According to the original schedule, the morning of July 13th was supposed to feature the finals between You You and Qiao Cheng.
In the afternoon, there should have been the exhibition match between the Pikachu Cup Champion and Chen Mo, followed by the final award ceremony.
However, because both Champion You You and Runner-up Qiao Cheng had received Meloetta's blessing and fallen into a weakened state, neither was capable of participating in the exhibition match.
As a result, the Champion Exhibition Match was canceled.
Instead, after a public vote, two of the Top 16 contestants would be selected for a special exhibition battle. Regardless of victory or defeat, both would receive additional rewards.
Excluding the three patients—You You, Qiao Cheng, and Ah Hui—as well as Gengar, the final result was:
Zhao Xue'er VS Mo Yu!
Although they had already fought once during the group stages, they remained the two most popular competitors among the remaining contestants, so the outcome surprised no one.
There was just one exception...
A certain semifinalist.
The only semifinalist who had failed to receive Meloetta's blessing.
The shining representative of Fighting-type trainers in this year's Pikachu Cup.
Wu Zhenghao, trainer of Pinsir.
After seeing the exhibition match results, he silently mourned.
"Hey! I made the semifinals too!"
"Why didn't any fans vote for me so I could participate in an exhibition match!?"
Some celebrated.
Others suffered.
But none of it had anything to do with Chen Mo anymore.
The exhibition match was scheduled after the award ceremony.
Once the ceremony ended, Chen Mo planned to return home with his Pokémon and make final preparations for tomorrow's departure.
"Do you really have to leave so soon?"
Although he had known Chen Mo's plans for a while, Hu Chengliang still couldn't help asking.
"For over a month you've been busy with the Pikachu Cup and barely had any rest."
"Now that it's finally over, why not take a vacation?"
"And besides, Meloetta only appeared because of you. You've barely met her, and now you're already leaving."
"I don't think that's a very good idea."
"It's fine."
Chen Mo waved his hand.
"I've already talked things over with Meloetta."
"She'll cooperate with your work as much as possible."
"If there are any communication issues, you can always contact me."
"That's not what I meant..."
Hu Chengliang sighed softly.
Chen Mo's expression turned serious.
"Although the Ideal Hero and Meloetta share a deep connection, I personally can't contribute much when it comes to finding the Reveal Glass."
"Brother Liang, Brother Chuan—I'll leave Meloetta in your hands for now."
Finding the lost Reveal Glass was destined to be a long and exhausting endeavor.
There might not be any results even after a year.
Since Chen Mo already intended to follow the System's guidance and undertake the Aura Trial to strengthen himself, there was no way he could devote all his future energy to Meloetta's situation.
Let the government help Meloetta.
He would pursue his own path.
To Chen Mo, this arrangement made perfect sense.
"I understand."
Hu Chengliang nodded reluctantly.
As Chen Mo noticed the conflicted expression on the fox-faced researcher, he smiled.
Looking up at the golden sunset, he said:
"Actually, Brother Liang, you don't need to worry so much."
"I know my own physical and mental condition better than anyone."
"For me, traveling around and meeting different Pokémon already counts as a form of rest."
He checked the sky.
"It's getting late."
"I should head back and finish packing."
"See you in three months."
"Three months!?"
Hu Chengliang immediately caught the important detail.
"Why so long?"
"Where exactly are you planning to go this time?"
"The final destination is the seaside."
Chen Mo smiled.
"But I won't tell you which coastline."
"This time I want to travel more freely instead of staying within a single region."
"That way I'll have a better chance of encountering Pokémon I haven't introduced before."
After chatting a bit longer, Hu Chengliang and Zhou Yichuan silently watched Chen Mo's departing figure.
Only after he disappeared from sight did Zhou Yichuan pat Hu Chengliang's shoulder.
"He knows you're trying to protect him."
"Now that the identity of the Ideal Hero is public, plenty of people will have their eyes on his power."
"But we've known him for a long time."
He smiled faintly.
"A bird raised inside a cage may be safe."
"But some birds long for the vast blue sky."
"Chen Mo is that kind of bird."
Then he added:
"And more importantly..."
"After what he and his Pokémon showed against Zapdos and during the Pikachu Cup, anyone thinking about harming him would first have to seriously consider whether they're capable of it."
"Even our teachers understand that much."
"So like Chen Mo said..."
"Stop worrying so much."
With that, Zhou Yichuan turned and walked away.
"Wait."
Hu Chengliang looked confused.
"Where are you going?"
That direction definitely wasn't toward the Countermeasure Bureau.
Zhou Yichuan paused.
