March 28th, Sunday, cloudy.

Yesterday’s Water Speed Race was recorded and uploaded online by some observers, causing quite a stir.

“Guaranteed win, Gyarados is leading by dozens of body lengths, how could it lose?”

“Whoa, Teacher Lu’s Blastoise shot out at the start!”

“Stop fighting, you guys! This isn’t a speed race at all!”

Following the principle of “knock out all other competitors, then I’m number one,”

Blastoise pushed up its sunglasses, punched Gyarados into pieces with one fist, and with the other intimidated the other competitors.

Then, under the precise tracking of the camera, Blastoise leisurely swam across the finish line.

“Suggest giving this competitor a drug test!”

“Blastoise? Rocket Turtle!”

Giovanni felt quite annoyed and liked that comment.

Taking advantage of work hours, sneaking out for a casual Water Friend Tournament perfectly matched Teacher Lu’s personality.

Yet, to face such a strong gym leader and still be so at ease,

it made the audience sigh, “Disrupting the fish pond, Champion Lu is a pro!”

Teacher Lu had already stored the prize, the Water Stone, planning to place it at the bottom of the aquarium.

Although liquid funds were scarce, using the Iceproof Ice to chill cola and Water Stone as decoration,

highlighted the word “boring.”

Furthermore, Teacher Lu planned to return to peaceful game development after the Mikuri Cup ended,

to earn a big profit!

Lu Ye happily patted his own shoulder:

“Escaping poverty and becoming rich is just around the corner!”

...

Early morning, the weather was gloomy, heavy with the oppressive heat before a storm.

Lu Ye held a cup of coffee, standing by the window, gazing at the gathering rain clouds.

“Feels like it’s going to rain today.” Lu Ye sipped his coffee.

“Gengarrr~”

Haunter held a mug with both tiny hands, filled with cola, nodding beside him.

“Anyway, today’s the indoor Grand Contest.”

Lu Ye yawned, returned to the sofa, opened his phone to check his schedule.

Today was the third day of the Mikuri Cup.

After today’s performances, the final four contestants would be decided.

Those who advanced would head to the main venue to compete for the ultimate Water Drop Medal.

“The main venue isn’t at Lake Valor, still gotta rush another dozen kilometers.”

Lu Ye sipped coffee while reading a message from Mikuri’s assistant, lost in thought.

Thought I could finish this week... but looks like overtime again?

I’m supposed to be a “Food/Game Section” streamer saving the World Tree and pacifying Regigigas.

Need a raise!

In the chat group, Ruby also mentioned this to Lu Ye, laughing:

“The White Poplar Contest is a long-standing grand contest, and Master only managed to rent that venue with difficulty.”

“It’s a historic town!”

Candice, who grew up soaking in the Jubilife City Museum, finally got a chance to speak:

“Rumor has it, White Poplar Town inherits melodies that soothe Pokémon, plus gorgeous courtyards and tall towers in its architecture!”

Candice rarely had a moment of presence.

“Melodies? That’s totally my specialty!” Marshal grinned.

Roxie objected: “Unova also has such legends, sounds totally unreliable!”

Lu Ye explained: “In Unova, it probably refers to the ‘Ancient Song’ and Meloetta’s legend, which is well documented.”

Steven, just mining in Unova, wiped sweat and lime dust off his handsome face, pressed his Bluetooth earpiece, and smiled:

“That’s right, same as what I heard here.”

He probably understood why Teacher Lu was so knowledgeable.

As an ancient language scholar, he was naturally familiar with legendary anecdotes.

“So what’s the melody of White Poplar Town?” Ash tilted his head curiously.

Lu Ye was momentarily stunned, unable to respond immediately.

White Poplar Town… the name felt somewhat familiar.

Could it be related to some musical story?

“Rotom, search for information about White Poplar Town.” Lu Ye turned to it.

“Roger~ Rotom!” Rotom’s Pokédex hovered in a circle, extending its mechanical arm. “Beep beep… found information: White Poplar Town is a tourist town named for its scenery and landscape, featuring courtyards and tower architecture designed by the genius architect Gaudi!”

“Tourist town?”

Lu Ye thought deeply.

“No wonder Mikuri chose that as the main stage.”

Teacher Lu, who had been thinking in the wrong direction from the start, pondered:

“Check again for background information related to music.”

Rotom scratched the top of the Pokédex: “Beep beep, no results found, Rotom!”

Lu Ye felt a bit disappointed, had hoped to find a suitable date location for Mengmengda.

After all, a scenic town known for music, architecture, and landscape would be perfect for couples.

But no music wasn’t a dealbreaker;
a picturesque historic town was a big highlight.

