Recaps

Xinhai met Akamatsu Jun, a renowned Pokémon painter, and learned that his Smeargle had become an accomplished artist. After touring more of Lilycove City with his companions, Xinhai returned to the Pokémon Center for the night.

• Xinhai recognized Akamatsu Jun's work and praised Smeargle's painting; Akamatsu Jun invited him to visit his studio.
• Akamatsu Jun and Smeargle left, and Xinhai promised Eevee, Little Fire, and Axew they could have portraits painted on a future visit.
• Xinhai and his companions explored the Pokémon Contest display wall and other sights around Lilycove City.
• Xinhai and his companions ate dinner near the harbor and returned to the Pokémon Center around eight-thirty.
• Xinhai rested on the sofa as his companions settled into their places and fell asleep.

Xinhai told Brawly that he had broken through the Three Gates after an encounter in the Nature Domain, then asked him for the training methods to use afterward. Brawly sent the methods, leaving Xinhai ready to begin training at his new level.

• Xinhai messaged Brawly to announce his Three Gates breakthrough, startling him with the news.
• Xinhai explained in a video call that he had entered the Nature Domain while helping rangers pursue poachers and had helped rescue a group of Treecko, Grovyle, and Sceptile.
• Xinhai told Brawly that the Sceptile clan had rewarded them with a rain of life energy that healed their hidden injuries and helped them break through their bottlenecks.
• Xinhai asked Brawly to send the training methods for after the Three Gates breakthrough, and Brawly sent him the file.

After arriving in Lilycove City, Xinhai learned Brawly’s guidance for training after breaking through the Three Gates and spent a quiet evening with his Pokémon. The next morning, he brought his companions to the Lilycove Elite Training Center and began their workout.

• Brawly explained the twelve-form training system to Xinhai, advising him to master each form’s movements before adding breathing and energy guidance, and to increase the workload gradually.
• Brawly told Xinhai to spend a few days adjusting to his breakthrough before starting formal training, and they chatted about the premiere of The Adventures of Lolo.
• Xinhai ended the call and rested in Lilycove City with Eevee and his other Pokémon nearby.
• The next morning, Xinhai rented a training room at the Lilycove Elite Training Center and released his twelve companions.
• Xinhai instructed his companions to jog twenty laps and stretch, then ran several laps with them.

Xinhai distributed enhancement potions to his Pokémon and began learning Brawly’s fighter training manual. After completing two rounds of the fourteen basic movements, his body trembled with pain and agitation, and he could not calm himself with Calm Mind.

• Xinhai gave his Pokémon potions and assigned them training according to his plan.
• Xinhai reviewed Brawly’s manual and began practicing its fourteen adaptive movements, coordinating each pose with his breathing and the current flowing through his Meridians.
• Xinhai completed the first round and began a second, finding the movements and their rhythms easier to coordinate.
• Xinhai finished the second round with his muscles trembling and his breathing disordered.
• Xinhai tried to use Calm Mind to settle his body and thoughts, but the dry heat and agitation prevented him from calming down.

Sorrel’s Pokémon fought Lei Ang’s Arbok and Gyarados in the mine tunnel, countering their coordinated attacks while Lei Ang’s Pokémon pressed toward Sorrel and the boy. The battle remained unresolved as Gyarados’s Aqua Tail battered Lunatone’s Psychic Barrier and water surged around it.

• Lunatone and Sandslash combined their Earth Power attacks against Arbok as Lei Ang ordered Arbok to use Stockpile and Gyarados to use Surf.
• Earth Power appeared to destroy Arbok, but Sorrel realized it had used Shed Skin and Speed Markings to escape beneath Gyarados’s wave.
• Sorrel ordered Lunatone to use Blizzard, freezing much of Gyarados’s wave as Arbok burst through the ice and sprayed venom.
• Sandslash blocked Arbok’s venom with spinning rocks and Sandstorm while Gyarados struck Lunatone’s Psychic Barrier with Aqua Tail.
• Lunatone reinforced the rippling Barrier as water, ice, and mud spilled around its edges toward Sorrel and the boy.

