Chapter Summaries

Key plot points and events

• After lunch, the second wave of Magikarp arrives at Songjiang. Mu Yun’s Pokémon, Namikaze and Xiao Du, help battle the evolving Gyarados: Namikaze attacks broadly and earns Points, while Xiao Du focuses on individual targets and Evolution Essence Fragments.
• The successive waves grow steadily smaller and less productive. Mu Yun gains roughly 12,000 Points and 75 Evolution Essence Fragments overall, but still needs five more to complete his eighth Evolution Essence.
• Although Wang He recommends leaving as the fifth wave is expected to produce few Gyarados, Mu Yun decides to wait. Wang He stays with him, and Ferrothorn enthusiastically roots for more Gyarados to appear.
• Chi Duoduo’s teacher, Lü Shouchun, arrives with Guo Yi, Yue Jianguo, and Yan Hu. Wang He greets the senior Trainers and officials; Lü playfully teases Duoduo about running off with someone.

Character development

• Namikaze’s transformation from an ordinary, food-focused Pidgey into a confident, formidable predator is emphasized through his sharp gaze and commanding presence.
• Mu Yun shows determination and patience, choosing to pursue the rare Evolution Essence fragments despite the low odds.
• Duoduo appears more confident than before, greeting her teacher loudly and energetically.

Character interactions

• Wang He suspects Ferrothorn of stealing his lunch, but she denies it and hides beside Mu Yun. Her eagerness to get more food keeps the exchange playful.
• Mu Yun thanks Ferrothorn for supporting him and gently suggests Duoduo return to her teacher.
• Wang He and Yue Jianguo greet each other warmly as old acquaintances, while Guo Yi and Wang He exchange a friendly acknowledgment.
• Lü Shouchun affectionately teases Duoduo, showing their close teacher–student relationship.

Significant themes

• Persistence and ambition: Mu Yun keeps pursuing a rare reward even as the chances of success decline.
• Growth through experience: Namikaze’s evolution in skill and bearing reflects how repeated challenges have changed him.
• Changing fortunes: Each successive Magikarp wave offers diminishing opportunities, encouraging the Trainers to judge when to keep going and when to leave.

Key plot points and events

• Late in the day, a few Magikarp continue struggling up the Songjiang River after the first four, larger waves have passed. One particularly determined Magikarp is making a third attempt after being swept back twice by strange storms.
• By the riverbank, Elite Four Lü Shouchun studies Xiao Du, Mu Yun’s Beedrill, and notes its unusually strong build. Yue Jianguo learns from Wang He that Mu Yun is an orphan whose Pokémon came from his school. Wang explains that he believes in Mu Yun’s talent and wants to support him while he is still young.
• A Magikarp from the final wave evolves into a male, Veteran Level Peak Gyarados with Elite potential. Mu Yun checks its status and realizes that defeating it will earn him the last five Evolution Essence Fragments he needs.
• Xiao Du attacks on command. It uses Focus Energy smoothly while flying, impressing Lü with its move control. Before the newly evolved Gyarados can complete Crunch, Xiao Du lands a powerful critical-hit X-Scissor, then strikes again and knocks it unconscious.
• Mu Yun receives 20 points for defeating a higher-level opponent, and the five fragments needed to complete his eighth Evolution Essence.

Character developments

• Mu Yun shows patience by staying after the main waves have passed, and his persistence pays off. He remains focused on the rare Evolution Essence Fragments.
• Xiao Du demonstrates both exceptional technical control and the ability to execute a devastating attack against a stronger opponent.
• Wang He reveals his selfless commitment to Mu Yun, regarding the chance to mentor him as good fortune rather than a burden.
• Lü Shouchun becomes interested in Xiao Du, especially its seamless use of Focus Energy.
• The newly evolved Gyarados is proud and excited to have finally evolved, but is defeated before it can settle into its new strength.

Significant themes

• Perseverance: Both the Magikarp’s repeated attempts and Mu Yun’s decision to keep waiting are rewarded.
• Talent and hard work: Xiao Du’s effectiveness comes not just from its species or level, but from practiced move control and energy management.
• Selfless mentorship: Wang He embodies the value of helping others without expecting recognition or reward.
• Potential versus circumstance: Mu Yun’s orphan background does not prevent him from attracting the support of experienced trainers or developing exceptional promise.

Character interactions

• Yue Jianguo questions Wang He about Mu Yun, prompting Wang to explain the boy’s background and his reasons for supporting him.
• Lü Shouchun silently evaluates Xiao Du, then witnesses its refined technique in battle.
• Mu Yun directs Xiao Du against the Gyarados; the Beedrill’s swift attack interrupts Gyarados’s attempted Crunch and ends the fight.

Key plot points and events

• Lü Shouchun observes Mu Yun’s Beedrill defeating a Gyarados despite the type disadvantage and concludes that Mu Yun likely has a natural talent for helping Pokémon grow stronger.
• The group wraps up the outing. Chi Duoduo reluctantly says goodbye, and Wang He drives Mu Yun home, promising to transfer the reward for the Gyarados and telling him to rest the next day.
• At home, Mu Yun settles Short-Term Mission 7, “Leaping Dragon Gate.” His 80 Evolution Essence Fragments combine into eight Evolution Essences.
• The Essences can each permanently add 5 points to a Pokémon’s two highest Base Stats, provided its total Base Stats are below 500. Mu Yun considers giving them to Beedrill, Pidgeotto, or Alolan Vulpix, but feels especially inclined to reward his first Pokémon, Beedrill.
• To his surprise, Mu Yun discovers an Evolution Essence from his storage space is tangible. He checks the Points Exchange Shop and finds it listed there, suggesting he may be able to buy more.

Character developments and interactions

• Mu Yun is delighted by the reward and weighs how to distribute it, revealing his affection for Beedrill and concern for the Pokémon’s comparatively low final Base Stats. His discovery of the Essence’s physical form sparks a new possibility.
• Lü Shouchun quietly assesses Mu Yun’s ability and leaves satisfied with her theory about his growth-enhancing talent.
• Chi Duoduo shows that she has grown close to Mu Yun by finding it difficult to part from him.
• Wang He looks out for Mu Yun, arranging his reward and encouraging him to take a day off.
• Lü Shouchun, Yue Jianguo, and Yan Hu depart after the riverside encounter; Yue Jianguo exchanges a few cheerful words with Wang He and Mu Yun.

