Chapter Summaries

At his grandfather’s birthday banquet, Ye Qing rejected Zhao Ziran’s claim that Pseudo-Legendary Pokémon were inherently superior, prompting Zhao Ziran to challenge him to a battle. Just as Ye Qing and Zhao Ziran prepared to fight, Professor Qian arrived and offered to referee, leaving the battle about to begin.

• Ye Yunyin returned to the table and repeatedly apologized to Ye Qing, while Zhang Min praised him and the family discussed Zhao Ziran’s Dratini.
• Ye Qing disagreed with Zhao Ziran’s claim that Pseudo-Legendary Pokémon were naturally stronger than other Pokémon, and Zhao Ziran challenged him to battle.
• Ye Qing accepted Zhao Ziran’s challenge and walked onto the lawn with Milotic’s Poké Ball while Monferno refused to fight.
• Professor Qian arrived at the banquet, greeted Ye Qing, and offered to referee the battle.
• Ye Yunyin tried to hide from Professor Qian, her former teacher, while Zhao Ziran agreed to let him referee.

Ye Qing faced Zhao Ziran’s Dragonair with his Totem Milotic and used Rain Dance to overwhelm Dragonair’s attempt to change the weather. Milotic’s rain-boosted Hydro Pump broke through Dragonair’s Iron Tail, and Zhao Ziran ordered her to fly up and counter with Dragon Rush.

• Zhao Ziran sent out his level 30 Dragonair, while Ye Qing revealed his much larger Milotic.
• Ye Qing had his mother fetch an umbrella, then commanded Milotic to use Rain Dance and summon dark clouds over the villa complex.
• Ye Qing’s Maternal Uncle scanned Milotic and found an energy reading of 27, while the Old Master recognized that Milotic was unusually powerful.
• Zhao Ziran ordered Dragonair to use Dragon Dance and tried to clear the rain, but Milotic’s Damp Rock-strengthened Rain Dance kept the clouds in place.
• Ye Qing ordered Hydro Pump, and its rain-boosted force overcame Dragonair’s Iron Tail and struck her.
• Zhao Ziran ordered Dragonair to fly up and use Dragon Rush.

Ye Qing and Milotic fought Zhao Ziran and Dragonair in a rain-soaked battle that drew a crowd. Milotic defeated Dragonair with a rain-enhanced Brine and began recovering, while Ye Yunyin slipped away from the gathering.

• Dragonair used Dragon Rush against Milotic, who countered with Hydro Pump and then struck her with a newly learned Aqua Tail, sending both Pokémon through the villa's boundary wall.
• Dragonair attacked Milotic with Thunder Wave, but Milotic used Refresh to clear the electricity before answering with Icy Wind.
• Zhao Ziran ordered Dragonair to unleash a full-power Thunderbolt, and Milotic drove her Iron Tail into the ground to divert most of the current.
• Milotic endured another Thunderbolt and landed a rain-boosted Brine on Dragonair, who fainted in the standing water.
• Milotic used Recover as the old man applauded, while Zhang Min stared in shock and Ye Yunyin left to avoid an awkward aftermath.

Ye Qing defeated Zhao Ziran’s Dragonair with Milotic, then went with Professor Qian to the research institute to discuss information about the Tao Trio. He negotiated payment for his help and secured two TMs, three boxes of Advanced Pokéblocks, one million, and a villa in Shanhai City.

• Milotic defeated Zhao Ziran’s Dragonair with Rain Dance, and Ye Qing celebrated the victory as Zhao Ziran returned to change his soaked clothes.
• The Old Master praised Ye Qing and promised him a reward, while Professor Qian explained that Ye Qing had provided information about Legendary Pokémon and had been invited to help the research institute.
• Professor Qian used Alakazam’s Teleport to take Ye Qing to an enclosed office at the research institute and asked for more detailed information about the Tao Trio.
• Ye Qing asked what reward he would receive, and Professor Qian rejected his request for a Pseudo-Legendary Pokémon egg but offered two TMs, three boxes of Advanced Pokéblocks, and one million in cash.
• Ye Qing asked Professor Qian to add a villa in Shanhai City, and Professor Qian agreed.

Ye Qing shared detailed information about the Tao Trio with Professor Qian in exchange for valuable items and permission to use the research for his graduation thesis. Back at the Zhao family villa, his grandfather praised him and gave him Dragonite’s Soothe Bell, while Ye Qing asked Dragonite for a favor.

