Chapter Summaries

Key plot points

• Ling Ruijie’s level-38 Weavile defeats a level-38 Tangrowth with a single Ice Punch, easily clearing the S-Class challenge.
• Ling stays to watch Mu Yun enter an A-Class battle with Alolan Ninetales, Bingbing, rather than his better-known Beedrill or Pidgeot.
• Sawsbuck begins charging Bullet Seed, but Bingbing unleashes an exceptionally powerful snowstorm. Ling recognizes it as Snow Warning, though its strength seems far beyond what the Ability should normally produce.
• Bingbing overwhelms Sawsbuck and wins despite being one level lower. The victory completes Mu Yun’s quest, awarding him 38 Points and slightly increasing Bingbing’s growth.
• Mu Yun takes another available A-Class battle, then declines Ling’s request for a match, saying he is busy.

Character developments and interactions

• Ling Ruijie is initially composed and confident, but Bingbing’s unusual Snow Warning astonishes him. He begins to suspect Mu Yun may be exceptionally gifted—or even a “Blessed One”—and approaches him respectfully to request a battle.
• Mu Yun remains focused on training and earning Points, choosing to use Bingbing for the available challenges. His blunt refusal catches Ling off guard.
• Bingbing demonstrates that she is already a formidable battler, controlling the field with a blizzard powerful enough to overwhelm Sawsbuck.
• Ling’s easy victory over Tangrowth contrasts with Mu Yun’s surprising display, prompting Ling’s growing curiosity about him.

Significant themes

• Power and potential: Bingbing’s performance suggests abilities can exceed what is expected from species or standard knowledge.
• Focused training versus collecting Pokémon: Ling believes Trainers should concentrate resources on a few strong Pokémon, while Mu Yun’s lineup and strategy challenge his assumptions.
• Ambition and practical goals: Mu Yun prioritizes battle experience and Points over accepting a seemingly appealing challenge.

Key plot points and events

• Mu Yun agrees to battle Ling Ruijie that night, then resumes his rapid tour of the training camps to earn Points.
• At the S-Class arena, Bingbing (Alolan Ninetales), despite being only level 37, defeats an opponent’s level-42 Simisage in one move. The win completes a permanent quest, awards Mu Yun 42 Points, and boosts Bingbing’s growth.
• Mu Yun challenges arenas at the Flowing Cloud, Flowing White, and Flowing Fire camps, focusing on the less crowded A- and S-Class matches. Bingbing wins each battle with ease, even against a type disadvantage, and reaches level 38.
• At the Flowing Cloud camp, Yu Bo watches Mu Yun’s Alolan Ninetales dominate and doubts his own prospects with Red Gyarados.
• At the Flowing Fire camp, Wang Fugui questions why Mu Yun is challenging weaker opponents. Mu Yun replies that “a true master should always keep the heart of an apprentice,” though Wang suspects he is simply farming Points.
• At day’s end, Mu Yun estimates that one more day of battling could bring Bingbing close to Elite Level.
• Meanwhile, training-camp official Zou Mingli learns that Mu Yun—not the expected top students—has cleared most arenas across four camps. Worried Mu Yun’s dominance will disrupt the training phase, he orders the camp’s remaining Basic Level Grass- and Water-type treasures brought to him.

Character developments and interactions

• Mu Yun remains intensely focused on accumulating Points and developing Bingbing, showing little concern for how easily he overwhelms other trainees.
• Bingbing (Alolan Ninetales) demonstrates extraordinary strength and continues growing through repeated victories.
• Yu Bo becomes increasingly frustrated after watching Mu Yun’s success undermine his confidence in his own “chosen one” status.
• Wang Fugui is impressed but skeptical of Mu Yun’s lofty explanation for seeking battles; he keeps his doubts to himself.
• Zou Mingli shifts from admiration at the arenas being cleared quickly to concern about Mu Yun’s impact, and considers using stored treasures to address the situation.
• Ling Ruijie understands Mu Yun’s plan to keep battling, though he does not understand why Mu Yun is so eager to earn Points.

Significant themes

• Relentless ambition and resource-seeking: Mu Yun treats battles as a way to gather Points and accelerate Bingbing’s growth.
• Power imbalance: Mu Yun’s overwhelming strength turns ordinary training into effortless victories and threatens to undermine the purpose of the challenge period.
• Humor and self-awareness: Mu Yun’s “apprentice’s heart” excuse contrasts with the obvious reality that he is steamrolling weaker opponents.
• Unintended consequences: His personal progress creates problems for officials and frustration among other trainees.

Chapter Summary: “Victory Over Ling Ruijie!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• After dinner, Ling Ruijie challenges Mu Yun to a Pokémon battle, with Lü Jiayi acting as referee.
• Ling sends out his ace, Weavile, while Mu Yun chooses Bingbing, his Alolan Ninetales. Mu Yun does not use Xiao Du or Namikaze because they have already reached Elite Level, making a battle against a Professional-Level opponent less beneficial.
• Ling orders Weavile to use Quick Attack immediately, hoping to close the distance before Bingbing can establish her powerful snowstorm.
• Bingbing activates her enhanced snowy field and overwhelms Weavile with a combination of Ice Storm, Ice Beam, and unusually large-area Moonblast attacks.
• Weavile repeatedly attempts to dodge and counterattack, but Bingbing’s rapid move combinations and enormous Moonblast range leave him unable to escape.
• After enduring three Moonblasts along with continuous damage from the blizzard, Weavile loses the ability to battle. Mu Yun wins, and Bingbing receives experience and a slight increase in growth.
• Lü Jiayi is shocked that Mu Yun’s Alolan Ninetales can defeat Ling Ruijie’s ace, especially since she considers Bingbing only Mu Yun’s third-strongest Pokémon.
• Afterward, Ling takes Weavile to recover and reveals the true reason for the challenge: he wanted Weavile to determine whether Mu Yun possessed an aura associated with legendary Pokémon or divine blessing.
• Weavile senses nothing unusual, leading Ling to conclude that Mu Yun’s strength is likely the result of extraordinary natural talent rather than the aid of a legendary Pokémon.

