Chapter 22: An Unexpected Reunion with an Old Acquaintance
So, from then on, besides strengthening Staryu’s Psychic abilities daily with Cosmic Power, Chen Xi began to try to make Staryu control the Shinny skill, not only making the Shinny skill bright but also dim.
While a colorful black was impossible, Chen Xi was quite satisfied with achieving a sparkling dim.
However, what surprised Chen Xi was Floette.
In Chen Xi’s original understanding, Floette’s level had already reached 69. To advance, she would need to comprehend at least fifteen types of Ancient Power to level up. In other words, she had hit a bottleneck.
But Chen Xi didn’t expect that ever since Floette used the Mimic skill to master Cosmic Power to comprehend the Psychic Awakening Power, she gained an additional harvest.
One full moon day, Floette, who was using Cosmic Power, suddenly resonated with the moon.
Not only did Floette gain a large amount of extra energy that was gathered into the gracidea flower in her hand, but her control over Fairy-type skills also greatly increased, especially the Moonblast skill, whose power more than doubled.
More importantly, Floette even mastered the Moonlight skill, which was not part of her own system, leaving Chen Xi with a face full of question marks, completely unsure of what had happened.
Fortunately, the outcome seemed to be a gain for Floette.
“Moonblast, Moonlight, Cosmic Power, Fairy-type… What is the connection here?”
To be honest, Chen Xi was stunned when he saw this, but after checking Floette, he found that besides the several Fairy-type skills she had mastered being more or less strengthened, there were no negative effects. He simply made a note of it.
As for the newly learned Moonlight, it was somewhat redundant for Floette, who had already mastered Wish.
But since it was a skill, Chen Xi wouldn’t despise it.
“It seems that in the future, I need to arrange a certain amount of time for Floette to bask in the Moonlight as much as possible…
Should I try to collect some Moon Stones? Preferably top-grade ones. Nidoran♂ will need one for evolution anyway.
But just in case, I’ll prepare an Everstone for him too.
The Cosmic Power skill seems to hold many secrets unknown to me.
Should I collect some planetary fragments, or star pieces, or comet fragments, or similar items?
Perhaps Staryu will gain extra benefits.
Also, top-grade Water Stones. Although Starmie won’t need them before mastering Hydro Pump, I should still prepare them!”
Chen Xi pondered and then issued an order to the Elf Garden to collect these items, making the Elf Garden operate quickly.
At this time, Chen Xi also didn’t stay in Yuanzhi City anymore but set off towards Pastoria City.
While the tactical system was important, the Small Elves’ levels could not fall behind.
Small Elves in their twenties were not even considered apprentice Trainers’ Small Elves; they could only be considered pets.
Regardless, Chen Xi still hoped their levels could increase a little faster.
So, upon reaching Route 212, Chen Xi stopped there.
Firstly, to train the Small Elves’ levels.
Secondly, because the special environment of Route 212 was very suitable for Grotle to master a skill: Synthesis.
Route 212 is a long “L”-shaped road, divided into the southern part (east-west direction) and the northern part (north-south direction).
The southern part often experiences heavy rain, while the northern part has clear weather. For Chen Xi, the clear, sunny weather in the northern part was exactly what Grotle needed.
Because Chen Xi hoped Grotle could master passive Synthesis, or rather, further utilize Synthesis.
Grotle’s long periods of Charge status required a considerable amount of stamina for a Small Elf to maintain.
Of course, for Chen Xi, feeding them was certainly manageable; it wasn’t a difficult task.
But merely the Charge skill alone couldn’t be considered a complete system, as the consumption was too great.
In the Yuan Family’s research on this system, a senior proposed using Grotle’s high-pressure state to transform Grotle’s Synthesis from an active skill into a passive skill that continuously operates at all times.
This was done to reduce the consumption of high-energy food by the Charge system. After all, this was only Charge Stage Two, and Grotle’s appetite was already comparable to Snorlax’s. If it reached Stage Three, it would naturally become even more terrifying.
It should be known that Small Elves like Grotle can theoretically grow as large as small mountains. If it truly reached that point, Chen Xi’s Grotle would likely find it difficult to maintain this Charge system.
