Chapter Summaries

Plot points and events

• Xu Mu helps Eternatus defeat Rayquaza and two other opponents in the Dynamax Domain. Eternatus thanks him, promises to restore the damaged area, and gives him an amethyst necklace that lets them communicate.
• Xu Mu leaves without trying to catch Eternatus, reasoning that she seems like a young girl and would be a burden to raise. The system rewards him with a Dynamax Core for Snorlax and assigns Snorlax a new tournament task.
• Xu Mu and Lugia escape the underwater Secret Realm. He returns to the hospital, where the rescued Pokémon have begun accepting treatment. He tells the staff to return them to the realm once they recover, even those that seem to belong elsewhere.
• Xu Mu learns that a Ralts rescued from the Owl Organization was gravely injured by experiments and is expected to die. With Xu Xiaoxiao’s permission, he gives her a Potion. The chapter ends as an apparent miracle begins.

Character developments and interactions

• Xu Mu shows kindness and confidence: he helps Eternatus, reassures the hospital staff, and chooses to try to save Ralts.
• Eternatus is grateful and reluctant to see Xu Mu leave; their necklace establishes a continuing connection.
• Cynthia is quietly attentive to Xu Mu, urging him to change out of his soaked clothes rather than questioning the necklace. She is moved by Ralts’s suffering.
• Xu Xiaoxiao explains Ralts’s condition and allows Xu Mu to try helping, though she doubts current medicine can save her.
• Ralts is introduced as a victim of the Owl Organization’s cruel experiments, unconscious and in severe pain.

Significant themes

• Compassion and responsibility toward vulnerable Pokémon.
• The lasting cruelty of unethical experimentation.
• Trust and bonds between people and Pokémon, reflected in Eternatus’s gift and the rescued Pokémon’s cooperation.
• Hope against seemingly impossible odds, foreshadowed by Xu Mu’s Potion and the chapter’s cliffhanger.

Key plot points and events

• Xu Mu finds the newly awakened Ralts frightened and withdrawn, and reassures her that she is safe.
• Her injuries have healed, thanks to a potion Xu Mu gives to Xu Xiaoxiao. With Xiaoxiao’s approval, Xu Mu registers Ralts and plans to take her with him.
• Xu Mu offers Ralts a Pokéblock. Her memories of being confined and tortured in a laboratory trigger a severe headache, and she nearly loses consciousness.
• Xu Mu backs away, then uses his Viridian Force to comfort her and ease the pain. Ralts asks whether he is Xu Mu and, feeling safer with him, agrees to be his friend.

Character developments

• Ralts’s bright-red hair, lost Psychic abilities, and intense fear reveal the lasting effects of her abuse. Though wary, she begins to trust Xu Mu.
• Xu Mu shows patience and compassion, recognizing Ralts’s trauma and giving her space rather than forcing interaction.
• Cynthia advocates taking Ralts somewhere she can recover and experience a kinder world. Xu Xiaoxiao supports the plan.
• Arceus’s affectionate familiarity with Xu Mu—and Xu Mu’s gentle response—offers Ralts a first glimpse of a caring human–Pokémon relationship.

Significant themes

• Trauma can make trust and ordinary kindness frightening, even when someone is trying to help.
• Patience, safety, and gentle care can begin the process of healing.
• Past cruelty—here associated with the now-defunct Owl organization—continues to harm its victims.

Character interactions

• Xu Mu reassures Ralts, offers her food, and ultimately comforts her through Viridian Force.
• Ralts silently observes Xu Mu’s tender exchange with Arceus before cautiously accepting his friendship.
• Cynthia encourages Xu Mu to take Ralts in, and Xu Xiaoxiao gives her permission and entrusts her care to him.

Summary

• After catching Ralts, Xu Mu learns from the system that she is unstable and affected by Destruction Energy. He suspects this may explain her unusual hair but chooses not to press her, recognizing that she is not ready to discuss her past.
• Xu Mu invites Ralts to leave with him and Cynthia. Though nervous about being close to a human, she agrees to let him lift her onto his shoulder. His Viridian Force makes the contact feel warm and comforting, helping her begin to trust him.
• Hoopa briefly envies Ralts’s place on Xu Mu’s shoulder, then cheerfully reassures itself that it can fly. Meanwhile, Cynthia watches Xu Mu and Ralts fondly, though she is curious about the necklace he wears.
• After saying goodbye to Aunt Xiaoxiao, Xu Mu and Cynthia go to a mall to buy Ralts supplies. Xu Mu takes her to the accessories section, thinking she might like a hair ornament. Cynthia mistakenly assumes he is shopping for her, and Xu Mu catches on, suggesting they choose matching rings instead.
• The couple buys a simple pair of silver rings. Cynthia values the gesture rather than the price, and Xu Mu casually asks her to pay, much to the sales clerk’s surprise.

Character developments and interactions

Ralts remains shy and unsettled, but accepts Xu Mu’s touch and begins to feel safe with him. She admires the closeness between Xu Mu and Cynthia and quietly wishes she could hold his hand too, though she does not understand romance. Xu Mu shows patience and care toward Ralts, while also being attentive to Cynthia’s feelings. Cynthia is affectionate and secure in their relationship, and the ring purchase reinforces their bond.

Significant themes

The chapter emphasizes trust built through patience, care for a vulnerable Pokémon, and affection expressed through small gestures rather than wealth. It also contrasts Ralts’s emerging attachment to Xu Mu with the established intimacy of Xu Mu and Cynthia.