Significant themes

• Growth and potential: Evolution Essence offers permanent, targeted stat improvement, while the chapter highlights the value of developing Pokémon beyond their natural limits.
• Loyalty and favoritism: Mu Yun tries to treat his Pokémon equally but acknowledges a special bond with Beedrill as his first partner.
• Unexpected possibilities: The Essence’s tangibility may let the System’s shop reproduce an extraordinary item, opening a potentially major avenue for future growth.

Key plot points and events

• Mu Yun reviews Evolution Essence: for 1,000 Points, it permanently adds 5 points to each of a Pokémon’s two highest Base Stats, provided its Base Stats are under 500. A Pokémon can absorb multiple doses.
• With 27,033 Points available and eight Essences from a mission, Mu Yun calculates that fully boosting Xiao Du, Namikaze, and Bingbing would cost 48,000 Points—more than he has.
• He considers which Pokémon would benefit most, including Magikarp, Feebas, Slakoth, and Ralts, but decides to focus on his current team.
• Since Bingbing’s evolution can wait and Xiao Du has already reached his final form, Mu Yun prioritizes Namikaze, who is approaching evolution. He spends 8,000 Points on eight Essences.
• He gives Namikaze the first Essence. It permanently raises his Special Attack and Speed by 5 each. The system selects stats based on the species’ final form, not the Pokémon’s current form.

Character developments

• Mu Yun’s initial surprise at the price turns into enthusiasm as he recognizes Evolution Essence’s value. He carefully weighs costs, stat distributions, and timing before spending.
• Namikaze responds eagerly to Mu Yun’s call, landing on the table and lowering his head expectantly. Mu Yun pets him before giving him the Essence.
• Mu Yun learns that even Pokémon whose current and final forms have different stat strengths can benefit from the item.

Character interactions

• Mu Yun calls Namikaze over and gives him an Evolution Essence, with a brief affectionate moment as he pets the bird.
• The system informs Mu Yun of the stat increase and explains how the item determines which stats to boost.

Significant themes

• Strategic growth: Mu Yun must allocate limited resources among his Pokémon and prioritize those closest to important milestones.
• Potential and long-term planning: Evolution Essence rewards planning for a Pokémon’s final form, not just its present abilities.
• Resourcefulness: Mu Yun considers overlooked species whose dramatic evolutions could make them especially effective candidates for future investment.

Plot points and events

• At home, Mu Yun uses the remaining 15 pieces of Evolution Essence on Namikaze. The essence raises the Pidgeotto’s Special Attack and Speed by 80 points each, giving him a base stat total of 509—and the prospect of an extraordinary total once he evolves into Pidgeot.
• Mu Yun then spends 11,000 points on 11 more pieces of Evolution Essence for Xiao Du. They boost the Beedrill’s Attack and Speed, bringing his base stat total to 505 and greatly strengthening his offensive potential.
• Mu Yun has just over 8,000 points left, far short of what Bingbing needs: 21 pieces of Evolution Essence plus a high-quality Ice Stone, costing at least 31,000 points. He accepts that raising his Pokémon to their full potential will take time.
• The household settles into its evening routine: Mu Yun bathes and massages each Pokémon, then puts them to bed.

Character developments and interactions

• Namikaze receives a major power increase and earnestly shares Mu Yun’s ambition for him to rule the skies. Mu Yun even imagines him someday challenging Rayquaza.
• Xiao Du also gains a substantial boost. Mu Yun praises him as a future contender for the title of strongest Bug-type Pokémon, while Xiao Du eagerly accepts his familiar head pats.
• Bingbing remains focused on TikTok and looks forward to becoming the ice-and-snow queen she imagines herself to be. Mu Yun carries her off for a bath and hopes to eventually fund her evolution.
• The Pokémon have established a warm household routine: when Mu Yun calls them over, they expect head pats; after their baths, they receive massages and sleep in their usual places.

Significant themes

• Growth through care and investment: Mu Yun spends heavily to strengthen his Pokémon, treating their development as worthwhile despite the cost.
• Shared ambition and trust: Mu Yun’s grand hopes for his Pokémon are matched by their willingness to follow his lead.
• Domestic warmth: Training and power upgrades sit alongside affectionate, everyday rituals, giving the household a cozy, close-knit feel.

Summary

Plot points and events

• On his day off, Mu Yun takes Xiao Du, Namikaze, and the third little one for a relaxed morning stroll before buying a large supply of Berries for making Energy Cubes.
• He spends the day grinding his Energy Cube Making skill, completing fifty batches and gaining 910 experience. He stops around eleven at night, satisfied with the progress but frustrated by how quickly the ingredients—and his money—are running out.
• Mu Yun calculates that his remaining funds and Berries will still leave him short of the experience needed to level up the skill. He reflects on how costly it is to raise Pokémon, especially for Trainers who must buy their food, and recognizes the financial advantage of the school’s free Energy Cubes and training resources.
• After bathing and massaging the three Pokémon and settling them down for sleep, Mu Yun checks his class group chat. He discovers that Wang He has shared a notice about the 2025 Provincial Joint Exam for Pokémon Classes. The exam has limited slots because there are too many Pokémon-class students across the city for everyone to participate.

Character development

• Mu Yun shows unusual endurance and discipline, spending nearly the entire day on skill training. His enhanced stamina helps him work for long hours, though he acknowledges that his mental energy still requires sleep.
• He remains practical and resource-conscious: although he enjoys the satisfaction of improving his skill, he is increasingly aware that progress depends on a costly supply of Berries.
• His caring side is evident in giving his Pokémon a restful day and maintaining their usual bathing and massage routine.

