Pokemon: Reborn Rich Alternate Earth

In five days he had to find the Glossy Ganoderma—the key issue was that Julian had already explored the entire Hara Desert, and his Dowsing Machine hadn't found a single red dot indicating an Ultimate treasure.

Thus, Julian had no choice but to search elsewhere.

So far, the only place in Drakoria where the Glossy Ganoderma had appeared was the Hara Desert. Even in Advanced-level and Top-tier secret realms, this treasure had never been found.

Perhaps it existed in some of the secret realms but simply hadn't been discovered yet.

However, without knowing which secret realm might contain it—and with time running short—Julian could only explore just a single Advanced-level or a single Top-tier secret realm within the remaining five days.

Randomly picking one and praying it had the Glossy Ganoderma? The odds of that happening were virtually zero.

"Young Master Walker, my father kept notes on how he and Mr. Aldridge found the Glossy Ganoderma."

"Mm."

Julian nodded, not particularly interested.

After all, how could handwritten notes compare to his Dowsing Machine? If even the Dowsing Machine couldn't find the Glossy Ganoderma, what use were some old notes?

"Young Master Walker, the notes mention that the Glossy Ganoderma was found by Mr. Aldridge and my father after a Level 10 sandstorm in the Hara Desert."

"Moreover, they had visited that very hill before—at the time, there was no Glossy Ganoderma there."

Hearing this, Julian's eyes lit up slightly.

"Are you suggesting the Glossy Ganoderma's appearance is linked to the Level 10 sandstorm?"

"I can't be certain, but that's what the notes record," Walter replied.

If the Glossy Ganoderma truly emerged due to the sandstorm, then it might still be in its incubation phase now. Only when the next Level 10 sandstorm swept through the Hara Desert would it fully mature.

And during its incubation, even the Dowsing Machine would be unable to sense it.

"A Level 10 sandstorm… how long would that take?"

Julian's flicker of hope vanished just as quickly. The Hara Desert's Level 10 sandstorms occurred only once every few decades. By the time the next one arrived, his grandmother would long since have passed.

Julian gaze shifted to the "Ice Core" in the System Shop.

This Ultimate ice-type treasure had once allowed Rowan's Abomasnow to improve its Cyan-grade potential to Blue-grade, breaking through to the Pseudo-Champion tier.

But the Ice Core had another use—if used on a human, it would freeze them, preserving their last traces of vitality. Once the Ice Core was removed, the person would thaw and their life force would return.

The price was 500,000 points, which Julian could afford.

If he truly couldn't find the Glossy Ganoderma in time to save his grandmother, then this would be his last resort—use the Ice Core to seal her fading vitality, then revive her once the Glossy Ganoderma (or another cure) was found.

This was his final contingency—buying time to extend her life. As long as he could keep her alive, finding the Glossy Ganoderma or another life-saving treasure would merely be a matter of time.

Of course, the Ice Core's effectiveness lasted for only fifty years—once that time limit passed, it loses its power, and even using a second one would have no effect.

"A Level 10 sandstorm… it should hit by tomorrow," Walter muttered.

"What did you say?"

Julian immediately grabbed him by the collar, visibly agitated.

Walter quickly motioned to reassure his children before speaking calmly: "This Level 8 sandstorm has already lasted longer than usual. In the past, it never lasted more than two days."

"But now it's already the third day, and it seems to be getting even stronger."

Julian glanced at the Light Screen wall. He couldn't really feel it himself, but Metagross beside him nodded in agreement—the sandstorm was indeed intensifying. The durability of the Light Screen was depleting faster than before.

"But how can you be sure it'll reach Level 10, and not just Level 9?" Julian pressed.

"Because Level 9 is just a transitional phase—it quickly escalates to Level 10."

"I've lived through two Level 10 sandstorms. Once a Level 8 storm strengthens into Level 9, it's almost certain to become Level 10."

After hearing Walter's explanation, Julian pulled out his phone to check if Hara City had issued any official warnings. And sure enough, there was a message:

[Hara City Government: The meteorological department has detected the formation of a Level 10 sandstorm in the Hara Desert. All residents and travelers are advised to evacuate to designated safe zones immediately. In case of emergency, dial 100086.]

The next message listed the locations of nearby shelters.

That confirmed it—Walter was right. A Level 10 sandstorm was forming.

"How long until it fully develops?" Julian asked immediately.

Walter looked at the raging winds outside before answering, "About three days."

"And how long will the Level 10 sandstorm last?"

"One day."

'Just one day?' Julian was taken aback. He'd expected it to last much longer.

"And after the storm ends, the Hara Desert will remain completely calm for a full month. During that time, swarms of treasure hunters will flood in, and the chances of discovering rare treasures will be higher than ever."

A Level 10 sandstorm was both a disaster and an opportunity.

Julian nodded. If Walter's prediction held true, the Glossy Ganoderma might indeed appear after the storm. And if it did, his Dowsing Machine would find it.

"That's enough for today. You three can stay and rest here."

Checking the time—already past 11 PM—Julian decided there was no point in being anxious now. If Walter was correct, he'd have to wait regardless.

He hadn't been able to rest well the past few days, so he decided to head upstairs to get some sleep.

The Light Screen-constructed shelter had two floors, with a bed on the second level. Julian let Walter and his children stay on the spacious first floor, where they'd have plenty of room to rest.

"There's food and drinks in the fridge—help yourselves if you're hungry," Julian said as he headed upstairs.

Walter and his two children nodded.

Since the Light Screen was transparent, they could easily see the bed on the second floor—though not Julian himself once he lay down.

After sitting quietly for a while, Lucas's stomach growled. Without hesitation, he headed toward the fridge.

"What are you doing?" Walter whispered sharply.

"Getting something to eat."

By then, Lucas had already opened the fridge—a double-door model, packed to the brim with supplies. Probably even more than what they had at home.

A large portable power bank was plugged in nearby, keeping everything running.

The fridge was stocked with all kinds of high-end food and drinks, making Lucas's hunger even more unbearable.

"There's so much stuff! Brother, we should catch a Gengar too!" Lena had somehow appeared beside him, eyes sparkling as she stared into the fridge.

They assumed all these supplies had been stored inside Julian's Gengar.

"Sure, if you're not afraid of dying young," Lucas said, patting her head.

Gengar weren't particularly rare, and their ability to store items in their shadowy bodies made them ideal for wilderness and secret realm exploration—allowing trainers to carry far more supplies.

Yet few trainers actually owned one.

The main reason? All Ghost-type Pokémon subconsciously drained their trainer's life force. Trainers specializing in Ghost-types were notoriously short-lived.

Of course, if a Ghost-type was exceptionally well-bred, this wasn't an issue.

*****

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