Chapter 53: Far Springs Joint Laboratory

Yuanquanhe Laboratory.

Taking one character from the names of Lin Shuyuan and Qin Quanyun, combined with the word "he" (meaning harmony), it symbolized the couple's lifelong harmonious union. This perhaps reflected the romantic sentiment deep within the souls of scholars, Xia Yu thought.

Established over forty years ago, the Yuanquanhe Laboratory was the most renowned Pokémon laboratory in the Imperial Capital and even across the entire nation. There was no other reason than the fact that Yuanquanhe was the very first laboratory in all of China to successfully develop the Z-Ring and Z-Moves.

Shortly after the development of the Z-Ring, Elder Lin and Elder Qin, who served as the primary researchers, stepped into the background and handed the laboratory's management over to their eldest son, Lin Xueyun. However, the two elders still visited the laboratory two or three times almost every week.

...

"Elder Lin."

When Elder Lin led Xia Yu through layers of security checks into the laboratory, researchers clad in white lab coats bustling through various areas of the facility respectfully greeted Elder Lin, while casting curious glances at the young man following behind him, silently wondering who he might be.

Those with even the slightest connections had naturally already guessed Xia Yu's identity. Recently, many had heard that Elder Lin's second daughter, whom he cherished dearly, had brought her young grandson to the Imperial Capital, reportedly to have him participate in the intensive training for the Dragon-type secret realm.

The Dragon-type Elite Four member had personally spoken up to grant an exception for an extra slot in the training class, a matter that had left quite a few people displeased.

"Elder Lin, Xia Yu, Director Lin asked me to come and pick you up."

Director Lin was naturally Xia Yu's eldest uncle, Lin Xueyun, the current director of the laboratory. Originally, Lin Xueyun had planned to pick them up in person, but an urgent matter arose at the last minute, so he specifically sent his assistant to welcome Elder Lin and Xia Yu instead.

"Our laboratory is massive, divided into numerous zones containing Pokémon of all types. It features various terrains such as mountains, forests, lakes, deserts, and plains based on different environmental needs, housing a wide variety of Pokémon. We have species like Paldean Wooper from Sakura Country, Cinderace from Europe, and even the extremely rare Charcadet. All of these represent Elder Lin's life's work."

The assistant explained to Xia Yu as they walked, acting as a tour guide. Hearing about his laboratory, Elder Lin felt a deep sense of pride. This facility had consumed his entire life's dedication; it was no exaggeration to call it his child. "Those are things of the past. Young people must look forward to the future," Elder Lin said.

With that, Elder Lin led Xia Yu to the entrance of the primary laboratory and said to him, "This is the main lab. Back in the day, your grandfather here constantly conducted experiments inside. I wouldn't go home for days on end, living right here in the lab, and it would explode every few days. Because of this, quite a few of my students secretly bought themselves life insurance. As they later complained to me, the very first thing they did when their salaries arrived was spend half of it on that month's insurance premium."

Recalling past memories, a smile appeared on Elder Lin's aged face. Although this laboratory had been renovated countless times, it held the memories of his entire life.

"Boom."

Just at that moment, a violent explosion echoed from within the laboratory. Although the sound was deafening, it caused no harm whatsoever to the three people outside.

Following countless rounds of reconstruction, the laboratory's safety coefficient had reached an exceptionally high level.

"Dr. Xueyun is currently researching a new project regarding Z-Crystals," the assistant standing beside Elder Lin and Xia Yu explained with a smile. Afterward, following a dual verification of palm prints and retinas, he led the two into the laboratory.

As soon as they stepped inside, Xia Yu saw a middle-aged man in his fifties whose facial features bore an eight-tenths resemblance to his mother. This person was none other than his eldest uncle, Lin Xueyun, whom Xia Yu had met once or twice during previous New Year gatherings.

