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The Charmander’s egg trembled gently, and a crisp sound emanated from inside as the Pokemon within struggled to break free from its shell.

“Crack!”

A fracture appeared at the top of the eggshell and rapidly spread like a spider web, soon covering the entire surface. Then, with a sharp sound, the whole Pokemon egg shattered.

A golden Charmander emerged from the fragments. It was extremely small, needing several days of rapid growth before reaching the size of a normal Charmander.

“A Shiny Charmander!”

The exclamation drew a crowd of onlookers, their eyes gleaming with envy, and some immediately began making offers.

“Excuse me, would you consider selling this Charmander? I’ll give you three million Pokédollars.”

“You can’t get a Shiny Charmander of this caliber for just three million. I offer four million.”

“I’ll pay five million!”

The bidding escalated quickly, with prices soaring to five million Pokédollars. Fortunately, staff from the Flame Secret Realm intervened to calm the excited crowd.

“My Tao family wishes to purchase this Charmander. Please name your price.” A middle-aged man in a suit spoke confidently from among the spectators, seemingly certain that Asher and his brother wouldn’t dare refuse his offer.

“The Tao family? Come back when you can defeat Ryan’s Lucario. I don’t see Ryan here, but Master Asher is present,” another voice called from the crowd.

After recognizing Asher, everyone fell silent, no longer mentioning buying the Charmander. The Tao family member retreated into the crowd, embarrassed.

Was the Tao family truly that arrogant? They came to challenge Ryan’s Lucario? Didn’t they see how Archer from the Zhao family was defeated two-to-one with no chance to fight back?

Tobias and Jay’s faces flushed red with embarrassment. They had been so proud moments ago, never expecting the egg to contain a Shiny Charmander.

So what if it’s Shiny? Our Growlithe is just as good. If we can find an S-level Fire Stone for Growlithe to use, its potential will definitely improve again.

Tobias and Jay lowered their heads and quietly left the Flame Secret Realm. Jacob watched them leave, his mind occupied with other thoughts.

The Xia family and the Zhao family had been feuding for a long time. If it weren’t for Ryan, he and his brother would have suffered greatly. The reason they hadn’t taken revenge on the Zhao family yet was that the Xia family wasn’t strong enough. Ryan would protect them, but he would never become the Xia family’s enforcer. Therefore, both families maintained restraint, establishing a delicate balance.

But this equilibrium would eventually break. Given the opportunity, Jacob wouldn’t hesitate to retaliate against the Zhao family. In this Pokemon world, there were countless ways to make someone disappear quietly.

…

The next day, Jacob took the newly hatched Charmander and his mother on a flight to the capital. Meanwhile, Asher’s Darumaka also hatched and was prepared to return to Starlight City.

Before departing, Jacob gave his brother some instructions, emphasizing that the Darumaka must be carefully trained due to its excellent potential.

“There’s also a Bulbasaur with good potential in the Grass Bug Secret Realm. If you get the chance, you must capture it.”

Jacob hadn’t forgotten about the Bulbasaur tribe in the Grass Bug Secret Realm. One had even reached the King level. However, his time had been limited then, forcing him to subdue only the nearby Treecko. Given another opportunity, he wouldn’t let this Bulbasaur escape.

As for the leaders of the two groups—the Sceptile and the Venasaur of comparable strength—too many trainers had their eyes on these powerful Pokemon. The Xia family’s limited resources made it impossible to compete for them. It was better to focus on capturing Bulbasaur and securing their future.

Finally, Jacob mentioned that Amelia’s father was seriously ill. This academically gifted girl was worth the Xia family’s investment. They could cover her father’s surgery costs, sponsor Amelia’s college education, and even provide steady employment for her brother Jeremy. The Grass Bug Secret Realm’s construction would create numerous job opportunities. With the Xia family’s influence, finding Jeremy a position wouldn’t be difficult—but everything came with a price. Amelia would need to sign a long-term contract with the Xia family’s company, committing to work for them after completing her studies.

There’s never a free lunch in this world.

…

After Asher saw Jacob and Zoe’s mother onto the plane, he contemplated what Jacob had just told him.

“A Bulbasaur with good potential and a girl.” Asher smiled. “Let’s go see what kind of girl warrants Jacob’s special instructions to me.”

…

Capital city, Lin family residence.

This wasn’t Jacob’s first visit to the Lin family home. He came every Lunar New Year. Grandma Jude and Grandpa Scott, his grandparents, were both renowned Pokemon doctors with independent laboratories. His uncle Lewis also worked in Grandpa Scott’s laboratory. Recently, Grandpa Scott had stepped back from his duties, leaving the laboratory largely in Braylen’s hands.

Jacob also had another uncle, Aris, Grandpa Scott’s youngest son. Aris currently served as Vice President of the Capital City branch of the Pokemon Association. A top-tier trainer specializing in Dragon-types, he was the family’s pillar.

The Lin family wasn’t particularly famous for producing trainers, relying primarily on Denver to uphold their reputation. However, in Pokemon research, they were undeniably masters. China’s first Z-Ring was developed by the Lin family. This achievement had granted Denver a Dragon-type Z-Crystal, elevating his strength to near the top among King-level trainers, second only to the Heavenly Kings.

…

Jacob followed his mother into the Lin family home. As they entered, he saw Grandpa Scott and Grandma Jude sitting in the living room. Their eyes fell on Jacob and Zoe, and Jacob keenly observed that his mother and grandparents seemed nervous and slightly unnatural.

I’m the only calm one here.

“Jacob has arrived. Please sit down and set your luggage aside. Zoe, you sit down too.” Grandma Jude broke the silence, speaking first.

Jacob couldn’t let Grandma Jude feel awkward. A smile spread across his face. “Grandma, Grandpa, I’ve missed you both. Mom, please sit down. I’ll help with the luggage.”

“Jacob, you’re so thoughtful,” Grandma Jude smiled. “Grandma and Grandpa have missed you too. Scott, don’t be so stern. Zoe, please sit down. Stay longer this time. Your mother misses you.”

Zoe took a seat on the sofa and, after a moment’s reflection, spoke softly: “Mom, Dad, I only requested a week’s leave. I’ll return after Jacob’s business is concluded.”

With the word “Dad,” years of estrangement between father and daughter dissolved. Although Grandpa Scott maintained his stern expression, trying to appear serious, his hands trembled slightly, betraying his emotions. Feigning composure, he said, “Stay a few more days while you’re here. Spend time with your mother—she always says she misses you.”

“That’s right,” Grandma Jude agreed. “You must be hungry. Let’s continue our conversation over dinner.”

Though the Lin family was scholarly, they didn’t prohibit conversation during meals. Family dinners valued liveliness and enjoyment. Even the elderly Mr. Scott had a place at the table.

“Ms. Abigail, please fetch me a bottle of white wine,” Grandpa Scott, clearly in good spirits today, asked the family nanny to bring some alcohol. Upon hearing the request, Iris immediately rose to comply.

“Sister Abigail, don’t go,” Zoe reached out to stop her and looked at her father. “Dad, you should quit drinking and take care of your health.”

Given Grandpa Scott’s temperament, nobody could typically dissuade him. But today, facing his daughter whom he hadn’t seen for so long, he waved his hand, signaling Abigail to forget the request. The scene seemed to transport everyone back decades, to when Zoe was just a little girl.

In his younger days, when Grandpa Scott wanted to drink, no one could convince him otherwise. Only his beloved daughter dared to take his wine glass away, acting playfully affectionate afterward. Then Grandpa Scott would stop drinking, smiling indulgently.

This scene felt like a dream from over thirty years ago.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep