Chapter Summaries

Fang Yuan registered for the National Competition and met several rival division champions, including Zhuo Yue, whose powerful Metagross had made him a betting favorite. Yan Xiaoyun and Tang Sheng recognized Fang Yuan as a far greater threat than the rankings suggested, and the chapter left Fang Yuan asking Tang Sheng about a matter he had raised earlier.

• Fang Yuan went to the arena’s temporary Pokémon Center to register and have his Poké Balls inspected, then waited for the Magic University team.
• Zhuo Yue confronted Fang Yuan, who did not recognize him, and Tao Shengjie introduced Zhuo Yue as the top-ranked championship favorite while describing the betting rankings.
• Yan Xiaoyun challenged the rankings and recalled that Didu University had learned Fang Yuan performed at Quasi-Master Level during the Professional Assessment.
• Zhuo Yue declared he would claim the National Champion title and left with his teammates, while Fang Yuan greeted Yan Xiaoyun.
• Tang Sheng told Fang Yuan that Zhuo Yue’s Metagross made him a formidable opponent, but privately believed Fang Yuan could not lose.
• Fang Yuan asked Tang Sheng how the matter he had mentioned previously had gone.

Fang Yuan secured Magic University's support for Spirit World training and help with Dragonite's sleepwalking condition, while the school warned him about his risky plans. The school also promised him an Imposter Ditto after he became a Professional Trainer and offered support for a secret business idea.

• Tang Sheng told Fang Yuan that Magic University could arrange Spirit World training and provide Dusk Stones, but it would not give him a Dusk Stone Mine.
• Tang Sheng said the school would support Fang Yuan's efforts to cure Dragonite's sleepwalking condition and warned him that the old principal opposed his plans to compete in the World Championship Selection and travel abroad.
• Tang Sheng explained that Magic University planned to give Fang Yuan a Pokémon for protection once he became a Professional Trainer.
• Tang Sheng told Fang Yuan the Pokémon would be an Imposter Ditto raised by Doctor Li Qing, and Fang Yuan gladly accepted the offer.
• Tang Sheng offered school resources for Fang Yuan's business plans, but Fang Yuan kept his new idea confidential.

Fang Yuan's Pokémon continued to grow stronger as he advanced to the National Competition quarterfinals. His Milotic overwhelmed Zhao Zi'ang's Lombre with charm and precise attacks, leaving the match poised to continue with Zhao Zi'ang's next Pokémon.

• Fang Yuan's Klink, Infernape, and Milotic made progress in training, while Dragonite served as Milotic's charm practice target.
• Shu Yu forfeited her Top Sixteen match against Fang Yuan, and the next round left regional champions facing off alongside Ji Yan as the only preliminary qualifier in the Top Eight.
• Zhao Zi'ang prepared to face Fang Yuan, believing his Lombre's varied techniques gave him a chance against Fang Yuan's known Pokémon.
• Fang Yuan and Zhao Zi'ang began their quarterfinal match with Milotic and Lombre, and Milotic's charm techniques repeatedly stopped Lombre from obeying commands.
• Milotic defeated Lombre with a combination of Scald and Ice Beam, while Zhuo Yue considered how Metagross could resist Milotic's charm.

Fang Yuan’s Milotic defeated Zhao Zi'ang’s Glalie and Lunatone after surviving Glalie’s powerful Self-Destruct combination, completing a one-against-three victory in the quarterfinals. Fang Yuan returned to Magic University to a crowd of admirers, then learned Zhuo Yue had also gone one against three and said he wanted to face him in the semifinals.

• Zhao Zi'ang sent out Glalie, whose Double Team clones surrounded Milotic while avoiding its Charm, then used a special Self-Destruct combination to attack.
• Milotic emerged unharmed from Glalie’s explosion, recovered from the damage, and knocked Glalie out with Waterfall.
• Milotic defeated Zhao Zi'ang’s third Pokémon, Lunatone, with a variation of Water Tornado, securing a one-against-three quarterfinal victory.
• Fang Yuan returned to Magic University's seating area, where the Battle Department girls surrounded him with food and drinks as his teammates watched enviously.
• Fang Yuan learned that Zhuo Yue had also won one against three and told Ji Yan he wanted to defeat Zhuo Yue himself; Ji Yan objected to Fang Yuan suggesting he deliberately lose.