As for the other two people, Xia Yu recognized one of them immediately: the stunning instructor of the training class, Long Yangning. Standing right beside her was her ace Pokémon, Kommo-o. At this moment, Long Yangning clearly looked troubled, her face etched with anxiety. The other person was a tall, handsome middle-aged man of around fifty years old, with slightly graying temples, an upright posture, and a robust build, bearing a distinct resemblance to Long Yangning.

"Elite Four Long. Yangning, you're here?" Elder Lin greeted them with a smile, and then introduced the middle-aged man to Xia Yu. "You certainly know Yangning, so I won't introduce her. This is Yangning's father, the Dragon-type Elite Four of the North China region, Long Fan. You being able to enter the training class is something you should thank your Uncle Long for."

"Thank you, Uncle Long."

"Elder Lin." Long Yangning and Long Fan greeted Elder Lin simultaneously. "It's a small matter. Being able to help Elder Lin is my honor."

"Dad, you're here?" Lin Xueyun was somewhat plump, with a prominent belly and a pair of gold-rimmed glasses perched on the bridge of his nose. He looked deeply worried, showing that the experiment had not been going well. However, upon seeing Elder Lin and Xia Yu enter, he forced a smile. "Xia Yu, long time no see."

"Eldest Uncle."

"Doing experiments isn't something you can rush." Elder Lin, wise with age, instantly spotted the disappointment on Lin Xueyun's face, realizing the experiment had failed once again. "Is it that Z-Crystal again?"

"Yes." Long Yangning nodded. The Long family possessed two Z-Crystals; one was the Dragon-type Z-Crystal in her father's possession, and the other was the Z-Crystal she currently held.

This Z-Crystal had been found by Long Fan within the territory of a Kommo-o flock. Because a person could only use one Z-Move, he had given this Z-Crystal to his daughter Long Yangning. However, no matter what she tried, Long Yangning could not resonate with this Z-Crystal, even after having Xiao Lin (Kommo-o) attempt moves of various types. Still, nothing worked.

Because of this, Long Yangning was extremely frustrated.

Xia Yu's eldest uncle, Lin Xueyun, was equally frustrated. This was already the second Z-Crystal they had encountered that failed to produce any effect. Outwardly, these two Z-Crystals did not belong to any of the eighteen known types, yet the instruments could detect a massive amount of energy contained within them, leaving them thoroughly distressed.

Xia Yu glanced at the Z-Crystal, and the system immediately provided a prompt.

[Kommo-oium Z]: When held by a Kommo-o, this item allows its exclusive move Clangorous Scales to be transformed into a special Z-Move: Clangorous Soulblaze.

[Clangorous Soulblaze]: Immensely powerful, guarantees a hit, and raises all the user's stats by one stage (Attack, Defense, Special Defense, Special Attack, Speed) after use. (Requires a Power Z-Ring)

...

Xia Yu saw through the problem at a glance. First of all, this type of Z-Crystal differed from ordinary Z-Crystals; it was a much rarer exclusive Z-Crystal.

Just like this Kommo-oium Z, apart from Kommo-o, it would have no effect if held by any other Pokémon. Furthermore, the Z-Ring needed to be upgraded into a Power Z-Ring, and concurrently, Kommo-o had to execute the move Clangorous Scales.

These three conditions were all indispensable.

Long Yangning had never been able to activate this Z-Crystal simply because she lacked the crucial condition of the Power Z-Ring.

In the games and anime, Ash's Z-Ring was directly upgraded into a Power Z-Ring by the four guardian deities of Alola, from which one could deduce that the core key to upgrading a Z-Ring into a Power Z-Ring was energy.

What should he do?

Xia Yu fell into deep thought. Since the Z-Ring had already been invented in this world, the invention of the Power Z-Ring was only a matter of time. He could completely leverage his foresight to seize the initiative, which would not only secure sufficient benefits for himself but also firmly establish the Lin family's academic and research status in the field of Pokémon—killing two birds with one stone.