So-called Monster-Egg-Group and Dragon-Egg-Group Pokémon referred to those whose egg groups were Monster and Dragon.
Monster-group Pokémon were easy to understand; they were Pokémon that looked like monsters or possessed wild personalities, such as:
Kangaskhan, Charizard, Tyranitar, Aggron, Nidoking, Aurorus, Garchomp...
Their defining characteristic was that they resembled the monsters and reptiles from tokusatsu films in Ange's past life.
Generally, the Monster group was easily confused with the Field group.
However, the Field group referred to Pokémon that lived on land and constituted the largest egg group among Pokémon, with members such as:
Sawsbuck, Ninetales, Eevee and its evolutions, Girafarig, Lucario, Inteleon, Drilbur, Krookodile...
It was easy to see that they predominantly exhibited strong traits of common mammals and reptiles.
Of course, some Pokémon belonged to both the Field and Monster groups simultaneously, such as the previously mentioned Nidoking, Rhyperior, Ampharos, Exploud...
As for Dragon-group Pokémon, they were slightly more complex.
Simply put, Dragon Pokémon were those that looked like dragons or possessed dragon-like traits, such as:
Salamence, Charizard, Arbok, Hydreigon, Seadra, Goodra...
Most of these Pokémon were modeled after legendary dragons and dragon-related creatures (lizards, seahorses, snakes, etc.).
There were exceptions, of course. For instance, Altaria was modeled after a bird, yet it still possessed the Dragon type.
Magikarp and Feebas were modeled after fish, but their egg groups naturally included Dragon, likely because their evolved forms related to legendary dragons.
Dragon Pokémon did not solely refer to those with the Dragon typing, such as Kommo-o, Dragonite, Dragalge, Haxorus, Druddigon...
They also included Pokémon without the Dragon typing whose egg groups contained Dragon, such as Charizard, Sceptile, Seviper, Arbok, Milotic, Scrafty, Seadra, Gyarados, Heliolisk, Salazzle, Sandaconda...
Among them was a very special exception, which was Ampharos.
Ampharos had "Dragon" in its name and looked like a dragon, and upon Mega Evolving, it even gained the Dragon type, yet it was simply not a Dragon.
Its egg groups were Monster and Field; Mega Evolution could change its typing, but it could never change its egg group.
The dragon genes within its body were only temporarily activated under the influence of Mega Evolution and did not normally exist.
Pokémon like Charizard, despite lacking the Dragon typing, possessed a constantly active dragon gene within them and were therefore true dragons.
Fortunately, thanks to the Monster egg group, the Hundred-Mushroom Essence Ange had just made was equally effective on Ampharos.
Of course, there were other exceptional Pokémon that weren't quite as unusual as Ampharos, bearing "Dragon" in their names and looking like dragons without actually being dragons, such as:
Aerodactyl, Kecleon, Magmar, Drilbur, Dunsparce, Bastiodon, Rampardos...
In short, Pokémon knowledge was exceedingly complex and could not be explained in just a few words.
After finishing the Hundred-Mushroom Essence, Ange packed a portion into his system backpack, instructed his apprentices to store a portion in theirs, and left the remainder in the home kitchen.
Next came the preparation of the Spicy Mushroom Paste.
First, he gathered the necessary ingredients: mushrooms (Double Team Mushrooms and Swords Dance Mushrooms), Scovillain seeds, green onions, ginger, garlic, pork tenderloin, Bean Paste, Hot Pot Base, cilantro, Sichuan peppercorns, and others.
Among these, the pork tenderloin and cilantro were optional.
The pork tenderloin could also be substituted with other meats, such as beef.
The purpose of cilantro was to enhance aroma; if one disliked the taste of cilantro, omitting it was completely fine.
Ange and most of the Pokémon at home liked cilantro, so he chose to include it.
However, he also planned to make a small batch without cilantro.
After using Aura Power to properly tune all the ingredients, Ange got to work alongside his apprentices.
First, they diced the pork tenderloin, heated oil in a wok for stir-frying, added green onions, ginger, garlic, and Sichuan peppercorns, and stir-fried them until fragrant.
Next, they chopped the Swords Dance Mushrooms and Double Team Mushrooms, added them to the wok in a 1:1 ratio along with the crushed Scovillain seeds, and continuously stir-fried them until the mushrooms and peppers released moisture and softened.