Character interactions

• Mu Yun spends peaceful, informal time with his three Pokémon during their stroll and later cares for them before bed.
• A delivery worker brings Mu Yun’s bulk Berry order, provided with free delivery by the hypermarket.
• Mu Yun reads Wang He’s group announcement about the joint exam. The group also continues to include a student who was eliminated from the Small Class, reflecting that she remains welcome among her classmates.

Significant themes

• Hard work and limits: Persistent effort brings measurable improvement, but Mu Yun’s progress is still constrained by mental fatigue and money.
• The economics of raising Pokémon: Training and feeding Pokémon is expensive, making self-produced Energy Cubes and school-provided resources valuable advantages.
• Rest and balance: Even capable Trainers and Pokémon need periods of relaxation to recover.
• Unequal access to opportunity: Limited exam places and costly training resources underscore the competition and financial barriers facing Pokémon students.

Key plot points and events

• The Provincial League’s city qualifiers will select ten students from each high school, then determine which fifteen contestants represent each city at the provincial tournament. At Songjiang No. 1 High, seniors first take written and practical tests; the top forty advance to battles, which select the final ten.
• Mu Yun expects the Small Class to dominate the school’s selections and sets aside the matter while wondering whether his “Provincial League I” mission will lead to a second mission.
• During the final day of break, Mu Yun trains with Ferrothorn’s help. Xiao Du’s Brick Break reaches Limit-Breaking +2, bringing Mu Yun to nine Limit-Breaking Points—one short of raising his potential to Elite Four level. Namikaze’s Gust reaches Limit-Breaking +3 and earns another point.
• When school resumes, classes are canceled for the selection trials. Mu Yun trains alone in the Gravity Room before joining his classmates at the gym.
• Liu Jianhao recounts a tough wilderness exercise with the public security recruits, where he says he found a Fire Stone. Mu Yun suspects the “discovery” was arranged or supplied by Zhao Hailong, who confirms his guess without explaining further.

Character developments and interactions

• Mu Yun remains focused and pragmatic, tracking his training gains and hoping his mission rewards will help Bingbing evolve.
• Liu Jianhao and Zhao Hailong tease and bicker over Mu Yun’s cooking, but Ma Sitong recognizes that they are really angling for his Milk Candy. Mu Yun calmly settles them by handing out sweets.
• Sun Xin misreads Ma Sitong’s remark that the boys “like” Mu Yun, then privately lets her imagination run away with the idea.
• Liu Jianhao proudly celebrates his apparent good fortune in finding a Fire Stone. Mu Yun plays along, while Zhao Hailong silently acknowledges the joke.

Significant themes

• Competition and preparation: The League’s selection process gives the students a concrete goal, while Mu Yun’s steady training shows the work behind his ambition.
• Luck, privilege, and support: Liu Jianhao’s “lucky find” hints at the help he receives from those around him, contrasting with Mu Yun’s careful effort.
• Friendship expressed through teasing: The boys’ arguments are affectionate and partly a way to ask for Mu Yun’s candy; small gestures reveal their closeness.
• Humor and misunderstanding: Sun Xin’s embarrassed interpretation and the friends’ deadpan banter add comic relief.

Key plot points and events

• Wang He, the Small Class’s strict homeroom teacher and training instructor, arrives at the gym to explain how the school will select its representatives for the Provincial Joint Exam.
• Selection has two stages: a data test to identify the top forty students, followed by practice battles to choose the final ten.
• Students are tested in academic-rank order, so Mu Yun—long the school’s top student—is first.
• In the testing room, Mu Yun commands his Beedrill, Xiao Du, to use Pin Missile. Xiao Du forms six projectiles, an exceptional display of skill for a Pokémon at his level.
• The missiles strike so powerfully and quickly that the testing equipment records a score above its maximum of 999, indicating strength beyond Early Professional Level.

Character developments

• Mu Yun appears confident and disciplined, while his consistent training has earned Wang He’s respect and mentorship.
• Xiao Du is revealed to be an extraordinary Beedrill: despite only two months of training and being around Mid Veteran Level, his highly developed Pin Missile delivers exceptional power.
• Wang He shifts from calm authority to genuine astonishment, realizing he had underestimated Xiao Du’s aptitude.

Significant themes

• Discipline and character: Wang He values habits, effort, and self-control as much as talent.
• Potential beyond expectations: Xiao Du’s performance challenges assumptions about what a Pokémon of his species and level can achieve.
• Competition and intimidation: Mu Yun’s overwhelming advantage threatens to make the upcoming selection battles demoralizing for other students.

Character interactions

• Wang He’s stern presence immediately brings both classes to attention, though the Small Class forms orderly ranks.
• He speaks more warmly to Mu Yun than to the other students, reflecting their mentor-student relationship.
• Xiao Du greets Wang He before obeying Mu Yun’s command, and his astonishing test result leaves the instructor wondering whether anyone in the year can seriously challenge Mu Yun.

Key plot points and events

• Instructor Wang explains that the school’s equipment cannot measure Pokémon above 999 Points. Professional-level Pokémon generally require battles—not just routine training—to keep improving, and Trainers can seek certification and missions through the Trainer Association.
• Mu Yun has Xiao Du, his Beedrill, complete the speed test without using moves. Xiao Du scores 998, classified as Early Professional Level. Combined with its earlier test score, Xiao Du earns 1,997 Points overall.
• Wang posts the class rankings. Mu Yun comes first by nearly a thousand Points over second-place Ma Sitong. All twenty Small Class students make the top forty, including one student who had been removed from the class.
• The results astonish the class, especially Zhao Hailong, who recognizes that Xiao Du has already reached Professional Level after only two months of training. Regular Class students begin questioning whether Xiao Du is truly as dominant in battle as the scores suggest.

Character developments and interactions

• Mu Yun is surprised by how much Xiao Du’s improved Speed Base Stat affects its performance. He considers its potential in battle but remains focused on reaching Professional Level and completing his quest.
• Xiao Du shows speed and an increasingly instinctive battle habit: it tends to use Focus Energy whenever it needs to move. Mu Yun sees this as evidence of its battling talent.
• Wang He is startled by Xiao Du’s speed score and cannot explain its rapid improvement, though he is growing accustomed to Mu Yun’s exceptional results.
• Liu Jianhao asks Mu Yun about the test and later calls him a monster. Zhao Hailong is shaken by the rankings and doubts his Rhyhorn can avenge its earlier defeat soon.
• The Regular Class students are skeptical but curious; the Small Class students know Xiao Du’s apparent dominance is plausible.