Therefore, it was essential for Grotle to completely master Synthesis, transforming it from an active skill into a passive skill, and thoroughly perfecting the Charge system.
As for what extent would be considered Grotle having learned it, that would be when Grotle has surplus energy to grow fruit on the small tree on its back. This would indicate that Grotle’s Synthesis has completely become an instinct.
Even if it hasn’t fully mastered Synthesis, it at least proves that its internal energy supply has reached a balance.
However, for Grotle itself, as long as it doesn’t have surplus energy to bear fruit, it is not considered fully mature.
If Chen Xi were to forcefully level it up, grinding it into a Torterra, it would certainly leave hidden dangers.
Therefore, Chen Xi stayed on Route 212 for nearly a month, continuously perfecting various Pokémon systems and also leveling them up along the way.
Chen Xi successfully leveled Staryu to 37, and Grotle unhurriedly reached level 30.
That Nidoran♂ also grew over this month, successfully reaching level 5 and comprehending the Focus Energy skill, so training for Nidoran♂ could also begin to some extent.
And when a layer of fruit, quite unpalatable to humans but highly popular with Small Elves, grew on Grotle’s back, Chen Xi knew that Grotle’s foundational cultivation was complete.
The next step was to let it evolve naturally.
After completing this training, Chen Xi began to move towards Pastoria City to challenge the Pastoria Gym.
And just as Chen Xi had advanced a short distance along Route 212, he heard a commotion.
Adhering to the principle of looking for trouble when there’s none, and never missing trouble when there is, Chen Xi went to investigate.
He saw a Spirit Hunter trying to snatch a Trainer’s Small Elf.
Most importantly, Chen Xi actually knew this Trainer!
It was Ci Lang, Team Rockets’ Sasaki Ci Lang!
Even though he, like Chen Xi, was currently a twelve-year-old boy.
“Kid, hand over your Small Elf obediently, otherwise, you’ll get hurt,” the Spirit Hunter said with a ferocious expression.
At the same time, this Spirit Hunter also released a level 41 Hippowdon by his side.
“Snatching other people’s Pokémon is truly despicable! Come out, Carnivine!” Ci Lang said.
In an instant, as soon as the level 35 Carnivine appeared, it bit Ci Lang’s head.
If it weren’t for seeing Ci Lang forcefully pull the Carnivine off, one might suspect this Carnivine was trying to murder its Trainer.
“Even attacks its Trainer, huh? It seems this Carnivine is quite lacking in discipline!” the Spirit Hunter said disdainfully, stroking his chin.
“What did you say?!” Ci Lang said furiously, “Carnivine, use Grass Knot!”
In a flash, Carnivine waved its hands, and a flurry of Grass Knots attacked the Hippowdon in front of them.
“How boring, still have to fight!” With the Spirit Hunter’s sigh, a Sandstorm swept around Hippowdon. While the Sandstorm provided cover, Hippowdon used Yawn on Carnivine.
While using the Sandstorm to block the Grass Knot, it retaliated against the Carnivine in front of it.
“Grass Knot…” Ci Lang’s expression changed slightly, and he commanded Carnivine again, “Seed Machine Gun!”
Carnivine obeyed and promptly opened its mouth, spitting out tiny green seeds.
“Use Mud Bomb!” the Spirit Hunter, not showing any weakness, immediately commanded Hippowdon.
As Hippowdon spat out a Mud Bomb, Carnivine’s Seed Machine Gun was directly engulfed by the Mud Bomb.
And more importantly, even Carnivine’s eyes were hit by Hippowdon’s Mud Bomb.
Although not critically injured, its accuracy clearly decreased.
“Kid, hand over your Small Elf obediently!” the Spirit Hunter said with a smile to Ci Lang.
As he spoke, the Carnivine, which had been hit by Mud Bomb, slowly closed its eyes and fell asleep!
Clearly, Hippowdon’s Yawn was beginning to take effect.
At this moment, Ci Lang seemed to be in a desperate situation, only able to watch as the Spirit Hunter approached.
“Bubble Beam!”