“Take this opportunity to ask her out.”

Lu Ye thought: “If I can’t see Mengmengda because of overtime, that’d be too painful!”

His phone vibrated. Red looked up at the sky above Mt. Silver.

“Speaking of music-related towns, I remember Shion Town...”

That eerie atmosphere, paired with the former TV station’s Soul Tower and faint chanting...

once scared the young “Fighter,” making it Red’s dark past!

“White Poplar Town isn’t that scary.”

Ruby laughed: “Choosing it as this year’s main stage earned unanimous praise from coordinators!”

Lu Ye nodded slightly.

Though it felt somewhat familiar, TV shows, games, and specials mentioned too many place names.

At worst, just cling tightly to Mengmengda’s leg.

Even if Regigigas shows up, I can still challenge it! (And then invite it to wield a great sword.)

“Let’s go, Haunter.” Lu Ye stood. “First, watch today’s performances.”

“With me as judge, I don’t believe Musashi can’t make the top four!”

“Gengarrr~!” Haunter saluted in Wobbuffet’s style.

“Don’t imitate Wobbuffet’s call, Haunter!!”

...

That day, the Mikuri Cup semifinals.

Teacher Lu served as a judge.

Chairman Contesta was awkward facing him, claiming ill health and unable to attend.

A young and handsome coordinator master replaced the stiff middle-aged man, naturally drawing cheers from the audience.

Mikuri wore a white hat, a flowing white cape behind him, legs crossed, smiling toward Lu Ye.

Lu Ye sat beside him, quietly asked: “Mr. Mikuri, may I ask you a question?”

“Please.”

“Who do you think is more handsome, your master Adam or Mr. Steven?”

Caught off guard, Mikuri clenched his fist and coughed, then seriously replied:

“In elegance, my master is especially favored by older women.”

“In that regard, Mr. Steven is quite similar to my master.”

Lu Ye gave a regretful “Oh.”

Mikuri twitched his eyelids, feeling this champion was quite eccentric.

Or rather... like his apprentice Ruby, who liked courting disaster and wouldn’t play unless almost defeated?

However, Mikuri wasn’t sure if he could beat him, cleared his throat, and smiled:

“Teacher Lu, the main stage location has been confirmed.”

Lu Ye nodded slightly, saying: “I have a friend who also wants to come to the site.”

“Of course, no problem.”

Mikuri was momentarily stunned, observing Lu Ye’s expression and immediately understood most of it.

He recalled his lost and regained white swan, Nagi far away in Hoenn, and smiled gently:

“I look forward to her arrival, Teacher Lu.”

The performances continued, and Musashi was up. She kept cheering herself on.

Outside, Meowth and James waved flags and shouted encouragement.

In Lu Ye’s gaze reflected the anxious Musashi.

In truth, Musashi was quite insecure.

She had the strength to make top four in the Kalos Master Coordination Contest but always thought it was due to backstage help, not her own skill.

Moreover, she had a Chansey friend and a secretly admired Dr. Wattson, both of whom ultimately left alone.

If not for James and Meowth, Musashi might not be as cheerful as she was now.

Or rather, the Team Rocket Trio complemented each other, none could leave the others behind.

While pondering, the performance ended. Musashi was nervous.

Mikuri smiled and gave a high score;
Musashi advanced successfully.

“Great, Musashi!” James and Meowth cheered in unison from the audience.

What surprised Lu Ye was the last contestant to appear in the Mikuri Cup.

In the photo folder was a girl wearing a white hat, half-calf socks, and a red scarf around her neck.

“Prudence!?” Lu Ye was astonished.

Mikuri glanced at Lu Ye: “You know Plantina?”

Lu Ye was stunned, immediately understanding this was the special episode world;
should call her “Miss.”

In a sense, this “Miss” was an alternate version of Ash, both skilled in coordination contests.

However, Plantina was one of the Pokédex holders and her family was a wealthy tycoon.

Many hotels and lakeside seven-star restaurants nearby were nominally owned by the Plantina family.

Lu Ye looked at the black-haired girl in formal dress at center stage, feeling deeply moved.

Since I can’t become a coordinator, I might as well go home and inherit billions!

Plantina, almost identical in appearance to Ash but more rational, had already heard of the “Tactical Person” legend from Professor Rowan.

Now seeing Teacher Lu in person, Plantina held her breath, quietly cheering herself on.

Go for it, Plantina, you can do it!

The performance was extremely successful;
Plantina advanced to the top four.

The day’s performances ended, and after the contest, Plantina found Lu Ye backstage among the judges.