Fang Yuan’s Pokémon chose who would take on the next opponents, and Dragonite was assigned to battle Didu University’s Tao Shengjie in the National Competition semifinals. Dragonite overwhelmed Tao Shengjie’s Garchomp by breaking its Sandstorm and using Blizzard, leaving the match decisively in Fang Yuan’s favor.

• Fang Yuan had his Pokémon volunteer for solo battles, then drew lots that assigned Dragonite to face Didu University’s captain and Infernape to the second battle.
• Fang Yuan and Tao Shengjie entered the semifinals as the crowd and commentators reflected on Fang Yuan’s strength and the backgrounds of their teams.
• Tao Shengjie sent out Garchomp and used Sandstorm to activate its Sand Veil Ability against Dragonite.
• Fang Yuan ordered Dragonite to manipulate the airflow and break apart Garchomp’s Sandstorm, then turn Rain Dance and Hurricane into Blizzard.
• Dragonite froze Garchomp with icy winds, smashed it with Dragon Claw, and sent it flying in severe condition.

Fang Yuan’s Dragonite defeated Tao Shengjie’s Swampert, completing a one-versus-three victory in the semifinal. With Magic University set to face Hua University in the final, Fang Yuan answered Zhuo Yue’s championship declaration by revealing that he would lead with Infernape.

• Dragonite used its speed, airflow control, and close-combat strength to defeat Tao Shengjie’s Swampert.
• Fang Yuan’s victory over Tao Shengjie drew astonished reactions from spectators and senior Trainers, who discussed his independent rise as a Trainer and Senior Researcher.
• Zhuo Yue defeated Ji Yan in the other semifinal after saving Metagross for last, and he declared that Hua University would win the National Competition.
• Fang Yuan agreed to respond to Zhuo Yue before the final and announced that he would lead with Infernape.

On the eve of the National Competition finals, Eevee learned to copy Rotom Phone’s Thunder Shock, while Rotom revealed its Thunder Flame Mode research needed dangerous data from Infernape. Fang Yuan and Infernape resolved to attempt the technique in the coming battle, and the finals against Zhuo Yue began with Fang Yuan taking the stage.

• Eevee copied Rotom Phone’s Thunder Shock, prompting Fang Yuan to promise it an Evolution Stone after the competition.
• Rotom told Fang Yuan that its Thunder Flame Mode research required data from Infernape after the technique pushed it to its limits.
• Fang Yuan and Infernape decided to attempt Thunder Flame Mode against Zhuo Yue’s Metagross, despite the risk that Infernape would need days to recover.
• Zhuo Yue recalled his team leader’s warning about Infernape’s strength, speed, and possible second Ability, then resolved to win.
• Fang Yuan and Zhuo Yue arrived at the finals, and Fang Yuan entered the arena first as the battle began.

Fang Yuan’s Infernape overwhelmed Zhuo Yue’s Metagross in the National Competition Finals, then defeated Zhuo Yue’s other two Pokémon with three punches total. The Masters judged Fang Yuan to have Elite Four potential, and he emerged as the expected National Champion without revealing his full strength.

• Fang Yuan and Zhuo Yue sent out Infernape and Metagross to begin their three-on-three final battle.
• Zhuo Yue ordered Metagross to use Gravity, but Infernape endured the pressure and unleashed its Rage Form and Thunder Flame Mode.
• Infernape used Moon Step and electromagnetism to strike Metagross with a Sonic Iron Fist, then finished it with Flame Explosion.
• Metagross was knocked unconscious, and the commentators, Masters, and spectators reacted with shock at Infernape’s overwhelming strength.
• Master Ma Chenzong declared that Fang Yuan had reached another level, and Yan Hua agreed he showed Elite Four potential.
• Infernape defeated Zhuo Yue’s remaining Pokémon with three punches, completing a one-versus-three victory as spectators recognized Fang Yuan as the coming National Champion.