• Ye Qing explained Reshiram and Zekrom’s Overclock Mode and answered Professor Qian’s questions about the Tao Trio in exchange for research materials.
• Professor Qian approved Ye Qing’s graduation thesis topic and had Alakazam teleport him back to the Zhao family villa.
• Ye Qing returned to find his family playing mahjong, and his grandfather praised his conduct before leading him to Dragonite.
• Ye Qing’s grandfather gave him Dragonite’s Soothe Bell as a gift for becoming a Trainer and asked which Legendary Pokémon’s aura he had sensed.
• Dragonite noticed the aura around Ye Qing and nodded when Ye Qing asked him for a favor.

Ye Qing and his Pokémon trained and prepared to return home, where he received the villa Professor Qian had arranged for him. After moving into Villa No. 6, he looked ahead to taking the Trainer assessment and beginning his adventure.

• Ye Qing gave Milotic and Ralts Protect TMs, gifted Ralts a Soothe Bell, and watched Monferno train Focus Punch with Dragonite.
• Professor Qian told Ye Qing that his villa was ready, and Ye Qing and his family flew home the next morning.
• Ye Qing told his parents to meet him later, then took a car to the Coastal Villa District to inspect his new home.
• The villa staff gave Ye Qing the keys and paperwork for Villa No. 6, and he asked the guards to admit his parents when they arrived.
• Ye Qing entered the villa and saw its front-yard pond and rockery, as well as the flower-filled back yard.

Ye Qing moved his family into the villa the Pokémon League had awarded him, then went to register for his Trainer qualification exam. At the Trainer Association, he ran into Wang Yao arguing with a woman who accused him of chasing after pretty girls.

• Ye Qing showed his parents the villa, and his Pokémon explored the yard while Milotic made a small pond for Psyduck.
• Ye Dad released Machamp, and Monferno eagerly began sparring with him as the family’s belongings arrived.
• With his family settled, Ye Qing decided to start his Trainer journey and went to the Trainer Association to register for the qualification exam.
• Ye Qing’s name was called for assessment, but he spotted Wang Yao arguing with a woman in the corridor.
• Wang Yao asked Ye Qing to vouch for him, and the woman accused Wang Yao of spreading his attention among pretty girls.

Ye Qing began his Trainer assessment after reassuring Wang Yao and Zhang Wenwen about the Advanced Pokéblock. He passed the written test and entered the practical battle, where Milotic fought the examiner’s Electabuzz.

• Zhang Wenwen confronted Wang Yao about the Pokéblock, and Ye Qing showed her an Advanced Pokéblock to clear up the misunderstanding.
• Wang Yao told Zhang Wenwen that Ye Qing was his best friend and a Trainer who owned a Milotic.
• Ye Qing was called to examination room one, passed the written test, and sent out Milotic for the practical assessment.
• The examiner sent out Electabuzz and explained that Milotic had to defeat two Electric-type Pokémon for Ye Qing to pass.
• Milotic dodged Electabuzz’s Shock Wave with Refresh, then bound him with her tail as Ye Qing ordered Hydro Pump.

Ye Qing faced the examiner’s Zebstrika with Milotic in the Trainer exam, using Rain Dance and Mist to track and outmaneuver the faster Electric-type. As the rain clouds began to fade, both sides launched their final attacks, leaving the battle undecided.

• Milotic defeated Wang Yao’s Electabuzz, and the examiner sent out Zebstrika for Ye Qing’s next battle.
• Ye Qing had Milotic summon Rain Dance, then used the falling rain to predict Zebstrika’s movements and land a Hydro Pump.
• Zebstrika’s Discharge struck Milotic’s Protect, while its Motor Drive speed boost let it close in with Quick Attack.
• Milotic rose above Zebstrika and used Mist to obscure the field, then attacked from within the rain with Brine.
• As Rain Dance began to end, Ye Qing ordered repeated Water Pulses while the examiner sent Zebstrika charging into the sky with Quick Attack.

Ye Qing defeated Zebstrika with Milotic and earned his Professional Trainer license. After celebrating with Wang Yao, Zhang Wenwen, and Su Yiqin, he wandered into a deserted alley with Monferno and found himself surrounded by abandoned houses.

• Milotic struck Zebstrika with Aqua Tail, winning Ye Qing his Trainer assessment.
• Ye Qing registered as a Professional Trainer, selected a yellow Pokédex, and paid the registration fee.
• Wang Yao took Ye Qing, Zhang Wenwen, and Su Yiqin to dinner to celebrate, where teasing sparked an awkward exchange about Wang Yao's past romances.
• After dinner, Ye Qing walked with Monferno and encouraged it to keep practicing Focus Punch.
• Ye Qing wandered into a sparsely populated alley lined with dilapidated, abandoned houses.