Hands in his lab coat pockets, he half-turned around.
His expression carried an unusual seriousness.
"Someone younger than me is still working tirelessly for this world."
"He never stops."
"As the guy he keeps calling 'Brother Chuan,' I should probably work harder too."
"I'm going to visit the Houndour and Growlithe training base."
"Want to come?"
Hu Chengliang fell silent for a moment.
Then he shook his head.
"No."
"Research on the Pokémon species inside the ecological park has only just begun."
"As director, I still have a mountain of work waiting for me."
"I see."
Zhou Yichuan smiled.
"That's good too."
At the entrance of the stadium, the two men in white lab coats turned toward different paths.
Bathed in golden sunlight, they walked forward.
Though their roads differed, their destination was ultimately the same.
Later That Evening
The internet exploded.
Every major discussion revolved around two topics:
Pikachu's Overdrive FormMeloetta's appearance
Even You You's championship victory was overshadowed.
Yet after the excitement gradually faded and the Pikachu Cup officially ended, many people suddenly realized something:
Starting tomorrow...
There would be no more matches to look forward to.
No more intense battles.
No more daily excitement.
An overwhelming sense of emptiness spread among viewers who had grown accustomed to watching matches every day.
"Without the Pikachu Cup..."
"Without Pokémon battles..."
"I'm gonna die."
Just as countless people sank into despair, a joint announcement was released that night by:
Pokémon HomeBilibiliThe Countermeasure BureauNumerous official accounts
The announcement instantly erased that feeling of emptiness.
Its message could be summarized in one sentence:
That man was back.
Chen Mo's Pokémon Discovery Journey was returning.
Already the most famous public figure in Huaxia.
Fresh off the explosive Pikachu Cup finale.
The news that Chen Mo would once again begin livestreaming his Pokémon expeditions immediately set the nation ablaze.
Inside the Pokémon Cabin fan group:
[He's back, brothers! Finally back! Honestly, the Pikachu Cup was fun, but I'm not really into all the fighting. Chen Mo's streams are different. I've never missed a single one. Watching him travel with his Pokémon, living leisurely in the wilderness while telling Pokémon stories—that's what I love.]
[Same!]
[I've waited two whole months! The day has finally arrived!]
[I love both the Pikachu Cup and Chen Mo's streams, but Pokémon are the real theme. New journey means new Pokémon!]
[Why not just read the Pokédex? I've gone through it so many times I can identify most Pokémon instantly now.]
[That's boring! The Pokédex only gives basic information. Can it compare to Teacher Mo's explanations? Besides, tons of Pokémon aren't even in the Pokédex yet.]
[Exactly.]
[Just read the announcement. Seriously? Not a single extra detail? I wanted to figure out where he was going and ambush him.]
[That's normal. With his popularity, if he announced the location, it'd be swarmed by fans instantly.]
[Honestly, everyone here knows what he's like. Total introvert. Even though he's gotten better recently, I'm pretty sure he'd still prefer avoiding fans whenever possible.]
[And most of his destinations are dangerous wilderness areas. Large crowds would only create problems.]
[Either way... I'M SO HYPED FOR TOMORROW.]
[Don't get your hopes up. Based on past streams, we're probably just going to spend an entire day looking at scenery.]
[Hey, that's fine too. As long as I can see Teacher Mo. I'm here for the visuals anyway.]
Meanwhile...
The man at the center of everyone's discussion was currently at home.
Packing.
"...Let's bring this kettle too."
Chen Mo placed another item into the pile.
"When we're resting, we can boil water and make tea."
"Actually, that's a great idea."
"Wait a second, I'll go get the tea Ah Hui gave me."
As he stood up—
A floating Gengar stopped him.
"Gengar..."
(I don't remember bringing this much stuff last time...)
Looking down, Gengar stared at the mountain of equipment occupying the living room:
Pots and pansPortable stoveCamping lanternsFolding tablesFolding chairsMassive tentsAir mattressesBoxes of PokéblocksFood suppliesCountless mysterious gadgets
"..."
Chen Mo fell into thought.
Gengar's eyes lit up.
At last!
His Trainer had finally realized the problem!
Then Chen Mo clapped his hands.
"I knew something was missing!"
Gengar froze.
"The barbecue grill!"
"And that huge aquarium we bought recently."
"That's the most important thing."
"Once we reach camp, we'll fill it with water and let Magikarp stay inside."
"Keeping it in a Poké Ball all day during such a long trip wouldn't be good."
Then he looked at Gengar.
"Why are you making that face?"
Gengar looked as if it had been struck by divine lightning.
Its soul practically left its body.
(To be continued...)
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