Xinhai used Tai Chi to calm the trembling and agitation caused by intense martial artist training, discovering that it complemented his strenuous exercises and improved the flow of his Qi. After eating while his Pokémon trained, he responded when Eevee came to tell him she was hungry.

• Xinhai struggled to control his trembling after basic martial artist exercises and decided not to interrupt Gardevoir's Calm Mind training.
• Xinhai practiced Tai Chi, calming his body and mind as Qi flowed through his Meridians and eased his muscle tension.
• Xinhai realized he could combine strenuous basic movements with Tai Chi to strengthen and consolidate his foundation.
• Xinhai checked the time, drank water, and ate his nutritious meal while watching his Pokémon train.
• Eevee ran over to Xinhai and told him she was hungry, so he took several sealed containers from his backpack.

Xinhai and his Pokémon finished a demanding day of training, then returned to their room in Lilycove City and prepared a seafood dinner together. The chapter ended as everyone gathered to eat.

• Xinhai fed his Pokémon lunch, shared fried fish with Eevee, Charmander, and Axew, and watched their growing energy.
• Xinhai practiced the fourteen basic movements, completed five sets, then used Tai Chi to ease the strain on his body.
• At five thirty, Xinhai ended training, praised his exhausted Pokémon, and promised Eevee a seafood dinner.
• Xinhai and Gardevoir shopped for dinner ingredients and snacks, then returned to the Pokémon Center room with his partners.
• Xinhai and Gardevoir prepared dinner and Pokémon food, and the Pokémon gathered around their bowls when the meal was ready.

Xinhai watched the first two episodes of the newly aired anime with his Pokémon and received enthusiastic reactions from friends and Scott. Over the following days, he continued special training with his partners at the Lilycove Elite Training Center.

• Xinhai watched the anime premiere with Eevee, Charmander, Axew, and his other partners, who eagerly followed the episodes.
• Eevee, Axew, and Charmander asked whether more episodes would air, and Xinhai told them two episodes would air nightly until the series ended.
• Brawly, Roxanne, and Flannery praised the episodes, while Scott told Xinhai the production team had polished them further and arranged staff to monitor audience feedback.
• Xinhai asked Scott to give the staff bonuses and a celebratory meal, and to watch for audience feedback and make adjustments if needed.
• Over the next few days, Xinhai brought his partners to the Lilycove Elite Training Center, where Blaziken, Gardevoir, and Eevee trained intensively.

Xinhai oversaw a week of intensive training as his Pokémon improved their moves, strength, and condition, while he practiced Brawly's twelve forms and Tai Chi. The exhausted team returned to the Pokémon Center, where Xinhai and Gardevoir prepared a seafood dinner for everyone.

• Eevee mastered Acrobatics, Icy Wind, and Ice Beam, while Xinhai's other partners trained and grew stronger in their respective areas.
• Xinhai had Weedle continue building its strength before evolving and trained Golem to control its power and Rock-type energy.
• Xinhai practiced the first of Brawly's twelve forms, then used Tai Chi to ease the strain on his body.
• After a week of special training, Xinhai returned to his Pokémon Center room and released his exhausted partners.
• Gardevoir helped Xinhai prepare a seafood dinner, and the partners gathered to eat.

After a week of intense training, Xinhai recorded his partners’ progress and gave them a day of rest at Lilycove Amusement Park. The exhausted group returned to the Pokémon Center after enjoying the rides, aquarium, and beach.

• Xinhai recorded his partners’ levels and new moves, noting that Krokorok had reached its limit and was waiting for evolution resources.
• The next morning, Xinhai announced that he and his partners would spend the day having fun instead of training.
• Xinhai took his partners to Lilycove Amusement Park, where Charmander and Axew rode the carousel and Eevee enjoyed the bumper cars.
• Xinhai and his partners visited the aquarium and beach, relaxing and playing by the sea.
• At sunset, Xinhai led his tired partners back to the Pokémon Center, where Eevee curled up on the bed and fell asleep.

