning and the Pokémon’s Master to Shinji and Cynthia.” Carl said, taking a sip from the cup in front of him. “Keep it simple.”

After hearing Carl's words, Piper first organized her thoughts before beginning to introduce Shinji and Cynthia about the secret seasoning and their Pokémon.

"I never imagined the Padia region would have such a wondrous item." After listening to Pipa's explanation, Cynthia said with great interest, "So you're planning to take these three little guys tomorrow to find the Pokémon Master and the secret seasoning it guards?"

“Yes.” Carl put down his coffee cup. “While we might not find it, it can be considered an extracurricular activity. Would you like to join us?”

"Of course," Zhu Lan nodded in agreement.

As expected, Carl nodded, then brought up another topic: "Bamboo Orchid, do you know about crystallization?"

"What is this? It sounds like something similar to the Mega Evolutions found in the Kalos region?" Zhu Lan raised an eyebrow slightly.

“Yes, but the universality of crystallization is much stronger than that of mega evolution.” Karl said, taking out a crystal bead from his backpack and handing it to Zhulan.

"It looks really beautiful." Zhu Lan took it and carefully examined the translucent black crystal ball, offering a small compliment. Then she turned to Karl and asked curiously, "What exactly is its purpose?"

"Typing can temporarily change a Pokémon's type."

The moment Karl uttered those words, Zhu Lan's gaze toward Tai Jingzhu turned serious.

As the newly crowned Sinnoh Champion, Cynthia certainly knows what temporarily changing a Pokémon's type means.

"The type of a Pokémon after it has been crystallized is called the Crystallized type. When the Crystallized type is the same as the Pokémon's original type, the power of the Pokémon's STAB move will be increased by about 100%," Karl continued.

"Can the properties of the Taijing be changed?" Zhu Lan handed the Taijing Bead back to Karl and then asked.

“Theoretically, it’s feasible, but the Padia League probably hasn’t developed this technology yet.” Karl put the Crystal Bead back into his backpack and shrugged helplessly. “However, most Pokémon’s Crystal type is STAB, for example, Garchomp’s Crystal type is usually Dragon type.”

"I see." Zhu Lan nodded thoughtfully.

"Moreover, for you, Cynthia, Crystallization has an advantage that Mega Evolution cannot match," Karl said, suppressing a laugh and speaking naturally.

"What are the advantages?" Zhu Lan asked instinctively.

"Garuda's speed remains unchanged after undergoing teratogenesis."

Upon hearing this, Cynthia looked at Carl with a puzzled expression. Could it be that Garchomp's speed would decrease after Mega Evolution?

"By the way, Karl, are you going to the Flower Dance Festival next week?" Pipa suddenly asked, as if he had just remembered something.

Chapter 118 The Invitation to the Flower Festival and the Unknown Answer

"Flower Dance Festival?"

When Pipa saw the puzzled look on Karl's face, he realized what was going on: "Karl, you've only been in Padia for a short time, it's normal that you don't know about the Flower Dance Festival."

With Piper's explanation, Carl finally realized that this "Flower Dance Festival" was not much different from the "Flower Dance Festival" in a certain game he remembered.

According to Pipa, the Flower Dance Festival is a local tradition in Little Key Town, and it takes place on the second Tuesday of April each year, which is next Tuesday.

According to the tradition of Little Key, the residents of Little Key hold a celebration in an open woodland near Little Key Trail to mark the arrival of the Flower Dance Festival.

Most importantly, a ball is held every year during the Flower Dance Festival.

"Time flies! I can't believe the Flower Dance Festival is almost here," Nemo remarked casually. "Will there be strawberry pie at the Flower Dance Festival banquet this year?"

“Of course, every Flower Dance Festival I’ve ever been to has had strawberry pie; it’s probably become a new Flower Dance Festival tradition.” After answering Nemo’s question, Pipa turned to Carl. “So, Carl, will you be participating?”

“Why not? This is my first festival since arriving in Padia.” Karl agreed without hesitation. “I originally thought my first festival in Padia would be the olive festival in Roundmo Town.”

After agreeing, Karl realized that Zhu Lan was still sitting in front of him, so he turned to look at her and casually invited, "Zhu Lan, would you like to experience the festive atmosphere of the Padia region?"

"The Flower Dance Festival? It sounds like a really interesting festival." Cynthia agreed without much hesitation. "My flight back to Sinnoh is booked for next Wednesday. If all goes well, I'll have to trouble you then."

Nemo raised an eyebrow upon hearing this, as if she had thought of something, but she didn't say anything, only pursed her lips, looking as if she was suppressing a laugh.

