Chapter 63: Searching for the Leaf Stone

"The Weepinbell's tactical system is now pretty much established."

Leaving the Celadon Gym, Ace mused, "For close combat, I'll use the acid wrap tactic, controlling enemies with Powder and Vine Whip. For long-range, Razor Leaf for widespread attrition. As for its ultimate moves, we can work on those slowly. For now, Weepinbell's tactical system is complete."

"Next, let's go find that Leaf Stone."

Ace grinned, "Only the energy provided by those evolutionary stones can maximize Weepinbell's abilities. Once it evolves into Victreebel, it can make a qualitative leap."

Saying this, Ace tossed a Poké Ball. Aerodactyl grabbed Ace's shoulder and quickly flew towards Vermilion City.

Among the information Ace knew, the legend of Vermilion City was worth mentioning.

Legend has it that four inexhaustible evolutionary stones lie at the bottom of Vermilion Port. Later in the storyline, three of these four stones were taken by Giovanni and then fell into Ash's hands, helping his Eevee change forms.

Only one Leaf Stone remained, still slumbering at the bottom of the sea.

However, the plot hadn't progressed to that point yet, so all four evolutionary stones were still at the bottom of the sea. What Ace needed to do was dive to the seabed, find those four evolutionary stones, and claim them all for himself.

As for what would happen to Ash's Eevee in the future?

Who cares, after all, that Eevee eventually evolved into an Espeon, and three special evolutionary stones given to Ash would be a complete waste.

Vermilion City, the first place Ace came to in Kanto.

Back then, he was just a wanderer, with only a Zubat by his side.

But when he returned to this port city, his strength had already undergone an earth-shattering change, and he was accompanied by six Pokémon.

Vermilion City was divided into two parts: a central city and a harbor district.

Aerodactyl carried Ace, flying for a full day, only reaching the city early the next morning.

Ash once fell into this sea area, and later his Poliwhirl evolved into a Poliwrath. This confirmed that Poliwhirl must have touched the Water Stone to evolve into Poliwrath.

Moreover, Ash and his companions had traveled a certain distance on the St. Anne. It was clearly not likely to be near the coast, but rather some distance from Vermilion Port.

"Tsk, I only thought of this now that I'm here. Lapras hasn't learned Dive yet. If I rashly let Lapras take me underwater, it might be a bit dangerous."

Ace stood by the port, looking at the sparkling sea surface, feeling a headache for a moment.

"More expenses."

Ace recalled Aerodactyl, tossed a Poké Ball, and Lapras entered the sea.

With a gentle leap, Ace landed on Lapras's back. Lapras let out a soft cry, moved its limbs, and swam towards the open sea.

"System, I want to buy a diving suit."

Away from the port, Ace contacted the system, intending to buy a diving suit there. Then, using the diving suit, he would dive to the seabed with Lapras to search for the four evolutionary stones.

"I have selected the equipment for you."

The system thoughtfully opened a page, and a list of items appeared before Ace's eyes.

"Underwater Rebreather: High-tech product, absorbs underwater oxygen, filters it, and supplies it for breathing. Price: 6000 gold coins."

"Anti-Pressure Earplugs: Indestructible earplugs, effectively prevent water pressure from compressing eardrums. Price: 1000 gold coins."

"Pressure-Resistant Diving Suit: Indestructible diving suit, effectively prevents water pressure from compressing the body. Price: 3000 gold coins."

...

"Air Bottle: Compressed air bottle filled with high-concentration air, consumable. Price: 10 gold coins."

"Deep-Sea Diving Suit: Lead diving suit, heavy and difficult to move, requires a matching oxygen supply system. Price: 200 gold coins."

"Oxygen Supply System: Matching equipment, bulky, not easily movable. Price: 600 gold coins."

...

Looking at the dazzling array of diving equipment, Ace felt a tingling sensation in his scalp.

You get what you pay for. Ordinary diving equipment was cheap, but it was very unfavorable for underwater combat. If he encountered a Water-type Pokémon and the equipment was damaged, Ace would be crushed into paste by the water pressure!

"System, can this most expensive set help me dive into an underwater cave?"

Ace asked the system with some pain, thinking that as the plot developed, he might have to go to underwater caves later. Asking in advance would allow him to plan early.

"No problem. Even diving deeper will not affect the host's performance."

The system gave Ace a definite answer. Clearly, the system had planned it out well; the first few items were exactly what Ace desperately needed.

Ace roughly calculated: the underwater rebreather, earplugs, diving mask, diving suit, fins, and a waterproof and pressure-resistant backpack. All added up, 16,000 gold coins just like that.

"System, if I want Weepinbell to evolve into Victreebel to the greatest extent, what's the price of a Leaf Stone?"

"10,000 gold coins."

"...Never mind. Give me a set. I'll go look for them in the sea."

Ace was speechless. Although buying it from the system was only 10,000 gold coins, there were four special evolutionary stones at the bottom of the sea!

Even if converted to the most expensive evolutionary stones in the system, it would be 40,000 gold coins.

Compared this way, Ace felt that searching the sea was more cost-effective.

Soon, 16,000 gold coins were deducted. Looking at the remaining thousand-plus gold coins in his savings, Ace's heart was bleeding.

"Items have been sent to your backpack... Backpack is full, transferring to host's body."

Ace's mouth twitched. The massive backpack that had been with him from the beginning was already having trouble holding more items.

He needed to quickly get that spatial backpack from the main quest, otherwise, as his travels continued, he would need more and more items.

Soon, a black diving suit tightly fitted to Ace's entire body appeared on him. Except for his face, the entire diving suit conformed to Ace's body, leaving no part exposed.

The diving mask, underwater rebreather, earplugs, and fins were all in place. As for the expensive backpack, it looked cheap on the outside, like a transparent plastic film protecting Ace's regular backpack.

Ace took off his clothes, stuffed them into his backpack, and, wearing the diving suit and biting the underwater rebreather, he said to Lapras in a muffled voice, "Lapras, start descending."

Lapras turned its head to look at Ace's new attire, nodded, then plunged into the seawater, diving towards the seabed.

Lapras entered the water, and the not-too-cold seawater instantly enveloped Ace. Diving for the first time, Ace subconsciously held his breath.

But as the current stabilized and Lapras swam leisurely downwards, Ace subconsciously took a breath through his mouth.

Seawater instantly surged into the underwater rebreather, which, after layers of filtration, like fish gills, filtered out the oxygen from the water and provided it for Ace to breathe.

Everything was normal. Ace said to Lapras in a muffled voice, "Keep descending!"