Chapter One Hundred and Eighteen: On the Road

Golden City Pokémon Center

Chen Ou slipped away quickly. He wasn’t a fool. In the past, he hadn’t really thought much about Na Zi’s attitude toward him, but just now, her abnormal and obviously strange behavior—how could Chen Ou not grow suspicious?

If Chen Ou hadn’t read the original story, not knowing Na Zi’s true nature, he might have comforted himself with some hope. But Chen Ou knew exactly what kind of person Na Zi was in the original tale. Calling her a queen was an understatement—more like a ruthless ruler.

Did you expect a woman like her to blush and feel shy when someone she disliked casually touched her head?

Normal girls wouldn’t do that, so why would Na Zi?

Better to stop dreaming.

So Chen Ou wisely made his exit. What if he didn’t leave and got into trouble?

With that thought, Chen Ou smacked the back of his right hand hard with his left.

“Such a troublesome hand!” he muttered softly.

By his side, Bai Ci sat playing with the small Chimchar, giving off the air of a caretaker.

Chen Ou thought that was fine. He certainly didn’t have the patience to play games with Chimchar, who was just born and in a mischievous phase. Having Bai Ci around at this moment was a relief.

At least he didn’t have to watch the kid himself.

Before long, Nurse Joy appeared from behind carrying a tray with Poké Balls and waved at Chen Ou. He stood up, walked to the counter, and after exchanging nods with Nurse Joy, he stored the Poké Balls containing Entei, Typhlosion, and Houndour. Then he waved at Bai Ci with a smile and said, “Let’s go, Bai Ci, Chimchar. It’s time to set off!”

Bai Ci had just replied with a “Okay” when Chimchar immediately leapt onto Chen Ou’s shoulder. Bai Ci rolled her eyes at Chimchar and muttered, “Ungrateful little rascal!”

Then she followed along.

On the way, Bai Ci looked around at the surrounding forest and the occasional Pokémon that appeared. However, no Pokémon seemed to approach, which left Bai Ci a bit disappointed. She recalled how, when she used to play outside, Pokémon often appeared nearby—either looking for food or sometimes to eat the food themselves.

Though it was risky, it was quite fun. After all, Bai Ci wasn’t a weak little girl. She was a trainer too. In fact, she had been a trainer longer than Chen Ou, albeit an unregistered wild trainer.

Chen Ou walked ahead with his head down, unafraid of getting lost, as Rotom was guiding him.

“Five hundred meters ahead, a wild Beedrill swarm is gathering. Suggest rerouting. Rotom is recalculating the path. (..??_??..). Route recalculated. Turn right in 200 meters. Rotom!”

Rotom rarely got to stretch its legs, since Chen Ou was usually quite strict with it. Mainly because Rotom lacked combat ability.

As for catching it, Chen Ou had thought about it, but Rotom refused.

The free-spirited, unruly Rotom would never allow itself to become someone else’s Pokémon. It could be Chen Ou’s partner but wouldn’t accept the constraints of a Poké Ball.

Chen Ou’s abilities only worked on Pokémon that belonged to him, so Rotom couldn’t benefit from his powers. Still, Chen Ou wasn’t heartless.

He had designed a rigorous training regimen for Rotom. Even if it couldn’t become a tremendously powerful Pokémon, at least it would be able to defend itself or escape when facing strong foes.

Chen Ou was curious about why Rotom refused to be caught, but he didn’t ask. Everyone had secrets they wished to keep. Chen Ou understood that feeling well. If Rotom didn’t want to talk, Chen Ou wouldn’t pry.

“Chen Ou, you don’t look so good. What’s wrong?” Bai Ci came over, bending down to examine his face.

“Nothing. Professor Oak asked me to give two lectures at Rainbow University, and I’m just thinking about what to talk about,” Chen Ou replied with a smile.

Bai Ci didn’t sense anything amiss and simply said, “Oh,” before running ahead to chat with Rotom. Chimchar settled down, sleeping atop her head.

Chen Ou watched the scene and exhaled softly.

Indeed, Professor Oak had asked him to lecture at Rainbow University. But honestly, there was nothing to worry about. Chen Ou was a researcher who had filled a gap in the academic field. In other words, in this area, his words were authoritative. He could even deliberately mislead others if he wanted to, though there was no need.

Lecturing would be easy—just spouting some things off the cuff would suffice.

What truly troubled Chen Ou was the conversation he had with Liu Nian.

The world was facing the threat of destruction?

To be honest, if those words hadn’t come from Liu Nian, Chen Ou would have thought it was just a rumor.

Take the villains, for example. The big bosses all seemed like ruthless people intent on destroying the world. But in reality, their plans were mostly impossible to realize. Take the Hoenn region, for instance.

Water Wutong and Red Flame Pine planned to use Kyogre and Groudon to create oceans and land. In one sense, that could destroy the world. But would Rayquaza agree? Even if Rayquaza agreed, would Arceus? Even if Arceus agreed, would humanity accept it?

Don’t be ridiculous. Kyogre and Groudon were strong, but far from invincible. If that time came, with the combined strength of champions and Elite Four from all regions, even Kyogre and Groudon—or even the super-powered Hoopa—would kneel. Although Hoopa already had.

Arceus would have it easier against these opponents, especially if it were in its complete form, with all plates and the Life Orb reclaimed—then it would truly be unbeatable.

But on second thought, Liu Nian’s words weren’t exaggerations.

What world needed the creator gods divided into eighteen parts to maintain order?

World order followed natural laws. As long as things functioned normally, no one needed to maintain it.

What puzzled Chen Ou more was that, according to Liu Nian, when they sent Chen Ou here, it was a legitimate time-crossing, but he hadn’t received recognition from the world’s will. In other words, he was a visitor. The Time-Space Dragon duo, who commanded the powers of time and space granted by the world’s will, could “deport” Chen Ou.

Yes, deport.

Ultimately, this was someone else’s territory. You might have the right to enter, but the locals had the full power to send you back.

That was the treatment of a visitor.

Normally, legitimate crossers holding the company’s “passes” would receive the world’s will’s recognition upon entering, transitioning from “visitor” to “resident.” Then, the local Time-Space Gods would lose the right to deport them.

But Chen Ou was different...