Significant themes

• The costs and demands of advancement: Beyond Professional Level, battles, medical care, recovery, and nutrition make training increasingly expensive.
• Talent and exceptional growth: Xiao Du’s rapid development sets Mu Yun apart from his peers.
• Fair competition: Age limits on Pokémon in youth competitions are intended to ensure contestants compete on more equal terms.
• Reputation versus proof: Mu Yun is already known as a prodigy, but the extreme test results make classmates reconsider whether his reputation—and Xiao Du’s strength—can be believed.

Chapter summary

Key plot points and events

• The school’s battle selection tournament begins after lunch. The top forty students compete in a single-elimination bracket, with the morning’s rankings determining matchups: first seed versus fortieth, second versus thirty-ninth, and so on.
• Mu Yun, ranked first, faces a student from the Regular Pokémon Class. His opponent sends out a level-19 Yungoos, while Mu Yun uses his level-26 Beedrill, Xiao Du.
• The opponent orders Yungoos to use Work Up, hoping to strengthen its attack before landing Fire Fang, a move that would be especially effective against Beedrill.
• Mu Yun responds with Twineedle. Beedrill moves so quickly that spectators mistake its afterimages for Double Team, then knocks Yungoos out almost immediately.
• Mu Yun wins the first match. The victory also completes a system quest and earns him five points, while the tournament counts toward a province-wide exam quest and grants him another 38.

Character developments

• Mu Yun remains calm and confident throughout. His main satisfaction comes not from an expected victory, but from the system rewards and the recognition that the event advances his broader goals.
• The opposing student is initially confident in Yungoos’s type advantage and its unusual Fire Fang, but is left stunned by how quickly the match ends.
• Zhao Hailong recognizes that Beedrill’s speed is far beyond what would normally be expected, concluding that it may match an Early Professional-level Pokémon even without using a move.
• Liu Jianhao is impressed that Beedrill appears to have grown stronger since the previous assessment.

Character interactions

• Wu Tu questions the fairness of the bracket, and Zhao Hailong explains that the tournament is meant to identify the ten strongest competitors.
• Mu Yun and his opponent face off with contrasting strategies: Mu Yun relies on Beedrill’s overwhelming speed, while his opponent hopes to combine a stat boost with a type-advantaged attack.
• After the match, students debate what they saw. Some attribute Beedrill’s afterimages to Double Team, while Zhao Hailong suspects its natural speed is extraordinary.

Significant themes

• The gap between rankings and real competition: The tournament’s seeded format exposes the large differences between students’ Pokémon, making some matchups heavily one-sided.
• Preparation versus overwhelming ability: The opponent has a clever plan, but Beedrill’s speed prevents it from being carried out.
• Progress and ambition: Beedrill’s apparent improvement and Mu Yun’s quest rewards reinforce the chapter’s focus on advancement toward larger goals.

Key plot points and events

• The first elimination round ends with the stronger Small Class students generally winning, though several close matches are decided by mistakes, type matchups, or luck.
• In the final elimination round, Mu Yun faces a Regular Class student whose Pokémon is Lickitung. He orders Beedrill (Xiao Du) to use X-Scissor; after opening with Focus Energy, Beedrill defeats the lower-level Lickitung quickly.
• Mu Yun is the first contestant to qualify for the top ten. By the end of the day, all ten finalists come from the Small Class: Mu Yun and five classmates, along with Li Mingwei, Huang Can, Zheng Rong, and Xia Dongyu.
• The finalists receive two days to prepare. Mu Yun spends them training as usual, then joins the group and teacher Wang He on a bus to Songjiang City’s large City Battle Hall for the next stage of the competition.
• At the venue, they see students from other schools arriving, including Songjiang No. 2 High School and a group of punk-styled teenagers. Mu Yun notices that Chi Duoduo is absent from her school’s team because her master has other plans for her.

Character developments and interactions

• Mu Yun remains confident and analytical: he reflects on Lickitung’s abilities and usefulness before promptly returning his attention to the battle. His decisive command secures him a place in the top ten.
• The other Small Class finalists demonstrate the group’s overall strength, while the chapter also acknowledges that luck can influence tightly matched battles.
• Wang He organizes the finalists’ schedule and travel. Zhao Hailong provides information about the City Battle Hall’s size and capacity.
• Mu Yun’s thoughts about Duoduo reveal that he remains aware of her training and circumstances. His amused, slightly judgmental reaction to the punk students offers a lighter character moment.

Significant themes

• Skill and luck: Strong training matters, but critical hits and other chance factors can decide close matches.
• Competition and status: Advancing from school eliminations leads to a larger citywide contest among students from twenty-two schools.
• Preparation and discipline: Mu Yun keeps training during his break rather than relaxing.
• Different paths to success: Duoduo’s absence suggests that advancement and training may take forms beyond the formal competition.

Plot points and events

• Mu Yun notices Feng Ya, a heavily pierced student from Huaxing High, and learns from Liu Jianhao and Zhao Hailong that she used to be a pretty, ordinary classmate of theirs. Her new punk appearance surprises them, especially given her family’s strictness.
• The boys speculate about Feng Ya’s change. Mu Yun says he was simply wondering whether water could leak through a lip piercing, prompting Zhao Hailong to wonder whether Sunny Day could heat the metal.
• Students from all twenty-two high schools gather at the City Battle Hall for the selection tournament to choose Songjiang’s representatives in the Evergreen Province Pokémon Joint Exam. Feng Ya’s group stands out among the uniformed students, but they behave themselves when the organizers arrive.
• Chief organizer Yan Wu welcomes everyone. His authority is reinforced by the huge, intimidating Dusknoir hovering beside him.
• Mu Yun inspects Dusknoir’s status panel and discovers that she is a powerful, peak Gym Leader-level Pokémon with many moves and substantial bonuses. Her Spirit Requiem record shows she has ferried 167 souls, and her held item and Ghost-type awakening further amplify her powers.

