And so, over two hours quietly passed, and the aircraft arrived at its destination—Evergreen City.
As the aircraft drew closer, the full view of Evergreen City unfolded before Wen Qi's eyes.
His first impression was one of sheer vastness; the city seemed boundless and endless, stretching far beyond what the eye could see.
Everywhere he looked, its profound historical heritage was evident.
Ancient buildings stood in contrast with modern skyscrapers, as if narrating the passage of time. The old structures were solemn and elegant, their marks of age clearly visible, quietly telling tales of the past. Meanwhile, the towering modern high-rises stood tall, their glass facades reflecting dazzling sunlight, fully showcasing the city's vitality and prosperity.
What was truly astonishing was the city's skyline—skyscrapers arranged in a harmonious yet varied pattern. Some soared into the clouds, piercing the sky; others were uniquely designed, each with its own distinct character. Amid these towering structures, aircraft zipped back and forth, making one feel as if they had stepped into a futuristic world.
Not only that, but there were also numerous Pokémon mounts in the air. Wen Qi observed closely and found that the weakest among them were at the Advanced level, with many Elite-level mounts soaring freely overhead. In just a short while, he even spotted several Gym-level mounts. Some were majestic and imposing, others agile and graceful, exuding powerful auras and elegant forms, adding a mysterious and spectacular element to the city.
Wen Qi couldn't help but marvel inwardly—Evergreen City truly lived up to its reputation as a captivating and powerful metropolis.
Soon, the aircraft landed at the airport, and people began disembarking one after another. As he got off, Wen Qi merely exchanged a casual nod with the Zhu family before they went their separate ways.
Watching the departing Zhu family, Wen Qi shook his head helplessly, thinking to himself: *These days, no one believes the truth when you tell it.*
But that was fine—they'd likely meet again at the assessment the day after tomorrow, and then they'd see if he was just shooting for the stars.
Leaving the airport, Wen Qi decided to take a proper tour of the city. Luckily, his driver's license was valid everywhere, so he released his Gogoat and let it carry him along at a leisurely pace, allowing him to fully appreciate this historically rich metropolis.
Riding atop his Gogoat, Wen Qi slowly made his way through the streets of Evergreen City. The streets were bustling with people from all over the world, each carrying their own stories and dreams. There were trainers in splendid attire, heads held high, radiating confidence; travelers with backpacks, their eyes filled with curiosity and a thirst for exploration; and scholarly figures clutching books, lost in deep thought as they walked.
The storefronts along the streets were a dazzling array. At a Pokémon item shop, rare and mysterious artifacts glowed with an otherworldly light. Outside a pet grooming salon, a few adorable Vulpix waited obediently, eager to be made even more beautiful.
The wide roads were teeming with traffic, various high-tech vehicles moving in orderly fashion. The skyscrapers lining the streets stood in close formation—some shaped like winding dragons, exuding grandeur; others like giant eagles spreading their wings, imposing and majestic. Modern building materials and unique designs made these structures shine brilliantly under the sunlight.
Passing by a park, Wen Qi heard cheerful cries. Looking closely, he saw several Growlithe frolicking joyfully on the grass. Their red fur gleamed vividly under the sun, like clusters of blazing flames. By a nearby lake, a few Psyduck swam leisurely, their adorable, goofy expressions bringing a smile to anyone's face.
Continuing on, Wen Qi noticed that the Pokémon here were not only diverse in species but also formidable in strength. A Pidgeotto by the roadside had sharp eyes and powerful wingbeats, clearly stronger than its counterparts in Spring Blossom City. At a street corner, he even spotted a rare Dragon-type Pokémon—a Deino. Its small, cute figure exuded a unique charm that was hard to look away from.
In the park, besides the Growlithe, several Bulbasaur were busy among the flowers, the seeds on their backs glowing with a strange light, as if communicating intimately with the blooms. On the trees, a few Noctowl watched silently below, their gazes sharp and focused.
Wen Qi was filled with awe. This city not only boasted deep historical roots but also such abundant Pokémon resources. In comparison, the Pokémon of Spring Blossom City seemed lacking in both variety and strength. He couldn't help but sigh—Evergreen City truly was a metropolis to be admired.
Checking the time, it was nearly noon. Wen Qi looked up at the blazing sun overhead and felt it wasn't the best time to continue exploring. Besides, he needed to eat.
After a moment's thought, he opened his navigation app to search for hotels near the Breeders' Association, planning to stay close by for easy access to the upcoming exam. Fortunately, the association wasn't too far away. Riding his Gogoat, he quickly found a hotel based on the directions.
The hotel had an amusing name: "Slaking Hotel."
Just as he reached the entrance—whether by fate's design or the author's deliberate arrangement—Wen Qi ran into Zhu Xiu and her family again. They appeared to be heading out for a meal. Both parties were at the entrance, so if Wen Qi noticed them, they naturally noticed him.
For a moment, the air seemed to freeze, the atmosphere growing unbearably awkward.
Wen Qi, however, remained composed and unfazed. To him, this was just a chance encounter. But the expressions on the Zhu family's faces were far more complicated, especially Zhu Xiu's parents and brother, whose embarrassment was plain to see. They seemed hesitant about whether to greet him.
Sensing their dilemma, Wen Qi simply gave a slight nod to avoid making things more awkward, then quickly entered the hotel to check in.
After Wen Qi left, the Zhu family stood rooted to the spot, the atmosphere heavy.
Zhu Qiang, the older brother, broke the silence first, frowning as he said, "This is too much of a coincidence. I suspect he's following us."
His sister Zhu Xiu immediately retorted, "Brother, don't say that. When we talked on the aircraft, he mentioned he was here for the assessment. It's normal for him to be near the Breeders' Association."
Their mother, Li Wen, thought for a moment and said, "Xiu'er has a point. It might just be a coincidence."
Their father, Zhu Ximing, nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it's probably just a coincidence."
Grandfather Zhu Wenzhong snorted lightly. "Coincidence or not, that kid is aiming too high, saying he wants to become a Senior Breeder. Don't bother talking to him much from now on. No need to waste time on such trivial matters. Let's go eat."
Though Zhu Qiang still harbored some suspicion after hearing his grandfather, he said no more. Zhu Xiu let out a soft sigh. She didn't think Wen Qi was a bad person; it was just that no one believed in his goal.
After a few more remarks, the family stopped dwelling on the matter and, led by Zhu Wenzhong, headed toward the restaurant. Along the way, Zhu Qiang occasionally glanced back at the hotel, still feeling the coincidence was suspicious. Meanwhile, Zhu Xiu thought about Wen Qi's confident demeanor, wondering if he truly had the skills to back it up.
But soon, everyone's attention was drawn to the upcoming meal, temporarily pushing thoughts of Wen Qi aside.