Plot points and events

• Xu Mu buys Ralts an expensive gold hair clip, though Cynthia pays for it along with the ring. He gives the clip to Ralts, praises her hair, and takes a photo of her wearing it.
• Xu Mu and Cynthia head up Fragrant Hill with their Pokémon carrying the camping supplies. Dragonite takes a bag from Arceus, while Dragonite and Milotic quietly exchange glances, hinting at changing feelings between them.
• Their peaceful climb is interrupted by a cry for help. They find a crowd gathered around an Absol carrying a young boy on its back. The boy appears happy, but his frightened parents and the tourists assume the Pokémon is dangerous and demand that it leave.

Character developments and interactions

• Ralts is overwhelmed by Xu Mu’s gift and compliments. The moment becomes a defining one for her: she begins to choose Xu Mu, and her shyness shows how deeply his attention affects her.
• Xu Mu and Cynthia share an affectionate, relaxed outing. Cynthia supports Xu Mu’s kindness toward Ralts and joins in reassuring her.
• Dragonite and Milotic seem to have entered a new emotional dynamic: Milotic may now be attracted to Dragonite, while his apparent indifference leaves her confused.
• Xu Mu and Cynthia respond to the emergency together, setting aside their leisure to investigate.

Significant themes

• Affection and belonging: A thoughtful gift and sincere praise give Ralts a powerful sense of being valued.
• Misjudgment and fear: The crowd sees Absol as a sign of disaster and a threat, despite the boy seeming comfortable on its back.
• Responsibility: Xu Mu feels compelled to help when people are in danger, while Cynthia’s sense of duty makes her readily agree.

Key events

• Absol appears at Fragrant Hill carrying a small boy, not attacking him but warning that a large Secret Realm is about to appear. Xu Mu trusts Absol and asks him to help evacuate the tourists.
• Xu Mu returns the boy to his parents, then uses his reputation and the scenic-area staff to organize an urgent evacuation. He broadcasts repeated warnings and has staff monitor and clear the grounds.
• The evacuation succeeds just before the Secret Realm materializes. Xu Mu, Cynthia, and Absol remain behind.
• Xu Mu invites Absol to explore the new Secret Realm with them. Absol accepts.
• Pokémon League forces secure the entrance and assemble the first expedition team: Xu Mu, Cynthia, and more than a dozen powerful Trainers, led by Invincible Trainer Xiao Tianyang. After Xiao warns Xu Mu to be cautious, the group enters.
• Inside, Lugia says the place feels strangely familiar—like home.

Character developments and interactions

• Xu Mu acts decisively and compassionately, taking responsibility for the tourists’ safety despite their mistaken fear of Absol. His confidence and status earn the management staff’s immediate cooperation.
• Absol is shown to be benevolent: he came to warn people, accepts Xu Mu’s trust, and joins the expedition despite being repeatedly misunderstood as dangerous.
• Cynthia supports Xu Mu and smiles when he persuades Absol to stay; she enters the Secret Realm alongside him.
• Xiao Tianyang reveals his protective, grandfatherly concern for Xu Mu, while also anticipating that Xu Mu’s presence may make the expedition unpredictable.
• The tourists initially fear Absol but quickly praise Xu Mu, demonstrating how their opinions depend more on his reputation than on the facts.

Significant themes

• Misjudgment and reputation: Absol’s threatening appearance leads people to fear him, while Xu Mu’s heroic reputation makes them trust him without questioning what happened.
• Compassion and responsibility: Xu Mu refuses to abandon people simply because they are ignorant or mistaken.
• Trust across boundaries: Xu Mu’s willingness to trust Pokémon—especially Absol—helps turn a potential crisis into cooperation.
• Order and protection: The League’s control of the new Secret Realm reflects its role in safeguarding the public while developing capable Trainers.

Key plot points and events

• Lugia rushes ahead through the underwater Secret Realm, hoping to find others of his kind, while Absol separates from the group for unknown reasons.
• Though the realm is filled with seawater, Xu Mu and Cynthia can breathe and speak normally. Ralts and the invisible Hoopa both sense that someone is watching them, but neither tells Xu Mu.
• Lugia searches the area but finds no other Lugia. Using his Psychic powers, he detects a small palace and leads the group there.
• A barrier blocks entry. Hoopa tries to pass through and is bounced back, then Lugia confirms he cannot cross it either.
• Just as the group considers what to do, a Phione appears and reveals that she was the one watching them.

Character developments and interactions

• Lugia enjoys being the center of attention after feeling sidelined, but his search for his kind leaves him puzzled. He still ends up carrying Xu Mu and Cynthia to the palace, despite wishing he could be more than a mount.
• Xu Mu gently accommodates Lugia’s mood and keeps the group moving, while his casual teasing reflects his familiarity with his Pokémon.
• Cynthia follows along with curiosity and concern for Lugia; she also silently recoils at the idea of riding Slaking.
• Hoopa’s confidence is briefly shaken when someone seems able to detect him despite his invisibility. His failed attempt to cross the barrier adds comic relief.
• Ralts shares Hoopa’s sense of being watched but remains too reserved to speak up.
• Phione arrives playfully, admits she was spying, and immediately engages with Hoopa.