Character developments and interactions

• Mu Yun remains observant and bluntly curious; his interest in Feng Ya’s piercing is practical rather than romantic. He is also impressed—and unsettled—by Dusknoir’s strength and the implications of her record.
• Liu Jianhao recognizes Feng Ya from their school years and wonders how she changed so dramatically.
• Zhao Hailong teases Liu about being rebellious, then joins Mu Yun in speculating about piercings and Sunny Day.
• Feng Ya is introduced through others’ surprise at her transformation from a conventional girl into a punk-styled student.
• Yan Wu presents himself as a mild-mannered organizer, while his powerful Dusknoir commands the gathered students’ attention.

Significant themes

• Appearance versus reality: Feng Ya’s changed style and Yan Wu’s unassuming demeanor both prompt assumptions that may not reflect who they are.
• Curiosity and humor: The boys’ casual, irreverent conversation contrasts with the formal tournament setting.
• Power and intimidation: Dusknoir’s presence shows how a Pokémon’s strength can command respect without overt hostility.
• The cost and weight of power: Dusknoir’s soul-ferrying record hints at a grim, supernatural dimension behind her formidable abilities.

Chapter Summary: “The Conqueror’s Haki Hypothesis!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• The chapter opens with background on Ghost-type Pokémon. They are rare, difficult to raise, and feared because many can move between the real and unreal worlds and absorb the life energy of living creatures.
• Historically, powerful wild Ghost Pokémon often drained their prey completely, leaving behind corpses and causing people to fear them even more than Poison types.
• Public attitudes gradually changed after the first Ghost-type Champion of the Yanhuang League coordinated large-scale operations to suppress and capture dangerous wild Ghost Pokémon, proving that they could coexist with humans.
• Despite this progress, Ghost-type specialists remain rare in 2025 because Ghost Pokémon are scarce and challenging to train.
• At the selection tournament, Yan Wu explains the format: twenty-two schools will be divided into ten groups, with each group competing in a round-robin stage. The top three from each group will advance to one-on-one elimination matches for fifteen team positions.
• Yan Wu appears alongside his enormous Dusknoir. The Pokémon’s presence creates an oppressive atmosphere that leaves many students struggling to breathe. Once Yan Wu and Dusknoir depart, the tension immediately disappears.
• Mu Yun remains relatively unaffected, unlike most students. He gives Milk Candy to his friends Liu Jianhao and Zhao Hailong after they recover and begin arguing with each other.
• Reflecting on his reaction to Dusknoir, Mu Yun concludes that the fear was likely caused by its ability, Pressure, rather than by Ghost typing alone.
• He compares Pressure’s weak effect in the games—reducing move PP more quickly—with its far more powerful real-world manifestation, which resembles an intimidating aura.
• Mu Yun speculates that an especially powerful Pokémon with Pressure, perhaps strengthened through mutation, might possess an effect similar to Conqueror’s Haki, overwhelming weaker opponents merely through its presence.
• He considers several Pokémon that could embody this idea, including Wailord, Kingambit, Dusknoir, and Corviknight, but decides to let fate determine whether he ever raises one.

Character Developments

• Mu Yun demonstrates strong mental and physical composure. Although Dusknoir’s aura unsettles him briefly, he is far less affected than the other students.
• His analytical nature becomes clear as he studies Dusknoir’s reaction and connects it to the Pressure ability. Rather than accepting the fear as a normal Ghost-type trait, he searches for a specific explanation.
• Mu Yun also continues to think strategically about Pokémon development. He recognizes that Pressure may be overwhelming against weaker opponents but is unlikely to decide battles between equally matched Pokémon.
• Liu Jianhao and Zhao Hailong provide comic relief through their mutual teasing after being frightened by Dusknoir. Their argument also reinforces their familiarity and friendship with Mu Yun.
• Yan Wu is introduced as a calm, gentle speaker whose enormous Dusknoir gives him an intimidating presence. His demeanor contrasts sharply with the terrifying aura surrounding his Pokémon.

Significant Themes

• Fear versus understanding: Ghost Pokémon are initially portrayed as horrifying predators, but human efforts and greater knowledge reveal that they are still capable of coexistence with people.
• Power and presence: The chapter explores how strength can manifest without direct combat. Dusknoir’s Pressure affects opponents psychologically and physically simply by being present.
• Theory and experimentation: Mu Yun’s “Conqueror’s Haki” hypothesis shows his tendency to connect Pokémon abilities to concepts from his previous life and imagine how they might evolve in the real world.
• Nature versus nurture and restraint: The danger of Ghost Pokémon comes not only from their abilities but from whether they control themselves and harvest energy sustainably.
• Competitive ambition: The tournament structure establishes a future series of battles and gives Mu Yun an incentive to fight as many matches as possible for mission points.

Character Interactions

• Yan Wu addresses the competitors and organizes the group assignments through the school team leaders.
• Dusknoir’s intimidating gaze affects nearly everyone present, creating a shared experience among the students.
• Liu Jianhao and Zhao Hailong bicker over who was more frightened, while Mu Yun calmly ends the dispute by giving them Milk Candy.
• Mu Yun privately compares Dusknoir’s Pressure with Corviknight’s previous intimidating presence, deepening his understanding of powerful Pokémon abilities.

Chapter Summary: “First Group Match!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• The city-level Pokémon selection tournament begins with the participants divided into groups of twenty-two. Each contestant will fight five matches, earning two points for a win, one for a draw, and none for a loss. The top three scorers advance.
• Contestants receive battlefield numbers. Mu Yun draws Battlefield No. 1, while Wu Tu is assigned No. 10.
• At Battlefield No. 1, the contestants draw additional numbers to determine the match order. Mu Yun draws No. 6 and is immediately paired against Feng Ya, the conspicuous girl from Huaxing High School.
• The referee explains that each battle permits only one Pokémon per side, and recalling a Pokémon or stepping onto the field results in an automatic loss.
• Mu Yun sends out Xiao Du, his usual opening Pokémon. Feng Ya releases a Level 21 Loudred equipped with a Basic Echo Stone, a treasure that increases the power of sound-based moves by 18%.
• Feng Ya orders Loudred to use Screech, intending to sharply lower Xiao Du’s Defense.
• Before Loudred can complete the attack, Mu Yun launches an immediate counterattack, ordering Xiao Du to use X-Scissor.

