After finishing the call with Giovanni, on the surface it seemed trivial, but upon careful analysis, it was nothing more than a mutual test between Cain and Giovanni.
Although Cain's current strength was still somewhat insufficient compared to Giovanni's, at least he was no longer someone without any voice or influence.
Moreover, Cain was very clear about his position. He had no intention of betraying Team Rocket and always presented himself as a subordinate in front of Giovanni.
Therefore, after understanding Cain's attitude, Giovanni did not say much more. He simply mentioned that he had something important to tell him and that, if he had time, it would be best to discuss it in person.
Cain allowed Brad and Catherine to handle several important tasks, which were already nearly completed. As for other minor matters, he did not even ask about them and simply delegated everything entirely to them.
Just like within the current Team Heaven, aside from a small group of absolutely loyal individuals who knew that Cain was the true leader, everyone else was completely unaware of his existence.
Brad and Catherine, following Cain's orders, remained in charge within Team Heaven, becoming two absolute pillars of combat strength in his absence.
After giving them a few more instructions, Cain directly used Teleport to return to the League building.
The next morning.
Cain departed together with Phoebe.
In fact, he had already intended to go to Mt. Pyre; it just had not been urgent before.
After all, the Ghost-type energy within Darkrai required the Ghost Power of Phoebe and her people to be mobilized. Although Phoebe's Ghost Power had improved in the Space-Time Continent, it was still far from sufficient. According to her own words, it could not be compared at all to that of her grandparents.
For this reason, Cain believed that the two elders of Mt. Pyre might be able to help him.
In addition, he also wanted to question them about what they had previously done to his Gengar.
With Salamence's speed, flying at full power, it only took a few hours to reach Mt. Pyre from the Hoenn League headquarters.
Arriving once again at this place where Ghost-type energy was relatively dense, seeing the common Ghost-type Pokémon and the trainers who used them, Cain could not help but sigh: Mt. Pyre was still the same, the energy was still the same, but people constantly changed.
As for Phoebe, since leaving, she had not returned. Now that she was back, her heart was filled with emotion and mixed feelings.
In fact, even before Cain had woken up, she had already been waiting for him at the door.
Most likely, after learning that she would return that day, she had not even slept well the night before.
They arrived at the rear of Mt. Pyre, in front of that enormous rock unknown to most people.
That was Phoebe's home. She was completely familiar with the place, so she skillfully used her Ghost Power to bring Cain inside.
The first time he had come, Cain had been surprised by the abundance of Ghost-type energy. But now, that energy could not even approach his body under the protection of his psychic power.
And it was at that moment that Cain was slightly surprised.
He recalled that Phoebe's grandfather had once told him that her Ghost Power had many similarities to psychic power because it originally came from it, but had been gradually transformed by the corrosion of Ghost-type energy.
At that time, Cain had not doubted it too much. After all, Ghost-type energy does indeed counter psychic energy, so it was not impossible.
But now he understood something different: attribute advantages only function when the energies are at the same level. When the quality of one energy overwhelmingly surpasses the other, those "advantages" lose their meaning.
Like in the battle against the Sacred Church, when Blaziken was able to break through Water-type Pokémon without difficulty thanks to using Sacred Fire.
Or like now: as an advanced-level psychic, it was impossible for ordinary Ghost-type energy to corrode him.
There were only two possibilities for something like that to happen: either the psychic willingly absorbed Ghost-type energy... or the Ghost-type energy in question was even stronger than his psychic power.
While Cain was reflecting, the moment he and Phoebe entered the mountain, her grandparents had already detected them.
Upon seeing the two elders again, Cain was slightly surprised.
Just as he had suspected.
Back then, both of them had concealed their true strength. No wonder Cain had not doubted their words.
But now, he could clearly sense a strong threat coming from them.
It felt like encountering a natural predator.
He did not perceive hostility, only pure pressure.
Extremely powerful Ghost Power!
Although it originally derived from psychic power, it had now completely transformed into an ability belonging to the Ghost type, with a clear advantage over psychics.
It was no wonder Phoebe had said her power could not be compared to that of her grandparents.
It was not merely incomparable... the difference was enormous.
The two elders wore affectionate smiles. Nothing made them happier than seeing their granddaughter.
Phoebe, her eyes slightly reddened, embraced them with a smile.
Cain stood to the side, watching the warm and touching scene. For some reason, he felt a faint sense of envy.
Perhaps because in this world, he had never had a family.
As he thought about this, suddenly some fragmented memories appeared in his mind, images he had never seen before.
He was stunned. He did not understand why these scenes appeared in his mind or what connection they had to him.
Just as he was about to examine them through the system, the brief reunion between Phoebe and her grandparents came to an end.
(End of Chapter)