How Strong Do You Have to Be to Count as Strong?

Lin Feng froze for a moment.

Because he could sense not only Milotic's presence within the Plantation, but also the auras of several other Pokémon.

Following those auras, Lin Feng quickly saw what the remaining Pokémon were.

Three Rattata, one Pidgeotto, and one Spearow.

They were all lying beside the Water Reservoir, their fur and feathers completely soaked.

Clearly, they had been hit by Milotic's Water Gun.

When Lin Feng approached,

Beneath the Clear Water Flow, a shimmering, multicolored figure flashed past. Then it broke through the surface, sparkling beneath the sunlight.

"Yuyu~"

Seeing Lin Feng return, Milotic immediately let out a cheerful cry.

"What are these?"

Though he already had a guess, Lin Feng still asked.

Appropriate questions and communication could deepen one's bond with Pokémon.

Although after evolving into Milotic, her Friendship toward him had not fallen but instead risen, reaching 99 by now.

"Yuyu~" (It was... it was these Rattata. They wanted to steal... the Spicy Pepper Fruits over there.)

Perhaps she was too excited to see Lin Feng, or perhaps it was simply in her nature, but she stammered slightly as she spoke.

"Mm, and then?"

Lin Feng smiled. "Take your time. No rush."

"Yuyu..." (Then I knocked them down... Then... these two Flying-type Pokémon. This one wanted to come down and steal Spicy Pepper Fruits, while this Pidgeotto seemed to fly down after seeing the Rattata below.)

This time, Milotic expressed herself much more clearly.

Lin Feng looked over the Pokémon.

The three Rattata were between levels 11 and 13.

The Spearow was between levels 15 and 17.

The Pidgeotto was between levels 17 and 19.

With that level of strength, it was hardly surprising that Milotic had knocked them down.

"Yuyu..."

Milotic's tone suddenly became dejected and anxious.

"Yuyu..." (A few fruits were stolen.)

"Hm?"

Lin Feng paused. He had thought it was something serious.

Then he remembered that Milotic had evolved from Feebas. Though her strength and talent had changed tremendously, she still seemed somewhat timid by nature.

He stroked Milotic's head and activated Evergreen Power. A soft green energy that put her at ease immediately surged forth.

Talking someone into submission only worked on Pokémon like Mewtwo, who were incredibly powerful and far away.

As for Milotic, whom he had already caught and whose Friendship was maxed out,

Lin Feng chose to directly use Evergreen Power to calm her.

"Don't worry. You did your best. Forget a few fruits—even if this entire Plantation were destroyed, it still wouldn't matter more than you."

He meant it.

To Lin Feng, it was merely a plot of land. Even if some Legendary Pokémon destroyed it,

he could simply find another place, rebuild the Plantation, and reopen the "Neighbor Breeder House."

But his Pokémon were different.

They were among the few things in this world worth striving for.

"Yuyu~!"

Milotic seemed stunned by his sincere feelings. The next second,

two streams of crystalline tears flowed from her eyes.

Congratulations, Host. Milotic's Friendship has reached 100. Reward: Silver Feather (a feather unique to Lugia, the legendary God of Ocean Currents. When worn by Psychic-type and Flying-type Pokémon, it grants a 15%-50% boost to Special Attack. Only Pokémon at Gym-level or above can wear it.)

Milotic's gratitude flowed into him, along with the system reward of a Silver Feather.

Lin Feng did not know whether to laugh or cry, yet he also felt a little wistful.

Pokémon...

They really were such simple creatures.

"Alright, go back. I'll handle these Pokémon."

Patting Milotic's body, Lin Feng sent her back, then turned to look at the Pokémon she had beaten until they lost their ability to fight.

The three Rattata had completely fainted. The Spearow and Pidgeotto merely could not move their wings, and they had also endured repeated blasts from the water.

It seemed the two Flying-type Pokémon had both considered running away midway through, only to be knocked back down by Milotic the moment the thought arose. Eventually, they no longer dared to think of escaping.

After thinking for a moment,

Lin Feng took out three Poké Balls. He first put the three Rattata inside, then looked toward the two Flying-type Pokémon.

"Spea!"

Under Lin Feng's gaze, the already bad-tempered Spearow seemed even angrier after being attacked by Water Gun earlier.

It flapped its wings, apparently intending to strike Lin Feng with Quick Attack.

But before it could move, Lin Feng grabbed it directly by the wing. No matter how it struggled, it could not break free.

The Snivy behind him was dumbfounded.

My Trainer caught a Spearow alive?

Could he have caught me alive back then too?

"You bad-tempered little thing. You tried to steal food, and now you want to attack someone?"

Lin Feng could not help laughing. He had originally planned to keep either this Spearow or the Pidgeotto as aerial support for the Plantation.

That way, they could patrol places Milotic could not see.

After all, Milotic was ultimately a Pokémon that swam in the water.

But now it seemed

this Spearow could not be kept.

After putting Spearow into a Poké Ball as well, Lin Feng finally turned his attention to Pidgeotto.

Pokémon: Pidgeotto

Gender: Male

Ability: Keen Eye

Aptitude: Blue

Individual Values: HP (21), Attack (21), Special Attack (18), Defense (17), Special Defense (17), Speed (23)

Strength: Level 17-19

Moves: Gust, Tackle, Quick Attack, Whirlwind, Air Slash, Steel Wing.

Friendship: 0 (It did not know what you intended to do.)

Joy Value: -5 (It would never again risk coming to human territory to catch Rattata.)

A Pidgeotto with fairly good aptitude.

That was Lin Feng's evaluation of Pidgeotto after reading the panel.

"Pidge~!"

Compared to Spearow's temper, Pidgeotto seemed much gentler.

"Pidge, Pidge!" He flapped his wings, indicating that he had only flown down after seeing the Rattata and had not come to steal the crops below.

"Mm, I understand."

Pidgeotto preyed on Rattata.

Though uncommon, it did happen in the Pokémon wilderness.

However, the fact that he had risked coming into human territory to hunt Rattata showed that he was already very hungry.

So...

Lin Feng took out a Stamina Energy Cube and conveyed through Evergreen Power, "Pidgeotto, would you be willing to live here with me? Food and lodging are provided. Every day, you only need to keep an eye on the Plantation and make sure Rattata do not get in..."

As for Rattata like these, he could only sell them to the League...

How Strong Did One Have to Be to Count as Strong?

"Pidge?"

Pidgeotto looked at the Energy Cube in Lin Feng's hand, and saliva began to drip from his mouth despite himself.

But he still held back and asked tentatively, "Pidge..." (Can you help me grow stronger?)

"Hm?"

That question stunned Lin Feng. Then he could not help asking, "How strong did one have to be to count as strong?"

"Pidge... Pidge!" (There is a Spearow in the forest that evolved into a Pidgeot. It took over our territory and injured many of our companions!)

Pidgeotto spoke angrily.

His territory had been taken, he had been driven from home, and he was starving.