Character Developments

• Mu Yun remains observant and analytical, studying the battlefield, referee Pokémon, and Feng Ya’s Loudred through its status information. He recognizes the value of Loudred’s ability, potential, and held item, while also estimating the wealth required to obtain them.
• Mu Yun demonstrates confidence and tactical decisiveness by attacking before Loudred can finish preparing Screech, rather than allowing Feng Ya to establish an advantage.
• Feng Ya is introduced as visually intimidating because of her piercings and dark appearance, but her quiet, ordinary voice suggests a more withdrawn and subdued personality than her appearance implies. She appears emotionally detached and unconcerned about her opponent.
• Feng Ya’s Loudred reveals that she possesses considerable resources: despite being only at the Veteran Level, it has Gym Leader-level potential and a valuable held item.

Significant Themes

• Strategy and speed: The opening exchange emphasizes the importance of acting quickly. Mu Yun attempts to interrupt Feng Ya’s setup move before its Defense-lowering effect can be used.
• Appearance versus reality: Feng Ya looks rebellious and intimidating, but behaves quietly and speaks normally, challenging assumptions based on appearance.
• Wealth and competitive advantage: Loudred’s high potential and Echo Stone show how expensive resources and family wealth can strengthen a trainer’s team.
• Preparation and analysis: Mu Yun’s careful examination of the battlefield, referee, opponent, Pokémon, and held item reflects the importance of information in competitive battles.

Character Interactions

• Wang He and the teachers organize the tournament and explain the group-stage rules to the contestants.
• Mu Yun and Feng Ya are unexpectedly matched against each other in the first battle on Battlefield No. 1.
• The referee and his Butterfree establish the formal structure of the match.
• Feng Ya begins with Screech to weaken Xiao Du, but Mu Yun immediately responds with X-Scissor, setting up an aggressive opening clash.

Chapter Summary: “A Strange Neurotic Girl!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Feng Ya, once a strong Pokémon battler at Huaxing High School, has become emotionally numb since her mother’s death and her father’s remarriage. Her Loudred, originally given to her by her mother, is the one thing she still deeply cares about.
• During an official battle, Feng Ya orders Loudred to use Stockpile and prepare Screech. Mu Yun’s Beedrill, Xiao Du, suddenly demonstrates overwhelming speed and uses a Focus Energy-boosted X-Scissor.
• Beedrill strikes Loudred before it can retaliate, sending it crashing into the arena railing and leaving it critically weakened.
• Seeing Loudred’s condition triggers Feng Ya’s memories of her dying mother. She panics, jumps onto the battlefield, and rushes to Loudred despite official rules prohibiting Trainers from entering the arena.
• Feng Ya uses a healing spray to stabilize Loudred, then recalls it and apologizes to the referee. She receives a yellow-card warning, while Mu Yun is declared the winner.
• The system rewards Mu Yun with battle points, though the main reward is halved because Loudred’s level is lower than Beedrill’s. He also receives bonus points because Feng Ya is connected to a short-term mission.
• Feng Ya silently apologizes to Mu Yun and leaves. Mu Yun is puzzled by her intense reaction and regards her as a strange person.
• When Mu Yun returns to the rest area, the other contestants stare at him uneasily after witnessing Beedrill’s extraordinary performance.

Character Developments

• Feng Ya: Her apparent indifference is revealed to be emotional numbness rather than a lack of feeling. Loudred serves as her last emotional anchor and connection to her deceased mother. Her panic demonstrates that, beneath her detached exterior, she is fiercely protective and deeply afraid of losing Loudred.
• Mu Yun: He remains calm and detached throughout the battle, trusting Beedrill’s strength and the arena’s safety measures. He does not fully understand Feng Ya’s emotional breakdown but recognizes that her behavior stems from unusual attachment to her Pokémon.
• Beedrill/Xiao Du: Beedrill establishes itself as exceptionally powerful, possessing speed far beyond what Feng Ya expects from an ordinary Beedrill. Its performance intimidates the other contestants and marks Mu Yun as a major threat in the tournament.

Significant Themes

• Grief and emotional numbness: Feng Ya’s mother’s death has left her detached from ordinary interests and seemingly indifferent to life.
• Attachment and survival: Loudred represents Feng Ya’s bond with her mother and gives her a reason to continue living.
• Hidden vulnerability: Feng Ya’s punk appearance and cold demeanor conceal intense emotional trauma and protectiveness.
• Power and intimidation: Beedrill’s overwhelming speed shifts the perception of Mu Yun among the contestants, establishing him as someone far stronger than expected.
• Rules versus emotion: Feng Ya’s desperate decision to enter the battlefield shows how personal love and fear can override formal competition rules.