Ye Qing found a level 40 Dusknoir in an alley on East Mountain Street and suspected the entrance to the Spirit World was becoming unstable, so he warned his family to avoid the area. After training his Pokémon and celebrating with his family, he left home to begin his journey to Jushi City.

• Ye Qing entered the alley with Milotic, Ralts, and Monferno, and Ralts exposed a hidden Dusknoir with Confusion.
• Dusknoir pointed Ye Qing and his Pokémon out of the alley, and Ye Qing reported the Ghost-type Pokémon to the Public Security Bureau.
• Ye Qing returned home, worried that the Spirit World entrance near Shanhai City was loosening, and ordered Ralts, Psyduck, and Monferno to train under Milotic's supervision.
• Ye Menghan welcomed Ye Qing home the next morning and showed him a red Pokéblock she had nearly learned to make.
• Ye Qing warned his mother to keep the family away from East Mountain Street, then spent the next few days at home as Ralts trained to level fourteen and Monferno reached level twenty-six.
• Ye Qing left home before dawn on the third day and set out for Jushi City.

Ye Qing and his Pokémon encountered an injured Seviper in Jinxi Forest, and Ralts faced her first real battle. The fight left Monferno and Seviper falling through the air, with Seviper biting Monferno’s arm as he punched her.

• Ye Qing entered Jinxi Forest with Monferno and Ralts, asking Ralts to stay alert during her training trip.
• Ralts detected an injured level-thirty Seviper hiding in the bushes, and Ye Qing ordered Monferno to attack while Ralts supported him.
• Ralts restrained Seviper with Confusion, but Seviper broke free and struck Monferno with Aqua Tail before lunging at Ralts.
• Ralts froze when Seviper charged, but Monferno interrupted Seviper’s Poison Fang and Ye Qing urged Ralts to use Teleport.
• Seviper constricted Monferno, so Ralts teleported them into the air; as they fell, Monferno punched Seviper with Fire Punch while Seviper bit his arm.

Ye Qing and his Pokémon survived Seviper’s attack, but a Zangoose appeared and killed Seviper before retreating with her prey. After healing and resting, the group continued through Jinxi Forest, where Monferno’s tossed bottle struck something in the bushes.

• Ralts stopped Seviper’s Poison Tail from hitting Monferno, and the battle’s pressure raised Ralts to level 17.
• A level 35 Zangoose killed the weakened Seviper, sized up Ye Qing’s team, and withdrew with Seviper’s body.
• Ye Qing treated Monferno and Ralts with healing spray, then hurried onward with his Pokémon.
• Ye Qing checked the map during a rest in a clearing and saw that the group had crossed only a quarter of Jinxi Forest.
• Monferno tossed an empty milk bottle into the bushes, and a sharp clunk sounded as it hit something.

Ye Qing and his Pokémon traveled deeper into the primeval forest, driving off wild Pokémon and avoiding a large bear Pokémon’s tracks. As rain and fierce winds approached, they camped between three trees and ate by the firelight.

• Mankey confronted Monferno after Monferno threw a milk bottle, then accepted Ye Qing’s Pokéblock and backed off.
• Ye Qing rewarded Ralts with an intermediate Pokéblock for helping Monferno, then continued through the forest with Ralts and Monferno.
• Monferno defeated a Raticate that jumped out at Ye Qing.
• Ye Qing found an enormous footprint near a small mountain, suspected a dangerous bear Pokémon was nearby, and asked Ralts to monitor their surroundings with her psychic power.
• Ye Qing chose a campsite between three trees, pitched a tent, and fed his Pokémon as fierce winds rose before the expected rain.

Ye Qing left his tent with Ralts and Monferno to investigate angry roars and found a group of Onix attacking an Aggron near a Totem Steelix. He watched from behind a rock as the battle continued, unable to see why Aggron refused to move.

• Ye Qing woke to distant roars during the storm and asked Ralts to teleport him and Monferno outside to investigate.
• Ye Qing spotted wild Pokémon gathering around the area and decided to approach the disturbance with Ralts and Monferno.
• Ralts teleported Ye Qing toward a rocky field while Monferno caught up by leaping through the trees.
• Ye Qing saw a Totem Steelix and a young Onix nearby as five larger Onix attacked an Aggron.
• Ye Qing noticed that Aggron stubbornly held his position despite the attacks, but darkness kept him from seeing the reason.

