Hearing Adrian Sterling’s cold, mocking words, Xia Qianli didn’t become angry.
After all…
He knew this situation was entirely his own fault.
He had no right to be furious.
“It won’t happen.” Xia Qianli shook his head firmly.
“He’s only an illegitimate child.
Whether in an ordinary family or a prestigious clan, that status can never be acknowledged publicly.” “The Sterling Family has existed for over a thousand years.
Our family rules are stricter than most.” “It would be impossible to enter his name into the family genealogy.” If that ever happened, it would mean the family had officially acknowledged the illegitimate child as a legitimate heir.
The Sterling Family would become the laughingstock of every other great clan.
There were only two possible ways for such a child to gain legitimacy.
The first…
He would have to possess extraordinary talent.
But was that even possible?
Even if he were gifted…
Could he possibly surpass Adrian?
The second possibility…
Was if Adrian died unexpectedly.
Only then would the illegitimate son have a chance to return as an heir.
— “Dad.” Adrian’s voice remained calm.
“You’d better make sure that cheap half-brother of mine—and his mother—never develop ambitions they shouldn’t have.” “Just because you can’t bring yourself to act…” “Doesn’t mean I can’t.” His words carried an unmistakable warning.
For a brief moment, anger flashed across Xia Qianli’s face.
He was about to speak…
But the instant he met Adrian’s icy gaze…
His anger quietly disappeared.
Only helplessness remained.
Adrian had never been soft-hearted.
As the heir of one of Xia Country’s Eight Great Families, he had received the finest education since childhood.
The Sterling Family hadn’t survived for a thousand years through kindness alone.
Its history had been built with iron discipline and decisive action.
— Without another glance at his father, Adrian gently placed Aron on the ground and walked away.
The little Steel-type immediately hurried after him without even looking back.
Aron’s favorite food consisted of various metal-rich ores, supplemented by the exclusive Energy Blocks from the System Shop.
One day…
After evolving into Aggron…
It would become Adrian’s strongest defensive wall.
Of course, Aggron possessed a glaring weakness.
It suffered quadruple damage from Fighting- and Ground-type attacks.
Still…
There was a famous saying among Trainers.
“A four-times weakness is proof that a Pokémon is powerful.” Dragonite nodded in agreement.
“Exactly.” Salamence added, “Couldn’t have said it better.” Scizor simply shrugged.
“Who’s going to argue with that?” — “Is Chuchu not coming home for dinner tonight?” After six o’clock, Gardevoir had already finished preparing the evening meal.
Today…
Only father and son sat at the dining table.
The atmosphere remained noticeably awkward after their earlier conversation.
“She’s having dinner with her classmates.” Adrian answered casually.
— “…She really doesn’t want to see me.” Xia Qianli sighed.
Adrian glanced at him.
His expression practically said, “You already know the answer.” Seeing that reaction, Xia Qianli looked even more dejected.
Fortunately…
The moment Gardevoir placed a plate of braised Slowpoke Tail on the table, his mood immediately improved.
“Gardevoir really knows me.” “I only came home today, yet she even prepared braised Slowpoke Tail.” Gardevoir looked at him calmly.
“Second Treasure was the one who asked me to buy it.” Of course…
Without using telepathy, Xia Qianli couldn’t understand a single word she said.
And frankly…
Gardevoir couldn’t be bothered speaking to him telepathically.
If she hadn’t stayed behind to look after the three children…
She would have followed Mu Tong—Adrian’s mother—long ago.
Mu Tong was everything one would expect from the daughter of a prestigious family.
Elegant.
Gentle.
Graceful.
Like flowing water.
— After dinner…
Adrian stretched lazily across the living room sofa, enjoying a peaceful evening.
Xia Qianli quietly returned to his room.
A few moments later, Gardevoir approached Adrian.
“Second Treasure…” “Why hasn’t Third Treasure come home yet?” “I’ll ask her.” Adrian immediately opened WeChat.
— Big Brother: What time is it?
Why aren’t you home yet?
Little Potato: Isn’t it only seven o’clock?
Big Brother: It’s close enough to eight.