Following that came seasoning: they added appropriate amounts of Bean Paste and Hot Pot Base into the wok, then simmered the mixture over low heat while constantly stirring to prevent sticking to the bottom.
During this process, other seasonings could be added according to personal preference.
Once the sauce reduced to the desired state, they added the chopped cilantro, stir-fried it evenly, and turned off the heat.
Inhaling the rich aroma lingering in the air, the Pokémon began to drool uncontrollably, unable to imagine how delicious meals would taste when paired with this mushroom paste!
Seeing everyone drool, Ange smiled and said, "How about we have Zhajiangmian for dinner tonight, paired with the mushroom paste we just made this afternoon!"
"Gengar!"
"Inteleon!"
"Gengar!"
...
The Pokémon cheered enthusiastically upon hearing this.
Ange pinched Munchlax's cheek and said, "It is getting late, let's get back to work quickly, or we won't finish everything today!"
Hearing this, the apprentices quickly buckled down and began making the Spicy Mushroom Paste themselves, following the method taught by their master.
As time passed, large quantities of mushroom paste were produced, with certain batches triggering special effects.
Some were due to Ange, while others resulted from the help of Lucario and Riolu.
Because Ange was blessed with the Hand of God and possessed greater culinary expertise, most of the mushroom paste with special effects came from him.
A small amount came from Lucario, and a tiny fraction from Riolu.
"Spicy Mushroom Paste: Exquisitely savory and deeply loved by Pokémon; long-term consumption slowly increases Pokémon speed and strengthens their physical constitution."
Seeing this effect, Ange's eyes lit up. A dual effect! Furthermore, it lacked the activation prerequisites of the Hundred-Mushroom Essence!
Once the mushroom paste cooled down, Ange divided it just like the Hundred-Mushroom Essence, placing a portion into his system backpack, handing a portion to his three apprentices, and storing the rest in the home kitchen.
Ange gave all the batches without special effects to Gengar to use later at the noodle house, while reserving the special-effect batches entirely for home use.
Unnoticed, evening arrived. The working Pokémon returned home one after another, and Gengar also departed to prepare for work at the royal capital.
That evening, true to his promise, Ange prepared Zhajiangmian for dinner, accompanied by the Spicy Mushroom Paste made that afternoon. The Pokémon ate with absolute joy and satisfaction.
Since Riolu had just arrived at Ange's home and tasted delicious food for the first time, the experience planted the seed of a chef in its heart.
It secretly swore that in the future, it too would become like Ange, capable of creating such marvelous food.
At noon the next day, after closing the shop, Ange brought Diancie to the royal palace as promised.
The palace guards bowed respectfully upon seeing him and let him through.
Guided by Lila's instructions over the phone, Ange approached a laboratory.
When he and Diancie reached the laboratory entrance, Lila was already waiting anxiously.
"Your Highness!" Lila waved excitedly toward Ange.
Furthermore, standing beside her were an equally anxious Edward and a group of royal researchers.
Achieving energy freedom for Azoth was simply too critical; how could Edward fail to show up in person?
Seeing Ange, Edward immediately beamed with joy. Unable to wait any longer, he briskly stepped forward to welcome him, his round belly shaking with every movement, making for quite a comical sight.
"Hehe~" Diancie could not help covering its mouth and giggling.
"Diancie!" Ange glared at Diancie.
Edward was, after all, part of the younger generation; how could they laugh at him?
Diancie shared a tacit mental link with Ange and understood the meaning behind his gaze, immediately stopping its laughter.
"Your Highness, you're finally here!" Reaching Ange's side, Edward panted lightly.
Ange chuckled. "I'm not even late, what are you rushing for?"
"With something this important, how can I not rush?" Edward said.
"Alright, let's get down to business." Ange understood Edward's frame of mind.
"Yes, yes, yes!" Edward replied happily.
Approaching the laboratory door, the researchers bowed respectfully to Ange, and amid the welcoming crowd, Ange and Diancie stepped inside.
Led by the researchers, they entered a spacious and empty room.
Various instruments were arranged throughout the room, giving it a strong futuristic aesthetic.
"We're going to begin then!" Ange said.
"Please go ahead, Your Highness!" the chief royal scientist replied.
Ange nodded, exchanged glances with Diancie, and Diancie stepped forward, completing its Mega Evolution amidst the astonished gazes of the onlookers.
It was Edward's first time seeing Mega Diancie, and he exclaimed with intense excitement:
"Is this Mega Super Diancie? Beautiful! Absolutely stunning!"
