The sun gradually set, but Team Rocket's stall remained bustling with activity.
After Lu Ye circled the venue and returned, a large crowd still gathered there drawing blind boxes.
Methods to earn draws included but weren't limited to buying food, drinks, collecting bottle caps, advancing in matches...
Sipping milk tea, Lu Ye glanced at the stall with a giant Jigglypuff logo run by The Girl and sighed emotionally.
Losing to the trio in stall business... wasn't shameful at all!
Sitting on a bench playing with Sylveon, Lu Ye caught sight of a mountain-like silhouette passing by.
Lu Ye looked over and froze momentarily: "Why is Bruno here too?"
Bruno stood solemnly in line, but customers nervously retreated to both sides.
Meowth sweated profusely, rubbing its paws: "What would you like, nya?"
Carrying a towering stack of buns, Bruno took a bite and his eyes lit up slightly.
"Your online store hasn't shipped in ages," Bruno explained. "Customer service said you were at Lilycove Island, so I thought I might find you here."
"We're honored by your patronage," the trio said sheepishly.
Bruno nodded slightly, carrying the mountain of boxes with one arm while munching a bun with the other, leaving his imposing silhouette behind.
Customers watched Bruno leave with lingering fear.
"Why would a Kanto Elite Four member come to Lilycove Island?"
"There must be competitors worth watching this year!"
"Wait, he left without drawing any blind boxes?"
"That's like keeping the casket and throwing away the pearls!"
Hearing this, Lu Ye suddenly recalled Hearthstone's "buy 1 dust get 1 pack free" promotion...
Shaking his head, Lu Ye opened his phone and asked in the chat group:
"Who else is at Lilycove Island?"
"I'm arriving tonight!" Ash said excitedly. "Want to do doubles battles with other trainers tonight, Teacher Lu?"
Having plans to game with Mengmengda tonight, Lu Ye replied: "Already have evening plans."
"Xiao Yin and I will come cheer during finals," A-Jin said, blowing his bangs. "@Ash, rooting for you, little bro!"
[Member 'A-Jin' muted for 24 hours by admin 'Lance'!]
Lance explained: "Lorelei went to the Sevii Islands temporarily, so she asked me to keep an eye on A-Jin."
Old Man Ironspin gloated: "Hahahaha."
[Member 'Old Man Ironspin' muted for 2 hours by group owner 'Teacher Lu'!]
Still remembering the cheat engine incident, Teacher Lu coughed dryly:
"I just saw Elite Four Bruno at Lilycove Island."
Lance paused, thinking of Bruno's recent melancholy, and asked curiously: "Is he planning to challenge Sinnoh's Elite Four?"
Flint, playing with his phone during meetings, said solemnly: "Ready anytime!"
I think... he probably just came for the Angry Steamed Buns...
Night fell as competitors gradually arrived at Lilycove Island.
Among them were stern-faced Paul, long-haired Darkrai, and passionate Ash...
Ash brought another spectator - Aura Guardian Aogen.
Wearing a gentleman's hat with Lucario by his side, Aogen pressed a hand to his chest: "Teacher Lu, long time no see."
"Likewise," Lu Ye smiled, asking Ash: "How did you meet?"
"Mr. Aogen was coming to watch the matches and we met on the way," Ash explained.
Aogen was genuinely surprised.
Reuniting now, he sensed not just aura from Teacher Lu, but another extraordinary power he couldn't comprehend.
This meant besides Mew, Teacher Lu might have befriended other Legendaries...
With newfound respect, Aogen asked: "Will you be competing tomorrow?"
"I'm skipping preliminaries," Lu Ye said.
As recommended by Professor Rowan and being a Quartz Conference champion, he had direct entry to Top 64.
Though Teacher Lu was tempted to experience the preliminaries' varying skill levels...
"My match is tomorrow," Ash scratched his head, then said determinedly: "And I'm in the same group as that guy Paul!"
"Teacher Lu, I'll definitely beat him to prove my ideals!"
But Ash had clearly learned much from Paul's tactics and experience.
Lu Ye smiled slightly and nodded: "Give it your all, Ash!"
After parting with Ash, Lu Ye strolled along the venue's edge by the railing, moonlight reflecting on the sea.
Haunter perched on a streetlight, possibly paying homage to someone: "Gengarrr~"
A Magikarp leaped through a huge full moon as Lu Ye walked the moonlit path.
Returning to Mengmengda's room.
