Pokémon like Marill share a great deal of similarity with Chansey.
Both of them belong to the Fairy Egg Group, and their reproductive ability has always been extremely weak—something that is generally common among Pokémon of the Fairy Egg Group.
Because of this, in order to increase the breeding capability of Fairy Egg Group Pokémon, researchers carried out countless experiments and attempts. In the end, they successfully discovered a viable solution.
This solution was a special medicinal substance known as Incense, which could significantly enhance the reproductive ability of certain Pokémon.
However, Pokémon bred through such special means would also undergo certain changes, transforming into a distinct juvenile-stage Pokémon.
He still remembered how, when these juvenile Pokémon were first hatched, they caused a massive uproar throughout both the academic world and the Pokémon breeding community.
If these Pokémon were bred without the use of incense, the eggs would hatch into their normal forms. But once incense was used, the eggs would instead hatch into their corresponding juvenile-stage Pokémon.
After that, these juvenile Pokémon became the subject of long-term and in-depth research.
At the beginning, scholars discovered that these juvenile Pokémon appeared to lack the ability to evolve altogether.
But as research continued, they gradually realized that these juvenile Pokémon had not lost their ability to evolve—instead, their evolution conditions were simply far more stringent.
Through further study, researchers even identified the concept of friendship energy. Most juvenile Pokémon required friendship energy in order to successfully complete their evolution.
(TN: Huh. Is this true or a fan theory? Because it's a great theory.)
Returning to Marill, it is precisely a Pokémon whose reproductive ability can be enhanced through incense.
By using a special medicinal agent called Sea Incense, Marill can hatch juvenile-stage Azurill.
Azurill, in turn, can evolve through friendship into Marill again, thereby allowing the population of the species to continuously expand.
Back then, the Marill population had grown gradually in exactly this way, eventually becoming one of the preferred starter Pokémon for a large number of Water-type Trainers.
After all, Marill could further evolve into the much stronger Azumarill, possessing considerable growth potential. In addition, the Fairy typing it carried was itself a relatively rare attribute.
Besides Marill, Chansey was also a Pokémon whose reproductive ability could be enhanced through incense. By using Luck Incense, Chansey could hatch juvenile-stage Happiny.
However, Happiny was quite different from Azurill. Happiny did not require friendship to evolve; instead, it needed a special item called the Oval Stone in order to evolve.
It was only when Chansey evolved into Blissey that friendship became a requirement, making it a rather unique existence among juvenile Pokémon.
Because of this, when Aven had initially considered breeding Chansey, he had not planned to use incense at all—mainly because he did not currently possess an Oval Stone.
Only after successfully finding an Oval Stone would he consider using incense to allow Chansey to hatch Happiny, thereby gradually expanding the Chansey population.
As for searching for the Oval Stone, he had begun preparations a long time ago. During this period, the rangers had continuously explored the Black Forest and the Aspiration Mountain Range.
They had already discovered several large ore veins and even some evolution stone veins, but there had still been no news of the Oval Stone. All they could do was allow Ground-type and Rock-type Pokémon to continue searching underground.
"No matter what, let's first make the Sea Incense," Aven exhaled softly.
By the time he returned, he had already prepared all the materials required to produce Sea Incense. All that remained was to refine these materials into the finished incense.
Although he had only been transported to this world for around three years, he was still extremely skilled in preparing Sea Incense. Before long, a large quantity of incense had been successfully produced and stored in special containers.
Next, all he needed to do was light the incense, allowing its medicinal effects to disperse. This energy would greatly enhance Marill's reproductive ability.
"Lilli~"
Lilligant stood quietly to the side, watching the entire process.
By now, Aven had already taught almost all the medicinal knowledge he possessed to Lilligant. Being able to learn yet another new method of potion preparation filled her with excitement.
Especially after hearing about the effects of this special medicinal agent, her eyes immediately began to spin with curiosity.
Aside from increasing the reproductive ability of specific Pokémon, this special incense could also enhance the power of moves corresponding to its attribute.
If that were the case, then as long as she could prepare incense that enhanced Grass-type moves, she could also use it to boost the power of Grass-type techniques.
She couldn't help but wonder whether her Aromatherapy move could simulate the effects of these special incenses. If it could, then Aromatherapy would not only be capable of curing status conditions, but also of enhancing the power of Grass-type moves.
"That should do it. Have you learned it, Lilligant?" Aven asked with a smile.
"Lilli~"
After hesitating for a moment, a sly glint appeared in Lilligant's eyes as she slowly shook her head.
"I see. Then I'll teach you again once we're back," Aven said, gently patting her head.
After finishing the incense, he quickly mounted Gyarados and headed toward Marill Island. By now, the island was under strict protection—ensuring the safety of the Marill there was absolutely essential.
Next, he planned to use the Sea Incense to attract the Marill living on the island. If the entire population could follow him back to the Pokémon Domain, that would naturally be ideal.
If some Marill preferred to remain behind, he would also designate this area as a protected zone, ensuring that the Marill could continue to thrive and multiply here.
Since the Chansey species consisted only of females, the only way they could reproduce was by finding Pokémon from the same Egg Group. These Marill were therefore extremely valuable.
Once the Marill population here grew large enough, he could bring Chansey to this island to breed, further expanding the Chansey population and providing services for more Pokémon Centers.
"Your Highness Aven," the guard knight immediately saluted upon seeing him.
There were Magikarp living all around the island now, leaving nothing hidden from their watchful eyes and allowing the guards to stay fully informed of the island's situation.
Aven patted the knight on the shoulder and led his Pokémon swiftly onto the island, soon arriving at the lake where the Marill lived.
This time, he did not attempt to conceal his presence. The moment he approached, the Marill immediately perked up their ears in alert—their hearing was exceptionally sharp.
"Marill! Marill!"
Seeing a human approach, all the Marill became wary.
"Marill, I mean no harm," Aven stopped at a distance.
Instead of approaching immediately, he had Lilligant use life energy to soothe them.
"Garde~ voir~"
At the same time, Gardevoir slowly stepped forward.
A soft pink Fairy-type energy radiated from her body. As a Fairy-type Pokémon herself, Gardevoir was able to help the Marill gradually lower their guard.
She then activated her telepathic ability, directly communicating with the Marill. This kind of mental connection allowed trust to be built much more quickly.
"It seems they've calmed down," Aven's expression softened.
He then placed the Sea Incense on the ground and lit it with a fire striker. Instantly, a thin wisp of smoke rose into the air, accompanied by a strange and alluring fragrance.
He had carefully chosen this position—the wind was blowing from his direction toward the lake, carrying the scent directly to the Marill.
"Lilli~"
Lilligant leaned forward slightly, gently inhaling the fragrance in the air.
The scent released by the Sea Incense was indeed extraordinary. It contained dense Water-type energy and could draw surrounding Water-type energy toward the smoke.
Before long, the air around them grew noticeably more humid. If a Pokémon capable of using Rain Dance were present, it would certainly feel that under such conditions, summoning rain would be extremely easy.
In addition to the rich Water-type energy, the incense also contained another kind of energy—something close to life energy, yet not quite the same.
Sensing this fluctuation, Lilligant's expression shifted slightly as her own life energy gently stirred. No wonder this incense could enhance Pokémon reproduction—this life energy was clearly the key.
"Marill~ Marill~"
The Marill in the distance huddled together. Even with Gardevoir's telepathic communication, their caution could not vanish instantly.
(End of Chapter)
TN: Bruh, imagine some stranger arrive and lit smoke to get you guys horny. Definitely trustworthy.