A Legendary Ice Pokémon, Huo Yuhao's New Martial Soul

Chi Hong smiled at the information that appeared before him.

A stranger was fine, as long as she wasn't an enemy.

Come to think of it, I really can use Ultimate Ice and the Ice Empress's skills.

If I keep raising our closeness until I can wield all her power, wouldn't that be the equivalent of a Martial Soul?

And if I have nine Advanced Poké Balls, wouldn't that give me nine top-tier beast Martial Souls?

The thought excited Chi Hong.

He looked at the Ice Empress with newfound eagerness.

The Ice Empress said coldly, her distaste plain:

"Don't look at me like that. It's so... unsettling."

Only then did Chi Hong notice her condition. The infusion of power had left a flush on her cool face. Her palms, still pressed against his, were damp with sweat, perhaps from the Flame Plate's slight influence.

Now that I think about it, I was so busy guiding the Ice Pillar Plate's power that I didn't notice how small her hands were. Soft and smooth, too.

The Ice Empress seemed unable to bear his heated gaze. She turned her face away and withdrew her hands. "That's enough for today. I've gained too many insights to take in all at once."

[Closeness with the Ice Empress +5]

What? How did that add five points of closeness?

Chi Hong was surprised. Something seemed off with the Ice Empress.

Could it be that food and favors aren't the only ways to raise closeness?

"Now put me away," the Ice Empress said, her voice softening.

"Then shall we do this every night before bed?" Chi Hong asked tentatively.

"Of course. Don't you dare go back on your word. The only thing you're good for is helping me grow stronger. Hmph."

The Ice Empress was still speaking with her back to him.

Chi Hong took out an Advanced Poké Ball and recalled her.

Then he opened his message panel with Professor Oak and entered information about the Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion and his acquisition of the Ice Pillar Plate.

A short while later...

[Ding-dong! Professor Oak is extremely interested in the new Pokémon, the Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion. He urges you to raise your closeness with her as soon as possible. Once it reaches 80, he will send you a gift.]

[Professor Oak is delighted that you obtained the Ice Pillar Plate so soon after your last discovery.]

[Professor Oak has sent you a gift: a Legendary Pokémon Ball.]

"Professor Oak, you're an angel. You really sent me another one."

Chi Hong gripped the Poké Ball and eagerly checked its information.

[Legendary Pokémon Ball: Kyurem]

Requirement for use: Control of the Ice Pillar Plate

Uses: 1

Age level: 999999 (this world's limit)

Type: Dragon + Ice

Ability: Pressure. When Kyurem spreads its incomplete wings of ice, a bitter cold bears down on everything around it. Each breath its opponent takes grows labored, and every movement costs far more stamina than usual, as though the very air has frozen and time itself has slowed.

Moves: Glaciate, Blizzard, Ice Beam, Dragon Pulse, Outrage, Absolute Zero, Ancient Power, Dragon Breath, War Cry, Slash, Endeavor, Hyper Voice, Imprison, Scary Face...

Duration: In a one-on-one battle against an enemy who threatens you, until either the enemy is defeated or Kyurem dies.

Additional information:

Kyurem is a Legendary Pokémon of the Dragon and Ice types, known as one of the strongest Dragon-type Pokémon.

Legend says it was the third dragon born when Reshiram and Zekrom split apart. It has waited ever since for "truth" and "ideals" to fill the body it lost.

Though it possesses power surpassing Reshiram and Zekrom, that power has been sealed by air of extreme cold.

When it fuses with Reshiram or Zekrom, it becomes White Kyurem or Black Kyurem, respectively.

"Another invincible Legendary Pokémon."

Looking at the outrageous information filling the panel, Chi Hong straightened up. He felt as confident as he had when he held Ho-Oh.

He looked at the Rainbow Wing in his hand.

"Ho-Oh, this is a hard decision, but Kyurem is a powerful Legendary Dragon Pokémon. It might become my new partner. I may not have enough time to find a way to summon you again."

Chi Hong sighed and glanced at the sky. The sun had already risen.

So he went out.

The new semester had put a fresh spring in most students' steps, making Chi Hong want to challenge them to a few thrilling battles.

But his classmates apparently hadn't forgotten him. They scattered the moment he approached. What a shame.

Chi Hong searched for a suitable target and finally settled on two familiar figures.

"Wang Dong and Huo Yuhao! You must've gotten a lot stronger over winter break. Let me see for myself."

Chi Hong walked over with a smile.

Huo Yuhao had been explaining his new Martial Soul to Wang Dong. When he saw Chi Hong, he bowed earnestly. "Brother Chi Hong, it's been a while. Thank you for speaking up for me at the Freshman Assessment. I've become a core disciple now."

Chi Hong blinked, trying to remember what he had said back then. Nothing came to mind.

All he remembered was securing a chance to enter Sea God Lake.

Chi Hong waved a hand.

"No problem. You deserved it. Now let's battle."

Wang Dong stepped forward confidently.

"Don't get cocky, Chi Hong. I'm a Soul Elder now, and Huo Yuhao just awakened his second Martial Soul. We're going to crush you."

Chi Hong was baffled.

Wasn't Huo Yuhao's second Martial Soul the Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion in the original story?

But he failed in the Far North, and the Ice Empress is with me now.

Where did he get a second Martial Soul?

Could it be Electrolux's? Chi Hong wondered.

Huo Yuhao spoke up.

"Brother Chi Hong, my Martial Soul is called Necromancer. Like you, I can summon companions to fight for me. Mine are undead creatures, though, so you'd better be careful."

Chi Hong smiled.

"You're telling me what your Martial Soul does without me even asking? You're too trusting."

Then he sighed. "A Martial Soul called Necromancer sounds like something tied to evil Soul Masters. If you want to grow stronger without trouble, you shouldn't reveal it so easily."

Wang Dong scoffed.

"Why shouldn't he reveal it? Yuhao's mental power is so strong. What does he have to fear? Besides, we ran into a crazy woman by Sea God Lake last time. She nearly killed us, and nothing much came of it."

Huo Yuhao gave a rueful smile.

"Wang Dong, that's enough. Brother Chi Hong has a point. I'll be careful."

Wang Dong frowned.

"Why shouldn't I say it? I looked into it afterward. She's a Soul Emperor prodigy from the inner academy with an Evil Fire Phoenix! Her evil fire has flared up and injured plenty of people, yet she's still allowed to stay. Why wouldn't they let a Necromancer stay?"

At that, Chi Hong remembered that he had apparently promised Mu En he would deal with Ma Xiaotao's evil fire.