Passing through the hidden tunnel left Chen Shi speechless.
The space beyond was like a self-contained world—gentle hills, shimmering ponds, and entire flowerfields blooming in impossible colors. Instead of a sun, the area was illuminated by clusters of glowing spectral stones, each giving off a cool, moonlit sheen.
Soft, eerie chuckles drifted through the air.
A Ghost-type haven.
The energy here was so dense it felt tangible, warping the senses. If Dragapult had been raised in a place like this, it might've evolved in just nine months.
"Gengaaaar!"
Grandma's Gengar waved for Chen Shi to follow.
A short distance ahead, he spotted a dark-skinned girl in a blue dress, two red flower clips in her hair, kneeling by a patch of blossoms. She hadn't noticed them yet.
Gengar scratched its head. For some reason, this girl felt oddly familiar—and strangely comfortable—to the purple prankster.
Chen Shi frowned, digging through his memory until realization struck.
Floss.
Future Ghost Elite of the Fuyuan region.
No wonder Grandpa had sent him here—her grandparents must be the "old friends" who asked for help.
He stepped forward.
"Hello—are you the person I was asked to pick up?"
Floss looked up sharply, startled.
"Who are you?" she demanded. "Why are you here? This place isn't for outsiders—leave."
Chen Shi raised an eyebrow.
Did he guess wrong?
If not her, then who?
Gengar pointed farther ahead—apparently they hadn't reached the house yet.
Floss huffed loudly.
"Are you ignoring me? I said leave! If something dangerous appears, don't blame me later."
Chen Shi grinned.
"And what if I don't leave? I kind of enjoy danger."
Floss nearly choked on air.
"You—! Why would anyone like that?!"
Chen Shi laughed. The future Elite was… much more naive than he expected.
"Danger makes things interesting. The more dangerous, the better."
Floss stared at him as if he were insane.
"Fine! If you won't listen—Xiao Ling!"
A Banette materialized from her shadow, glaring coldly.
Pokémon: BanetteLevel: 49 (Elite Peak)
Potential: Champion
Gender: Male
Moves: Bind, Mean Look, Scary Face, Shadow Punch, Gravity, Shadow Sneak, Night Shade, Shadow Ball, Nightmare, Fire Punch, Thunder Punch, Ice Punch, Payback
Champion-grade potential.
Elite Peak.
No wonder she'd become a Ghost-type prodigy.
Chen Shi stroked his chin.
"Dragapult—give him a little scare."
Dragapult released a casual ripple of pressure—not even serious—yet the Elite Banette instantly froze, eyes widening in fear.
Floss's expression sharpened.
"If you want to die, I won't stop you."
She pulled Banette back protectively.
Banette glared at Dragapult, trembling with instinctive dread.
Chen Shi couldn't help teasing further.
"Little missy, don't boast too loudly. You might end up following me instead."
He had already concluded she was the one he came for.
She just didn't know it yet.
"Gengar, lead the way."
"Gengaaaar!"
Gengar floated ahead happily.
Floss hurried after them, tools clutched in hand—not because she trusted him, but because she wanted to watch him fail spectacularly.
She planned to scold him, then command Xiao Ling to shove him out later.
Still… beneath the snark, she didn't want anyone to die in this place. She'd help him if things turned dangerous—then mock him.
But then—
Floss blinked.
Every turn Gengar took?
Every path it followed?
Correct.
The purple ghost knew this land like the back of its hand.
Her confidence wavered.
Maybe… this wasn't actually bad?
She clenched her tiny fists.
She would scold him later. For sure.
Soon, they arrived at a two-story wooden cottage nestled within a spectral grove.
Gengar tapped the door open proudly.
Chen Shi knocked politely.
An elderly woman answered, warm and smiling despite her age.
Before anyone could speak—
Floss launched forward.
"Grandma! This man broke in! I told him to leave and he wouldn't! Please teach him a lesson!"
The old woman blinked.
Then burst into gentle laughter.
"Child, we asked him to come."
"Didn't we tell you?"
Floss froze.
Her face went red.
Then redder.
Then redder still.
All that bravado…
All that lecturing…
For nothing.
Chen Shi valiantly suppressed his laughter.
Barely.
He bowed politely to the grandmother.
"Ma'am, my grandfather asked me to bring someone back from here."
Her eyes crinkled kindly.
"Ah, then you must be Chen Shi. Old Chen praises you every day."
"Come in, child."
Chen Shi scratched his cheek awkwardly—then gave Floss a sly wink before stepping inside.
Floss covered her burning face.
She was absolutely going to get revenge later.
Advance Chapters available on P@treon
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