Chapter 158

This skill was powerful enough that Qiao Ran immediately prepared to counter it.

"Don't panic! Aurora Veil!"

"Awoo!"

A dazzling, shimmering light screen unfolded in front of the Vulpix -Vulpix and surrounded it.

This light barrier reduced the opponent's Psychic power by half, and even if the remaining energy struck the Vulpix, it would cause very little damage.

Aurora Veil – A skill that can only be used during Hail. This skill lasts for a certain number of rounds and halves all physical and special damage received, making it a very powerful damage reduction skill.

It was this skill that allowed Vulpix to withstand a Psychic without much of a reaction.

"... Such a solid playing style."

Seeing this, not only was Eve stunned, but even Steel-type Gym Leader Iron Maiden couldn't help but shiver.

So far, not only have they not used a single attack skill, but they also preemptively sealed the opponent, followed by Hail, Aurora Veil, and then the Vulpix' own Snow Cloak Ability. This is just too much...

Iron Maiden glanced at the Vulpix' adorable appearance, but when it came to fighting, it was anything but cute.

If another Confuse Ray were to appear...

"Vulpix, Confuse Ray!"

Qiao Ran shouted the command instantly, and a dizzying yellow light emanated from the Vulpix Fox, heading straight for the Smoochum's face.

Iron Maiden was completely dumbfounded.

Good grief, are they trying to slowly grind the opponent down?

Stop! This isn't Pokémon battle!

Section 303, 299 [Straight Ball]

"... Why! Why did this happen?!"

On the icy Battle Court, Eve knelt down, her hands supporting her weight on the ground, her face filled with disbelief.

"I... I lost just like that???"

Aren't Pokémon battles supposed to be fun?

She didn't even know exactly what happened; she just watched as Smoochum was afflicted with a bunch of debuffs, and then was sprayed around by the Vulpix, which was hidden in the snow and running with aurora- Ice Beam.

What's most infuriating is that when this Vulpix used Ice Beam, all the Ice-type energy in the entire Battle Court converged. Just one beam caused a huge area of the ground to freeze over with thick ice. This power even surprised the Iron Maiden, Referee.

You're so strong, why can't we have a head-on duel?

This is truly despicable—it's like killing someone by destroying their spirit!

"Cough."

Qiao Ran glanced at the Vulpix, who seemed to be still enjoying the victory, and could only awkwardly look away. Actually, he didn't have many options; the Vulpix was just as cautious as he was.

However, Qiao Ran could understand why Vulpix would choose to do this.

Because she has been fighting alongside some incredibly powerful teammates, Vulpix has always had deep doubts about her own strength. This leads her to believe that even in this kind of battle, she should be fully prepared before launching an attack.

Want to fight without buffs? Want to win without inflicting some status effects?

I'm so weak, wouldn't it take several more of me?

Psychic? That would just cause an explosion; I couldn't withstand a hundred thousand of myself. Only an Aurora Veil could offer some protection.

In fact, Vulpix has quite a few skills in this state. If she wanted to develop in this direction, Qiao Ran wouldn't stop her. Besides, Vulpix doesn't like to evolve, just like Ash's Pikachu. She has her own reasons for not evolving.

"... Smoochum, thank you for your hard work."

Eve sighed and withdrew her Smoochum. She didn't have high hopes for this battle, after all, she had already lost once before, so losing again wouldn't be shameful.

But what she didn't expect was that the gap between herself and Qiao Ran seemed to be widening even without her noticing.

Don't get cocky! I'll be back!

After uttering a common phrase used by the defeated, Eve took Smoochum and left the battlefield; she needed to get Smoochum treated.

Moreover, these open-to-the-public combat facilities usually have supporting data teams, and finding a doctor is just a short walk away.

"That child does train hard usually." Watching Eve leave, Iron Maiden walked to Qiao Ran's side. "But it seems your progress is even greater than I expected."

"Have you been traveling and raising Pokémon at the same time during this period?"

"Um..."

Qiao Ran hesitated for a moment, but nodded nonetheless.

So, it's kind of like... traveling and nurturing at the same time?

However, his journey has already taken him to Otherworld.

As for the Vulpix -Vulpix's own progress, Qiao Ran felt that it couldn't be attributed to him. On the contrary, Qiao Ran always felt that he was the one who...

I feel a little guilty towards her.

In order to face potentially powerful enemies, Qiao Ran would focus more on strong Pokémon such as Yveltal, Dianxi, and Zacian. He usually wouldn't devote too much energy to weaker Pokémon such as Vulpix, Altaria, and Type: Null.

It wasn't that he disliked the Vulpix and the others, but rather that his energy was indeed limited, and he couldn't allow himself to relax and feel at ease.

Even now, although the Pokémon League held a "victory celebration" and made Yi Ruoyun a hero in the public eye, in the eyes of ordinary people, this matter has been resolved. However, in the eyes of those in the know, this matter will look completely different.

But in Qiao Ran's eyes, what he saw was completely different.

The crisis is far from over.

"You seem to be under a lot of pressure lately?"

Iron Maiden looked at Qiao Ran's face. In her memory, the boy wasn't like this before. Back in the Jinling Gym, she saw a vibrant young man challenging the Gym, but now... he seemed to be different.