The spacious 60-70 square meter suite had bookshelves by the desk, with sofas, coffee tables, and an LCD TV on the carpet.
Lu Ye looked at the large bed.
Under warm bedside light, Cynthia leaned against pillows reading in a blue shirt and wide-leg pants, golden hair cascading down, face glowing faintly.
Hearing movement, Cynthia lifted her eyes and said plainly: "There's only one bed."
"I'll take the sofa."
"What I meant was... this bed is quite big," she said, flipping a page with slender fingers.
Teacher Lu, thinking several steps ahead, pushed further: "I noticed the bathroom's pretty spacious too."
Cynthia set the book down, rolled her eyes, then smiled: "You can bathe with Haunter."
"Gengarrr~" Haunter and Teacher Lu exchanged disgusted looks.
Teacher Lu bathed with Sirfetch'd and Blastoise.
Reason being Sylveon was shy... and Teacher Lu valued his life.
Blastoise submerged mostly in the tub wearing sunglasses, bald head sticking out with a Squirtle toy duck on top.
This yakuza boss aura made Lu Ye's mouth twitch.
Since evolving twice, this turtle kept getting more intimidating!
"Quack~_(:3 ⌒ﾞ)_" Sirfetch'd lounged blissfully in a wooden bucket of hot water.
I can practically smell the aroma, duck!
Isn't this just self-made duck stew?!
Exhausted after the long day, changing into a fresh white T-shirt, Lu Ye prepared to game with the rich beauty.
"Don't you need to wake up early?" Lu Ye asked suspiciously.
Tomorrow was the Lily of the Valley Conference's important opening ceremony requiring Cynthia's attendance.
Her delicate profile smiling, Cynthia said: "Just one match!"
"Really?" Lu Ye remained skeptical.
"Don't worry, I've got it under control~" Cynthia said cheerfully.
Cynthia: "One more match!"
Won the game, lost completely in reality!
Next day, Lily of the Valley Conference opening ceremony.
In a silver brazier, Ho-Oh's flames blazed fiercely, igniting the audience's passion!
"Gengarrr~" Haunter looked at the fire and pouted.
"True," Lu Ye yawned. "Not as good as Arcanine's Rainbow Wing."
The host announced loudly: "Now, let's welcome Pokémon League President, Mr. Goodshow!!"
"Why do I see him everywhere," Lu Ye muttered.
"Rather," Bruno said, standing like a fortress beside Lu Ye, "you've attended every recent League Conference..."
Ash exclaimed excitedly: "Look! Elite Four Lucian, Flint are making their entrance!"
The Elite Four seats symbolized heights many trainers could never reach.
Paul glanced calmly at composed Lucian, hands-in-pocket Flint, and swaying-haired Aru...
"I will become champion!" Paul vowed silently, looking at Ash's profile in the crowd.
Cheers crescendoed like tidal waves.
Darkrai swept his long hair dramatically, pushing through competitors to approach the conspicuous Teacher Lu.
"Teacher Lu," Darkrai introduced himself, extending a hand. "Darkrai, we've met before - long time no see."
Almost calling him "Darkrai Boy" upon seeing that hairstyle, Lu Ye shook hands:
"Naturally," Darkrai said fervently. "Teacher Lu, I look forward to battling you!"
Bruno studied Darkrai appraisingly. New ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄhapters are published on novęlfire.net
This youth showed no fear facing him.
Bruno narrowed his eyes: "A trainer worth watching."
"Holy crap! Teacher Lu really joined!"
Perhaps Darkrai spoke too loudly, as surrounding trainers buzzed excitedly.
"This is my closest chance to defeat Teacher Lu!"
"Ten-year fan reporting in!"
Lu Ye looked skyward.
As everyone knew, League Conferences = fan tournaments!
Suddenly, cheers intensified as the ceremony reached new heights.
"Now, let's welcome Sinnoh League Champion, Cynthia!!"
"I'll always love Cynthia!!"
Screams included many female fans, reminding Lu Ye again of Mengmengda's terrifying popularity.
In a black trench coat, Cynthia approached the microphone, one hand on hip, golden hair cascading.
Her aura shifted instantly as she spoke, gray eyes scanning the crowd before pausing somewhere with a radiant smile.
"The Lily of the Valley Conference, begin!"
Instantly, dazzling fireworks erupted, igniting competitors' fighting spirit and audience enthusiasm.
Sinnoh League's Lily of the Valley Conference had officially commenced!