Into the Dream, Choosing a Starter Pokémon

Summoning a Spirit Martial Soul continuously consumed Soul Power. In his excitement, Qian Bing had focused entirely on studying his Spirit Martial Soul and failed to notice the Soul Power being drained from his body. By the time he felt dizzy, his Soul Power was nearly exhausted.

So not long after he lay down, he sank heavily into sleep.

In a daze, he felt the darkness around him gradually brighten. His body seemed to be floating up and down on a soft cloud before finally settling gently onto a meadow of green grass.

Smack, smack, smack.

Qian Bing felt a little pain in his cheek.

"Why does it feel like someone's slapping me? Can't a person even sleep in peace? What a pain!"

He slowly opened his eyes...

Huh!

Why did the man before him look so familiar? He had beige hair, thick eyebrows, and a white lab coat draped over him.

He wasn't a doctor. He was...

"Holy crap, it's Professor Oak!"

Qian Bing shot upright. Looking at Professor Oak before him, then glancing around at his surroundings, his mouth instantly opened into a huge O.

"Xiao Bing, why are you still sleeping here? Today is the day you officially become a Pokémon Trainer. Hurry and come with me to the laboratory to choose your first Pokémon."

As Professor Oak spoke, he grabbed Qian Bing and pulled him to his feet, leading him toward his laboratory.

At that moment, Qian Bing followed behind Professor Oak in a daze like a wandering ghost, his head filled with question marks.

Who am I? Where am I?

Hadn't I transmigrated to the Douluo Continent six years ago?

After finally making it to the Spirit Awakening, how had I transmigrated again?

Could I be the legendary easy-transmigration type, randomly transmigrating whenever nothing was happening?

Oh my goodness!

While his thoughts ran wild, he was dragged into Professor Oak's laboratory.

After entering, Qian Bing gradually came to his senses. He saw rows of bookshelves lining both sides, packed neatly with countless books and materials about Pokemon.

As he followed Professor Oak farther inside, he found that the environment increasingly resembled a genuine research laboratory.

A long table divided the front and back areas. Two Spirit Balls sat on it, while a boy standing with his back to Qian Bing appeared to be struggling to choose between them.

Qian Bing looked past the boy and farther inside, immediately spotting the end of the laboratory.

There was another table against the wall on the left side of the far end. A computer sat on it, along with scattered notes and reports. It was probably where Professor Oak handled his daily work.

Against the wall on the right stood another row of locked bookcases. Clearly, the materials inside were classified secrets that couldn't be made public.

Professor Oak didn't let Qian Bing continue looking around. He immediately pulled him over to the long table in the middle.

"Gary, why are you still in the laboratory? Haven't you already chosen your first Pokémon?"

"Professor, I did choose Squirtle, but I was wondering if Bulbasaur might be a little stronger."

After hearing Gary, Professor Oak's expression turned solemn.

"Gary, a Pokémon's strength depends greatly on how its Trainer raises it. Since you've chosen your partner, you must trust it."

"Yes, Professor. I'll remember your teaching."

Seeing that Gary had corrected his attitude and come to his senses, Professor Oak relaxed and turned to Qian Bing.

"Of today's three Pokémon, Gary has chosen Squirtle, and Ash chose Charmander. That means the remaining Bulbasaur is yours."

Uh...

Great. Someone with choice paralysis didn't have to worry about making a choice after all.

Qian Bing dazedly accepted a Spirit Ball from Professor Oak when Gary's confident challenge rang out beside him.

"Xiao Bing, let's have a Pokémon battle!"

"..."

Before Qian Bing could refuse, Gary had already dragged him out of the laboratory.

"We'll have a one-on-one battle this time. Let's see whose starter partner is stronger. Go, Squirtle!"

What? Did I even agree to battle you?

Qian Bing felt utterly helpless. Seeing Gary summon Squirtle, he was just about to throw the Spirit Ball in his hand when his left palm suddenly grew hot. Then, a searing pain rose in both his eyes. Light and darkness alternated before his vision, making him dizzy.

His body staggered, and he hurriedly rubbed his eyes. When he opened them and looked at Squirtle again, a series of detailed data about Squirtle suddenly appeared in his mind.

Squirtle:

Its shell is soft after birth and needs some time to harden, but it is extremely elastic. Even when pressed with a finger, it immediately returns to its original shape after being released.

Type: Water

Quality: Quasi-King Grade

Level: 1

Gender: ♂

Skills: Tackle, Tail Whip

Nature: Gentle

Qian Bing wasn't slow to react. Connecting it to the warm current in his left palm just now, he immediately realized that his Spirit Illustrated Handbook Spirit had taken effect.

He was shocked!

His Spirit Martial Soul awakened on the Douluo Continent could actually work in the world of Pokemon!

"Hey, what are you standing around for? Hurry up and send out your Pokémon."

Only after hearing Gary's impatient urging did Qian Bing come back to his senses. He could only suppress his shock for now and throw the Spirit Ball in his hand.

He hadn't wanted this battle, but he absolutely couldn't lose!

He just needed to finish off his opponent quickly so he could properly investigate the secret behind himself.

"Go, Bulbasaur."

Bulbasaur emerged amid the red light released from the Spirit Ball.

Almost the instant he saw Bulbasaur, information about it appeared in Qian Bing's mind.

Bulbasaur:

It is said that when it is born, a mysterious seed is planted on its back, growing together with its body.

Quality: Quasi-King Grade

Type: Grass/Poison

Level: 1

Gender: ♂

Skills: Tackle, Growl

Nature: Gentle

Bulbasaur's skill information is included too! Qian Bing's heart leaped.

Becoming an elite Trainer was no simple matter. Not only did one need a detailed understanding of all kinds of Pokemon, but one also had to know every skill possessed by one's own Pokémon like the back of one's hand.

The Spirit Illustrated Handbook Spirit was practically a bug. Even though Qian Bing was completely unfamiliar with Bulbasaur, it could instantly provide him with the information needed to issue the correct command.

"Bulbasaur, use Tackle on Squirtle!"

Between Tackle and Growl, it was obvious from their names alone which skill was more useful. Naturally, he chose Tackle.

Although Bulbasaur had entered the battle after Squirtle, Qian Bing was "more familiar" with Pokémon skills, so he reacted faster. He issued his command a step before Gary did.

By the time Gary reacted and gave Squirtle the same command, Bulbasaur had already leaped in front of Squirtle.

Bulbasaur slammed into Squirtle with all its strength. Squirtle's Tackle had only just begun when Bulbasaur knocked it aside. Not only was the skill interrupted, but Squirtle also lost quite a bit of stamina.

This kind of beginner Pokémon battle was like catching the bus in the morning. If you were one second late, you had to prepare to be late for school and stand outside as punishment.

Gary lost the initiative and soon lost the battle under Qian Bing's relentless pressure.

"Damn it, I actually lost! My Squirtle lost to Bulbasaur!"

Gary's voice was filled with anger and disappointment.

Seeing how pained he looked, Qian Bing kindly offered him some consolation.

"Gary, our Pokémon haven't even started training yet. Losing at this point doesn't mean anything."

"Hmph, a loss is a loss. But I'll work twice as hard from now on. The next time I see you, I'll challenge you again."

After saying that, Gary raised his Spirit Ball and recalled Squirtle before turning around and leaving.

"This guy... He's truly a battle maniac."