Significant themes

• Belonging and recognition: Lugia wants to be valued as a Legendary Pokémon, not merely used as transportation, and hopes to find others like himself.
• Mystery and hidden forces: The unusual realm, the palace barrier, and the watchers’ unexplained sensations suggest that the Secret Realm holds secrets beyond what the group can see.
• Humor and companionship: The characters’ teasing, awkward moments, and easy teamwork balance the adventure’s suspense.

Chapter Summary

• Xu Mu, Lugia, and Cynthia enter Manaphy’s palace after Phione removes the barrier. Phione hints that someone is waiting inside, especially for the “Little Lugia,” but offers no explanation. Hoopa stays behind to play with Phione and introduce her to Gengar and Alakazam.
• Xu Mu and Lugia meet Manaphy, the Prince of the Sea. Manaphy recognizes Xu Mu, and Xu Mu realizes that legendary Pokémon can speak. Manaphy is also said to possess a measure of foresight.
• The meeting is interrupted by an attack. A submarine breaches the palace’s spatial barrier, drops a powerful net over Xu Mu, Lugia, and Cynthia, and uses a laser to shatter the giant suspended droplet above them. Manaphy falls and is seized by a mechanical arm.
• The submarine’s crew reports that both Manaphy and Lugia have been captured. Its white-coated commander orders Thunder Shock to knock out the humans, boasting that Xu Mu and Cynthia are valuable prizes too.
• Xu Mu fights back. He orders Lugia to break the net, but Aeroblast fails. Greninja then slices through it, allowing Xu Mu to escape with Cynthia and Ralts. The chapter ends when the submarine’s commander recognizes Ralts and exclaims that it is still alive.

Character Developments and Interactions

• Xu Mu stays outwardly casual about the palace’s mysteries, trusting that answers will emerge in time. When the attack begins, however, he reacts quickly and protects Cynthia and Ralts.
• Lugia is eager but cautious, taking Xu Mu’s warning seriously. His Aeroblast cannot break the specialized net, making Greninja’s successful intervention a humbling contrast.
• Phione is playful and cryptic: she welcomes the group, recognizes something unusual about Lugia’s appearance, and directs them toward Manaphy without explaining what she knows.
• Manaphy is introduced as small and seemingly gentle, yet unusually perceptive. His capture immediately establishes him as the attackers’ main target.
• Cynthia remains with Xu Mu during the attack, while Greninja proves decisive under pressure. The commander’s recognition of Ralts suggests that Ralts has a connection to the attackers or their past operations.

Significant Themes

• Mystery and fate: Xu Mu chooses not to force answers, believing events will reveal themselves in time.
• Appearances versus ability: Manaphy’s harmless look conceals unusual powers, while the seemingly simple net proves strong enough to restrain Lugia.
• Loyalty and protection: Xu Mu’s instinct is to shield his companions, and Greninja responds to his command without delay.
• A sudden shift from wonder to danger: The palace encounter begins with playful, mystical introductions but quickly turns into a high-stakes kidnapping.

Key plot points and events

• Xu Mu, Cynthia, Lugia, and Manaphy are pursued by a submarine crew using laser discs and capture nets. The lab-coated man behind the attack says he wants to capture Xu Mu’s Pokémon—and Ralts, whose survival would prove his experiment succeeded.
• Xu Mu sends out his team. Greninja and Snorlax destroy the laser discs, while Dragonite and Charizard break the nets. Slaking charges the submarine and destroys it with one blow, killing its crew and leaving the lab-coated man alive but defeated.
• Lugia catches Manaphy as she falls. Manaphy is safe, though the broken crystal has left her weak.
• When Xu Mu questions the survivor, Ralts recognizes him and relives the terror of being harmed. She fears Xu Mu will abandon her. The man admits he experimented on her and boasts that she is living proof of his success.
• Xu Mu comforts Ralts and confronts the scientist, who claims the Hunter Organization is sending experts and threatens Xu Mu to surrender.

Character developments and interactions

• Xu Mu shifts from battle-ready anger to gentleness when Ralts panics. He promises to stay with her, then turns his anger back on the man responsible for her suffering.
• Ralts’s frightened reaction reveals the lasting trauma behind her red hair and timid behavior. Her plea for reassurance shows how much she depends on Xu Mu.
• Xu Mu’s Pokémon respond fiercely to the attack, especially Slaking, whose strike ends the battle almost immediately. Lugia protects Manaphy, while Manaphy confirms she is safe.
• The scientist remains arrogant despite defeat, valuing his experiment over Ralts’s wellbeing and relying on the Hunter Organization’s threat to intimidate Xu Mu.

Significant themes

• Protection and loyalty: Xu Mu and his Pokémon defend one another, and Xu Mu reassures Ralts that he will not leave her.
• Trauma and trust: Ralts’s painful memories shape her fear, while Xu Mu’s comfort offers her security.
• Cruelty disguised as achievement: The scientist treats Ralts’s suffering as proof of success, contrasting scientific ambition with compassion.
• Escalating conflict: The Hunter Organization’s involvement suggests the threat may continue beyond the destroyed submarine.

