Chapter 159

Lillie spent almost the entire evening with Nihilego. Although the two had a deep history together, it seemed that now, that connection had become the link between them.

Qiao Ran witnessed all of this.

Lillie overcame not only her fear of Pokémon, but also her fear of Nihilego.

Taking this step will be a significant growth experience for her.

Moreover...

Lillie and Nihilego look so alike that Qiao Ran sometimes even suspects it's because Nihilego parasitized Lillie that they look so similar. As for the other parts of their bodies, Qiao Ran hasn't seen them, so he can't make any comparisons.

However, according to this theory, some things are quite obvious.

--Does anything that has parasitized Mei also resemble Mei?

What about the one who parasitized Lillie's mother Lusamine? Could a white-haired Lusamine also be created?

"No... something's not right."

Qiao Ran quickly stopped himself from having dangerous thoughts. If he continued thinking like that, he felt like he might awaken something terrible.

"Let's get some rest early tonight and go to the Gym in Hangcheng tomorrow."

Qiao Ran lay down on the bed, thinking about the battle at the Gym tomorrow.

The Gym in Hangcheng was destroyed in the last crisis, so a nearby Training Ground has been found as a substitute. Jiang Yuanhao and the other Gym train there and will temporarily accept challenges from Trainer.

Qiao Ran was determined to win this Gym Battle, not only because he was confident enough, but also because he had developed a greater interest in making money.

If things continue like this, he won't even have money to buy clothes.

As for that Qiao Yi...

A strange light flickered in Qiao Ran's eyes.

During the celebration party tonight, he also asked Jiang Yuanhao about Qiao Yi. According to Jiang Yuanhao, the girl is currently staying in another city, but now that things are gradually out of danger in Hangcheng, she is expected to return to Hangcheng tomorrow.

"Genesect is Pursuit people from the Pokémon World."

"So Lillie was attacked, and Qiao Yi was attacked for similar reasons."

"..."

Previously, Qiao Ran had doubted whether the other person was indeed Nurse Joy, but now, Qiao Ran was almost certain of it.

In the Pokémon World, there is no one who looks like Nurse Joy. Anyone who resembles Nurse Joy is, in fact, Nurse Joy.

"However, she hasn't regained her memory yet, and we don't know which city's Nurse Joy she's from."

Qiao Ran glanced at Mei, who was still lying on another bed scrolling through photos on her phone. If that "Qiao Yi" came back, he would take her along to meet her too.

Perhaps she'll recognize him.

Section 305, page 301 [Challenge]

Hangcheng Gym.

Or rather, a temporary base for the Hangcheng Gym.

While the original Hangcheng Gym was under renovation, this place became the Gym's assessment site, accepting challengers from afar.

The training business that was originally located in the Gym has also been moved here.

"Master... Gym Leader! A challenger has arrived!"

Suddenly, a Gym Trainer burst through the door, nearly startling Jiang Yuanhao, who was still squatting.

"Don't panic, who is it?"

Jiang Yuanhao stood up and calmed the Gym Trainer down.

"It's... it's that girl who was so strong during the siege!"

The Gym Trainer took a deep breath. During that battle, he had seen many powerful Trainer, but the one who impressed him the most was the girl who used Serperior.

Based on his assessment, this strength should already be comparable to their Gym Leader!

"And another one is the boy who came with Elite Four Yi back at the Gym!"

"Oh? It's these two who's here?"

Jiang Yuanhao's eyes lit up. As a Gym Leader, he didn't encounter opponents who interested him every day. When facing weaker trainers, he had to lower the strength of his team and use some weaker Pokémon that he didn't usually command.

In short, the role of the Gym Leader is not only to set challenges for Trainer, but also to provide them with Trainer. Under this premise, the Gym Leader's Pokémon must fluctuate in strength according to the challenger's ability.

"If it's the two of them, then I have no reason to hold back."

Jiang Yuanhao looked at the Poké Ball on the table and picked up the three in the center.

"My old buddies should satisfy them too, right?"

"It's so slow, why hasn't that Gym Trainer come out yet?"

"Mei, why don't you wait a little while? What if they have something else to do?"

At the entrance of the temporary Gym, Qiao Ran, Lillie, and Mei were waiting for the other party's reply. Qiao Ran had told them about his idea of challenging the Gym last night, and they had come along.

Mei, of course, needs no introduction. As a trainer, she would never miss any Competition. Moreover, she has now resigned from her job with Dr. Lilia and regained her freedom. Dr. Lilia understood and agreed to her request.

Without any pressure, she could easily follow Qiao Ran around and challenge the Gym. Although her initial thought was simply to be able to get to Qiao Ran's side immediately in case of an accident, at least—unlike a few days ago when she wasn't there.

As for Lillie, she was just a novice trainer who came to the Gym to observe and learn. To that end, she spent the whole night watching battle videos on her tablet, hoping to learn some advanced experience from Trainer online.

"Welcome, welcome to Hangcheng Gym."

A fit, athletic young man emerged from behind the door, a bright, sunny smile on his face.

"Although the previous Gym is still under renovation, the Battle Court here are quite good, so I hope you won't mind too much."

Jiang Yuanhao was extremely enthusiastic towards Qiao Ran and his group, which was noticed by several Gym Trainer nearby.

Under normal circumstances, Gym Challenge leader wouldn't need to come out to greet Gym Leader during a challenge. In fact, most Trainer would have to defeat several Gym Trainer to prove their strength before they could challenge Gym Leader.

