A Wonderful World (Please Keep Reading)

Shu Tong had already fallen asleep in the lounge.

Two roars rang out, jolting Shu Tong awake.

Shu Tong opened his eyes and saw that Qian Kaile and Makuhita had broken free of the Bug-type silk once again.

"Makuhita, that wasn't easy."

"Makuhita!"

The two muscular beasts actually hugged each other and cried, then collapsed in relief.

"They've passed out from exhaustion. They really gave it everything," Shu Tong said with a smile.

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 finally see a little hope.

Shu Tong took a blanket and covered Makuhita with it. As for Qian Kaile, someone built like him would be fine.

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

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

He placed a hand on Makuhita's body, and the life-filled Viridian Force entered Makuhita. Soon, both Makuhita and Qian Kaile were enveloped by Viridian Force.

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

Sure enough, both of them woke up and stretched lazily.

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

"You managed to dream in that short time?" Shu Tong said speechlessly.

"I felt like I suddenly received some sacred energy. Then it seemed to awaken a powerful, violent force inside me. Right now, I feel full of strength—like I could punch a bull to death." As he spoke, Qian Kaile waved his fist.

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

When Shu Tong saw the changes in Makuhita's information, his heart jolted.

[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]: Every time it stubbornly gets back up after being knocked down, it accumulates energy for evolution. The more energy it accumulates, the higher its talent will be after evolving.

[Recent Turning Point]: After using a Hondew Berry to enhance its Poison-type resistance, it will battle Toxic Grimer in five days and win by successfully knocking away Toxic Grimer's held item, the Pristine Toxic Orb.

[Recent Turning Point]: Viridian Force has awakened the Fighting Force within its Trainer. Sparring with its Trainer can improve its talent.

"That's an insane amount of information," Shu Tong blurted out.

"Hey, what's wrong?" 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. How did I not think of that? Come on, Makuhita." Qian Kaile became excited again.

His unintentional use of Viridian Force had actually awakened the Fighting Force within Qian Kaile. Sparring with his Pokémon could improve the Pokémon's talent—why did this suddenly feel so much like Bruno and Chuck?

So my Viridian Force can do something like this too. But one thing is certain: Fighting Force already existed within Qian Kaile. Its awakening this time was both a fortunate coincidence and perhaps something destined, just like how I came to this world carrying Viridian Force.

He possessed Viridian Force, and Qian Kaile possessed Fighting Force. Could there be other special powers in this world?

Who might possess those special powers?

Were they people walking the same path as him?

At that moment, Shu Tong was suddenly filled with endless curiosity about this world. It even felt unfamiliar to him now. He desperately wanted to travel to every corner of it.

What a wonderful world—so utterly captivating.

Of course, all of that had to be supported by sufficient strength.

So, this Pristine Toxic Orb...

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

Top-grade held items were treasures that could only be encountered by chance. They were far rarer than top-grade Evolution Stones.

After all, there were still traces to follow when it came to top-grade Evolution Stones. Mineral-resource Mystery Realms, for example, were scattered throughout the world. Even Jieshi Mystery Realm in this country contained many resources such as Evolution Stones.

Only top-grade held items could be obtained from Chance Mystery Realms. Whether or not one could obtain a top-grade held item depended entirely on the Mystery Realm's mood.

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

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, Zhu Zhixiang was the only person who might possibly possess a Pristine Toxic Orb.

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

After returning home, Shu Tong 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 special weighted training.

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

Shu Tong could no longer sit still. He had planned to wait leisurely for his opponent to come to him, but now he had no choice but to take the initiative.

After lunch, Shu Tong went straight to Lin Zeng.

"Master Lin, I need one-on-one sparring services with a professional Trainer 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 are sharp-tongued, kid. The club only has four professional Trainers in total. You saw yesterday's news, didn't you? Sheng Cai and Gong Yingchun both have injured Pokémon that are recovering. Another professional Trainer took leave a few days ago to return to his hometown. As for the only Elite Trainer, he's become Station Chief Zhu's son's private coach. He's definitely at Station Chief Zhu's home right now, instructing his son."

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

"Didn't they come back after the end-of-month assessment? He arrived in Apricot City yesterday and even met with his two subordinates," Lin Zeng said.

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

"There's nothing to be done about it. In this world, having money isn't enough—you need power too. You're still young. Once you reach my age, you'll be able to take everything in stride." Lin Zeng patted Shu Tong on the shoulder.

Both openly and indirectly, Lin Zeng had asked Shu Tong several times how he had raised his Weedle, but Shu Tong had brushed him off every time by saying that Weedle simply had high talent.

Shu Tong's eyes shifted as he came up with an idea. Perhaps he could meet Zhu Zhixiang this way. He might as well treat a dead horse like it was alive.

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

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