As if celebrating the healing of their companions' injuries, the Pokémon wore happy expressions as they hopped and skipped across the grass, chasing and playing with one another.
Watching the Pokémon, now lively and full of energy after being healed, Xiaocui's eyes reddened slightly. She said softly, "Thank you so much. Many Pokémon here had been unable to fully recover for a long time, but as soon as you arrived—they all regained their spirits."
"It was nothing." Dongshu shook his head. "I only did what I should have done."
"No, I should be the one thanking you." With a serious expression, Xiaocui bent at the waist and bowed to Dongshu.
Just then, a rustling sound suddenly came from the grass some distance away.
Immediately afterward, a Bulbasaur emerged from within, several medicinal herbs clenched in its mouth.
Dongshu froze slightly at the sight, but the next second, he saw the Bulbasaur charge at him with a hostile expression.
"Bulba! Bulba!"
Seeing this, the Squirtle standing beside Dongshu immediately stepped in front of him, pressing its head against Bulbasaur's and refusing to let it get closer.
"Squirtle! Squirtle!"
"Stop it, Bulbasaur!" Xiaocui hurriedly said. "Dongshu isn't a bad person. He's the one who helped everyone heal their injuries!"
"Bulba—?"
Hearing that, Bulbasaur paused. It then looked back at the surrounding Pokémon and saw that all the injured Pokémon had already recovered their health. It immediately froze in place.
"Squirtle!" Squirtle crossed its arms and looked at Bulbasaur somewhat angrily.
"What—what's going on?" Dongshu asked, puzzled.
"I'm really sorry!" Xiaocui explained apologetically. "Bulbasaur is actually this place's guardian. It has seen too many human Trainers hurt Pokémon, so it's very wary of unfamiliar Trainers. When it saw that everyone was injured just now, it went into the forest to look for medicinal