Key plot points and events

• Xu Mu loses his temper when the lab-coated man boasts that he created Ralts by combining Yveltal’s Destruction Energy with her psychic power. Xu Mu repeatedly beats and kicks him until he is terrified and begs for mercy.
• Ralts reaches out to comfort Xu Mu and asks him not to be angry. He reassures her that she is safe, that she need not force herself to recover her memories or powers, and that he will not abandon her.
• Xu Mu signals Greninja to deal with the scientist. Greninja initially misunderstands, but then takes him away with Arceus, whose soundproof barrier will keep what happens out of earshot. Xu Mu returns to Lugia and Manaphy.
• In Kale’s office in Western Europe, Xu and a woman arrive unexpectedly. The woman confronts Kale for defeating her son in a three-on-three battle and forbidding him from dating his daughter. She has Gardevoir seal the exits, while Xu prepares to fight Kale.
• Before the confrontation can unfold, Kale’s secretary reports that a new Secret Realm has appeared in the Eastern Lands. It contains the Temple of the Sea, where Manaphy has appeared, and both Xu Mu and the Hunter Organization are involved.

Character developments and interactions

• Xu Mu’s normally gentle manner gives way to intense rage over Ralts’s suffering. Yet he remains tender with her, prioritizing her comfort and assuring her she need not meet anyone else’s expectations.
• Ralts, initially frightened, draws courage from Xu Mu’s reassurance and promises to try to be brave, while also asking him to calm down.
• Greninja tries to act on Xu Mu’s anger but needs clarification; Arceus accompanies him and provides a practical means of keeping the incident secret.
• Kale’s confidence and fatigue vanish when Xu and the woman confront him. The woman takes charge, while Xu’s silent readiness to fight leaves Kale confused and then resigned.

Significant themes

• Protection and loyalty: Xu Mu’s violence is framed as a response to the scientist’s harm of Ralts, while his care for her emphasizes safety and acceptance.
• Healing without pressure: Xu Mu tells Ralts she does not need to recover her memories or powers to deserve his care.
• Revenge and consequences: Both confrontations revolve around people being held accountable for how they treated others.
• A shift in focus: The report of the Secret Realm and Manaphy introduces a larger development that may connect the two scenes.

Key plot points and events

• Greninja and Arceus return after defeating their enemy. Absol also comes back, carrying a trident he found.
• Lugia recognizes the trident and places it in a recess in the Sea God Temple. The temple shakes, revealing that Lugia is destined to inherit the Sea God’s position.
• Manaphy confirms the inheritance, while Phione greets the long-awaited moment with reverence. The trident glows, the temple collapses, and Lugia rises into the air.
• The inheritance begins with a trial: Lugia must defeat Loki and another powerful Lugia, Luo Yi, while they fight at full strength. Lugia is temporarily granted demigod-level power.
• Xu Mu summons Eternatus to help. After an awkwardly affectionate greeting in front of the assembled group, Eternatus agrees to use Eternamax to hold one opponent off while Xu Mu’s Lugia fights the other.

Character developments and interactions

• Lugia moves from being Xu Mu’s Pokémon and mount to a candidate for godhood. He accepts the challenge and asks Xu Mu for help.
• Xu Mu remains composed about the Sea God inheritance, treating it as the next challenge rather than a moment for awe. He also reflects on how events keep pushing him toward a life as a Trainer.
• Absol returns proudly with the trident, briefly loses his composure in his eagerness, then tries to present himself more formally.
• Manaphy and Phione show relief and reverence as their centuries-long guardianship of the temple approaches its end.
• Cynthia is astonished by Lugia’s destiny and captivated by the temple’s transformation.
• Eternatus tries to act imposing after greeting Xu Mu too familiarly in front of everyone, then agrees to assist in the trial.

Significant themes

• Destiny and inheritance: Lugia’s rise appears tied to a long-prepared succession, though Xu Mu suspects unseen forces may be shaping his path.
• Power tested through struggle: The inheritance is not granted outright; Lugia must prove himself against formidable opponents.
• Humor amid epic events: Xu Mu’s dry reactions and Eternatus’s embarrassment undercut the grandeur of the temple’s collapse and the looming battle.
• Unanswered mysteries: Xu Mu wonders whether Ho-Oh or the world itself is guiding events, while the Celebi egg’s unexplained delay adds to his frustration and uncertainty.

Plot and key events

• Xu Mu has Luo Feng battle Loki while Eternatus, in Eternamax form, takes on Luo Yi. Victory will earn Luo Feng the Sea God Inheritance and settle his claim to a divine title.
• Loki attacks aggressively, trying to disrupt Eternatus’s setup, while Luo Yi uses Tailwind and Hydro Pump to support him. Xu Mu counters with defensive moves for Luo Feng and orders Eternatus to keep boosting.
• Once Eternatus is powered up, he targets Luo Yi with Eternabeam. Luo Feng recovers and protects himself from Loki’s Aeroblast, while Eternatus uses Recover and Toxic.
• The strategy turns the fight in Xu Mu’s favor. Luo Feng’s Sea God radiance appears, and Loki and Luo Yi are absorbed into him. Luo Feng rises to Early Master and gains a clear path toward godhood.
• The system awards the Sea God Inheritance. Luo Feng briefly transforms into Dark Lugia, flies around to test the form, then returns to normal.

Character developments

• Xu Mu shows growing confidence and tactical skill in a demigod-level battle, prioritizing a reliable win over Loki’s pride.
• Luo Feng follows Xu Mu’s commands and gains a major increase in power, along with the promise of a smooth path to godhood.
• Greninja, watching from the sidelines, draws inspiration from the fight and breaks through to the peak of Elite Four level.
• Loki is revealed as a relentless, ruthless opponent; Luo Yi proves capable of supporting him with speed and ranged attacks.