After the National Competition, Fang Yuan stayed with the injured Infernape and reflected on Eevee’s new abilities and his team’s progress. A conversation with Xie Qingyi helped him understand the stages of the Top Level Domain, though the chapter ended before he learned the full details.

• Fang Yuan remained at the Pokémon Center with Infernape, who had to rest for half a month after unleashing its full power against Metagross.
• Eevee examined its prize of ten Evolution Stones and showed Fang Yuan that it had awakened a Psychic-type Partner Move, allowing it to use Psychic Power without evolving.
• Fang Yuan considered how Eevee might learn Partner Moves for the Fire, Dark, and Fairy types, and planned to teach it Baby-Doll Eyes.
• Fang Yuan recalled Xie Qingyi’s explanation that several Elite Four Pokémon had reached Espeon’s level, while her Ninetales and Champion Jiang Li’s aces possessed Top Level Combat Power.
• Fang Yuan learned that the Top Level Domain had four stages and understood that its first stage involved perfected mastery of an attribute and highly condensed energy.

Fang Yuan considered the stages of top-level Pokémon strength and how different training methods could help Pokémon break through their limits. He concluded that Eevee’s unusual Calm Mind might be a top-level method and resolved to keep training while pursuing Professional Trainer certification.

• Fang Yuan reviewed the stages of top-level strength, from improved coordination and endurance to breaking through a Pokémon’s racial limit and reaching Guardian God Level.
• Fang Yuan learned that a top-level Transformation-Type Move Manual such as Calm Mind could help a Pokémon reach the Top Level Domain.
• Fang Yuan connected Eevee’s rapid Psychic Power growth to its special Calm Mind, ruby, and Destructive Gene, which let it store Sun Energy and convert it into Psychic Power.
• Fang Yuan considered whether their Sun Meditate method could be top-level and noted that Life Energy, Emotional Energy, and Mega Evolution offered other paths to greater strength.
• Fang Yuan accepted that he could not quickly match the Elite Four, but believed he could handle National Team selection and decided to obtain Professional Trainer certification.

A Small Secret Realm was expected to descend near Bai Yu Village, prompting San Hu City to assemble a response team and request help from Huaicheng and the Jiangsu Province Association. Fang Yuan arrived as the fourth explorer and revealed himself as the National Competition champion; the teams headed for the village as the Secret Realm’s energy tide neared Earth.

• The San Hu City Trainer Association issued a Class C disaster warning and prepared a blockade and exploration teams for the Small Secret Realm expected near Bai Yu Village.
• President Ning learned that Huaicheng could send only three Professional Trainers, with an Intern Professional Trainer from the provincial association joining them.
• Fang Yuan arrived at the association to complete the fifth gate of his Professional Assessment by assisting with the Secret Realm exploration.
• Huang Liuying recognized Fang Yuan as the National Competition Individual Champion and explained his accomplishments to Niu Yi and Qian Feng.
• The main Trainer force set out for Bai Yu Village while advance teams secured the village and an energy tide moved toward Earth Space.

Fang Yuan and the other Trainers prepared to explore the newly descending Secret Realm near Bai Yu Village, and Fang Yuan entered it ahead of the Association’s equipment to investigate two Trainers who had been pulled inside. He arrived in a lush environment that appeared to be inhabited by many Grass-type Pokémon.

• Fang Yuan reassured Niu Yi, Qian Feng, and Huang Liuying that his past Secret Realm expeditions had given him plenty of experience, and they agreed he could explore alone.
• While patrolling Bai Yu Village, Fang Yuan noticed its many lakes and considered researching Feebas evolution into Milotic during the long wait for the Secret Realm to merge with Earth.
• The Secret Realm descended, opening passages across Bai Yu Village, and Fang Yuan headed toward the nearest passage with Espeon, Rotom, and Magnezone.
• Deng Anqi told Fang Yuan that two Trainers had been pulled into a vortex passage, so he entered it with his Pokémon before the Association could build a transmission facility.
• Fang Yuan and his Pokémon emerged in a grass-filled environment, and he concluded that the Secret Realm was likely home to many Grass-type Pokémon.

