Chapter Sixty-Six: The System's Anomaly

"What?!"
"System, are you serious?"
"Of course. Should I take them out for you to see?"
"System, could you repeat what you just said?"
"Certainly."
"Congratulations, Host, you have obtained the White Jade Soul and the Adamant Jade Soul."
Even hearing it a second time, Cheng Cheng was still startled. He had obtained, so easily, two items that could summon Palkia and Dialga?
"Aren't those two things supposed to be with Professor Rowan? How did I end up with them?"
"Naturally, I, the System, took the two Jade Souls over for you."
"You actually stole them?"
"Not stole—retrieved," the System replied with righteous indignation.
"How did you manage that?"
"This System is very powerful, you know. Retrieving two Jade Souls from somewhere is child's play."
"Won't it be discovered?" Cheng Cheng asked worriedly.
"Of course not. As long as you don't tell, no one will ever know it was you."
Cheng Cheng felt helpless after hearing this, hoping no one would suspect him. But since the System had already brought them over, it would be awkward to return them now. That would only complicate things further.
But what was he supposed to do with these two Jade Souls? Summon Dialga and Palkia? He didn't even have the Lake Trio—how could he summon them? And even if he did, it would be useless without the Red Chain to control them...
Wait—the Red Chain?
"System, you didn't also 'retrieve' the Red Chain, did you?"
"Of course. Since I took the two Jade Souls, naturally I also brought the Red Chain."
"What do you need the Red Chain for? I won't use it to control Pokémon."
"Naturally, it's not for you to control Pokémon. Besides, these Red Chains are already incomplete and can no longer control Palkia or Dialga. And these items won't be handed over to you—the System has its own purpose for them."
Cheng Cheng found this odd. Previously, taking the gems that controlled Groudon and Kyogre seemed justifiable, but this time, the System had taken two complete Jade Souls. What exactly was the System planning?
"System, I'm not summoning any Pokémon. Why did you bring these to me?"
"They will have their use later. Rest assured, the System will never do anything that harms you."
That line again—Cheng Cheng had heard it many times before. He had a hunch the System was plotting something, and he would need to stay vigilant in the future.
For now, matters concerning the System would be set aside. Cheng Cheng boarded his spaceship and returned to the breeding house he had left for some time.
He walked inside and found someone buying an egg—business seemed to be going well.
"Boss, you're back!" Xiaoli greeted him.
"Yes, I went traveling for a while and decided to come back for a look."
"Boss, while you were off traveling, you left just me and A Li here. It's been exhausting! This breeding house really is yours, isn't it?"
"Alright, alright! With you two here, everything is fine. If you're tired, I'll give you a raise. I have to be out there looking for new sources to supplement our Pokémon stock."
"By the way, let me see how sales have been while I was gone."
"Okay, I'll get the ledger."
Xiaoli ran to the counter, fetched the account book, and reported the recent sales figures.
Cheng Cheng had been away for nearly two months; in that time, they had sold twenty-seven Pokémon eggs and twelve Pokémon.
"Not bad. Keep it up, both of you. I'm heading upstairs."
"Alright, boss."
Cheng Cheng went up to the second floor via the side stairs. Returning to his room, he found it spotless and well-kept—Aunt Meixuzi clearly came by to help clean frequently.
He settled in and reviewed his recent gains.
"System, submit the task."
"Beep. Congratulations, Host, for completing the travel mission. Beginning data compilation.
Data compilation complete. Scoring as follows:
Completion: 94
Adventure: 96
Diversity: 85
Participation: 70
Growth: 85
Significance: 80
Total: 510
Congratulations, Host, you have received 510 achievement points. Due to the extended duration, rewards will be multiplied by 1.5.
Congratulations, Host, for receiving 1,020 achievement points."
Cheng Cheng was delighted by the System's report; he hadn't expected a 1.5x reward. The individual scores were also significantly higher than last time—overall, a great result.
After collecting his rewards, he found himself with over a thousand achievement points. But Cheng Cheng had no intention of spending them on a ten-pull draw. Multiple experiments had taught him that the ten-pull was a scam. Rather than gambling, it was better to buy items that could directly enhance his Pokémon's strength.
After reviewing his records, he felt a bit hungry. He opened the fridge to find it full of fresh ingredients—Aunt Meixuzi must have stocked them. The thought warmed his heart.
He cooked a couple of dishes, ate, and went downstairs to the breeding house. Having been away for two months, he was curious how the Eco-Park had changed and how the Pokémon he left behind had grown.
"A Li, you haven't gone home to rest yet?"
"Boss! I'll be done with these soon and head back."
Xiaoli had already informed him of Cheng Cheng's return, so A Li wasn't surprised to see him.
"I'll help you."
Cheng Cheng picked up two buckets of Pokémon food and carried them to the Eco-Park out back.

