Oreburgh City, Heijin Coal Mine.
Many researchers from the League have been dispatched, but there is no conclusion yet.
That is why Piao Tai wanted to invite Mr. Steven Stone, a renowned mineralogist, to take a look.
As Li Wei guessed, Piao Tai and Steven had known each other for a long time, their bond forged through their shared interest in minerals.
"Drip, drip, drip."
Geologists held instruments that emitted urgent dripping sounds; the sound of instruments was everywhere here.
Machoke held up a chandelier to provide light for the staff, and with the light reflected from the mirror-like stone surfaces, the cave was brightly lit.
Several other staff members were directing Machoke to reinforce the mine shaft with more wooden supports.
The interior of the cave, which was originally quite spacious,
became somewhat crowded with the various instruments laid out and the throng of geologists and Pokemon.
Piao Tai, Steven, and the geological workers were studying and discussing together.
The reflection stone on the rock wall glowed with a shimmering blue light under Steven's searchlight.
Just like his previous research on meteorites, Steven was meticulously studying the mirror-like stone.
A man who is focused is indeed very handsome.
Steven's focused face was reflected on the mirror surface, but his attention was entirely on his research.
After putting on white gloves, Steven gently stroked the stone surface, feeling the stone's temperature.
The geologist adjusted the spectrometer,
"It's a very special stone; its refractive index exceeds that of currently discovered gems like Fire and Steel Gems."
Hearing this, Steven nodded and took out Devon Corporation's latest energy neutralizer, scanning the stones.
"There are energy fluctuations... ripples..."
Li Wei, meanwhile, took Lucario to explore around.
"Did you find anything?"
Just as Li Wei and Lucario walked past, their profiles were reflected on the reflection stone.
Lucario shook his head,
"Lucario." (The Aura transmitted into these stones all disappeared.)
When speaking of this, there was still some caution in Lucario's eyes.
"Is there any difference?"
Lucario explained with Aura: (If an object exists, like a Geodude behind, then the Geodude will appear in the form of Aura, but...)
Li Wei nodded slightly; the AuraLucario spread out had all vanished without a trace.
Li Wei felt a little regretful.
He originally thought that returning to the place where he found the meteorite would cause some changes to it, but he hadn't found anything yet.
After searching around with Lucario, Li Wei returned to where Steven and the others were.
"How is it? Any results?"
Piao Tai shook his head with a solemn expression,
"Not yet."
Li Wei frowned slightly: "Why is your expression so solemn?"
This was a doubt Li Wei had had since earlier; some of the geologists even had cold sweat on their faces.
Piao Tai sighed, "To be honest with you, someone has gone missing. Let's talk over there."
Piao Tai, with a worried look, led Li Wei aside, "In the past half-month, three people have gone missing here."
Li Wei frowned slightly, "Are there any eyewitness reports? Can you confirm they disappeared here?"
Piao Tai seemed a little surprised, "Why do you ask the same questions as the investigators who came to inquire?"
For a fleeting moment, Piao Tai mistook Li Wei for an investigator.
"Let's get to the point."
Piao Tai's tone was surprised,
"Yes, Yoshizawa from the maintenance team personally saw someone walk into the rock wall... and then completely disappeared, just like the rumored Rift of the Spirit World!"
The Pokémon world has a Spirit World.
Or rather, there are rumors of a Spirit World.
There's also an item called the Reaper Cloth.
It is said that some Pokemon go to the Spirit World after they die, and it is also where Ghost-type Pokemon reside.
It is worth mentioning that Giratina's location is the Reverse World, not the Spirit World.
Dusknoir and Litwick are the Pokemon related to the legendary Spirit World.
Li Wei was inclined to believe it existed.
Li Wei vaguely remembered that Ash had encountered a situation where the Spirit World opened during his journey.
"Please don't spread this news for now to avoid causing panic. We are trying our best to resolve it."
Piao Tai cautioned again.
If Li Wei were an ordinary person, Piao Tai would certainly not have told him this.
But after seeing Li Wei's Silver Metagross last time, Piao Tai specifically looked up Li Wei's information.
Could a man who could provide care for Cynthia's ace Garchomp be an ordinary person?
Coupled with Li Wei and Steven coming together this time, it was enough to prove that Li Wei was not an ordinary Trainer.
Piao Tai also hoped Li Wei would participate and brainstorm; perhaps there could be a solution?
Piao Tai's eyes held a plea,
"I also want to ask for your help."
Before Li Wei came, and not being very familiar with Li Wei, he naturally wouldn't presumptuously ask.
But since Li Wei came with Steven,
Piao Tai didn't want to miss this opportunity.
Li Wei and Lucario exchanged glances,
(I want to help.)
Lucario wanted to help, and Li Wei couldn't stand idly by, "I'll give it a try."
Li Wei threw out three Luxury Balls,
"Everyone, come out!"
"Arcanine, detect if there are any abnormalities around, but be careful."
"Woof!"
Arcanine lowered its head and sniffed around.
Arcanine had been idle lately and had been asking Arcanine for advice, learning some detection techniques in the process.
"Metagross, try to search with psychic power."
"Kohkin!"
Metagross's crimson eyes glowed with a blue light.
Unlike Lucario's Aura detection,
Metagross used psychic power combined with its super brain to reconstruct the surrounding scene in its mind.
"Drakloak, Dragapult, you two use Ghost-type energy to sense where there might be Spirit World energy."
Coincidentally, Drakloak and Dragapult are Ghost-type Pokemon, so perhaps they could sense the presence of a Spirit World rift.
"Grrrrrr~"
Dragapult closed its eyes, purple energy covering its entire body and gradually spreading out.
Even though he had already anticipated that Li Wei was not an ordinary Trainer, Piao Tai couldn't help but be surprised when he saw Li Wei's Pokemon lineup.
Lucario remained by Li Wei's side.
Li Wei looked at Piao Tai, "Take me to see where the others disappeared."
Piao Tai, who had been lost in thought, was startled, and only reacted when he heard Li Wei's words,
"Huh? Sorry, could you please repeat that?"
Li Wei repeated it helplessly.
Piao Tai pointed at Mr. Steven Stone's crouching back, "Actually, it's right where Mr. Steven Stone and the others are currently researching."
"..."
Li Wei didn't know how to comment for a moment.
Isn't this sending them all in?
What if there really is a Spirit World rift?
Piao Tai quickly explained:
"But ever since all of us have been here, that Spirit World rift that swallows people has never appeared again."
Li Wei said helplessly, "Let's see what Steven says first."
Just then, Steven stood up and took off his white gloves.
"Mr. Steven Stone, how is it?"
Steven nodded slightly,
"I do have some ideas."