Ancient royal texts contained very few descriptions of Diancie and no records of Mega Diancie whatsoever.
The other researchers likewise stared at Mega Diancie in awe.
"This glittering radiance is simply the most beautiful thing in the world."
The royal chief scientist, a middle-aged man with slightly graying hair, spoke while using a camera to capture the precious sight.
Once the expressions of awe subsided, Diancie officially began its work. It extended its hands forward, and a massive amount of Rock- and Fairy-type energy converged within the laboratory.
A gigantic pink diamond rapidly took shape in midair.
Compared to before, Diancie's current strength was greater, and its comprehension and mastery of the Fairy Aura were much deeper, making the creation of the Sacred Diamond effortless.
As the Sacred Diamond took shape, a researcher looked at the instrument before him and shouted excitedly:
"Energy is rising rapidly! Incredible, simply incredible!"
On the screen in front of him, a red bar graph was shooting upward at a blinding pace.
When the Sacred Diamond fully formed, the bar graph surged straight to its maximum limit.
Clearly, the energy contained within the Sacred Diamond had exceeded the detection limit of the instrument.
The researcher shouted with excitement, "Energy overload! Energy overload! Fantastic!"
With this sheer amount of energy, Azoth's energy crisis might genuinely be resolved!
Once fully formed, the Sacred Diamond was controlled by Lila's Gardevoir, gently floating into the center of two custom-made rings, with the diamond's sharp tips aligning precisely with both rings.
Miraculously, the Sacred Diamond hovered right there in the middle of the rings.
The researchers crowded around the Sacred Diamond, their eyes filled with amazement.
"Is this the Sacred Diamond His Highness spoke of?"
"It's so gorgeous! This is the most beautiful diamond I've ever seen!"
One researcher shook his head. "No, this is not just a diamond; it's a massive energy aggregate, a miracle!"
The other researchers nodded in agreement.
At that moment, Edward stepped forward and asked, "My dear ministers, are you confident you can develop an energy conversion device?"
One of the researchers replied with complete confidence:
"Please rest assured, Your Majesty. Azoth is the birthplace of the world's mystical sciences. If we can't even research a small energy conversion device, it would be a laughingstock!"
The other researchers nodded in agreement upon hearing this.
Edward said excitedly, "Good! Good! Good! Then I leave this entire matter in your capable hands!"
"Rest assured, Your Majesty, we will give it our absolute all!" the researchers chorused in unison.
Seeing this, Edward beamed with delight.
Energy! Azoth was about to achieve energy freedom!
After offering a few words of encouragement to the researchers, Edward walked over to Ange and said, "This is all thanks to Your Highness! I don't even know how to properly thank you!"
Because of the energy issue, he had been pulling his hair out in frustration lately.
Ange smiled and said, "I am, after all, a senior member of the royal family. How could I not step in when you youngsters are facing trouble?"
"Yes, yes, yes!" Edward nodded excitedly. "You are our royal family's oldest and most esteemed figure."
Originally, Ange was merely the person with the most nominally prestigious status in the royal family, but now it truly lived up to reality.
"Your Highness, from now on, you and Lady Diancie are the national treasures of our Azoth Kingdom!" Edward declared with excitement.
Right now, Edward sincerely hoped that His Highness and Lady Diancie would live on forever together.
Ange said between laughter and tears, "A national treasure... you're exaggerating quite a bit."
Edward immediately put on a solemn expression. "I am not exaggerating at all. The entire country's energy will rely on you and Lady Diancie from now on; if that doesn't make you a national treasure, what does? Do I even need to emphasize how important energy is to a nation?"
"Indeed, Father is completely right," Lila agreed with a nod.
Ange: ...
He really had no way to refute that, as energy was undeniably of paramount importance to a nation's development.
Diancie asked the group shyly, "Am I a national treasure?"
"That's right, our Lady Diancie is a genuine national treasure, the most precious national treasure of all," Lila said with a smile.
"Mhm, mhm~" Edward nodded along with an absolute sense of conviction.
"I'm a national treasure! I'm a national treasure!" Diancie beamed with joy upon hearing this, clearly very happy to take on the role of a national treasure.
"Oh, you!" Ange helplessly tapped Diancie on the forehead.
After lingering in the laboratory a bit longer with Edward and Lila, seeing that the researchers were hard at work, the three of them departed.