Feng Yang froze for a moment.
Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced these were the levels of breeder certification that could be tested at local facilities. But beyond those, there was one more step, a threshold that required going to specialized testing sites.
That in itself made it clear: the difficulty of the top-level assessment was on an entirely different scale from the earlier ones.
And yet, this young man before him was confidently claiming that his breeder qualifications were beyond even Advanced?
So confident?
Feng Yang's curiosity was piqued. He tilted his head and asked, "Then why don't you just take the test? As far as I know, top-level breeders receive subsidies from the League and plenty of benefits besides."
Lin Feng's answer came in a blunt triple strike. "Too far, too lazy to bother, and no time. The nearest city where they host those exams is over a thousand miles away. And the assessment itself takes too long. I can't spare that kind of time."
"Uh…"
Feng Yang hadn't expected such an answer.
Most breeders, upon realizing they had a chance of reaching the top-tier certification, would leap at the opportunity. They would rush to prove themselves, eager to gain recognition and the generous benefits that came with it.
But Lin Feng's perspective was entirely different.
Unlike the earlier tests theory exams for Beginner, Pokéblock crafting for Intermediate, and emergency case handling for Advanced the Top Breeder certification required something far more demanding. Candidates had to go to designated facilities and carry out specialized breeding projects that lasted a week, sometimes even a full month.
That was hardly convenient.
And for someone like Lin Feng, who already had his hands full running his father's nursery, the idea of being away for that long was simply impossible.
Feng Yang leaned forward slightly. "You mentioned earlier that you inherited your father's orchard and nursery. If it was passed down, then where is your father now?"
The Champion was finding himself more and more intrigued by the young man standing in front of him.
Lin Feng's lips pressed together. After a pause, he spoke quietly. "He… disappeared. It's been over ten years now. He vanished while exploring one of the wild zones. No one knows what happened."
For a moment, the air grew heavy.
The truth was, Lin Feng had never quite believed that his father had simply died.
When he was a child, he only knew that his father was incredibly strong. Back then, those words didn't carry much weight. But now that Lin Feng had grown, after seeing powerful Pokémon with his own eyes and learning more about the world, he could look back and truly understand.
The people his father had known, the battles he had fought… they weren't ordinary.
And above all, there was his father's Scyther. Even by Lin Feng's current understanding, that Pokémon's strength must have been near the level of an Elite Four member, perhaps even greater.
Even if he set aside his father's other Pokémon, just Scyther alone shouldn't have fallen so easily.
So why had he vanished?
There had to be a reason. Perhaps he was trapped somewhere, unable to return. Or perhaps he had lost his way in a place no one else could find.
"I… I'm sorry," Feng Yang said at last, guilt flickering in his eyes. He hadn't expected such a painful answer.
Lin Feng shook his head lightly. "It's fine. It's been so many years. I got used to it long ago."
The sadness he should have felt had already been worn away during his childhood. Now, only remembrance remained.
Feng Yang fell silent. The Champion didn't know what to say for a while. But then a thought struck him: Lin Feng had said his father had "disappeared."
That meant there was a chance, however slim, that traces remained.
Feng Yang's eyes brightened. "How about I look into it for you? Even if it's been a long time, there might still be clues buried somewhere."
Lin Feng didn't hesitate. He bowed his head slightly. "Then thank you, Champion."
"Of course."
Feng Yang nodded, though his heart was filled with even more questions. It wouldn't be appropriate to ask them all at once, but he resolved to remember both this place and this boy, and to return in the future.
At that moment, his phone began to ring.
He glanced down at the caller ID. Whatever warmth he had been feeling drained instantly. His earlier good mood evaporated.
He gave Lin Feng an apologetic gesture before stepping toward the back door and answering the call. "Hello? Mom, I'm working right now. What? Another blind date tonight?"
His voice dropped to a helpless whisper, but his mother's voice blasted loudly enough for Lin Feng to faintly overhear.
"What do you mean you can't make it? With the speed of your Pokémon, you could circle the entire region in a single day! Don't make excuses. This girl is beautiful, gentle, and filial. If you dare skip tonight, I swear "
"You're not getting any younger…"
Feng Yang held the phone away from his ear, his face scrunched in despair. He looked like a man sentenced to hard labor. "Alright, alright. I'll come tonight…"
Only when he gave his word did his mother finally hang up, satisfied.
Lowering the phone, Feng Yang let out a long sigh. His expression soured even further, but he turned back toward Lin Feng. "Looks like I need to leave now."
Lin Feng nodded. His goal for this meeting had already been achieved. Truth be told, he was relieved to see the Champion go. Still, he kept his tone polite. "It's been hard on you. Allow me to walk you out, Champion."
He led Feng Yang out of the room. When they reached the front, Feng Yang's eyes caught sight of the fridge beside Audino. Inside were the very same juices he had been enjoying earlier. He paused, grabbed a few bottles, paid quickly, and then turned back.
His mother's deadline was pressing. Without delay, he released his Moltres. The great firebird spread its blazing wings, its span stretching three to four meters. Feng Yang swung himself onto its back, and in the next heartbeat, the bird shot into the sky like a streak of flame.
At that same moment, two high school students Michael Zhang and Lucas Lu were walking back from the training grounds, chatting excitedly about their gains.
"That challenge was amazing. My Pichu's Thunder Shock improved so much, both in power and accuracy!"
"My Nidoran too. He's tougher now, but also quicker on his feet…" Lucas grinned.
Michael's eyes sparkled. "And did you notice? Those two Pidgey evolved into Pidgeotto. That means if we want to try the Sky Challenge again, we'll have to face Pidgeotto directly. I wonder how much it'll cost next time…"
He clenched his fists, his voice brimming with determination. "Still, it's worth it. Every step like this brings me closer to my dream… to stand before Champion Feng Yang one day."
Lucas chuckled but didn't tease him for dreaming big. He tilted his head casually then froze.
A tall, striking figure had appeared at the entrance of the nursery. Someone very familiar.
His eyes widened. His heart skipped.
And then, in an instant, the figure summoned a colossal Moltres, its wings beating as fire roared into the sky.
Lucas's mouth dropped open.
He grabbed Michael's arm so tightly that his friend nearly yelped. "Look! Look! The Champion! It's him!"
"What Champion wait. Oh my god. Feng Yang! The real Champion!"
Michael's jaw fell. His eyes went wide as saucers as he watched their idol, riding Moltres, soar into the horizon.
For a moment, both boys stood frozen in place, unable to breathe.
They had just seen their idol in person.
Not on a screen. Not in a book. But right here, at their local nursery.
The Champion himself.
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