Ho-Oh's gaze was like a torch, fixed directly on Jiang Mo.
Jiang Mo felt a chill down his spine under that gaze and couldn't help but shiver.
He couldn't help but wonder, "Could this Ho-Oh really be telepathic? Did it just read my thoughts?"
He swallowed, trying to calm himself, then broke the awkward silence: "Lord Fenghuang, my Pikachu is on the verge of death. Only your Sacred Ash can save it. Please lend a Helping Hand!"
“Caw!”
Ho-Oh didn't respond immediately, only letting out a soft cry, its voice distant and profound.
As it cried, Entei, Raikou, and Suicune retreated, and the lake returned to calm.
Seeing this, Jiang Mo quickly took out Pikachu's Poké Ball from his waist and gently tossed it. Pikachu's weak figure appeared on the grass by the lake.
Ho-Oh lowered its head, carefully observing Pikachu, a hint of suspicion flashing in its eyes.
Then, a majestic yet gentle voice suddenly echoed in Jiang Mo's mind: "This Pikachu of yours is not simple. Sacred Ash alone might not be enough to save it."
Jiang Mo's heart tightened, and he quickly said, "Lord Fenghuang, I am acquainted with the Mythical Pokémon Mew. It has already agreed to use the world origin in conjunction with the Sacred Ash to treat Pikachu. Now, all that's missing is your Sacred Ash."
Ho-Oh's eyes flashed with surprise when it heard Jiang Mo mention Mew.
It hadn't expected Jiang Mo to have a connection with Mew. It seemed its judgment was indeed good; choosing him as the Rainbow Hero was not a mistake after all.
Looking at Jiang Mo before him, Ho-Oh suddenly changed the subject, its tone becoming serious: "Sacred Ash is not something that can be given away casually."
"It is an extremely precious treasure. What do you plan to offer in exchange?"
Jiang Mo was stunned for a moment, then firmly stated, "Lord Fenghuang, you chose me as the Rainbow Hero, you must have seen something in me."
"As long as Pikachu can be saved, if there is ever a need in the future, Jiang Mo will not hesitate!"
Ho-Oh did not respond immediately but remained silent for a moment, then slowly said, "The Sacred Ash has actually been on you all along."
"What?"
Jiang Mo looked confused, completely not understanding Ho-Oh's meaning.
Ho-Oh gently flapped its wings, and Jiang Mo felt a lightness at his waist. The rainbow feather actually flew automatically to Ho-Oh's front.
Ho-Oh's voice resonated in Jiang Mo's mind again: "Sacred Ash is actually the ashes formed after the rainbow feather is refined by Sacred Fire."
Jiang Mo suddenly realized that the source of the Sacred Ash was the rainbow feather!
He quickly said, "Lord Fenghuang, please refine the rainbow feather into Sacred Ash to save Pikachu!"
Ho-Oh did not agree immediately but asked meaningfully, "Do you know that the rainbow feather is the symbol of the Rainbow Hero's identity."
"With it, you can completely become the leader of the Shenzhou Alliance in the future, standing at the pinnacle of power and enjoying endless resources."
"Is it worth it for a half-dead Pikachu?"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Mo's expression instantly became serious.
He said without hesitation, "Pikachu is my first partner. It became like this to protect me."
"What Rainbow Hero, what Shenzhou Alliance leader, none of that means as much to me as Pikachu! I am willing to give up the identity of the Rainbow Hero, I only ask that you save it!"
Jiang Mo wasn't interested in this Rainbow Hero identity anyway. As for power, as long as Pikachu recovered successfully, it was nothing to him.
Ho-Oh seemed unsurprised by Jiang Mo's answer, but it didn't give up there.
With a flap of its wings, a Poké Ball at Jiang Mo's waist suddenly rolled out. A flash of white light appeared, and Charmander appeared at Jiang Mo's feet.
Charmander looked at Jiang Mo with a bewildered expression, then looked at the giant Ho-Oh in front of it, immediately becoming wary and letting out a warning growl towards Ho-Oh.
Ho-Oh ignored the little one and said to Jiang Mo, "The rainbow feather contains my original power. Long-term wear is of great Helping Hand to Fire-type and Flying-type Pokémon."
"This Charmander of yours has extraordinary potential and the potential to become a overlord."
"If you give up Pikachu, the rainbow feather can completely train Charmander to an extremely high level."
"Furthermore, I can personally guide it in the future, allowing it to become an existence not weaker than the Three Holy Beasts."
Ho-Oh's words were full of temptation, but Jiang Mo was unmoved because he really couldn't think of anything about himself that Ho-Oh would value so much, even offering to guide Charmander.
Jiang Mo admitted that the conditions Ho-Oh offered were undoubtedly very tempting. He knew Charmander's potential very well. If it could receive Ho-Oh's guidance, it would definitely become the ace of his team in the future.
If it were an ordinary person, they would probably have been convinced long ago. So many benefits in exchange for a half-dead Pikachu—many people would surely make such a choice.
However, Jiang Mo's gaze fell on Pikachu, and seeing its weak appearance, a strong sense of responsibility immediately welled up in his heart.
Pikachu became like this to protect him. How could he abandon it for profit?
Jiang Mo took a deep breath and said firmly again, "Lord Fenghuang, I admit your conditions are very tempting, but Pikachu is my partner, my most important family."
"I am willing to give up the identity of the Rainbow Hero; I only ask that you refine the rainbow feather into Sacred Ash to save it!"
Ho-Oh gazed at Jiang Mo, a look of approval flashing in its eyes.
It slowly nodded, then its body was engulfed in flames. Sacred Fire instantly erupted, enveloping the rainbow feather.
The rainbow feather gradually turned to ash under the refinement of the Sacred Fire.
Ho-Oh gently flapped a wing, and the handful of ashes floated into Jiang Mo's hand.
"Take it. This is the Sacred Ash you want."
Ho-Oh's voice echoed in Jiang Mo's mind, "Since you have made your choice, go down the mountain and save your Pikachu."
Jiang Mo held the Sacred Ash in both hands, his heart filled with excitement.
He then put away the Sacred Ash, turned, and stroked Charmander's head, saying, "Charmander, Ho-Oh's guidance is indeed very precious, but Pikachu is our partner and family. Please understand. I believe that even without this opportunity, your future achievements will not be low."
"Woo~"
Charmander had just been born at this time and was still a bit confused, not understanding what kind of existence Ho-Oh was.
It only knew that its Trainer was feeling a bit complex at the moment. It rubbed against Jiang Mo's leg, expressing comfort.
“Caw!”
Ho-Oh suddenly flapped its wings, stirring up a hurricane. Jiang Mo had to half-crouch to ensure he wasn't blown away.
Soon after, Ho-Oh disappeared into the horizon.
Before leaving, Ho-Oh looked back at Jiang Mo, very satisfied.
A Rainbow Hero should be like this: pure of heart and with genuine affection for Pokémon.
If Jiang Mo had chosen to abandon Pikachu, it would not have given him the Sacred Ash.
At that point, it would have simply crushed Jiang Mo and then personally gone to find Mew with Pikachu.
But who made him this Pikachu's Trainer? If it weren't for Pikachu, it wouldn't have chosen Jiang Mo as the Rainbow Hero...