Character Developments

• Mu Yun: Demonstrates that even his less powerful Pokémon can defeat the ace of a gifted Trainer. His tactical strength, Pokémon training, and Bingbing’s enhanced abilities appear far beyond what Ling expected.
• Bingbing: Displays overwhelming battlefield control, extreme move range, rapid attack chaining, and powerful Ice- and Fairy-Type techniques. Her performance suggests she can fight at a level much higher than her apparent rank.
• Ling Ruijie: Begins the battle confident in Weavile’s speed and experience but becomes increasingly alarmed as Bingbing invalidates his strategy. His defeat deepens his respect and suspicion toward Mu Yun.
• Weavile: Shows strong instincts and disciplined battle habits, using Quick Attack both offensively and defensively. However, he cannot overcome Bingbing’s wide-area attacks and relentless pressure.
• Lü Jiayi: Acts as referee and reacts with surprise and envy to Mu Yun’s overwhelming victory. Her perception of him shifts further toward viewing him as a monstrous-level prodigy.

Significant Themes

• Overwhelming talent: Mu Yun’s abilities appear so extraordinary that even Ling struggles to explain them without invoking divine or legendary intervention.
• Hidden strength and misdirection: Bingbing is not regarded as Mu Yun’s strongest Pokémon, yet she defeats Ling’s ace decisively, implying that Mu Yun has far greater power in reserve.
• Battlefield control versus speed: Ling relies on Weavile’s Quick Attack and evasion, but Bingbing’s blizzard and massive-area Moonblast prevent speed from becoming an advantage.
• Curiosity about divine power: The battle also serves as an investigation into whether Mu Yun’s strength comes from a legendary Pokémon’s blessing, ultimately suggesting that his talent may be entirely his own.
• Growth through combat: Mu Yun’s system rewards him with experience and progress, reinforcing battles as a way for him and his Pokémon to grow stronger.

Character Interactions

• Ling Ruijie respectfully addresses Mu Yun as “Brother Mu” and directly tests his strength.
• Lü Jiayi enthusiastically referees the match and openly reacts to Mu Yun’s victory.
• Mu Yun and Ling communicate primarily through their Pokémon commands, with Ling trying to exploit Weavile’s speed while Mu Yun allows Bingbing’s snowstorm and attack combinations to dominate.
• After the battle, Ling questions Weavile about sensing divine or legendary influence, revealing that his challenge was part of a deeper investigation into Mu Yun’s origins and abilities.

Plot points and events

• Zou Mingli summons Mu Yun and gives him two Basic Pokémon Treasures: Mystic Water and Woodland Grass Seed. He explains that he is expanding the S-Class challenges, with camp commanders potentially available as opponents too.
• Zou hints that this year’s College Entrance Examination will be different, as provinces across the alliance have combined their training programs and increased investment. He does not know why or what the changes will involve.
• Back at the dorm, Mu Yun converts the two treasures into 24,000 Energy Points. He spends 20,000 to raise his Iron Tower and Never-Sunset language skills to LV4, increasing his Spirit from 37 to 41.
• Mu Yun then spends 27,000 Points on 27 Evolution Essences. Using them on Bold raises the Wimpod’s Physical Defense and Physical Attack by five points each per essence, bringing his Base Stat total from 230 to 500—close to the 530 total of his final evolution.

Character developments and interactions

• Mu Yun remains focused on training and strengthening his Pokémon, treating the coming exam changes as a secondary concern. He appreciates Zou’s support and adapts his training plans to make better use of higher-level challenges.
• Zou Mingli supports Mu Yun by providing treasures and access to stronger opponents, while warning him that the exam format is changing.
• Bold is thrilled by the Evolution Essences and Mu Yun’s help, imagining his future as a powerful Golisopod. His stats improve dramatically, though his level remains only 21.
• Mu Yun notes that several of his Pokémon—including Bold, Xiao Xin, and Aron—are not yet strong enough to gain experience from Elite-level opponents, but expects they will be ready after more training.

Significant themes

• Steady preparation and ambition: Mu Yun invests resources strategically to improve both himself and his Pokémon.
• Uncertainty and opportunity: The exam changes are unexplained, but expanded training and stronger opponents may benefit capable students.
• Growth takes time: Bold’s major stat increase is impressive, yet his low level and limited move mastery show that raw potential must still be developed through training.

Chapter Summary: “Strengthened Ability: Endless Berserker!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• In a forest clearing, Aron (Xiao Tie) trains defensively against Wimpod (Bold), allowing both Pokémon to improve their move proficiencies. Bold repeatedly uses Aqua Jet while Xiao Tie uses Iron Defense.
• Bold’s Aqua Jet reaches Limit-Breaking +2, giving her enough Limit-Breaking Points for an Ability enhancement.
• Mu Yun spends five Limit-Breaking Points to replace Bold’s original Wimp Out Ability with Endless Berserker.
• The new Ability allows Bold to accumulate Berserker stacks whenever she attacks or uses moves. Each stack slightly increases her Physical Attack, Physical Defense, and Speed. At more than ten stacks, she enters a special state called Unceasing.
• During the enhancement, Bold gains a new understanding of Water-type energy, learns Waterfall, and immediately reaches Mastered proficiency with it. She also levels up to Level 23.
• Bold demonstrates Waterfall by creating a massive wall of water despite having no natural water source nearby. Mu Yun is impressed and begins considering whether multiple Gyarados could combine Waterfall to create an artificial waterfall.
• Mu Yun reflects on the scarcity of wild Pokémon in the regularly cleared Waterwood Secret Realm and decides he may search the Songjiang River for Gyarados after leaving the training camp.
• Mu Yun returns to the logistics camp to prepare lunch. He has spent the past month challenging Pokémon trainers from all five camps, defeating them instantly with Xiao Du and Namikaze.
• Because the battles have become too one-sided to serve as meaningful training, Mu Yun arranges for each camp to send five challengers daily. In exchange for battling him—and allowing weaker trainers to practice against his Pokémon—he provides delicious meals.
• The food becomes so popular that the challengers compete for the opportunity to participate. Wang Fugui, a familiar trainer from Flowing Fire Camp, enthusiastically asks what is being served.
• Mu Yun prepares a lavish lunch, earning cooking experience, though he realizes that advancing his Cooking skill will still require a very long time.