After finishing the conversation about the Flower Dance Festival, Zhu Lan steered the topic back to the Crystallization: "Karl, how did you obtain the Crystal Beads?"

“My situation is a bit special.” Karl organized his thoughts slightly. “I did President Ye Ci a small favor, and the Taijing Pearl was my reward to her.”

“Hunter J?” Zhu Lan immediately thought of the internationally sensational online press conference a while ago.

“No, I helped her play an exhibition match.” Karl paused. “Actually, the technology for Crystallization is not yet mature. Every time you use Crystallization, you have to go to the Pokémon Center to recharge it. So even if you get Crystallize now, you can only use it as a one-time use item unless you stay in the Padilla region.”

"I see." A hint of understanding flashed in Zhu Lan's eyes. "The current enhancement systems do indeed have their shortcomings."

Indeed, this is true. Currently, only some Pokémon have Mega Evolution forms, and Crystallize, Dynamax, and Z-Moves can only be used locally.

Just then, Nemo asked curiously, "Brother Carl, when did you and Sister Zhulan meet?"

“Eight years ago, when I was ten years old,” Karl replied after a moment’s thought.

“Back then, Karl, you were quite unique.” Zhu Lan seemed to recall something, a playful smile curving her lips.

"Unique?" Nemo's eyes lit up upon hearing this. "Sister Zhulan, could you tell me more about it?"

Shinji and Piper, standing nearby, also cast curious glances at Ran. They were genuinely curious about what kind of person Karl had been in the past.

"It's alright, go ahead and tell me. I'm also quite curious about what made me different back then," Karl said nonchalantly, noticing Zhu Lan's questioning gaze.

After obtaining Karl's consent, Zhu Lan pondered for a moment before speaking, "I remember that at that time, besides Karl, there were other doctors who brought people around our age to visit Grandma, and Karl was the quietest one among them."

"Quiet?" The three children exchanged glances, all seeing shock in each other's eyes.

"Hey, what do you three mean by this? Do I not look like a quiet person?" Karl said with displeasure after seeing the three kids' behavior.

“When Grandma was introducing the history of Old Sinnoh, all the other children had an expression of wide-eyed wonder, but Carl, look at their expressions, it’s like…” Cynthia paused, “like Slowking looking at Slowpoke.”

The three little ones clearly didn't expect Cynthia to use such a "playful" metaphor to describe the scene, considering that Slowking is one of the evolved forms of Slowpoke, and there is a huge gap in intelligence between the two.

The former's intelligence ranks among the top in ordinary Pokémon, while the latter usually appears dull and stupid.

"Was that the expression I had back then?" Karl hadn't expected that Zhu Lan would see him with that expression.

Although he did feel a little superior to his peers who seemed naive and unsophisticated, he never expected that he would be so obviously superior in other people's eyes.

“Of course.” Zhu Lan covered her mouth and chuckled as if she had remembered a very funny joke. “After you left, Grandma also mentioned your behavior back then to me.”

Carl touched his nose somewhat awkwardly: "At least I behaved fairly normally the last few times, right?"

Zhu Lan smiled noncommittally: "If secretly training in the wild in the middle of the night and almost getting caught counts, then it is indeed quite normal."

Dead memories began to haunt Carl; he never expected that Zhu Lan would still remember this "dark history" of his.

If Carl remembers correctly, because Dr. Yamanashi didn't agree to let him go on a trip, he would secretly train with his bear apprentice and Charizard almost every day. Even when Dr. Yamanashi took him to visit Dr. Sorrel, he didn't give up this habit.

This led Dr. Yamanashi to later assume that Carl had been kidnapped when he discovered Carl was not in his room.

When Carl returned to his residence after training, he was severely reprimanded by Dr. Yamanashi.

The three members of TFBOYS showed completely different attitudes towards Karl's embarrassing past.

Nemo and Shinji believe that Karl's current strength is indeed the result of both hard work and talent.

Piper, on the other hand, believed that Carl's decision to sneak out for training in the middle of the night was very much in line with Carl's occasionally eccentric personality.

Thinking of this, Nemo thought of a new question: "Brother Karl, who is stronger, you or Sister Zhulan?"

“Since I’ve never had a formal battle with Karl, there’s no answer to this question right now.” Cynthia picked up her cup and took a sip, speaking naturally, “However, one of the reasons I came to Padia this time is that I want to have a formal Pokémon battle with Karl, so you’ll soon know the answer to this question.”

Chapter 119 The Exchange Plan and the Girl Zhu Lan

Nemo and Shinji were quite excited after learning that Carl was going to have a Pokémon battle with Cynthia.

