Adversity Breeds Growth

The entrance to the hideout was packed with little children in matching light-blue striped pajamas!

Like startled chicks, they huddled together timidly, their little faces filled with terror, confusion, and a last shred of desperate hope.

A quick glance showed at least twenty or thirty children, ranging from four- or five-year-olds who still toddled about to seven- or eight-year-olds who were somewhat more mature.

At that moment, dozens of clear but uneasy eyes were fixed on Yan Yang, who had suddenly opened the door, and the Pokémon behind him radiating astonishing pressure.

Standing at the front of the children, trying her best to puff out her thin chest and maintain order, was the little girl he had met before—An Ke.

Her little face had gone pale from nervousness, but her eyes held a determination far beyond her years.

"An Ke?" Yan Yang swiftly tossed the metal pipe behind him and forced the gentlest smile he could manage. "What... what's going on? Why have all of you come here?"

His gaze swept quickly over the trembling children, and his heart sank.

Gathering so many children here made too big a target! They could easily be exposed!

But on second thought, this was good too... It saved him the trouble of searching every dormitory to rescue them one by one. He could take them straight out of this den of evil!

When An Ke saw Yan Yang, it was as though she had seen a savior. Her eyes lit up instantly, and she lowered her voice as she explained at breakneck speed, "Big brother... sorry... we didn't mean to disturb you... but... but things suddenly got really chaotic over in the dormitory area!"

She took a breath and tried to keep her voice from trembling. "I worked up the courage to sneak