Chapter 371: First Visit to Azure Lake
Azure Lake is a national 5A-level tourist attraction located in the western urban area of Hangcheng City, Jiangnan Province. The scenic area covers a total area of 49 square kilometers, with a lake surface area of 6.38 square kilometers. It features over 60 key cultural heritage sites and more than 20 museums, along with famous spots like Broken Bridge, seven Layer Pagoda, King Qian's Temple, Buddhist Temple, and emperor Tomb. Tourists flock to it year-round.
After leaving the Veridian Secret Realm in Saffron City, Basalt and Sylvie rushed back to Hangcheng City without delay.
On the surface of Azure Lake, a small boat was cruising slowly. The boat stopped a few hundred meters from the Three Ponds Mirroring the Moon landmark.
Sylvie glanced at the clear lake surface. Seeing few tourists around, she quickly stood up. "The entrance to the secret realm is at the bottom of the lake, but we'll have to dive down from here."
With that, Sylvie threw out a Pokéball, and the elegant, slender Milotic appeared.
"The bottom of the lake? I wonder how deep it is?" Basalt worried internally, concerned that the water might be too deep and he might drown during the long descent. As a person born in a coastal city, Basalt was ironically a complete non-swimmer.
But soon, Basalt realized his fears were unfounded. As he sent out Marshtomp and began to submerge, Milotic flicked its tail, creating a vacuum of flowing water around Basalt's head. The bubble was about the size and shape of an astronaut's helmet. The air inside was enough for him to breathe for several minutes.
"The control over water is incredible!" Basalt admired inwardly. Marshtomp's water control was good, but compared to Milotic's, it was insignificant.
"Follow me!" Sylvie beckoned, wrapping her arms around Milotic's neck and starting the descent. Basalt quickly followed.
As a 5A-level scenic area, Azure Lake's water quality was well-protected, making the lake exceptionally clear with high visibility. Submerged in the lake, Basalt could clearly see various wild Pokémon swimming and foraging nearby: the seemingly oblivious Goldeen, the wide-whiskered Magikarp, and the large-eyed Poliwag wiggling its tail. These Pokémon swam leisurely among the aquatic plants, occasionally playing or foraging. Basalt felt as if he had entered a paradise. The sunlight refracted through the water, creating a beautiful, shimmering spectacle.
Following Sylvie deeper, the underwater light grew dimmer, and the water became noticeably colder, making Basalt shiver.
Just then, a blue shadow caught Basalt's attention. It was a long, segmented Pokémon with three upward-pointing blue horns on its head. Its mouth was wide open, and its face was ferocious.
"Gyarados!" Basalt gasped in shock. Because of his excitement, bubbles escaped from his air helmet.
The vicious Gyarados clearly spotted Basalt and the others and was swimming toward them rapidly. Although sound transmission was affected underwater, when Gyarados opened its mouth and roared, Basalt could clearly sense the pulsating water currents, as if the water was boiling. Clearly, this Gyarados was powerful, at least Pro-level.
Basalt instinctively reached for the Pokéball on his belt. Although he was a Sandstorm trainer, Bronzong and Cradily could fight underwater. Whether they could defeat Gyarados was another matter.
Just as Basalt was preparing for the worst, Sylvie waved her hand, signaling him not to panic.
Then, Basalt watched as Gyarados, upon seeing Milotic and Sylvie, lost all its ferocity. Its expression, though still naturally vicious, became as gentle as a kitten. It began to nuzzle Sylvie affectionately.
Sylvie was clearly a frequent visitor to the Azure Lake Secret Realm, as she was familiar with the lake's Pokémon. She gently stroked the horn on Gyarados's head, and the Pokémon looked delighted.
Accompanied by Gyarados, they continued their descent and soon reached an underwater rock garden. In the front of the rock garden was a clear cave entrance.
Near the cave entrance, a Pokémon primarily pale purple with obvious golden structures and a red gem on its chest appeared, blocking the entrance.
"Starmie!" Basalt recognized the Pokémon, the Water/Psychic dual-type evolution of Staryu.
"Sylvie, why did you bring an outsider? Don't you know the Azure Lake Secret Realm is currently in a special state?" Starmie's psychic power immediately formed a telepathic wave in Sylvie's mind, its tone filled with reprimand.
Sylvie quickly explained the purpose of bringing Basalt. When Starmie learned that Basalt could potentially heal Milotic's injuries, it was stunned for a moment, then moved aside.
Sylvie beckoned Basalt, and they swam into the cave.
The light suddenly dimmed, then abruptly brightened. When Basalt's vision recovered, he found himself emerging from the water onto the surface of a lake.
Looking around, Basalt saw an island not far away. Water flowed into the lake from the island, and steam permeated the air.
"Basalt, welcome to the Azure Lake Secret Realm!"
Sylvie led Basalt ashore, but both of them were completely soaked. Sylvie's clothes clung to her skin, making her figure quite noticeable.
"Cough, cough~" Basalt quickly faked a cough to ease the awkwardness, but his eyes didn't stray. If it's beautiful, take a good look. It's human nature.
But Sylvie was clearly embarrassed. Her cheeks flushed red, and she quickly threw out a Pokéball.
A small Pokémon with a spiral pattern on its belly appeared—Poliwhirl.
"Poli~" Poliwhirl raised its hands. The water on Sylvie and Basalt's clothes was instantly summoned, flying toward Poliwhirl's body.
"A Poliwhirl with the Water Absorb Ability?" Basalt was impressed. That level of water control was almost comparable to the Storm Drain Ability. Although Cradily's Storm Drain was still superior.
Soon, Basalt and Sylvie were dry.
"Mi-ruu~~" A clear cry echoed from the depths of the island.
"Basalt, give me the Fountain of Life water!" Sylvie looked toward the island's interior, her face anxious.
"Here!" Basalt quickly handed her the test tube containing the water.
"Wait for me here!" Sylvie thanked him, then rushed into the mist. In a few seconds, Basalt lost sight of her.
"I wonder how long it will take Milotic to recover?" Basalt mused, stroking his chin. He decided to find something to do. Since the Azure Lake Secret Realm was a Water-type sanctuary, he might as well let his Pokémon enjoy it.
He released Cradily. He chuckled. "Cradily, Marshtomp, can you feel the rich Water-type energy here? Go ahead and absorb as much as you want!"
"Dily-da~"
"Marsh-tomp~"
Both Pokémon's eyes lit up. Marshtomp had sensed the lake's unusual properties the moment they entered the secret realm. The purity of the water energy here was terrifying, and it would greatly benefit their training.
Both Pokémon immediately entered their training state.
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