February 10.
Lin Feng was still hesitating about whether to reopen his shop.
Over the past few days, the people urging him online had grown impatient. They were no longer satisfied with leaving comments. They had started coming in person.
Every day, someone would stop by, lingering nearby, pretending not to ask anything, but their intentions were obvious.
They were waiting to see if the nursery next door had reopened.
When they realized it had not, they could only leave with regret.
But on this day, new news arrived.
The research on Pidgeot had results.
That afternoon, Dr. Liang Cai rushed excitedly to Lin Feng's villa and knocked loudly on the door.
As soon as Lin Feng stepped out, he heard him shouting, "It's done! The results are out! The research on the giant Dragonite is complete!"
Lin Feng blinked in confusion. Giant Dragonite? What did that have to do with him?
But after listening to the explanation, his expression froze in shock.
Liang Cai carefully chose his words, trying to explain it in a way Lin Feng could understand.
"The giant Dragonite and your Pidgeot likely belong to the same kind of atavistic phenomenon. In other words, long ago, perhaps thousands or even tens of thousands of years ago, leaders within certain Pokémon species possessed extremely strong vitality. Their life force was several times greater than others of their kind. Their growth cycle was also extended. Even after evolving, they would continue to grow."
But Lin Feng only heard one sentence.
"Pidgeot will keep growing?"
Was this some kind of joke?
Could it really grow to the size of a Dragonite?
"…Then… could it become as big as that giant Dragonite?" Lin Feng swallowed hard, unable to stop himself from asking.
He did have size-altering Pokéblocks that could shrink Pokémon easily, reducing their appetite as well.
But enlarging them was different. It was uncomfortable and consumed energy at an exponential rate, similar to Dynamax, except without changing form or move effects.
But if it grew naturally to that size…
Lin Feng did not dare imagine it.
"That is still uncertain. We need further research. Could I have another feather?" Liang Cai asked eagerly.
In truth, based on the two feathers Lin Feng had already provided, he had formed a strong hypothesis.
The molted feather lacked the vitality of the current one. That meant even after reaching its final evolution, Pidgeot's vitality was still rapidly increasing.
In other words, it was still in a high-growth phase.
Equivalent to a human teenager.
"…Great…"
Lin Feng returned to his room, found Pidgeot, and carefully took another feather.
After handing it over, he walked back into the yard and looked up at the massive bird towering above him.
"…Did it grow again?"
"Pidgeot?" the bird tilted its head in confusion.
"Wait, let me measure you."
Lin Feng gestured for it to stay still, then quickly grabbed a measuring tape from storage. Using his psychic ability to lift himself slightly, he measured from head to toe.
3.45 meters.
Lin Feng fell into silence.
What on earth was going on?
Why was every Pokémon he raised in groups… becoming more abnormal than the last?
Alcremie had absurd luck. Pidgeot kept growing bigger and bigger…
Then what about the others?
Eevee. The Combee. The Miltank…
Could they also be changing?
"Pidgeot?" the bird called again.
"It's nothing. Go play."
Pidgeot still looked confused, but obediently left.
Lin Feng began checking the others.
The Combee were still in their hive. They looked healthier than before and noticeably more active. When they saw him, they poked their heads out, asking if the flowers had been planted yet.
Lin Feng shook his head. Not yet. They needed more time to recover.
No major changes. No abnormal growth.
Next, he checked on the Miltank.
The three Miltank were eating Pokéblocks. When they saw him, they happily mooed.
Since the grass pellets were gone, they had been living off Pokéblocks.
"Don't worry," Lin Feng said. "The grass has already been planted. You will have fresh feed soon."
There was no major change in their size either.
But one of them…
Its energy level was approaching level 59.
Lin Feng stared at the data.
No battles.
No training.
Yet it was nearly at elite level.
"…This is ridiculous."
His Miltank might be the first of its kind.
Just as he was thinking, Rotom floated over.
"Rotom, Rotom~"
"What is it?"
"Accepted. The person you added a few days ago has accepted your request."
"Oh?"
Lin Feng's eyes lit up.
He quickly grabbed Rotom and opened the chat.
Tang Ninghong.
The Psychic-type Elite.
Her fans called her Sister Hong.
Aside from the Metagross and Gardevoir she had used in the Horizon League, her team also included Alcremie, Gothitelle, and Indeedee.
She was known for her elegant performances in contests, often wearing a red cheongsam, her expression calm and gentle.
Because of that, Lin Feng had hesitated before reaching out.
Now, before he could even decide how to start the conversation, she messaged first.
Tang Ninghong: Lin Feng?
Lin Feng: Yes.
Tang Ninghong: You want a Metagross?
Lin Feng: No, no. I just wanted to ask if your Metagross has—
He stopped mid-sentence.
He suddenly remembered.
Beldum did not hatch from eggs. Metagross reproduced through a kind of asexual splitting.
Before he could fix his message, she replied.
Tang Ninghong: Mine has no intention of splitting for now.
Lin Feng felt a little disappointed, but not surprised.
Lin Feng: I see. Sorry for bothering you.
He was ready to leave it at that and focus on reopening his shop.
But then another message came.
Tang Ninghong: You can try the Kalos region. That's where I found mine.
Lin Feng's eyes lit up instantly.
Lin Feng: Where exactly?
Tang Ninghong: Somewhere in the outskirts near Lumiose City, I think. You can try looking there.
"Lumiose City…"
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