Iron Maiden couldn't say whether this change was good or bad, but his face did look a little more mature.

"I just encountered a lot of things."

Qiao Ran let out a soft breath. He was indeed under a lot of pressure. Every time he went to a new region, he would bear different pressures. Qiao Ran did not arrogantly think that he was some kind of savior. He was just doing what he was supposed to do.

He was never one to remain indifferent to the suffering of others.

Perhaps, it is precisely because of this that he has become the way he is now.

Moreover, there's no way to talk about this kind of pressure with anyone else.

Fortunately, he still has Pokémon can interact with, and Lillie and the others.

"... It will definitely get better."

Qiao Ran muttered something to himself, seemingly confused. Frisk Qiao Ran's mood, Vulpix poked Qiao Ran's face with its tiny paw.

Are you free tonight?

"Huh?" Iron Maiden's expression suddenly froze, and then she obviously panicked.

"What... what are you going to do? Eve isn't back yet... no, how are we going to explain this when she gets back?"

Have you gotten older and more direct in your speech now? It's been a while since I've seen you.

"No, I just want to practice my Fighting type skills a little."

Qiao Ran scratched his cheek and glanced at the shovel in Iron Maiden's hand. Back at the Jinling Gym, Iron Maiden had taught him a lot about this, and after obtaining the Zacian's Sword, these skills came in handy.

However, Qiao Ran felt that it was still not enough. As for learning the skills of other Fighting type outside, Qiao Ran had considered it, but rather than learning those things, it would be better to communicate with Iron Maiden, who already had Pokémon blood.

"So that's what it meant?"

Iron Maiden's restless mood immediately relaxed; she had thought the boy was about to do something strange.

However, why is there a slight sense of regret?

"... Then come on, let's see how much you've grown during this time."

Iron Maiden released the shovel from her hand; its heavy weight caused cracks to appear in the surrounding ground.

Despite having seen it many times before, a bead of sweat still trickled down Qiao Ran's forehead.

Pokémon really is a world of high-level martial arts.

Section 304, 300 [a whole number]

How were today's revenue figures?

At the Pokémon Training Ground, the Shop Manager is inquiring about the day's business.

"... Not bad. Although fewer people are going out due to the previous crisis, the number of people at our Training Ground has actually increased!"

Although this situation was somewhat unexpected, it wasn't entirely incomprehensible. The previous crisis had spurred many Trainer into a sense of urgency, Trainer they were all eager to improve their skills. If these Trainer wanted to train, they had no choice but to come to their Training Ground.

Based on this trend, training services in Hangcheng are expected to continue to thrive.

It seems like we might be able to open a branch someday.

The Shop Manager stroked his chin, already having made up his mind, and then spoke.

"... Is there another Battle Court in use? Hmm... Once this one is finished, you should pack up and get ready to rest; it's already past business hours."

"... good."

Upon hearing this, the employee switched the surveillance camera to the Training Ground that was currently in use.

However, when he saw the scene in the Training Ground, his face froze.

"Forehead???"

He did this not because the Shop Manager demanded overtime as a matter of course, but because the condition of the Battle Court was simply...

The shop assistant had a completely horrified expression on his face.

"Shop Manager, who's using this Battle Court...?"

"What's wrong?" The Shop Manager frowned.

"There are two humans using this Battle Court!"

Shop Manager: "????"

"Ha?"

Human beings????

Why humans?

Good grief, this is a proper Pokémon Training Ground!

-

"Phew—I'm exhausted."

After a battle and a training session with Iron Maiden, which left Qiao Ran, who had been lying in Hospital Bed for several days, deeply felt that her former healthy self had returned.

However, he always felt that the shop assistants looked at him strangely when he left the Training Ground.

Could it be that something is wrong with me?

That shouldn't be the case.

"Sigh... With my current physique, I can only contend with 30% of Iron Maiden's strength?"

Qiao Ran felt that she was quite weak.

If he hadn't drawn Zacian's sword, Iron Maiden could have withstood his attack with just two fingers. However, Qiao Ran hadn't tried drawing the sword himself, since drawing a sword out of thin air was difficult to explain to others.

However, Qiao Ran was certain that he could never defeat Iron Maiden.

Even compared to Super Palletian who can wield Cosmoem, battle Lucario, and fight Beedrill, Qiao Ran still has a long way to go.

"You guys should get some rest too. I'll take you out to play again next time."

Looking at the room full of "Pokémon", Qiao Ran asked Rotom to send them all back to the Wild Area. Mei was a little reluctant to leave and insisted on going camping in the Wild Area as well.

"Trainers should live the wild! How about we go camping together today?"

"Stop fooling around, they need to rest too."

Qiao Ran his eyes at her. He himself wanted to go to the Wild Area and stay with Dianxi and the others, but unfortunately he couldn't.

Moreover, even compared to Pokémon, Mei seems to have inexhaustible energy. However, judging from her current state, she probably only finds the idea of Pokémon taking on human forms novel. Once the novelty wears off, she probably won't be this excited anymore.

Lillie nodded in agreement with Qiao Ran, "Yes, they must be quite tired. If they have something to do, they can go tomorrow."