Where else could they possibly come out to greet us so proactively?

However, the Gym Trainer standing behind Jiang Yuanhao understood why their Gym Leader would do such a thing.

"By the way, are you all going to take on the challenge? Or is it...?"

"No, only the two of us will take on this challenge."

Qiao Ran pointed to himself and Mei, while Lillie nodded in agreement, "I'm just here to watch."

"Oh? I knew it."

Jiang Yuanhao's face revealed a knowing smile.

However, he couldn't help but smile bitterly to himself.

If it's those two people... then he probably won't be able to receive any other Trainer today...

"Both players are ready!"

"Please send out your Pokémon!"

The first Gym Battle was against Qiao Ran. As for Mei, she was scheduled for the next round.

In the vast Battle Court, Qiao Ran and Jiang Yuanhao stood on opposite sides, each holding a Poké Ball tightly in their hands.

"Come out! My first Pokémon!"

As the Gym Leader, Jiang Yuanhao released his Pokémon first. This is Rules set by the Pokémon League: every time Pokémon are traded, the Gym Leader must release their Pokémon first. This is to reduce the difficulty of the Gym Challenge and give the challenger some time to think.

But...

Jiang Yuanhao looked at Qiao Ran's right hand, where Qiao Ran was tightly holding a Poké Ball.

Judging from this, does he not intend to take advantage of this, but has already decided on the Pokémon he will use?

Interesting.

Jiang Yuanhao's eyes blazed with fighting spirit.

With a flash of light, a plump sea creature with blue skin and white fur on its face and neck appeared.

A lion-shaped Pokémon appeared on the Battle Court.

Inside its mouth were two sharp, long teeth, gleaming with a dangerous light.

My first Pokémon was Walrein!!

"Roar!!"

Jiang Yuanhao Walrein roared simultaneously, shaking the entire Venue.

"Oh? It's this one?"

Qiao Ran's eyes showed a hint of surprise. Given his strength of only three Badge, Jiang Yuanhao would never have sent out Pokémon of this level. At most, he would have used some Magikarp Goldeen as a token gesture. But now it seems that the other party has made some adjustments.

Qiao Ran secretly took out Rotom and checked its level. Just as he expected, this Walrein was level 44, a level that only the top-tier Gym Leader could reach. Perhaps, this was Jiang Yuanhao's trump card.

Does he think my strength has reached that level?

Or are you trying to give me a hard time?

Qiao Ran narrowed his eyes, and after thinking for a second, sent out his first Pokémon.

He doesn't plan to change his choice at the last minute; besides, this is a great opportunity for him and his Pokémon to train.

"I've chosen you!"

"Mimikyu!!"

Section 306, Page 302 [vs. Walrein]

"Haha, they actually used this Pokémon to challenge the Hangcheng Gym?"

Jiang Yuanhao looked at the Pokémon Qiao Ran released with a surprised expression. He originally thought that when Qiao Ran challenged the Gym, he would use Pokémon that he had never seen before, such as the giant black bird, the blue giant wolf that used the power of water... Those Pokémon had already attracted his attention with just one glance.

Jiang Yuanhao actually favored Qiao Ran more than the young girl who could command a powerful Serperior, especially because of the blue wolf-type Pokémon; he hoped to battle it.

"She's actually quite strong."

Looking at the Mimikyu in front of him, Qiao Ran's expression was extremely serious. As a Trainer, he shouldn't only focus on those powerful Pokémon. Just like the battle with Vulpix yesterday, all Pokémon should have the opportunity to show themselves.

Moreover, even though Mimikyu's current level is only in the thirties, nearly ten levels lower than Walrein, Qiao Ran still doesn't believe they will lose. Overcoming a powerful enemy while at a disadvantage is also a challenge to his command abilities.

In the future, he will certainly encounter many more opponents who are stronger than him.

"..."

Looking at the Walrein across the Battlefield, Qiao Ran began to ponder.

Judging from its base stats, this opponent Walrein, is not a weak Pokémon. On the contrary, its base stat total of 540 is comparable to the Starter Pokémon, and even in the game, it takes more than level 40 to evolve this Pokémon.

Furthermore, it possesses excellent defensive attributes; however, due to the numerous weaknesses inherent in the Ice-type, this Pokémon is not a popular choice in battles.

Moreover, this Pokémon isn't very fast.

So, if you want to Defeat your opponent, the answer is obvious.

"Since you think it's possible, then show me."

Jiang Yuanhao crouched down and beckoned to Qiao Ran.

The Referee then announced the start of the Competition at just the right moment.

"Both sides are ready, the battle officially begins!!!"

"Mimikyu, Swords Dance!"

Strike first, strike hard!

As soon as the Competition began, Qiao Ran had Mimikyu execute the Swords Dance command. Although it seemed greedy to the extreme, Mimikyu was still much faster than the Oblivious Walrein.

Mimikyu's body began to tremble violently.

"Don't give him a chance, Walrein, use Water Gun!"

Jiang Yuanhao reacted immediately, trying to interrupt Mimikyu's Swords Dance with a more powerful Water Gun, but— Walrein was ultimately a step slower than Mimikyu.

When the torrent of Water Gun struck Mimikyu's location, it only hit the afterimage left by Mimikyu's movement; Mimikyu's main body had already begun to move, and not only that, but it had also completed its preparation for Swords Dance.

Attack power increased by two levels!