Just then, a command came, and Ci Lang looked towards the direction of the voice as if he had seen a ray of hope.
A series of Bubble Beams landed on Hippowdon’s back, causing the Hippowdon to let out a painful wail.
“Kid, you’re asking for it!” Seeing that Chen Xi was alone, the Spirit Hunter said arrogantly, “Use Yawn!”
The Hippowdon in front of him yawned again, and a bubble slowly floated towards Staryu.
At this moment, Chen Xi calmly said, “Magic Coat!”
Staryu’s body surface flashed with a rainbow of colors, and the incoming Yawn was directly reflected back by Staryu, landing back on Hippowdon.
And this Hippowdon didn’t react at all, immediately falling into a deep sleep due to the Yawn.
Chen Xi said, “Salt Water!”
Staryu didn’t hesitate at all, decisively using Salt Water to finish off Hippowdon.
This simple and brutal response caused Hippowdon to lose its ability to battle.
It must be said that this Hippowdon’s quality was indeed poor.
Even though its level was slightly higher than Staryu’s, in terms of overall attributes, Staryu absolutely crushed it.
Seeing Hippowdon so easily defeated by Chen Xi, the Spirit Hunter said nothing, recalled Hippowdon, and fled.
Chen Xi had no desire to pursue him. In fact, if it hadn’t been Ci Lang who was being robbed, Chen Xi might have hesitated whether to intervene at all.
So, Chen Xi let the Spirit Hunter escape, then turned to Ci Lang and said, “Are you alright?”
“Thank you, my name is Ci Lang. May I ask how I should address my benefactor?” the young Ci Lang asked politely.
“Chen Xi…” Chen Xi replied casually, then said, “Isn’t Pastoria City within the jurisdiction of the Wetland Shrine?
Why is the public order so bad? I’ve encountered more than one Spirit Hunter on this road!”
“It should be the Great Marsh hunting event held by the Wetland Shrine,” Ci Lang pondered for a moment, then said, “I came here to participate in this grand event.”
Chen Xi heard Ci Lang’s words and came back to his senses. “Great Hunt, I remember now…
It’s that large-scale hunting event held once a year by the Wetland Shrine, allowing other Trainers not affiliated with the Wetland Shrine to enter.
Indeed, this event is certainly a frenzy for Spirit Hunters.
Since there’s this event, I naturally can’t miss it. How about it, want to go check it out together?”
Hearing Chen Xi’s words, Ci Lang’s face also showed a smile, and he very naturally said yes.
To be honest, among the Team Rockets trio, Chen Xi liked Ci Lang the most.
Especially since he had a gentle personality and many versatile abilities. Traveling with Ci Lang, Chen Xi said goodbye to dry canned food. As long as there were ingredients, Ci Lang would still make some simple dishes.
And this would serve as Ci Lang’s protection fee for the journey.
Traveling together, the two gradually became familiar with each other.
Ci Lang left his family because the Wetland Shrine sent him an invitation.
And Ci Lang also wanted to hone himself, so he suggested to his family that he travel alone.
Ci Lang’s family did not overtly stop him, but they certainly had people secretly protecting him.
If Chen Xi hadn’t intervened at that time, they would have been the ones to act.
While the Wetland Shrine’s Great Hunt nominally allowed anyone to sign up, there was actually a simple screening process.
Those who already had an invitation could naturally enter the final Great Hunt directly.
But those without an invitation had to compete with almost all Spirit Hunters for 200 slots. Over ten thousand Spirit Hunters signed up, and those who ultimately made it were basically Superior Trainers, or even higher level.
The Great Marsh is the private territory of the Wetland Shrine, opened to the public once a year, especially to Spirit Hunters, which is a very rare opportunity for them.
Because the quality of the Small Elves within the Great Marsh generally surpasses that of wild Small Elves occasionally encountered on the road. Moreover, the Great Marsh environment is also very conducive to the Growth of many special resources that help Small Elves grow quickly.
Therefore, Trainers who wanted to advance further naturally wouldn’t miss this opportunity.
Of course, for Chen Xi, an invitation was unnecessary. A quick visit to the Wetland Shrine should be enough for him to participate in this Great Hunt.