I’ll round it up.
Little Potato: Who calculates time like that?
Little Potato: If you’re rounding, then I’ll round it down to seven.
Big Brother: Talking back now?
Little Potato: I’m simply being reasonable.
Big Brother: Looks like you’ve forgotten the Sterling Family’s Number One Survival Rule.
Big Brother: Never argue with your older brother or sister.
Big Brother: Come home immediately.
Big Brother: Don’t make me come get you.
Little Potato: I’m coming!
Little Potato: Please don’t come looking for me!
— Reading the conversation, Adrian smiled proudly.
“Gardevoir.” “Chuchu’s coming home now.” Within the Sterling Family…
The youngest sibling had absolutely no authority.
As the youngest child, Xia Chuchu had spent her entire life under the unquestionable suppression of her older siblings.
Resistance was…
Completely futile.
— Meanwhile…
Inside Gholdengo Mall in Yindu City…
Xia Chuchu had just finished dinner with her greatest rival—and closest friend— Liu Ruyan.
The two girls had originally planned to continue shopping.
Instead…
Xia Chuchu looked at her phone and sighed dramatically.
“I have to go home.” “My terrifying big brother has summoned me again.” Liu Ruyan quietly sipped her milk tea through a straw.
Her skin was fair, her features delicate, and although she was still young, she was already growing into an exceptional beauty.
“Brother Adrian only worries about you.” “I think you’re really lucky.” “I wish I had an older brother like him.” “Oh, please.” “I’m not falling for that.” Xia Chuchu rolled her eyes dramatically.
“One day I’ll overthrow his rule!” “He treats me like I’m still in primary school.” “I’m almost in middle school already!” She clenched her tiny fist indignantly.
Liu Ruyan giggled.
“I still think he cares about you.” “That’s easy for you to say.” Xia Chuchu pouted.
“Anyway, I have to go.” “Let’s hang out another day.” “Okay.” Liu Ruyan smiled and waved goodbye.
— Ding!
Daily Mission Released.
Mission: Perform 100 Frog Jumps.
Reward: – 300 System Points – Rare Candy ×1 Restriction: Can only be used on Pokémon below Level 10.
It cannot break through level caps imposed by a Pokémon’s potential.
— Rare Candy “Instantly increases a Pokémon’s level with absolutely no side effects.” This was the first time Adrian had seen such a reward.
After completing the hundred frog jumps…
A single colorful candy appeared in his hand.
At first glance…
It looked completely ordinary.
“Here.” Adrian tossed it toward Beldum.
At that moment, Beldum was exactly Level 9, making it the perfect candidate.
Without hesitation, Beldum swallowed the candy.
The effect was immediate.
Its aura surged.
Its level instantly rose…
Level 10.
Adrian’s eyes lit up.
“This thing is incredible.” If he possessed enough Rare Candies…
Beldum could evolve into Metang, or perhaps even Metagross, far sooner than expected.
Unfortunately…
Such treasures were obviously extremely rare.
Feeling the increase in its strength, Beldum immediately turned toward Adrian.
Its single crimson eye sparkled expectantly.
“Do you have another one?” Adrian slowly opened his empty hand.
“That’s all for today.” “I’ll get you another one next time.” Beldum looked slightly disappointed.
— “Alright.” “Time for training.” Adrian headed toward the training grounds.
Beldum and Aron hurried after him.
Thanks to Adrian’s Perfect Steel Heart, Steel-type Pokémon trained nearly ten times faster than normal.
At first glance, this ability didn’t seem especially effective on Beldum.
But appearances were deceptive.
Pseudo-Legendary Pokémon naturally matured far more slowly than ordinary species.
With the Perfect Steel Heart enhancing it…
Beldum’s growth rate had already become comparable to that of an ordinary Pokémon.
The difference was even more obvious with Aron.
In less than a week…
Its level had already reached Level 6.
Even so, Adrian continued focusing most of the Perfect Steel Heart’s power on Beldum.
Without its support…
The little Pseudo-Legendary’s growth would slow dramatically.
For Adrian…
Helping Beldum reach its full potential remained his highest priority.
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