Xinhai visited Akamatsu Jun at his home in Lilycove City, where they discussed their close bonds with their Pokémon and admired Smeargle’s paintings. Akamatsu showed Xinhai an unfinished painting of a Gyarados using Dragon Dance, while Smeargle said it wanted to paint one after he finished.

• Xinhai took his partners to visit Akamatsu Jun at his home on Coastal Avenue.
• Akamatsu showed Xinhai the paintings in his living room and explained that Smeargle had painted a prominent Milotic portrait.
• Akamatsu praised Xinhai for raising relaxed, trusting Pokémon, and explained that Smeargle stayed with him because they liked and supported each other.
• Akamatsu showed Xinhai his studio and an unfinished painting of a Gyarados using Dragon Dance, which he felt still lacked accurate movement.
• Smeargle told Akamatsu that it wanted to paint a Gyarados after he finished his painting.

Sorrel and Lei Ang exchanged powerful Ground-type attacks in the mine tunnel, while Lunatone and Sandslash helped Sorrel’s Pokémon strike the opposing team. After Sandslash’s Stomp badly injured Arbok, Lei Ang sent out Weezing to protect it.

• Sorrel sent out a huge Golem, whose Stomping Tantrum shook the tunnel and disrupted Gyarados and Arbok.
• Lei Ang sent out a scarred Nidoking, which fired Earth Power toward Sorrel, but Golem raised a sandstorm to block Gyarados’s Surf.
• Lunatone used Confusion to shape mud into Mud Bombs and launched them at Gyarados and Arbok.
• Sandslash’s Stomp overwhelmed Nidoking’s Earth Power and sent a shockwave toward Arbok.
• Arbok tried to dodge by slithering in an S-shaped path, but a ground tremor disrupted it and Sandslash’s Stomp smashed it into the tunnel wall.
• Lei Ang sent out Weezing between the injured Arbok and Lunatone.

Xinhai visited Akamatsu Jun, where Smeargle gave Eevee and the others a sketchbook filled with portraits of them. After returning to the Pokémon Center, Xinhai received the League delivery he had been waiting for.

• Xinhai looked through Smeargle’s Pokémon sketches in Akamatsu Jun’s study and praised its talent.
• Akamatsu Jun prepared lunch, and Smeargle served the meal before taking Xinhai’s Pokémon to play in the garden.
• As Xinhai prepared to leave, Akamatsu Jun gave him a sketchbook Smeargle had drawn for Eevee and the others.
• Xinhai thanked Akamatsu Jun and Smeargle, then returned to the Pokémon Center with his companions.
• Nurse Joy gave Xinhai a League package; he signed for it, passed iris verification, checked its seals, and carried it upstairs.

Xinhai opened a resource case he had obtained from the Hoenn League and inspected the evolution and growth items prepared for his Pokémon partners. He was pleased by the resources but worried about the more than twenty million he had borrowed to acquire them.

• Xinhai brought the case into the living room, where Eevee, Charmander, and Axew eagerly waited for him to open it.
• Xinhai examined the Type Crystals prepared for Krokorok, Weedle, Charmander, Axew, and Grovyle.
• Xinhai inspected a Fire Stone marked 89% quality and a Leaf Stone marked 88% quality.
• Xinhai identified an Elite-level Charizard's Dragon Fang for Charmander and an Elite-level Garchomp's Dragon Fang for Krokorok.
• Xinhai examined an Elite-level Haxorus's Dragon Scale for Axew, then reflected on the resources' benefits and his debt of more than twenty million.

Xinhai reflected on the cost of his Pokémon’s training resources and took comfort in the success of The Adventures of Lolo, which was poised to ease his debts. He decided Krokorok was ready to evolve, though he wished there were time for Krokorok to reach Elite level first.