Themes and interactions

• Preparation and teamwork: Xu Mu’s boost-and-defense strategy, combined with precise coordination between him and his Pokémon, overcomes the opponents’ early pressure.
• Power through observation: Greninja’s breakthrough illustrates how watching stronger fighters can inspire growth.
• Transformation and inheritance: Luo Feng’s absorption of Loki and Luo Yi, followed by the Dark Lugia form, marks a dramatic change in his strength and potential.
• Xu Mu’s calm commands contrast with Loki’s aggression, while Greninja’s enthusiastic admiration—and Cynthia’s excitement at Luo Feng’s transformation—adds a lighter note to the battle.

Plot points and events

• The system announces a Lugia mission: win a match at the World Elite Four Tournament with Lugia and receive Blue Silver Grass, one of the martial souls required to unlock the Sea God inheritance. Xu Mu suspects the system is teasing him with an impractical reward.
• Luo Feng, newly empowered as the Sea God, returns to Xu Mu. Their affectionate, playful interaction shows Luo Feng remains childlike despite his new status.
• As Xu Mu prepares to leave the Sea God Secret Realm, another intruder breaks through its spatial barrier. A middle-aged Hunter arrives on a Salamence, sees Xu Mu’s rare Pokémon—including Lugia, Eternatus, Manaphy, and Hoopa—and plans to seize them.
• Meanwhile, in Western Europe, Xu Feng and Xiao Yue confront Chief Kale. Xu Feng beats him until Kale agrees not to interfere with Xu Mu’s relationship with Kale’s daughter.
• Kale’s secretary finally reports that Xu Mu and the young woman are in the Sea God Secret Realm and may be in danger; a Hunter Organization agent has reportedly arrived there.

Character developments

• Xu Mu remains irreverent and cynical, complaining about the system while confidently treating even a newly crowned Sea God as his Pokémon and mount.
• Luo Feng has gained immense power and stature but is still affectionate, excitable, and childlike.
• Kale is reduced from a powerful regional Chief to a battered, reluctant participant in his daughter’s romantic affairs.
• Xu Feng and Xiao Yue show fierce parental protectiveness, though they express it in very different ways: Xu Feng through intimidation and Xiao Yue through support and confidence in their son.

Significant themes

• Power versus maturity: Luo Feng’s divine status contrasts with his youthful personality.
• Family loyalty and protection: Xu Feng and Xiao Yue defend their son, while Kale’s concern for his daughter complicates the romance.
• Irreverent treatment of grand systems and titles: Xu Mu’s jokes undercut the seriousness of the Sea God inheritance and the system’s promises.
• Escalating danger: Xu Mu’s rare Pokémon continue attracting hostile outsiders, turning each attempted departure into another confrontation.

Character interactions

• Xu Mu teases the system, then welcomes and praises Luo Feng; Luo Feng responds with enthusiasm and affection.
• The Hunter’s greed sets up an imminent clash with Xu Mu and the Pokémon.
• Xu Feng bullies Kale on his son’s behalf, while Xiao Yue encourages him and insists their son is exceptional.
• Kale’s secretary tries to alert him to the danger, but only gets through after Xu Feng and Xiao Yue release their Psychic seal on the office.

• A new, powerful enemy arrives: After Eternatus defeats Luo Yi with Eternamax, both Eternatus and Luo Feng are exhausted. Xu Mu tells them to rest and steps forward when Hunter A appears on Salamence. A introduces himself as the Hunter Organization’s Chief Hunter and claims to be an “Invincible Trainer.” Xu Mu is frustrated by yet another exceptionally strong opponent but accepts the challenge.
• Xu Mu prepares his team: He sends Snorlax to fight, reasoning that its recent growth and Dynamax Core make it the best choice. Snorlax has reached the upper ranks of the Elite Four and can reach late-stage Master strength when Dynamaxed. Absol asks to help, but Xu Mu assigns it to protect Cynthia, Lugia, and the exhausted fighters from the battle’s shockwaves, preferring not to risk an untested pairing.
• The battle begins: Hunter A sends out Golem. Xu Mu starts with his usual plan—Belly Drum and Rest—but A anticipates Snorlax’s abilities and attacks immediately with Close Combat and Earthquake. The Earthquake’s force shocks Xu Mu, convincing him that Golem is at least late-stage Champion level. Xu Mu responds by having Snorlax Gigantamax, hoping to raise its strength enough to compete.
• Snorlax attacks, but A stays composed: Snorlax uses Expansion Jutsu and Defense Curl, yet Golem continues its Earthquake assault. Snorlax’s angry taunting briefly distracts Golem, giving Xu Mu an opening to order Rollout into Human Bullet Tank. A remains unfazed; Golem evades with Rock Climb and counters with another Earthquake. The chapter ends with Snorlax facing that counterattack.
  Character developments and interactions: Xu Mu shifts from his usual setup strategy to a more urgent, defensive approach once he recognizes A’s strength. Snorlax is shown as powerful and eager to fight, but still comically prone to trash-talking. Absol demonstrates loyalty by offering help and following Xu Mu’s protective assignment. Hunter A comes across as confident and taunting, while his Pokémon’s strength—and A’s apparent knowledge of Gigantamax—raises suspicion about how formidable he is.
  Themes: The chapter emphasizes the danger of underestimating opponents, the value of caution and team coordination, and the escalating scale of conflict. Xu Mu’s irritation at the constant arrival of powerful enemies contrasts with his willingness to adapt and fight when his allies are spent.

