"Gengar is still processing the massive influx of resources it harvested from the Spirit Realm," Mewtwo observed. "The Jewel of Life can accelerate that digestion and push its strength even higher. Feng Che, you should let all your primary Pokémon come into contact with the Jewel; the benefits will be beyond your imagination."
Mewtwo tossed the Jewel of Life onto Gengar's round, bulging belly. Gengar was currently fast asleep, its rhythmic snores echoing through the Life Garden. The moment the Jewel touched its skin, pulses of brilliant white light rippled outward.
Gengar's body began to swell like a balloon. The sudden surge of vitality forced the ghost to open its eyes in a daze. Seeing its own inflated, beach-ball-like form, it let out a mischievous Jie-jie laugh. It opened its mouth wide and spat out three glowing Soul Crystals—still dripping with spectral saliva.
Each crystal pulsed with a distinct hue: one deep forest green, one pitch-black, and one a radiant, sun-bright yellow.
"Perfect," Mewtwo said, pointing to the gems. "The green one carries the Grass-type essence needed for Rowlet. The black one is pure Bug-type for Genesect. But the yellow one... that is a Dragon Soul Crystal."
"A Dragon Soul Crystal?" Feng Che asked, surprised. "I didn't think the Spirit Realm produced high-level Dragon resources."
"According to the Trevenant's memories, the Lake of Souls hasn't produced one in centuries. The Spirit Lotus must have siphoned the lingering essence of thousands of fallen dragons to forge this," Mewtwo explained.
Suddenly, a dark green blur erupted from Feng Che's shadow, lunging straight for the yellow crystal.
THUD.
The blur hit a shimmering Light Screen deployed by Mewtwo and fell to the grass, rubbing its head.
"A Dreepy? How did it get here?" Feng Che stared at the small, bulbous-headed dragon.
The Dreepy looked up with bulbous, lamp-like eyes, looking incredibly piteous as it gazed at the Dragon Soul Crystal. It was small, with a flat head and a spiked metal ring around its midsection.
"This little one is special," Mewtwo noted. "It managed to resist the pressure of a Champion-level Gengar and hitch a ride in your shadow undetected. Its potential is immense. As a scion of the Dragon Clan, you should raise it; it will become a cornerstone of your team."
Feng Che activated his system's appraisal.
Name: Dreepy (Male)
Aptitude: Epic (Deep Cyan)
Level: 25
Type: Dragon / Ghost
Evaluation: A high-potential descendant of the Spirit Realm's Dragapult Arbiter. It was chosen as the next leader of its clan before it decided to follow the 'shining' energy of Feng Che's team.
"Alright, little guy," Feng Che said, holding up a Poké Ball. "If you want the crystal, you follow me. If not, I'll send you back to the gray mist."
The Dreepy didn't even hesitate. It frantically nodded its head and tapped the Poké Ball itself, disappearing in a flash of red light. Once the capture was confirmed, it popped right back out, nudging Feng Che's hand for the prize.
"Here you go." Feng Che tossed the Dragon Soul Crystal—which was nearly as big as the Dreepy itself—to the little dragon. It hugged the gem tightly, refused to let go.
The Archer Awakens
"Now, for the main event," Feng Che said. He placed the Jewel of Life and the Green Soul Crystal on the sleeping Rowlet's chest.
Rowlet's eyes snapped open. With a dazed but instinctive peck, it swallowed the Grass Soul Crystal whole. Instantly, a pillar of blinding light erupted from the small owl. The Jewel of Life acted as a conduit, pumping endless vitality into Rowlet's frame to support its rapid growth.
Feng Che watched as Rowlet's level skyrocketed: Level 10... 20... 30... 40!
The momentum slowed once it hit the Quasi-Elite rank, but the evolution was inevitable. Under the influence of the Jewel, Rowlet skipped through its forms in a blur of glowing white light. When the radiance faded, a tall, elegant Decidueye stood before him.
Decidueye looked like a master archer, its green plumage forming a natural hooded cloak. It adjusted its orange "bowtie" and plucked a feather-arrow from its wing, demonstrating its legendary speed—drawing and firing in a mere 0.1 seconds.
Name: Decidueye (Male)
Aptitude: Legendary (Blue)
Level: 65
Type: Grass / Ghost
Skill Highlight:Spirit Shackle. It can fire arrows that stitch an opponent's shadow to the ground, preventing escape.
"Finally, you're back," Feng Che said, smiling. "Decidueye, you'll take Gengar's place in my shadow for now. Gengar needs to finish its 'nap' to stabilize its new power."
Decidueye gave a sharp, respectful nod and vanished into the darkness at Feng Che's feet. Beside them, Gengar continued to snore, a massive sleep-bubble growing and shrinking from its nose with every breath.