Character Interactions

• Feng Ya and Loudred: Their relationship is deeply emotional and rooted in Feng Ya’s mother. Feng Ya reacts to Loudred’s injury as though she is witnessing her mother’s death again.
• Feng Ya and Mu Yun: Mu Yun defeats her without hostility, while Feng Ya later offers him a silent apology before leaving. He remains confused by her behavior rather than resentful.
• Feng Ya and the referee: The referee repeatedly orders her off the field, then issues a yellow-card warning after she violates tournament rules.
• Mu Yun and the other contestants: His victory causes the surrounding contestants to view him and Beedrill with fear and suspicion, recognizing them as dangerous competitors.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• After Feng Ya’s unusual interference in the opening battle, the remaining first-round matches proceed normally.
• Mu Yun watches from the arena’s spectator stands, reviewing the contestants’ Pokémon. Most are Level 20, with generally Elite- or Professional-level potential. Feng Ya’s Loudred is the notable exception, possessing Gym Leader-level potential.
• During the ten-minute break, healing Pokémon restore the contestants so the five-round group stage can continue efficiently.
• The second round begins:
  • Song Yuan’s Geodude battles Lu Ziqi’s Sunflora. Geodude initially gains momentum with Rock Polish and Rollout, but Sunflora uses Leech Seed to immobilize it and wins.
  • The following matches are uneventful, leaving Mu Yun bored and sleepy.
• Mu Yun is then paired against Tan Feng from Songjiang No. 3 High School.
• Tan Feng sends out an Exeggutor, while Mu Yun uses Beedrill.
• Tan Feng plans to use Reflect to block Beedrill’s physical attacks, then put it to sleep with Hypnosis and finish it with Leech Seed.
• Beedrill’s X-Scissor unexpectedly shatters Reflect and lands a devastating critical hit. Because Exeggutor is extremely vulnerable to Bug-type attacks, it is knocked unconscious instantly.
• Mu Yun wins, earning mission points, though the reward from one permanent mission is halved because Beedrill is a higher level than Exeggutor.

Character Developments

• Mu Yun: Continues analyzing opponents calmly and demonstrates overwhelming confidence in Beedrill’s speed and strength. His battle reveals that his Pokémon’s attack power far exceeds what Tan Feng expected.
• Tan Feng: Appears ordinary and unremarkable but has a clear tactical plan centered on Reflect, Hypnosis, and Leech Seed. His confidence collapses when Beedrill breaks through Reflect in a single blow, leaving him confused and distressed.
• Lu Ziqi: Is portrayed as eccentric through his sunflower-themed clothing and green-dyed hair. Despite his unconventional appearance, he proves tactically capable by adapting Sunflora’s weaknesses into a successful strategy.
• Song Yuan: Shows competence with Geodude’s Rock Polish and Rollout combination but loses once Sunflora immobilizes his Pokémon.
• Beedrill: Displays extraordinary offensive power, speed, and effectiveness with X-Scissor, defeating a higher-potential opponent instantly.

Significant Themes

• Real battles differ from game logic: Although type matchups suggest Sunflora should easily defeat Geodude, speed, tactics, and battlefield control matter more than simple turn-based advantages.
• Preparation versus overwhelming strength: Tan Feng’s carefully constructed strategy fails because Beedrill’s raw power completely bypasses his defensive setup.
• The unpredictability of Pokémon: The discussion of Exeggutor and its Alolan form highlights how Pokémon types and appearances can defy expectations.
• Resource quality and evolution: Exeggutor’s Leaf Stone was sufficient for evolution but lacked the extra benefits of a high-quality stone, showing the importance of wealth and resources in Pokémon development.
• Competition and hidden strength: Contestants may appear ordinary or unconventional, yet possess specialized strategies or powerful Pokémon.

Character Interactions

• Mu Yun observes and evaluates the other contestants without directly interfering in their matches.
• Lu Ziqi’s Sunflora counters Song Yuan’s Geodude by using Leech Seed after surviving its offensive pressure.
• Tan Feng attempts to predict Mu Yun’s strategy and prepare Exeggutor’s Reflect and Hypnosis combination, but Beedrill’s attack power overturns his expectations.
• The battle between Mu Yun and Tan Feng emphasizes the gap between Tan Feng’s tactical planning and Mu Yun’s overwhelming execution.

Chapter Summary

Key plot points and events

• After the second group-stage round, Mu Yun and his classmates took a lunch break. They disliked the cafeteria food, and Liu Jianhao’s canned eight-treasure porridge rescued Zhao Hailong from having to keep eating it.
• The group stage continued through five rounds. Mu Yun won all five matches, earning 135 points and one of Group One’s three qualifying spots. Lu Ziqi also qualified undefeated, while Feng Ya took third place after winning a tiebreaker against another contestant with a four-win, one-loss record.
• The thirty qualifiers were told to return to the main battle arena at seven that evening. After ordering takeout for dinner, Mu Yun’s classmates discussed their matches and learned that all ten students from Songjiang No. 1 High School’s Small Class had qualified.
• The chapter explains why the groups were unevenly difficult: Yan Wu had persuaded the teachers to place students by strength ranking rather than distribute top contestants across the groups. The teachers did not challenge him, partly because Songjiang No. 1 High School benefited and partly because Yan Wu’s Dusknoir was overwhelmingly powerful.
• At seven, the qualifiers assembled for the next stage. Songjiang No. 1 High School made up a third of the field, with Private Huaxing High School also contributing many contestants. Yan Wu and Dusknoir arrived, and the arena fell silent.

Character developments

• Mu Yun remains composed and dominant, winning every match with little effort. He reflects on how access to money and institutional support affects a student’s chances of becoming a strong Trainer.
• Feng Ya proves capable as well as mysterious: despite one loss, she wins her tiebreaker and qualifies. She shows no visible fatigue after a demanding day.
• Lu Ziqi qualifies undefeated but is tired and frustrated by the packed schedule. He is struck by how unfazed Mu Yun and Feng Ya appear.
• Liu Jianhao and Zhao Hailong provide lighthearted camaraderie, with Liu’s foresight and teasing ultimately persuading Zhao to accept the porridge.

Significant themes

• Talent and opportunity: Pokémon training depends heavily on League Coins and resources, giving students from well-funded schools an advantage over those from poorer backgrounds.
• Strength and authority: Yan Wu’s influence rests on his formidable power, while the teachers’ silence reflects how much strength commands respect among Trainers.
• Competition and endurance: The students must manage repeated battles, scouting, and another evening session in a single day.
• Everyday humor and friendship: Complaints about bad food and friendly teasing offer a comic contrast to the high-stakes competition.

Character interactions

• Mu Yun, Liu Jianhao, and Zhao Hailong share a relaxed lunch conversation, with Liu jokingly offering Zhao the porridge he eventually accepts.
• Mu Yun’s classmates regroup over dinner, comparing opponents and match highlights.
• Lu Ziqi silently compares Mu Yun’s calmness and Feng Ya’s endurance with his own fatigue.
• Yan Wu’s proposed group arrangement goes unchallenged by the other schools’ teachers because of his reputation and Dusknoir’s overwhelming strength.