Character Developments

• Bold: Makes major progress through combat training, gains the powerful Endless Berserker Ability, learns Waterfall, reaches Mastered proficiency with it, and levels up to 23. Her new Ability encourages continuous aggression and sustained combat rather than retreat.
• Mu Yun: Continues refining his Pokémon through systematic training and Ability enhancement. He also develops a practical system for using his overwhelming strength to train the camps while gaining cooking experience and maintaining good relationships.
• Xiao Tie (Aron): Serves as Bold’s defensive training partner, using Iron Defense to help improve Bold’s Aqua Jet while increasing his own move proficiency.
• Wang Fugui: Though still weaker than Mu Yun, he remains eager and good-humored, valuing the chance to train and especially to eat Mu Yun’s cooking.

Significant Themes

• Growth through persistent training: Bold’s breakthrough comes from repeated practical use of Aqua Jet and sustained effort.
• Strategic Ability development: Mu Yun carefully chooses an Ability that transforms Bold into a stronger long-term combatant.
• Power contrasted with restraint: Mu Yun’s strength is so great that ordinary battles end instantly, forcing him to find more useful ways to train others.
• Food as connection and reward: Mu Yun’s cooking helps turn forced battles into a popular communal activity and strengthens his ties with the camp members.
• Resourcefulness and future planning: Mu Yun considers using river-dwelling Pokémon and natural environmental forces to enhance Waterfall’s potential.

Character Interactions

• Bold and Xiao Tie train together, with Xiao Tie’s defensive moves providing Bold with a safer and more effective way to improve Aqua Jet.
• Mu Yun directly enhances Bold’s Ability and praises her impressive Waterfall display.
• Mu Yun negotiates with the five camp commanders to create a daily training-and-meal arrangement.
• Wang Fugui and the other camp members treat Mu Yun as both an unbeatable trainer and a highly respected chef, showing their admiration despite repeatedly losing to him.

Chapter Summary: “It’s Finally Time for Xiao Xin to Show Her Might!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• At the logistics camp’s training grounds, Mu Yun participates in another series of Pokémon battles before a large audience of soldiers.
• His first opponent is Wang Fugui, an old friend and member of the Blazing Fire Squad.
• Rather than using his powerful Magcargo, Wang Fugui sends out a Level 29 Heatmor, expecting to defeat Mu Yun’s newly trained Pokémon.
• Mu Yun chooses Xiao Xin, a Level 23 Floragato who has little real battle experience.
• The spectators are surprised and skeptical because Floragato is a Grass Type Pokémon facing a Fire Type opponent.
• Mu Yun commands Xiao Xin to combine Quick Attack with a mysterious Water-type technique called Water Ball.
• Xiao Xin uses her likely hidden Ability, Protean, to change her Type and gain the benefits of Water-type attacks.
• Moving with incredible speed, she repeatedly launches Water Balls directly at Heatmor. The attacks receive both Type effectiveness and same-Type bonuses.
• Heatmor is defeated almost immediately, despite being six levels higher than Xiao Xin.
• Xiao Xin’s victory completes Mu Yun’s mission and raises her Growth Level, increasing her from Level 23 to Level 24.
• Mu Yun immediately prepares Xiao Xin for another match, while her confidence soars.

Character Developments

• Xiao Xin: This is her first proper battle, and she initially believes she is weak because she has been unable to damage Aron during training. Her overwhelming victory changes her attitude completely. She becomes confident, excited, and convinced that she may now be strong enough to defeat Aron.
• Mu Yun: He demonstrates his skill as a Trainer by using Xiao Xin’s Protean Ability and Water Ball technique to overcome a major Type disadvantage. He remains calm and amused by Xiao Xin’s exaggerated reaction to her victory.
• Wang Fugui: He enters the battle confidently, believing that his Fire Type Heatmor should easily defeat a Grass Type Floragato. His confidence turns into shock when Heatmor is defeated after only a few attacks.
• The soldiers: They begin skeptical of Mu Yun’s choice but quickly become impressed by Xiao Xin’s speed, unusual technique, and decisive victory. They speculate that she possesses the hidden Ability Protean.

Significant Themes

• Hidden strength and underestimated potential: Xiao Xin appears inexperienced and disadvantaged, but her abilities allow her to defeat a stronger opponent with ease.
• The importance of strategy over Type matchups: Mu Yun overturns the normal Fire-versus-Grass advantage through Protean, Water Ball, and carefully timed attacks.
• Confidence gained through experience: Xiao Xin’s first real victory helps her recognize her own strength, even though her conclusions are somewhat exaggerated.
• Training and growth: The battle fulfills Mu Yun’s mission and directly contributes to Xiao Xin’s level increase, emphasizing how combat accelerates development.
• Humor and self-perception: Xiao Xin mistakes Heatmor’s weakness against her specialized attack for proof that she has suddenly become powerful enough to defeat Aron, creating a comedic contrast with Mu Yun’s more realistic assessment.

