-069- Master of Promises Lin Mo (2/3)

“A seventy-level champion-quality Raticate? No wonder it’s so strong!” Tongsi held his breath, hardly daring to believe it. He swore this was the strongest spirit he had seen since arriving in this world—without exception. He never expected Master Lin Mo’s spirit to have reached such heights.

“If I’ve come to the Verdant Leaf Forest, do you really think you’ll be able to walk away?” Lin Mo’s expression was calm, the smile on his face twisting into something almost grotesque.

“Raticate, use Hyper Fang!”

“Raticate!”

Swift as lightning, Raticate’s shadow darted among the four spirits before them, moving like an illusion. Whether it was the soaring Brave Eagle or the armored warrior on the ground, Raticate toyed with them until their heads spun. None of the spirits could even track Raticate’s movements.

Only in the brief moments when Raticate attacked could the spirits catch a glimpse of it.

Tongsi felt embarrassed—after all, these four spirits were all at level fifty! Their quality might be ordinary, but at least they were fifty-level spirits. Yet before Raticate, they had not an ounce of resistance.

After several rounds of play, Raticate instantly defeated the tall man’s four spirits. Using only Quick Attack and Hyper Fang?

No, wait! There seemed to be Double-Edge as well!

Tongsi couldn’t even identify all the moves Raticate used. It was simply too fast! The attacks were completed in an instant, and all Tongsi could see was the four spirits falling to the ground.

“So this is the strength of a specially invited professional trainer?” Tongsi and the man in brown felt a simultaneous tremor.

It was simply overwhelming!

“Come out, Venusaur. Bind them all up!” Lin Mo’s expression didn’t change; after defeating the four spirits, he sent out a Venusaur.

“Venusaur!”

Venusaur stomped the ground fiercely. In an instant, a series of vines burst forth from the earth. This was Venusaur’s Frenzy Plant skill.

The powerful vines directly enclosed the brown-clad man and the truck, trapping them inside like a giant prison made of plants.

After finishing this, Lin Mo turned to Tongsi. “Tongsi, I’ve already contacted the other searchers. They’ll arrive soon. Come with me; let’s talk.”

Tongsi nodded, withdrew his Electabuzz, and followed Lin Mo into the forest. Raticate and Venusaur remained behind, guarding the prisoners.

After walking for some time, Lin Mo remained silent. When they reached the edge of a waterfall, Lin Mo sat on a large rock.

“Sit, don’t be so stiff,” Lin Mo gestured. There were plenty of rocks nearby—any one could be used as a seat.

Tongsi didn’t hesitate, choosing a relatively smooth stone and sitting down.

“Master Lin Mo, why are you here in the Verdant Leaf Forest?” Tongsi finally couldn’t contain his curiosity and asked.

Lin Mo pondered for a moment, then burst out laughing.

“I didn’t expect you to ask me that!” It seemed he had anticipated many questions from Tongsi, but not this one.

“I occasionally stroll through the Verdant Leaf Forest—is that reason enough?” Lin Mo glanced at Tongsi.

“I don’t believe it!” Tongsi stared at Lin Mo, his gaze unwavering.

Just a casual stroll? Do you think I’m that naive?

A specially invited professional trainer, wandering the Verdant Leaf Forest late at night? Really?

Does he think I’m a three-year-old?

“All right, you’re a sharp one. Despite your honest appearance, you’re quite clever.” Lin Mo shook his head, surprised Tongsi wasn’t easy to fool.

“Yes, I have business in the Verdant Leaf Forest. But I won’t tell you the specifics. After all, you’re not even willing to join the Supernova Project, are you?” Again, Lin Mo glanced at Tongsi, his expression meaningful.

“The Supernova Project… I’d rather not. Though you saved me tonight, joining the Supernova Project isn’t my wish. I can only say that, should an opportunity arise in the future, I’ll repay you, but I certainly won’t do something against my will just to show gratitude for saving my life.”

Lin Mo was silent for a moment upon hearing this.

“You’re straightforward, saying exactly what you think. But I’d like to know—why are you so resistant to the Supernova Project? You know the Spirit Association is offering to nurture new trainers free of charge through this program. It’s an opportunity with nothing but benefits—everyone else is fighting for a spot, yet you alone have refused my invitation twice!”

Lin Mo simply couldn’t understand.

“As I said in the courtyard that day, I have no interest in the Supernova Project. Nor in the Top Hundred Championship. I just want to run my breeding house and raise my spirits well. That’s all.”

“But joining the Supernova Project doesn’t prevent you from raising spirits. There’s no rule saying you can’t keep running your breeding house. Besides, the Supernova Project offers so many benefits. I know your first spirit, Electabuzz, is of superior quality. For an ordinary family, a first spirit of superior quality is already exceptional. But you know, any trainer aiming higher must have a first spirit of at least leader quality.”

Clearly, Lin Mo had thoroughly investigated Tongsi’s background.

“As everyone knows, only spirits of leader quality can break through the level fifty limit. Superior quality spirits can’t break through that barrier!”

As Lin Mo spoke, a trace of sadness appeared on his face.

Tongsi frowned—the sorrow was not lost on him.

“Moreover, breaking through the level limit requires a lot of resources. Most families can’t afford it. Even with your breeding house, do you think you can support so many spirits with your current earnings? Of course, if you don’t plan to pursue the path of a trainer and only want to be a breeding house owner, then just forget what I said.”

Lin Mo’s words were decisive, his gaze fixed on Tongsi.

Tongsi felt chills under that stare, as if he had been completely seen through.

“Master Lin Mo, I understand everything you’re saying, but…” Tongsi lowered his head, and for a moment, couldn’t find any reason to refuse.

Indeed, Lin Mo’s promises were grand, tempting, and attractive! Anyone with weaker resolve would have agreed long ago.

“The first spirit is already decided, but the second and third spirits are still open for choice. I know that after earning the Best Rookie honor, the president of the Seventieth Bluebird Group personally gifted you a leader-quality Swablu egg. But that was only this time—what about next time? Leader-quality spirit eggs aren’t cheap, and champion-quality eggs are rare treasures. Only by joining the Spirit Association can you get the chance to acquire the leader-quality spirits you like, and even the right to apply for champion-quality spirit eggs.”

Seeing Tongsi waver, Lin Mo continued to tempt him.

...(To be continued)