"Five Stars?!"
Ash's eyes instantly lit up.
This time, they actually skipped past Four Stars and advanced two levels at once!
But after thinking about it a little, it didn't seem so strange.
Their Three Stars rating... was indeed quite a bit more valuable.
While ordinary Three Stars Members were still completing survey and collection missions in the Obsidian Fieldlands, they had already consecutively dealt with two frenzied Kings and took care of Ursaluna's anomaly along the way.
If such tasks couldn't earn a star advancement, then Ash thought he might as well not stay with Team Galactic.
Cynthia, however, didn't seem particularly excited about the two-star leap.
What truly concerned her was something else.
"After Five Stars, will the areas we can access also increase?"
"That's right."
Cyllene placed the new records aside: "The majority of survey missions in the Cobalt Coastlands and Coronet Highlands are now open to you. From now on, entering these two areas won't require special requests for ordinary exploration permissions."
These words were more impactful for Cynthia than the so-called advancement to Five Stars.
After all, Kings and Plates were distributed across the major areas of Hisui.
If they were continuously restricted by Team Galactic's Star Level system, their speed in finding the Plates would definitely be affected.
Five Stars were sufficient for them to venture into the Cobalt Coastlands and Coronet Highlands.
As things stand now, there's only one area left that hasn't been opened.
"What about the Alabaster Icelands?"
Ash immediately asked.
Cyllene was silent for two seconds.
"Not yet."
"Why?"
"Because that area is far more dangerous than the ones you've been to before."
Cyllene's tone was noticeably more serious: "The Alabaster Icelands are perpetually covered in ice and snow, with extremely low temperatures. Simply the environment itself is enough to risk the lives of unprepared survey members."
"And the Pokemon living there are similarly more dangerous than those in the Obsidian Fieldlands and Crimson Mirelands."
The deeper you venture into the Alabaster Icelands, the more common powerful boss Pokemon become.
Ordinary survey members, if pursued by wild Pokemon there, might find it exceedingly difficult to use the terrain to evade them.
More importantly...
"The current King of the Alabaster Icelands is the strongest of all existing Kings."
Cyllene looked at Ash and Cynthia: "Having already encountered Kleavor and Lilligant, you should understand how dangerous a frenzied and strengthened King can be."
In Ash's mind, images of Lilligant's dance movements increasing strength, speed, and defense continuously flashed.
Even Typhlosion couldn't defeat Lilligant head-on after being boosted by Aura.
And the King of the Alabaster Icelands is even stronger... but no matter how strong they are, they shouldn't exceed Pikachu and Garchomp, right?
"So until you reach Seven Stars, Team Galactic won't approve you to venture deep into the Alabaster Icelands."
Cyllene paused slightly before continuing: "Of course, knowing you two, if you truly want to go, I'll likely be unable to stop you."
Ash: "..."
Leader Cyllene, isn't your understanding of us starting to become a bit unusual?
"But let me warn you in advance."
Cyllene continued with a stern face: "If either of you rush in and create trouble, I won't be sending a team of survey members into the Alabaster Icelands for just two people who don't follow orders."
Her words were still quite blunt.
But both Ash and Cynthia could tell that Cyllene was merely reminding them not to underestimate the later regions of Hisui because of a few consecutive successes with dangerous tasks.
Unlike Kamado, who always considers the overall interests of Team Galactic, Cyllene is more focused on the safety of the survey team members themselves.
"Got it."
Ash replied with a smile: "At least not before we solve the issues at the Cobalt Coastlands and Coronet Highlands, we won't suddenly head to the Alabaster Icelands."
Cyllene: "..."
At least? Why add those two words?
Forget it, she's not going to dig into it further.
"Additionally, since you've skipped Four Stars and directly risen to Five Stars this time, you'll receive the rewards corresponding to both Four Stars and Five Stars."
Cyllene took out two crafting blueprints from beside her and handed them to Cynthia.
Upon receiving them, Cynthia immediately noticed the completely different Pokeball structures on top.
One blueprint showed a Pokeball shell that was clearly thicker and heavier than ordinary Pokeballs.
The other was very similar to the Feather Ball they received earlier, except the overall structure was more lightweight, with more intricate internal details.
"Heavy Ball and... Wing Ball?"
"Correct."
Cyllene nodded: "The Heavy Ball is a lot heavier, and the throw distance is much shorter than ordinary Pokeballs. However, if close enough to the target and the Pokemon hasn't detected the Trainer, it can achieve a better capture effect."
This Ancient Heavy Ball, though sharing the same name with the modern one, has clear structural differences.
This version from the Hisui Era seems more like a tool designed for survey members adept at hiding and approaching wild Pokemon.
"As for the Wing Ball, it's an improved version of the Feather Ball you received earlier."
Cyllene continued: "Its throwing speed and distance will be better than the Feather Ball, making it more convenient for tackling Pokemon flying high up or moving dynamically."
As Cynthia looked at the two blueprints, her eyes began to shine.
These were two types of Ancient Pokeballs crafted in ways hardly seen in modern times.
And compared to when she first received the Feather Ball recipe, now she's amassed quite a bit of experience in crafting Ancient Pokeballs.