Character Interactions

• Wang Fugui challenges Mu Yun while internally complaining that Mu Yun is underestimating him by using Floragato.
• Mu Yun gives Xiao Xin precise commands, trusting her speed and Water Ball technique.
• Xiao Xin acts independently once battle begins, rapidly chaining Water Balls without needing further instructions.
• The spectators discuss and analyze Xiao Xin’s mysterious abilities, gradually recognizing Mu Yun’s expertise.
• After the fight, Mu Yun tries to redirect Xiao Xin’s excitement toward the next battle, while Xiao Xin confidently declares that she is ready.

Plot and events

• Floragato, nicknamed Xiao Xin, defeats Amoonguss and completes a permanent quest, earning points and reaching level 25. After winning more than a dozen matches, she loudly declares herself the world’s fourth strongest Pokémon.
• Mu Yun calls Xiao Xin back to rest and gives the next turn to Little Iron, his Aron. The crowd is impressed to see that he has another rare Pokémon.
• Little Iron faces Araquanid of the Flowing Water Squad. Araquanid’s Trainer opens with Bubble Beam, hoping to exploit Aron’s weaker Special Defense and keep his Pokémon out of close range.
• Mu Yun orders Iron Defense. Little Iron, anxious without it, uses the move three times almost instantly. His unusual Ability, Absolute Defense, lets him exceed the normal stat-stage limit, dramatically raising both defenses. The spectators mistake the flashes for a single use.
• As Bubble Beam approaches, Little Iron uses Iron Defense again. Araquanid’s Trainer assumes this is a poor response to a special attack and starts imagining the reward for winning. Bubble Beam strikes Little Iron—an apparent first hit against one of Mu Yun’s Pokémon—and the chapter ends with the onlookers wondering whether Aron is his weak point.

Character developments

• Xiao Xin’s string of wins fuels her confidence and boastfulness, though she remains obedient when Mu Yun calls her back.
• Little Iron is revealed as extremely defense-focused and somewhat uneasy in battle without Iron Defense. His Absolute Defense ability makes him far more capable of stacking defenses than anyone realizes.
• Mu Yun takes a measured approach to training, rotating his Pokémon rather than letting Xiao Xin do all the work.

Significant themes

• Confidence and discipline: Xiao Xin is exuberant but still responds promptly to Mu Yun.
• Hidden strength and misjudgment: Little Iron’s true defensive boosts go unnoticed, while Araquanid’s Trainer and the spectators draw conclusions before seeing the full result.
• Training as a team: Mu Yun wants his Pokémon to develop together rather than allowing one to advance alone.
• Rules versus unusual abilities: Little Iron’s Absolute Defense pushes beyond the normal limits of stat boosts, though the cost of further layers depends on his stamina.

Character interactions

• Mu Yun gently reins in Xiao Xin and gives other Pokémon a chance to train.
• The soldiers and Wang Fugui react with surprise to Floragato’s unusual attacks and Little Iron’s rapid Iron Defense.
• Araquanid’s Trainer approaches the match cautiously, but underestimates Little Iron’s defenses and becomes distracted by thoughts of the promised meal.

Plot points and events

• In the arena, Little Iron (Aron) withstands Araquanid’s Bubble Beam without taking damage. Mistaking Araquanid’s attack for a trick, he keeps his defenses up.
• Mu Yun ends the defensive training and orders Little Iron to use Body Press. Little Iron charges through another Bubble Beam, then uses a second Body Press to catch Araquanid after it dodges the first.
• The hit knocks Araquanid out, earning Little Iron the win and completing Mu Yun’s quest. Little Iron rises from level 23 to 24.
• Mu Yun sends Little Iron into more than a dozen further matches. He repeats the same strategy—Iron Defense followed by repeated Body Press charges—and defeats every opponent. By the end of the day, he reaches level 25, and all twenty-five scheduled opponents have been beaten.

Character developments

• Little Iron proves that his defensive strength can be turned into offense: Body Press lets him charge quickly and hit hard, despite his usual slowness and close-range limitations.
• Mu Yun shows tactical patience, first considering whether to keep building Iron Defense proficiency, then prioritizing level growth. He also recognizes that Little Iron’s main strength is defense rather than conventional one-on-one combat.
• Araquanid’s confidence gives way to confusion and panic as its attacks fail and Little Iron closes in.

Themes

• Defense as strength: Little Iron’s resilience frustrates opponents and creates opportunities to counterattack.
• Training and strategy: Mu Yun’s repeated practice of Iron Defense and Body Press produces a distinctive, effective battle style.
• Reputation and expectation: Spectators readily accept Little Iron’s surprising performance because Mu Yun’s Pokémon are already known for extraordinary feats.

Character interactions

• Little Iron misreads Araquanid’s harmless-feeling Bubble Beam as a ploy, while Araquanid is baffled by his reaction.
• Mu Yun directs Little Iron’s shift from defense to attack, and Little Iron responds with an overwhelming combination of speed and force.
• The crowd marvels at Little Iron’s performance, comparing it with other remarkable feats by Mu Yun’s Pokémon. Mu Yun finishes the day wishing there had been more opponents so Mighty could battle too.

Key plot points and events

• With one week left at training camp, Wang Fugui returns to the cafeteria for Mu Yun’s cooking before heading to the day’s routine battles.
• Wang’s level-39 Magcargo faces Mu Yun’s level-29 Wimpod, Bold. Bold rapidly defeats Magcargo with a powerful Aqua Jet followed by Waterfall, despite the ten-level gap.
• The victory completes a quest and raises Bold’s level to 30. He immediately evolves into Golisopod, gaining several new moves, including First Impression and Rock Smash.
• Mu Yun checks Bold’s upgraded stats and is impressed by his tremendous Attack and Defense. The newly learned moves also give Mu Yun more opportunities to earn Limit-Breaking Points.