Fang Yuan rescued two rangers in the Grass Secret Realm, held the entrance until the blockade was ready, and then ventured deeper to explore. He encountered an enormous Venusaur whose strength and size suggested the realm held more than ordinary Pokémon.

• Fang Yuan used his Pokémon to defeat a group of frenzied Grass-type Pokémon and rescued the rangers Han Kaiyang and Wei Xinmei.
• Fang Yuan sent the two rangers out to help establish a Blockade Line and stayed behind to stop Pokémon from crossing the passage.
• After the Blockade Line and transport facilities were completed, Fang Yuan set off deeper into the Secret Realm to explore and eliminate dangers.
• Fang Yuan and his Pokémon recorded the Grass-type environment as they traveled, but found no Pokémon at Professional Level.
• Dragonite stopped when the ground split open, and Fang Yuan saw a giant Venusaur emerge from the forest.

Fang Yuan and his Pokémon encountered a powerful Giant Venusaur and fought back after it attacked them. Venusaur’s nature-powered defenses withstood Magnezone’s assaults, and Espeon prepared to counter with Sun Fire.

• Fang Yuan asked Eevee to assess Giant Venusaur, and Espeon judged it to be at the pinnacle of Master Level, potentially as strong as Luo Ke.
• Giant Venusaur attacked with enormous Razor Leaf, prompting Magnezone to fire a charged thunderbird while Dragonite retreated with Fang Yuan.
• Venusaur blocked Magnezone’s attack with a powerful Frenzy Plant fueled by Grassy Terrain and Ground-type Awakening Power.
• Venusaur sent trees crashing toward Magnezone and Espeon, and its reinforced tree defenses caused Magnezone’s Railgun to explode.
• Espeon gathered Sun Energy and launched Sun Fire at Giant Venusaur’s Frenzy Plant.

Fang Yuan negotiated with a rational Giant Venusaur, learned about the Secret Realm’s three powerful forest groups, and helped cure several Bulbasaur of Alien Syndrome. Venusaur rewarded him with an Awakening Fruit, a rare Berry that could grant Pokémon a special power, leaving Fang Yuan wondering what abilities his Pokémon might awaken.

• Fang Yuan and Venusaur ended their brief fight and agreed to negotiate after Venusaur chose to protect its forest and companions.
• Fang Yuan exchanged information with Venusaur, learning that Venusaur Forest, Bellossom Forest, and Victreebel Forest formed the Secret Realm’s three major groups.
• Venusaur led Fang Yuan through a forest rich in rare Berries, where Magnezone used the League’s medicine to restore several Bulbasaur’s clarity.
• Venusaur gave Fang Yuan an Awakening Fruit and explained that Pokémon could awaken special powers by eating it.
• Fang Yuan considered what powers Dragonite, Milotic, Gluttony Ghost, and his other Pokémon might gain from the fruit.

Fang Yuan surveyed Bellossom Forest and Victreebel Forest after reaching an understanding with the Giant Venusaur in Venusaur Forest. He met Qian Feng in Victreebel territory and shared evidence that the Secret Realm was far more dangerous than its C-rank assessment suggested.

• Fang Yuan stored the Awakening Fruit and agreed to return to the Giant Venusaur with medicine, having established a peaceful understanding with the Venusaur Leader.
• Fang Yuan explored Bellossom Forest with Dragonite and Rotom, finding Oddish, Gloom, and Vileplume but no Bellossom.
• Fang Yuan observed that the Vileplume group was weaker and more disorganized than the Giant Venusaur's group, and Rotom photographed the Pokémon.
• Fang Yuan found Qian Feng resting by a river after Qian Feng's Pokémon had fought Victreebel traps in the jungle.
• Qian Feng warned Fang Yuan that Victreebel territory held at least twenty Victreebel and many Bellsprout, with a leader near Master Level.
• Fang Yuan showed Qian Feng Rotom's photographs and explained the three major dangers, prompting Qian Feng to say they should upload the information immediately.

