Chapter 269: The Ruler's Rejection
Although it was still a bit fearful, the rich life energy from the vial was an irresistible temptation for a Grass-type Pokémon like Deerling. This was the special Life Energy Nutrient Fluid from the Life Energy Bureau, an absolute boon for any Grass-type.
Since Lileep didn't need it right now, it was the perfect bait to lure a "little friend."
"Deer-deer~"
Its four little hooves tapped nervously on the ground. After a fierce internal struggle, the Deerling finally decided to approach. It brought its mouth to the vial and tentatively stuck out its tongue for a small lick.
"Deer~" (´ω｀)
The Deerling's body trembled slightly, and little stars practically appeared in its eyes. It was completely captivated by the nutrient fluid.
Seeing this, Basalt just smiled. While tilting the vial further, he reached out and gently stroked the small flower on the Deerling's head.
Lost in the delicious fluid, the little deer had no intention of resisting. It was completely docile.
It was clear that this Deerling had not yet reached the Advanced-rank. After drinking only half a vial of the nutrient fluid, it was already full.
"Little deer, little deer, do you know where the Fountain of Life is?"
Putting the stopper back on the vial, Basalt finally showed his true colors.
And... the Deerling tilted its head, completely baffled. It couldn't understand him at all.
Having no other choice, Basalt had to ask Lileep to translate. Although the languages of different Pokémon varied, they were similar enough that they could at least communicate.
"Man, it's so inconvenient without my Bronzong translator," Basalt sighed, already missing his Super Bell.
"Nee-nee~"
"Deer-deer~"
After a bit of communication, the Deerling finally understood and turned its head to the east.
"The Fountain of Life is to the east? Excellent!"
Basalt grinned, a look of smug satisfaction on his face.
"Deerling, can you take us there?"
Basalt crouched down and stroked the Deerling's cute head. "If you do, I can give you this."
With that, he pulled out another full vial of the nutrient fluid from his dimensional backpack.
"Deer-deer~"
This time, the Deerling clearly understood. It nodded eagerly.
"Alright then, let's head out now!"
Led by the Deerling, Basalt began his journey to the eastern part of the forest.
Along the way, all he saw was a lush, untamed, ancient forest. Towering trees dozens of meters high were a common sight, bearing strange fruits and vibrant flowers. He also saw all sorts of Pokémon.
There were green, toad-like Pokémon with seeds or flower buds on their backs, flower buds with trumpet-shaped mouths, and graceful, fox-like green creatures. He saw agile monkeys with broccoli-like tufts on their heads, and even little wind-fairies drifting through the air...
But overall, these Pokémon were all very peaceful. They didn't act out when they saw Basalt and Lileep, mostly just observing from a distance. A new species always attracted a crowd; that was true for both humans and Pokémon.
Besides, with their little Deerling guide, the journey was very smooth. The little one handled relations with the other wild Pokémon.
The only unfortunate part was that Lileep's movement speed was painfully slow. Its "slithering" method of travel was enough to drive a person crazy.
"Nee-nee~"
After more than an hour, Lileep waved its tentacles, sensing an extremely rich and pure source of energy. Its face was full of excitement.
"That must be the Fountain of Life! It looks like we're close," Basalt said, his face also beaming.
Was finding the Fountain of Life hard? He didn't think so at all.
The joy in their hearts washed away their fatigue. They didn't even bother to rest, ready to set off immediately.
The Deerling, of course, had no objections. It had the best stamina of all of them. If it weren't for Basalt and Lileep being so slow, it would have already reached the destination.
Filled with excitement and joy, the tireless Basalt and Lileep pressed on for another two hours, covering no less than ten kilometers.
But disappointingly, not only did they not find the Fountain of Life, but they came across a long drag mark on the ground.
Seeing it, Basalt's eyes went wide.
This drag mark was clearly the one Lileep had left behind as it moved—two parallel straight lines, with the grass in the middle only slightly bent over.
"So... we've been walking in circles?" Basalt's face darkened.
A ferocious glint appeared in Lileep's eyes as it shot a hostile look at the Deerling.
I've been slithering for so long! I'm so tired!
Seeing this, the Deerling seemed to understand what had happened. It let out a few "deer-deer" calls at Basalt, then turned and bolted, its movements swift and agile.
"Nee-nee~"
Lileep was furious. It took a deep breath and shot countless energy bullets from its mouth, which flew after the fleeing Deerling.
"Lileep, don't be rash!" Basalt quickly reached out to stop it. This was someone else's home turf; starting a fight could have unforeseen consequences.
Vzzt!
But just then, a strange sight occurred.
The moment the powerful energy bullets hit the Deerling, they didn't explode. Instead, as if they had found their destination, they were perfectly absorbed into the Deerling's body.
And so, the Deerling escaped without any trouble. Just before it left, it glanced back at Basalt and Lileep, then disappeared into the forest.
"Sap Sipper?" Basalt pouted.
The Sap Sipper Ability. When hit by a Grass-type move, not only would the Pokémon take no damage, but its Attack would be raised. It was a broken ability, similar to Flash Fire, Volt Absorb, and Water Absorb, but slightly inferior to Lightning Rod and Storm Drain, as those could draw in moves aimed at other Pokémon.
"Nee-nee~"
Lileep was stunned for a moment, then it began to tremble with rage.
"Lileep, can you still sense the Fountain of Life's aura?" Basalt raised an eyebrow.
"Nee-nee~"
Its petals opened and closed as it carefully sensed the energy in the air. A moment later, it immediately turned its head in a certain direction.
"Then that's it!" Basalt clapped his hands, his excitement undiminished.
The direction Lileep was pointing was perpendicular to the drag marks. So, they had indeed been walking in circles around the Fountain of Life.
"Lileep, get it together! The Fountain should be nearby. Let's push through, find it, and then we can rest!" Basalt cheered it on.
"Nee-nee~"
Lileep nodded in agreement.
And so, the trainer and his Pokémon, forcing through their exhaustion, once again set off on their quest.
...
Meanwhile, the pink Deerling was darting through the forest. After passing through a grove filled with the songs of birds and the scent of flowers, the view finally opened up.
Before it was a small hill, about ten meters high. From the middle of the hill, a ribbon of emerald-green cascaded down. A closer look revealed it was a stream of water, which gathered in a small pool at the base of the hill.
From the small pool, a rich life energy rose into the sky.
This was the target of Basalt's search—the Fountain of Life.
"Deer-deer~"
The Deerling trotted to the edge of the spring. But it didn't drink. Instead, it looked towards a tall, coconut-or-pineapple-like Pokémon by the water's edge. It was the Grass/Psychic-type Pokémon, Exeggutor.
"Exegg-utor."
The Exeggutor, whose eyes had been slightly closed, now opened all six of them.
But unlike a normal Exeggutor's vacant stare, this one's eyes shone with wisdom, though it looked slightly aged.
"Deer-deer~"
The Deerling tilted its head, voicing its confusion.
Why did you set up a hypnotic barrier to keep that human and his Lileep out?
To be able to hypnotize someone from several kilometers away without a sound, confusing their sense of direction... besides the ruler of this forest, the Exeggutor before it, there could be no other. The Deerling was certain of this.
"Exegg-utor."
The Exeggutor looked at the Deerling as if it were its own child, its eyes full of gentleness.
But at the same time, it told the Deerling a shocking piece of news.
The true master of the Fountain of Life... had returned.
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