• Xinhai calculated that trading for the resources had left him deeply in debt, but expected The Adventures of Lolo’s popularity to bring in enough broadcast and copyright fees to cover it.
• Xinhai recalled seeing Trainers in the Lilycove City Pokémon Center enthusiastically watching and discussing The Adventures of Lolo.
• Xinhai watched Blaziken and Krokorok train with iron jars and recognized how much Krokorok’s arm strength had improved through Eagle Claw Technique.
• Xinhai told Krokorok that he had met their evolution requirements, and Krokorok calmly accepted before returning to training.
• Xinhai wished Krokorok could wait another month to reach Elite level before evolving, but knew there was not enough time before the Ever Grande Conference.

Xinhai considered how to strengthen his partners in time for the Ever Grande Conference while preserving their foundations. At the training hall, he prepared Krokorok for training by feeding it Energy Cubes, Royal Jelly, and Soft Sand, then brought out three training items.

• Xinhai weighed the need to raise his partners' strength quickly against the benefits of delaying their evolutions to improve their foundations.
• He messaged Flannery to confirm that everything had arrived and asked her to thank Grandpa Mura.
• Xinhai and his partners went to the training hall the next morning, where he released them all.
• Xinhai asked Krokorok if it was ready, and Krokorok nodded with determination.
• Xinhai fed Krokorok Energy Cubes mixed with Royal Jelly and Soft Sand.
• After Krokorok finished eating, Xinhai brought out a Ground Crystal, a Dark Crystal, and Garchomp's Dragon Fang.

Xinhai helped Krokorok evolve by giving it Ground and Dark type Crystals and having Gardevoir place a Dragon Fang in its claw during the transformation. Krokorok emerged as a powerful Krookodile, standing over three meters tall and testing its newly strengthened claws.

• Xinhai gave Krokorok the Ground and Dark type Crystals and asked Gardevoir to guide the Dragon Fang to it once evolution began.
• Krokorok absorbed the Type energy from the Crystals as Evolution Light transformed its body.
• Gardevoir used Confusion to place the Dragon Fang in Krokorok's claw, and a purple dragon phantom emerged from the fang.
• The dragon phantom merged with Krokorok, fueling a second growth spurt as it reached 3.1 meters.
• Krokorok completed its evolution into Krookodile and tested the strength of its claws.

Krookodile celebrated its evolution with Xinhai and the other Pokémon, reaching Level 42 and learning six new moves, including three Dragon-type attacks. Eager to test its new strength, Krookodile approached the training machine as Xinhai and the others watched.

• Krookodile roared after evolving, and its companions gathered around to congratulate it.
• Xinhai congratulated Krookodile, which crouched to meet his gaze and gently clasped his hand.
• Xinhai scanned Krookodile with his Pokédex and discovered it had reached Level 42 and learned six new moves.
• Xinhai explained Krookodile's new level and moves, and Krookodile excitedly asked to test its strength.
• Krookodile strode toward the move-testing machine while Xinhai and the others gathered to observe.

Sorrel and the young man survived Weezing’s Explosion, but the blast collapsed the mine tunnel and buried them beneath the rubble. They were trapped underground with Sorrel’s Golem holding up a protective barrier, and the young man asked where Sandslash and Lunatone were.

• Weezing began glowing, and Sorrel ordered Lunatone to attack with Psychic and Sandslash to raise Protect.
• Gyarados broke Lunatone’s Psychic attack with Iron Tail, while Lei Ang recalled Gyarados and Arbok.
• Weezing exploded, and Golem, Sandslash, and Lunatone shielded Sorrel and the young man from the blast.
• Sorrel and the young man regained consciousness beneath the collapsed tunnel, and Sorrel confirmed they were buried.
• The young man noticed his scrapes and asked Sorrel whether Sandslash and Lunatone had been buried ahead of them.

Xinhai tested Krookodile’s old and newly learned skills after its evolution, recording the greatly increased power. He then booked a luxury suite on the Sea Emperor for the next morning’s voyage from Lilycove City to Mossdeep City and resumed practicing the Dewford Twelve Forms.