Character developments

• Bold reaches Professional Level and evolves into the imposing Golisopod. His potential rises from Totem Level to Gym Leader Level, and his ability strengthens as he builds Berserk stacks through attacks.
• Mu Yun remains composed during the evolution and focuses on Bold’s improved capabilities and future growth.
• Wang Fugui has advanced Magcargo close to Elite Level, but remains accustomed to losing to Mu Yun’s team—and hopes for a quick defeat.

Character interactions

• Wang greets Mu Yun warmly after returning to the cafeteria and enjoys his cooking before the match.
• In battle, Wang gives Magcargo commands and fights earnestly, while Mu Yun directs Bold through a swift, decisive combination.
• Wang and the surrounding spectators react with surprise when Bold evolves; Mu Yun watches calmly as Bold explores his new form.

Significant themes

• Growth through challenge: Defeating a stronger opponent triggers Bold’s level-up and evolution.
• Preparation and progression: New moves and improved stats expand both Bold’s combat options and Mu Yun’s training strategy.
• Resilience in defeat: Wang continues to participate seriously despite expecting to lose.

Plot points and events

• Little Iron’s evolution from Aron to Lairon is reviewed: he gained Iron Tail and a major stat boost, though his full potential will come when he becomes Aggron.
• Xiao Xin has raised her potential to Champion level, learned Grassy Glide and Shadow Claw, and developed several new attacks. At level 35, she is nearing evolution.
• Bold battles a level-38 Lotad. Using First Impression, he closes the distance and overwhelms Lotad with brute force. His ability, Endless Berserker, builds power as he keeps attacking.
• Bold continues a winning streak, with his rising attack, defense, and speed making him a serious threat even to Little Iron.
• Xiao Xin takes her turn and defeats a level-39 Octillery. The victory raises her to level 36, triggering another evolution and astonishing the crowd.

Character developments

• Bold enjoys his evolved body and close-combat strength, becoming increasingly ferocious as his Berserker stacks build.
• Xiao Xin is eager to fight and determined to grow strong enough to defeat Little Iron, despite currently struggling against the team’s tougher matchups.
• Mu Yun assesses how the team’s strengths and weaknesses compare, noting that Xiao Xin is presently the least equipped to win against her teammates.

Themes

• Growth through effort: Training, battles, and new abilities steadily advance the Pokémon.
• Specialization and matchups: Each Pokémon has distinct strengths, but those strengths can be countered by particular opponents.
• Ambition and perseverance: Xiao Xin accepts that she needs more training and views evolution as the next step toward overcoming Little Iron.

Character interactions

• Bold’s intimidating charge frightens Lotad, and his relentless attacks leave Lotad unable to fight back.
• Mu Yun compares Xiao Xin unfavorably with the others but encourages her to evolve soon.
• Xiao Xin’s determination to keep battling contrasts with her present inability to overcome Little Iron’s defenses.
• The spectators, still impressed by Bold’s evolution, are stunned when Xiao Xin begins evolving too.

• Meowscarada’s evolution: Xiao Xin completes her final evolution into Meowscarada, reaches level 36, and learns Ally Switch. Her potential rises from Elite Four level to Champion level. Her new ability lets her change both types at once; making both types identical stacks their power bonuses and doubles type advantages and resistances.
• A dramatic battle debut: Eager to test her strength, Xiao Xin challenges a level 40 Poliwrath. She transforms both types to Grass and lands an Energy Ball with an enormous combined boost. Poliwrath is knocked out in one hit, despite its higher level. The victory completes Mu Yun’s quest and raises Xiao Xin to level 37.
• Further victories: Xiao Xin continues battling successfully, proving that her type-shifting and damage bonuses make her an exceptionally versatile attacker. The chapter ends with the final day of battle training concluded; the students must assemble the next day to hear the camp’s final task.
• Character development and interactions: Xiao Xin is delighted by her increased height and eagerly seeks opponents, showing confidence and enthusiasm. Mu Yun recognizes that her new dual-type ability could make her damage surpass even Xiao Du’s under favorable conditions. The Poliwrath’s trainer and the referee are stunned by how much stronger Xiao Xin has become since her earlier battles, while Mu Yun confirms the scale of her new power.
• Themes: The chapter emphasizes growth through evolution and sustained training, the strategic value of understanding type matchups, and the dramatic impact of combining abilities, type advantages, and move-power bonuses.

Key plot points and events

• On the final morning of the three-month training camp, Mu Yun leaves the dorm feeling nostalgic and joins his friends on the way to the training ground.
• The camp has dwindled to a little over two hundred students, nearly half the original number, due to eliminations and departures.
• Director Zou Mingli gives an emotional farewell speech, then announces the camp’s admissions rewards: the top twenty receive guaranteed admission to any Pokémon-related major at Black River University, while the top fifty gain guaranteed admission to other leading universities. Remaining students receive application score bonuses.
• Students may challenge higher-ranked candidates, with each student allowed one challenge and permitted to be challenged up to five times.
• Mu Yun is announced as first place, with Ling Ruijie second and Liu Hesheng third. Several of Mu Yun’s friends also rank highly; Liu Jianhao, Zhao Hailong, and Wu Tu miss the top twenty but still earn respectable rankings and score bonuses.
• Mu Yun reflects on the long-term system task tied to the camp’s final ranking. Expecting to finish first, he eagerly anticipates its reward, which could include points, recipes, move-learning memories, or special abilities.

Character developments

• Mu Yun shows a rare moment of nostalgia about leaving the camp, but quickly returns to his usual confidence and curiosity—especially about the system reward.
• His first-place finish confirms the reputation he has built through overwhelming performances during camp and inter-camp battles.
• Liu Jianhao and the others have made enough progress to earn useful admissions benefits, even without reaching the top twenty.

Significant themes

• Parting and transition: Students face the end of a formative period and the uncertainty of what comes next.
• Merit and competition: Camp performance determines valuable educational opportunities, while challenges leave rankings open to change.
• Reputation and exceptional talent: Mu Yun’s widely known feats make his top ranking unsurprising to the crowd.
• Ambition and reward: Both university admission and Mu Yun’s mysterious system prize motivate the students.

