August 22nd.

Lin Feng had successfully acquired Wangwang Valley from Grandpa Qin.

In the kitchen.

After being harvested, the rice from Wangwang Valley had been sun-dried and husked, turning into plump, white grains of Wangwang Rice.

This was one of the most common staple foods in the Pokémon world not only consumed by humans but also by Pokémon. Meals made with Wangwang Rice could provide essential nutrients for a Pokémon's growth, although the effects weren't as potent as those of Pokéblocks.

Making rice wine was a simple process.

Lin Feng stood in front of a large clay vat filled with freshly cooked Wangwang Rice. By his side was Gardevoir.

He was teaching her how to brew rice wine.

Though he was reluctant to admit it…

Lin Feng had a feeling he was turning Gardevoir into a little chef.

From crafting all kinds of Pokéblocks to learning how to brew rice wine and even cooking full meals she could do it all.

She really was... incredible.

...

"After it's steamed, scoop out the rice and rinse it with lukewarm water. Never use cold water it needs to cool down slowly. Once it reaches room temperature, add in crushed sweet fermenting yeast and stir everything together evenly…"

"Then cover it with plastic wrap and leave it to ferment naturally!"

After finishing the demonstration, Lin Feng turned to Gardevoir.

"Garde~" (Got it~)

Gardevoir nodded. Compared to making Pokéblocks, the rice wine process was much simpler.

"Great. In a day or two, it should finish fermenting."

He placed the special clay vat he'd bought for storing rice wine beneath the kitchen counter. Then, after preparing the next day's batch of Pokéblocks with Gardevoir, he headed to the pasture behind the plantation's cattle shed.

Ten days earlier, he had sown flower seeds there. Now, a ring of vibrant green growth encircled the shed. Some of the flowers hadn't bloomed yet, but many had already formed buds, standing out brightly against the lush grass.

The two Sweet Sap Trees had been nourished with high-grade Golden Fertilizer. Now, they had grown over two or three meters tall, their branches adorned with tiny golden blossoms that resembled osmanthus flowers, releasing a sweet fragrance into the air.

"Looks like everything will be ready before the 28th," Lin Feng nodded with satisfaction.

He made his way back to the plantation and stopped by the water reservoir, standing beneath the Dragonfire Fruit Tree.

Crimson vines now bore fruit resembling blood peaches, each about the size of an apple. But unlike fuzzy peaches, these fruits had a smooth, glossy skin.

[S-Rank Dragonfire Fruit — Grown in a high-energy environment, the quality of this fruit is exceptional. When consumed by a Pokémon, it boosts Special Attack and unlocks deeper potential of its innate abilities.]

Even the fruit itself had earned an S-rank rating. Lin Feng could already imagine how powerful the resulting Pokéblocks would be.

"Gardevoir, help me harvest these Dragonfire Fruits."

Gardevoir nodded, and with a pulse of psychic energy, she floated all the fruits over to Lin Feng, who stored them in his item capsule.

He counted them exactly fifty-two Dragonfire Fruits.

"Snivy~?"

Behind him, the curious Snivy let out a questioning cry.

It still remembered Lin Feng saying how this kind of berry would be especially helpful once fully ripe.

"Once the rice wine is ready, I'll make Pokéblocks from these fruits. Everyone will get a share," Lin Feng said as he gently patted Snivy's head.

Unfortunately, the newly evolved Metapod wouldn't get to enjoy them this time.

But that was fine.

It had been a little over a week since Metapod evolved. With any luck, it would evolve again within the next week and when that happened, Lin Feng planned to take it to Grape Wine Town.

"Snivy," Snivy nodded. It wasn't in a rush. Lately, it had felt that sense of impending evolution again.

It was pondering whether it should evolve at all.

Judging from the current pattern, after its next evolution, it would probably grow to three or four meters long or maybe even longer.

And once it evolved, it would no longer have hands. That meant no more curling up in its Trainer's arms…

How depressing.

Snivy glanced over at Lin Feng, who was feeding Milotic, and quietly walked over to his side.

"Hmm? What is it, Snivy?" Lin Feng asked, noticing the approaching footsteps.

"Snivy~" (It's nothing…)

Lin Feng frowned slightly. "Where's Vulpix?"

"Snivy?" (In the room?)

"What's the matter?" Lin Feng crouched down so he could look Snivy in the eye. "You've been looking troubled, even though you say everything's fine."

Not to mention that his Verdant Aura let him sense a Pokémon's emotions.

Even without that Snivy usually wore a smug little grin.

But today, its amber eyes seemed distracted.

"Snivy…" (I'm about to evolve…)

"Oh?" Lin Feng's eyes lit up. "That's great news!"

"Once you evolve, your life force and energy control will both improve dramatically!"

"Snivy…"

Snivy looked down at its little hands.

"What's wrong? Afraid of losing your hands?"

Lin Feng gently took its short arms in his hands. "You're already great with Vine Whip. You can use those instead. And if you ever need help, I've still got my own two hands they can do anything you need."

"Well then, if you really don't want to evolve, I'll go to Wutong City and buy you an Everstone. For now, I'll check in on Ice Vulpix."

He let go of Snivy's hands and turned toward the breeding house.

Snivy stared at its tiny hands, deep in thought.

No hands…

That means I could just ask Trainer for help with everything, right?

...

After searching the room and finding no sign of Ice Vulpix, Lin Feng finally located her in the breeding house, crouched on the counter where the small cakes were displayed. She looked like a fluffy snowball, her bright eyes fixed curiously on the Milcery.

Since the Milcerys had arrived at the house, Ice Vulpix now past her newborn stage had been extremely interested in them and their sweet aroma.

She would often dart up to them, watch them quietly, and occasionally paw at them.

At first, this startled the Milcerys, but once they realized she only wanted to play, they warmed up to her and even shared their cream.

However...

One time, Ice Vulpix had crept up beside Lin Feng and whispered:

"Yip yip?" (Can I lick one? They smell so good~)

Lin Feng had no choice but to sternly say no, even as he stifled a laugh.

"Yip yip?" Upon seeing Lin Feng enter, Ice Vulpix jumped off the counter and dashed toward him, leaping into his arms and nuzzling against his chest like a spoiled child.

Just then,

Rotom flew in from outside the breeding house, followed closely by a Pidgeotto.

"Roto~ We just got an order from Mr. Liu in Dazheng District, Wutong City! One Defense Pokéblock and five Stamina Pokéblocks!"

"On it~"

Qin Shu swiftly packed the items and placed them in Pidgeotto's claws.

With a flap of its wings, Pidgeotto soared off into the sky.

The twenty Pidgeottos and Pidgeys had officially started their delivery duties.

Seeing this, Lin Feng nodded in satisfaction.

The breeding house was thriving.

Now that the birds had completed their training, the next step was to expand and repair the road leading out of town.

It was a major project and would take time.

That's why Lin Feng had waited until the delivery service was fully operational before starting it.

Otherwise, people wanting to buy Pokéblocks would have had to rely solely on flying Pokémon for transport.

Carrying Ice Vulpix, Lin Feng headed back to his room.

Road work could wait.

For now, he needed to focus on preparing the barbecue feast he'd promised Combusken.

And a few days after that, it would be time to visit Grape Wine Town again.

So… anything else could wait until September.

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