Key plot points and events

• After repeated Earthquakes stop Snorlax from using Rollout, Snorlax is defeated and reverts from Gigantamax form. Xu Mu thanks him, while Snorlax insists he would have won if he had eaten more.
• Xu Mu chooses Charizard to face Hunter A’s Golem. He saves Greninja for the expected battle against Hunter A’s Salamence, and can no longer Dynamax another Pokémon after using the power on Snorlax.
• Xu Mu immediately Mega Evolves Charizard into Mega Charizard X. Hunter A is unsurprised, reinforcing that powerful battle mechanics are common in this world.
• Charizard uses Tailwind to take to the air, then Protects against Ancient Power while building strength with Dragon Dance. He taunts Golem as he dodges its attacks.
• Golem’s Ancient Power boosts its stats, but Charizard keeps evading. Golem later uses Rock Tomb and Hyper Beam; Charizard deliberately exploits the opening after Hyper Beam to land Evil Flame Dragon, followed by Draco Meteor.
• Golem is defeated. The attack’s impact sends seawater surging, leaving Charizard suddenly frightened by the water and begging Xu Mu to recall him.

Character developments and interactions

• Xu Mu makes strategic choices under pressure, conserving Greninja and directing Charizard through a carefully timed attack sequence. He also indulges Charizard’s insistence on receiving a Potion afterward.
• Charizard proves brave and dependable when Xu Mu needs him, despite his usually cautious nature. In battle he combines disciplined obedience with cheeky taunting, then reveals his fear of the surrounding water once the fight is over.
• Snorlax is graciously recalled by Xu Mu but comically refuses to accept his loss.
• Hunter A remains composed and tactically alert, trying to keep Golem focused and using Rock Tomb to restrict Charizard’s movement. Golem, however, is provoked by Charizard’s taunts.

Significant themes

• Trust and teamwork: Xu Mu relies on Charizard’s courage, and Charizard follows his commands despite his fears.
• Strategy over brute force: Charizard wins by dodging, building power, and exploiting the recovery time after Hyper Beam.
• Humor amid danger: Snorlax’s excuses, Charizard’s trash talk, and his sudden panic about water lighten the intense battle.
• A world of extraordinary power: Mega Evolution and Dynamax are presented as widespread features of the setting, not rare advantages.

Plot points and events

• Hunter A is unsettled after Xu Mu’s Golem loses to Charizard, but tries to preserve his confident, theatrical villain persona.
• He sends out Kingdra. Charizard panics at the apparent underwater setting, so Xu Mu reassures him that the seawater won’t harm him because he has Water Absorb.
• Kingdra repeatedly spits Water Gun at Charizard, provoking him. Xu Mu uses the humiliation—and Greninja’s laughter—to turn Charizard’s anxiety into anger and fighting spirit.
• Charizard attacks with Dragon Pulse and, boosted by Tailwind and Dragon Dance, catches Kingdra despite its Agility. He lands two Dragon Claws and finishes it with Draco Meteor.
• Kingdra’s powerful “Super-Compressed Hydro Pump” has no effect because Charizard absorbs the water, making the attack look like a shower.
• Exhausted after the battle and his previous fight, Charizard drops out of Mega Evolution. Xu Mu sends Greninja in next.
• Frustrated by two consecutive losses, Hunter A abandons his act and sends out his remaining three Pokémon alongside Salamence. He threatens Xu Mu, demands his Pokémon and the Legendary Pokémon, and makes a vile threat against Cynthia.

Character developments and interactions

• Xu Mu shows tactical insight: he understands Charizard’s fear and deliberately uses taunting and provocation to restore his confidence and focus. His anger flares when Hunter A looks at Cynthia.
• Charizard shifts from anxious and distracted to furious and determined, defeating Kingdra through speed, strength, and his Water Absorb Ability. The fight leaves him drained.
• Hunter A changes from smug and performative to openly hostile when his apparent superiority collapses.
• Greninja laughs at Charizard’s embarrassment, inadvertently helping push him into battle mode.
• The chapter’s exchanges between Xu Mu and Charizard, and Charizard and Kingdra, mix teasing and insults with the seriousness of defending the group.

Significant themes

• Composure versus provocation: Xu Mu turns Charizard’s emotional reactions into a weapon.
• Confidence and teamwork: Xu Mu’s understanding of Charizard helps overcome his fear and secure the win.
• Arrogance and consequences: Hunter A’s smugness gives way to rage when he is beaten.
• Comedy amid danger: The spit attacks and ineffective Hydro Pump provide slapstick contrast to the looming threat to Xu Mu and the Legendary Pokémon.

Key plot points and events

• Hunter A believes his four Champion-level Pokémon will overwhelm Xu Mu. He taunts Xu Mu and leers at Cynthia, making sexually explicit remarks.
• Xu Mu, Cynthia, Lucario, and Greninja are enraged. Lucario charges Hunter A but is quickly blasted aside by Salamence.
• Xu Mu’s Greninja completes its Battle Bond transformation. At Xu Mu’s command, it uses Double Team and a Giant Rasenshuriken, nearly catching Hunter A and his team off guard. Salamence saves Hunter A with Protect.
• Hunter A Mega Evolves Salamence and orders an attack, but Greninja follows with a powerful combination of Surf, Waterfall, and Great Waterfall Jutsu. The water-enhanced attacks leave Krokorok, Jolteon, and Mightyena badly weakened.
• Krokorok’s Earthquake hurts Jolteon. Greninja exploits the opening, defeats Jolteon, then brutally kills him with a Water Shuriken. It follows by killing Krokorok with two Giant Rasenshuriken and sending Mightyena flying with Water Pulse. Three of Hunter A’s Pokémon are down; Salamence remains.

