Zhuqing Breeding Center.
Cynthia breathed a sigh of relief when she learned that Feebas was still eating.
Regardless, it was good that it was eating.
Then, she threw out a Poké Ball.
Without a doubt, the Pokémon Cynthia threw out was a pointy-headed Milotic.
Milotic's appearance was like a sea snake, with two fins that hung down like long red hair.
Its body was creamy and serpentine, with a predominantly blue tail covered in black markings, and its tail fin looked like a blue and red fan.
Under the sunlight, Milotic's scales shimmered with different hues from various angles.
It was said that this very radiance gave Milotic the power to quell anger, hatred, and conflict.
Whether the legend was true or not, upon seeing Milotic's beautiful form, Li Wei did indeed feel his spirit healed.
Eevee ran to Milotic's side, looking up at it with eyes full of envy.
Cynthia picked up Eevee.
This Eevee usually disliked being held by others, but in Cynthia's arms, it was soft and pliable.
"Bui." ⁄(⁄ ⁄•⁄ω⁄•⁄ ⁄)⁄
Eevee, unable to move!
"Milotic, I'm counting on you."
"Fur~"
Milotic nodded and dove into the fish pond.
This fish pond was eight meters in diameter and less than one meter deep.
The pond itself was intended for Goldeen, but because Feebas arrived on the first day of opening, it had remained empty until now.
Like adorable Pokémon such as Furfrou and Glameow, Goldeen were also used for display.
Ripples spread across the calm water.
A big fellow had entered the water!
Feebas, hiding under the rockery, had witnessed the entire process since Cynthia arrived.
After Milotic entered the water, Feebas darted into a crevice in the rockery with lightning speed.
Milotic could only see a portion of Feebas's body, especially its trembling tail.
Feebas seemed to have no sense of security at all; upon realizing its tail was exposed, it tried to change its position.
Because it had barely moved for over a month, Feebas had actually gained weight.
The end result was that it couldn't cover both ends at once.
"Woo~ woo~"
(Don't touch me! Leave me alone!)
Milotic truly couldn't say this was somewhat cute, and it didn't even feel like laughing.
Milotic only felt sad.
While inside its Poké Ball, Milotic had heard about Feebas.
It just hadn't expected Feebas to be scared to such an extent.
"Lucario!"
(Feebas spoke!)
Lucario told Li Wei this exciting news.
Cynthia's delicate brows furrowed slightly: "Feebas originally didn't speak at all?"
Li Wei shook his head: "It refused to communicate. I had Lucario try, but it wouldn't communicate at all."
Cynthia's brows furrowed even more tightly, "It's serious to this extent? What exactly did it go through?"
Below the rockery, Milotic extended its head into the space, softening its tone as much as possible.
"Don't worry, I won't touch you, and I definitely won't hurt you, I promise."
To show its sincerity, Milotic retreated a bit further out.
From Li Wei's angle, he could see Milotic maintaining a coiled posture in the water.
Milotic's average length exceeded six meters.
According to Li Wei's estimation, Cynthia's Milotic was even longer.
It was actually a bit unfair to Milotic to have it stay in a pond eight meters in diameter but with a rockery in the middle.
But Milotic had no complaints, even while maintaining a very uncomfortable posture.
After Milotic withdrew, Feebas relaxed a little, at least it wasn't completely hidden in the rockery anymore.
"Can we talk? For example, where were you originally staying?"
"Woo~"
(I don't know.)
This question was ineffective, so Milotic asked another.
(Then how did you get here?)
After asking this question, Milotic didn't rush, waiting quietly for Feebas's answer.
Feebas didn't answer, only its tail swayed gently, and a hint of pain flashed across its face.
"Never mind. If it's too painful, let's not think about it."
While communicating, Milotic's tail gently swished, releasing Aqua Ring.
Milotic hoped to reduce Feebas's pain this way.
Seeing Feebas relax, Milotic began to communicate with it again.
"Fur fur~~"
"You should know, right? You've been free for a long time. If you want to leave, I can take you."
"Woo woo~"
(I don't want to leave here.)
This was another answer that puzzled Milotic.
It didn't want to leave here, yet it stayed under the rockery all day.
"Fur fur~"
(But staying in a place without sunlight is not good for you.)
Feebas's scales appeared somewhat dull because they hadn't been exposed to sunlight for a long time.
However, Feebas's condition was still quite good, which also greatly puzzled Milotic.
By the fish pond, Li Wei pointed to a distant pond.
"Have Milotic relay this: I can have Feebas moved to that pond, if it's willing."
That pond had other Water-type Pokémon, which was an issue, so Li Wei hadn't moved it before.
But Li Wei could dig a new one, since there was a river from which water could be drawn.
"Milotic, please relay Li Wei's message."
(Did you hear?)
(I heard. I'll just stay here.)
...
Milotic and Feebas talked for nearly an hour before Milotic flew out of the fish pond.
As soon as Milotic came up, it saw a large face and almost couldn't resist spraying Water Gun.
"How is it?"
Da You was even more anxious than Li Wei.
Da You already knew that the person in front of him was Cynthia.
Fortunately, there was already a Qinglv before, so Da You's psychological endurance had been trained.
Because everyone else was still lying around in their dorms or homes, few people knew Cynthia had arrived.
"Fur."
(It should still take some time.)
The two Lucario translated Cynthia's meaning for Li Wei and Cynthia respectively.
Cynthia looked around.
"Since it still needs some time… then I'll stay here. There should still be rooms, right?"
Cynthia's family and Li Wei's family already knew each other.
Li Wei's grandfather and Cynthia's grandmother, Professor Agatha, were also good friends.
It was just that Cynthia had been particularly busy after traveling and becoming a Champion for some time.
So Li Wei and Cynthia hadn't seen each other for four or five years.
Although they hadn't seen each other for some time, Li Wei and Cynthia didn't seem estranged.
Since she had taken on the task, she wanted to do her best.
If she left before Feebas was cured or showed initial progress, it would be too irresponsible.
Cynthia couldn't do such a thing.
Cynthia's current vacation was quite long.
Her next obligations wouldn't be until the Champion Challenge and the research summit where doctors from various regions would attend.
If a legendary Pokémon suddenly appeared and brought disaster to humanity, Cynthia would also be duty-bound to act.
This was the responsibility borne by a regional Champion.
"Yes, of course there are."