After Adrian Sterling left, Qian Qing remained standing where she was, frozen in shock.
Her heart was still pounding with fear.
She had never imagined that two customers who had been politely bidding for a Carbink only moments ago would suddenly erupt into such a fierce conflict.
On the floor nearby, Lin Fan continued groaning in pain.
Qian Qing hesitated for a moment before walking over to check on him.
Although she had been annoyed by his earlier interruption, seeing him in such a miserable state still stirred a hint of sympathy.
Besides…
If something happened to him inside her shop, she had no idea whether he would try to blame her.
She crouched beside him and asked gently, “Are you alright?” “Should I call an ambulance?” Lin Fan struggled to raise his head.
His eyes burned with anger and unwillingness.
Yet beneath those emotions lay an even stronger obsession.
His obsession with that Carbink.
“I…
I’m fine…” “That Carbink…” “I have to get it…” he muttered through clenched teeth.
Qian Qing sighed helplessly.
“Stop obsessing over it.” “I’ve already sold it to that customer.” “And even if you hadn’t been thrown out, I still couldn’t have sold it to you.” “A business should always keep its word.” A trace of despair flashed across Lin Fan’s face.
Moments later…
It was replaced by determination.
“I know…” “But that Carbink isn’t ordinary.” “It must be hiding an incredible secret…” He struggled to stand.
Unfortunately, his injuries were too severe.
He collapsed back onto the floor.
Watching his obsessive behavior, Qian Qing couldn’t help becoming curious.
What exactly was so special about that Carbink?
Both men had been willing to pay such outrageous prices for it.
Yet during every inspection, its potential had appeared completely ordinary.
Had I really overlooked something?
The more she thought about it…
The more it felt as though she had just let a priceless treasure slip through her fingers.
— A year later…
While watching a live broadcast, Qian Qing saw the same handsome young man release a Diancie that stunned the entire world.
Only then did she finally understand what she had lost.
It wasn’t merely a gold mine.
It had been a path toward becoming a Champion.
— Meanwhile…
Adrian had already returned to his home in Yindu City with the Carbink.
The return journey from Anqing City took several more hours, so it was already quite late when he finally arrived home.
“Gardevoir.” “I’m back.” Gardevoir smiled warmly.
“Welcome home, Second Young Master.” “Are you hungry?” “Would you like a late-night snack?” Adrian nodded with a smile.
“Yes.” “I haven’t even had dinner.” Ever since he was a child, Gardevoir had been the one caring for him.
Her cooking surpassed even that of many state banquet chefs.
As a result…
Adrian had developed incredibly refined tastes.
He didn’t mind eating elsewhere when necessary.
But whenever he had the chance…
He always preferred coming home.
That made Gardevoir happier than anything else.
After all…
No mother-like figure disliked seeing her child enjoy the meals she prepared.
— While Gardevoir headed into the kitchen…
Adrian returned to his room.
He released the newly purchased Carbink.
The little Pokémon still looked frail and exhausted.
Now that Adrian was its Trainer…
It seemed afraid that its sickly appearance would disappoint him.
Despite its weakness…
It forced itself to appear energetic.
Seeing that effort…
Adrian couldn’t help smiling.
“You’re a strong little one.” “Don’t worry.” “I’ll cure you.” He gently stroked Carbink’s head.
Its current condition wasn’t caused by illness.
It was the side effect of an ongoing mutation.
If it successfully endured the process…
It would one day possess the potential to evolve into the Mythical Pokémon Diancie.
A true transformation…
Like a carp becoming a dragon.
If the mutation failed…
The best outcome would be a serious illness.
The worst…
Death.
— Adrian immediately opened the System Shop.
Compared with the alternative method suggested by the System—which only offered a 75% mutation success rate—the Mutation Potion guaranteed complete success.
A 100% success rate.
The only problem…
It was incredibly expensive.
The potion cost 10,000 System Points.
After saving for so long…
Adrian had accumulated only 12,000 points.
Buying this single item nearly emptied his savings.
Still…
Without hesitation…
He purchased it.
Holding the potion in his hand, he smiled gently.
“Drink this.” “You’ll get better.” — Although Adrian and Carbink had known each other for less than an hour…
And although Carbink’s Rock/Fairy typing meant Adrian’s Perfect Steel Heart had no special attraction for it…
The two were still complete strangers.
Yet…
The moment Carbink saw the potion…
Every instinct in its body screamed the same message.
Drink it.
Drink it now.
It will cure you.
It will change your future.
Without the slightest hesitation…
Carbink swallowed the Mutation Potion in one gulp.
It even swallowed the bottle itself.
Fortunately…
The bottle dissolved like soft jelly and caused no harm whatsoever.
— A few moments later…
Warmth spread throughout Carbink’s entire body.
An overwhelming wave of drowsiness followed.
Within seconds…
It peacefully fell asleep.
Adrian immediately activated the System to examine it.
— Name: Carbink Type: Rock / Fairy Level: 6 Potential: Elite Rank Ability: Clear Body Held Item: None Gender: Genderless Moves: – Tackle – Harden – Guard Split TM/HM Moves: None Egg Moves: None Special Note 1: Mutation Potion consumed.
Current Mutation Progress: 1% and continuously increasing.
When mutation progress reaches 100%, Carbink will successfully evolve into Diancie.
Special Note 2: Additional Mutation Potions can further increase mutation progress.
— Adrian stared blankly at the information panel.
“It seems…” “I underestimated this process.” Originally…
He had assumed that using a single Mutation Potion would immediately transform Carbink into Diancie.
Clearly…
That wasn’t how it worked.
The mutation had merely begun.
Only after the mutation progress reached 100% would Carbink truly become Diancie.
And to reach that point…
He would need to continue feeding it additional Mutation Potions.
Even a mutated Carbink wasn’t guaranteed to succeed.
There was still a possibility that the mutation process could stall midway.
“I wonder…” “How much progress does one Mutation Potion actually provide?” Adrian muttered to himself.
Just then…
Gardevoir’s voice drifted upstairs.
“Second Young Master!” “Your late-night snack is ready!” Adrian recalled the sleeping Carbink into its Poké Ball.
Then he hurried downstairs.
He was genuinely starving.
— As soon as he reached the dining room…
Gardevoir smiled warmly.
“Slow down.” “Be careful not to trip.” Tonight’s meal was simple.
A steaming bowl of hot oil wontons.
And a glass of fresh Moomoo Milk.
The spicy aroma of the wontons blended perfectly with the rich sweetness of the milk.
Already hungry…
Adrian’s appetite immediately doubled.
He picked up a wonton and swallowed it in a single bite.
Gardevoir quickly warned him, “Eat more slowly.” “They’re still very hot.” Adrian simply smiled.
“It’s alright.” “They don’t feel hot to me anymore.” After receiving two Physique enhancements from the System…
Every aspect of his body had improved dramatically.
His strength.
His endurance.
Even his resistance to pain and heat.
Before…
He would have instantly spat out food this hot.
Now…
The steaming wontons felt no hotter than the warm water he usually drank.
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