Character developments and interactions

• Xu Mu’s restraint gives way to cold, focused fury when Hunter A insults Cynthia. He directs Greninja’s retaliation with precise commands.
• Greninja mirrors Xu Mu’s anger, fighting with unusual intensity and showing no mercy once the battle turns lethal.
• Cynthia is disgusted and furious at Hunter A’s disrespect, while Lucario’s normally composed nature gives way to protective rage. Gible scolds Xu Mu for not reacting sooner, and Ralts is unsettled by his anger.
• Hunter A’s confidence and vulgar taunting leave him vulnerable to Greninja’s opening attacks. Salamence proves quick enough to protect him, but Hunter A’s failure to direct his other Pokémon contributes to their defeat.

Significant themes

• Protection and loyalty: Xu Mu and his Pokémon react fiercely to Cynthia’s humiliation.
• Provocation and consequences: Hunter A’s taunts turn the fight into a personal reprisal.
• Battlefield advantage and control: Greninja exploits the Sea God Secret Realm’s water-boosting terrain, while Hunter A’s delayed commands leave his team exposed.

Key plot points

• Greninja, strengthened by Bond Phenomenon, defeats three of Hunter A’s Pokémon but reaches his limit. Xu Mu recalls him rather than risk further injuries.
• Hunter A mistakes the recall for surrender and threatens Xu Mu, still relying on his Mega Salamence and believing he has the advantage.
• Xu Mu gives Eternatus a healing potion. Restored to full strength, she attacks and defeats Salamence in one blow.
• Xu Mu orders Greninja to take Hunter A away, then comforts Cynthia. Gible and Lucario return to their Poké Balls.

Character developments

• Xu Mu steadies himself after Greninja’s exhausting fight and makes a measured decision to protect him. He then reveals a powerful reserve and becomes openly protective of Cynthia.
• Greninja shows both fearsome combat ability and loyalty to Xu Mu, accepting the order to rest despite wanting to keep fighting. He later takes Hunter A prisoner.
• Eternatus acts on her anger toward Hunter A, but follows Xu Mu’s instruction not to eat him.
• Hunter A shifts from confidence to shock and desperation when Eternatus destroys his trump card.
• Cynthia quietly accepts Xu Mu’s comfort, while Gible and Lucario withdraw after realizing they are no longer needed.

Significant themes

• Restraint and judgment: Xu Mu chooses to protect Greninja from pushing past his limits rather than chase victory at any cost.
• Overconfidence and hidden strength: Hunter A assumes he understands the balance of power, only to discover Xu Mu has kept a decisive advantage in reserve.
• Loyalty and protection: Xu Mu’s Pokémon respond to his trust and commands, and his devotion to Cynthia shapes his actions.
• Consequences of cruelty: Hunter A’s disregard for life and disrespect toward Cynthia lead to his defeat and capture.

Character interactions

• Xu Mu reassures Greninja and recalls him, while Greninja silently confirms his understanding.
• Hunter A interprets this as surrender and taunts Xu Mu; Greninja rejects that assumption.
• Xu Mu restores Eternatus and directs her to target Salamence, not Hunter A.
• After the battle, Xu Mu embraces Cynthia and shields her from seeing Hunter A being taken away.

Key plot points and events

• Xu Mu’s visit to the Sea God Secret Realm ends after Greninja deals with Hunter A. Manaphy and Phione decide to stay in their home.
• Phione’s frightened reaction to peering through Hoopa’s Cosmic Ring lightens the mood.
• Xu Mu reflects that this world is real and that, in less than a year, he has formed deep bonds with his Pokémon, family, and Cynthia.
• Xu Mu promises Cynthia he will protect her for life; she happily accepts, recalling that she has loved and trusted him since they first joined hands.
• Greninja returns after punishing Hunter A and rests. Xu Mu remembers how Greninja’s loyalty and reliability turned his initial nerves about having a powerful Starter into trust.
• Xu Mu tries to recruit Absol, with Slaking enthusiastically pitching an absurd vision of the two Pokémon rising to greatness.
• Before Xu Mu can catch Absol, Cynthia asks to battle and catch him herself. Xu Mu agrees, and Absol welcomes the challenge.

Character developments and interactions

• Xu Mu recognizes how much this world and its relationships matter to him. He is affectionate toward Cynthia and proud of Greninja’s loyalty.
• Cynthia reveals her feelings through her warm response to Xu Mu’s promise, then confidently claims the chance to add Absol to her team.
• Greninja demonstrates his dependable, fiercely loyal nature, while keeping his irreverent sense of humor.
• Absol is swayed by Slaking’s exaggerated flattery but responds to Cynthia’s request with pride and eagerness.
• Slaking acts as Xu Mu’s comic, persuasive recruiter, while Manaphy and Phione choose to remain in the Secret Realm.