Ye Qing discovered that a level 50 Steelix was leading Onix in an attack on Aggron and her young Aron, and he decided to intervene despite the danger. Aron evolved into Lairon while defending his mother, but his potential fell to C+; Ye Qing and his Pokémon entered the battle to help them.

• Steelix ordered the Onix to seize Aron so it could force Aggron to surrender the Metal Coat.
• An Onix caught Aron, but he evolved into Lairon and broke free, driving back the Pokémon holding Aggron down.
• After seeing Lairon repeatedly rise and fight despite his injuries, Ye Qing decided to rescue him and recruit him despite his reduced potential.
• Ye Qing arrived with Milotic, Ralts, and Monferno, and they attacked the Onix and began treating Aggron.
• Steelix attacked Milotic with Dragon Breath while Monferno and Ralts fought to protect Lairon and Aggron.

Ye Qing and his Pokémon fought Steelix and the Onix while Aggron struggled to hold Steelix back. Ye Qing threatened Steelix’s child to secure a chance to leave, then prepared to escape with his Pokémon by air.

• Aggron knocked Onix unconscious, then Ralts teleported her beside Steelix and let her land a powerful Head Smash.
• Ye Qing saw Aggron tiring and had Ralts teleport him and Milotic behind Steelix, where Milotic threatened his timid child.
• Steelix’s remaining Onix stopped attacking after Ye Qing threatened the child, and Steelix agreed to let them go.
• Steelix used healing medicine to revive Aggron, who reunited with Lairon, while Ye Qing recalled Monferno.
• Ye Qing planned to leave with Milotic through the sky, but he was unsure whether she could carry Aggron.

Ye Qing escaped Steelix with Milotic, Aggron, Lairon, Ralts, and Monferno, then sheltered the group and treated their injuries. Aggron accepted Ye Qing’s offer to take Lairon traveling, and Lairon woke with hidden injuries still needing treatment.

• Ye Qing used Milotic’s Twister and Aggron’s Autotomize to flee with the group, while Ralts’s Teleport let them evade Steelix’s rock attack.
• Steelix stopped pursuing them after securing the Metal Coat, and Ye Qing’s group traveled several kilometers before landing in a forest.
• Aggron made a rocky shelter, and Ye Qing treated Aggron and Lairon while Milotic kept watch and Monferno provided warmth and light.
• Ye Qing told Aggron he wanted to take Lairon traveling and promised to help him grow stronger, and Aggron agreed to entrust her child to him.
• Lairon woke and heard their conversation; Ye Qing found that his hidden injuries would require gradual recovery and specialized Pokémon Center equipment.

Ye Qing secured Aggron’s approval for Lairon to join him, and Lairon chose to grow stronger by accepting his challenge. After everyone rested through the storm, Ye Qing woke and prepared to battle Lairon.

• Aggron approved of Ye Qing and agreed to let Lairon travel with him.
• Lairon decided to grow strong enough to protect his family and challenged Ye Qing, who agreed to battle him the next day.
• At Wang Yao’s villa, Gyarados brought Gardevoir roses, but she crushed them and slammed him to the floor; Jynx comforted him.
• Ye Mom stayed awake in Villa No. 6, worrying about her son and looking at the money he had left her.
• After the storm passed, Aggron took over the watch while Milotic rested, and Ye Qing later recalled Milotic to her Poké Ball.
• Ye Qing found Lairon ready outside the cave and asked whether he was prepared for the challenge.

Ye Qing battled and caught Aggron's Lairon, then arranged for Aggron to visit his home so she could stay near her child. Aggron left Lairon with Ye Qing and agreed to meet at the border of Shanhai City and Jinxi Forest in three days.

• Monferno defeated Lairon in a friendly battle using moves including Flamethrower, Mach Punch, and Feint.
• Ye Qing caught Lairon with a Great Ball and released him, and Lairon chose to follow Ye Qing to grow stronger.
• Ye Qing invited Aggron to stay at his home so she could see Lairon, but Aggron initially refused to leave the forest.
• Lairon persuaded Aggron to visit Ye Qing's home, and she agreed to meet at the border of Shanhai City and Jinxi Forest in three days.
• Aggron departed after saying goodbye to Lairon, and Ye Qing called out to her just as she was about to disappear from sight.