Aegislash Defense Battle!

Under Psychic power's protection, Xia Yan and his Pokémon descended underground.

Clearly.

This "Earth Membrane" should not have been so close to the surface.

It was only because Steelix had dug out some caves and tunnels, loosening the soil.

Once the pressure had been released, the fluid-like metal began rising uncontrollably.

The reason a basin had formed here.

Was also because the earth's compression had squeezed the vast quantities of rare metals and minerals within into a flowing metallic state—the "Earth Membrane" Xia Yan had mentioned.

The basin was so large that it could even house several Pokémon clans.

One could imagine how immense the entire compression process had been, and how many metallic elements and minerals had been compressed within it.

A rolling wave of heat rushed at them.

Compression, friction, and separation inevitably generated tremendous heat.

So even though the metal was now exposed to the air, it still retained its viscous liquid state.

Xia Yan looked at the mass of metal, temporarily unsure how to handle it.

It was undoubtedly valuable.

But judging by its current temperature, ordinary containers probably could not hold it. They would melt in minutes.

Even Alakazam's Psychic barrier might not last very long.

But waiting for it to cool would certainly take quite some time.

Just as Xia Yan hesitated.

Rumble—

The disturbance drew nearer and nearer. Even without Alakazam's reminder, Xia Yan could sense it.

His expression changed slightly.

With the "Earth Membrane" exposed to the air, even the energy radiating from it was enough to greatly tempt the surrounding wild Pokémon.

It was even more enticing than Sweet Scent.

Xia Yan's thoughts raced.

He looked at Aegislash beside him. It had been staring at the mass of metal as though it were about to drool.

Clearly.

Aegislash was one of