Route 120 was fairly flat, but it was clearly not as broad or well-kept as Route 119.
This was a naturally formed dirt road, beaten into shape by countless Trainers and rangers. Exposed tree roots and scattered gravel occasionally littered its surface.
Zigzagoon took the lead, running at the very front. It was incredibly fast, but every time it ran ahead a certain distance, it would stop and wait, its aqua-blue eyes vigilantly sweeping the surroundings.
Eevee and Krokorok stayed at Xinhai's sides, one keeping watch over the left flank and the other the right.
Their steps were steady and their auras restrained, but the instincts of hunters remained ever-present.
Charmander and Axew followed at Xinhai's feet. As they walked, the two little ones kept looking around, curious about everything around them.
"Hooi?" Charmander suddenly stopped and pointed at a cluster of blooming wildflowers by the roadside.
The flowers were brightly colored, with morning dew still clinging to their petals and glinting crystal-clear in the sunlight.
"Axew!" Axew moved closer as well, its purplish-red eyes curiously studying the flowers.
Xinhai smiled, walked over, crouched down, and took a careful look at the flowers.
"These are Bellflowers, a very common medicinal herb," he explained softly. "But their pollen has mild hallucinogenic effects, so it's best not to get too close."
"Hooi!" Charmander immediately backed away two steps, a trace of lingering fear flashing through its orange eyes.
"Axew!" Axew copied it, its little legs pattering as it retreated to a safe distance.
Xinhai couldn't help but laugh as he stood and continued onward.
After walking for about half an hour, the scenery around them began to change.
The once-dense forest gradually thinned out, replaced by stretches of open grassland.
But the grass was extremely tall, nearly waist-high, packed tightly together to