Fang Yuan and the other Trainers prepared to begin a second round of exploration after Fang Yuan secured information from the Giant Venusaur. That night, Milotic ate an Awakening Fruit and awakened Psychic-type Awakening Power.

• Fang Yuan returned to the camp with Qian Feng, and Niu Yi and Huang Liuying arrived later after avoiding the Secret Realm’s major dangers.
• Huang Liuying praised Fang Yuan for reaching an agreement with the Giant Venusaur, while Qian Feng arranged for three Professional Trainers to arrive the next morning.
• Niu Yi and Qian Feng took the night patrol, and Huang Liuying urged Fang Yuan to rest before the next day’s exploration.
• Fang Yuan offered an Awakening Fruit to his Pokémon, and they chose Milotic to eat it first.
• Milotic sensed an azure ocean linked to its Psychic Power and awakened Psychic-type Awakening Power.

Fang Yuan and the Professional Trainers reentered the Secret Realm to clear its dangers, and Fang Yuan used Eevee’s healing moves to help the Pokémon of Venusaur Forest recover from Alien Syndrome. Afterward, he asked the Giant Venusaur for more Awakening Fruit, and the Venusaur offered him ten.

• Fang Yuan realized Eevee might be able to cure Alien Syndrome with Heal Bell or Refresh, but Espeon admitted it had not considered trying that before.
• Master Su Jin Feng met Fang Yuan, and the Professional Trainers divided into three teams to suppress the Vileplume Clan, the Victreebel Clan, and Venusaur Forest.
• Fang Yuan flew with his Pokémon to the center of Venusaur Forest, where the Giant Venusaur greeted them and accepted the special medicine.
• Fang Yuan and the Giant Venusaur helped all the Pokémon in Venusaur Forest recover from their confusion in less than an hour.
• Fang Yuan asked the Giant Venusaur for more Awakening Fruit, and it offered him ten.

Fang Yuan gave Awakening Fruits to his Pokémon while traveling through the Secret Realm, and Gluttony Ghost awakened Fire-type Awakening Power. The new power let Gluttony Ghost begin controlling its Black Flame, leaving Infernape dismayed at the prospect of facing it in the Third Fang Yuan Tournament.

• Fang Yuan collected ten Awakening Fruits from Venusaur Forest and left, planning to help other Pokémon elders in the Secret Realm.
• Fang Yuan stopped to rest on the way to Victreebel's territory and gave Awakening Fruits to Gluttony Ghost, Dragonite, and Rotom.
• Infernape emerged from its Poké Ball to watch Gluttony Ghost and Dragonite awaken, hoping they would not gain a type disadvantage against it.
• Gluttony Ghost ate an Awakening Fruit and awakened Fire-type Awakening Power, but Fang Yuan initially considered it useless.
• Gluttony Ghost discovered that Awakening Power improved its control over flames and managed to extinguish its Black Flame after a short time.
• Fang Yuan celebrated Gluttony Ghost's progress and predicted it could use Black Flame in the Third Fang Yuan Tournament, while Infernape imagined Gluttony Ghost mocking its fire skills.

Dragonite awakened Dark-type power from an Awakening Fruit, and Fang Yuan discovered that it intensified Dragonite's Sleepwalking Mode rather than making it easier to control. After the team subdued Dragonite, Fang Yuan concluded that Darkrai might hold the key to mastering the condition.

• Dragonite swallowed an Awakening Fruit and awakened Dark-type power, surprising Fang Yuan and the Pokémon.
• At Fang Yuan's instruction, Dragonite entered Sleepwalking Mode, where its Dark Aura fused with the surrounding airflow and greatly intensified its power and malice.
• Magnezone and Gluttony Ghost struggled to restrain Dragonite as it resisted Gravity and threatened to take flight.
• Eevee used Heal Bell to purify Dragonite's Dark Aura, and Dragonite woke to find the surrounding area wrecked.
• Fang Yuan reasoned that Hidden Power Dark was influenced by Sleepwalking Mode and identified Darkrai as a possible key to helping Dragonite master it.