Character interactions

• Mu Yun reunites with Chi Duoduo and Lü Jiayi, then travels with them and other friends to the training ground.
• Zou Mingli addresses the students and announces the rankings and challenge rules, while Cai Mantang’s booming call brings the crowd to order.
• Chi Duoduo and other students celebrate Mu Yun’s first-place result; classmates trade stories of his past battles, none disputing his superiority.

Key plot points and events

• Mu Yun’s training-camp victory is confirmed after the final challenges, and the system rewards him with 50,000 Points, a storage expansion, move-learning memories, energy-cube recipes, and a special-ability selection.
• His total rises to 109,765 Points. He appreciates the reward but judges it insufficient for his longer-term plans: developing Calisthenics and buying Evolution Essence for the Magikarp he intends to raise.
• The camp officially ends. The top twenty students are invited to report their preferred major in exchange for guaranteed admission.
• Mu Yun chooses Trainer studies after learning about the major’s benefits, especially better access to Secret Realms and more spacious housing.
• At the admissions meeting, Black River University vice president Liao Ding congratulates the students, explains how to register their majors, and introduces a new College Entrance Examination reform. Students receive a Secret Realm Exploration Confidentiality Agreement, leaving them surprised and curious.

Character developments

• Mu Yun’s success and growing ambitions are clear: his perspective on money and rewards has shifted as his plans and needs have expanded.
• He commits to Trainer studies, prioritizing hands-on opportunities and practical benefits while keeping research as a secondary interest.
• Ling Ruijie’s composure during the announcement hints that he may already know something about the exam reform.

Character interactions

• Chi Duoduo asks Mu Yun which major he will choose; Mu Yun explains his decision.
• Mu Yun’s choice is informed by Deng Siyao’s earlier advice about the differences between Trainer and Breeder studies.
• Zou Mingli closes the camp and directs the top students to the admissions meeting. Liao Ding then addresses them, with his secretary distributing the confidentiality forms.

Significant themes

• Success and changing desires: Rewards that once seemed enormous now feel modest as Mu Yun’s ambitions grow.
• Opportunity and specialization: Choosing a major shapes students’ access to resources, living conditions, and Secret Realms.
• Uncertainty and new challenges: The confidentiality agreement signals a major change to the entrance exam and sets up the next stage of the story.

Key plot points and events

• Liao Ding reveals a new secret realm discovered on an island in South Sea Province. Only the top ten students from each district will enter, and participation is optional.
• The best-performing student will become the Yanhuang League’s first National Top Scholar in the Pokémon Department, earning the chance to choose a pseudo-legendary Pokémon. The winner will also receive Champion-potential Pokémon from Black River University; the runner-up institutionally receives an Elite Four-potential Pokémon for its highest-ranked participant.
• Several students withdraw, and a final selection battle reduces the group to ten. Liao Ding gives the selected students a week to prepare before their departure.
• Mu Yun and the others leave the Waterwood Secret Realm, check into a hotel in Heijiang City, and prepare for the upcoming expedition.
• Mu Yun uses a storage-space expansion reward and selects five move-learning memories: Razor Shell, Chilling Water, Low Sweep, Brick Break, and Head Smash. He plans to give Razor Shell to Bold, Head Smash to Aron, and the other three to Xiao Xin.
• He also chooses several Energy Cube recipe types. Finally, he activates his reward to select a special ability and discovers eight available options.

Character developments and interactions

• Mu Yun is motivated by the prospect of obtaining a pseudo-legendary, especially because his Evolution Essence could potentially enhance one’s early forms. He remains measured about the Champion-potential prize unless he can choose the Pokémon himself.
• Ling Ruijie is comparatively calm: his family already has Ice-type pseudo-legendaries, and he doubts he could defeat Mu Yun.
• The students react excitedly to the rare rewards, while many recognize Mu Yun as the likely favorite. Some opt for guaranteed university admission instead of risking the selection.
• Liao Ding manages the selection and logistics, with his secretary Xiao Lin helping organize the students and their accommodations.

Significant themes

• Competition and ambition: The chance to earn an unprecedented national title and rare Pokémon raises the stakes of the trial.
• Unequal access and privilege: Ling Ruijie’s family already possesses pseudo-legendaries, highlighting how family resources shape students’ starting positions.
• Preparation and strategy: Mu Yun carefully assigns new moves to his Pokémon and selects recipes with their needs in mind, showing his practical approach to growth.

Key plot points and events

• Mu Yun reviews the system’s eight special abilities and weighs their usefulness.
• He considers Psychic for its vast versatility, Aura for sensing and enhancement, and Order Force for its ability to suppress opponents’ powers. He also examines abilities that influence Pokémon, heal through a woodland pact, cut with invisible force, or disorient targets.
• Mu Yun rejects most options: some seem too situational, redundant with his existing resources, or potentially risky because they could involve Legendary Pokémon.
• The final option, Pioneering Power, can absorb special powers released when a target dies, make them the user’s own, and strengthen them over time.
• Seeing the possibility of gaining many different abilities, Mu Yun immediately chooses it. The system loads the power.

Character development

• Mu Yun is practical and analytical, judging abilities against his own strengths, resources, and future needs rather than choosing based on impressive names alone.
• His ambition becomes clear when he recognizes Pioneering Power’s potential to accumulate abilities. Once convinced, he commits without hesitation.

Significant themes

• Power and choice: The chapter centers on comparing different forms of power and deciding which best suits the user.
• Pragmatism versus temptation: Mu Yun passes on flashy or potentially dangerous abilities when they seem unnecessary or uncertain.
• Growth through accumulation: Pioneering Power introduces the prospect of steadily expanding Mu Yun’s capabilities by acquiring and improving others’ powers.