If they weren't in a coffee shop, Carl thought Nemo would have cheered out loud.

After leaving the coffee shop, Carl took the three little ones and Lan to the Padiya restaurant that Pipa had recommended for lunch.

After tasting the restaurant's signature dish, Padiya seafood fried rice, Zhu Lan gave it a very high rating and said she would come back to the restaurant tonight to try other dishes.

After lunch, Carl returned to the farm after agreeing on a time and place to meet the three little ones and Zhu Lan the next day.

Just as Karl was about to head to the training grounds to find Serpent, his Rotom cell phone, which was in his pocket, rang.

"Huh? President Ye Ci?" Karl looked at the caller ID on the screen, and his lips twitched. "Could she have also seen the photo of me meeting Zhu Lan?"

As soon as Carl answered the phone, Ye Ci's voice rang in his ears: "Hey Carl, you met with that Miss Champion?"

"Yes, is there a problem?" Karl's voice was very calm, making it difficult for Ye Ci to judge his inner thoughts.

"No, it's nothing. I was just checking on the champion's schedule in Padia." Feeling a bit dizzy, Ye Ci quickly changed the subject: "Karl, are you familiar with the Orange Academy's exchange student program?"

“I know a little bit.” Karl raised an eyebrow, not exposing Ye Ci’s little thoughts, but continuing to say, “Every year, Orange Academy and Blueberry Academy send a small group of students to exchange studies, but I don’t know anything more specific.”

“Your understanding is spot on.” Ye Ci paused for a moment. “This year’s exchange student program will officially begin around the middle of next month. Since most of the faculty members are temporarily unable to leave, therefore…”

Before Ye Ci could finish speaking, Karl immediately interjected, "How many days will it take? If it takes too long, I also need to take care of my farm."

“It will only take seven days at the latest.” Seeing that Karl was willing to lead a team to the Blueberry Academy, Ye Ci immediately added, “I know that your farm is planning to open a plantation recently. If you are willing to lead the team, I can provide you with some rare fruit tree seedlings through the Alliance’s channels.”

“Then it’s a happy decision.” Karl immediately agreed. He had already planned to go to the Unova region, and now that Ci had even provided him with fruit tree seedlings, it was a win-win situation.

……

The next day, Carl quickly tidied up at home and immediately went out. He had already arranged to meet the three little ones and Zhu Lan at the East Gate of Tabletop City at nine o'clock in the morning, and there was only half an hour left before the agreed time.

Riding a Charizard at full speed, Carl finally arrived at the east gate of Tabletop City just a second before the breach of contract.

Karl's eyes lit up the moment he saw the bamboo orchid.

Perhaps because she was going on a wilderness adventure today, the Sinnoh champion changed out of her signature black trench coat and into a gray-green outfit suitable for outdoor activities.

Her long, silky golden hair was coiled behind her head, with only a few strands hanging down beside her ears. The warm spring sunlight slanted across her cheeks, making her look extremely refreshing.

It was only then that Carl realized that the newly crowned Miss Champion was just a young girl who had only recently come of age.

"Good morning, everyone. Let's set off now. Hopefully, we'll have some luck today so we can taste the secret spicy seasoning tonight," Karl said with a smile as he approached the four.

"I'm more looking forward to lunch today than finding the secret seasoning." Zhu Lan raised her hand to tuck a few stray strands of hair behind her ear and said with a smile, "Nimoke just told me that your martial arts master Xiong's cooking skills seem to be excellent."

“I don’t think Master Xiong’s cooking will disappoint you.” Carl nodded in agreement, then added, “But it would be even better if we could find the secret seasoning.”

With Karl's arrival, this hastily assembled exploration team set off for the South Third District, where the Rock Wall Treasure Lord resided.

On their way to the South Third District, the group of five encountered many Orange Academy students who were going out for wilderness training.

As time went on, Shinji asked Carl with a puzzled look, "Master, don't the trainers in the Padia region have the habit of challenging passing trainers in the wild?"

Zhu Lan raised an eyebrow; in fact, she had noticed this phenomenon long ago.

“Yes, the battle atmosphere in the Padia region isn’t as intense as in other areas,” Karl explained. “If you want to battle trainers who train in the wild, you’ll have to go find them.”

Karl thought for a moment and added, "However, the prize money received after the defeat was also more generous than that from other regions."

"I see." Shinji nodded, his gaze towards the trainers on the roadside becoming more intense.

"What? You get a prize for winning a match?" Nemo asked, puzzled.