For two or three days straight, Oliver toured Chang'an under Tian Xin's guidance.
They visited the Terracotta Army, walked along the ancient city walls, and explored Huaqing Palace…
Only by seeing it with his own eyes did Oliver truly grasp the weight of history carried by this cultural capital—something no amount of secondhand stories could ever convey.
Over these few days, Oliver had practically covered the entire urban area.
Yet the green leaf mark on the back of his hand showed no reaction at all.
That alone confirmed one thing:
The secret realm would not descend within the city.
On the outskirts of Chang'an, at a wetland park—
"This place is great for picnics," Tian Xin said with a smile.
"When we have free time at school, my classmates and I sometimes come here to relax."
Oliver, however, barely heard her.
The leaf-shaped mark on the back of his hand was slowly growing warm.
Is the secret realm going to descend here…?
Tian Xin continued, "Honestly, this spot is better for hanging out with friends. It's not that interesting for tourists. If you hadn't suggested it, I probably wouldn't have brought you here."
"Why don't you head back first," Oliver said abruptly.
"I want to be alone for a bit—"
Before he could finish, the warmth in his hand suddenly turned scalding, the change alarmingly fast.
"This is—no way. It can't be this coincidental!"
"Huh? What do you mean? And what were you saying about being alone?"
Oliver suddenly shouted, his voice sharp with urgency:
"Run! Now! This place is dangerous!"
The sensation roaring through his hand told him the truth—
The secret realm was descending right here, right now.
There was no time to explain. He grabbed Tian Xin, who was still stunned, and dragged her toward the outside of the park.
Though she had no idea what was happening, Tian Xin chose to trust him and ran with all her strength.
Then—
A terrifying suction force erupted behind them.
Damn it!
"Ah—! What's happening?!" Tian Xin screamed.
All across the wetland park, people were being dragged backward by the sudden pull.
Oliver shoved Tian Xin forward with all his strength, throwing her clear of the affected area.
Only then did she manage to turn back.
What she saw made her blood run cold.
A pale-blue, spiral-shaped spatial tunnel had torn open in midair.
More than a dozen people were lifted straight into the sky, swallowed in an instant by the vortex.
On the ground, dozens more struggled desperately—some clinging to trees or railings, others releasing their Pokémon and trying to escape with their help.
But the pull of a descending secret realm was terrifying.
Weaker Pokémon were dragged in the moment they were released.
Only a handful of people managed to escape with their Pokémon's help—and even they collapsed from exhaustion, unable to go back for others.
Oliver wrapped his arms around a nearby tree, his heart pounding.
This is the best chance to enter the secret realm.
If I wait for the Alliance to secure the area, someone without an official background like me might not get in for a very long time.
After making his decision, Oliver slowly loosened his grip, pretending his strength had finally given out.
"Oliver—!!"
Tian Xin turned just in time to see him pulled into the spatial tunnel.
There was no time to grieve.
Years of disciplined training kicked in, forcing her to stay calm.
She knew her own strength wasn't enough to enter a secret realm and rescue him. Rushing in blindly would only get herself killed.
The best choice was clear.
She immediately dialed the Pokémon Alliance emergency line.
Chang'an Pokémon Alliance Branch Headquarters
"Report! A massive spatial fluctuation has been detected outside the city. The frequency matches that of a secret realm. Preliminary judgment: a new secret realm is descending."
The branch chief shot to his feet.
"Location. How far from the city?"
"Within Wei Lake National Wetland Park, outside Chang'an."
The chief's face turned pale.
That park was usually crowded—this incident would involve many civilians.
"Mobilize rescue operations immediately! Notify all Veteran-level and above Trainers in Chang'an to enter the secret realm for rescue. Investigators are to assess the danger level at once. Civilian safety is the top priority!"
"Yes, sir!"
Before the report runner could leave, another call came in.
"Chief! We've received civilian reports. Dozens of people have already been dragged into the secret realm's vortex. Others are still barely holding on!"
"There's no time to assemble a full team," the chief said grimly.
"We move now."
Within ten minutes of the secret realm's descent, the branch chief's vehicle arrived at the scene.
Some civilians were still clinging to structures within the danger zone, their strength clearly fading.
Outside the affected area, a massive crowd had gathered—
some frantic with worry, others drawn by curiosity, and many livestreaming the event to the entire country.
"Look! Chairman Tian from the Chang'an Alliance is here! Those people will definitely be saved!"
The livestream chat exploded:
"What's the point of just a few people?"
"Yeah, he's not even a Gym Leader. What can an administrative official do?"
Viewers familiar with Chang'an quickly fired back:
"You don't know anything. Chairman Tian is a retired Alliance Investigator. His Pokémon are incredibly strong."
"That's right! The last secret realm near Chang'an was personally led by him."
Chairman Tian immediately ordered his staff to evacuate the crowd, then released his Pokémon.
A massive figure slammed into the ground, radiating overwhelming pressure.
"Rhyperior—go. Save them."
"ROAR!"
Rhyperior's immense weight rendered the suction meaningless.
Step by step, it advanced steadily into the affected zone, rescuing every remaining civilian in short order.
Soon after, Alliance investigators arrived and began securing the area.
Chairman Tian was discussing the rescue plan with Zhu Qianwei, the Chang'an Gym Leader.
Suddenly, a clear, desperate female voice rang out:
"Dad—! Please save Oliver!"
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