Character interactions

• The chapter is largely focused on Mu Yun’s internal deliberations and his exchanges with the system. No other characters appear directly; references to Pokémon, Legendary figures, and familiar trainers inform his evaluations.

Chapter Summary: “Pioneering Power LV5! Fishing!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Mu Yun uses a 10% Off Card to purchase a Top-Level Never-Melt Ice for 50,000 Points.
• The Never-Melt Ice converts into 144,000 Energy Points, confirming that higher-quality Pokémon Treasures provide significantly more Energy Points.
• He spends nearly all of those Energy Points upgrading Pioneering Power from LV0 to LV5.
• At LV5, Pioneering Power improves dramatically:
  • Ability Seeds now mature in one week instead of one year.
  • It can capture power from targets that died within the past year instead of twenty-four hours.
  • It can water six Ability Seeds simultaneously instead of one.
• Mu Yun also upgrades several language skills to LV4 and increases his Spirit from 41 to 47, reaching the Late Elite Level.
• With a week remaining before entering the special Secret Realm connected to the College Entrance Examination reforms, Mu Yun decides to rest rather than continue intensive training.
• He chooses to go fishing at the nearby Heijiang River, hoping to catch Magikarp and possibly other Water-type Pokémon.
• Mu Yun buys fishing equipment and releases Bold to accompany him. Bold is too restless to sit quietly, so Mu Yun allows him to play in the river while Xiao Du stays beside him.
• Mu Yun catches a Magikarp, but Bold soon emerges from the water holding two unusual Pokémon: one golden-yellow with yellow fins, and another deep blue with a spiral-patterned belly. Their identities are left as a cliffhanger.

Character Developments

• Mu Yun becomes substantially more powerful and versatile through the upgrade of Pioneering Power. His ability to collect and cultivate special abilities is now far more efficient.
• His growing Spirit level suggests that he is progressing toward awakening or improving psychic abilities, though he is still uncertain how his powers will compare with Psychic-type Pokémon.
• Mu Yun shows greater awareness of the need for rest and balance, choosing leisure after months of rigorous training.
• Bold remains energetic, battle-hungry, and physically restless. He struggles with Mu Yun’s idea of “cultivating temperament” but obeys his trainer.
• Xiao Du is portrayed as calm, reliable, and well suited to quietly accompanying Mu Yun.
• Mu Yun’s interest in Magikarp hints that he may be planning to use them for future experimentation, training, or ability collection.

Significant Themes

• Power growth and optimization: Mu Yun carefully evaluates the exchange value of Pokémon Treasures and prioritizes high-quality resources.
• Patience versus efficiency: Pioneering Power still requires time, but its upgraded abilities greatly reduce delays and expand the range of possible targets.
• Accumulation and future potential: Mu Yun imagines eventually collecting hundreds of special abilities, reflecting his ambition and long-term planning.
• Balance between work and rest: After prolonged training, Mu Yun recognizes that relaxation is necessary for continued progress.
• Companionship and differing personalities: The fishing trip highlights the contrast between Mu Yun’s calmness, Bold’s restless enthusiasm, and Xiao Du’s composure.

Character Interactions

• Mu Yun communicates with the system to purchase the Never-Melt Ice and upgrade his abilities.
• He reflects on his progress and fantasizes about surpassing Pokémon in the number of abilities he possesses.
• Mu Yun gently instructs Bold to remain calm, but eventually allows him to swim when he cannot sit still.
• He asks Xiao Du to keep him company and implicitly rely on its calmer nature.
• The chapter ends with Mu Yun’s surprise at Bold’s discovery of two mysterious Pokémon, setting up the next chapter’s reveal.

Key events

• Bold brings Mu Yun two unusually valuable Pokémon: a Shiny Magikarp with Elite Four-level potential and a Poliwag with Elite-level potential.
• Mu Yun discovers that Poliwag carries a Faded King’s Rock hidden in its bloodline. It can activate only when the Pokémon has a king’s spirit and responsibility, along with its clan’s heartfelt support. This explains how wild Poliwag can evolve into Politoed without an externally supplied King’s Rock.
• Intrigued by the evolutionary mystery, Mu Yun decides to raise Poliwag into a Politoed and hopes to investigate kingly evolution further, potentially through a research paper.
• With Bold’s help, Mu Yun’s fishing trip turns into a major haul: 40 Pokémon, including 33 Magikarp and seven other Water-types. Most have modest potential, though a Staryu stands out at Professional-level potential.
• Mu Yun stores the catch in his Pokémon Space, since his age and registration status prevent him from officially traveling with so many Pokémon. He ends the chapter planning their training.

Character developments and interactions

• Mu Yun shows his scientific curiosity by connecting the King’s Rock discovery to existing research and forming a theory about how Pokémon clans choose leaders. He also sees the discovery as a chance to access more restricted research through publication.
• Bold becomes an enthusiastic and surprisingly resourceful fishing companion. Its eagerness impresses Mu Yun, and it even catches multiple Pokémon at once—though Mu Yun is baffled by Bold’s apparent strategy.
• Mu Yun and Bold share a warm, encouraging dynamic: Mu Yun praises Bold, and the praise makes it even more eager to help.
• Mu Yun is intrigued by a Corphish pursuing a Clauncher, suggesting a possible bond between the two Pokémon.

Significant themes

• Natural evolution and hidden inheritance: Pokémon evolution may depend on innate traits and social conditions, not just external items.
• Leadership and responsibility: A Pokémon’s status as a clan leader may shape its character and help it meet the conditions for a kingly evolution.
• Research and discovery: Mu Yun treats unusual Pokémon traits as clues to broader scientific questions.
• Growth and companionship: Bold’s growing initiative strengthens its partnership with Mu Yun, while the large catch expands Mu Yun’s responsibilities as a trainer.