• Xinhai had Krookodile test its mastered skills, and the results showed that its attacks had grown much stronger after evolving.
• Krookodile tried Machamp, Stone Edge, Dragon Pulse, and Dragon Ascent while Xinhai recorded the test data on his Pokédex.
• Xinhai told Krookodile to practice its newly learned skills, and Krookodile vowed to work hard before joining the others in training.
• Xinhai booked a luxury suite on the Sea Emperor, which would depart Lilycove City for Mossdeep City at nine the next morning.
• Xinhai opened Brawly’s training manual and continued practicing the Dewford Twelve Forms.

Xinhai boarded the Sea Emperor in Lilycove City and settled into his luxury suite with Eevee and his other Pokémon. After letting them explore the room, he logged onto the Pokémon Academic Alliance website to read research papers.

• Xinhai showed his electronic ticket and received a keycard for suite 1206 aboard the Sea Emperor.
• Xinhai took the elevator to the twelfth floor and explored the spacious suite overlooking the ocean.
• Xinhai let Eevee, Charmander, and Axew out of their Poké Balls and told them they would be aboard for five days.
• Eevee led Charmander and Axew around the suite before the three watched the sea from the window.
• Xinhai opened his laptop and logged onto the Pokémon Academic Alliance website.

Xinhai spent the morning studying Pokémon research aboard the cruise ship before receiving a lunch delivery and an invitation from Allen Dicolik to a party that evening. He set the invitation aside to decide later and rested with his Pokémon after lunch.

• Xinhai read a research paper about the transition from Elite level to Gym level while Eevee slept nearby.
• An attendant delivered Xinhai's lunch and presented an invitation from Allen Dicolik to a party at eight that night.
• Xinhai recognized the Dicolik Family as a powerful Sinnoh family and told Eevee and Gardevoir he would decide about attending later.
• Xinhai shared lunch with his Pokémon, then returned the dishes and rested with them as the ship sailed across the sea.

Xinhai spent the afternoon reading and training before taking his Pokémon to the cruise ship’s deck. As the sun set, he released Milotic into the sea and settled down with his companions to enjoy the view.

• Xinhai considered Allen Dicolik’s gala invitation but decided not to attend yet.
• Xinhai read papers while his Pokémon rested or trained, and Grovyle practiced sensing the sea with Gardevoir’s meditation method.
• Xinhai invited his Pokémon on a walk, and Krookodile, Gardevoir, Grovyle, Charmander, Axew, and Eevee joined him.
• Xinhai led his Pokémon to a quiet spot on the deck, where Krookodile drew curious looks from passengers.
• Xinhai released Milotic into the water, and it swam and leaped through the sunset-lit sea as he and his Pokémon relaxed nearby.

Xinhai Bai Mu met Disca Dicolik, a young nobleman, while watching the sunset by the sea. Disca spoke of his admiration for traveling through Hoenn with Pokémon, but left his own plans unresolved.

• Disca Dicolik approached Xinhai Bai Mu and praised how well his Pokémon were raised.
• Xinhai complimented Disca's powerful Arcanine, and Disca sat beside him after asking permission.
• Disca introduced himself, and Xinhai recognized Dicolik as the surname of the family hosting the evening's party.
• Disca argued that people from ordinary backgrounds could make history, surprising Xinhai with his view of noble status.
• Xinhai told Disca he was traveling to become champion of the Ever Grande Conference.
• Disca said he had dreamed of traveling through Hoenn and challenging every Gym, then glanced down at his Arcanine.

Xinhai and Diska talked about how traveling mattered less than having companions by their side, and Diska invited Xinhai to the evening party. After Diska left, Xinhai gathered his Pokémon and headed back to his room.

• Xinhai told Diska that being with companions mattered more than where they traveled, and Diska agreed while petting Arcanine.
• Diska asked whether Xinhai would attend the party, and Xinhai said he was still considering it.
• Diska left with Arcanine after inviting Xinhai to find him if he came to the party.
• Xinhai carried the sleeping Eevee and gathered his other Pokémon before calling Milotic back into her Poké Ball.
• Xinhai promised Charmander and Axew something tasty, then led his companions toward the elevator.