Significant themes

• Belonging and commitment: Xu Mu’s bonds with this world, his Pokémon, and Cynthia make his life here feel unquestionably real.
• Trust and loyalty: Greninja’s actions confirm the partnership Xu Mu has come to rely on.
• Love and mutual support: Xu Mu and Cynthia affirm their commitment, and Cynthia seeks a Pokémon strong enough to protect her.
• Choice and independence: Absol gets to decide whether to join, while Cynthia wants to earn him through her own battle.

Plot points and events

• Absol challenges Cynthia, and she accepts, calling on Lucario. Lucario has just been knocked aside by Salamence, but Cynthia is eager to fight.
• Cynthia Mega Evolves Lucario. Absol is impressed but hides it behind a snort, while Lucario hopes to finally prove himself after being repeatedly overshadowed.
• Absol opens with Throat Chop to block Lucario’s sound-based moves, then combines Razor Wind with Swords Dance. Lucario dodges with Extreme Speed and uses Bulk Up.
• Cynthia directs Lucario to use Aura Sphere, then close in with Extreme Speed and Brick Break. Lucario overwhelms Absol, who uses Protect and concedes.
• While Lucario expects Cynthia’s praise, Xu Mu sweeps her up and kisses her. Embarrassed and heartbroken at being ignored, Lucario retreats into his Poké Ball to sulk.
• Cynthia catches Absol, who happily accepts her as his Trainer. Eternatus then departs, telling Xu Mu to call if he needs help again.

Character developments and interactions

• Cynthia shows confidence and tactical skill, adapting her commands to counter Absol’s moves. She wins Absol’s respect and becomes his Trainer.
• Lucario fights with determination and executes Cynthia’s strategy well, but his desire to show off is undercut when Xu Mu steals the moment. His comical retreat reveals his sensitivity to being overlooked.
• Absol proves both skilled and dignified: he uses a clever combination of moves, accepts defeat gracefully, and eagerly welcomes Cynthia.
• Xu Mu admires Absol but is pleased to see Cynthia catch him. His affectionate celebration of her victory unintentionally wounds Lucario.
• Eternatus leaves on friendly terms, offering future assistance. Meanwhile, Arceus is distracted by a comic struggle with Greninja over snacks.

Significant themes

• Respect in battle: Cynthia goes all out with Mega Evolution because she considers it the proper way to face an opponent.
• Partnership and trust: Absol willingly joins Cynthia after their battle, while her commands guide Lucario to victory.
• Recognition and jealousy: Lucario’s hard-won performance goes unnoticed amid Xu Mu and Cynthia’s romance, creating a humorous contrast between battle pride and personal attention.
• Comedy and affection: The chapter balances tactical Pokémon combat with Xu Mu’s teasing inner thoughts and the group’s playful dynamics.

Chapter Summary

Key plot points and events

• After Eternatus leaves, Manaphy and Phione fall asleep and return to the Sea God Secret Realm. Xu Mu and Cynthia prepare to leave, with Xu Mu riding the now-grown Lugia, whom he calls Luo Feng.
• Just as Lugia takes off, the Secret Realm’s World Barrier breaks again. A group of twenty-five Pokémon Hunters, dressed like the previously encountered Hunter A, arrives.
• Hunter B orders most of the Hunters to search for A and sends the rest after Xu Mu and Cynthia. Xu Mu tells them that he killed A, but B dismisses the claim and pursues them.
• Realizing that the Hunters may also find Xiao Tianyang and his mostly Venerable-level expedition team, Xu Mu sends Cynthia to warn them and bring reinforcements. He kisses her to persuade her to go, then Arceus teleports her away.
• Xu Mu and Greninja stay behind, baiting the pursuing Hunters and leading them on a long chase through the Secret Realm. Meanwhile, Cynthia reaches Xiao Tianyang and warns him of the invasion; Xiao immediately organizes a rescue for Xu Mu.

Character developments

• Xu Mu shows both confidence and tactical awareness: rather than face the Hunters with limited support, he prioritizes protecting Xiao Tianyang’s weaker group and buys time by drawing the pursuers away.
• Cynthia is reluctant to leave Xu Mu in danger, showing her deep concern for him, but ultimately accepts the mission to get help.
• Lugia/Luo Feng remains affectionate toward Xu Mu despite his new status and immense strength, and is pleased to carry him.
• Greninja joins Xu Mu’s deliberately provocative escape plan, though it still objects to being called a frog.
• Xiao Tianyang responds urgently when Cynthia reports the danger, immediately moving to help his grandson.

Significant themes

• Loyalty and affection: Xu Mu and Cynthia risk separation to protect one another and their companions.
• Teamwork and sacrifice: Xu Mu stays behind to draw danger away while Cynthia seeks help.
• Courage mixed with humor: Even under threat, Xu Mu treats the chase with irreverent jokes and turns dirty tactics into a deliberate strategy.
• Escalating danger: The repeated breach of the Secret Realm’s barrier suggests the Hunters’ threat is growing and the crisis is far from over.

Character interactions

• Xu Mu warmly jokes with Lugia about only recently learning his name, and Lugia gladly carries him.
• Hunter B mocks Xu Mu’s claim that he defeated Hunter A, prompting Xu Mu to flee rather than waste time arguing.
• Xu Mu and Cynthia share a heartfelt moment before she leaves to warn Xiao Tianyang.
• Xu Mu directs Greninja to taunt the Hunters, while Cynthia alerts Xiao Tianyang and rallies the expedition team to rescue Xu Mu.