According to the game's setting, the Dragon's Den is a cave located directly north of Blackthorn City, situated on the same mountain range as the Ice Path.
At the center of the Dragon's Den is a Dragon Shrine, where the Dragon Elder cultivates.
Splash!
Upon entering the Dragon's Den, it was pitch black inside, with only the sound of rushing water audible.
Clair was about to release her Dratini, but Adrian preemptively called out, "Pichu, use Shinny!"
"Pi~"
The Pichu on Adrian's shoulder nodded, and a soft glow immediately emanated from its body, illuminating the pitch-black Dragon's Den.
Only then did Adrian see that there were actually many cave tunnels within the Dragon's Den, with Fork in the Road tunnels appearing at regular intervals, each extending in an unknown direction.
Only Clair, as the manager, was familiar with the path; anyone else would surely get lost.
"Aoo roo~"
After swimming for a distance, Gyarados suddenly let out a cry, sounding somewhat excited.
"You're saying there's a strange energy here that makes you feel very close to it?"
Adrian understood Gyarados's meaning, then softly explained, "This should be Dragon-type energy."
The Dragon's Den connects to the Dragon Sanctuary, and because the Dragon Sanctuary is influenced by the power of Dragon-type pokémon, the flowers in the Sanctuary bloom regardless of the season, which shows how abundant its energy is.
Although Gyarados doesn't have the Dragon type, it belongs to the Dragon Egg Group and contains more or less Dragon Family bloodline.
Now, influenced by the energy of the Dragon Sanctuary, its Dragon Family bloodline immediately reacted.
"Speaking of which, you still haven't mastered any Dragon-type moves."
Adrian smiled and patted the somewhat restless Gyarados: "Once we enter the Dragon Sanctuary, let's try to master a few more."
"Huh? So your Gyarados hasn't even mastered any Dragon-type moves?"
Wille couldn't help but mock, "As expected, it's all show and no substance!"
Adrian glanced at Wille, too lazy to bother with him.
As a member of the Dragon Master Family, Wille's Gyarados had a naturally superior environment for practicing Dragon-type moves, something he naturally couldn't compare to.
But in terms of the total number of moves, Adrian felt his Gyarados would definitely not lose.
Besides, Gyarados doesn't have the Dragon type, and apart from a few moves like Dragon Dance and Dragon Rush, Adrian wasn't interested in other Dragon-type moves.
After all, Gyarados's foundation is ultimately Water-type moves!
"If you don't speak, no one will think you're mute!"
Clair glared at Wille, who quickly and obediently shut his mouth.
The group continued forward, unsure how many Fork in the Road they had passed or how far they had traveled.
At a certain moment, the three people's vision suddenly cleared.
Not far away, a small shrine stood in the center of the Dragon's Den's flowing water, looking quite ancient, with several lanterns gently swaying inside.
"We've reached the Dragon Shrine; let's go pay our respects to the Dragon Elder."
Upon stepping onto the Dragon Shrine, Clair was the first to recall her Gyarados, and Adrian and Wille quickly followed suit.
Led by Clair, the two entered the dimly lit Dragon Shrine.
As soon as he entered, Adrian saw a robust but white-haired and very old elder.
He was wearing armor-like clothing, and on his hat was a lifelike Rayquaza; his eyes were covered by his hair, making it impossible to fully see his face.
But Adrian was certain that the person before him was the Dragon Elder, because he looked exactly like his depiction in the special chapter.
"Greetings, Dragon Elder!"
Adrian quickly bowed in salute, while Wille prostrated himself, kneeling and bowing with utmost reverence.
Because the Dragon Elder is the supreme leader of the Dragon Master Family.
"Rise, all of you!"
The Dragon Elder's voice rang out, old but strong.
After Wille stood up, the Dragon Elder's head tilted slightly towards him and he asked, "To you, what kind of existence are pokémon?"
Wille's expression was solemn, and he blurted out, "pokémon are my most important partners!"
"Mm!"
The Dragon Elder nodded lightly, then turned towards Adrian and asked leisurely, "What do you think is the key to winning a pokémon battle?"
Hearing this question, Adrian almost laughed out loud with delight.
Because the Dragon Elder's question was exactly the same as the one in the game.
And Adrian naturally knew the answer: training or strategy.
So Adrian decided to combine the two answers, confidently stating, "Daily training, and tactical command during battle."
"Very well said!"
The Dragon Elder was clearly very satisfied with Adrian's answer, but he didn't say much more, then turned back to Wille and asked, "What kind of trainer do you want to battle?"
Wille puffed out his chest and righteously declared, "Of course, powerful trainers!"
The Dragon Elder was noncommittal: "Is that so?"
"Of course!"
Wille didn't seem to realize the Dragon Elder's disappointment; instead, he confidently explained, "Because only by defeating one powerful trainer after another can I climb to the pinnacle of trainers, become a regional Champion like my cousin Lance, and even surpass him to contend for the title of World Champion."
He didn't realize that this kid's ambition was quite big.
But the Dragon Elder shook his head in disappointment.
Only then did Wille suddenly realize that his answer seemed to have greatly displeased the Dragon Elder.
But the problem was, he didn't think he had answered anything wrong.
Isn't that the path of a trainer?
Adrian stifled a laugh in his heart.
He knew that Wille had answered incorrectly and had already lost points with the Dragon Elder.
Next, it was up to him to act!
The Dragon Elder once again tilted his head towards Adrian and asked, "What is most important in raising pokémon?"
"It's love and knowledge!"
Adrian said with firm eyes, "Love can deepen the bond between a trainer and their pokémon, maximizing the pokémon's potential. Knowledge allows me to be more efficient in training and battling, avoiding unnecessary detours."
The Dragon Elder was slightly taken aback, and Clair behind him was even more stunned, clearly not expecting Adrian's answer to be so perfect.
The Dragon Elder continued to ask, "Then, which do you think is more important, a strong pokémon or a weak pokémon?"
Upon hearing this, Wille quickly perked up his ears, muttering to himself, "Is the answer a weak pokémon? Because the weak need care, and caring for the weak is the duty of the strong?"
Adrian looked up, his face serious, and said, "pokémon are my best partners; their strength or weakness is not important to me. Or rather, whether they are strong or weak, they are all very important to me."
"Very well said!"
The Dragon Elder clapped his hands, clearly moved by Adrian's answer.
At this moment, even the Dragon Elder couldn't help but look at Adrian with higher regard.
Because a person with such a mindset and awareness is destined for a boundless future.
"I heard from Clair that you wish to learn our Family's Dragon Dance secret technique?"
The Dragon Elder's voice drifted over, "Since that is the case, I shall grant your wish!"
"Thank you, Dragon Elder, for your benevolence!"
Adrian quickly bowed again in salute.
"What? The Dragon Dance secret technique?"
Wille's face changed dramatically upon hearing this.
The Dragon Master Family has many secret techniques, but if one were to ask which one is the core, it would undoubtedly be the Dragon Dance secret technique.
But now, the Dragon Elder was actually going to teach the Family's core secret technique to an outsider?
Wille was a hundred times dissatisfied and indignant!
But in front of the Dragon Elder, he dared not be presumptuous and could only suppress his anger.
"Since matters here are concluded, you may withdraw!"
The Dragon Elder waved his hand.
"Huh???"
Adrian's expectant smile froze on his face, his heart filled with disappointment: "Where's my Extreme Speed Dratini? Is it gone?"
Seeing this, Clair quickly pulled Adrian out of the Dragon Shrine, then re-released her Gyarados: "Come, let's go to the Dragon Sanctuary now."
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