The Eco-Park had already taken shape; Pokémon were visible everywhere. The berry trees Cheng Cheng had planted had grown well, and he had taught A Li all the methods for berry cultivation he learned from Lulu. It was clear A Li was taking good care of them.
When A Li appeared, the Pokémon quickly gathered around him. Cheng Cheng felt a pang of sadness—he was their real trainer, after all.
Just then, a few Pokémon ran over to Cheng Cheng—they were his own. He hadn't expected them to still remember him, and he was moved.
After A Li finished feeding the Pokémon and left, Cheng Cheng gathered all the ones linked to him and checked their growth.

Pokémon: Chimecho
Type: Psychic
Level: 45
Grade: Green
Rarity: Rare
Ability: Levitate
...
Held Item: None
Moves: Bind, Growl, Astonish, Confusion, Tackle, Uproar, Yawn, Psywave, Take Down, Heal Bell, Safeguard.
Learned Moves: Protect, Psyshock.
——————
Pokémon: Kadabra
Type: Psychic
Grade: Light Blue
Rarity: Rare
Level: 20
Ability: Inner Focus
Hidden Ability: Magic Guard
...
Held Item: Twisted Spoon
Moves: Teleport, Kinesis, Confusion, Disable, Miracle Eye.
Learned Moves: Protect, Psyshock.
——————
Pokémon: Kirlia
Type: Psychic, Fairy
Level: 28
Grade: Green
Rarity: Rare
Ability: Synchronize
Special Ability: Telepathy
...
Held Item: None
Moves: Growl, Confusion, Double Team, Teleport, Lucky Chant, Magical Leaf, Heal Pulse, Calm Mind.
Learned Moves: Protect, Psyshock.
——————
Pokémon: Gothita
Type: Psychic
Level: 21
Grade: Light Green
Rarity: Rare
Ability: Frisk
Hidden Ability: Shadow Tag
...
Held Item: None
Moves: Pound, Confusion, Ticke, Fake Tears, Double Slap, Psybeam, Embargo.
Learned Moves: Protect.
——————
Pokémon: Natu (Mutant)
Type: Psychic, Flying
Level: 18
Grade: Pale Blue-Green
Rarity: Epic
Ability: Synchronize
Hidden Ability: Magic Bounce
...
Held Item: None
Moves: Peck, Leer, Night Shade, Confusion, Teleport.
——————

Pokémon: Slowpoke
Type: Water, Psychic
Level: 32
Grade: Blue
Rarity: Rare
Ability: Oblivious
Hidden Ability: Regenerator
...
Held Item: None
Moves: Curse, Growl, Water Gun, Confusion, Bind, Headbutt, Water Pulse.
Learned Moves: Protect, Psyshock.
——————
Pokémon: Sigilyph (Unknown Energy)
Type: Psychic, Flying
Level: 25
Grade: Blue
Rarity: Epic
Ability: Magic Guard
Dream Ability: Tinted Lens
...
Held Item: Unknown
Moves: Gust, Miracle Eye, Hypnosis, Teleport, Psywave, Tailwind, Whirlwind, Psybeam, Air Cutter, Light Screen.
Egg Moves: Assist Power, Psycho Shift, Ancient Power.
——————
Pokémon: Spoink
Type: Psychic
Level: 21
Grade: Deep Yellow
Rarity: Rare
Ability: Thick Fat
...
Held Item: None
Moves: Splash, Tackle, Psywave, Odor Sleuth, Psybeam, Confuse Ray, Magic Coat.
Learned Moves: Protect.
——————
Pokémon: Mr. Mime
Type: Psychic, Fairy
Level: 40
Grade: Green
Rarity: Rare
Ability: Soundproof
Hidden Ability: Technician
...
Held Item: None
Moves: Confusion, Barrier, Pound, Light Screen, Mirror Coat, Double Slap, Hypnosis, Meditate.
Learned Moves: Protect, Psyshock.
——————
Pokémon: Lunatone
Type: Psychic, Rock
Level: 48
Grade: Green
Rarity: Epic
Ability: Levitate
...
Moves: Tackle, Harden, Confusion, Rock Throw, Hypnosis, Psywave, Moonlight, Psychic, Wake-Up Slap, Future Sight, Explosion.
Learned Moves: Protect, Psyshock, Stone Edge.

Cheng Cheng saw his Pokémon had all grown significantly, especially those who traveled with him. It was time to focus on training the others as well.
During this period, not only had their grades improved, but they had also learned new moves—most notably "Psyshock" for everyone, and Lunatone had also picked up "Stone Edge."
But something was odd about Sigilyph's data; its growth had been remarkable despite Cheng Cheng not focusing on its training. Why had it grown so quickly?
He used the System to scan Sigilyph, but found nothing unusual. Cheng Cheng decided he would keep a close eye on Sigilyph for a while.