A Wonderful World

Shu Tong had already fallen asleep in the lounge.

Two roars suddenly rang out, startling Shu Tong awake.

Shu Tong opened his eyes and saw that Qian Kaile and Makuhita had broken free from the String Shot once again.

"Makuhita, that was not easy."

"Hah!"

The two muscle-bound beasts actually hugged each other and cried, then collapsed in relief.

"They passed out from exhaustion. They really gave it their all," Shu Tong said with a laugh.

Thinking back to the previous days, he and Weedle had exhausted themselves to the point of passing out every night. At last, the clouds had parted, and they could see some hope.

Shu Tong took a blanket and draped it over Makuhita. As for Qian Kaile, someone that sturdy would be fine.

I'll use some Viridian Force on you. Maybe it'll help you digest the Hondew Berry faster and recover your strength.

As Shu Tong thought this, his hands began to move.

He placed a hand on Makuhita. The life-filled Viridian Force entered Makuhita's body, and soon, both Makuhita and Qian Kaile were enveloped in it.

Qian Kaile and Makuhita suddenly stirred, and Shu Tong quickly stopped using Viridian Force.

Sure enough, they both woke up and stretched.

"I think I had a dream," Qian Kaile said, rubbing his temples.

"You had time to dream during that short nap?" Shu Tong said speechlessly.

"I felt like I suddenly received some sacred energy, and it seemed to awaken a powerful, violent force inside my body. I feel full of strength right now, like I could punch a bull to death," Qian Kaile said, waving his fist.

"Go back to sleep. You can have anything you want in a dream," Shu Tong teased.

When he saw the changes in Makuhita's information, Shu Tong was immediately startled.

[Name]: Makuhita

[Type]: Fighting

[Ability]: Thick Fat

[Moves]: Cross Chop, Tackle, Focus Energy, Arm Thrust

[Talent]: Mid-grade, high-grade stamina, high-grade attack, high-grade defense

[Recent Turning Point]: Each time it was knocked down and stubbornly got up again, it accumulated energy for evolution. The more energy it accumulated, the higher its talents would be after evolving.

[Recent Turning Point]: Its Poison-type resistance was enhanced through the use of a Hondew Berry. Five days later, it would defeat Toxic Grimer in battle by successfully Smacking Down the Pristine Toxic Orb it carried.

[Recent Turning Point]: Viridian Force awakened the Fighting Force within its Trainer. Sparring with its Trainer could improve its talents.

"That's a hell of a lot of information," Shu Tong could not help saying aloud.

"Hey, what are you doing?" Qian Kaile asked.

"Oh, nothing. Since you feel like you're full of strength, why not spar directly with Makuhita?" Shu Tong said.

"That makes sense. Why didn't I think of that? Come on, Makuhita." Qian Kaile became excited again.

The Viridian Force he had used without thinking had actually awakened the Fighting Force within Qian Kaile. Sparring with Pokémon could improve their talents. Why did this feel so much like Bruno and Chuck's style?

So my Viridian Force can actually do that too. But Qian Kaile must have already possessed Fighting Force within him. This time, it was awakened by a fortunate coincidence—or perhaps it had been destined all along, just like how I brought Viridian Force with me when I crossed over.

He had Viridian Force, and Qian Kaile had Fighting Force. Did this world possess other special powers as well?

What kinds of people might possess such abilities?

Were they people walking the same path as him?

At that moment, Shu Tong was suddenly filled with boundless curiosity about this world. It even felt unfamiliar to him now, and he could not wait to travel to every corner of it.

What a wonderful world. It made one yearn for adventure.

Of course, all of that needed sufficient strength to support it.

So, this Pristine Toxic Orb...

From Makuhita's Recent Turning Point, he finally understood Toxic Grimer's origins. It had merely been carrying a Pristine Toxic Orb.

Top-grade held items were things one could only encounter by chance. They were far more precious than top-grade Evolution Stones.

After all, traces of top-grade Evolution Stones could still be found. Mineral Resource Mystery Realms, for example, were scattered throughout the world. Even the Jieshi Mystery Realm within the country contained many resources like Evolution Stones.

Only top-grade held items could be obtained from Chance Mystery Realms. Whether one could obtain one depended entirely on the Mystery Realm's mood.

If he could obtain that Pristine Toxic Orb, Weedle's talents would be even stronger after evolving into Beedrill.

Suppressing his emotions, Shu Tong went to sleep in the lounge first. He still had to go to the club tomorrow. Now, all he had to do was wait for Zhu Zhixiang.

In Apricot County, the only person who might possess a Pristine Toxic Orb was Zhu Zhixiang.

The next day, when Shu Tong left, Qian Kaile and Makuhita were hugging each other on the training ground. Even in their dreams, they were still sparring.

When Shu Tong got home, he washed up, ate a nutritious breakfast with Weedle, and headed to the club.

After arriving at the club, Shu Tong was in no hurry. As usual, he first had Weedle undergo weighted special training.

By noon, Zhu Zhixiang still had not appeared. He had not even seen a single Professional Trainer in the club.

Shu Tong could no longer sit still. He had planned to wait at ease for the exhausted enemy, but now he had no choice but to take the initiative.

After lunch, Shu Tong went straight to Lin Zeng.

"Master Lin, I need a Professional Trainer's one-on-one sparring service this afternoon," Shu Tong said.

"That won't be possible." Lin Zeng shook his head.

"What, are you afraid I can't afford it?" Shu Tong said.

Lin Zeng said, "You really have a sharp tongue, kid. The club only has four Professional Trainers in total. You should know about yesterday's news, right? Sheng Cai and Gong Yingchun's Pokémon were both injured and are recuperating. Another Professional Trainer took leave a few days ago to return home. As for the only first-rank Professional Trainer, he has become Station Chief Zhu's son's private coach. He must be at Station Chief Zhu's house right now, coaching his son."

"Didn't I hear that the first-rank Professional Trainer went to Jinling with Station Chief Zhu's son?" Shu Tong asked.

"He came back after the end-of-month assessment. He arrived in Apricot City yesterday and even met with his two subordinates," Lin Zeng said.

"Then I don't have a chance," Shu Tong said.

"There's nothing to be done about it. In this world, it's not enough to have money—you need power too. You're still young. Once you reach my age, you'll understand and let it all go," Lin Zeng said, patting Shu Tong on the shoulder.

Lin Zeng had asked Shu Tong more than once, directly and indirectly, how he had raised his Weedle. But Shu Tong had brushed him off every time by saying, "Weedle is naturally talented."

Shu Tong's eyes shifted as he thought of an idea. Perhaps he could get to see Zhu Zhixiang. He might as well treat a dead horse like a living one.

"What Pokémon does Station Chief Zhu's son use? Is he very strong?" Shu Tong deliberately asked.

Lin Zeng looked at Shu Tong suspiciously. "Why are you asking that?"