Key plot points and events

• Mu Yun discovers that the updated daily-task system is far more profitable overall: although each task now earns only 12 Points, the much larger number of tasks brings his potential daily total to 2,760 Points.
• He plans to use those Points to obtain Berries and make Energy Cubes for his Pokémon, while recognizing that caring for forty newly caught Pokémon will be costly.
• Unable to supervise everyone himself, Mu Yun puts Bold in charge of the new group’s training. Bold is delighted by the responsibility.
• Mu Yun calls over Little Gold, his Shiny Magikarp, and gives him a damaged Gyarados horn bone. The bone triggers rapid growth: Little Gold grows from just over 70 centimeters to about one meter, though he can’t digest the whole bone at once.
• As Little Gold grows sleepy after eating, Mu Yun decides to use Evolution Essence on him next.

Character developments and interactions

• Mu Yun shows both practical management and care for his Pokémon: he delegates training to Bold but refuses to make the newly caught Pokémon work without providing for them. He is also ambitious about Little Gold’s potential size.
• Bold eagerly accepts the role of trainer and caretaker, excited to become a “master” himself.
• Little Gold is revealed to be a timid, food-insecure Magikarp whose distinctive coloring made survival harder. He reacts eagerly to the horn bone and begins growing immediately.
• Mu Yun gives his Pokémon simple, species-based names to make managing the expanding group easier, with Little Gold distinguished by his golden color.

Significant themes

• Growth through training and resources: Pokémon development depends on sustained care, materials, and effort.
• Responsibility and delegation: Mu Yun must balance his many projects by entrusting Bold with the group’s training.
• Care beyond profit: Mu Yun intends to provide for his Pokémon rather than treat them as a source of free Points.
• Potential and ambition: Little Gold’s rapid growth suggests he may become an unusually large and powerful Gyarados.

Key plot points and events

• Mu Yun spends 30,000 Points to obtain thirty Evolution Essences, intending to invest mainly in Little Gold, his rare Shiny Magikarp, and later perhaps Wawa and Staryu. He cannot afford to strengthen all thirty-two Magikarp.
• He uses all thirty Essences on Little Gold, raising his Physical Attack and Special Defense by 150 each.
• The boost appears to increase Little Gold’s ability to absorb Gyarados Horn Bone. He rapidly eats the remainder of his bone and much of a new one, growing from just over one meter to two meters before becoming drowsy.
• Impressed by Little Gold’s growth, Mu Yun considers giving the other Magikarp smaller amounts of Essence, though he wants to confirm the effect first.
• Mu Yun teleports to the lake’s central island, where Bold is training the Water Pokémon. He observes that most Magikarp can only practice Splash in short bursts.
• He finds Second Carp leaping much higher than the others. Second Carp has already reached Expertise proficiency in Splash, showing exceptional effort despite the species’ limitations. Mu Yun decides to reward his determination.

Character developments and interactions

• Mu Yun shows both generosity and practical restraint: he prioritizes Little Gold, but also thinks carefully about how to use scarce Points. Little Gold’s dramatic growth prompts him to reconsider investing in the wider Magikarp group.
• Little Gold is revealed as deeply food-conscious, a remnant of his difficult past. Mu Yun reassures and cares for him, while Little Gold’s intense appetite and rapid growth suggest his enhanced stats have changed his capacity to absorb resources.
• Second Carp distinguishes himself through persistent training, earning Mu Yun’s respect and sympathy. His work ethic reminds Mu Yun of Namikaze.
• Bold leads the other Water Pokémon in organized training, though Mu Yun wonders whether they train from enthusiasm or simply follow Bold’s example.

Significant themes

• Potential versus effort: Magikarp are naturally weak, but Second Carp’s persistence makes him stand out.
• Care and security: Mu Yun’s promise that Little Gold will not go hungry again contrasts with the harsh cycle of scarcity that kept weak Pokémon from growing stronger.
• Resource allocation and growth: The chapter weighs limited resources against the promise of strengthening individual Pokémon, while suggesting that investment can unlock further growth.
• Training and transformation: Even a seemingly useless move like Splash becomes meaningful through sustained practice, while Little Gold’s stat boost produces a striking physical change.

Key plot points and events

• Mu Yun gives each of the 32 Magikarp—including Second Carp—a Gyarados Horn Bone, which they eagerly absorb. Their bodies grow substantially, though at different rates; Second Carp reaches nearly a meter.
• Most of the Magikarp fall asleep after feeding, but Second Carp keeps training Splash with the bone in his mouth, steadily leaping lower as exhaustion and the added weight wear him down.
• Impressed by Second Carp’s determination, Mu Yun spends 30,000 Points on 30 Evolution Essences for him.
• The essences enhance Second Carp’s two strongest stats for his eventual evolution: Physical Attack and Special Defense each increase by 150. The boost gives him renewed energy, and he grows to 1.9 meters as he continues absorbing the bone.
• Mu Yun tells Second Carp to notify Bold when he finishes so he can receive another bone. He then leaves to make Energy Cubes for his Pokémon.

Character developments and interactions

• Second Carp demonstrates exceptional discipline and willpower, continuing to practice Splash despite fatigue and sleepiness. His improved stats and size mark a major step in his growth.
• Mu Yun recognizes Second Carp’s effort and supports him with valuable resources, while also taking responsibility for feeding and caring for his expanding Pokémon group.
• Bold uses Second Carp’s example to push Krabby and the others to keep training, though they appear confused by the comparison.

Significant themes

• Persistence and hard work: Second Carp’s training highlights how determination can drive progress even when a Pokémon is exhausted.
• Growth through support: Second Carp’s effort is rewarded by Mu Yun’s investment, showing how individual resolve and a trainer’s resources work together.
• Individual variation: Although the Magikarp receive identical bones, they grow and absorb them at different rates; their development also responds to their stats.
• Discipline spreading through example: Second Carp’s behavior inspires Bold to motivate the rest of the team.