After dealing with the Duraludon and Deino matters, Wen Qi quietly went to check on Eevee, finding it playing happily with Munchlax. Satisfied that everything was fine, he left the small world and returned outside.
He saw the two sisters still binge-watching shows in the room and felt a bit helpless, but since he was in a good mood today, he didn’t bother scolding them. It was almost time to eat, so Wen Qi directly pulled Audino and Bellossom up and took them along.
As soon as they stepped out of the room and saw the crowd, Bellossom grew timid again. However, with the experience from lunch, things were better this time. Sensing that Bellossom wasn’t as scared, Wen Qi decided to take them outside the hotel to eat, planning to try Ever Grande City’s delicious street snacks.
Leaving the hotel and facing an even more unfamiliar environment, Bellossom held onto Wen Qi’s shirt with one hand and Audino’s with the other. Seeing this, Wen Qi took Bellossom’s hand to offer support. Fortunately, Bellossom quickly adapted. She was smart and realized there was no danger outside—everything was harmonious, and many Pokémon were playing, so she relaxed considerably.
Thus, Wen Qi led them around the streets, picking up some tasty snacks and even buying desserts. After eating, Bellossom grew much braver, daring to leave Wen Qi’s side to play, though she still clung to Audino. Once they finished their meal, Wen Qi took them back, as he was a bit tired himself and needed an early rest.
Back in the hotel room, after settling Bellossom and the others, Wen Qi quickly drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, sunlight streamed through the window onto Wen Qi’s face. He slowly opened his eyes, stretched widely, and looked refreshed. After a quick wash, he planned to visit the Breeders’ Association to find the exam location and check out the big city’s association.
After breakfast, Wen Qi headed out with his bodyguard, Venomoth. Since the place would be crowded, he didn’t bring out Arcanine or Gogoat—both over two meters tall and too conspicuous. He just wanted to see the exam site without drawing attention.
The Breeders’ Association wasn’t far from Wen Qi’s hotel, and he reached the entrance in under ten minutes. Standing before the grand gates, he was deeply awed by the sight. The building was massive, like a towering castle before him. Its modern design featured smooth, imposing lines, and the structure soared into the sky, giving a strong sense of pressure. The walls were made of snow-white marble, gleaming under the sun and exuding an air of nobility and elegance.
The gate itself was extraordinarily grand, dozens of meters wide, crafted from exquisite metal and adorned with lifelike carvings of various Pokémon. Through the gate, a vast courtyard could be seen, with lush green grass, blooming flowers, and several beautiful fountains scattered about, their water dancing cheerfully as if welcoming every visitor.
Wen Qi marveled at the Houndoom standing guard at the entrance. These Houndoom were agile, with taut muscles, glossy fur, and imposing, alert eyes. Their upright, powerful stances radiated the strong aura of Gym-level Pokémon. Wen Qi could tell these Houndoom were exceptionally well-trained—not only powerful but disciplined, every move showing high professionalism. They stood silently, like an unbreachable line of defense, guarding the peace and dignity of the Breeders’ Association.
Wen Qi sighed inwardly, thinking that this was indeed a big-city Breeders’ Association—even the facade was so luxurious and magnificent, inspiring awe.
As he approached the gate, a guard stopped him with a raised hand.
“Halt! You need to register your information before entering,” the guard said sternly.
Wen Qi paused and replied politely, “Alright.”
“What’s your business here?” The guard looked Wen Qi up and down with a hint of suspicion.
Wen Qi quickly pulled out his exam admission slip and said, “I’m here to take the exam.”
The guard took the slip, examined it closely, and showed a flicker of surprise before regaining composure. “So you’re here for the exam. But you don’t look old enough to be a breeder.”
As he spoke, he handed the slip to a colleague for registration. Wen Qi smiled and explained, “I really am here for the exam. This slip was issued by the association.”
The guard said no more, just nodded. After the other guard finished registering, he told Wen Qi, “You can go in, but some areas are off-limits. Watch the signs.”
Wen Qi thanked him and entered the association. As he walked in, he overheard the registration clerk muttering, “Strange—that young man’s slip was for a Senior Breeder exam. Wonder which family he’s from. Probably got it through connections. At his age, taking the Senior exam—he’s not afraid of embarrassment. He’s likely just here to gawk.”
Though annoyed, Wen Qi didn’t turn back to argue. He took a deep breath, silently vowing to prove himself through his skills.
Inside the association, Wen Qi quickly spotted three prominent signs in the spacious, bright lobby. They pointed in three directions, clearly marking the locations for the Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced exam points. The lobby was bustling with people, some chatting in small groups, others standing alone in thought—all likely exam participants.
Scanning the crowd, Wen Qi suddenly noticed familiar faces: Zhu Xiu and his group. Zhu Xiu’s family was surrounded by many people, probably friends. Among them, the old man was undoubtedly the center of attention. With a kind yet dignified demeanor, he stood calmly, exuding the steady aura of a seasoned Senior Breeder.
The crowd gathered around the old man, their eyes full of expectation and respect. Some occasionally asked questions, and he patiently answered, each word carrying years of experience and wisdom.
“Sir, do you think the exam will focus on Pokémon nutritional balance?” a young man asked respectfully.
The old man smiled and replied, “Hard to say, but nutritional balance has always been key in breeding—don’t overlook it.”
Another person followed up, “For Pokémon of different types, are the breeding methods very different?”
The old man nodded slightly. “Naturally. Each type has its unique traits; you must tailor your approach.”
Wen Qi watched this scene, feeling a pang of admiration. This old man was truly a seasoned Senior Breeder. Even if he hadn’t reached the top tier, his years of accumulation and insight earned him great prestige. So many sought his guidance, showing how valuable his experience was.
Wen Qi didn’t join the crowd. He knew the old man wasn’t fond of him, and approaching would only lead to awkwardness, so he just observed from a distance.