c154 Heading To Guangdong City
The next morning.
After finishing her routine training with Gardevoir, Solgaleo, and Ampharos, Chen Xiaoxiao bid farewell to Curator Lin and set out toward her next destination.
From the moment she left home, she had already mapped out her journey: this year, she would enter the Huaxia Alliance Conference.
To qualify, a trainer needed at least eight Gym Badges. That was the official threshold.
In China, any third-tier city or above hosted a Gym, meaning there were well over a hundred possible gyms to challenge.
But with Chen Xiaoxiao's strength, she didn't intend to collect ordinary qualification badges. Her eyes were set on the fifteen "new first-tier cities" and four "old first-tier cities."
While the badges from these cities were valid like any others, the difference lay in the permanent badges earned only by defeating the Gym Leader's main Pokémon instead of their reserve team.
And there was more: earning eight permanent badges from first-tier cities carried special recognition. Ever since 2008, when an Elite Four member had retired abnormally, this path granted challengers the right to attempt the vacant Region Elite position.
Chen Xiaoxiao didn't plan to challenge the Elites immediately, but if she was going to compete, she might as well aim for the highest standard.
With Guancheng behind her, her next stop was Guangdong City, one of China's four "old first-tier" cities. It was part of the eastern Guangdong Province, known historically as a core hub of trainers. The Gym there specialized nominally in Normal-types, but the leader's true team was a balanced, multi-attribute family squad.
The Gym Leader, Yiman, had taken office a few years earlier. A heroine figure among trainers, her fame rivaled even the up-and-coming Elite candidates. Chen Xiaoxiao had heard of her since childhood and knew there was a faint connection through family friends, though they had never met face-to-face.
---
On the road between Guancheng and Guangdong City, Chen Xiaoxiao found her path blocked by a wild Dodrio.
"Ampharos, use Thunderbolt!"
Ampharos's body lit up with saffron electricity. Sparks gathered at its tail orb, then burst outward in a blinding stream.
BOOM!
The Thunderbolt struck cleanly, and the quasi-Elite Dodrio collapsed instantly, unable to withstand the precision and force.
"Well done, Ampharos." Chen Xiaoxiao stepped forward, stroking its sleek neck. Ampharos bleated warmly and rubbed against her hand, pleased with the praise.
"Gardevoir, heal Dodrio and let's move on."
Obediently, Gardevoir raised her arms, sending out a wave of Heal Pulse. The soothing green aura wrapped Dodrio's body, knitting burned feathers and restoring its vitality. Chen Xiaoxiao nodded in satisfaction; the wild Pokémon would recover naturally but would stay unconscious long enough not to cause further trouble.
"Alright, let's go, Ampharos, Gardevoir."
She rarely brought Ampharos outside except for daily training. This trip was a good chance to develop their battle rhythm and bond along the road.
---
The path twisted through wild country. Herds of Pokémon occasionally blocked the road, but none dared challenge Solgaleo's aura or Ampharos's crackling presence.
After several kilometers, cresting a hill, Chen Xiaoxiao noticed smoke curling faintly in the distance. A cluster of rooftops peeked out from between the trees.
"A village?" she murmured curiously.
In this world of advanced technology and Pokémon, stark contrasts still existed. Even near major cities, small towns and villages endured. Some were simple farming settlements, others havens for people who preferred quiet lives close to nature.
She recalled how He Yong, the current Water-type Elite and father of her friend He Xiaowen, had once lived as a fisherman in a tiny coastal village near Shencheng.
"What sort of place is this one, I wonder?" Chen Xiaoxiao mused, adjusting her bag. "Come on, let's go take a look."
---
Though the village had seemed close, it took more than half an hour of walking before they reached its outskirts.
"Lots of berry groves," Chen Xiaoxiao observed. Beside the dirt path stretched neat fences enclosing rows of berry trees Oran, Sitrus, Pecha, and Lum, their colors dulled but recognizable.
Yet her brow furrowed. "Why are they so yellowed and withered?"
The same troubling sight repeated all along the way: leaves drooping, fruits stunted, branches brittle.
At the village gate stood an old man with gray hair, his back bent under years of labor. A heavy worry clouded his expression.
"Traveler?" he asked kindly as she approached.
"Yes," Chen Xiaoxiao nodded, bowing politely. "My name is Chen Xiaoxiao. I'm on my way to Guangdong City."
"I see." The old man's lips curved faintly. "I'm the village chief here. May I call you Xiaoxiao? It's getting late, and there are no other villages along this road. Please, stay at my house tonight. You can share dinner with us."
His voice carried sincerity, though the shadows of worry never left his face.
Chen Xiaoxiao paused, checking with a sweep of Psychic energy. The man carried no malice, only genuine kindness. She smiled. "Thank you, Village Chief. I'd be honored."
"Come along, then," he said warmly, turning to lead her into the village.
As they walked, Chen Xiaoxiao asked, "Village Chief, I noticed the berry trees here are yellowing. What's happening?"
The chief sighed deeply and gestured to the dry fields. "The river we rely on has inexplicably dried up these past days. Without water for irrigation, the trees are withering. If this continues, our harvest will fail."
Chen Xiaoxiao's eyes narrowed. Something about this felt unnatural.
---
30+ advanced chapter on patreon....Visit patreon now to read my exclusive content... posting 5 chapters per day, Our collection is now available on PATREON
visit patreon.com/Elbertovic to view 30+ advanced chapters
Please subscribe guys