"Good lad, I was indeed shortsighted before. I hope you don't mind!"
Mike's attitude towards Rex did a complete 180-degree turn. Successfully growing Revival Herb and Energy Root had clearly earned Rex significant respect.
"Grandpa Mike, it was just a stroke of luck that I managed to grow the Revival Herb and Energy Root. My planting skills aren't particularly advanced,"
Rex said humbly.
"By the way, Grandpa Mike, can I buy some more seeds from you? The quantity I planted before was indeed a bit too small,"
Rex asked.
"Of course, no problem. I do have some seeds left. Don't talk about buying them; I'll give you the ones I don't need for myself. The rest you can take for planting,"
Mike offered generously.
Last time, Mike had only given Rex a small amount of seeds, fearing that he would waste them. For Mike, obtaining seeds wasn't difficult. Every time he successfully grew a batch of Revival Herb and Energy Root, he harvested many seeds.
"Thank you so much, Grandpa Mike!"
Rex expressed his gratitude promptly.
"One more thing I need to discuss with you. Would your herbal medicine shop be interested in purchasing the Revival Herb and Energy Root that I grow?"
Rex asked somewhat bashfully.
When Rex posed the question, he did feel a bit embarrassed. After all, the seeds for his Revival Herb and Energy Root were provided by Mike. Now, after growing them, he wanted to sell them back. It did seem a bit forward, but to avoid the trouble of finding buyers later, Rex decided to ask.
"Haha, that would be perfect! We're always short on raw materials for making our herbal medicines. If you can sell us your Revival Herb and Energy Root, it would be excellent,"
Mike laughed heartily.
The medicinal herb fields on Mount Chimney weren't extensive, and due to the long growth cycle of Revival Herb and Energy Root, their herbal medicine shop was always short on raw materials. This shortage hindered their ability to expand the business.
Although their herbal medicines were bitter, they were highly effective and sold well. In fact, due to the rarity of Revival Herb and Energy Root, they were always in high demand.
After all, not every trainer had the means to raise healing Pokémon. Having an elixir that could revive Pokémon during wild adventures was invaluable for trainers.
Soon, Rex and Mike agreed that the herbal medicine shop would purchase all Revival Herb and Energy Root produced by Rex Farm. The purchase price was set at 5,000 Alliance Coins per Revival Herb and 3,000 Alliance Coins per Energy Root.
Rex was very satisfied with this price. As the scale of planting expanded, these herbs would bring significant revenue to Rex Farm annually.
After reaching an agreement with the two elders, Rex and Flannery chatted with them for a while before bidding farewell and leaving the herbal medicine shop.
"Rex, I didn't know you were so skilled at planting,"
Flannery remarked, as if seeing Rex in a new light, while they walked back to the Lavaridge Gym.
"That's right. I've planted many Berries and flowers too. I don't know much about planting, but I often rely on the help of Pokémon on the farm,"
Rex explained with a smile.
After returning to the Lavaridge Gym, they rested briefly before riding their Flying-type Pokémon towards Mount Chimney.
Back in the lava caves, Rex still felt the heat, but handled it much better than last time. Rex knew this improvement was due to the body-strengthening techniques he had been practicing, which had significantly enhanced his physical condition, naturally improving his tolerance to harsh environments.
After placing the Chimchar's egg on a stone platform, visible Fire-type energy converged from all directions and infused into the egg.
"Rex, how come you're not affected by the cave's heat this time?"
Flannery noticed the difference, as Rex didn't sweat profusely or struggle with the temperature like before.
"During my travels, I learned a set of body-strengthening techniques that significantly improved my physical fitness. I think that's why,"
Rex explained.
"It seems you've received a true fighter's heritage. These techniques aren't easy to acquire and require a lot of talent. Learning them during your travels is impressive!"
Flannery acknowledged Rex's achievement.
Since childhood, Flannery had practiced a set of movements passed down from her grandfather, which helped her withstand high temperatures. However, it was a family secret that couldn't be shared without her grandfather's consent.
"This technique was effective at first, but now it doesn't do much for my physical training,"
Rex lamented.
Without waiting for Flannery's reply, Rex took a Poké Ball from his belt and released his Combusken.
Upon release, Combusken felt a sense of comfort in the cave's rich Fire-type energy, stretching contentedly as it absorbed the energy, making its feathers more vibrant.
Rex knew that living here would rapidly enhance Combusken's strength. Unfortunately, there wasn't such an advantageous environment near Rex Farm.
Seeing Rex release Combusken, Flannery also released her Magcargo, which had been frustrated by losing to a Psyduck earlier that day, causing her trainer to be mocked.
Magcargo moved towards the lava lake and plunged in, disappearing from sight. Neither Flannery nor Rex were concerned; the lava lake was like home for Magcargo, naturally adapted to such environments.
Combusken, however, looked on enviously. Although it was also a Fire-type, it couldn't survive in lava for long. While Combusken could briefly enter the lava, it couldn't breathe within it, much like a duck unable to swim for long without drowning.
Most Fire-type Pokémon couldn't thrive in such an environment.
Soon, Magcargo resurfaced, accompanied by many Slugma. It was clear that many Slugma lived in the lava lake, likely connected to the Lavaridge Gym, similar to the Taillow that lived around Rex Farm. Although not officially owned, they were under his care and command.
(End of Chapter)