“Teacher Lu!” The girl wore a white hat, clasped her hands, bowed meticulously, then looked at Lu Ye,

“I am the Sinnoh region’s Pokédex holder;
I haven’t had the chance to visit you until now!”

Lu Ye looked up at the sky.

During these two days of the Mikuri Cup, he realized he’d been slacking off, rarely appearing...

He cleared his throat: “It’s okay, I recognize you. Join the group chat and you’ll get familiar with everyone.”

“Group chat?” The Miss sounded a bit confused.

Lu Ye sighed, regretting that Ash wasn’t here, so he had to send the QR code himself.

“By the way, if you see Diamond and Pearl, ask them if they want a job from Teacher Lu.”

“What job?”

“Start a crosstalk club. They handle comedy, singing, smoking, drinking, and hair styling... Just kidding.” Lu Ye coughed.

Plantina’s eyes sparkled, she smiled sweetly: “Their dream is to become qualified crosstalk performers!”

“I’ll tell them! Thank you, Teacher Lu!” Plantina bowed deeply.

Compared to the Kanto group’s “passion,” Johto’s “strategic battles,” Hoenn’s “romance,”

the Sinnoh group’s Pokédex holders were best summarized by “friendship.”

Meanwhile, the Unova group symbolized “dreams,” and BW Entertainment Company already handled the Pokémon Company’s publicity in entertainment.

Lu Ye looked up at the sky.

Using Pokédex holders as tools... might not be very appropriate?

No problem, it’s an altered timeline anyway;
just cling to Mengmengda!

Night deepened;
Plantina showed strong interest in group chats.

She was familiar with several Sinnoh gym leaders and chatted happily with Lily and Candice.

Lu Ye returned to his hotel;
in the dim room, his phone screen suddenly lit with a faint glow.

After answering, a gentle and clear voice sounded in his ear:

“My grandmother recently asked me to go on a business trip.”

“Where to?”

“First to White Poplar Town,” Cynthia said, “I contacted a scientist investigating local legends.”

Lu Ye was stunned, then smiled: “Then let’s meet there.”

“Are you surprised?” Cynthia suddenly asked.

“Not really,” Lu Ye replied, “Maybe because I’m also going to White Poplar Town soon.”

Cynthia laughed, and one could imagine her golden hair hiding crescent-shaped eyes:

“Because I watched the Mikuri Cup and knew you’d go there next.”

Lu Ye also smiled: “So you asked your grandmother to ‘go first’ to White Poplar Town?”

“Praise me.” Cynthia ordered.

“No matter time reversal or spatial fracture, my love for you only grows.”

“Anything else?”

“By Arceus, I’ll only ever love three women in my life: Cynthia, Erika, and Mengmengda.”

Cynthia’s voice turned cold: “Who is Mengmengda?”

“Mengmengda is Candice.”

Lu Ye was stunned, “Then it should be four...”

In the silent room, faint laughter was heard from that side.

Haunter teasingly poked Lu Ye’s waist: “Gengarrr~”

“Hey, kids aren’t allowed to eavesdrop!”

“Gengarrr! (*/ω＼*)”

“I’m hanging up now, gotta fight Haunter.”

Cynthia couldn’t help but laugh: “Go easy, remember to use Shadow Punch!”

In the last sentence, Cynthia’s voice got louder, meant for Haunter to hear.

“Gengarrr! (๑`▽´๑)۶” came Haunter’s spirited reply from the other end.

“First off, only use tongue licks... Crap, Rotom save me!”

The call ended with busy tones.

Cynthia smiled softly, put away her phone, and looked at the data in front of her.

Under her golden hair, gray eyes retracted their smile, becoming calm, serious, and deep.

She redialed her grandmother. Mustardseed spoke in a low voice:

“Spatial rift phenomena are occurring in multiple locations, including Jubilife City and Canalave City.”

“I have contacted the researcher Tonyo in White Poplar Town.”

“After checking the situation, proceed quickly to the next town.” Mustardseed took a deep breath, “Situation is urgent, Erika, be sure to stay alert!”

“I understand.”

Cynthia nodded slightly, deciding not to tell Lu Ye and to handle it alone.

“Also, tell that young man I’m safe, and that Grandma misses him.”

Cynthia was stunned, helplessly shaking her head, smiling lightly: “Got it~”

“Maybe it’s just a data error.”

Mustardseed coughed, “But to be safe, there’s no harm in caution.”

“Just in case, take the two jewels from the museum... maybe they can fix the spatial rift.”

Cynthia frowned slightly: “But with my current power, I can’t use them yet...”

“No problem, you and Lu Ye have the... key you discovered last time.”

Mustardseed leaned on her cane, shifting her gaze to the faintly blue glowing cube.

“The key.”

...

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read