Plot points and events

• After the group stage, Yan Wu announces a sudden-elimination format: the remaining thirty students will be randomly paired, and each match’s loser is out. Mu Yun regrets that the short format means fewer chances to earn Points.
• The first match pits Feng Ya of Huaxing High against Xia Dongyu, the only student from the Small Class to reach this stage. Feng Ya’s punk appearance contrasts sharply with her sweet, shy-looking photo.
• Feng Ya’s Loudred defeats Xia Dongyu’s Staravia. Loudred’s sound attacks overwhelm Staravia, and Supersonic leaves it confused.
• Mu Yun’s match is drawn next: he will face Feng He, another Huaxing High student. Feng Ya reacts strongly to Feng He’s name, though she hides her feelings from her companions.

Character developments and interactions

• Yan Wu calms the students by having Dusknoir withdraw its oppressive Pressure, then explains the tournament rules.
• Mu Yun learns from Zhao Hailong and Liu Jianhao that Feng Ya’s father, Feng Xin, is a powerful Dark-type Trainer and the founder of Chengxin Logistics. He was rumored to have been involved in Pokémon smuggling, though there was no firm evidence.
• Liu Jianhao recalls that Feng Ya was once his gentle middle-school deskmate, but she later stopped attending regularly and her grades fell. His father had warned him to stay away from her family.
• Feng Ya’s reaction reveals that Feng He is her half-brother. She resents their father for neglecting her and her late mother, and feels powerless to confront him or the woman she calls a “vixen.”

Themes

• Appearance versus reality: Feng Ya’s current punk image is a striking contrast to her former shy demeanor.
• Family secrets and resentment: The tournament exposes the strained, hidden history between Feng Ya, Feng He, and their father.
• Unequal power and opportunity: Feng Ya’s anger is intensified by her inability to challenge people stronger than herself.
• Competition and chance: A random draw and one-match elimination make advancement depend heavily on a single battle.

Plot points and events

• In the City Battle Hall’s main arena, Mu Yun faces Huaxing High School’s Feng He in a one-on-one Pokémon battle.
• Feng He sends out a level-23 Houndour equipped with a Black Bone Fang that accelerates its growth and strengthens its biting moves. Mu Yun again chooses Xiao Du, his Beedrill.
• Mu Yun orders X-Scissor immediately. Houndour uses Fire Spin to block Xiao Du’s approach, counting on Beedrill’s weakness to Fire-type attacks.
• Rather than evade the flames, Xiao Du charges through them and cuts the fiery barrier apart with X-Scissor. He strikes Houndour’s head, cracking its bony growths and defeating it.
• The victory completes a quest and earns Mu Yun points. Xiao Du’s wing edges are slightly scorched, but he has won.

Character development

• Xiao Du demonstrates striking courage and resolve: he confronts the fire directly despite the danger, exceeding Mu Yun’s expectations.
• Mu Yun recognizes that Xiao Du’s bravery is greater than he had realized, recalling an earlier moment when Xiao Du overcame fear to protect him.
• Feng He proves cautious and observant. Having learned that Xiao Du defeated his sister, he takes the threat seriously and tries to control the battle with a defensive opening.

Character interactions

• Mu Yun and Feng He size each other up through their Pokémon: Feng He studies the Beedrill that beat his sister, while Mu Yun suspects Feng He may be Feng Ya’s twin brother because of their surname, school, and age.
• Feng He praises Houndour’s successful Fire Spin, but the tactic is overwhelmed by Xiao Du’s attack.
• Mu Yun’s final attention shifts from the win itself to Xiao Du’s bravery and what it means to him.

Significant themes

• Courage in the face of fear: Xiao Du refuses to let a dangerous obstacle dictate his actions.
• Surpassing expectations: Mu Yun learns that Xiao Du is braver than he had thought.
• Strategy and risk: Feng He exploits Beedrill’s Fire weakness, while Xiao Du’s speed and offensive power allow him to break through the trap—at a cost of minor scorching.

Key plot points and events

• After Mu Yun defeats his opponent, Evergreen Province Trainer Association vice president Yan Wu reviews his file. It lists his Beedrill, self-caught Pidgeotto, and Alternate Form Vulpix, the last of which came from the Inspection Department.
• Yan Wu suspects Mu Yun may be Gifted at raising Pokémon and considers him promising, but notes that the Inspection Department has already taken an interest in him.
• Mu Yun’s system confirms he placed in the top fifteen, qualifying for the Provincial Tournament in Evergreen City. He receives a large Points reward, bringing his balance to 12,059.
• He uses a Storage Space Expansion Card, increasing his space from four to seven cubic meters. He saves a discount card for a possible future purchase, such as a rare Pokémon Treasure or an Ice Stone for Bingbing.
• After nearly two hours of battles, the fifteen qualifiers are decided. Songjiang No. 1 High School and Huaxing High School supply eleven of them. Yan Wu announces that the Provincial Tournament begins on October 25, three weeks later, and that qualifiers will receive resources to prepare.
• Mu Yun’s next system task is to travel to Evergreen City and compete. Its rewards scale sharply with performance, offering major Points bonuses and items for reaching the semifinals or winning the championship.

Character developments and interactions

• Yan Wu’s review reveals both his interest in Mu Yun’s talent and his restraint: he does not want to compete with the Inspection Department for a prospect whose potential is still uncertain.
• Yan Denggao praises Mu Yun’s intelligence, work ethic, and Pokémon training, especially Beedrill’s strength. Yan Wu agrees with his assessment, then reminds him to use his official title while they are working.
• Mu Yun remains focused on improving his Pokémon and building Points toward the twenty-one Evolution Essences Bingbing needs.

Significant themes

• Talent and institutional interest: Mu Yun’s growing ability attracts attention from powerful organizations, raising questions about who may guide or recruit him.
• Effort and reward: His success in the exam brings tangible resources and opens the door to a larger competition.
• Ambition and preparation: The new task’s escalating rewards encourage Mu Yun to aim beyond merely qualifying and pursue a high finish.